Recess finally arrived.
Benjamin stood up from his seat and headed toward the cafeteria, but before he could take three steps, Laura stopped him.
**Laura:** "Do you… want me to come with you? I'm still worried about your health."
Her voice was soft, a little shaky — the kind of worry only someone who cares *too much* would have.
Benjamin scratched his cheek awkwardly.
**Benjamin:** "Nah, I'm fine. I'm just gonna look for my friends. Don't you need to study for the exam?"
He smiled — that innocent, clueless smile that stabbed Laura right in the heart.
She froze, speechless for a second, then quietly sat back down and opened her notes.
Benjamin walked away completely unaware that the girl he liked was now having a mini-heart attack.
---
### **Thought Communication Activated**
Benjamin reached the stairs and launched the spell.
<[Synchronization of Idiots]>
<[Calling Ivan, Clard]>
<[Connected: Three Idiots]>>
**Benjamin:** *[YOOO what's up? What happened in the principal's office?]*
Silence.
A deeply concerning silence.
**Benjamin:** *[Hello??? Anyone alive??]*
Finally—
**Ivan:** *[I'm… rethinking my life choices.]*
**Clard:** *[What do you mean, bro?? We got out just fine! And don't forget I'm your—]*
Before he could finish, Ivan sent a mental uppercut.
**Ivan:** *[STOP. Don't say that word again. I WILL vomit.]*
**Clard:** *[Okay, okay sheesh. Anyway—where you at, Benjamin?]*
**Benjamin:** *[On my way down. Meet you guys at the cafeteria.]*
**Ivan & Clard:** *[Got it. We'll wait for you.]*
<[Call Ended]>
---
### **School Layout (Quick Glance)**
Benjamin's school was an L-shaped building five floors tall:
* **Ground Floor:** cafeteria, clinic, principal's office
* **Floors 2–5:** classrooms (4 per floor)
* The far end of the L ( |_ ) was teacher territory with 3 staff rooms per floor
* Staircase pillars everywhere except the stairs themselves
A normal school — except for the idiots running around it.
---
### **Cafeteria Chaos**
Benjamin arrived to see Ivan and Clard waiting at a table.
**Ivan** had an apple juice and a single sad pizza slice.
**Clard** had… a full buffet.
Brought by his butlers.
In silver trays.
Covered.
Steaming.
**Benjamin** took one look at Clard's feast and immediately stole a piece of chicken.
**Clard:** "Help yourself, bro… but don't finish the steak, it's special imported Wagyu from—"
**Benjamin:** *already eating the steak* "My bad."
While chewing, Benjamin suddenly asked:
**Benjamin:** "So… are you guys done studying for the test after recess?"
Ivan froze mid-sip.
Clard froze mid-breath.
Both began choking at the *exact* same time.
**Ivan & Clard:** "Y-y-YES!!"
They stuttered in perfect synchronization.
Benjamin sighed like a disappointed father.
**Benjamin:** "This is like… preparing your own funeral."
He took another bite of Clard's food.
**Benjamin:** "Ivan will pass. But Clard… I'm not sure about you, man."
Clard slammed his spoon down dramatically.
**Clard:** "EXCUSE YOU. I know the test answers."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Ivan slowly turned to him.
**Ivan:** "You mean… you *studied*?"
**Clard:** "Better. I bribed the vending machine lady to give me hints."
**Benjamin:** "Clard… that's not… how anything works."
**Clard:** "It worked last year!"
Benjamin and Ivan stared at him with deadpan expressions.
**Ivan:** "Last year you got a 6 out of 100."
**Clard:** "A PERSONAL RECORD."
---
Ivan suddenly perked up.
**Ivan:** "By the way… can we go to your house later?"
**Benjamin:** "Sure… but why?"
**Ivan:** "The new novel update drops today."
Benjamin nodded like that was a perfectly acceptable reason to invade his home.
And then—
**RRRRIIIINNNGGGGGGGGG!**
The bell
rang.
The bell of doom.
The bell of the *math test*.
All three froze.
Recess was over.
Judgment had arrived.
---
# **End of Chapter 7**