Chapter 3

The examiner took off his glasses and nodded slowly.

"Candidate Vance, we will verify the complainant's identity according to procedure. Once confirmed, you will be formally notified."

I stood up. "Thank you, examiners. I'll wait for the notice."

I pushed open the door.

Ethan and Chloe were sitting side by side on the bench in the waiting area, barely an inch between them.

Hearing my footsteps, Ethan shot up, and Chloe scrambled up right behind him.

"Nina, how did it go?" His voice pitched high, the tail end trembling faintly.

I walked right up to them, locked eyes with him, and said, word by word:

"I passed the re-test. My color vision is completely normal."

Every last trace of color drained from Chloe's face. Her lips quivered for several seconds before she squeezed out a word:

"Congratulations."

"One more thing." I slipped my hands into my jacket pockets, my tone casual. "I've requested the center investigate who reported me. They said they'll give me a formal answer following proper protocol."

Ethan's pupils contracted violently.

"Can... can they actually find that out?" Ethan cleared his throat nervously. "Aren't those reports usually anonymous?"

"It was submitted as anonymous," I agreed, letting my gaze drift slowly over Chloe's lowered head. "But the examiner said that even if it wasn't signed openly, every submission leaves a digital footprint in the system. Pulling the logs will trace it right back to the source."

Chloe’s shoulders shook visibly.

Ethan shifted half a step to the side, blocking her trembling frame from my sight.

"Nina, do... do you really have to push for an investigation? You passed the re-test anyway. Maybe just let it go."

"Let it go?" I repeated the words softly. He instantly choked on his breath. "Someone accused me of cheating on a military academy entrance exam. That's a stain on my record. If it isn't cleared up, that mark hangs over my file forever."

Chloe finally looked up, her eyes rimmed with red, her voice trembling faintly:

"Nina is right. Something like this really shouldn't just be let go."

Looking into her eyes, I let out a slow smile.

"Chloe, did you cry this morning? Your eyes are so red."

Her neck stiffened instantly. She dropped her head, hastily scrubbing her eyes with the back of her hand.

"I... I just didn't sleep well. I was worried sick about your re-test and stayed awake half the night."

"How thoughtful of you," I said softly, every word hitting with heavy precision. "I didn't even lose sleep over my own business, yet you stayed up all night worrying for me."

Chloe pressed her lips into a thin, white line, her fingers knotting the hem of her shirt.

Ethan stood between us, his gaze darting back and forth, his mouth opening and closing without producing a sound.

I took a step closer to him, lowering my voice so only the two of us could hear.

"Ethan, what do you think the person who reported me was trying to accomplish?"

He flinched, taking a hasty step back until his back slammed into the wall.

"H-how would I know?" His voice was raspy. "Maybe it was a misunderstanding. Maybe someone just saw wrong."

"Saw wrong, so they filed a report?" I tilted my head, studying the fine beads of sweat breaking out on his forehead. "The center processes over a thousand candidates a day. The examiners only finalize results after double-checking everything. Is this complainant sharper than the medical board, capable of declaring someone a cheater with just a glance?"

The hallway air felt suffocatingly heavy.

"Nina, maybe we should head back first. Our parents are still waiting for news at home."

Ethan finally found his voice, struggling desperately to keep his gentle facade intact.

"No rush." I turned toward the elevator, my pace unhurried. "We can wait until the investigation results come out. From filing to a formal inquiry, it only takes two or three days."

The elevator doors slowly slid shut behind me.

Through the narrowing gap, I saw Ethan bracing himself against the wall with one hand. Chloe stood an arm's length away. Neither of them spoke.

As the elevator descended, my reflection stared back at me in the polished steel doors.

That expression reminded me of the version of myself who, on the brink of death in my previous life, had typed that final sentence into her phone.

My fingers had no strength left back then, yet I had forced them to tap out every single letter.

The message sent, a red exclamation mark popped up, and then everything went dark.

This time, things are different. Every single debt owed to me will be paid back in full.

The doors opened on the ground floor. As I stepped out, I almost collided with someone.

He was tall, wearing an academy physical training uniform, holding a manila folder.

He stepped aside, glancing at me, then at the elevator behind me.

"Here for the physical exam too?"

"Re-check," I answered briefly.

Lucas Reed raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the answer, but didn't pry.

"You're in luck, then. The head of the department is running the re-test board today. He's famous for being strictly by the book."

"I know." I stepped past him toward the exit.

He called out behind me, "Wait, what's your name?"

I looked back at him over my shoulder.

"Nina Vance."

The corner of his mouth curved up slightly. "Lucas Reed. Also taking the exams. Maybe we'll end up in the same class."

I didn't reply, simply pushing through the glass doors into the open.

Outside, the sunlight poured down, blazing hot.

In this life, the world was finally starting to warm up.