Mrs. Doris was already in the room when I entered the classroom. Most of the other students from my course were already in their seats. I was the last one to enter.

  “Good Morning.” I smiled politely as I entered the class.

  “Rory! Welcome back!” Mrs Doris surprisingly responded to me with a warm smile.

  Other students pretty much ignored me but that was not something new. I was not social in this classroom anyways.

  I sat down in my seat and without a delay Mrs. Doris started her class.

  “As you all are aware today there are no classes except this one.” Mrs. Doris started to speak with us all. “Today is purely a new introduction and a new chapter in this university.” Mrs. Doris smiled at all of us and turned on the screen behind her.

  “University of Akasia is evolving. The new goal is to find exceptional students in you all!” Mrs. Doris paced herself and looked at the screen and us.

  “Exceptional.” Mrs. Doris spoke to the class.

  The first slide she presented showed this word. She read it and looked at us all.

  “Till now the University of Akasia was building on the strength of a collective. The goals were to do well in the studies a student has chosen to be in. In your case it’s the development course.” Mrs. Doris looked at each of us pausing.

  Then moved on. “You all have a goal here. And this goal is to graduate in a development study course. Be innovators of the future!”

  The classroom quietly listened to our homeroom professor speak. Everyone had the same expression. We all wanted to know what this meant for our futures in this university.

  “The goal is simple. To get exceptional out of each one of you individually. Meaning that a new value system that emphasizes on each unique strength and growth.”

  At this moment my phone pinged a message.

  I wanted to check but felt like this was not the time. But then I noticed other students glancing down at their phones. I couldn’t help myself but look at it.

  A new email from the university had arrived in our mailboxes.

  Mrs. Doris looked at the time on her wrist watch and nodded to us to check the message.

  “You just all received a message that is your new study plan for December.” She stated. “I will give you a few minutes to review.” She moved on and let us all look over at the email. Turning over towards her table and sitting down.

  “When you’re ready please take your phones away and wait.”

  I looked down into the screen of my phone.

  The email that I read had a next 4 week schedule.

  Week one emphasized my development project finish week.

  Week two I will be taking multiple tests each day of the week in different subjects.

  Week three is a reflection week. Depending on my test results they will reevaluate my capabilities and provide material at the level the results come out as.

  Week four is growth. I will be scheduled to study specific topics in each subject. What subject they will be determined if I pass or fail the tests. Material depends on my results.

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  That’s the overall reflection I had when looking over at the details. I can even click on specific timeslots at each date to look over what and where I will be at each day but that’s just little things.

  I finished reading for now and put my phone away looking over at the classroom.

  Most of the students were still closely reading their email. Some expressions were complex, furrowed brows, some opened their mouths, others narrowed closely looking at their phone screens. The expressions were vast and focussed. None of the students wore a smile.

  The air felt tense.

  My eyes lingered at the backs of the students. In the distance Mrs. Doris sat overlooking all of us.

  Three minutes passed…then five and ten. When the clock was ticking twelve minutes of silence most of the students were waiting for the next motion.

  “Are you all done?” Mrs. Doris asked us.

  “Yes!” Most students nodded in unison. The ones still staring at the screen slightly nodded and put their phones away as well.

  Mrs. Doris then got up from her seat and stood in front again. She took a small pause before she spoke. Making eye contact with the whole group.

  “The December schedule is very similar to each student. Materials you will study varies from the result you got from your mid term test results.” Our classroom professor explained it to us.

  Surprisingly no one asked any questions at this stage but listened to what Mrs. Doris said.

  “Every three months you will take the overall test like we just did now. Your next one will be held in February." Mrs. Doris advised us.

  “These tests will be done in the same manner with your results showcased and placed in ranking as a whole grade and will be used as a check point for the new system.” Our professor walked slightly sideways and back while talking. Telling us these important changes.

  “Each student will be different depending on your capabilities and growth level so try not to run after other students.” She mentioned.

  “What we want from you is to emphasize what you as an individual can do. Do not run at and do not hold yourself back. I believe that you all can raise and achieve many great things!” Mrs. Doris talked to us and encouraged us to do what we could. She even gave us an encouraging smile.

  “This is what I can explain right now. Of course, if you have detailed questions please raise your hands and I will answer them.” Mrs. Doris opened us to express our questions.

  At that few hands popped up.

  Mrs. Doris chose the first student.

  “You mentioned earlier that we will have to learn studies that are not in our development class but looking at this schedule I cannot see that.” A female student spoke up.

  Mrs. Doris nodded.

  “I do remember telling you this and it still stands.” She acknowledged that she did in fact mention this. “The overall test will cover every subject. Your diploma that you are working for is technology development studies…so of course your studies is what you chose to study. We are not taking away this choice from you.” Mrs. Doris answered.

  “Then how does it work? Do we need to study other subjects then?” The same student asked.

  “I am not going to lie…this was the argument we as professors had when we first were introduced to these changes and we managed to come to a conclusion.” Mrs. Doris advised.

  “We are giving you students the choice. You don’t have to study subjects you are not enrolled in and can just do the best when you get our three month overall test.” Mrs. Doris paced herself pausing.

  Her sharp eyes looked at the whole group.

  Students all listened.

  I was interested in this question myself.

  Mrs. Doris continued. “If you do choose to take extra classes and pass in overall subjects. The more subjects you pass on the higher value you will attach to yourself which will give you more opportunities once you graduate.” She explained the benefit for achieving a higher level equals better value for yourself.

  The way she worded this did not sit too well with me. Like a currency and value in one is only when a person can advance themselves in every subject.

  Athena’s thoughts on the matter of this came to my mind. Her dissatisfaction hearing of this when the test results were told to us. I understood her position but also at the same time understood where this university stands.

  They specifically want to find those rare exceptionals who are well rounded and good at everything to find that specific formula to emphasize it and advance it. I could see the background works of research and data being examined.

  How did my mind come to this?

  Simple. This is exactly what my father Sano was studying himself. I did not know the specifics of his research or conclusions from it but the way the University of Akasia is changing gave me a familiar taste in my mouth.

  Is this a coincidence or deliberate action? I did not know but felt that in time I will have my answer.

  The rest of the class was spent answering other student questions. I did not ask any yet. I wanted to observe and see how this first month goes and then depending on what happens do what I can do. Study and advance myself to graduate from this university!

  Dreamlike LitRPG Psychological Thriller

  ?? Updates:

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  ? Polished & Ongoing

  Alex Dawson's quiet life of classes and gaming shatters when he dreams of a crimson sky, a fallen moon, and a stranger on a mirror-like sea.

  The dream doesn't fade. An ancient system awakens, and Alex is dragged into the hidden realms of dreams where some want him to awaken, others want him to break, and one wants him back.

  Free to read on Royal Road