After a few days of the new fermentation, the day finally arrived, bringing gentle morning sun.
It streamed through tall glass panels lining the eastern wing of the Superpower Association's central complex, casting a warm glow over the newly restored gardens.
But no one was looking at the flowers. Everyone was inside.
The auditorium doors had opened at 9 a.m. sharp. Students began filing in—quiet, composed, but still carrying the fatigue of everything they had been through.
Some walked with a limp. Some had bandages. A few wore reinforced support gear under their uniforms. But all of them had passed. These were the survivors of the Forbidden Zone exam.
The seats filled quickly. Each row is marked by district, then by school. Teachers stood along the edges, whispering quietly with officials.
The cameras hadn't gone live yet, but everyone knew they would. The world had already seen the chaos. Now they wanted to see what came after.
