The evening air was crisp, carrying the scent of freshly trimmed grass and the faint aroma of coffee from the campus cafés. Students bustled around them, some taking leisurely walks, others deep in conversation, their polished shoes clicking against the paved pathways. The entire campus exuded an aura of prestige, of excellence that seemed almost unattainable to outsiders.
Ji-hoon had dreamed most of his life about places like this, but standing here, seeing it all in person, was an entirely different experience.
"This place is massive," Min-seok muttered in awe as he gazed up at one of the university’s towering structures.
"You could probably fit our entire high school inside just one of these buildings," Tae-hyun added, shaking his head in disbelief.
Ji-hoon nodded, his gaze sweeping across the impressive architecture. Unlike the cramped schools he had grown up in, where classrooms were barely large enough to hold forty students, Royal University was built on an entirely different scale.
They passed by Library Tower, a monolithic structure that stretched high into the sky, its reflective glass exterior mirroring the sunset. According to university rumors, it housed over two million books, making it one of the most extensive academic libraries in Asia. Inside, floors upon floors were dedicated to research materials, archives, and exclusive academic resources that only a handful of students in the country would ever get the privilege to use.
Ji-hoon’s fingers twitched at the thought of stepping inside, running his hands along the spines of books he had only ever dreamed of reading.
"Can we go in?" he asked, hopeful.
Min-seok shook his head. "Not yet. Access is restricted until Orientation Day."
Ji-hoon frowned but accepted it. He supposed it made sense—the university wouldn’t just let new students wander into such a prestigious facility without proper registration.
Next, they reached the Science and Technology Center, a futuristic-looking building that gleamed under the campus lights. Through the large glass windows, they caught glimpses of high-tech laboratories filled with cutting-edge equipment. Inside, students in lab coats moved about, engaged in research projects that likely involved things far beyond Ji-hoon’s understanding.
"This is where they develop AI programs and advanced robotics," Tae-hyun murmured, impressed. "Some of South Korea’s biggest tech companies fund research here."
Min-seok chuckled. "Yeah, and here we are, just a couple of clueless freshmen staring from the outside."
Ji-hoon remained silent, absorbing every detail. His father had always told him that education was a luxury, not a right. Looking at these buildings, at the elite students who moved about with confidence, he realized just how true that was.
This university wasn’t just about education.
It was about power.
And right now, Ji-hoon was an outsider looking in.
As they continued their exploration, the campus seemed to stretch endlessly, revealing one impressive structure after another—sports facilities with Olympic-level stadiums, dormitory buildings that looked more like luxury apartments, and even a private art museum housing works donated by South Korea’s wealthiest families.
It felt surreal.
Yet, despite everything they had seen, there was still one question that remained unanswered.
"Where the hell is our fourth roommate?" Tae-hyun finally asked, breaking the silence.
Min-seok shrugged, his hands shoved into his pockets. "Maybe he’s not coming? "
Ji-hoon hummed in agreement. The absence of their fourth roommate was odd, but not something they had control over. If he showed up, he showed up. If he didn’t, then it was one less person to worry about.
Still, there was a nagging feeling at the back of Ji-hoon’s mind—an unease that he couldn’t quite place.
As the sky darkened and the campus lights flickered on, the three of them made their way back to their dormitory. The excitement of the day had left them exhausted, but there was still one final task to complete before bed.
Tomorrow was the first official day at university.
And not just any day—Orientation Day.
Ji-hoon sat on his bed, staring at the neatly arranged items that the university had provided for them.
- A navy and white uniform, crisp and pristine, bearing the insignia of Royal University.
- A leather bag, heavier than expected, filled with study materials, notebooks, and a sleek tablet.
- A set of dorm essentials—bedding, toiletries, and other necessities.
Ji-hoon inspected each item carefully, making sure nothing was missing. Unlike his roommates, he couldn’t afford to be careless. Every item given to him was valuable, something that he wouldn’t be able to replace if lost or damaged.
He held the uniform up, running his fingers along the fine fabric. It was unlike anything he had ever owned before—elegant, well-tailored, and meant to be worn by someone of status.
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For the first time, Ji-hoon truly felt like he had entered a different world.
Min-seok flopped onto his bed with a sigh. "Man, this is insane. I still can’t believe we’re actually here."
Tae-hyun smirked. "Better get used to it. This is our life now."
Ji-hoon didn’t respond. He was too busy making sure everything was perfect.
He carefully ironed his uniform, pressing out any wrinkles before neatly folding it again. His bag was packed with everything he might need—pens, notebooks, emergency cash, even a small notebook where he had jotted down important university rules he had read online.
His father had always told him that first impressions mattered.
And tomorrow, he couldn’t afford to make a mistake.
Lying in bed, Ji-hoon found himself staring at the ceiling, his mind replaying every event from the day.
Was he ready for this?
Could he really survive in a place where students came from backgrounds that were worlds apart from his own?
His fingers tightened around the blanket.
It doesn’t matter. I made it here. That’s all that counts.
With that final thought, Ji-hoon closed his eyes and allowed himself to sleep.
Tomorrow, a new chapter would begin.
Ji-hoon woke before dawn, his mind already racing with thoughts of the day ahead. Whether it was excitement, nervousness, or sheer habit, he wasn’t sure. Back in Gwonseon-gu, he had always risen early to help his mother prepare for the day before heading to school. That habit had stuck with him, even here at the Royal University of South Korea—one of the most prestigious institutions in the country.
Slipping out of bed as quietly as possible so as not to wake Min-seok or Tae-hyun, he changed into his workout clothes and left the dorm for a jog. The crisp morning air filled his lungs, each breath steadying his thoughts. The campus was nearly deserted at this hour, the towering buildings standing still and silent in the dim pre-dawn light.
Ji-hoon took the opportunity to familiarize himself further with the campus layout. Everywhere he looked, there was an overwhelming sense of grandeur—an unmistakable reminder that he was in a world far removed from the one he had known.
By the time he returned to the dorm, the campus had begun to stir. Other students were emerging from their rooms, some stretching on the lawns, others rushing to grab a quick breakfast before the orientation event.
After a quick shower, Ji-hoon meticulously dressed in his uniform. He ran his hands over the crisp white shirt and navy blazer, ensuring there were no creases. The emblem of Royal University was embroidered in gold on the chest pocket—a symbol of prestige, but also a reminder of the barriers he would face here.
Min-seok and Tae-hyun woke shortly after. While they dressed and got ready, Ji-hoon couldn’t shake the growing anticipation. Today was the day—the official beginning of their university journey.
Together, they made their way toward the Grand Hall, the largest and most prestigious auditorium on campus.
The moment they stepped inside, Ji-hoon felt his breath catch in his throat.
The Grand Hall was enormous. The ceiling stretched high above them, adorned with intricate chandeliers that cast a golden glow across the vast space. Rows upon rows of seats extended as far as the eye could see, each row meticulously arranged to accommodate the thousands of students enrolled in the university. The massive stage at the front was equipped with towering screens, designed to display every detail of the event to the audience.
“This is insane…” Min-seok whispered, eyes wide as he took in the sheer scale of the hall.
Tae-hyun let out a low whistle. “I knew this place was fancy, but this is next level.”
Ji-hoon, too, was in awe, but his amazement quickly turned to confusion when he noticed something odd—certain sections of the hall were different from others.
Before he could step forward to get a better view, a university staff member suddenly blocked his path.
“Your seat is in the back,” the staff member said firmly, gesturing toward the farthest section of the hall.
Ji-hoon frowned. “Why?”
The staff member didn’t elaborate, merely pointing again toward the rear section.
Min-seok leaned in, muttering under his breath. “You didn’t know, huh? The front seats are reserved.”
“For whom?” Ji-hoon asked.
Tae-hyun scoffed. “The rich kids.”
Ji-hoon’s eyes flickered to the front rows, where the seats were noticeably different. Unlike the regular auditorium chairs where the majority of students were directed, the elite section was fitted with luxurious lounge-style seats. The difference was stark—while the back rows were tightly packed with rows of rigid chairs, the front was designed for ultimate comfort, as if those seated there were royalty rather than students.
“The closer they are to the stage, the richer they are,” Min-seok continued. “It’s all about status.”
Ji-hoon clenched his fists, his grip tightening as frustration bubbled beneath the surface. The division was clear, blatant. The university, despite its reputation for academic excellence, was just as much about privilege as it was about education.
Still, there was nothing they could do. The three of them reluctantly made their way to the back, settling into their designated seats.
By 9:00 AM, the hall was nearly full—except for the front rows, where multiple seats remained conspicuously empty.
Ji-hoon checked his watch. According to the schedule, the orientation was supposed to begin at exactly 9:00 AM. But as the minutes ticked by, nothing happened. A restless murmur spread through the crowd of students seated at the back.
“Why aren’t they starting?” someone whispered nearby.
“Yeah, what’s going on?” another voice chimed in.
Ji-hoon exchanged glances with Min-seok and Tae-hyun. Something wasn’t right.
Finally, a staff member stepped onto the stage, taking the microphone. “We will begin shortly. Please be patient.”
That was all they said before walking away.
Ji-hoon’s jaw tightened. He didn’t need to be told what was happening. They were waiting for the elite students to arrive.
As if on cue, over the next hour, the privileged students strolled in one by one, taking their sweet time. There was no sense of urgency, no acknowledgement of the fact that an entire auditorium had been kept waiting just for them. Unlike the rest of the students, they weren’t in uniform. Many of them wore designer brands, their presence radiating entitlement as they sauntered to their VIP seats.
Ji-hoon’s fingers curled into a fist. He had expected arrogance from the wealthy students, but this was something else entirely. They acted as if the world revolved around them.
Only one seat remained empty—the very frontmost seat, closest to the stage.
Then, at exactly 10:15 AM, the final student arrived.
The hall fell silent as he walked in.
A boy, tall and confident, strolled inside, his gaze fixed on his phone as if he wasn’t even aware of the thousands of students around him. He carried himself with an effortless arrogance, his every step exuding dominance. The air in the hall seemed to shift as he made his way to the frontmost seat.
Without a word, without so much as a glance at anyone else, he sank into his chair.
And just like that—the program began immediately.
Ji-hoon’s eyes darkened. They had kept everyone waiting just for him.
He turned to his friends, his voice low and laced with frustration. “The entire program was delayed… just for them?”
Tae-hyun let out a bitter chuckle. “What did you expect? They do whatever they want, and we just have to deal with it.”
Ji-hoon’s teeth clenched as a bitter realization settled over him.
The university, for all its prestige, wasn’t a place of equal opportunity. It was a place where privilege dictated everything.
And Ji-hoon, like the rest of the scholarship students, was at the bottom of the chain.
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