While most students were just settling into the rhythm of freshman life, Mariana was quietly preparing for something far more ambitious—a university placement exam that, if passed, would allow her to skip directly to the final year of the economics program.
The idea hadn't been hers. One of her professors, Professor Albright, had called her in after her second lecture.
"You're wasting your time here," he had said bluntly, tapping on her near-perfect assignment. "This level is too low for you. You think like a graduate already."
With her parents' support and her own inner fire pushing her forward, Mariana agreed.
The exam was grueling—macroeconomics, market simulation logic, financial strategy, and even oral analysis of real-time economic data. But as the hours passed in the quiet exam room, she felt a familiar calm settle in her chest.
This was her battlefield now—numbers, theories, and systems.
In the corner of her vision, the system chimed again.
[System Notification: "Intellect Challenge detected. Secret Mission unlocked."]
> Challenge: Pass university-level graduation test with top 3% score. Bonus Reward: +10 to Reputation. Unlock Special Passive: "Insight – See Patterns Others Can't."
She smiled faintly. "Thank you for the challenge," she whispered, answering both the system and herself.
A week later, Mariana received an email that changed everything.
> Subject: Congratulations, Miss Henderson
You have passed with distinction. You are hereby moved to final-year status.
Her professors were astonished. Students whispered about the mysterious transfer girl from Hammer who had leaped three years ahead. But Mariana paid no mind. She still helped around the flower shop when she visited home and texted her parents goodnight every day.
The empire she once lost was beginning to bloom again—this time, under her full control.