Chapter 88

Days after the SAT results were released, social media was abuzz with proud students flaunting their acceptance letters and the welcome kits their future colleges had prepared for them.

“Check out the Silverpine University swag bag! Jealous much?” boasted one post.

The attached photo showed a box emblazoned with the Silverpine University logo. Inside was a custom fountain pen and notebook, a campus ID card, and a set of four brass bookmarks, each piece uniquely engraved with the university’s insignia.

“Nailed the SATs! The board says we can’t share our admission letters or test tickets, so I’ll just subtly show off the welcome gifts.”

Another picture featured a tote bag from Goldcrest College, stuffed with a coffee mug, a set of Goldcrest College postcards and keychain, and a campus ID card.

“My fate’s my hands, not in the stars your welcome gifts have got nothing on mine!”

The post revealed the Ravenwood Institute’s welcome pack – a pile of booklets so high it nearly blocked out the camera’s view.

“Ravenwood Institute Admission Letter,” “Freshman Survival Guide,” “Academic Handbook,” “Student Aid Policies.” “Safety Guide for Newcomers,” “One Hundred Rules of Ravenwood Institute.” “Instructions for Using Your Electronic Student Account” – the list went on and on.

While envy filled the comments section for the other schools, laughter took over at the sight of Ravenwood’s literary overload.

“LOL, Ravenwood Institute’s killing me with their booklets!”

“You don’t get it, real colleges give out all sorts of booklets. I want to go to a fun college. Haha!” “This year’s freshmen at Ravenwood got two more booklets than we did. So jealous!”

“Just saw the mascot plushies from Capital University. Then there’s Ravenwood – what in the world is this stuff??

Amidst the chuckling comments, one in particular caught the majority’s attention, featuring the EU Supernatural Department’s welcome kit.

The photo displayed a six–piece set laid out by Winnie.

This sparked a fresh wave of comments, with users asking, “What kind of oddball school is the Supernatural Department? Since when do schools hand out talismans ”

“Isn’t this outright superstition?”

“Can someone please explain what EU Supernatural Department is all about?”

The buzz surrounding the Supernatural Department didn’t make a huge splash online, mainly because the school was virtually unknown in cyberspace. Some even speculated that the so–called Supernatural Department welcome kit was just a staged photo op.

The doubts persisted until the official account for Emerald Bay suddenly posted a poster promoting the city’s new ambassadors – a move that piqued netizens‘ curiosity to new heights.

Sponsored by the Bright Group and led by the government, Emerald Bay’s city ambassador initiative showcased eight distinguished students from the area’s seven universities, each representing a different district of Emerald Bay.

Among these representatives were Winnie and Amber.

Each student’s photo on the poster also came with their SAT scores and the prestigious university they chose to attend.

Winnie, the SAT valedictorian from Emerald Bay, with her stunning looks and impressive scores, snagged the coveted center spot on the poster Everyone who saw the poster was instantly drawn to Winnie in the center, dazzled by her title of “Emerald Bay SAT Valedictorian.”

However, when they eagerly looked to see which university this academic beauty had chosen, they were shocked to see it was – EU Supernatural Department.”

The first reaction of the netizens was confusion. The second utter bafflement.

What exactly was the EU Supernatural Department, and why would their valedictorian forgo centuries–old esteemed institutions like Capital University and Silverpine University to choose it?

It just didn’t make sense.

Not only were netizens baffled, but so were the guests at the Bryant family’s appreciation dinner that very To celebrate Winnie’s achievement as the valedictorian of Emerald Bay, as well as the admission of other Bryant siblings into top universities, the Bryant family threw a lavish appreciation dinner, inviting the members of high society. The event was as grand as any high–profile gala.

“Amber, what’s the deal with your cousin Winnie choosing such a school despite her stellar grades?” asked a socialite friend of Amber’s, unable to resist the urge for gossip upon arrival.

Clearly, the poster released by the Emerald Bay officials earlier in the day had peaked everyone’s curiosity to its limit.

Amber, acting as one of the evening’s hosts at the gala, was already irked that Winnie had overshadowed her as the spokesperson and the star of the teacher appreciation festivities. And to add insult to injury, her own friends kept asking about Winnie, which further dampened her spirits.

Chapter B “Well, she’s always a thing for the mystical and the esoteric,” Amber replied with a forced smile, trying to appear gracious despite her clear annoyance, “Her family’s tried to talk her out of it, but she’s headstrong. We just let her be.”

The others couldn’t help but express their curiosity at Amber’s words, “I mean, she’s a Bryant for crying out loud. How can she be into that stuff? And it’s one thing to like it, but she even chose to major in the Supernatural Studies Department? Talk about tarnishing the family name.”

Amber, detecting the disdain in their tone, offered a faint smile but didn’t join in mocking Winnie. “Don’t jump to conclusions yet,” she said. “I’ve heard that department’s pretty solid. After graduation, they even guarantee a placement in a… spiritual retreat center.”

Her comment drew laughter from the crowd.

“What? So after graduation, she’s all set to become a nun? That’s just hilarious.”

One of the more audacious guests, seizing the moment under the guise of congratulations, approached Winnie herself and asked, “Ms. Bryant, I heard that your college promises a post–graduation placement in a spiritual retreat. Are you seriously planning on becoming a nun after you finish school?”

Her voice was loud, and everyone nearby heard the conversation. Winnie, who had been passively enduring the evening, perked up at the question and turned to face her inquisitor.

“And you are?” Winnie asked, tilting her head with a flicker of intrigue in her almond–shaped eyes.

“Ramona Cooper. We met briefly at your family’s dinner party last time ”

Despite her intention to mock Winnie in front of everyone, Ramona maintained the poise expected of a young lady of her station.

Winnie simply nodded at Ramona. “A nun? Not quite. But if you ever need it, I could read your fortune,” she replied, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Ramona, who had grown tired of her parents constantly comparing her to Winnie, especially in recent days, had intended to embarrass her in front of the adults. She hadn’t expected Winnie to actually play along, and she laughed, “Oh, you can read fortunes before even starting school? Then why don’t you read mine?”

Winnie looked at her with a slight smile and said calmly, “Your boyfriend’s been lying to you.”