Noelle settled into her chair, a smug smile playing on her lips. Even knowing the outcome, watching Team Luminark implode was deeply satisfying. "Nelly, look! Someone made a hilarious commentary video on today's match!"

She glanced at the video. The voiceover skewered Xenia's disastrous performance. "Ms. Little Bitch, your shooting speed's slower than your crying speed! You're a gunner, not a princess! Protect someone!"

Noelle chuckled. "Xenia'll be livestreaming her tears any minute."

Predictably, Xenia issued a furious public statement, threatening legal action. Team Luminark's defeat became the community's running joke for days.

Donovan called, his voice sharp. "Noelle, you didn't even play! What's going on? Even if you're sulking, choose your battles!"

"Lucas didn't want me to play," Noelle retorted. "Then he lost because of his pride!"

"He couldn't swallow his pride, but as his sister, couldn't you have stepped up?"

"There was nothing to step up to," Noelle said flatly, hanging up. Her good mood evaporated. She'd spoiled her family, letting them walk all over her. But those days were over.

The college entrance exam results were due. Noelle was a nervous wreck, pacing before her computer at dawn. Cedric entered with a fruit platter. "Relax. Really this anxious?"

"A little. I just want to see the results." Even with her past life's knowledge, this was a new unknown.

Alfred arrived with snacks. "Let's wait and snack. First time for me, you know."

Noelle looked at them, surprised. "You guys didn't take the entrance exams?"

Cedric glanced at Alfred. "Recommendations. We didn't need the exams."

"Right, recommendations," Alfred added quickly.

Studying abroad was their only other option. Noelle's respect deepened. "Yole University, by any chance?"

"Ahem, Nelly, you got it! So smart!" Cedric beamed.

"You two are amazing!" Noelle exclaimed.

Alfred, flustered, changed the subject. "Almost time, right? Nelly, check the site first, just in case it crashes."

Noelle logged in. She entered her details, clicked…and stared. The screen displayed only asterisks. Was the site down?