THE SECOND CHANCE 1

He walked toward the school, listening to music. When he reached the gate, he stopped, took out his headphones, and put them in his bag.

He noticed a girl walking toward the gate, also late. She looked calm, not worried or in a hurry, just like him.

As they got closer, he looked at her. Their eyes met for a moment. She looked back at him, her face calm, with no reaction, just like his.

He didn't think much about it. He looked away and walked into the school without stopping.

As they both walked into the school, they suddenly stopped. Standing near the entrance was the principal. His gaze landed on them, calm yet commanding, like someone with quiet authority.

"So, you two are late again today," he said in a steady, composed voice. "This isn't the first time either. I've noticed it happening a bit too often lately."

The boy and the girl exchanged a quick glance, neither saying anything, and both looking calm despite the situation.

The principal continued, his tone firm but not harsh. "Classes are about to start, so I'll let it go for now. But after school, I want to see both of you in my office. Understand?"

Without waiting for an answer, he turned and walked away, leaving them to head to their respective classes.

He walked to his class, pushing open the door to see the teacher already standing at the front, addressing the students. The teacher noticed him immediately and paused, looking at him with a calm yet questioning expression.

"So, you're late again today," the teacher said, not sounding particularly surprised.

He didn't respond, just walking toward his usual seat without a word.

The teacher glanced at him briefly before speaking again. "Alright, take your seat."

He nodded slightly and sat down, slipping into his chair quietly. The class continued as usual, the lesson going on without any interruptions.

The rest of the class was uneventful, with nothing out of the ordinary happening. When the session finally ended, he packed up his things and prepared to leave for the next part of his day.

After classes were finished, he made his way to the principal's office. As he approached, he noticed the girl who had also been late that morning standing outside the room. She stood there quietly, her face calm and emotionless—not happy, not sad, just neutral.

He glanced at her briefly, and their eyes met. Her expression remained unchanged, and his reaction mirrored hers—detached and unreadable. Without a word exchanged, he walked toward the door. Together, they both entered the principal's room.

The principal, seated behind a sturdy wooden desk, looked at them as they stepped inside. His demeanor was calm and composed, not strict or intimidating.

"Ah, you two are here," he began, folding his hands on the desk. "Usually, you aren't late very often. But there have been a few days where this has happened, and I thought it was better to have a word with you."

He paused briefly, glancing at both of them before continuing. "I'm not going to give you any punishment for being late today. That's not the point of this conversation. Instead, I want to remind you why it's important to be on time."

Turning to the girl, he addressed her first. "You," he said, gesturing gently, "you are exceptional. Your magical abilities are impressive, your battle skills are strong, and your academic performance is excellent. You have the potential to bring great honor to this school, maybe even beyond. But being late? It's not a good habit, don't you agree?"

The girl gave a small nod, her expression still calm, showing neither pride nor discomfort.

The principal then turned his attention to the boy. "And you," he said, his tone shifting slightly. "I can't say the same things about you. You don't have any magical abilities to rely on. That means you need to focus more on your education. It's the only way for you to secure your future. You're not failing, but average isn't enough—not for someone in your position."

He leaned back slightly in his chair, studying them both. "You need to put in more effort. Work harder. I'm telling you this because I believe you can do better."

The principal's words hung in the air, and the boy listened silently, his expression as calm and neutral as before.

After leaving the principal's office, the two walked out together without exchanging a word. Their paths separated as soon as they stepped outside.

He slipped his headphones on and started listening to music. With his hands in his pockets, he began walking toward his home. The sun was dipping lower, casting long shadows across the street as he walked steadily along his path.