Too Late to Hold Me Back novel Chapter 374

These select students were charged standard public school tuition, and those from particularly impoverished backgrounds received full waivers, all in an effort to cultivate academic champions for the school.

But reality proved that wealthy families invested heavily in their children's development. Most of these affluent students excelled academically, much like Mira and her friends.

They were also well-rounded, excelling in art, music, and various other fields. In recent years, their college admission rates had begun to eclipse those of Melvion Academy.

Because of this, the two schools were locked in a fierce rivalry, complete with students clashing online, thoroughly despising one another.

Harvey Rivers always knew exactly how to twist the knife. "Well, what can I say? We're just better at being born. You can't be jealous of our superior karma."

"With an attitude as rotten as yours, even if you reincarnated a hundred times, you'd never get a life this good."

"You..."

The student clenched his fists, furious enough to start a fight, but he hesitated, too afraid to actually throw a punch.

Ultimately, Mira stepped in and shut it down.

"Enough. Just show us the way. As for which school is better, the test scores will speak for themselves."

"I've already recorded a video of you deliberately leading us the wrong way."

"If you take us on one more detour, I will formally report you to the school board and have you expelled."

"You..."

He wanted to call her despicable and vicious, but the threat of expulsion loomed heavy. Knowing he had indeed been leading them in circles, he bit his tongue.

Though he was seething with anger, he didn't dare try any more tricks.

To prevent cheating, the exam seating arrangement alternated between students from different schools.

Perhaps it was fate, but out of the nearly twenty high schools in the district, the students from Melvion Central High School were seated right next to those from the Academy.

Mira, Liora, Elara, and the others found their assigned seats according to their admission tickets.

With several dozen minutes left before the exam, they were about to step outside for some fresh air when a few students from the opposing school approached them.

"Are you Mira Mercer?"

Mira looked up. "What do you want?"

"Where's Elara Finn? Which one is Elara?"

"That's me."

Elara looked at them.

"I'm Logan Gentry from Melvion Academy."

By the time the commotion settled, it was getting late. They simply sat down and waited for the exam to begin.

"Mira, look."

Liora walked over to Mira, holding her phone.

On the joint school forum, a post titled "Melvion Central High vs. The Academy: Mira/Elara vs. Logan/Zander" had been pinned to the top.

Below it was a wildly toxic comment war between the students of both schools.

"Ignore it. Focus your energy on the exam," Mira reminded her.

"Don't take the bait. The ones fighting in the comments aren't even competing," Harvey added.

"Exactly. We're going to ace this exam and crush them with our scores."

"We'll see who's crushing who," an Academy student muttered as they walked into the room.

"Liora, let it go," Celine Ward said, grabbing Liora's arm.

Seeing that time was running out, the rival students kept their mouths shut.

After the exams finished that day, as they boarded the bus back to school, Liora whispered to Mira, "Why didn't Mara show up?"