Born to Rise : Becoming Vice President

Chapter 23: A Test & a Victory to Remember

Exam Week – Daehan International School

The entire school was gripped by tension. Banners reading "Grade 3 Advancement Exams" hung in every hallway. Notebooks, iced coffee, and sleep-deprived faces filled the study hall.

Gevran sat at his desk, flipping through the exam paper. His breath was slow but steady. Behind the political pressure, slander, and betrayal—he was still a student. And now was the time to prove it.

Gevran's inner voice:

> "They can attack me as a rich kid, as an activist, even as a symbol. But above all… I am a student."

---

Final Exam Day – After the Bell Rings

Cheers of relief echoed through the classrooms. Kasang collapsed onto the classroom floor.

"I don't know if I answered anything right, but I do know one thing: my life nearly ended on question 13 of physics!"

Kaeyan teased, "Not nearly. You died and resurrected five times this week."

Han Jimin smiled softly at Gevran. "You were incredibly calm during the last test. More than usual."

Gevran simply replied, "Because I knew… something more important would be announced this afternoon."

---

That Afternoon – New Student Council President Announcement

The main hall was packed again. The long-delayed announcement of the new student council president was finally happening.

The MC stood at the podium, opening an official envelope from the school board.

> "Based on the votes and final evaluation, the next student council president is...

Gevran Yi Jido."

The hall instantly erupted with applause and cheers.

Some students burst into tears. Others rushed forward, lifting Gevran's hand in the air. Even those who once doubted him were now smiling with pride.

Gevran stepped up to the podium, his voice slightly shaky but firm.

> "This victory isn't mine. It belongs to all of you—those who dared to speak, dared to stand, and dared to change."

---

Evening – Yi Household

A small celebration was held at home. Yi-Ana cooked her signature seaweed soup of victory. Kaeyan and Kasang stuck a "Handsome President" sticker on Gevran's bedroom door.

"I'm proud of you," Yi-Ana said, gently brushing her son's hair.

Kasang joked, "But please, don't bring student council meetings to the dinner table, Hyung."

---

Midnight – Gevran's Room

While everyone slept, Gevran sat alone at his desk. He opened the drawer… and stared at the mysterious photos he once received.

He touched the handwritten note with unfamiliar writing:

> "We're always watching."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

> "Then watch all you want. Because I'm not stopping either."

Narration:

> Victory is just the beginning.

And the next chapter… will be darker, deeper, and crazier.

But I'm not alone.

And I'm not afraid.

---

Next Morning – Daehan International School, Courtyard

The school was alive with color. Confetti littered the pathways, leftover from the impromptu celebration the day before. Banners now read:

"Congratulations, President Gevran!"

A few juniors shyly approached him in the hallway.

"Sunbaenim… can we take a picture with you?"

Gevran blinked, a bit surprised—but smiled. "Of course."

As the camera clicked, Kaeyan watched from the side, grinning. "We're officially famous now."

Han Jimin, sipping her usual black coffee, added, "Fame is a blade. It shines… and it cuts."

Gevran turned to them.

> "Then I'll learn to wield it properly."

---

Later That Day – First Presidential Meeting

Gevran sat at the head of the long council table, where many past presidents had once sat. But this time, the room felt different—more alive, more driven.

The first agenda? Reforming the school's transparency policies.

Min Soojin projected the drafted plan on the screen.

"We'll create a digital archive for all student council decisions. Open to every student. No more secrets."

Kaeyan raised his hand, mock-serious. "Can we also add a clause that lets students nap during lunch break?"

Everyone chuckled, even Gevran.

But then he spoke—voice focused:

> "We change this school not for the sake of rebellion,

but for those who'll come after us."

Silence. Then a round of respectful nods.

It was no longer just a council. It was a movement.

---

Meanwhile – A Black Car Outside School Gates

Min Hyuk sat in the backseat, eyes fixated on his tablet. The screen showed Gevran's photo with the headline:

> "Student Revolution: Gevran Elected Amidst Scandal & Slander."

He didn't flinch. Just said, "He's adapting… faster than expected."

The man next to him—Director Lim from the Education Board—replied, "What should we do next?"

Min Hyuk lit a cigarette. "Let the boy taste victory. That way, when we tear it down… the fall will be harder."

---

Night – Seoul Skyline, Rooftop Café

Gevran met with a familiar figure: Im Seri.

She had returned from a national student conference, her presence still radiating calm resolve.

"You've grown," she said, placing a warm can of coffee in front of him.

"So have you," he replied with a smirk. "You missed all the chaos."

She leaned back, studying him.

> "You're starting to look like someone who was meant to fight battles."

A pause.

Gevran glanced at the horizon. "The funny thing is… I never asked for this war."

> "But I'm starting to think—I was reborn for it."

---

Final Scene – Student Council Office, Late Night

Gevran returned to the office alone. He stood by the window, overlooking the empty courtyard bathed in moonlight.

On his desk:

A copy of the reform draft

His old, worn notebook from his previous life

And the mysterious envelope… still sealed this time, with a new note taped on top.

It read:

> "You've won a battle, President.

But don't forget—kings can be dethroned too."

Gevran exhaled slowly, then picked up a pen.

He scribbled one line in his notebook:

> "Let them come."

Then shut off the light.

---

Support the author:

https://sociabuzz.com/maulywwwww/tribe

Thank you ♡