Incubus Living In A World Of Superpower Users - Chapter 174

Chapter 174: The Literary Part Of The College Exam Begins
A few quiet days passed.

They weren’t lazy days, but they were simple, peaceful, the kind of time that slipped by without much notice when no one was rushing and nothing felt urgent.

The house stayed warm, the mornings stayed slow, and the nights were filled with silence that didn’t ask questions.

Ethan barely left the house during those days, other than going to the academy for the simulation drills with Sera Valcrest and Mei Ren.

Other than that, he ate well, rested more than usual, and spent his hours either reading, talking with the girls, or watching the sun drift across the windows.

It was the calm before the storm. Everyone knew it.

The college entrance exams were getting closer.

Each morning, the notifications came in—updates, reminders, and timetables. A slow countdown was ticking in the background.

He didn’t need to be reminded—he hadn’t forgotten.

He just didn’t feel nervous.

Not yet.

And then, just like that, the date arrived.

The day of the literary exam.

It was early when Ethan woke up. He was not rushed, but he was not slow either. His body felt rested. He was a little tense, maybe, but not in a bad way. He was just alert.

He sat up in bed, brushing his hand through his hair. The light filtering in through the curtains was soft but not too harsh.

The weather was good—clear sky, dry air—a good day for an exam.

There was a quiet moment before anything else. No voices. No footsteps. Just the distant hum of the world waking up outside.

Then the bedroom door opened.

Seraphina leaned against the frame, already dressed, her black blazer sharp and clean over a crisp blouse. Her usual confidence was still there, but her eyes were calm today. Focused.

“You’re up,” she said.

Ethan nodded.

She tilted her head slightly. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” he said. “Just thinking.”

“You do that a lot before big things.”

“I guess this is a big thing.”

She smiled. “It is.”

He swung his legs off the bed and stretched. His muscles were still sore in some places, but his mind was clear. Clearer than it had been in a while.

“Mom has already made breakfast,” Seraphina said. “You’ve got about an hour before the gates open.”

“Thanks.”

She didn’t leave right away. Just stood there, watching him for a second longer. Then she gave him a small nod and turned away, her steps quiet as she disappeared down the hall.

Ethan got ready without rushing.

A quick shower. A fresh uniform. His ID tag was clipped to the inside of his academy jacket. He checked his holophone once, then set it down again. No distractions. Not today.

By the time he stepped into the dining room, Lilith had already set the table.

She smiled when she saw him, soft and proud.

“Eat,” she said simply.

He didn’t argue. The food was warm—nothing heavy, just simple, balanced: toast, eggs, a little fruit, and a steaming cup of tea.

“Thanks,” he said.

Lilith brushed a hand over his shoulder as she walked past. “You’ll do fine.”

He believed her.

Isabella leaned against the far wall, sipping her tea. “Remember, literary graders care less about big words and more about the weight behind them, so keep it clean and controlled.”

Liliana smirked as she passed, flicking his shoulder. “Just don’t write like you’re trying to sound smart. Say something real.”

Ethan gave a small nod. “Right.”

As he kept eating, his thoughts shifted toward the exam ahead. He didn’t know the exact layout of the testing room—it changed with each session—but that didn’t matter.

The real test wasn’t about desks or countdowns.

It was about understanding the world.

The literary exam wasn’t like the others. It didn’t care how strong you were or how fast you could move. It wasn’t even about facts. It was about how you thought.

They’d give you real-world scenarios. Past conflicts. Beast migrations. Power shifts between cities. And they’d ask one simple thing: what do you see?

Not the surface, but the structure underneath. The motives behind choices. The risks of unseen power.

It wasn’t about quoting laws or stats. It was about showing that you understood how power shaped the world—and how easily it could be lost.

You had to prove you could think like someone who belonged in it.

By the time he finished his tea, his thoughts were clear.

Seraphina reappeared with his bag, holding it out by the strap. “Everything’s in here,” she said. “Papers, water, backup ID.”

Ethan took it with a nod. “Thanks.”

She looked at him again, then reached up and fixed the front of his collar, brushing it flat. “You’ve got this.”

Lilith handed him his shoes. “And don’t try to out-write the world. Just write like you mean it.”

He smiled at both of them, not needing to say anything else.

Outside, the air was crisp. The city was already awake.

He stepped out of the house and made his way to the driveway, where his custom sports car was already waiting—sleek, quiet, and polished to perfection.

The engine didn’t growl when it turned on. It just came alive with a soft hum.

He opened the door, slid into the seat, and leaned back as the interior lights adjusted to his presence.

“Destination: Silvermist Private Academy,” he said.

The onboard AI chimed softly, confirmed the route, and the car pulled out smoothly on its own.

Ethan didn’t need to touch the wheel. He just rested one arm on the side and watched the streets roll by.

The windows dimmed slightly against the rising sun, filtering the light without cutting the view.

The city moved quietly around him—other cars, sky trams above, a few flying patrol drones passing by in the distance.

It didn’t take long.

As the academy gates came into view, the car stopped at the designated drop-off. He stepped out, adjusted his jacket, and walked toward the entrance.

No noise, and no rush.

The moment he stepped through the gate, the security scan pinged, as he went in.

He walked in without breaking stride.

Voices dropped. Steps slowed. People got quieter.

Inside the hallway, the temperature felt cooler. Fluorescent lights hummed overhead. Walls were lined with room numbers and testing panels.