Madame Illusia raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Stan's sudden enthusiasm. "Very well," she said briskly, a mysterious smile dancing on her lips. "How many grades shall it be? Remember, the power is in your hands." Stan, fueled by an overwhelming mix of ambition and mischief, replied, “Let’s see... let’s make it five grades!” He couldn’t help but let out a chuckle, imagining all the chaos that would ensue. In the back of his mind, however, that little voice of doubt began to whisper. What if he didn’t want to be so far ahead after all? Would being so utterly different from Dan drive them apart forever?
As Madame Illusia waved her hands dramatically, a soft golden light enveloped Stan, and suddenly it was as if the world faded around him. The crowd gasped and whispered among themselves in awe. When the light dissipated, Stan stood taller, his school uniform morphing into a sharp blazer that screamed college sophistication. He felt his mind become sharper, thoughts racing with newfound knowledge. He had done it: he had transformed into a college student! In direct contrast, Dan felt a wave of dizziness wash over him. He was still in his school uniform, but something felt oddly strange. As he struggled to make sense of the situation, he noticed his surroundings shift. No longer was he the boy who merely shared a classroom with Stan; now he was simply a shadow to Stan's brilliance.
“Stan, what have you done?” Dan gasped, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. Stan, reveling in his newfound independence, shot Dan a grin. “I’ve graduated, little bro! Can you believe it? While you’re stuck learning your ABCs, I’ll be learning about calculus and debating collegiate theories!” The cruel excitement of superiority surged through Stan, momentarily clouding his judgment. However, the more he basked in his own achievements, the more he began to see the hurt etching itself onto Dan's face, like a reflection of shattered dreams.