A Permanent Loss for a Temporary Role

My boyfriend's childhood friend, Cassandra Lindth, performs one of the forbidden spells, trading 30 years of her own life just to steal the top spot on the civil service exam from me.

She pulls off a 30-day miracle and becomes an internet sensation, her comeback going viral. Meanwhile, I take the fall, get reported for cheating, and am banned from ever taking the exam again.

I turn to my boyfriend, Derrick Hayes, for help, but the look he gives me spells pure disbelief.

"Have you completely lost it? You couldn't pass on your own, and now you're trying to drag Cassandra's name through the mud? I never imagined you'd stoop this low!"

I am speechless, with no way to prove my innocence.

Cassandra sues me for defamation, and Derrick shows up in court to testify against me.

I have studied for three years straight, and it ends with a three-year prison sentence.

My parents are disappointed with me. They go so far as to publish their statement in the newspapers, publicly shaming me.

Derrick and Cassandra announce their wedding online and are set to dive into their new jobs as soon as the honeymoon wraps up.

With no way to clear my name, I spiral into despair. Disoriented and numb, I fall into the river and drown.

When I open my eyes again, I am back to the week before the civil service exam. I toss my exam ticket in the trash and sign up for a three-month temp gig instead.

If Cassandra is dumb enough to trade 30 years of her life for my spot, she can have it and choke on it!

"Everyone, it's day 23 of my study check-in! Only one week left until the exam, and today I'm finally revealing the position I'm aiming for!"

Hearing that familiar voice through the livestream, I jolted. Right then, it hit me. I had been reborn.

After Cassandra Lindth announced the position she was going for, the chat exploded.

"No way! Isn't that the most competitive post? Like 6570 to 1 odds!"

"How ridiculous! People spend years preparing for this, and you think a month of studying is enough?"

"I just followed her! Can't wait to see her cry when the results come out."

The majority of comments were skeptical, mocking Cassandra for overestimating herself.

"Are these people serious?" My boyfriend, Derrick Hayes, fumed as he went through the insulting comments, reporting each one. "They don't even know how smart she is!"

I couldn't help but scoff. Anyone who had prepared for these exams knew that no matter how smart someone was, 30 days of studying alone could never get them the top score in the country.

In her previous life, Cassandra had been a travel blogger with little success. Riding the wave of the civil service exam craze, she boldly announced online that she intended to tackle the most competitive position with just 30 days of preparation.

The move drew massive attention, though just like now, almost all of it was ridicule.

But when the results came out, the woman who had spent her days traveling nonstop actually pulled it off, taking the top spot and sparking a huge buzz. She gained over a million followers overnight.

And me—the one whose spot she had taken? I had spent three years studying, only to be accused of cheating and sent to prison.

Every time I tried to defend myself, people just mocked me, saying, "You're obsessed with passing, aren't you?"

I was lost in my thoughts when Cassandra approached me curiously after ending her livestream. "Which position are you going for?"

Before I could answer, Derrick jumped in.

Cassandra feigned surprise. "Wow, Yvette, we're going for the same position! But they're only hiring one person.

"You've studied for three years and aced every practice test. You'll obviously get it. I'm just here to be the filler."

Derrick looked at her adoringly. "That's not for sure. You're smart and quick. Who knows who'll take first?"

Cassandra covered her mouth and giggled.

I clenched my fists. In my past life, I had been so blind that I hadn't realized how close they had been.

Cassandra pulled a stack of practice exercises from her bag and handed them to me.

"Here you go, Yvette. These are the practice exercises from the top-tier class. Study them carefully, and you'll be fine."

Derrick's eyes were full of admiration.

"Cassandra, you're too kind to share your materials with a competitor! Yvette, you should be thanking her. You've got a huge advantage."

An advantage? She was just making sure I would score high without a hitch. I saw right through her intentions and let out a cold laugh.

"I don't need them."

Derrick, protective as ever, immediately snapped. "Cassandra was trying to help you. How can you act like this? Apologize right now!"

Cassandra's eyes glistened with unshed tears.

"Yvette, are you mad that Derrick's taking me to Slovia tomorrow? Don't worry. I can go by myself."

Derrick frowned instinctively. "That's not okay! I can't just let you go alone."

I nearly forgot this scene from my past life. The week before the exam, Cassandra hadn't studied and was filming videos to gain followers instead. Derrick, ever the chivalrous protector, insisted on going with her.

I had gone to great lengths to stop him so he could focus on the exam. In the end, he passed with flying colors, and I was left drowning in resentment.

Now, since he insisted on making his own mess, why should I stop him?

"But…" Cassandra hesitated, looking at me, pretending it was a tough choice.

"Funny enough, I was planning a little trip myself," I said calmly.

Derrick shot me an annoyed look.

"You're coming with us? Yvette, stop being so ridiculous! I've known Cassandra for over ten years. If anything were going on between us, do you really think you'd even matter?"

I ripped my exam ticket in half and tossed it into the trash, smiling.

"Don't worry. Whatever you two get up to is none of my business. I'm going on my own trip."