Mr. Zhang's face darkened.
"Alex."
He put down the paper.
"Do you know how important academics are?"
Alex stood there.
98 out of 400.
Barely 24%.
Mr. Zhang leaned forward.
"University admissions."
"Academics are 30%."
"The other 70%?"
"Combat ability, potential evaluation, everything else."
He paused.
"But let's be honest."
His eyes cold.
"Your F-rank slime?"
"You'll be lucky to get 20% from that 70%."
He stood up.
"Which means you NEED that 30%."
"You need perfect academic scores."
"Or you're not getting into any decent university."
He tapped the desk.
"And if students from my class don't get into universities..."
"My performance review gets cut."
"My bonus disappears."
His voice hardened.
"So starting today..."
"4 hours of sleep maximum."
"The rest? Study."
He slammed a massive textbook on the desk.
"Beast Taming Theory - Volume 3."
Another book.
"Advanced Mathematics for Tamers."
The pile grew.
Five books total.
"Memorize these by semester end."
"First book test in one week."
"Score below 80?"
"Back to Class 9."
The pressure hung in the air.
Suffocating.
Everyone watching.
Alex stood there.
Silent.
For a moment.
Then—
Options appeared before him.
[Option One: Admit your mistake on the spot! Promise to study hard! Work toward improvement every day!]
Reward: Memory +20%
[Option Two: Stay silent. Return to your seat.]
Reward: Slime all attributes +2%
[Option Three: Tear the test paper to shreds on the spot! Shout: "Study? Study my ass! I don't need to study a single minute to ace this test!"]
Reward: All high school knowledge related to "Portals," plus title: "Are You Teaching Me How To Do Things?"
Effect: When refusing orders from higher-ranked individuals, entire body glows! Become the brightest star!
Alex looked at Option One.
Memory boost?
If it was free, sure.
But he wasn't the type to sit and study obediently.
Not happening.
Option Two didn't fit his personality either.
And the reward was meh.
But Option Three?
Saves him a year and a half of studying portal knowledge!
Plus boosts his presence in school!
Helps with gaining more believers!
Perfect.
Alex's lips curved into a smile.
Option Three.
Obviously.
He grabbed the test paper.
Looked Mr. Zhang in the eye.
Then—
RIIIIIP!
Tore it in half.
RIIIIIP!
Tore it again.
And again.
Shredded it to pieces.
Paper scraps fluttered down.
Like snow.
He grabbed the test paper.
Looked Mr. Zhang in the eye.
Then—
RIIIIIP!
Tore it in half.
RIIIIIP!
Tore it again.
And again.
Shredded it to pieces.
Paper scraps fluttered down.
Like snow.
The classroom went dead silent.
Everyone froze.
Mr. Zhang's eyes widened.
"What are you—"
Alex threw the pieces in the air.
"Study?"
His voice loud.
Clear.
"Study my ASS!"
He pointed at Mr. Zhang.
"I don't need to study a single minute..."
"To ace this damn test!"
[Option Three Complete!]
[Calculating rewards...]
[Reward: All high school Portal Monster knowledge acquired!]
[Monster attributes, weaknesses, behavior patterns, drop items - Complete database uploaded!]
[Title Unlocked: "Are You Teaching Me How To Do Things?"]
Suddenly—
Information flooded Alex's mind.
Monster behaviors.
Drop rates.
Weaknesses.
Everything.
Complete.
Organized.
Perfect.
Alex's eyes widened slightly.
He knew it all now.
Every monster in every portal.
From F-rank to A-rank.
Their attributes.
Their drops.
Everything the exam could possibly ask.
Then—
The title activated.
"Are You Teaching Me How To Do Things?"
Warmth spread through his body.
Building.
Growing.
In the back row—
Ethan sat there.
Arms crossed.
Face cold.
Eyes narrowed.
"Interesting."
Voice low.
Dangerous.
Beside him—
Rex slammed his fist on the desk.
"That bastard!"
Face red.
"Who does he think he is?!"
Ethan stared at Alex.
"Let him dig his own grave."
Smiled coldly.
"The potential exam later will be entertaining."
Near the window—
Raven sat frozen.
Staring at Alex.
Eyes wide.
Her pen stopped mid-air.
"He..."
She whispered.
Alex just challenged Mr. Zhang.
Tore up the test.
That's insane.
But...
Her face started turning red.
That confidence.
That boldness.
Her heart beat faster.
"Idiot."
She muttered.
But couldn't look away.
Then—
Light burst from Alex's body.
Golden.
Brilliant.
Blinding.
"WHAT?!"
Everyone shielded their eyes.
"Why is he glowing?!"
The light grew brighter.
Filled the classroom.
Alex stood there.
Shining like the sun.
The brightest star.
Blinding.
"WHAT?!"
Everyone shielded their eyes.
"Why is he glowing?!"
The light grew brighter.
Filled the classroom.
Alex stood there.
Shining like the sun.
The brightest star.
The students went crazy.
"Holy shit!"
"He's GLOWING!"
"Is this a new skill?!"
"I've never seen anything like this!"
Someone pulled out their phone.
Started recording.
"This is insane!"
"Post it! Post it!"
More phones came out.
Flashes everywhere.
Recording the golden light.
Some rich kids in the back.
Crossed their arms.
Trying to look unimpressed.
"Tch."
"Just some flashy effect..."
But their eyes said otherwise.
Staring.
Can't look away.
Another muttered.
"Okay fine..."
"That was pretty cool..."
His friend elbowed him.
"Shut up!"
"Don't give him credit!"
But even he was impressed.
Grudgingly.
The talented students too.
The top scorers.
The prodigies.
All watching.
One girl whispered.
"How did he..."
"I've never heard of a skill like this..."
A boy beside her.
"Me neither."
"It's like..."
"He's the main character or something."
Raven sat frozen.
Face burning red.
Heart pounding so hard.
She grabbed her scarf.
Pulled it up.
Covered her face.
Only her eyes showing.
Wide.
Shining.
Staring at Alex.
At that golden light.
Her hands trembled slightly.
"Alex..."
She whispered.
So quiet no one heard.
The light finally faded.
Alex stood there.
Normal again.
But everyone still staring.
Mr. Zhang's face was dark.
Livid.
But also shocked.
He took a breath.
"Fine."
Voice cold.
"We'll see about this."
He pointed at Alex.
"The comprehensive evaluation."
"Combat ability, potential, everything."
"Which counts 70%."
"If you score below 40%..."
"You're out of Class 1."
"Permanently."
Alex smiled.
Dismissive.
"Just make sure..."
He pointed at Mr. Zhang's eyes.
"You don't go blind."
"When I ace it."
Turned around.
Walked back to his seat.
Sat down.
Leaned back.
Completely relaxed.
The classroom buzzed.
Whispers everywhere.
"He's crazy..."
"40% from combat?"
"With an F-rank slime?"
"Impossible."
A student shook his head.
"He beat Ethan's group last time..."
"But that was pure luck."
"Information advantage."
"Surprise tactics."
Another agreed.
"Right."
"In a formal evaluation?"
"Where they test everything fairly?"
"He'll get destroyed."
"His slime can't score high."
Someone else added.
"He's just bluffing."
"Talking big."
"Wait till the test comes."
"He'll crash and burn."
Most students nodded.
Agreed.
Alex was just being stubborn.
Defiant.
But reality would hit him soon.
Raven sat beside him.
Scarf still up.
Face hidden.
She glanced at him.
Voice cold.
"The comprehensive evaluation."
"Your F-rank slime won't score high."
Eyes on her textbook.
Not looking at him.
"You should focus on academics."
"At least secure that 30%."
Pause.
"If you need..."
Quieter now.
"I could tutor you."
"After school."
Still staring at the book.
"That talk earlier..."
"Just hot-headed words."
"Don't throw away your future."
Alex turned.
Looked at her.
She tensed.
"What—"
His hand shot out.
Grabbed her scarf.
Pulled it down.
Her red face exposed.
Eyes wide.
"Hey—"
His finger came up.
Tapped her lips.
Once.
Soft.
Quick.
Raven froze.
Face went redder.
Mouth slightly open.
Can't move.
Alex leaned closer.
Smiled.
"Cupcake."
Voice low.
"Worried about me?"