WebNovels

Chapter 19 - The Difficulties of the Kyoto University Professor

The classroom was unusually quiet. Wen Ya glanced at Xia Tian from time to time, but always pretended to be looking elsewhere.

"Yesterday's mock exam results are out. I'll read your scores," the homeroom teacher announced, scanning the class. "The exam questions this time were provided by Kyoto University, as the results will be tied to their special admissions program."

"So, students who rank in the top thirty in their grade on this exam will have the chance to become special admissions students at Kyoto University."

Kyoto University was one of the most prestigious universities in the country— the dream destination of countless students. Each year, the top high schools in every province were allotted only one or two special admissions spots. Jianghai High School, located in Jianghai City, usually received two.

The standards for special admissions were extremely strict, involving evaluation in multiple areas, one of which was academic performance. The school had deliberately not informed students beforehand that the mock exam was connected to Kyoto University's special admissions, to prevent widespread cheating.

This strategy had been proposed by one of Kyoto University's professors.

Without needing further explanation, Xia Tian quickly realized who the three teachers accompanying the principal were — professors from Kyoto University, responsible for this round of special recruitment.

As expected, Huo Lazi ended up in last place, with her two underlings taking the second- and third-to-last spots, proudly securing the bottom three positions in the class.

Then, the teacher began reading out everyone's grades. Wen Ya, who consistently performed well, placed third in the class and tenth in the entire school.

Xia Tian, to everyone's surprise, ranked first in the class. Although he had always had strong grades, he had never taken the top spot before. This time, he not only ranked first but achieved a perfect score in every subject — every answer was correct.

His grades were not just the highest in his class, but the highest in the entire grade — and, most notably, the top score among all examinees. That was why the three professors had come to observe in person.

Xia Tian smiled faintly when he heard the results."It seems my guess was right. My mental strength has improved. Ordinary people's concentration is limited — they can only maintain peak focus for a few minutes. But my mind stayed sharp through the entire exam."

Because of this, he not only finished all the questions, but did so quickly.

"Xia Tian, your results are outstanding. According to regulations, you've already earned a special admissions spot based solely on your scores. But your grades are too high. If yesterday's exam had been the actual college entrance exam, you would've been the top scorer in the nation."

The homeroom teacher nodded approvingly. She had invigilated the exam herself, keeping a close eye on Xia Tian the entire time, and was certain he hadn't cheated.

However, the three Kyoto University professors clearly didn't believe anyone could achieve such a perfect result — hence their visit.

"Student Xia Tian," said the woman among them, standing up from the last row, "to be frank, your grades are unexpectedly high, but I question their authenticity."

She appeared to be in her forties. Her face was caked with thick powder that didn't match the tone of her unpowdered neck, giving her a two-toned appearance. Her makeup was heavy — unusual for a professor.

"I never cheat," Xia Tian said calmly. "My father taught me that." His grades had always been earned honestly, and his father had never tolerated cheating.

"Xia Tian, this is Professor Pan from Kyoto University — she's the director in charge of this special recruitment," the homeroom teacher quickly reminded him, signaling that he should cooperate to secure the opportunity.

"Your father taught you that? These days, every parent says the same thing. But who doesn't cheat?" Professor Pan gave him a disdainful look. "Tell me, how did you cheat? Even the top students at Kyoto University couldn't have answered this set of questions so perfectly."

"Professor Pan, that's impossible," the homeroom teacher interjected. "Xia Tian has always had excellent grades, and I was by his side throughout the exam."

"That's your negligence," Professor Pan snapped. "He must have cheated by some clever means you failed to detect."

Xia Tian now understood — these people weren't here to evaluate; they were here to find fault. He had never intended to attend Kyoto University anyway. His cousin was studying at Jianghai University, and that was where he planned to go.

"Professor Pan, on what grounds do you accuse my teacher of negligence — and me of cheating?" Xia Tian asked evenly.

"On what grounds? On your impossible score!" Professor Pan slammed his test paper on the desk.

"Hah," Xia Tian sneered. "Professor Pan, perhaps it's not that my teacher can't teach students like me — it's that you can't."

He despised people like her — those who assumed that if they couldn't achieve something, then no one else could.

"You—how dare you talk to me like that!" Professor Pan shouted furiously.

"Excuse me, Professor Pan, but how did I speak to you? I've been calm the whole time. Yet you, a professor, have been shouting nonstop." Xia Tian's tone remained steady. He wasn't afraid of her at all. She probably thought he would yield because his special admission depended on her, but he didn't care — he could get into any university on his own merits, and Kyoto University wasn't his goal.

"Young man, you're wrong. Hasn't anyone taught you to respect your teachers?" said the elderly professor beside her, standing up as well.

"Teacher? What have you taught me?" Xia Tian replied coldly. "My teacher is standing at the podium. I've always respected her. But you've given me no reason to respect you."

"You… you're insufferably arrogant!" the old man sputtered, face red with anger.

"Hey, hey, hey! Stop yelling already. Who do you think you are, barking like that?" drawled Huo Lazi, who had been napping on her desk. She turned lazily toward them.

"Where did you come from, little girl? Look at the way you're dressed — you don't look like a decent student at all," the third professor snapped, redirecting his irritation at her. Confronting Xia Tian directly had gone nowhere, so he decided to pick an easier target.

But he had chosen the wrong one.

"Who the hell are you talking to?" Huo Lazi shot back, temper flaring. She leapt up, planted one foot on the desk and the other on the chair, glaring down at him.

"Teacher Hu, please calm them down," the principal said anxiously. He didn't dare provoke Huo Lazi.

"Xia Tian, please, sit down and speak to the professors properly," the homeroom teacher urged. She glanced nervously at Huo Lazi but didn't dare scold her.

Seeing the teacher's distress, Xia Tian looked at Huo Lazi and said simply, "Sit down."

"Oh." Huo Lazi sat down immediately. There was always someone she listened to — and at Jianghai High, that person was Xia Tian.

"With that kind of attitude, you're not qualified for our special admissions," Professor Pan snapped, humiliated at having been bested by a student.

"My attitude isn't for people like you to judge," Xia Tian replied coolly. "And I never said I wanted your spot. Even if you gave it to me for free, I wouldn't take it."

"You… hmph." Professor Pan gave a smug little smile. "You're just bitter because you can't have what you want."

"Oh, finally, something half-intelligent came out of your mouth," Xia Tian said with a faint smirk. "For a Kyoto University professor, I thought all you could do was shout nonsense."

Laughter rippled through the classroom. Wen Ya had been watching Xia Tian the whole time. He seemed different — changed, and profoundly so.

"Fine," Professor Pan said coldly. "Because of your attitude, not only will you lose your special admissions spot — your entire class will lose its second quota as well." She said it with pride, hoping the class would turn against Xia Tian.

"Hah," Xia Tian laughed aloud. "How generous of you! I didn't realize Kyoto University professors were so magnanimous — acting like petty villains straight out of a novel! At least you admit it openly instead of scheming in secret. That's what a true gentleman does!"

Professor Pan froze. She realized his words could easily spread online — and damage her reputation.

"I don't have time to argue with you," she said stiffly. "Kyoto University is world-renowned. You're only saying you don't want to go because you can't get in."

"Then we'll see when the real exam results come out," Xia Tian replied. "Don't forget my name — it's Xia Tian."

The three professors turned and left without another word.

"Ah, Xia Tian… you've caused trouble," the principal sighed, following them out.

"Students, study on your own for now," the homeroom teacher said quietly before leaving as well.

Wen Ya sat still, uneasy. She knew that Xia Tian had truly changed. The once low-key, quiet boy who avoided attention — now stood at the center of every storm.

More Chapters