Seeing me lower my head, the homeroom teacher couldn’t help but sneer.
"What are you afraid of? Go up and do it. If you can’t, I’ll teach you. How infuriating, they actually look down on my little brother like this. To think he has the nerve to show off his own level with such a lousy problem."
Athena said angrily beside me. Her slightly wrinkled little nose made her look even cuter.
There were many people in the classroom, so I didn’t dare speak to Athena. I just looked up at her with a confused expression.
"Stupid little brother, you don’t even believe me. Don’t forget I’m the famous Goddess of Wisdom. A problem that a three-year-old could solve is supposed to stump me? Just think about what you want to say in your mind and I’ll be able to hear it."
Seeing that I seemed a bit doubtful, Athena said to me in an annoyed tone.
"Really? But..."
I quickly thought in my mind.
"No buts. How can my little brother let people look down on him? Get up there now."
Seeing that I was still hesitating, Athena waved her hand lightly, and I involuntarily left my seat and walked toward the podium.
All at once, the whole class stopped their noise and stared at me walking toward the podium.
The homeroom teacher was also shocked at first, not believing that I, who had always been timid, would have the nerve to go up.
Then his cold sneer returned. In his view, it would be like a comet hitting the earth if I—who came in last in every exam and slept the moment class started—could solve this math competition problem. Even a college student specializing in math would have a hard time solving it correctly in the shortest time.
I picked up the chalk and turned to look at Athena standing beside me.
"Don’t be afraid. This problem can be solved like this..."
Athena encouraged me and began explaining it to me.
Looking into Athena’s eyes, I picked up the chalk and started writing on the blackboard. The classroom was so quiet that the only sound was the chalk scribbling on the board.
The eyes of the homeroom teacher and the students also changed from initial disdain, slowly to surprise, then to astonishment, and finally to shock!
The blackboard was almost completely filled. There were a total of 22 solution methods, and many of them were methods even the homeroom teacher had never seen before.
I wrote everything down under Athena’s explanation, put down the chalk, turned around, and looked at the homeroom teacher nervously, waiting to hear his comments.
But by now the homeroom teacher was completely dumbfounded. His mouth hung wide open, and his eyes were opened so wide they seemed to exceed the frames of his glasses!
So many people’s gazes were fixed on me, making me feel extremely uncomfortable!
"Excellent, truly brilliant!"
A vigorous voice came from outside the door, drawing everyone’s attention.
I turned my head and saw the principal smiling at me. He walked quickly to my side and began looking me over carefully.
The principal, in his forties, stared at me until my heart began to crawl. Just when I could hardly stand it anymore, he gave me a heavy pat on the shoulder with his large palm and said with a laugh: "A true young prodigy! This problem is an Olympiad math problem. It was the final question in last year’s college entrance exam math section. How can someone imagine that you could come up with 22 solutions?!"
We all knew that Principal Jou was a scholar who specialized in mathematical research, and it seemed this problem had actually been written by him.
Hearing him admit defeat, the students below let out a collective gasp.
Hearing Principal Jou’s praise made me scratch my head awkwardly. This wasn’t my ability at all, and being praised only made me feel more out of place.
"Come to my office. Let’s have a good chat."
Principal Jou said as he grabbed my hand and started to walk out.
"Principal Jou, I..."
I stammered and couldn’t speak, turning to glance at the homeroom teacher who was still in a daze.
"Oh, you’re worried about your homeroom teacher? Sho Sensei, you come along too."
Clearly the principal misunderstood my words.
Hearing Principal Jou’s words, the homeroom teacher snapped out of it too!
He nodded and told the students below to self-study, then followed us out of the classroom.
I was dragged along by the principal, with no room to refuse at all.
Looking back, I saw Athena winking at me mischievously.
I immediately regretted it. If I’d known it would be this troublesome, I wouldn’t have shown off!
As soon as we got to the principal’s office, Principal Jou busied himself pouring me water.
I sat on the sofa and said nervously, "Principal Jou, I’m not thirsty, really."
"It’s fine. Try my new tea."
The principal said with a smile.
But little did he know that right now, even if you gave me dragon meat, I wouldn’t be able to taste it!
After bustling about for a while, the principal finally stopped and sat across from me, smiling as he looked at me. That gaze was like he had met the girl of his dreams, and it made my skin crawl.
"You’re Fuitsu-san, right? I’ve seen your name on several unified exam results. Your grades have always been poor. Have you been hiding your true ability?"
Principal Jou’s face showed a bit of embarrassment when mentioning my grades.
"No, my grades really are terrible. The homeroom teacher already told me. I just won’t take the college entrance exam... to make one last contribution to my alma mater."
I quickly explained, and after thinking about it, I added that last sentence.
"What? Sho-sensei, what’s the meaning of this?"
Upon hearing that I wouldn’t take the exam, the principal immediately jumped up and loudly questioned the homeroom teacher.
"I... I..."
The homeroom teacher stammered, unable to speak. Although this matter had been tacitly approved by the school and was an annual practice.
But now, seeing the principal treat me like this, he couldn’t make up his mind. If he said the wrong thing, he’d definitely be the one taking the blame.
"Don’t ’I’ me. Do you have any idea what level Fuitsu’s math has reached? And you’re supposed to be a math teacher. At Fuitsu’s current level, he doesn’t even need to take the exam. Just based on that problem alone, Tokyo and Kyoto University would be scrambling to take him."
The principal said furiously.
Both the homeroom teacher and I lowered our heads. The difference was that I lowered mine out of shame, while the homeroom teacher lowered his because he didn’t dare talk back.
"Fuitsu-kun, this was a mistake on our school’s part. You absolutely must take the college entrance exam! I wonder if you’d be interested in developing in the field of mathematical research? Don’t underestimate mathematics—it is the foundation of all sciences. Current high-end technologies like aviation and aerospace all require mathematics. Unfortunately, in modern times, our country’s mathematical talent is dwindling, and it’s been relegated to an unpopular field! A math genius like you, Fuitsu, if you develop in this direction, could definitely become a great mathematician and contribute to our nation’s development."
The principal looked at me earnestly. His words were truly moving.
But I wasn’t actually that amazing!
I shook my head and said without thinking, "No, I really can’t! I’m a liberal arts student."
"That’s not a problem. If you’re willing, I can transfer you to the science track. As principal, I do have that authority."
"No, I’m just not interested in math at all."
Having no other choice, I made up an excuse.
"Ah? You can learn math this well without even being interested? You’re simply a genius. I won’t force you then. But you must apply to Tokyo University, okay?"
The principal conceded a step.
"Okay, I promise."
I agreed without hesitation. It was no loss to me anyway. Even if I applied, I wouldn’t pass!
"Good, good. Then it’s settled. You can go back now. I still have some things to discuss with Sho Sensei."
The principal seemed relieved and said to me with a smile.
As if granted amnesty, I quickly said goodbye and left the principal’s office.