In Mr. Hammond’s office.


    “Take a seat on the couch, Mirabe,” Mr. Hammond said, pouring her a ss of water before settling into the chair opposite her. “I called you here to discuss the possibility of you switching sses.”


    Mirabe raised an eyebrow. “Switching sses? Why would I want to do that?”


    “I believe you have a real knack for the sciences. Staying in a humanities ss might not do your talents justice,” Mr. Hammond said earnestly.


    He had nned to ce her in the science ss from the beginning of the term, but the whole Riverdale incident had dyed him. By the time he returned, Mirabe had already been slotted into the humanities ss.


    Mirabe chuckled and shook her head at the mention of changing sses. “No need. It doesn’t make much difference to me whether I’m in humanities or sciences.” After all, she had already self–studied all nine subjects <b>required </b>for the senior year.


    Mr. Hammond, reading brimming confidence from Mirabe’s face, touched his nose thoughtfully and ventured, “Do you not want to switch because of Morgan?”


    Prodigy ss 1 was a science ss<b>, </b>and Morgan was the teacher who had been so reluctant to ept Mirabe at the start of the year.


    “Him? No,” Mirabe replied indifferently, almost forgetting the man existed unless mentioned.


    After a brief pause, she added with a teasing tone. “If you keep pushing for me to switch sses, you might find yourself in a duel with Miss Ate.”


    Mr. Hammond chuckled, clearly seeing that Mirabe truly didn’t mind either ss. He sighed and said, “Alright, I won’t force you, but do you remember Professor Wade? He visited recently and is from the Education Association.”


    Mirabe nodded. Her memory was sharp; she certainly remembered, especially since Mr. Hammond had made a point of introducing him at the time. Professor Wade is an honorary member of the Education Association, no less.


    “To be honest with you, Wade is a professor in the biology department at Prestige College and was quite impressed with you. He even reviewed your exams and mentioned that you strongly grasp biological research.”


    Mr. Hammond recalled how Wade had called him just the day before to inquire about Mirabe, adding, “He just couldn’t understand why you were ced in a humanities ss.”


    That was the main reason behind Mr. Hammond’s sudden urge to move her to the science ss. Mirabe immediately got it.


    “Though, to be fair, given your academic prowess, you don’t see much of a difference between


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    humanities and sciences.” Mr. Hammond didn’t dwell on the matter. “Professor Wade is on the lookout for a protégé, and he sees potential in you. You should seize this opportunity because you’re destined for more than just this ce. Riverdale is aplex web, and not having connections can be disadvantageous.”


    Specialized talent, in particr, was rare, and if it couldn’t be recruited, it was often destroyed. so that no one could have it exclusively. Once certain bnces of power were disrupted, the consequences were more than just turmoil.


    Listening to Mr. Hammond’s veiled advice, Mirabe understood his underlying message. She watched him with a stoic expression and simply said, “I appreciate your support and guidance.” It was clear that the Prestige College biology professor’s interest in her was due to Mr. Hammond’s influence. A fewpetitions and exams hardly delved into real research territory. While she didn’t need it, she acknowledged the favor Mr. Hammond had extended to


    her.


    Mr. Hammond waved a dismissive hand. “If you really want to thank me, just bring home a title from this year’s internationalpetition.”


    He wasn’t specifically asking for gold, silver, or bronze – just a ce on the podium. Mirabe’s. eyes sparkled with amusement. Mr. Hammond obviously underestimated her, but she didn’t boast. Instead, she humbly replied, “That will be a piece of cake.”


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