Yara remembered it so clearly because her math tutor had made a big deal out of it. The teacher even went as far as photocopying the set of math problems solved by the person who snagged first ce, just for further study. Yara had checked them out too, and yeah, those solutions were pretty ingenious, especially given how tricky the problems were. She figured it would have taken her days and nights to crack them.


    Originally, her teacher had ns to bring this math whiz into their department after finals. But to everyone''s surprise, a teacher from another department swooped in first, leaving her teacher regretting it for ages.


    Just then, the elevator chimed as it reached the ground floor, and Mr. Hammond stepped out, answering Yara''s earlier question, "Yep, that''s her."


    Yara picked up her pace to keep up with Mr. Hammond, admiringly saying, "With a student that talented, no wonder Dr. Elliot thinks so highly of her."


    Mr. Hammond gave a quick smile and casually replied, "You''re pretty great too, Yara. Keep it up."


    Yara modestly shook her head, saying, "Well, Mr. Hammond, you''ve got work to do, so I''ll head back to the department."


    "Alright," Mr. Hammond waved as he left.


    Yara stood there for a moment, watching Mr. Hammond''s retreating figure, still trying to figure out where she might have met that girl before.


    ***


    Meanwhile, over in Dr. Elliot''s office.


    Elliot was chatting with Mirabe, "Have you been swampedtely?"


    Mirabe was perched on the couch, and hearing Dr. Elliot''s question, she thought for a moment before replying, "Yeah, a bit. Our department''s working on an artificial life research project."


    Hearing about the research, Elliot sighed, "No wonder you haven''t been dropping by."


    Mirabe''s lips twitched slightly, "I think I''ve been turning in all the assignments on time, right?"


    Elliot nced at Mirabe. Was he really just concerned about assignments? He wanted her to stick around in the Physics Department.


    Was a double major not important anymore?


    Did it not deserve some attention?


    Mirabe decided to brush off Dr. Elliot''s resentful look, clearing her throat before asking, "Dr. Elliot, did you need me for something today?"


    The way she called him ''Dr. Elliot'' rubbed him the wrong way, and he couldn''t hide his annoyance, saying, "Why call me professor? Just call me teacher."


    Mirabe: "......"


    Are these professors always showing two sides, one for public and another in private?


    Elliot coughed, took a sip of his wellness goji berry tea, then added, "I didn''t call you for anything major. Even though Biology is your main focus, don''t forget about Physics."


    Of course, he also wanted her to meet Mr. Hammond sinceworking is key in research.


    Mirabe softly responded, "Got it..." and after a beat, she added, "teacher." Elliot''s mood instantly lifted at the word ''teacher'', nodding, "That''s more like it." To him, ''professor'' sounded too formal and distant, while ''teacher'' felt more personal.


    Remembering something, Elliot looked at Mirabe, pretending to be curious, "Wade from your department mentioned taking on a protégé. Any idea who it is?"


    "I''m not really sure. I haven''t been following Wade''s stuff," Mirabe replied, shaking her head.


    Elliot''s smile broadened, and he nodded, "Your main focus should be on your studies. It''s good to tune out distractions unrted to your studies."


    Mirabe gave Dr. Elliot a silent look but chose to say nothing.