ss F''s homeroom teacher, Mike, was giving Scarlett and Percy some private tutoring. It was Saturday, and the three of them had agreed to meet at an outdoor café for a test.


    After grading their papers, Mike was overwhelmed with excitement.


    Who said these two students were idiots, morons, or hopeless cases?


    These two were clearly geniuses, prodigies-once-in-a-lifetime talents you couldn''t find even if you searched high and low!


    He felt like he''d struck gold.


    He figured that the two had been hiding their true abilities all along, probably to avoid standing out too much and making enemies among the rich heirs and heiresses at school.


    But after some recent unpleasant events, it seemed they had finally snapped and decided not to hold back anymore.


    He couldn''t help but feel a little sorry for them. Without a powerful family background, going to a school like theirs must have been unbelievably tough.


    He first exined to them how seriously the higher-ups valued the Elite Math Tournament.


    Then he said, "You''re both strong. As long as you don''t ck off in theing weeks, I believe at least one of you will be able to ce."


    Percy shook his head and curled his lip.


    Mike thought he wascking confidence and quickly encouraged him, "Trust me. I''ve seen Jonah and Lily''s papers-even they''re not on your level."


    "Mr. Sawyer, you really underestimate us," Percy said smugly, hands in his pockets. "We''re aiming for the championship. We''ll win you two spots at least."


    Mike was stunned. Then he broke into a delighted grin.


    Percy then turned to Scarlett and said, "Remember, you promised-if I win the championship, you''ll help me rank up in Pride of Kings. If you break your promise —liar, liar pants on fire!"


    Scarlett nodded calmly. "Yes, yes, liar, liar pants on fire."


    Mike was speechless.


    Wait a minute—Percy wasn''t even studying seriously for thepetition. He was doing it just to rank up in a video game?


    And here Mike was, worrying about him, thinking he was emotionally shaken.


    Mike helplessly gave them another set of practice papers to take home.


    Scarlett nced at the questions. There were some she had never seen before-questions that were unique, cleverly designed, and full of deeper insights. She couldn''Phelp but take a second nce at Mike.


    She had always known Mike was incredibly talented in math, and no elite math questions could stump him.


    But she hadn''t expected that he would actually write some elite math questions himself for them to solve.


    Were some of the practice papers he gave her in the previous life also his own creations?


    No wonder Lily always found ways to get her hands on them after catching sight of them. It looked like Lily''s past sess was thanks to some help from Mike.


    But in this life, without those practice papers, she was curious to see how Lily would perform.


    She put the practice papers away and returned to Jondalia Residence with Percy.


    Xavier hadn''te back all week. Scarlett didn''t ask-after all, it was rude to pry into his whereabouts.


    That evening, she and Percy were doing practice questions in the living room when Edmund burst in.


    "Ms. Quinn, please bring your kit of acupuncture needles ande with me, quick."


    Edmund had never looked so anxious before. Scarlett immediately rushed to her room to grab her kit.


    "What''s going on?" Percy followed them, concerned.


    Edmund looked grave. "Mr. Stroud is


    injured. His cranial nerves are


    spiraling out of control, and he has


    copsed. The doctors can''t do


    anything, so Dr. Gaztrict asked Ms.


    Quinn to give it a try."


    "What? It''s that serious?" Percy frowned and quickly got into the car.