At the Cloudscape Community.


    When Juniper got home, Shanley, Jimmie, Harold, and Melvin were already there. The video of the press conference was ying on the TV, and news of the top scorer had spread like wildfire across the inte.


    "Congrattions, Ms. Payne," Dana said, taking Juniper''s bag with a brilliant smile. It was true what they said about birds of a feather flocking together. The country''s only two perfect scorers in history were Mr. Schwartz and now Ms. Payne. They were truly a perfect match.


    "Huh?" Juniper looked up, a little surprised. "Congrattions for what?"


    "For being the top scorer, of course!" Dana said, getting more excited. "Ms. Payne, you were incredible! Everyone online is singing your praises."


    "Oh, that," Juniper said with a faint smile, not seeming particrly excited. "Thanks, Dana."


    She knew Dana was only telling her the good news, conveniently leaving out all the negativements.


    Dana was taken aback by her nonchnt attitude. "Ms. Payne, aren''t you happy?" she asked, feeling a bit awkward.


    "I''m happy," Juniper said, her eyes blinking as her lips curled into a grin.


    Dana scratched her head. Ms. Payne''s reaction was just... not normal. It was as if getting a perfect score was as mundane to her as eating or sleeping.


    "You can go now, Dana," Shanley said, walking over and gently taking Juniper''s hand. His voice was patient and warm. "You were excellent at the press conference today."


    "It was alright," Juniper replied casually, though her tone was tinged with disappointment. "It''s a shame there were cameras everywhere. I couldn''t get physical. Otherwise, I would''ve twisted the necks off those old fools from Era High."


    Hearing their sister''s bloodthirstyment, Jimmie, Harold, and Melvin all froze for a second. It was a good thing there were cameras. If there weren''t, they had no doubt Juniper would have followed through.


    "Have you thought about what you want to major in?" Shanley asked softly, sitting beside her and peeling a piece of fruit.


    "Nope." Juniper had been answering questions for two hours straight and was parched. She grabbed an apple and took a big bite.


    "Maybe art?" Jimmie suggested, but then immediately reconsidered. The art world was too demanding for his cker sister.


    "How about medicine?" Harold offered, pouring her a ss of water. "Era University has a top-notch medical program."


    Juniper''s chewing slowed. She looked up at Harold, her gaze intense. "Me? Study medicine?"


    Her question brought Harold back to


    his senses. Era University''s medical program was excellent, but Juniper''s own medical skills seemed even more advanced. He seriously doubted anyone there could teach her anything. Who was even qualified to be her professor?


    In the end, Harold decided to stay quiet.


    "Just pick whatever," Melvin said, crossing his arms. "I trust Juniper. She''ll excel in any field she chooses."


    Their sister was like a perfectly bnced warrior, skilled in everything and


    unbeatable. There seemed to be nothing she couldn''t do.


    After finishing her apple, Juniper


    pulled out her phone to check the time. A news alert popped up on her screen: [Foreign intelligence agency attempts to breach the nation''s


    securitywork. The attack was aggressive and devious, causing significant damage and a major setback for national security.]


    So brazen? Juniper''s clear eyes narrowed, and the temperature around her seemed to plummet. Her lips moved, and she spoke suddenly, her voice cold. "Computer science."


    "Computer science?"


    Shanley, Jimmie, Harold, and Melvin all looked up at the same time, their eyes filled


    with confusion. She decided just like that, in a matter of seconds?