The principal's voice rang clear and slow, savoring the moment.
"And now," he said, his tone taking on a grander timbre, "for our top scorer in the academic section—with a resounding perfect score of one hundred marks..."
The auditorium erupted into gasps.
One hundred?
A perfect score. Flawless. Impeccable.
Unheard of.
The tension within the massive hall coiled like a drawn bowstring. Whispers flew like arrows through the audience. Even the examinees seated in the distant upper tiers leaned forward, struggling to hear more clearly.
On the stage, the four girls turned toward the principal with visible astonishment. Their own scores had already shattered long-standing records. And yet... someone had gone even higher?
'Perfect,' Mia thought, her heart pounding. 'Who the hell managed a perfect score?'
Even Celeste's usual smug confidence wavered, and Evelyn's composed face betrayed a flicker of surprise. Amelia's gaze narrowed with quiet curiosity.
