During the morning break, the students gathered around the bulletin board where the results of the monthly assessment were posted. Usually, Anthony's name was at the very bottom, marked with red zeros or failing grades.
But today, when they reached the list, they froze.
Rank 1: Anthony Reed — Score: 100/100
"What?!"
"That's impossible! He didn't even awaken!"
They rushed to his desk. The teacher, Mr. Hanson, also rushed over, holding Anthony's paper. His hands were shaking.
"Anthony... these solutions... they are written in a way that surpasses the textbook," Mr. Hanson stammered. "This logic... this application of theory... it's genius-level work. Did you copy this?"
Anthony looked up. "I solved it."
"Lies! You have no scholar soul!" Jake shouted from the back. "He's cheating! He must have cheated!"
Anthony stood up. "If you doubt it, give me any problem. Any year level. Any subject."
Mr. Hanson, intrigued and confused, pulled out a reference book meant for university level. He wrote a problem regarding Quantum Physics and Energy Manipulation on the board. "Solve this."
The class went silent. Even the top students couldn't understand the question. Anthony walked to the board. He didn't hesitate. His chalk moved swiftly, drawing diagrams that looked like complex constellations, writing formulas that flowed like poetry.
In less than two minutes, he was done. He turned around. "The answer is 429.7, and the application method is as written."
Mr. Hanson's jaw dropped. He checked the answer key. It matched perfectly. But the method Anthony used was so elegant, so profound, that the teacher felt like he was learning from a master.