The school ground was covered with fallen leaves of different colors. Representing the beauty of mother nature and inspiring people.

Alex entered the classroom.

His plan was to “become the most religious man on earth.” It’s true, when in trouble and you see no way out, reach out to God.

’Oh merciful, merciful God, please just let me pass, I don’t care if I come dead last, PLEASE JUST LET ME PASS!!’

Alex prayed desperately.

‘Um…. Alex...ar-are you okay?’

Alex heard a soft, shy voice.

He turned around to find Asuna looking at him with concern.

Asuna knew Alex since middle school. She isn’t the type that you suddenly just talk to and become friends.

You can say she’s your typical shy girl that doesn’t have a lot of friends but is sweet and kind, also a pushover in most cases.

Her long black hair, which she always fiddled with when talking to someone and her bright violet eyes, confirmed that.

‘You were...sort of joining your hands forcefully and mumbling something, are you feeling alright?’

--Obviously, because I was praying, I wonder if she heard me.

‘Ye-yeah, just doing a mental exercise and giving myself a motivational talk.’

‘I see, I was worried because you didn’t come to school for a long time, but you always have good grades, this time I’m sure you will get the highest score, Good luck.’

‘Uh...thanks, you too.’

Asuna then went to her seat.

--I can’t believe she actually bought that.

‘Okay class your exam is about to start, I wish you good luck.’

The invigilator arrived.

The days of the exam passed slow for the students and extremely fast for Alex.

He would skim-read the textbooks in the hope of at least knowing what chapters are in the exam, and during the exam, he just went with flukes and hunches and finished before everyone else and leaves.

The midterm exams ended, and finally, the result was pinned on the mainboard.

Alex went to school really late in the hope of avoiding at least a little bit of embarrassment.

He dreadfully walked to the board and checked if his name was on it, looking at the bottom of the list and saw his name was not there.

He gave a sigh of despair.

‘Well, always keep your expectations low.’

He said with a low voice.

‘Um...congratulations on coming first, Alex’

Alex heard a familiar voice. He quickly turned around to see Asuna smiling at him delightfully.

‘What?’

Alex looked at the top of the board and saw his name on top. His eyes widened, he turned to Asuna.

’Are you a Goddess?’

‘Um… I don’t understand? What?’

‘No-nothing, it’s just I am really shocked by this.’

Alex had FLUKED the entire exam, and he needed some serious luck just to pass.

Him coming first isn’t some luck, it’s a MIRACLE in which God himself came down from the heavens to help him or a Goddess.

‘You have always been good in studies, weren’t you expecting this?’

‘I might have if I actually studied anything.’

Alex said in a low voice.

‘What did you say?’

‘Um…nothing, then-’

‘I don’t believe it.’

Alex heard a sharp voice.

He turned around and saw Hikaru. Apparently, somebody heard Alex saying he didn’t study, and you can’t ask for anyone better than him.

Hikaru Yoshida, the smartest guy in school.

Having a slim body that he never exercised, his physique was below average. Because of myopia since birth, he wore thick glasses.

He usually gave off a gentle vibe having light hazel eyes, pale skin, dark black hair, and was a quiet boy.

He is the same age as Asuna and Alex, but unlike them who are in first year, he is in third year and graduating this year.

Even the teachers cannot rival him in terms of intellect. For some reason, he hates Alex.

‘Hikaru, what are you doing here?’

Asuna asked.

‘I was just stopping by to see the result when I heard your conversation.’

Hikaru was glaring at Alex.

’My face is not the board, and you didn’t even need to come, 1st as always, see.’

Alex tried to avoid the intense glare directed at him. Hikaru glanced at the board, then quickly turned towards Alex.

‘I see, but I already saw that.’

--Then why are you here?

Alex wanted to leave.

’What intrigued me to join your conversation was what you said,

“I might have if I actually studied anything? you are talented, but you shouldn’t think of yourself too high.’

‘Yes, you’re right, I shouldn’t. Anyway, I have to go now so-’

Alex tried to end the conversation.

‘Wait!’

--Now what?

Hikaru was not about to let Alex go.

‘Yes?’

’I recently heard the teachers talking about the student who got the highest marks in 1st year, they were saying that he didn’t lose even a single point as if he had memorized the entire syllabus.’

‘Memorized the entire syllabus, huh?’

A surprising fact of the human brain. The brain has a memory capacity of 246 billion Gigabytes but forgets to lock the door, where he put his keys, turn off the stove, and the list keeps going on and on.

‘I heard about that too.’

Asuna also joined in.

‘You must have studied a lot Alex’

‘Of course, I studied really hard.’

This had at least some truth to it.

‘I’m glad. Your grades had started to fall, and you always looked pale and stopped participating in anything as much as you used to, so I was worried.’

--Obviously, because I had brain cancer, wait!! How did she notice all that? I did my best so nobody could find out.

Alex continued to give a warm smile.

‘Thanks, and sorry for making you worry about me.’

Relived, Asuna left, but Hikaru was still not letting Alex go.

‘As I was saying, the teacher also said that to achieve such a perfect score, you either have to be a genius or an excellent cheater.’

Hikaru looked into Alex’s eyes as if he knew Alex’s every sin.

‘I can promise you I didn’t cheat.’

‘I’m not so sure about that, but anyway, Congratulation.’

Hikaru was still staring deep into Alex’s eyes.

‘Thanks, you too.’

Just then, the bell rang, and classes were about to start.

‘I have to go now, bye.’

Alex was relieved that he could end the conversation.

‘Of course, I hope you do best in the final exam too.’

With that, Hikaru went off to his class.

--What was his deal anyway?