In fact, before the official css rankings were released, Xanthia had remained rgely unnoticed.

  Apart from the homeroom teacher and Foreign Languages and Linguistics teacher, Emmanuel El Alcantara, who preferred the old-fashioned method of distributing papers from the podium, announcing scores from highest to lowest, and letting students come up to collect their papers, other subject teachers simply handed over the graded papers to the css representatives for distribution.

  Obviously, this practice of not publicly announcing scores in front of the whole css was a way to preserve the dignity of the weaker students. Most teachers didn’t want unnecessary animosity. After all, they were only paid so much; was it worth risking everything?

  Ironically, Xanthia’s Foreign Languages and Linguistics grades were only average, not particurly outstanding. However, when Emmanuel handed out the papers, he showed a rare smile and encouraged Xanthia, “You did well in this Foreign Languages and Linguistics test, showing significant improvement. Keep it up.”

  In Emmanuel’s view, pairing Xanthia with Dematero as desk mates was perfect. Dematero, a quiet boy with few words, was a natural nemesis to the talkative boys. Plus, with his excellent Foreign Languages and Linguistics scores, he could naturally help Xanthia improve.

  Dematero’s top ranking in Foreign Languages and Linguistics this time earned him vish praise from Emmanuel. His essay, which lost only 2 points from a perfect score, was even used as a model and shared with the whole css, making Dematero momentarily famous.

  However, as the papers from other subjects were graded and returned, Dematero’s demeanor changed completely, like a pair of testicles hit by frost.

  Meanwhile, individuals like Henry, who enjoyed unofficially collecting information about the top students before the official rankings were out, completely ignored Xanthia in his calcutions...

  Luciel was included in his list because she ranked second in Foreign Languages and Linguistics, and Emmanuel had announced scores from highest to lowest.

  Henry diligently asked every top student who posed a threat to him and finally compiled an “informal ranking.” Unexpectedly, he was dethroned by Luciel, with Sunny, the soccer enthusiast, not even considered a top student.

  Falling from the former css top spot to seventh pce was a bitter pill for Henry to swallow. However, it was undeniable that in a top-tier high school like this, once you achieved first pce in one exam, it didn’t guarantee you could maintain it unless you were exceptionally consistent.

  Henry’s misguidance also affected other top students. After all, this “informal ranking” was often quite accurate. In a css where the top performers were few, a quick inquiry could reveal their retive standings.

  Then, about three days after the monthly exams, during evening self-study, Emmanuel arrived in the css with the printed “official ranking list.”

  When he saw that the student at the top of the css was someone he had consistently overlooked—Xanthia, whose background he had never paid much attention to—he was stunned!

  What the heavens?!

  Who was this unexpected hidden genius?

  His emotions were mixed with surprise and disbelief.

  Considering Xanthia’s previous performance and her usual attitude towards studies, doubts naturally arose in his mind.

  However, he didn’t jump to accusations of cheating. After all, Xanthia was a day student with a strong familia background. What if she had private tutoring every day after returning home?

  Emmanuel’s approach was clever and cunning: he asked the science teachers to deliberately call Xanthia to answer questions during the expnation of the exam questions that followed. After all, if she could solve all sorts of difficult problems, sharing her problem-solving approach shouldn’t be an issue, right?

  Emmanuel would discreetly observe and, if he confirmed Xanthia hadn’t cheated, that would be wonderful—another top student under his wing. As a homeroom teacher, who wouldn’t want more exempr students in their css?

  Arriving at the cssroom, Emmanuel pinned the ranking list on the right wall just inside the front door. It was the css honor wall, where awards like “Honor Css” certificates would also be dispyed in the future. Duty schedules and other notices were also included, making this area the css bulletin board.

  After pinning it up, he turned and deeply scrutinized Xanthia, seated in the middle of the first row by the window. He couldn’t shake off his incredulity.

  He admitted he had completely misjudged her. It was a humbling realization, but he didn’t mind it at all. As a homeroom teacher, who would compin about having too many top students in their css?

  As for Dematero sitting next to Xanthia, Emmanuel was irritated by his nonchant demeanor. What good did it do to top Foreign Languages and Linguistics? Science was where the grades mattered!

  Dematero, oh Dematero, you’ve disappointed me so much!

  From css 7th to a miserable 35th, what on earth were you thinking?

  Of course, viewed from another angle, Xanthia moving from 43rd to 1st and Dematero slipping from 7th to 35th showed a net positive improvement overall... she won!

  But obviously, that was just looking for a silver lining. If Xanthia legitimately topped the css without cheating, it meant her academic strength was formidable. Regardless of who she sat next to, such progress would be expected.

  So, the question arose: Could Dematero’s decline be influenced by Xanthia?

  Emmanuel betedly noticed that Xanthia, with her new hairstyle, was quite attractive.

  He typically avoided seating high-value female students with male cssmates—like Elena La Loannou, who sat with a girl named Yannis La Alexandros, and Luciel La Lebrador, who was paired with a problematic child, Hera—they were all girls.

  To stifle any early romance, Emmanuel went to great lengths. He felt he couldn’t assign Xanthia to sit with a boy anymore...

  After posting the ranking list, Emmanuel stepped up to the podium and cleared his throat. “Ahem, everyone, put aside what you’re doing. We’ll have a brief css meeting this lesson to discuss the results of this month’s exams...”

  “To be frank, I’m very disappointed in you all! I’ve taught experimental csses before, and you might be the weakest bunch I’ve had! The overall decline in this month’s exam results is simply unacceptable!” Emmanuel’s face darkened as he scolded without reservation.

  His reprimand wasn’t entirely unjustified. Since these exams were held after the holidays, many students cked self-discipline and indulged too much. A prime example was Dematero, whose decline was stark, and there were others like him.

  While the css ranking might seem tolerable with a slight drop, the difference was immense when compared to the previous benchmark exams. Year 1 Css 3 had collectively regressed!

  “Of course, I must specially commend three students: Xanthia, Luciel, and Sunny. They’ve shown remarkable improvement, especially Xanthia! Her total score ranks first in our css and 18th in the grade. Even in Css 1 and Css 2, she would be in the top ten!” Emmanuel announced.

  This decration astonished the entire css, especially the former top student Henry, who had secretly compiled an “informal ranking.” He stared at Xanthia in disbelief... His mouth opened and closed simultaneously, like a fish grasping for water.

  “She was first in the whole css?”

  How was that possible?

  Recalling his intention to tutor Xanthia before, he felt his face burn in extreme embarrassment!

  If her grades were indeed real, he would be a ughingstock!

  The 8th-ranked student tutoring the top student?

  Then Henry realized he wasn’t even 8th; Sunny was 8th, and he had slipped to 9th in the css! So embarrassing!

  After a stern lecture to the students, Emmanuel concluded the brief css meeting. “In a few days, I’ll adjust the seating arrangement based on the exam results. That’s all for now, css dismissed.”

  While other homeroom teachers might let students choose their seats based on their grades—privileged seating for the highest achievers and leftovers for the rest—Emmanuel was a traditionalist. He dictated the seating arrangement and even handpicked the css committee. Democracy? Were these kids even qualified to discuss democracy?

  After evening self-study, as soon as students entered the cssroom, the bulletin board on the right was already surrounded by students concerned about their ranking.

  Everyone first noticed Xanthia’s top 1 position, with complex expressions—shock, suspicion, and curiosity...

  How could Xanthia possibly rank first in the css? Did she cheat?

  Perhaps only a few cssmates around Xanthia confirmed she hadn’t cheated. After all, once the papers were distributed, they would check their mistakes with those who got it right.

  Some, out of suspicion, approached Xanthia. Her answers were fluent and her reasoning clear. Could a cheater be that articute?

  Alright, it was confirmed. She was definitely not a scker in studies. So what was she?

  A textbook overachiever!

  She seemed to py nonchant about studying, ciming no interest in grades, but lo and behold, she aced the css. Was that even fair?

  The surrounding cssmates instantly conjured up numerous thoughts... Xanthia, as a day student, was definitely more schorly than anyone else!

  Oops! They thought they were all the same—ordinary high school students just coasting through. Now that she had revealed her true self, dropping the mask revealed a face adorned with the noble “top student” bel!

  How cunning. Xanthia, this textbook overachiever, was too cunning!

  Even the usually easy-going Dematero, when he looked at Xanthia, couldn’t help but question life and the world. Negative emotions exploded—

  Why did you hide so deeply? Your grades are even better than my lovely angel Elena’s! Doesn’t this make me a clown?!

  Now Dematero was losing and generate “pain points” for Xanthia, and his mentality completely colpsed!