Huang Xifeng or, according to the Western naming convention, Xifeng Huang, is our homeroom teacher.

Since today was the first day of school, homeroom period is 1 hour long from previously being 20 minutes.

She holds the attendance record and starts calling our names.

I did not remember my roll number.

“Roll number 1.”

“Present.”

…

Everyone is present in the class. I counted a total of 25 students. All sections are supposed to have around 25 students after all.

“Roll number 12.”

I don’t know if someone forgot their roll number or if roll number 12 is my roll number.

“Seok Yang.”

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“P-Present.”

“Your roll number is 12.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I was the only one who forgot their roll number. It was very awkward.

————————————————————————————————————————————————

Before the homeroom period ended, Xifeng Huang called me to the staffroom.

“Who are you?” she asked sternly.

“Um.. I’m Seok Yang..”

“I have come to know that you have gotten a rank of 54 in the entrance exam. You are an intellectual. I have seen your paper. You only lost marks in the questions you didn’t attempt. You would’ve gotten them correct. You need some confidence.”

She read me just by looking at my paper.

“Um.. I guess…”

“Look at this question. You just needed to swap out the values. You knew it. You just didn’t try it. Don’t be that lazy. You can’t afford that.”

“...”

“I want you to reattempt these 8 questions that you got wrong. Submit it to me by tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow…?”

“Yes. Now, go off to your classes.”