“Listen kids. This is a wonderful opportunity for you . Everyone will assemble on the morning of the third of next month, which is exactly eleven days from today. understand?” Old man Herald was shouting to ingrain his words into the brains of daydreaming students of his. Bowen could only understand the gist of what herald explained. It is said that people called seekers are soon to visit their neighboring village of Allar. And the main purpose of their visit is to find children with good potential to become their disciples. soon the old man finished his speech and started asking for written homework for that day.

When it was Bowen’s turn he said “Teacher, I was unable to complete my homework yesterday. You know that I had sustained severe injuries and was resting.” Even though what Bowen said seemed to be logical and a known fact for everyone in the village, the truth is that, he was too busy thinking about the system rewards and ignored the little math homework which was too childish for him. As for his injury it was cured within hours, thanks to the healing portion offered by Bale.

Ha, have you ever done your homework? why blame it on injury? said Renault the chief’s grandson, taunting Bowen as usual.

“ya tell honestly that you can’t finish it” added one of the boys in Renault’s gang.

“Heehee..don’t know if you were really injured or if it was an act?” Someone added fuel to the flames.

“silence” shouted Herald displaying his authority as a teacher. “kid I will forgive you cause you were injured, but I cannot let the fact that you neglect your studies. So this time stay with me after the class and finish your homework.”

Bowen got flustered. Jago had gotten permission to accompany Martha and Gerald for picking herbs in the nearby Elu mountains in the evening. As children who have always eaten, slept and played together, Jago invited Bowen to accompany him. Bowen thought that he could learn a little bit more about this world by talking to Martha and Gerald, as he could not expect library or books in a rural village like this. He can also be safe, traveling through unknown mountains in company of a ranker. More than anything else he wanted to explore, he wanted to know how the lands, mountains, seas and sky of this fantasy world is different from earth.

[No, I cannot play these childish games anymore. Who do you think I am? I was able to do 8th grade math when I was 6 yrs old on earth. Not to mention here where mathematics is terribly regressed when compared to earth. I will not show myself as a genius, but I won’t play dumb either. Because both will only bring unnecessary attention creating obstacles in my missions. That’s right, Being average is the only way. I Will just workout some problems and…..] system interrupted Bowen

…Beep beep….

**Side Mission triggered**- PROVE YOUR WORTH

You, a world hailed genius should not cower for this silly homework. Take a oral math test in front your class and pass with flying colors”

REWARDS: 1 DP, 2 STRENGTH

Bowen: (FACE SLAP) [To hell with being average]

“Umm ..teacher what I mean to say is I couldn’t write math because my hands were injured. But I have already learnt the procedure for the calculations. In fact you can test me right now if you have doubts” said Bowen sincerely

“Ha haaaaa..haaa..haaa” Renault and his gang let out tearful laughs which subsided only after a warning from Herald.

“Teacher give him the test. I bet he will fail” said one student

“Bowen, you always try to take leave for tests what happened to you now?” mocked another

“May be its an after effect of injury that made him think that he was a genius” said another giggling with his friends

“Are you trying to skip staying back in the evening? Teacher Herald, don’t listen to him. He is trying to cheat as usual” said Renault giving a dirty smile.

Bowen clearly knew Renault must have heard his and Jago’s conversation about today’s mountain trip. He wanted to destroy their plans someway or other. No wonder he was the son of the trash father Dale.

**TING ** TITLE NAUGHTY RASCAL IN EFFECT. +50% chance for herald to doubt your words.

[What the…$$####] Bowen grinded his teeth seeing the system panel. Things were going against Bowen's plans because of Renault’s involvement. He had to do something.

“ Bowen, are you doing this to skip detention after class. Don’t you even think about escaping me today” said herald in serious tone.

“Teacher Herald please believe me. I can really do all the problems. If you doubt me of cheating during written test’ how about we do a oral test in math?”

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“Oral test? Are you saying you can do addition and subtraction without writing on a paper?” Questioned Herald. As far as he knew only children of mathematicians can do such feats at such a young age.

“Yes sir. If I even get one of the answers wrong then I will stay back after every class until you are satisfied. You can also double my homework if you want.”

[Ha, this idiot. He is trapping himself so deeply. Even someone as me who always comes first in class cannot do two digit calculations without a paper. What does he think about himself?. Can a commoner like him overthrow me, a child of noble lineage? Maybe he really hit his head. That’s right it must be that] thought Renault rejoicing silently. He really wanted to see Bowen make a fool of himself.

“Okay, if you are so confident we can start the test immediately” Herald immediately went near the big piece of wooden board painted in black, took a piece of white stone of unknown material and started writing the math questions.

Bowen interrupted “teacher please wait”

What now? changed your mind? asked herald.

Bowen, you got scared right? tell the truth. Said Renault

“No, I am not going to stop the test. What I want to say is teacher need not write the questions you can just orally dictate them” Bowen wanted to get rid of the childish act as soon as possible.

“What?” Herald was shocked seeing Bowen increase the difficulty of the test. Still he went with the flow. He wanted to know what Bowen was planning.

Then tell me what is 7+3 ? Herald started with easy one digit calculation questions.

“10” Bowen said immediately

What is 9+6?

15

Correct, Then 8-7?

1

Correct ,10-6?

4

Correct ,12+7?…..5+18?……16+19?……12-8?…..?

“19…..23………..35………4”

Correct all are correct

Now do this “56 +26?….48+39?………76+90?….85-23?”.Herald slowly increased the value of numbers

But Bowen’s answers were instantaneous as ever “….82….87….166…62”

It’sss..correct stuttered Herald

Herald questioned on 3 digit numbers 220+ 190?

410

Huh ,yes..right!

560+443?

1003

You…you are..ri…right.

665-930? now Herald needed time to workout each answer on a note book to check if the answers were correct

265

Gulp..yes.

5069 +867?

5936

“Co..coo..rect”..Herald started sweating

"Did you hear that? Bowen just answered all the questions!"

"What? No way! That's impossible. Bowen can't be that smart."

"I can't believe we talked bad about Bowen behind his back. He's actually teaching us something. I feel so ashamed for making fun of him. I'm sorry, Bowen."

"Yeah, I remember how we used to make fun of Bowen for being dumb. Now, Bowen is answering them like it's nothing." murmured other kids in the class.

"I'm proud of Bowen for doing so well. I knew he had it in him." said Jago

Meanwhile ..[how can this be? How could this child be such a genius? Am I hallucinating? Why? Why did I not know such a student exist in my class?] Herald’s mind was in a mess. Suddenly he got an idea.

“Wait” he said… “you have to take test in other subjects too”.

Bowen didn’t expect this coming. [ I can deal with math but I don’t know contents of other subjects. its different from earth’s lessons, what do I do?]

“Sir, umm I don’t mind taking test in other subjects but can you let me revise them once?” Asked Bowen

Oh, okay

Herald handed over three of his textbooks where he took references from.

Bowen decided to use his photographic memory to read through all the books. First was history, then literature and finally basic magic knowledge. He skimmed through the books just like a person who skimmed through his favorite comic to know its contents before buying.

Herald’s eyes became bigger and bigger seeing Bowen’s behavior

[What is this kid doing turning pages like this? Don’t tell me he…no way.. no no way..it can’t be. I have to test him. I will definitely test him] some crazy thought hit herald’s mind but he didn’t want to believe it.

20 minutes and Bowen finished all the books each consisting of only 100-200 pages approx. For Bowen these seemed to be the thinnest of all the books he has read so far and it was too easy to memorize.

Did you finish revising?

Yes.

The full book?

“Yes fully. all three of them.” Said Bowen with a smile

“Huh?” Renault sensed something wrong.

“Kids, today’s class is over. You can all go back” Herald announced, surprising every one.

Really we can go?

Wow it ended so early today.

Some students ran immediately, some questioned Herald for the sudden dismissal but the old man remained silent, losing himself in deep thought. Bowen also sensed something wrong but didn’t voice out his queries. Just when he wanted to pack his bag and head home like other kids

“Where are you going? “ Herald stopped Bowen

“Thought you were satisfied with my answers.” Said Bowen as if he was wronged by his teacher.

“Follow me kid. you will finish your test in other subjects before going”

Herald headed to his own house followed by Bowen. He locked the doors and windows once entered. Both sat on worn out wooden chairs that lied in the corner. Immediately Herald took out his books and started asking questions one by one. Bowen also answered them at lightning speed. After an hour of Q & A session, finally herald let out a long breath.

“What are you child?” He asked calmly “how did you answer all my questions?”

Umm,..ha, teacher, actually, I was always an attentive kid. I didn’t want others to see my talent. Even though I read all of your lessons I purposefully got it wrong to keep my secret…so.umm you see it's all thanks to you for teaching me well…so I…

“Stop kid. Don’t act dumb. I know you memorized them just now, when you got my text books.” Said Herald shooting daggers with his eyes.

“…Huh! Teacher, what are you even telling? how could anyone…” Bowen wanted to say that Herald was mistaken but got interrupted.

“Then how did you answer the lessons that I haven’t taught yet? Moreover those are advanced books used to teach children of higher classes. Since this is not a proper school you don’t have definite syllabus or textbooks allotted for you. I used those books to have some reference. I only taught basics from them. So how did you answer others?”

Cough cough ..“I answered what?” Bowen didn’t expect to fall for the trap

[s**t, I should have properly gone through the notes given in previous classes instead. Why did I borrow his book? So what now? I can’t blow my cover so soon, can I? If he tries to harm me in any way I don’t mind getting rid of him. But how should I do it? What if he is not a fragile old man but a werewolf or something strong?] Bowen started to contemplate and plan his next action.

“So you are a child gifted with sorcerer’s sight” said herald waking Bowen from his thoughts

Sorcerer’s sight???