Now making his way out of the school, Alex wore a bold smile, on the outside.
'What did I just do!?'
The spark inside him had disappeared, and his senses were coming back to him, only to leave him again because of the tension he felt.
'Why did I just agree to such a ridiculous thing? Would it have killed me to just say "sorry."?'
Alex was cursing his own ego and pride. Prof. Hibiki; they say bad luck rains down on those whom he teaches. Though in Alex's case, it looked like he was hit by lightning, twice.
It was as if something possessed him when he readily agreed to take the exam. He couldn't understand why his brain decided to go out for milk at that moment and wished it didn't bother showing up now.
--Wait a minute! Earlier this morning, my name was on the top of the board. I came first?
Alex was desperately trying to think of something good that could lift his mood, and the thought came up.
--I came First. How did that happen?
Indeed it is no mere feat to come on top without ample preparation, except for the bastard that lies to everyone that he hasn't prepared anything but comes on top. *Screw that guy!*
--I didn't even read the textbooks properly. I only skimmed through them.
Alex was puzzled. It's true that he only skimmed the textbooks and went with hunches in the exams.
'What did I actually do in the exam?'
Alex tried remembering his actions, he felt something. He tried retracing his steps, something inside him started running, like a switch was turned on. He continued to be deeply immersed in his thoughts, using his brain, and that's when the spark ignited again, and this time it wasn't about to go out.
Again his mind was overwhelmed with vivid memories. Everything Alex tried to recall, his brain retrieved it in pristine condition. He could remember the entire syllabus, word to word, for the mid-term exam.
Not just the textbooks but everything the teacher said, inflection to inflection, when he was in class even though he was not paying attention. He could recollect it all.
'How did this happen?'
At that moment, Alex felt like a prodigy. A genius beyond compare that was too overpowered.
'Never mind, it probably had something to do with the treatment, but….'
A grin appeared on Alex's face.
'It isn't going to change the situation I'm in, but something is better than nothing.'
Now from a very hopeless and grim situation, Alex was only in a grim situation. He had acquired hope.
With that, the preparation for the exam began.
The week flew by, and the day of the exam came.
If Alex manages to get 90%, he will be promoted to the next class. If not, he is expelled. The news of Alex taking the exam had spread throughout the entire school.
Alex walked with a mild expression. Making his way in the hallways, he could sense students looking at him, more than usual, but that was expected.
Inside, he felt a bit timid, not because of the exam but because of everyone's stares. He realized he had yet to come up with a suitable explanation about his mysterious absence, but that was a problem that can be solved later. Thus he ignored them the best he could.
On his way to the principal's office, he met Asuna, rather she met him.
'Alex, I'm sorry you're in this situation. I've…should have done something.'
Asuna was among the scared the students that didn't interfere or stood up for Alex and watched quietly. The problem was, the guilt inside her was greater than others, and she needed to equalize that feeling.
'It's alright, besides there wasn't much that could have been done.'
'Even then I-'
Alex placed his hand on her shoulder.
'Asuna, what did I say? It's going to be alright.'
Alex looked straight into her eyes, affirming her that it will really be alright, and that was enough to make her calm.
But as a side effect, having Alex looking straight into her eyes made her flustered, resulting in a bright red face.
'G-good luck then.'
Asuna ran off, leaving Alex wondering why.
--Did I do something?
He made his way to the principal's office and knocked. Getting permission to enter, he opened the door and saw him walking edgily in his office.
'I have been waiting for you, Alexander.'
'I am here for my exam.'
Alex saw the Principal opening his desk to take out some papers. Sitting down on his chair, he signaled Alex to do the same.
'Listen, Alexander, I know it is my fault for putting you in this situation. It is ridiculous to give a student a weeks' to prepare for an exam whose syllabus he hasn't even been taught.'
The principal slid the papers towards Alex.
'This is the least I can do. These are the questions that will appear on the exam with their correct answers written. Please memorize them as quickly as you can.'
Alex glanced at the papers to find that the principal wasn't joking. There were questions with their answers organized neatly. He gathered the documents and returned them.
'I don't need these papers. I will be fine without them. Besides, I will not cheat.'
The principal was stunned by his gentle smile.
--Never have I seen such an honest boy. No, he is a man, no he is a man even among men. Truly an example of how a human being should be.
Tears formed in his eyes.
'You are right. It was foolish of me to do this.'
'I should get going now, don't want to be late for the exam.'
Alex got up and was about to leave.
'One more thing, Alexander. Prof. Hibiki will be the one monitoring you to make sure you don't cheat.'
'I see. Thank you for informing me.'
As Alex left, the principal took out his phone.
'You were proved wrong. You can see the footage of my office if you want proof. I told you Alexander is not a cheater. He didn't read the papers.'
'That just means he doesn't need them.'
'Because he studied.'
'Because he is an expert cheater who doesn't need anybody's help.'
'You will lose.'
'We shall see about that.'