Each teacher came and announced the marks.
'He got a 72 in modern Japanese.'
'He got 64 in English.'
'67 in Mathematics.'
'62 in Sciences.'
In the end, Prof. Hibiki announced his marks.
'83 in Computers. It looks like you performed the best in my subject, Alexander.'
Alex stood there in shock.
--No, I made sure I got each and every single question right, then why?
'Sorry, Alexander. You just miss the cut, it's unfortunate.'
Prof. Hibiki tried to show sympathy for the poor boy.
'Something is not right, I would like to check my papers'
'Sure, here you go.'
Alex was handed his papers.
'These are not my papers.'
It barely took a glimpse for him to realize that.
The principal stood up from his chair. The guilt for putting Alex in this situation had not left him yet. Realizing there was a shred of hope, he was not about to let it go.
'Somebody swapped my papers.'
'Alexander, are you sure? Can you somehow prove that?'
Prof. Hibiki was the one who gave the most energetic reaction. He knew Alex had no way to prove his claim.
'Wait, there is.'
'What?'
The question was not spoken in a tone of relief but fear.
--Relax, you destroyed the evidence. There is nothing he can do.
Barely an hour had gone by since Alex completed the test. He wasn't going to bother looking for them as it would be fruitless. It was then that his brain kicked it up a notch.
--55 minutes had gone by since the exam. Prof. Hibiki has swapped my papers. Calm down and think.
Time had virtually stopped as his brain started processing information at the highest rate.
--First, he would carefully check the cameras to see if I cheated. We know he found nothing since he switched the papers, but it would have taken at least 20 minutes or more to check the footage.
Seconds became hours for Alex as he analyzed the information, imagined hypothetical scenarios, and picked the most plausible.
--Seeing he found nothing, he destroyed the papers. Next, he would replace them with a copy. Each paper is worth 100 marks. It would take a student 3 hours to complete them all.
Multiple simulations ran before his eyes as he kept trying to figure it out.
--But since he is a teacher, he can get access to the answers and quickly copy it. We can take that time to be 25 minutes, combine it with the 10 minutes walking time, 55 minutes is complete. But that means…
Thus, he came to a conclusion.
After Alex had left, Prof. Hibiki reviewed every camera footage to catch a hint of him trying to cheat in any possible way. However, in the 10 minutes, he completed the paper, his eyes were still, no strange movement was in the body except the inhuman speed.
Failing to catch him cheating, he then checked Alex's computer paper. Being a knowledgeable teacher in that field, it took him moments to conclude that Alex will score than 90%.
This was no small matter. This was a question of pride. A student cannot disrespect a teacher. The system shall reject those who commit the act. He brought out a copy of the papers and filled them out himself.
'The cameras, they must have the footage of my real papers.'
Everything pointed to this factor. The cameras were monitoring his every move from head to toe. Of course, they were also recording his papers and seeing there were at least three of them doing that from different angles, they had the footage.
'Cameras! I-I'm not sure, I don't think they have the footage of your papers, and besides, it would be blurred.'
The response proved Alex hit the nail on the head. Getting timely feedback, he replied.
'I am pretty sure HD was written on them.'
--This is bad. I made sure to destroy the physical evidence, but I forgot to erase the digital, and I'm a computer's teacher.
Hibiki started panicking.
'Very well, for your satisfaction, I will send someone to retrieve the cameras.'
The principal saw the look on Alex's face and believed he was right. If nothing else, it was at least worth a shot.
'I will go.'
Prof. Hibiki keenly volunteered to correct the mistake that could ruin his life.
'No, I will send someone else. Alexander, you go.'
'Yes, sir.'
Soon all the cameras were brought. Alex connected a camera, and the video started playing.
'Now, let's see the footage.'
The footage showed his real papers.
'Now please, teachers, check the papers from this footage.'
The teacher checked the papers with ease as there was no mistake.
'100 in mine.'
'100 in mine too.'
'Also 100 in mine.'
'Perfect score,100.'
'100 in mine too!! Congratulations, Alexander. I'm glad that you passed all of them.'
Again, Prof. Hibiki gave the most enthusiastic response.
'It's a little too early to celebrate, Prof. Hibiki.'
'What d-do you mean, Alexander?'
The energetic voice rapidly dropped to a dim level.
'We have yet to apprehend the culprit.'
Sweat started forming on Prof. Hibiki's face.
'How will you do that, Alexander?'
The principal was eager to see how Alex catches him.
'When I went there to gather the cameras, I found a little piece of paper under my desk. Assuming the culprit tore the papers there, we can catch him using the cameras.'
Prof. Hibiki was ready to faint. He thought he could talk his way out about resigning from his job as it was merely a means to motivate Alex as a teacher. There was no chance in hell for him to talk his way out if he was caught ripping the papers apart.
'Let's see, Alexander.'
They all watched the video while Prof. Hibiki was frozen stiff. It was when they had all finished watching that he decided to run and was caught shortly after.
'Why didn't he escaped while we were watching the video? The chances would have significantly increased, and he might have succeeded.'
Alex asked the principal looking at him cluelessly.
'Well…the truth is…even I don't know.'
*Humans are mysterious beings.*
'Congratulations on your promotion, Alexander.'
'Thank you, sir.'
'Is there anything you would like as a reward?'
'Maybe a chance to give the exam for promotion to another class, whenever I feel like it.'
'Um…If that is what you want.'
'Well, I am going home now. Oh, and can I take a student with me?'
'Okay.'
And so, Alex was promoted to the next class.