Khalid's hard work and determination paid off when he secured the second position in his class. His father, Sayyad, was overjoyed and proud of Khalid's achievement, acknowledging that he could compete with students from any top school worldwide. As the second term commenced, Khalid was placed in his preferred C class, where he was determined to outperform his rival, Mustapha Abubakar. Khalid's academic prowesscontinued to shine, and he eventually took the top spot inhis class.Beyond academics, Khalid formed strong bonds with hisfriends Ibrahim and Abubakar, with whom he shared adeep interest in Islamic studies. Their daily discussionsand debates in the mosque between Zuhr and Asr prayersbroadened Khalid's knowledge and understanding ofIslamic issues.Khalid's success didn't go unnoticed, as he was recognizedas the best accounting student in the school. His expertisein accounting and mathematics led to students fromvarious classes seeking his tutelage, a testament to hisexceptional academic abilities.One year later, the principal of FGC B-Y received aprestigious promotion to a high-ranking position at thefederal level within the Ministry of Education. Hissuccessor, a charismatic and highly educated individualwith a PhD, brought a fresh wave of enthusiasm to theinstitution. The new principal launched several innovativeprojects, including the B-Y Brain Test (BYBT), a weeklyexamination that aimed to boost academic performanceand foster competition among students. The BYBT was introduced during Khalid's SS2 year, and heconsistently secured the top position in his class, nevermissing a single week. However, there was one instancewhere he was tied with a brilliant student named Na'omi, who had caught his attention. Despite his feelings for her, Khalid had vowed to avoid romantic entanglements. The BYBT committee summoned Khalid and Na'omi to resolve the tiebreaker. As they walked to the common room, Na'omi requested that Khalid relinquish his top spot, allowing her to claim it for once. Khalid was torn between his desire to accommodate her wish and his reluctance to surrender his record. Upon arriving at the common room, they found the committee members seated around a round table. The chairman addressed them, explaining the rules governing tiebreakers. He presented two options: either one of the students could withdraw and accept a lower position, or they could participate in an additional test or series of tests to determine the winner. The chairman granted them five minutes to decide. Na'omi fixed her gaze on Khalid, expecting him to concede. However, Khalid remained silent, weighing his options. When the time elapsed, the chairman announced that they would proceed with option (b), administering another test to determine the winner. Khalid felt a surge of excitement, while Na'omi appeared visibly nervous. The first test was distributed, with a 10-minute time limit. The chairman warned them that if they tied again, subsequent tests would be administered until one of them emerged victorious. Khalid completed the test in a remarkable five minutes, reviewing his answers in just one minute before submitting his sheet. In contrast, Na'omi struggled to finish within the allotted time, and her sheet was collected by a staff member as the time expired. The two students were instructed to wait outside for their results. As they stood together, Na'omi expressed her disappointment, saying, "I never expected this from you, Khalid. You've always seemed kind, but today, you've proven to be fiercely competitive." Khalid calmly replied, "Everything happens for a reason. My reputation is at stake, and I'm doing this for my father. You should understand that by now." Na'omi's expression turned stern, and she fell silent. Khalid, however, had already decided to gift her his prize for the week if he emerged victorious, as he often shared his gifts with friends. After a brief wait, they were summoned back to the common room, where the results were announced: Na'omi had scored 30%, while Khalid had achieved an impressive 90%, securing his win. The committee encouraged both students to strive for improvement and handed them their marked sheets before dismissing them. The following Monday, during the school assembly, the ABT winners were announced, and Khalid was called forward to receive his gift. However, in a surprising move, he walked over to the female section and presented the gift to Na'omi, who initially refused it. Khalid's insistence eventually led her to accept, amidst a mixture of surprise and applause from the students and staffs.