Chapter 94


    The BrainSpark Nationals‘ city–level preliminarles weren’t a simple affair of filling out a test and waiting


    for a score. In addition to the written exam, there was a theoretical test and a live divergent thinking


    challenge, which cranked up the difficulty by several notches.


    The written examsted an hour. After wrapping that up, contestants were ushered next door for the


    live question–and–answer session under the watchful eye of the clock.


    Mirabe nced over her test paper with a hint of boredom and shook her head. The


    questions were somewhat tougher than the preliminary round, but.. 4


    theycked any real zest


    for a challenge. With a tinge of disappointment, she picked up her pen and began to answer the


    questions at a leisurely pace.


    Last time, her rapid–fire responses had drawn criticism for seeming flippant about the exam process,


    so this time, she was determined to embody the serious diligence expected of a student.


    Forty minutester, Mirabe, who had been deliberately slow, was ironically still the first to submit her


    paper, surprising even the proctor with her speed.


    As she handed in her test, the proctor took a moment to note her name. Mirabe? Wasn’t she the one


    who scored perfect marks in the preliminarypetition? The proctor held onto the test paper,


    momentarily lost in thought.


    Mirabe headed straight to the adjacent room for the live Q&A session. The rules were


    straightforward: three proctors would each draw a random question for the contestant to answer on the


    spot, all within a ten–minute time limit. It felt almost like a job interview.


    Mirabe internally scoffed at the format, likening it to a dull, uninspired setup born out of some


    pyramid scheme.


    Soon enough, three questions were drawn: one on history and the other two on science. designed to


    test cognitive acumen. Unfazed by the challenge, Mirabe tackled the questions in about two minutes,


    her expression unchanging as if the task was child’s y thanks to her voracious reading habits.


    This belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    The proctors were the ones left astonished. After she left, they couldn’t help but express their


    awe.


    “This student might just be the most impressive one I’ve ever encountered,” one whispered.


    “She answered in two minutes and drew the toughest questions. This is some monstrous logical


    reasoning… I think we’re witnessing the birth of a genius.”


    “No, it’s more than that. This year’s internationalpetitions will surely have our country’s name


    shining because of her.”


    The entire examination process was being recorded by a TV crew, which had anticipated that


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    Chapter 94


    the school’s celebrity, Summer, would be the first to emerge from the test center. The crew was all set


    to interview her, banking on her fame for a ratings spike.


    But to everyone’s surprise, it was Mirabe who appeared first. The host paused for a moment, then


    quickly recovered and approached with her microphone to ask about the exam.


    Mirabe might not have been Summer, but she had high–caliber beauty and a cool, effortless


    charisma that was camera–friendly.


    Casting a nce at the approaching camera, Mirabe lightly massaged her temples, regretting not


    having lingered inside a little longer.


    “How do you feel about the test questions today? Are you confident about advancing to the next round


    of the city finals?” the host asked, her voice cheerful and warm.


    Mirabe looked at her impassively and answered tersely, “Pretty easy.”


    The host, microphone in hand, felt at a loss for words for the first time after such a dismissive yet self–


    assured response.