Chapter 526


    The eighty–minute sprint that was the first exam whizzed by in a blur. A twenty–minute breather was all


    the students had before diving into the deep end with the second exam.


    Mirabe had popped into the restroom for a quick break, and when she came out, she bumped into


    Jenna.


    In contrast to the somber faces of the other students, Jenna was the picture of ease. Spotting


    Mirabe, her excitement bubbled over. “Queen Mira, you totally rocked it. Half the questions on the


    exam – you called them!”


    Mirabe just arched an eyebrow at her, then casually twisted the faucet to wash her hands. After


    drying them off, she noticed Jenna still hovering. “Don’t you need the loo?”


    N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive ? material.


    Jenna, who’d been mulling over her decent performance in the first exam, snapped to attention and


    scurried inside. But after a couple of steps, she halted and spun around, calling out, “I’ll be right out.


    Wait for me so we can head back together, okay?”


    Outside in the corridor, Mirabe could overhear snippets of conversation from passing students, all


    about the difficulty level of the exam. Olympiad questions were notorious for being a notch above the


    regr school math exams, and this time, some curveballs had been thrown in; they were above the


    senior level but not quite college material.


    Jenna emerged quickly, all chirpy. “Let’s roll.”


    Mirabe gave her a sidelong nce. “Here’s hoping you can keep up that spirit after the second


    exam.”


    Jenna, unfazed, gazed out toward the sports field. “With all the prep you gave me? I’m ready to y.”


    Mira had nailed the first exam predictions, and Jenna was banking on a repeat performance for the


    second. She felt like she’d been possessed by the spirit of a straight–A student confidence surging!


    Shaking her head, Mirabe kept silent.


    Side by side, they walked on, neither looking back. So, they didn’t notice Summer stepping out of the


    restroom behind them. Summer had actually arrived just before Mirabe went in, and upon seeing her,


    she instinctively closed the door again, staying put. She couldn’t stand the sight of Mirabe, afraid it


    would stir up the resentment she’d barely managed to tamp down.


    It was Jenna’s enthusiastic “You totally rocked it” about the first exam that jarred her once more.


    Summer had always harbored suspicions about Mirabe, who hade back from the countryside.


    Several probes had left her confused by Mirabe’s attitude, but now… her suspicions red anew.


    Watching Mirabe’s retreating figure, Summer’s gaze darkened.


    Soon, the second exam of the league began. This time, the questions were modeled after the


    International Math Olympiad, with more expansive knowledge requirements and some content outside


    the teaching sybus. With a full score of 180 and a duration of 150 minutes, it was a beast.


    Mirabe scanned her exam paper, a rare look of concentration dawning on her face. The math


    problems were indeed the toughest among the major subjects. These four problem–solving questions


    were significantly moreplex than the physics and chemistry ones she’d encountered in


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    Chapter 526


    But then again… for a mere league, to present a challenge of this international caliber seemed a tad


    overzealous, didn’t it?


    As Mirabe tackled the questions, her mind wandered back to Mr. Hammond’s emphasis on the


    league’s significance. This wasn’t just any old exam; it was a battleground for reputation and honor,


    cloaked in the guise of academicpetition.


    An hour and a halfter, Mirabe penned the final line to thest problem–solving question.