Chapter 31

As the principal, Levi wasn't going to stand by and watch Elysia ruin her future. "Elysia, you can pick any class but Class 6," he said, leaning forward.

"I'm dead set on Class 6," Elysia retorted, her voice firm.

"Class 6 is a no-go. It's full of kids who couldn't care less about studying. You'll fall behind," Levi warned, his brow furrowed.

Elysia understood, but she wasn't convinced. She believed Class 6 suited her.

"So what if they're not bookworms? There's more to life than studying, and I don't think they'll hold me back," she said. "Sir, I want Class 6. I'm not planning to slack off. I promise, if my grades drop, I'll transfer immediately. Deal?"

Levi was conflicted. He saw Elysia's determination but worried about her future. Given her attitude toward school, moving her to Class 6 felt like giving her free rein. If she ended up slacking off like the rest of Class 6, he'd lose a student with the potential to excel on the SATs, maybe even become valedictorian.

"Sir, I've already said this. If my grades drop, I'm out of Class 6. What do you say?" Elysia insisted.

"Really? You'll do whatever I say?" Levi asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Absolutely," Elysia assured him, nodding.

"Alright then. You'll be serious in class and not cause trouble?" Levi pressed, searching her eyes.

Elysia frowned. "When have I ever caused trouble?"

"Just humor me. Will you or won't you?" Levi asked, his tone serious.

"Sure thing," Elysia agreed, shrugging.

"Deal. You can transfer to Class 6," Levi said, already strategizing. If her grades slipped, he'd move her, hoping to motivate her. He worried that arbitrarily transferring her might not encourage serious study. Weighing his options, he chose the one offering more control. He suspected her grades would slip in Class 6.

Class 6 lacked the resources and focus of Class 1. His real reason for agreeing was to let her hit a "brick wall," hoping she'd return more focused on her studies.

Hearing his agreement, Elysia picked up her Liberal Arts test papers and said, "Let's start the timer."

Levi retrieved a timer and started it. By the time Wayne arrived, Elysia had finished the Language and Composition test—except the essay.

11:58 Wed, Jan 29 BB.

Just as the clock struck noon, she finished the last test, tossing the papers on the desk and stretching.

Levi looked over, concerned. "You're done with all of them?"

"Yep, they're all here. Take a look," Elysia said, leaning back with a grin.

Levi picked up the stack, flipped through it, and scowled at the blank essay section. He pointed, asking, "Why is this blank?"

"Too much writing. I didn't feel like it," Elysia said with a shrug.

Levi was speechless but understood; she'd completed two tests consecutively. If Wayne hadn't been supervising, she likely would have skipped the essay on the Liberal Arts test, too.

"No big deal. Once we get the STEM Language and Composition scores, we can add the essay points later," Wayne suggested.

Levi nodded. "Sounds good."

"I didn't write the essay for the STEM Language and Composition test either," Elysia added casually.

Levi and Wayne stared, shocked. She was pushing her luck.

"Elysia, the essay is a huge part of your Language and Composition grade. How could you skip it?" Levi asked, clearly displeased.

"Right, Elysia. Do you realize how much this hurts your grade?" Wayne added, his voice a mix of concern and disbelief.

Elysia tried to reassure them. "Don't worry! I have a feeling it won't be that bad."

Won't be that bad? What does that even mean? they both thought, utterly confused.

Before they could ask, Elysia stood. "If that's all, I'm heading back to class," she said, grinning.

They swallowed their questions, deciding to wait for the results. Elysia left. Back in Class 1, her classmates watched expectantly.

She went to Bianca's desk, hands in her pockets, smirking. "Don't forget your word. One o'clock, at the track."

Bianca clutched her pen, silent.

Elysia leaned closer, her voice low. "Don't even think about backing out. Remember what happened last time?"

"I have a habit of recording things. If you try to weasel out of this, I'll post it on the school forum. You know the consequences," Elysia warned before returning to her seat.

She didn't actually have a recording; she was bluffing to scare Bianca.

11:58 Wed, Jan 29 WBB.

Even though Elysia was about to transfer to Class 6, she wanted to settle the score with Bianca first.

Bianca, however, trembled at the mention of the recording. She'd forgotten about Elysia's preparedness and had hoped to deny everything. If she broke her promise, the recording would be posted, humiliating her. This was far worse than frog jumps.

At one o'clock, Elysia waited on the track. Bianca arrived, followed by several Class 1 students, seemingly ready to cheer.

Elysia said, "Let's start. Make sure you yell loud enough." Seeing Bianca's silence, she added, "Or do you want this on the school forum?"

Bianca remained quiet, but a boy behind her spoke up. "Elysia, is this really necessary? We're all classmates. This isn't good for anyone."

Elysia frowned. If Bianca had been the one to be kicked out of Class 1, they wouldn't be defending her. She considered them two-faced.

Others might have softened, remembering old times. But Bianca was unlucky; she was dealing with Elysia.

Elysia looked at the boy mischievously. "Why don't you take her place? Then she can skip the frog jumps."

Bianca looked at the boy pleadingly.

He hesitated, then said, "Well… how can I do that? I didn't make the bet!"

"So, you're playing the good guy?" Elysia said, her tone light but sharp.

Bianca's hope vanished.

Elysia watched them with amusement. "Also, I should mention—I'm not really your classmate anymore. I'm transferring to Class 6."