Chapter 66
By this point, Aurora understood their request: they wanted her to teach them the remaining material and prepare them for the entrance exams. Erik, worshipping Aurora like a deity, dramatically bowed. "Professor Crawford, please help us! The glory of Class F depends on you!"
Aurora furrowed her brows, hesitant. Agreeing would waste considerable time, a luxury she didn't have. However, she held a strong positive impression of Class F; their eagerness was evident.
Seeing her waver, Erik exchanged glances with the others. Soon, over a dozen students surrounded Aurora, their faces cupped in their hands, eyes batting expectantly. Margaret pushed to the front. "Rory, you have to teach us!" Pouting, she tugged Aurora's sleeve and acted cute. "Please, Rory, I like you! Continue teaching us." She nuzzled Aurora's arm, making soft, pleading noises. At home, this tactic always persuaded her father.
Goosebumps rose on Aurora's arms. She recalled her initial arrival in Class F, facing Maura's taunts, yet her classmates stood firm. Similarly, when Maura fell into the swimming pool, Class F defended her against Class A's accusations.
"Alright," Aurora finally agreed.
The class erupted in joyous cheers. Jack, by the window, observed the besieged Aurora with curiosity. "How come even Erik, Jimmy, and Cindy admire a new classmate so much? That's interesting. Show me how capable you really are."
The bell rang, ending class. The usually carefree Class F students, having received Aurora's affirmation, contentedly returned to their seats to prepare for the next lesson—a lesson for which no teacher had appeared.
During the break, Aurora organized the exam papers. When the bell rang again, she walked to the podium, the blackboard already diligently cleaned by her eager students. As she picked up the pen, a voice called from behind, "It's class time. You should return to your own class."
Aurora turned to see a strange middle-aged male teacher holding a math textbook—Daniel Jacobson, the math teacher absent from Class F for a long time. So, he returned because Class F surpassed Class A? she mused.
Daniel approached the podium, placed his book down, and leaned on the table. "Class, you performed well this time. It seems you completed the assignments properly. Good. Now, let's discuss this month's exam papers."
Daniel thought, They achieved such good grades without my teaching! If I teach them now, they'll surely surpass Class A every time, guaranteeing my promotion and year-end bonus.
The students were deeply dissatisfied with Daniel's attempt to claim credit. Without Aurora, Class F would undoubtedly be at the bottom again.
"Mr. Jacobson," someone spoke up, "the semester is halfway over, but your visits have been rare. Why do you take credit?"
"You also teach Class E," another student pointed out. "If you're such an excellent teacher, why didn't Class E surpass Class A?"
"Yeah, stop overestimating yourself!" Erik exclaimed indignantly. "He's irresponsible and still wants credit! Does he think we're fools?"
Daniel's smile froze; he silently cursed their lack of appreciation. It's an honor I'm even teaching these misfits, he thought. How dare they criticize me?
Aurora, arms crossed, observed the unfolding drama, confident in Class F.
Daniel took a deep breath, ignoring their mockery. Holding the exam paper, he said casually, "First, let's go over the multiple-choice questions. The first question is simple; the answer is obvious, so we won't discuss it."
The students, refusing to listen, pounded their desks, making animal noises and whistling, drowning out his voice. Those in the front row, however, still heard him.
He continued, "The answer to the first question is obvious. The second is a freebie. The third is clearly option B…" His chaotic explanation reached question eight.
The front row rolled their eyes. The exam followed a pattern: easy questions carrying most weight, followed by intermediate, then the difficult ones determining the score difference. Daniel aimed to skip to the harder questions, undermining their confidence and showcasing his knowledge. The students saw through his plan.
"Wow!" "I can't hear you!" Shouts erupted, drowning out Daniel's voice regardless of how loudly he spoke.
Daniel slammed his hands on the desk, but the louder he tried to be, the louder they became, until a neighboring class sent a student to quiet them.
"You are truly…" Daniel fumed, pointing with trembling fingers. "You are scum, walking cesspools! Just because you got lucky and surpassed Class A once, you think you're invincible? You…"
Another wave of shouting drowned him out.
"I'll see if you can keep being lucky!" Daniel grabbed his textbook and stormed out, shooting Aurora a fierce glare as he passed. Aurora simply raised an eyebrow, unfazed.
Once he left, Class F immediately fell silent, everyone looking expectantly at Aurora.
Aurora smiled, touched; this was the second time her classmates had stood by her, regardless of the consequences.
"Let's get started," she said, her clear voice filling the room. This time, she felt no reluctance. She genuinely wanted to see them succeed.