The next morning.
Serena arrived early at the classroom. She was fast asleep with her head resting on her desk, a notebook sprawled open beside her and a nearly used-up quill pen in hand.
Lucien entered the room, pausing for a moment when he saw the scene. He sighed softly, "Sleeping here again..." Without disturbing her, he walked quietly to his own seat and opened his book to review the day's lesson.
He couldn't help but glance again at the sleeping Serena, a thought stirring in his mind:
"Such strange behavior. Her social skills are way too polished, and she can handle the teacher's questions with ease. She pretends to be clueless, but in reality, she knows exactly how to attract attention."
"People like her... might not belong in Class A at all. If there's ever a chance, it's best to…"
He lowered his gaze and gave the sleeping girl one last glance before sitting down.
As more students arrived, the classroom gradually grew livelier. Some whispered among themselves, others reviewed their notes, while many just yawned, waiting for the first class to be over.
At the front row by the window, Serena remained motionless, still seemingly fast asleep.
"She's still sleeping?" Elena asked in a whisper.
"Looks like she stayed up late again last night... Should we go ask Ivy?" Vivian murmured.
Just then, the sound of sharp, rhythmic footsteps echoed from the doorway. The classroom fell into instant silence.
It was today's lecturer, a strict middle-aged woman. The moment she entered, she commanded in a firm voice, "Everyone, stand."
Right at that moment, the seemingly slumbering Serena rose from her desk with practiced ease, standing up without hesitation. Her expression was calm and eyes clear, as if that deep sleep just now had been nothing but a ruse.
Lucien blinked, momentarily stunned by her swift movement. He had thought she'd been up all night fooling around again, yet she moved so decisively… He was briefly caught off guard.
"Sit." said the teacher.
Once the class was seated, she cleared her throat, her gaze sweeping across every face before landing on the materials atop the podium.
"In two days, we'll have our first mock exam of the semester. It may be a small test, but I expect you all to take it seriously. I don't want to see any disappointing numbers on your scores."
"Now, turn to Chapter One. Let's begin."
Lucien tilted his head slightly, glancing at Serena seated in front of him. She sat with lazy grace, upright yet relaxed. She was just too strange—sloppy one moment, serious the next. One second she seemed utterly unmotivated, and the next she stood with flawless composure.
He thought silently:
"This mock exam... is the perfect chance to see whether she's all show—or if she actually has skill."
The day of the mock exam results.
The rankings were posted on the notice board, drawing a crowd of students around it.
"Lucien's first again... another perfect score?"
"Elena made the top five too, amazing!"
"Wait, look—who's in sixth place?"
Lucien walked toward the crowd, indifferent to the chatter—until his eyes landed on the list.
1st: Lucien Blake
2nd: Elena Windsor
3rd: —
…
6th: Serena Elton
His pupils constricted.
Sixth place.
Not too high, but certainly not low either.
She hadn't made it into the top five, thus avoiding becoming the center of attention—yet she'd ranked high enough to avoid being overlooked.
A score that was... too perfect.
Like it had been calculated.
Lucien's expression shifted subtly. After a moment's pause, he spun on his heel and strode toward the classroom.
Serena was slouched at her desk, doodling halfheartedly. She'd barely slept the night before. Though her "arrangement" with Elvin was going smoothly so far, she still had to remain vigilant.
"Serena Elton."
A cold voice called her name.
She looked up to see Lucien standing before her, his face more serious—and more frustrated—than ever.
"You got sixth place on purpose, didn't you? Why didn't you make the top five? You could've ranked higher."
Serena paused, caught off guard. She hadn't expected the aloof academic star to confront her so directly.
She had been trying to avoid him, after all...
She took a soft breath, propped her chin on her hand, and replied with a lazy smile, "Mmm, I just answered randomly... maybe I got lucky?"
"Don't lie to me." Lucien's frown deepened. "Sixth place is the safest rank. Low enough to avoid attention, high enough not to be underestimated. You did it deliberately—why?"
Serena looked at the boy in front of her—still not fully grown, but already alarmingly perceptive—and sighed inwardly.
Still young, after all. Compared to the marquis of House Blake in her previous life—calm, calculating, almost terrifying—this Lucien was still far too immature.
She stood and stretched lazily. "You're overthinking things, Lucien. I'm just a barely-not-bad nobody. What's this about 'hiding'?"
Lucien didn't back down. "Let's settle it with a proper challenge."
Serena didn't even bother lifting her eyelids. "...Ugh, that's so much effort. Not interested."
"Are you scared?"
Only then did she lift her gaze lazily, a spark of amusement in her half-lidded eyes. Then she smiled—like she was finally intrigued.
"Fine, if you insist." She propped her chin up again and smiled slyly. "How about this: a timed answer challenge. Let the class pick a few questions. We each answer them independently within five minutes."
She paused, her smile deepening, "That way, I can show my real ability, and you get what you want—two birds with one stone, right?"
Lucien's eyes lit up. After a brief pause, he nodded. "Alright."
Heh. Still just seven years old...
Just as he turned to rally the class, Serena lazily added, "Oh—but one condition."
She smiled sweetly. "The loser has to grant the winner one request."
Lucien scoffed, "Deal."
The classroom erupted.
"Whaaa?! A wagered challenge?!"
"I wanna help pick the questions!"
"Lucien vs. Serena? Who's gonna win?!"
"I bet on Lucien!"
The students crowded around excitedly, scribbling ideas on the blackboard. Before long, ten questions were chosen.
The room went silent. The countdown began.
Five minutes.
Start.
Time ticked by.
"Time's up!" someone shouted.
Pens were put down.
The answers were quickly checked.
"Lucien got 7 out of 10 correct!"
"Serena... she only answered 8 questions, but—all correct!"
The classroom exploded with noise.
"No way?! Eight out of eight?!"
"Lucien actually lost?!"
Lucien stood frozen, staring at the paper, his expression conflicted.
He had lost.
Only by one question, but… he still lost.
Serena blinked and rose slowly, strolling up to him. With a playful grin, she reached out and tapped him gently on the chest.
"Fair and square, Lucien." Her voice was soft and teasing. "Remember—you owe me a request."
Lucien frowned, wary. "What... do you want?"
Serena gave him a wicked smile.