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"Ethan Ashford, Language Fundamentals: 8 points. Arithmetic: 9 points. International Language: 7 points…"
On the podium, Beatrice Mercer's voice was filled with disappointment.
"Remarkable! Not a single subject scored above ten. Another new record low!"
"A real genius! Once ranked first every time, now consistently ranked dead last!"
"Indeed! He even refused the guaranteed admission to Jianghua Advanced Academy, and now he might not even make it into a regular advanced academy! What a genius, truly!"
Whisperings of ridicule swirled around Ethan Ashford's ears, his head buried deep amidst the stack of books on his desk.
Yes, he was a genius — though that was three months ago.
Three months ago, Ethan Ashford excelled in every subject, topping the entire academy in every exam. He had been offered guaranteed admission to Jianghua Advanced Academy, envied by all his peers, and cherished by every instructor.
And now? Ethan Ashford spent his days in a daze, perpetually ranked at the bottom, a disappointment to instructors and a source of despair for himself.
"Instructor! I’d like to request a change of seats! Ethan Ashford’s behavior has already severely impacted my academic performance!"
Sitting beside him, Rosemary Holt suddenly raised her hand to address the instructor.
Beneath the desk, Ethan Ashford's hands clenched tightly in frustration.
This Rosemary Holt… Three months ago, she had cried and begged Beatrice Mercer to let her sit next to Ethan Ashford, insisting that he could help boost her grades.
After moving, she had continuously tried to curry favor with him, always eager to gain his attention.
She couldn’t believe it! She actually said something like this now!
"Change seats? You just changed seats not long ago. Changing seats too frequently isn’t fair to the other students," Beatrice Mercer frowned and said.
"Huh? But… Does it mean I have to keep sitting next to Ethan Ashford forever?"
A hint of disappointment and grievance was written all over the attractive Rosemary Holt’s face, making her look pitifully fragile. But the words coming from her mouth were undeniably cruel.
"The one who should be changing seats isn’t you…"
Standing at the lectern, Beatrice Mercer looked down from her elevated position, shook her head, and after a brief pause, she suddenly raised her voice:
"The one who should change seats is Ethan Ashford!"
"What?!" Ethan Ashford jerked his head up.
"As the last place in the class, how do you even have the nerve to occupy the prime seat at the center of the room? Ethan Ashford, move to the corner of the classroom in the last row! Right now! Immediately!"
Beatrice Mercer jabbed her finger toward the corner of the classroom and sternly shouted orders at Ethan Ashford.
"Armand Langley, you go take Ethan Ashford’s seat."
Beatrice Mercer paused again, her expression shifting to a smile as she spoke warmly to Armand Langley, a trust-fund kid from the group.
Dressed head to toe in designer brands, Armand Langley swaggered up to Ethan Ashford, casually gave him a shove on the head, and said with complete disdain, "Hurry it up, you useless waste. Even if you drag this out, there’s no way you’ll stay by Rosemary’s side!"
After finishing, he gave Rosemary Holt a triumphant smile.
Rosemary Holt cast a fawning, coquettish smile at Armand Langley.
Ethan Ashford clenched his hand tighter, his nails digging into his palm, though he didn’t seem to notice.
In the end, all he could do was pick up his books dejectedly and walk over to the very last row of the study hall, to the solitary seat in the corner.
“Hmph!”
A contemptuous scoff from Rosemary Holt sounded from behind Ethan Ashford.
The back row of the study hall didn’t have any paired seats. Ethan Ashford had a desk to himself.
And no one was willing to share a desk with him, either.
In fact, during the entire group study sessions, none of the students wanted to talk to Ethan Ashford.
Except for the group leader, Amanda Rook.
“Ethan Ashford, don’t lose heart. It’s just that your scores weren’t ideal for the last few exams. I believe you’ll do great next time!”
After school, a long-haired girl with stylish see-through bangs, a flawless figure, and stunning beauty approached Ethan Ashford and spoke to him with concern.
She was none other than Amanda Rook, the group leader and also the campus belle of the academy.
“I don’t need your pity.”
Ethan Ashford’s voice was icy.
“Ethan Ashford, I understand how you feel…”
Amanda Rook's face paled slightly. She forced herself to endure it but still tried to speak.
"Understand? What could you possibly understand? Leave! I'll say it again—I don't need your pity!"
Ethan Ashford's voice was cold to the extreme.