Chapter 3

The air in the office instantly froze.

Serena’s face turned paper-white.

She stared blankly at Mr. Harrison's screen.

"How could I only get a thirty?"

She shoved him aside, grabbing the mouse and clicking frantically.

But the numbers didn't budge.

Reading: 10. Writing: 10. Math: 10.

Total: 30.

Standing to the side, I had to squeeze my thighs to keep from bursting out laughing.

The system was surprisingly thorough—it had evenly distributed her failing marks across all sections.

Mr. Harrison’s expression hardened.

"Serena, have you let your recent success get to your head?"

"To fail this miserably on multiple-choice questions means you didn't even try. Your attitude is completely unacceptable!"

Serena stomped her foot in frustration.

"Teacher, I didn't throw the test! There has to be a glitch in the grading software!"

She whipped her head toward me, her eyes burning with pure malice.

"Chloe! Is this your doing?!"

I held up my hands innocently.

"I got a zero, and you got a thirty. How could I possibly cheat?"

"Besides, your score is still "exactly" thirty points higher than mine."

I put a heavy, sarcastic emphasis on "exactly thirty points higher."

Serena’s body shuddered violently. She stared at me in absolute horror.

As if a lightbulb had suddenly gone off in her head, she spun around and sprinted out of the office.

I followed her.

She bolted straight into the girls' bathroom and locked herself in a stall.

I stood right outside, pressing my ear against the wooden door.

Inside, Serena’s voice was hysterical.

"System! Show yourself! What the hell is going on?!"

"Why did I only get a thirty?!"

The cold, mechanical voice chimed in.

"Ding. Detection of host's score is verified as correct."

"Target Chloe Miller scored 0 points on this exam."

"Host's score: 0 + 30 = 30 points."

"This matches the set parameters. System is operating normally."

"You're lying!" Serena shrieked.

"I need an Ivy League offer! I need to be number one!"

"With a thirty, I'm a laughingstock! How am I supposed to face anyone?!"

The system replied without a shred of emotion.

"This system is only programmed to add thirty points to the target's score."

"If the target's score is too low, resulting in an insufficient score for the host, it falls outside the system's liability."

"Recommendation: The host should encourage the target to study harder and aim higher."

The sound of something slamming against the wall echoed from the stall.

Serena had thrown her phone in a rage.

I leaned against the wall, clutching my stomach as silent laughter racked my body.

Encourage me to study harder?

Not in this lifetime.

My early admission would be officially posted next week.

I was officially a free agent who didn't need to take exams anymore.