Meanwhile, Mike followed his memories and arrived at the classroom where the Math Olympiad team studied.
"Look who it is? Our star Mike!" Kevin, the Math Olympiad team captain, who was looking around in the classroom, spotted the person at the classroom entrance.
Afterward, he stood up and expressed his welcome to Mike with an exaggerated and humorous tone.
"Sit down, Kevin, it's still time for exercises." Sharon, the counselor on the podium, frowned and stopped the lively Math Olympiad team captain.
"But I've already finished…" The energetic Kevin defended himself. Then, he received a frosty glare from Sharon.
"Alright, I got it. I'll be quiet." Kevin immediately sat down in surrender, making a zipping motion over his mouth.
The rigid Sharon also noticed Mike's arrival. She unnaturally forced a smile to appear more approachable. Then, she said, "Come in, Mike. Find a seat and do this set of papers first."
"Okay." Mike took the papers and looked into the classroom.
There were only four students in the classroom: besides the lively Kevin and the beautifully dressed Cady, the remaining two students wore thick glasses and looked like typical nerds at first glance.
At this moment, all four of them looked at Mike. The two Math Olympiad team members wearing glasses had surprised expressions in their eyes.
After all, Mike was very popular in the football team, and the two members with glasses never expected him to join the Math Olympiad team.
"Over here, Mike." Cady seized the opportunity to call out to Mike.
After Mike sat down next to her, the girl thoughtfully handed him a pen for answering questions.
"Alright, everyone, focus on your exercises. You still have half an hour." Sharon, on the podium, saw Mike settled and reminded the other observing students.
After exchanging glances with the girl at the next desk, Mike seriously began to read the test paper in his hand.
Chicken and rabbit in a cage problem, spatial geometry solutions…
There were only ten questions on the single-sided test paper, and the difficulty level, in Mike's opinion, was not high.
On the podium, Sharon, watching Mike write swiftly, nodded slightly.
Soon, half an hour passed, and led by Kevin, several team members quickly handed in their test papers.
When Sharon received Mike's test paper, she said, "You came quite late, so I'll give you an extra half an hour to answer."
"No need, I've already finished," Mike said.
"Alright." Sharon glanced at Mike's paper and understood. Then, she picked up a Math Olympiad problem collection from the table and instructed, "Your progress is much slower than the other students. Take this book back and look at it. If there's anything you don't understand, come and ask me."
"Okay." Mike took the problem collection and returned to his seat.
While Sharon was grading the papers, Mike saw the other Math Olympiad team members all take out their study materials and begin to study seriously.
Even the lively Kevin seemed to be studying very diligently at this time.
"Cady, is our daily task just self-study?" Mike asked curiously.
"Of course not. After Sharon finishes grading the papers, she will explain a certain major category of Math Olympiad problems to us," Cady explained.
In essence, the Math Olympiad team's daily task was to complete a Math Olympiad paper. Then, Sharon, after grading the papers, would help everyone identify and address their weaknesses.
Another half an hour passed, and Karen, who had finished grading the papers, spoke, "Everyone has improved on this paper, and Kevin and Mike even got perfect scores. Especially Mike, he is very commendable…"
Hearing that Mike got a perfect score on his first Math Olympiad test, the Math Olympiad team members were slightly surprised at first, and then gave scattered applause.
This also indicated that the few veteran Math Olympiad team members recognized Mike's ability.
"Mike, you're amazing." Cady smiled and gave a thumbs up.
Then, it was time for Karen to explain the incorrect problems to everyone.
The entire afternoon was spent on doing problems and correcting mistakes.
"Alright, that's all for today's lesson. I hope students with incorrect problems will review the knowledge points thoroughly afterward." Sharon, after explaining the last incorrect problem, announced the end of class.
Then, this teacher left the classroom first.
"Mike, I still don't understand some problems. Can you explain them to me?" Cady handed over her notebook of incorrect problems and took the opportunity to ask.
"Hmm, okay. I'll go back and study them, and explain the solution steps to you tomorrow," Mike replied, taking the notebook of incorrect problems.
With Mike's intelligence, the current Math Olympiad problems were not difficult for him.
Looking at Mike's straightforward action, Cady hesitated to speak. In fact, the girl's true intention was to spend more time alone with Mike.
However, before the girl could muster the courage to invite Mike again, Captain Kevin came over from the side.
"Mike, I knew you were a genius like me." Kevin said with a grin, "How about it, going singing later?"
Although Kevin was the Math Olympiad team captain, his hip-hop style clothes made him look less like a nerd and more like someone who knew how to have fun.
"No, I'm planning to go straight home later," Mike refused.
"That's a real shame." Kevin looked regretful: "If you were with us, we could definitely ask out a lot of pretty girls."
…
After shaking off the enthusiastic Kevin, Mike arrived at the school gate and, sure enough, met Georgie.
"Did you quit the football team?" Georgie's first question upon meeting went straight to the point.
"Yes, I've joined the school's Math Olympiad team now," Mike said.
"What Math Olympiad, what nonsense… You're so talented in football, why aren't you playing anymore?" Georgie said somewhat anxiously.
This afternoon, after learning the news of Mike's departure from Coach Wayne, Georgie was thoroughly surprised.
Moreover, two familiar people leaving the team consecutively also made Georgie very uncomfortable.
"No reason, I just wanted to quit," Mike gave a noncommittal answer.
"You…" Georgie didn't know what to say to Mike. Then, he asked, "Does dad know about this?"
"He knows."
"Then what was his reaction?"
"About the same as yours."
…
"No, I still think you should continue playing. The team really can't do without you…" Georgie struggled for a while, finally deciding to persuade Mike with his family during dinner.
And as soon as Georgie got home, Mary pulled him aside.
"Georgie, do you know about your father going to teach at Oklahoma High?" Mary asked with a serious expression.
"Oklahoma High, is that the school with a really good football team? If dad goes to teach there, can I also go play football there?" Georgie asked with a look of pleasant surprise.
"Oklahoma High is in another state. Are you willing to leave here?" Mary continued to ask with a stern face.
"Of course, that's Oklahoma High!" Georgie's voice was full of yearning.
He was already fantasizing about joining a strong team, easily achieving good results, and being admired by others.
"You have your friends here, and people you're familiar with. Are you really willing to leave here and live in a strange place?" Mary guided him with a clear purpose.
"Uh, that is indeed a problem…" Georgie hesitated.
Seeing her eldest son's attitude change, Mary's expression softened a little. She instructed, "Think about it carefully. We'll discuss this issue again at dinner."