The next morning, the sun shone brightly over Westbrook High, but the atmosphere inside the math classroom was far more charged than usual. For the first time in years, students were actually excited about a math team meeting. Word had spread fast: Ethan Reed, the boy who'd gone from failing grades to a perfect score overnight, was now their secret weapon for the regional competition.
By the time Ethan arrived, nearly every desk was occupied. Some of the students were nervous veterans who'd competed before; others were new recruits who'd joined just to be close to the suddenly famous genius. Even a few kids who'd once mocked Ethan now sat quietly, pretending to study while stealing glances in his direction.
Mr. Henderson walked in with a stack of papers, his face serious but hopeful. He set the materials down and gestured for everyone to settle down.
"Alright, team. You all know why we're here. The regional math competition is three weeks away, and last year we finished dead last. This year, things are going to be different."
He turned to Ethan, a faint smile on his face. "Thanks to our newest member, we have a real chance to win. Ethan's already proven he can solve problems most college students would struggle with. From today on, he'll be acting as your team captain."
A small murmur of surprise ran through the room, but no one protested. After what he'd done to Jake and the makeup exam, everyone knew better than to doubt Ethan now.
Ethan stood at the front of the classroom, calm and focused. He didn't gloat or show off. He simply pulled out a marker and began writing practice problems on the whiteboard, explaining each solution clearly and patiently.
"Most of you already know the basics," he said. "The competition won't just test what you know—it'll test how fast you can think under pressure. We'll work on speed, strategy, and teamwork. No one gets left behind."
Lila watched him from the front row, her eyes shining with admiration. She'd never met anyone who could switch between genius-level math and genuine kindness so easily. It made her look forward to every study session, every conversation, every moment they spent together.
[Ding!][Host has been officially named math team captain.][Team morale increased significantly.][Reward: Advanced Logical Thinking unlocked.]
As the meeting went on, Ethan noticed one student sitting alone in the corner: a quiet, nervous boy named Aaron. He was one of the smartest members of the team, but he froze up during competitions and rarely spoke up.
Ethan walked over and knelt beside his desk. "You okay?" he asked quietly.
Aaron jumped slightly, then nodded. "I… I just get scared. I know I can solve the problems, but when everyone's watching, my mind goes blank. I don't want to let the team down."
Ethan smiled. "I used to be scared too. Scared of failing, scared of being laughed at, scared I'd never be good enough. But fear doesn't have to control you. You just need to trust yourself—and trust that we've got your back."
He tapped Aaron's practice sheet. "Try this one again. Slow and steady. I'll help you."
With Ethan's guidance, Aaron worked through the problem step by step. When he finished, he stared at the correct answer in disbelief. For the first time in years, he actually believed he could compete without freezing.
"Thanks," Aaron whispered.
Before Ethan could reply, the classroom door slammed open.
Jake stood in the doorway, his face dark and angry. His friends lingered behind him, looking just as hostile. The entire room went silent.