Listening to her classmates' flattery, Bianca's mood soared.
Exactly.
This was how it should be.
What right did Serena—a country bumpkin and a high-school dropout loser—have to step on her to gain fame?
What right did she have to be called a specially recruited genius by everyone else?
She was nothing but a useless fraud who relied on a pretty face and underhanded tactics to get through the back door!
Just then, Mr. Ashwell walked in, holding a stack of the submitted registration forms.
He adjusted his glasses, scanning the classroom before his gaze landed squarely on the corner seat by the window.
For the past few days, Professor Warren and Professor Lewis had been talking his ear off about her.
One after the other, they kept raving that Serena was a peerless genius.
They swore her abilities went far beyond what she had shown.
Serena was an absolute treasure!
Sure, she might be a bit aloof, lacked a sense of class pride, and didn't really act like a typical student.
But her skills were undeniably real!
This competition was about Marington College's dignity and honor.
If... Serena truly was a top-tier genius capable of casually solving world-class dilemmas, having her participate in the Elite Challenge would be game-changing.
She would undoubtedly become one of Marington's ultimate trump cards!
How could Mr. Ashwell bear to leave such a lethal weapon on the bench?
"I've taken a look at the team formations," Mr. Ashwell cleared his throat. "The three teams under the Dreamscape banner cover a comprehensive range of majors, but..."
Isabella maintained her gentle, smiling facade, abstaining from the conversation.
But the corners of her lips curled into a subtle, hidden smirk.
As long as Serena was isolated, this competition would become her exclusive stage.
Mr. Ashwell frowned. "Bianca, as long as Serena is a student in Vanguard, she has the right to form a team."
Bianca shrugged carelessly. "I never said she couldn't form a team, Mr. Ashwell. You can ask the class yourself—who here is willing to partner with her?"
The other students quickly chimed in. "Yeah, Mr. Ashwell, even if she participates, it's just a waste of a roster spot and resources. What's the point?"
"Exactly. Didn't Serena say earlier that she had no intention of competing? Since that's the case, why force the issue?"
Mr. Ashwell's frown deepened.
Bianca, believing she completely controlled the competition's financial investments, was taking herself entirely too seriously.

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