Chapter 55: Effortless

"I can’t believe there are so many changes in the rankings of the special section. Kiara used to be top 3, but now, she fell back a few ranks."

"How did Max get from the top seven to five?"

"This doesn’t make any sense."

"Only one point difference, but the gap feels like heaven and hell."

"The only thing that didn’t change is the top 1 and 2."

The academy’s special star section consisted of ten exceptional students from different grade levels. Most of them were in higher grades, though. All ten students were like celebrities in the academy. Hence, it became a habit for other students to make a big deal every time the results were released.

The school bulletin would also show the top students from different grades from the top sections. The school intended to give credit to those students who also did well in their classes. However, after seeing the ugly side of the world, Penny couldn’t appreciate the school’s intention.

For her, it sounded more like these names were on here not to give merit but to put more pressure on these students.

’Right. Atlas always tops his class...’ Curious, Penny’s little round eyes scanned the bulletin board to find her brother’s name.

Only Atlas’s name was often in the school bulletin. After all, Atlas was always one or two points from kicking out the top ten of the special section.

’Bennet... Bennet... huh?’ Her lips curved down, and she scanned the bulletin again. But alas, Atlas’s name was nowhere to be found. "How is that possible?"

Atlas had been burying himself with his studies, especially the closer his exams were. He was almost camping in the library. How could his name not be there?

Just then, someone mentioned Atlas.

"Atlas Bennet’s name is also not here," one student murmured in surprise. "Wow. Did he fall a rank?"

"Oh... his name is always there, but it’s now gone."

"Who replaced him?"

The students obliviously talked about Atlas without knowing he was just standing right behind them. When Penny looked back, she didn’t see any reaction from Atlas’s face. He just stared at the bulletin apathetically, as if he didn’t care if his name was there or not.

’Well, I guess it’s not a big deal for him.’ Penny shrugged but then heard this very familiar cocky voice among the crowd.

"Hah! Atlas Bennet is not there because everyone else worked hard last semester! It’s not that he fell back because he slacked, but everyone else just studied hard and there’s more competition!"

Penny didn’t need to search the crowd to recognize who it was. ’That little turd. Did he already forget what happened yesterday? He’s really asking for more beating!’

Hearing Keith’s arrogant voice, the students searched for the owner and their eyes quickly caught Atlas’s figure. Some stopped searching when they saw Atlas, but others managed to find Keith in the crowd.

There, standing on the side, was Keith with his cousin, who replaced Atlas’s name for their class top section. Seeing this, the students walked back a little to create some space for the two. After all, this was a confrontation between the former top student and the one who beat him. Because of this, Penny was left in the front all alone.

"Atlas, that was a fair fight," said the boy with glasses and a kind smile. "Keith is being a little exaggerated. I only got first this time by a fluke. I’m sure next semester, my name’s not on there anymore."

"Theo, you’re being very humble! We all know that a point difference is a huge gap to close!" Keith exclaimed. "You only read a few books and immediately cinched first place, while everyone here knows Atlas only fixes his eyes on the books all day!"

The students assessed Theo and then Atlas.

It was true that every time they saw Atlas, he was always studying. Even during lunch, Atlas would eat with an open book beside him, jotting down notes in between each bite.

Theo, on the other hand, had quite a social life. He had a good reputation among students and had always ranked second or third effortlessly.

"Well, Theo does enter the ranks effortlessly. If he made a bit more effort in his studies, he might enter the special section."

"How nice to be born smart."

"I feel sad that there were some people who were born to work hard while there were some who were already born gifted."

The students couldn’t help but exchange opinions. They looked at Atlas apologetically, while some cast Theo with admiration.

"Moreover, your sister Patricia is also in the top section," Keith smirked arrogantly. "On the other hand, aside from their little sister, the other two brothers weren’t in the top section. Slater’s my classmate, and he’s always at the bottom of the class."

Upon the mention of Slater, the students quickly shifted their eyes to the angelic beauty standing beside Atlas. Many of them were familiar with Slater’s face because he had this angelic beauty that was very soothing to the eyes. The only sad thing about Slater was that he might be pretty, but he lacked the brains.

Slater quickly held his head down and took a step away from Atlas. ’I wouldn’t have gone here, knowing I’d only be used to humiliate my big brother.’

Penny, on the other hand, squinted her eyes at Theo. When she first saw him, she thought he looked familiar. Now that Keith mentioned Patricia, her mouth fell open.

’He’s that brother in the mall!’ she scrunched up her nose as her face turned sour. ’So this guy, Patricia, and that little buffoon are blood-related? No wonder they all smell the same!’

"Keith, Nina and Patricia are best friends," Theo reminded kindly. "Nina will not be happy if you say those things aloud."

Keith sighed as he looked at Atlas while shaking his head. "What a pity! The big brothers always hide behind their youngest sister. I guess it does run in the family. From what I heard, the daughter of their company is the one who helped fix their biggest issue. Such a young age, but she can’t even rely on the adults around her!"

"What is this guy talking about?" Slater murmured but was too afraid to say anything. With Keith’s confidence back, he was afraid of what he would do now after yesterday’s humiliation.

"Good for you, Theo," Atlas, who didn’t say anything throughout, simply cast Slater a look. "Let’s go."

Keith sneered, thinking Atlas was simply trying to run away with his tails between his legs. But before he could say anything, he froze upon hearing a nauseating, adorable voice.

"Big sister, is that brother really smart?" Penny tugged the girl nearest her, sporting an innocent and adorable face.

Seeing such a cute girl, the girl smiled and rested her hands on her knees. "Yes, he is. That’s his name over there."

"Ohh..." Penny’s lips formed an o-shape as she rocked her head. "But if he’s that smart, why is his name over that side and not on this side?"

Penny pointed at the right side of the bulletin before shifting it to the left side where the special section names were posted.

The crowd fell into a morbid silence.