Chapter 95: Just a little girl

Meanwhile, in the star section garden, Ray’s laughter echoed in the peaceful surroundings. The other star students could only ignore him or stare at him. Even the mischievous big man like Max couldn’t help but observe Ray with doubtful eyes.

"If only you knew how cute she is! Oh, my goodness. My school life just became even brighter and more colorful!" Ray exclaimed enthusiastically while holding all his "weapons" for his later plans. "When I heard those other kids were targeting her, I got a little worried. But it turns out she’s fine! Haha! How cute! I want to tickle her."

Looking at his "weapons," one would easily mistake that Ray was planning to do an exorcism. He had a holy bible, a rosary on top of it, a holy cross, and even some garlic and holy water. Ray was even wearing seminary clothes and yes, he went to class wearing that one.

"Ray, if she is what you say she is, why not study?" Kiara, the previous top 3 of the star students, savored her cup of tea. "This is a crime and you’re lucky she hadn’t told her parents."

"Even if she told her parents, what would they gonna do? It’s not like they can press charges, since Ray is also minor." Cassandra, the short-haired, curly girl, cocked her head. "But Ray, this is not nice. Why are you picking on a little girl?"

Max didn’t join the current matter at hand, but his face told anyone he wasn’t in a great mood. "Those losers... how dare they bet on someone else just to spite me?"

Kiara glanced at Max, but chose not to dwell in his terrible mood.

Ever since the bet was placed and this huge betting pool was created, the students in the star section had been preparing for the last exam more fiercely than before. If the challenger was Theo Miller, they wouldn’t exert effort. However, Atlas Bennet was coming at them, and knowing him, they couldn’t just slack because that guy would steal a seat in the star section if they gave him the slightest opening.

Not to mention, this little girl named Penny Reed was also threatening them to take a seat. Losing a seat in a year wouldn’t hurt that much, but two seats... would hurt their pride.

’Atlas Bennet...’

Ray arched a brow. "I’m doing you guys a favor?"

"Us?" Cassandra furrowed her brows.

Ray’s answer even got Max and the other guy with glasses their attention.

"You see, I’m scared for all of you!" Ray exclaimed shamelessly. "Of course, 1 and I will be safe. The worst that can happen to us is we move down a rank. But you guys? All of you are not safe — except Finn, I guess."

"Finn?" Kiara arched a brow. "How is he safe when he’s the first to be pushed out of the ranks if Atlas Bennet and Penelope Reed get in?"

Ray shook his head while clicking his tongue. "This is the misconception of everyone. Just because Finn is ranked 10th, they think Finn is the easiest target. Because of that, Finn had to defend his seat more fiercely than anyone else."

Silence followed Ray’s remarks as everyone just stared at him.

That was true.

Unlike them, whose only worry was which rank they would be, Finn guarded the star section like a giant. Finn probably got the most challengers in the past years, but none of them won against him. With all the challenges he won, it wouldn’t be a stretch to call him a veteran.

"In other words, if Finn had no choice, he might forget about guarding the 10th place and move up!" Ray intoned with a sigh. "Currently, you guys think we’re only up against Atlas and Penny, but honestly, it’s not like that. Our greatest opponents are ourselves!"

Another wave of silence followed Ray’s statements, making his classmates look at each other.

"That’s right..." Cassandra pouted and sighed. "This time, we’re not only trying to keep our ranks, but we have to move up."

Ray nodded.

Kiara frowned, but her elegance remained. The guy with glasses quietly stared at her while Max clicked his tongue.

"I heard you guys sent an invitation to Professor Singh, and you received a problem in return," Ray recalled before he grinned. "Did you send him the answer? If not, then sucks for you because Atlas was able to answer him."

"What?" Max’s frown deepened while everyone else set their eyes on Ray. "He already sent a reply? Was it correct?"

Ray shrugged and bragged. "That... I’m not sure. But when I sent my answer to Professor Singh, he hinted that Atlas already sent his answer as well. He sounds happy because we’re very diligent."

Their faces dimmed at the thought because all of them were still trying to figure out the answer to that impossible problem. Hearing Ray figure it out wasn’t a surprise, but Atlas? Just how many ranks does that guy plan to jump from the top section to the star section?

"Anyway, don’t worry!" Ray clapped enthusiastically, waiting for them to look at him. His smile brightened up until his eyes were squinting. "Worry about Atlas Bennet, and I will worry about Penny."

"Stop picking on her," Kiara remarked coldly. "I don’t need to be protected by you or anyone else against a little girl."

"Yeah. Stop this nonsense, Ray." Max also uttered irritably. "I’m too old to be scared of a little girl."

"Thank you for your efforts, Ray," Cassandra joined in and then looked at Ray. "But leave her alone."

The guy with classes blurted out. "Ray, it’s disgusting that you’re trying to date a thirteen-year-old. She’s basically a baby."

"But... she’s fun. Also, she’s infatuated with me, she might forget to study at all!" Ray grumbled. "You guys don’t see my good intentions." Although at this point, Ray was doing this for his personal entertainment.

"Just leave her alone," Kiara added, while everyone nodded. "She’s just a kid. Even if she’s smart, she doesn’t scare us."

"Atlas Bennet is more scary," said the guy with glasses.

Cassandra also nodded, but Max scrunched up his nose. "Right. Have mercy on the poor girl."

"She’s just a little girl. Why are you making a big deal out of her?" Max grumbled, and at the same time, they heard the entrance fly open.

Everyone furrowed their brows as they instinctively turned to the entrance, only to see a small and wide figure whose shadow stretched toward their table.