NOVEL SIMPLE Chapter 106: Reaping the Rewards and Setting Sights on Greater Heights
Of all the students in Class 3, none had a worse fate than the class's sports committee member, Kenny.
Had it not been for that incident before the school sports meet, Kenny would have been hailed as a hero of Class 3, even if he had personally placed last in his own race. As the sports committee member, he was responsible for registering his classmates for the events, acting as a nominal “leader.” The class’s collective effort had secured them the most coveted honor among all the classes. According to tradition, even if Kenny had no direct contributions, his efforts behind the scenes would have been acknowledged.
However, the issue lay in the fact that he had added Xanthia’s name to the registration list without her consent, an act of deliberate misconduct that no amount of apologies or efforts to redeem could rectify.
As the saying goes, "He who sows the seed of hatred shall reap the wrath." Though it seemed as though Kenny had only wronged Xanthia, in reality, he had betrayed the entire class.
The students, seeing Xanthia being pushed to tears and forced into participating in the competition, were moved by a shared sense of empathy and outrage. Witnessing her being coerced by Kenny’s abuse of authority sparked a collective reflection among them.
If Kenny could impose his will on Xanthia today, who was to say that this wouldn’t happen to them tomorrow? The thought of being “volunteered” without their knowledge or consent was a prospect that horrified everyone.
Xanthia’s seemingly glorious victory in the 3000-meter run was marred by the physical and emotional toll it took on her, a fact not lost on her peers. Furthermore, her closing ceremony speech, meticulously polished by the hidden talents of the writer Dematero, had an exceptionally powerful impact, resonating deeply with everyone.
The students were both heartbroken and impressed by Xanthia, and their animosity towards the architect of her ordeal, Kenny, only intensified. Dematero, a master of the pen, skillfully manipulated words and stirred emotions, portraying Xanthia's journey to victory as a tragic yet epic saga. The narrative crafted her as a "beautiful yet strong tragic heroine" who, despite her triumph, bore deep scars both inside and out.
The more tragic Xanthia appeared, the more the class despised Kenny.
The day after the sports meet, class teacher Emmanuel called for a class meeting. He set the tone of the meeting as one of victory and unity. Praising the achievements of Class 3 in the sports meet, he highlighted Xanthia’s significant contributions to the class's honor. He then instructed the class monitor, Ryan, to post the certificate of recognition personally awarded by the principal on the class's honor wall.
The first half of the class meeting was filled with joy and celebration, with both the teacher and students enjoying the camaraderie. Though the students privately referred to Emmanuel as “Terrorist,” their respect for him grew with each passing day. There was a strong bond developing, and many students couldn’t imagine their high school life without him. Just as alumni fiercely defend their alma mater against criticism from outsiders, the students felt a deep sense of loyalty towards their class teacher.
Emmanuel, who was known for his strict and somewhat authoritarian style, chose not to reprimand the class for their audacious slogan during the opening ceremony. Upon reflection, the chant seemed less a jest and more a prophetic declaration against academic pressure, given the outcome of the sports meet.
Class 3 had indeed emerged as the unrivaled victors, with Xanthia orchestrating from behind the scenes. Should she decide to covertly influence the events, her prowess could indeed span generations!
And so, what was initially dismissed as a playful chant turned out to be a cleverly crafted narrative, a testament to Dematero’s literary genius—proof that true talent often lies hidden among the common folk.
However, the joyous atmosphere of the meeting took a swift turn as Emmanuel addressed the misconduct of Kenny. Several students had already reported to him about his misuse of authority. Emmanuel was genuinely taken aback by the extent of the turmoil a mere sports committee member could cause within the class.
“Kenny, you are relieved of your duties as sports committee member. You know the reasons very well,” Emmanuel declared, leaving no room for discussion. True to his dictatorial style, he made the decision swiftly and without pretense, avoiding any insincere excuses like a mere loss in the competition. The real issue at hand was the abuse of authority and the moral coercion inflicted upon a classmate, which led to discord and discontent within the class.
As for the new sports committee member, Emmanuel made his choice clear. “Dematero, since you won a gold medal in one of the competitions, you will be the new sports committee member!”
Traditionally, the role of the sports committee member is assigned to a male student, and Emmanuel adhered to this custom. His decision not to appoint Xanthia was not due to gender bias but rather because she was a day student who did not participate in the morning runs, a duty that the sports committee member was expected to lead.
Although the class monitor, Ryan, could have taken on this role, he was known for his lackadaisical approach and unwillingness to engage in such trivial matters.
Dematero, upon hearing Emmanuel’s decision, instinctively wanted to decline the position, much like he had refused to be the “Language Representative” in the past. He disliked the idea of being a class committee member or a cadre, finding it troublesome and fearing that such responsibilities would strip him of his freedom and individuality.
However, Dematero was no longer the naive teenager he once was. As a "preotagonist," he realized that refusing the position could lead to an even less competent person taking charge. By holding onto the power himself, he believed he could better protect those he cared about.
With this newfound resolve, he accepted the position, knowing that the power he held would not impede his creative pursuits. “Alright, I’ll do it,” Dematero agreed.
Emmanuel, satisfied with Dematero’s acceptance, slyly sought the approval of the entire class, “What do you all think about Dematero as the new sports committee member?”
He anticipated silence, but he had underestimated Dematero’s influence.
“Excellent! We fully support Dematero as the sports committee member!” someone declared with conviction.
“We have to acknowledge this new sports committee member!” another voice shouted in agreement.
“As the only two-time gold medalist and a fellow resident student, he’s the perfect fit for the role!” someone reasoned.
“We have no choice but to agree. I don’t want to experience any mysterious backlash...” a student whispered nervously.
Thus, without much suspense, Dematero was unanimously chosen as the new sports committee member of Class 3.
Every morning, the boarders in the class would rise early for their morning exercises, with Dematero leading the pack at the very front. His role as the sports committee member required him to be the lead runner, setting the pace and calling out chants like “Strive and Struggle,” “Push Forward,” “Never Give Up,” and the classic “One, Two, Three, Four.” He had to shout these slogans loudly, casting aside any feelings of embarrassment.
Dematero had always found these chants silly, yet he couldn't deny that they embodied the unique essence of high school life. Such collective morning exercises wouldn't be found in the vibrant world of university, where individualism and academic excellence reigned supreme. But what does he know? He never even finished high school, having dropped out to pursue a career as a freelance writer. Well, that’s another story.
Now that he had "reborn," he was determined to experience university life and all its colorful intricacies. This would not only add to his repertoire of life experiences but also provide rich material for his writing.
Kenny, on the other hand, had been pushed to the forefront by Hera to take the fall. The moment he was stripped of his sports committee member title, his face turned ashen, masking a deeper pain. Though he had never valued the position much, the power it bestowed, however fleeting, had helped him curry favor with Hera. Now, being dismissed so ruthlessly by Teacher Emmanuel without any face-saving measures, left Kenny in utter disgrace.
His concern now lay in how Hera perceived him—whether she still found any use for him. The sting of embarrassment, coupled with his dwindling worth in her eyes, only fueled his sense of loss. Kenny couldn’t help but regret targeting Xanthia in the first place. Not only did his plan backfire, but it also catapulted Xanthia to hero status among her peers.
All their schemes seemed to have played into her hands, turning them into unwitting jesters in her grand performance.
With the appointment of the new sports committee member settled, Teacher Emmanuel took the opportunity to impart some words of wisdom to the class.
"Now that the school sports meet has concluded, it’s time for everyone to refocus on their studies. High school is a crucial three-year journey. Although it may seem lengthy, it passes in the blink of an eye. The first year of high school sets the foundation; the second year is critical, and by the third year, you must give it your all and sprint towards your goals!"
Emmanuel, a veteran teacher, delivered his speech with practiced eloquence. Likely, each new class under his tutelage heard a similar lecture. His classic opener, “You are the worst class I’ve ever taught,” was reserved for moments of disappointment or poor exam performance.
Yet, this year's Class 3 had indeed achieved a distinction not seen in previous classes. Their stellar performance at the sports meet had even prompted Teacher Emmanuel to concede, albeit with a rare smile, that they were the best he had ever taught in this regard.
Some students took his words to heart, especially those dissatisfied with their last exam results. They aspired to make a strong comeback in the upcoming mid-term exams. Others, however, treated his speech as mere background noise. They believed that if they didn't enjoy their first year of high school, they’d miss the chance to play later on. Confident in their abilities, they planned to buckle down and catch up in their second year, fully assured of their potential.
Then there were those who didn’t care much about academics, those with secure futures who saw no need to change their destiny through exams. These students continued to chart their own course, navigating high school at their own pace.
Xanthia fell into the latter category, being someone who marched to the beat of her own drum. In her previous life, she had played the diligent, overachieving "town student" role to perfection. In this life, she was determined to savor the joys of high school, embracing the fun and lighthearted aspects of her education.
Her remarkable performance in the last exams had cast her as a dark horse, leading many to speculate that she was one of those who studied intensively behind closed doors while maintaining a carefree exterior. As a commuter student, her peers were convinced she was spending her time off-campus cramming away, strategizing to leap ahead when least expected.
However, Xanthia’s true agenda was to gather as much joy as possible, using her skills to make her time in high school memorable. While some derived pleasure from academic pursuits, Xanthia found greater joy in artistic endeavors like singing and dancing—activities that offered her a platform to shine.
For Xanthia, high school learning was about staying attentive in class and completing assignments on time. These efforts, bolstered by her special traits, were enough to maintain her status as an excellent student, granting her the freedom to explore and enjoy her school life.
As Teacher Emmanuel continued his lecture, Xanthia appeared lost in thought, though she was secretly engaged with her system, assessing the substantial gains from the sports meet.
The most rewarding outcome for Xanthia was the evolution of her "Healthy" trait into "Robust." This attribute upgrade meant she no longer had to worry about sickness and could recover quickly, akin to having a game’s “regenerative health” feature. Moreover, it enhanced the efficiency of allocating her joy points to her physical attributes.
Traits that accelerated her personal growth were, in her opinion, invaluable. This was why she had been so determined to win a championship at the sports meet. However, the boost in her physical capabilities didn’t alter her appearance. Xanthia remained true to her ideal image of a perfect young girl. As she continued to allocate happy points, she knew she was steadily molding herself into her envisioned self.
Xanthia valued her increasing physical strength as it brought a sense of security. Despite her newfound robustness, she still exuded a delicate aura, which made her appear as a fragile "white flower" to others—a deceptive facade that she could exploit to her advantage.
In moments of confrontation, her seemingly delicate exterior served as a trap for her adversaries. Once her physical attributes were maxed out, she could unleash her strength, delivering a punch akin to a professional boxer.
She envisioned a strategy where she’d blind her foes and strike decisively, achieving maximum security and satisfaction.
She also had her sights set on acquiring the "Agile as a Swallow" attribute to boost her agility and balance, enhancing her ability to enjoy more challenging activities, such as extreme sports.
While considering her options, Xanthia decided to improve her table tennis skills to meet the criteria for gaining the "Light As Feather" attribute. Table tennis seemed a practical choice given her existing skills. For the second sport, she chose figure skating, hoping to quickly gain proficiency.
Xanthia fantasized about becoming a national sensation in figure skating, a sport where Romanians lacked a standout female athlete. Despite the challenging competition, she envisioned herself emerging as a leading figure, embodying the nation’s aspirations for a local star in the sport.
