4
# Chapter 4. I Became a Genius International Student
“Hahaha, this is a first for me, so I'm at a bit of a loss.”
The next day, Hyunsoo immediately had a meeting with the principal. He was a very distinguished elderly gentleman. He
spoke in a refined manner and had an excellent ability to grasp the key points.
“To put it simply, there are no courses you are required to take. According to the results of your level test, you have
completed a high school-level education, and in some fields, you are already at a university level.”
“Hmm... I see.”
‘Ah, if I'd known this would happen, maybe I should have gotten a few questions wrong.’
He had started out solving the test without much thought, but as it gradually became more interesting, he had become
completely absorbed in it. He hadn't expected that to lead to this situation.
Seeing Hyunsoo's expression grow gloomy despite being praised, the principal found it interesting and emphasized what he
meant.
“If you wish, I can have you graduate immediately with the highest honors. I can even personally write you a
recommendation letter for whichever university you wish to attend. You would need to supplement some of the
extracurricular requirements important for college admissions, but academically, your current level is more than
sufficient.”
“...Ah. No, you don't need to go that far.”
“Hahaha, this is a first for me as well. You don't seem particularly pleased with my offer. Is there a special reason?”
“A reason? I just want to experience an ordinary high school life. I was also hoping to discover some talents outside of
academics.”
The principal quietly observed Hyunsoo's expression before speaking.
“An ordinary high school life... That's an interesting choice of words. May I ask what an ordinary high school life
means to you? When our students usually say they want an ordinary high school life, they mean filling out their resumes
as much as possible and getting into a prestigious university. That doesn't seem to be what you mean.”
Hyunsoo simply answered honestly.
“I don't know what I want to do yet, so I plan to attend school and figure it out slowly.”
“That's an excellent goal. In fact, many students become so preoccupied with meeting society's expectations that they
overlook what truly matters. Then may I understand this as you saying that you're willing to continue your school life
even if it means giving up some academic achievements?”
“Yes. I don't attend school solely to deepen my academic knowledge.”
The principal asked with a satisfied smile.
“Then how about this? You've heard of the ‘Free Classes’ available to upperclassmen elites, haven't you?”
“Of course.”
Even without his perfect memory, Hyunsoo could never have forgotten Johannes High School's ‘Free Classes.’
‘The Free Classes were the decisive reason my family decided to study abroad.’
First, the student personally chose whatever field they wanted.
It could be a commonly recognized subject such as mathematics or computer science, or they could even create something
more like a club activity, such as running a YouTube channel or starting a startup.
Once the subject was decided, they had to create a course plan.
They set goals for how they would study and develop in that field over the course of a semester.
Whether they would study independently or learn directly from someone, what textbooks and resources they would use, and
how many hours they would invest each week were all included in the detailed curriculum.
‘And then the school provides extremely generous support.’
Just how generous was that support?
Even if it required an enormous budget, elites majoring in sports or the arts could invite medalists or competition
winners for special lectures.
General academic elites could work with Stanford University to attend lectures directly from Nobel Prize-winning
professors or take online courses from other renowned scholars.
As long as something was directly related to their Free Class, they could rent even the most expensive facilities, and
they could use even the most expensive art supplies without limit.
Through the network of Johannes High School alumni, as long as something was realistically achievable, the budget was
never a problem.
‘When every third- and fourth-year elite gets benefits on this scale, how could anyone not want to study abroad?’
For Hyunsoo, who had wanted to pursue both academics and the arts and sports, it was the perfect environment.
Of course, such extraordinary benefits also came with great responsibilities.
First, the Free Class plan had to be approved by the board of directors.
Since a majority of the strict board members had to approve it, most elites had their plans rejected at least twice
before eventually receiving approval.
Then came the rigorous monthly evaluations.
If a student's progress was deemed insufficient, their eligibility for the Free Class would be revoked for that
semester. As a result, elites tended to spend more time on their Free Classes than on ordinary classes.
‘But it really is an incredible education system, enough to make even the proud children of America's upper class
fascinated by it.’
That was why the principal's next proposal came as a shock to Hyunsoo.
“I don't know how the board will react, but using my authority as principal, I will allow Hyunsoo to register for three
Free Classes this semester.”
“Huh? You don't have to go that far...”
“No, of course I do. No matter how much you want an ordinary high school life, I have no intention of allowing an
education without learning. If that's what you want, then rather than Johannes High School, I suggest you consider
transferring to another school.”
“What?”
Hyunsoo refused several more times, but the principal remained firm.
“Our school is difficult to get into, and therefore we have a responsibility to provide the best possible environment so
that every student can grow. No matter how much of a genius you are, you can't possibly have reached the end of
learning, can you?”
Hyunsoo let out a hollow laugh.
The principal was practically making him look like an arrogant person who believed there was nothing left for him to
learn if he didn't accept the offer.
‘This works out perfectly. Now I have a legitimate reason to receive proper support for the fields I want to try in the
future.’
Perhaps he could finally resolve some of his lingering regrets over the sports and arts he had been unable to experience
because he couldn't move his body in his previous life.
“All right. Thank you for giving me such a wonderful opportunity.”
“Hahaha, I'm glad you made the right decision. This may very well be the best thing I've done since becoming principal.
With someone like you, I'm sure you'll brush aside any objections from the board with ease.”
“...??”
---
The next day, Hyunsoo understood exactly what the principal had meant.
Suddenly, one-on-one examinations with teachers were scheduled.
“So you're Hyunsoo. I've heard quite a lot about you from the principal.”
The level test had established his theoretical ability, but the board apparently felt that it was necessary to
re-evaluate Hyunsoo's eligibility for the Free Classes.
The teachers bombarded him with questions, determined to dig into every weakness he had, and conducted pressure tests in
various ways, including solving problems together.
‘They were planning to find some fault with me and revoke my eligibility, weren't they?’
‘Three Free Classes really was too much. How much money are they going to pour into a single student?’
‘If he's really worthy of it, we should acknowledge him... But is he truly worth that much?’
The three teachers assigned to this examination were representatives of the board, and they tested Hyunsoo with
considerable intensity.
Unexpectedly, however, the test ended in an extremely friendly atmosphere.
“You're really a genius. You read this quickly and grasp the key points? And this is English literature, not even your
native language? You have an exceptional talent for writing. How about publishing a book while you're at it? I'll
personally become your editor.”
“You should consider becoming a mathematician. The world is actually being driven by mathematics. I think it would be
good for you to take the lead now.”
“A math teacher said that? Tsk, tsk. You should study pure science based on mathematics. Science is the force that
changes the world. Isn't everything humanity has achieved the result of scientific revolutions? Come walk the path of
science with me.”
Although the teachers were graduates of prestigious universities, none of them had studied their respective fields as
deeply as Hyunsoo had.
When he even quoted dozens of pages from specialized books without getting a single word wrong, the teachers were left
stunned.
‘But maybe it's not just his memory. His mind seems to work unusually fast, too.’
In any case, after several twists and turns, Hyunsoo was granted eligibility to register for three Free Classes, and he
was given two weeks to submit his course plans for final approval by the board.
---
“...So you were moved up to third year? And you were given permission for three Free Classes?!”
Jessie felt dizzy just looking at Hyunsoo's updated profile.
Meanwhile, he answered casually.
“They said they could even let me graduate if I wanted, but I don't want to go to college yet, so I turned them down.”
“What?”
Jessie's surprise was understandable.
There had been many cases of students skipping grades since Johannes High School was founded, but the number of students
who had been advanced based solely on a single level test could be counted on one hand.
But graduating someone based solely on a level test?
And a student who had transferred from another country???
“I can't tell whether the perfect level test score is more shocking, or the fact that our high school will actually let
someone graduate based only on a level test.”
Jessie gave up trying to understand.
She had only known him for a day, but Hyunsoo had already gone beyond the limits of what she could comprehend.
“No, wait. Three Free Classes in a single semester is the part that makes the least sense?!”
“Technically, isn't it two Free Classes? Physical education is required for every student anyway.”
“Even so, taking PE as a Free Class is different. You still have to participate in the regular class, but if you make
the plan properly, you can even share the sports team's professional training facilities. Those are facilities that even
Olympic athletes come to use... And if you want, you can receive coaching from the school's coaches or invite outside
experts. Wow... I'm so jealous.”
Jessie became unusually animated as she spoke, and Hyunsoo narrowed his eyes.
“What is this? Why are you so interested in making me exercise? Is that one of the things you're supposed to help me
improve as my mentor?”
“...”
“Am I right? Hehe. I guess I'll just give up on PE this semester.”
“...Sorry. I was interfering too much, wasn't I? Don't do that. Just do whatever you want. PE classes are actually
pretty fun.”
Hyunsoo considered teasing her a little more, but it felt like he would be bullying a child, so he let her off.
“If it's fun, I should work hard at it. Which PE class should I take?”
“Good thinking. Third- and fourth-year students only have to choose either the morning or afternoon session. You don't
have any overlapping classes anyway, so I think you can take whichever one you want.”
“Really? Then just register me for the morning session.”
“Okay. Done.”
Jessie led Hyunsoo away with a meaningful look in her eyes.
“Then let's go right now. The morning class starts in twenty minutes.”
“What? You're taking this class too?”
“Why? Don't you like it?”
“No... It's just that you're saying it with such a bright expression that I'm getting nervous. In movies, you look
exactly like a villain who's prepared some kind of trap.”
“Haha. That's not funny at all. I'm just excited because, as your mentor, I'm going to take good care of you during
class, too.”
“...??”
Hyunsoo looked even more confused, but he had no choice but to follow her.
‘He's been annoyingly perceptive since earlier.’
Jessie didn't breathe a sigh of relief until they reached the gym where the PE class was being held.
Hyunsoo had obediently gone inside to change his clothes.
‘He got humiliated when it came to academics, but things will be different in PE.’
---
“All right, everyone, come on over now that we've warmed up a little.”
The PE teacher, who everyone called Coach, was a woman in her thirties of South American descent.
“As you know, we're covering basketball during the first quarter of this semester. We'll have the written test at the
end of the quarter. For the practical portion, you'll learn three shots of your choice and one position of your choice,
and finally, we'll have a team game. You can come to me individually to check the cutoff requirements for each grade.”
She then pointed toward the eight basketball courts in the gym.
“This isn't elementary school. Practice your shots on your own, and I'll go around and check your form. There are
probably plenty of students who are good at this, so help each other out. After twenty-five minutes of shooting
practice, you can spend the remaining twenty-five minutes playing freely or practicing individually. But if I catch you
sitting around doing nothing or looking at your phone, I'll deduct points from your attitude grade.”
As soon as the coach finished speaking, the students dispersed on their own.
‘It's pretty relaxed.’
Hyunsoo grabbed a basketball and looked for a court.
Thirty upperclassmen, meaning third- and fourth-year students, were taking the morning PE class.
Most of them gathered in groups of three or four with their friends, casually shooting baskets while chatting.
Hyunsoo simply went to an empty court.
“Do you play basketball?”
Perhaps because it was a sports class, Jessie had tied her blonde hair back and changed into sporty clothes.
“No. I've never played before.”
“Is basketball not very popular in Korea?”
“Hmm... It's not that. I was more of a soccer person. You seem especially happy after hearing that I've never played
before.”
Jessie hurriedly wiped the expression from her face.
“I naturally look like I'm smiling. Anyway, I'll give you some special attention. Give it a try. Should I demonstrate
first?”
Swish—
She sank a mid-range shot with a clean shooting motion that even Hyunsoo, a complete beginner, could recognize as
polished.
Jessie turned around with a slightly smug look on her face.
“Do you have the feel for it? Or should I show you a few more times?”
“It's fine. It looks easy.”
“Hey. It may look easy, but it's actually really difficult when you try it for the first time...”
She was about to lecture him further when she saw Hyunsoo already confidently preparing his shooting form.
‘They said his athletic ability was terrible, right?’
Jessie secretly hoped Hyunsoo would miss.
Ideally, she wouldn't mind if he displayed the kind of hilariously awkward performance that people with terrible
athletic ability usually did.
“Huh?”
But her expression soon froze.
‘This isn't how it was supposed to go?!’