11
Chapter 11: This Kid Is the Real Deal
“Why does the vice principal keep interfering with everything we say?”
“Just because he’s the vice principal? Aren’t we technically his seniors at this school?”
“He just showed up and keeps making a fuss about everything.”
After finishing grading the art contest, a few teachers gathered and began complaining about the vice principal.
“Well, he wasn’t exactly wrong,” the head teacher said calmly.
“Right or wrong aside, we have to do something. Parents these days are sharp. Haven’t you heard? While we’re chasing
after Munseon Elementary, they’re already looking toward schools in Shinseon City.”
“I’ve heard that too. Parents may live here, but they want to send their kids there.”
“Exactly. It used to be elementary school here, then move later. But now it’s different. Kids grow with the same
friends. Changing environments later is hard.”
Even these teachers, who worked in Munseon, lived in Shinseon and sent their own children to better schools there.
Parents knew this too.
“That means we need something to attract them.”
“Exactly. That’s why we need the gifted class. And now he wants to remove it?”
“This isn’t about right or wrong. It’s about whether you prioritize parents or students.”
“Helping parents is helping students.”
They argued back and forth.
Then someone mentioned the famous eight-year-old math prodigy, Hyunsoo.
“Do you think he got there on his own?”
“He did.”
“…What?”
“He’s actually the vice principal’s grandson.”
“…What?!”
They were shocked.
Hyunsoo was already a national figure.
His parents even demanded early university admission and financial support.
He studied over ten hours a day and spoke multiple languages.
“But it seems his grandparents think differently.”
“…I see.”
“Anyway, let’s focus on the remaining competitions.”
Then someone asked—
“Who do you think is more of a genius? Min-Oh or Hyunsoo?”
“They’re different. Min-Oh is more artistic.”
“Not necessarily. We can see art talent, but academic ability needs proper testing.”
“…That’s true.”
“Maybe we should test him.”
“We could include high-level questions in the competition.”
The idea escalated quickly.
“Are you serious?”
“If students refuse the gifted class, it’s meaningless. We need to motivate them.”
“But what if the questions are too hard?”
“Curiosity begins with unsolvable problems.”
“…That’s one way to see it.”
“We’ll include middle and high school level questions.”
“What if they guess correctly?”
“Make them subjective.”
“…Right.”
And just like that, the difficulty of the competition increased drastically.
“Do you think Min-Oh can still win?”
“Have you read his diary?”
“Yes. It’s impressive.”
“It’s not just the content. His grammar and spacing are perfect. Even adults struggle with that.”
“…That’s true.”
“At first, I thought his art was just talent. But after reading his writing, I don’t think so anymore.”
“So you think he’ll win again?”
“Yes. He must have received an education beyond what we imagine.”
“And more importantly—his ambition.”
“He joined every competition. Even ones we didn’t suggest.”
Unlike others, he wasn’t just participating.
He was aiming to win.
A few days later—
The academic competition began.
‘They’re giving these kinds of questions to elementary students?’
Min-Oh frowned slightly.
Some questions were beyond even high school level.
‘Well… this works out.’
To him, they were easy.
In fact, elementary-style questions were sometimes harder due to their limitations.
After just thirty minutes, he stood up.
‘Already?’
The teacher assumed he had given up.
“Good job.”
“Thank you.”
Min-Oh handed in his paper and left.
The teacher checked it—
“…What?”
Every question was solved.
With full working steps.
‘He solved everything?’
The teacher swallowed dryly.
‘Is he… even more incredible than Hyunsoo?’
Hyunsoo, the nation’s genius, had failed to meet university standards.
But Min-Oh—
‘If this is all correct… he could get a perfect score on the college entrance exam.’
The realization sent a chill down his spine.
This wasn’t just talent.
This was something else entirely.