12
Chapter 12: An Eight-Year-Old Genius
“A perfect score? Someone actually got a perfect score?”
“Yes!”
The teachers’ office at Sangnok Elementary was thrown into chaos when it was revealed that an elementary school student had solved even the college entrance exam-level questions that had been casually included to spark curiosity.
“Who was it? Who got full marks?”
“Min-Oh!”
“…Wow.”
The fact that the student was only eight years old left the teachers speechless.
‘We knew he wasn’t ordinary… but this?’
“How did the others do?”
“They couldn’t even solve the elementary-level questions.”
“As expected. Review comes before advanced learning.”
“But Min-Oh…”
“Could he be even more talented than the vice principal’s grandson?”
“The math prodigy?”
“Yeah.”
“Come on, that’s too much. Solving a few college-level questions doesn’t make him better. That kid was doing calculus in kindergarten.”
One teacher quickly tried to downplay Min-Oh’s achievement, worried about offending the vice principal.
“Watch what you’re saying!”
“…What?”
“The vice principal is right there!”
“…Ah…”
Realizing their mistake, the teachers fell silent.
“I’ll step out for a moment.”
The vice principal quietly left the room, as if to ease their discomfort.
“…Phew.”
The teachers sighed in relief.
“Did I say something wrong?”
“You did! Even when his grandson was praised, he stayed silent. And now you say that after what happened?”
“I was just… excited.”
“Excited?”
“If Min-Oh really is as great as we think, the whole country will be talking about him. This isn’t just his achievement—it’s ours too.”
“…That’s true.”
“This is huge for the school. Whether he goes on TV or not, if he represents us, even students from top schools won’t stand a chance.”
The expansion of regional competitions meant Sangnok Elementary’s reputation could rise.
“But won’t this turn into a one-man show?”
“Not necessarily. When the gap is this big, people don’t feel jealousy—they just admire.”
“That’s true.”
“In just one month, look at what he’s done.”
Students across all grades were already talking about him.
“Even my class only talks about Min-Oh.”
“Same here.”
“They say he finished the test faster than anyone and got praised endlessly.”
“All correct, too.”
“And he even drew portraits for all 39 students.”
“And for every orphanage kid as well.”
“He even gave one to the vice principal.”
“Really?”
“Look at the one on his desk.”
The teachers gathered around.
“…This is incredible.”
“Even better than the one Han Yuri got.”
“Does he already understand power dynamics?”
They laughed.
“But more than talent, his personality is remarkable.”
“Exactly.”
“He’s busy enough as it is, yet he still does things like this.”
“Knowledge requires time as well as intelligence.”
“Honestly, we worried for nothing. Not many kids are that competitive anyway.”
“Right.”
“Maybe we should reconsider. Instead of limiting awards by grade, we could create a true star.”
The discussion began to shift.
“What parents want isn’t just numbers—they want excellence.”
“Someone their kids can aspire to.”
“The vice principal may resist, but…”
“The principal might support us.”
Meanwhile—
Principal Heo Jae-Soo reviewed the report.
“No wonder there’s such a fuss about this student.”
“He’s truly exceptional.”
“More than your grandson?”
“…Possibly.”
The principal smiled.
“Then should someone like him be limited to first place in his grade?”
The vice principal remained firm.
“And what happens to older students if they lose to him?”
“Did your grandson’s TV appearance not affect others?”
“…That’s different.”
“Children understand. When the gap is too big, they accept it.”
“So you want to make him first in the entire school.”
“The school is too small for him. An eight-year-old who beats sixth graders shouldn’t be confined here.”
Soon after—
The entire school gathered for an assembly.
“Students called, please come forward.”
“Class 1-4, Do Min-Oh.”
Min-Oh stepped onto the stage.
“Math Competition Grand Prize: Do Min-Oh.”
‘That kid is first overall?’
The top sixth-grade student had received gold—but Min-Oh had taken the highest score.
“English Competition Grand Prize: Do Min-Oh.”
“Language Competition Grand Prize: Do Min-Oh.”
“Writing Contest Grand Prize: Do Min-Oh.”
“Art Competition Grand Prize: Do Min-Oh.”
One after another.
Every major competition.
‘This is insane…’
No one felt jealousy.
Only awe.
Even those who shared the stage felt frozen.
‘How did he solve those questions?’
Min-Oh, however, remained calm.
Not because it meant little.
But because—
‘This is just the beginning.’
He had a larger goal.
‘Before winter, I’ll win it.’
To secure the orphanage’s future, he needed more than school victories.
The land itself had to be secured.
The director couldn’t afford it.
Sponsors couldn’t help.
Which meant—
Everything depended on him.
‘Now it really begins.
From here on, he wasn’t chasing ordinary first place.
He was aiming for something far greater.