Typical Zero

Mr. Hernandez paused, scanning the room with an attentive gaze. "Before we delve into our syllabus, I'm curious. How many of you already have experience with any of these three languages – English, Mandarin, or Spanish?"

In response, a smattering of hands went up. Only four to be exact. Zero's was among them, his hand raised with a calm confidence. Alongside him, Mike, Kayla, and a fair-skinned boy with sandy blond hair named Lucas, had their hands up as well.

Mr. Hernandez's eyes settled on Mike first. "Young man," he began, a hint of intrigue in his voice, "what's your name and which of these languages are you familiar with?"

Mike straightened up, pride evident in his stance. "I'm Mike, sir. I know Spanish. My mother is from Spain."

"Ah, España," Mr. Hernandez remarked, his eyes lighting up. "Could you tell us your mother's name?" (Mr. Hernandez asked in Spanish tongue)

Without missing a beat, Mike responded fluently, the rhythmic cadence of the language rolling off his tongue effortlessly. "My mother's name is Valeria Rodriguez, she is currently living in Korea with me and my father," Mike said confidently in Spanish. The classroom, till now abuzz with whispers, fell into a brief hush, broken only by a few awed murmurs.

"He's so smooth," one student whispered, admiration evident in her voice. "Who knew Mike had it in him?" another student added, impressed.

Acknowledging Mike's proficiency with an approving nod, Mr. Hernandez turned his attention to Lucas. "And you, young man?"

Lucas cleared his throat, "I'm Lucas. I know English. Originally from England."

Taking note of Lucas's admission, Mr. Hernandez's interest piqued further. "Oh, England?" he remarked, switching seamlessly to English, emphasizing each word with a clear British accent. "Which part of England are you from?"

Lucas, catching onto Mr. Hernandez's implicit challenge, responded without hesitation in fluid English, "My father hails from Liverpool, sir. My mother, on the other hand, is originally from Korea."

A few classmates exchanged impressed glances, their conversations a soft undertone in the room. "Liverpool," a student whispered to another, "home of The Beatles." Another student chimed in, "And football!" eliciting a few chuckles from those nearby.

Mr. Hernandez, nodding appreciatively at Lucas's articulate response, then shifted his gaze to Kayla, who was awaiting her turn.

Stepping up to the challenge, Kayla spoke in crisp English, her voice imbued with confidence. "I'm Kayla. I've been tutored in English since a young age. My father always believed in its importance and ensured I was proficient."

Mr. Hernandez's eyes twinkled with amusement and admiration. "Your father has done an excellent job, young lady," he complimented, maintaining his English. "He must be exceptionally proud of you."

Kayla, a soft blush tinting her cheeks, smiled appreciatively. "Thank you, sir," she responded, her gratitude evident in her voice.

The professor, ever the keen observer, posed a couple of quick questions to both Lucas and Kayla to gauge their fluency. Their responses, articulate and precise, left him smiling in satisfaction.

Finally, his gaze settled on Zero. "What about you?"

Without any hint of arrogance but with the simplicity of stating a fact, Zero replied, "All three."

Mr. Hernandez raised an eyebrow in surprise, "All three, you say?"

Zero merely nodded, "Yes, professor."

A stir ran through the classroom, a mix of surprise, disbelief, and curiosity. Whispers swirled around like a gathering storm.

"Is he for real?" a girl from the back row whispered.

Mason Foster, one of the more boisterous students in the class and often surrounded by a group of like-minded friends, One of Carl's lackeys. Couldn't resist voicing his skepticism loudly. "He's probably bluffing," he scoffed, casting a doubtful glance at Zero.

Another of Carl's lackeys chimed in, trying to gain favor, "Yeah, maybe he knows a few words or phrases, but all three languages? Doubt it."

The room was thick with tension, all eyes on Zero, waiting to see how the situation would unfold.

Zero's eyes twinkled with mischief as he responded in impeccable Spanish, catching nearly everyone off-guard, ("have you been to Europe or china professor Hernandez?")(spoken in Spanish)

A ripple of surprise swept across the classroom, the students exchanging amazed glances. Even Mike, his best friend, looked at him with wide eyes, clearly taken aback by this revelation. Whispers began to erupt in pockets, "Did you know he spoke Spanish?" "This guy is full of surprises," "That was so fluent!"

Profesor Hernandez, clearly pleased with the turn of events, answered with an equally fluent cadence, ("Of course, I have been to Birmingham in England, and HongKong, I have also been in Spain and Columbia.")(spoken in Spanish)

Without missing a beat, Zero switched to fluent Cantonese, the dialect spoken primarily in Hong Kong, rendering another layer of astonishment among the students. ("How long were you there? Was it a holiday, Professor Hernandez?") (spoken in Mandarin)

Students were in a mild state of shock, their murmurs growing louder. "He knows Cantonese too?" one student whispered, while another chimed in, "I barely manage one language, and here he's juggling three!"

Zero, reveling in the moment a bit, transitioned smoothly back to English, his accent polished. "I've been toying with the idea of traveling the world when I'm older. Any places you'd particularly recommend, Professor?"

Professor Hernandez, clearly delighted to have stumbled upon such a linguistic prodigy in Class 1, answered warmly, "If the world beckons, I'd say start with Europe. London, for sure. And don't miss out on the ethereal beauty of Iceland. Those places are quite the treat for the soul."

Still beaming, he continued, "Your linguistic prowess is commendable. Were you tutored by your parents in these languages?"

Zero replied with a simple "Yes, Professor," but internally, memories from his past life surfaced, reminding him of his initial learning of English and his strategic choice to master Spanish and Mandarin for future prospects.

Seeing the room's awe, Professor Hernandez added jovially, "Well, it seems Zero wasn't bluffing. I expect you to be my assistant when students have queries. How does that sound?"

Zero grinned, "Of course, Professor."

Settling back into his seat, Zero's gaze flitted to the earlier naysayers, particularly the lackey who had openly doubted him. The boy looked both embarrassed and envious. Zero couldn't help but think, 'That ought to keep him quiet for a while.'

Mike, leaning in with a low whisper, curiosity evident in his voice, asked, "Since when did you learn Spanish, man?"

"Just before I got into NSE Academy. My father hired a tutor for me," Zero replied nonchalantly.

Kayla, shaking her head with an amused smile, added, "That's so typical of you Zero."

Camila, eyes sparkling, playfully nudged Zero, "You three better tutor me now. Seems I'm surrounded by geniuses!"

and with that the language class started.