Skepticism & The Promise
"Are you asking me that because you really don't know… or just playing dumb?" Qian Hua smiled suggestively, narrowing her eyes a bit.
"… Sorry, I don't know what you're talking about."
"I see. Then… how about now?"
She waved her hand and erected a sound barrier around us — exactly what I had been waiting for.
"… That's better."
"I thought so. Then… can you tell me how you did it?"
"What, take first place?" I snorted. "You already heard the plan. Everyone thinks Ming Hao thought of it all, but it was really me."
"No no. I mean… you planned this from the very beginning, didn't you?" She taunted. "Ever since you heard about the first exam, you knew it was a mere diagnostic one, so losing it didn't hurt all that much. By using the favor you obtained from Class A in the first proper exam… you're able to secure an edge on the other classes. Not only that, but you also managed to keep Class D from the spotlight, huh?"
"What of it?"