LIGHTNOVELWORLD My Daddy Hides His Power
Chapter 185
“Ah, yess…”
“Do you guys want to solve it together? After all, we’re learning the same thing right now.” “Yes! I want to do it!” “Me too, me too!” When Oscar spoke, all the children became very excited. What’s going on with your passion for learning? “You can get the last three questions wrong. That’s because they were meant to be wrong.” Oscar handed out the same test paper to each child and said to me. “But you can’t afford to make mistakes. If you don’t get a perfect score, you won’t pass.” “….” I glanced over the problem. All except the last three questions are about trigonometric functions. Based on my past life memories, this would roughly be the curriculum around the second year of high school. ‘Are they solving trigonometric functions right now?’ I swallowed hard and looked at the children. They appeared to be around my age, perhaps elementary school students. ‘No way. It must be a lie, right?’ Seeing me in shock and not willingly picking up the pen, Hans sneered as if he knew that would happen. “Guys, cover up!” The children started solving the problems, covering their test papers with their arms as if they were worried I might attempt to peek. “What are you doing? Sit down and start solving too.” Oscar gestured to the chair, but I shook my head. “N, no.” And, putting away the dazzling emperor’s gift, I picked up a random pen that was lying on the table. “I’ll solve them and then sit down…” “….?” Ten questions in total. The first seven questions were about trigonometric functions, and the remaining three questions were about calculus and derivatives. I carefully filled out the test paper, taking my time to write out the solution process meticulously to avoid making any mistakes. “…I solved everything.” Hans looked up as if he was surprised by my words. I sighed and handed the test to Oscar. “Hmm.” Oscar sat with his legs crossed and looked over my test paper, then smiled and closed it. “Are you still far behind?” “I’ve finished too!” “Me too!” “Check it.” When Oscar instructed, Robert graded the students’ papers. Total 70 points. I was shocked and speechless. Except for the three questions that seemed unfamiliar, it was close to a perfect score. ‘Are there elementary school students who solve trigonometry?’ These kids were ‘real’! A real genius! “What’s her score? Did she manage to solve at least one question?” When Hans asked me warily, Oskar pushed my test paper that had been turned over to the center and said, “Full score.” The children’s eyes widened. Hans quickly grabbed my test paper and began to check it. As he went through it, his mouth slowly fell open. “T, this…” “Like I always say, this is a place where you have to prove your abilities thoroughly to get in. You have proven yourself and that is why you belong under me. In this country, as commoners, you’re promised wealth and power that you couldn’t dream of even if you were to die and come back to life.” With his arms crossed and leaning arrogantly, Oscar spoke. “Never feel intimidated when facing stupid nobles. If you can’t beat them with words, then rip them apart without hesitation. I’ll take care of the consequences.” No, what on earth are you teaching? “But if you have proven your skills, you should have the virtues that even nobles would recognize, right? The meritocracy I’ve taught you is about that.” Oscar, still fixated on my test paper, rose from his seat, observing Hans’s shocked expression. “The name is Lilith Rubinstein. She is one year older than Hans, and the others are the same age.” And he added, putting his hand on my shoulder. “Let’s be friends from now on?” * * * The routine of the gifted children was simple. In the morning, I solved math problems non-stop, and in the afternoon, I learned about the principles of creating magic formulas. From what I heard, Hans is already capable of creating a few simple magic formulas. “Lilith!” “Mhm?” Then Ellie approached me with a book in hand. She was the only girl in the gifted class before I arrived. “You know, here, we found the value when sin(x) is the root of 3 over 2, right? But should we also find the price when it is 1/2?” “….” No, is this correct? I sighed at the discrepancy between Ellie’s youthful face and the trigonometry problem she showed me. Still, I couldn’t refuse to teach her when she asked, even though it was beyond the scope of what was being taught…. “You don’t need to find it. The answer will be the same whether it’s 2 root 3 or 2 over 1, right? So there’s no need to calculate the value of x…” As I explained, Ellie’s face brightened. “Wow, that’s impressive! I understand much better when you explain than when Hans or Teacher Robert does! Are you really a genius?” “I, it’s not to that extent…” The children, who had been brainwashed into a strict meritocracy, were purely amazed every time I solved a difficult math problem. Every time I hear about a genius, my conscience hurts. ‘Geniuses are you who can solve trigonometry at this age, not me, a graduate student who was tutoring math to earn tuition!’ Of course, I couldn’t tell the truth. As I scratched my cheek in embarrassment, I made eye contact with Hans, who was glaring at me. ‘Hans…’ All the children became close to me, but Hans still seemed to resent me. It appeared that he was feeling competitive. * * * ‘Isn’t it crazy?’ I left the restaurant, gently patting my bulging stomach. ‘It’s so delicious!’ The Wizard Tower provided its researchers with three meals of the highest quality each day. Is that all? The best workplace that boasts excellent benefits and a pleasant working environment! Do you really understand why people of all ages and genders are anxious to get in here? “Are you going home now, Lilith?” Ellie asked. In her hand was a piece of paper with mathematical formulas written on it, and she didn’t even put it down in the restaurant. All the other kids too. “Mhm, I’m heading home now. Since you’ve all finished studying, you can take a rest too, right?” “Mhm! Let’s play quickly!” As expected, kids are kids. I felt pleased seeing them looking happy as the day ended. “After taking a walk, I’m going to solve more problems using trigonometry!” “I need to review the arithmetical difference and arithmetical ratios I learned today.” “Yeah, that’s right. We need to move on quickly because Teacher Robert said he’s going to teach us calculus next. Let’s do it together.” …Huh? “G, guys? How is that considered playing? You’re just continuing to study!” “…? Well, that’s what it is, I guess.” No! It’s different! It’s totally different! I was at a loss because I didn’t know where to start, but Ellie smiled shyly. “Nice meeting you today. I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions and being rude to you at first. I apologize.” “That’s right, I’m sorry too. Let’s get along from now on. I thought all nobles were mean, but you’re kind and smart, so I really like that.” “Hmm, really?” When a friend named Jasper said, I felt better. “Well, Lilith, you’re a noble too, so you never walk more than three steps, right? Do commoners still bow to you when you’re walking down the street? It’s been a long time since I entered the Wizard Tower, so I’m not sure.” Rocky, who seems to be the most curious, asked. “What are you talking about? It’s not like that.” I waved my hand in confusion. “I walk just like everyone else. And, um, as for bowing to others…” “To others?” “Even though it still happens these days, it’s not me! Really not me! Those who receive such greetings are the DOS, not me… You guys may not know, but I’m an Octava.” The children nodded, saying “Oh.” “So, I don’t really know the DOS well, and I don’t have many close friends among them. Instead, I have more friends from the salon, mostly from lower classes. They’re kind and we get along well.” “I see?” “Mhm, mhm! And I have a lot of commoner friends too! Like the ones I met at the training center…” “You’re funny.” At that time, Hans, who was busy memorizing math formulas behind me, interrupted me. “It’s probably all lies. How can she not know about the DOS when her father is one? And are all Octava the same?” Hans added, crossing his arms. “I guess even most nobles can’t treat her carelessly because they’re wary of her father’s influence, right? She’s just been the top predator in this ecosystem since birth.” “Ugh, no.” “What do you mean by no? It’s okay if you’re trying to become friends, but I hope you don’t lie. Are you afraid of the DOS because they are of higher rank than you? It’s not, right?” Hans pushed up his glasses and spoke with a very logical expression. “She’s the top-ranking noble family in the capital right now, but she hangs out with lower-class commoner friends? Really? It would be much more credible to say she’s playing around with the DOS, don’t you think?” “Hans! Didn’t the Lord of the Wizard Tower tell us to get along? Why are you arguing?” “That’s right. It’s not like Lilith did anything wrong. Let’s just calm down a bit.” Ellie and Jasper took my side, but Hans was still blunt. “What I mean is, don’t be hypocritical. She’s a lioness. It’s obvious that she can’t be friends with rabbits, so pretending to be close to them isn’t funny, is it?” “….” “The Lord of the Wizard Tower is a person who hates picking people based on their status and class and pursues a strict meritocracy, so he may be saying this to make himself look good. I can see everything, you.” …What kind of ten-year-old can talk so well? I tried to accept it, but I thought it was ridiculous to keep arguing with a child, so I just sighed. “Yeah, Hans. I guess it could be misunderstood that way. I’ll gradually show my sincerity. But I really didn’t lie. I have many friends, but I’ve never befriended someone with ulterior motives, and I won’t in the future either. So, please don’t judge me too harshly.” This is neat enough. I felt proud, but for some reason, the eyes of the four children were all focused behind me. ‘What is it?’ With an ominous feeling in mind, I turned around. “….?” I don’t know when the carriage came behind me. ‘Wait a second.’ From there, Chesire appeared. ‘This timing, is it for real?’ Cheshire was wearing his formal uniform. A pattern symbolizing the ‘DOS’ class, clearly engraved on the red cloak. A golden seal that only allows the ‘Duke’ family name to be placed on carriages. A man who doesn’t have to bow to anyone except the emperor, regardless of his rank or status… “I came to pick you up.” —He greeted me with the line ‘Is there an Octava who uses DOS as an escort on the way home?’ I was dazed. A thousand thoughts were running through my mind. ‘Why? Why are you dressed in formal uniform if you’re not going out on an expedition today? Especially at this time? Unless you’re intentionally trying to screw me over…’ I swallowed hard, then looked back at the kids. “G, guys…” But the children were already about five steps away. “Guys?!” “L, Lilith! Go home safely! I’ll see you tomorrow!” “B, be careful!” “Byee!” The children, startled by the appearance of DOS Young Master of the Duke family, ran away without any chance of catching it. “Guys!” My hand, which had reached out to grab the children, miserably flailed in the air before weakly dropping back down. Hans remained until the end. “…Wouldn’t it be much more believable to have DOS as servants?” As if he knew that would happen, he laughed at me and left. “Wow, wow.” It’s ruined. I pulled my cheek and turned around. “Hey you. Wow, really. Wow.” “…I’m sorry.” Cheshire, who sensed the tense atmosphere, first apologized and spoke. “I, um… made a mistake, didn’t I?”
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