"Can anyone answer this question?" During math class, the teacher looked around at the students and began calling on them. Seeing that only Link had raised his hand, she pointed at him and smiled slightly. "Link, tell us."
"Okay, this problem needs to be analyzed through functional equations and graphical properties..."
In the United States, students admired those who stood out. There was no such thing as modestly hiding one's talents, because regular grades accounted for a considerable portion of college admissions scores, and classroom performance was directly reflected in teachers' evaluations.
As he spoke, Link looked down at the other students. Aside from a few in the front rows who were listening, most of them were absentmindedly occupied with their own things. To his surprise, however, he noticed that Lena, sitting in the corner, was also staring at the podium.
Link found that slightly strange, but he did not think much of it. He continued explaining until the bell rang, the teacher dismissed class, and the students quickly left. As Link packed up his books, Lena came over to greet him.
"Hi, Lena. Is something wrong?"
"What do you think of what I'm wearing today?"
Link gave her a once-over. When she leaned forward slightly, the glimpse of pale skin made his gaze linger for a moment. "It looks great. Very pretty."
"I'm glad you like it. I also have something bolder at home. How about I change into it and show you after school?"
Recognizing the signal she was sending, Link did not refuse. Although he had devoted most of his energy to studying and training over the past two years, that did not mean he was some kind of saint.
Especially when opportunity was so close at hand. After noticing Lena's figure becoming more and more striking, Link naturally did not remain indifferent. With a few subtle moves on his part, everything happened naturally.
Of course, Link and Lena were only in a simple "tutoring" relationship, satisfying each other's desire to explore knowledge. They were not truly boyfriend and girlfriend.
In fact, Lena had a boyfriend of her own: Tommy, the school bully who had appeared before.
After experiencing the joys of exploring knowledge together, Link appreciated it, but he did not become obsessed.
The improvement shown on the Stats Panel was his greatest motivation. He had become increasingly absorbed in it lately, and with a steady output of energy, the restlessness in his body and mind had found balance. He had even unknowingly stopped attending the parties he occasionally went to before.
Still, when they studied together, Link did not mind Lena finding ways to make the process more exciting. So he said, "I'm looking forward to it."
"Very good!" Having received the answer she wanted, the smile on Lena's face grew even brighter.
After Lena left, Link continued with his usual school routine.
"Link, Coach George is looking for you!" During gym class, Coach Danny spoke to Link while he was training. Then he added, "If he's still trying to recruit you..."
"Don't worry, Coach. I told you before, I can watch football, but actually playing it is out of the question."
"Good. Go on, then!" Coach Danny nodded in satisfaction and patted Link on the shoulder. After all, Link was the ace of his baseball team. Since Link had joined, the team's performance had improved by far more than just a little.
"Hello, Coach George."
"Hello, Link." Coach George looked thoughtful as he asked, "Yesterday, when I was watching a Texas A&M University Team game, Sheldon and I had a discussion about punting. According to him, a team's tactics can actually be adjusted through calculations.
"I heard that you've also been using calculations of your opponents' batting or pitching habits and angles to improve your win rate. Do you think I should listen to Sheldon and adjust the team's tactics?"
"I have indeed used mathematical methods to improve my batting and pitching success rates, but what I'm doing is much less difficult than what Sheldon is doing.
"After all, I only need to calculate the situations involving a limited number of opponents, while adjusting an entire team requires factoring in all the players on both sides.
"But I believe Sheldon's mathematical ability is more than enough to accomplish that. If you adjust the tactics according to his calculations, it really can increase the odds of winning."
"Excellent. Thank you, Link. You've done me a huge favor. Come visit our house when you have time. Not only Sheldon, but Little George and Missy like you too."
"Of course. I'll come by when I have the time."
After school that afternoon, Lena's mother still drove them home. Once they reached Lena's room, her mother had drinks brought over before leaving. As usual, Link first helped Lena finish her homework.
He had just drawn a parabola in her workbook when Lena emerged from the walk-in closet in a different outfit. She wore only a thin camisole on top and an extremely short skirt below.
Lena walked over, sat down beside Link, and held out her hand to him.
"I haven't finished writing yet!" Link was startled, but Lena's eyes soon lit up with delight. "But it seems like it can't wait any longer!"
Link raised an eyebrow slightly and said nothing more.
The boldness and initiative of American girls were unimaginable, especially since Lena was the predatory type...
"This is so much better than Tommy's..."
"Tommy?" Link said confidently. "Do you really think he can compare to me? Maybe after you collect more data in the future, you'll discover that no one can surpass me.
"I hope your house is soundproof enough. Otherwise, Mrs. Dent will hear just how penetrating your voice is later."
"Not necessarily. Mom should be downstairs doing her exercises right now. She usually turns the TV up really loud."
"Believe me. According to calculations, the maximum volume a human can produce is around 120 decibels. Once it exceeds 100 decibels, it becomes louder than the rumble of a train. Based on the laws of sound attenuation, Mrs. Dent will hear it clearly."
"Really? Then maybe we can make a bet!"
"You'll definitely lose, because scientific data never lies."
"Then let me experience it."
"Of course. You'll feel it properly."
"Bring it on. I'm ready!"
Before you continue