Chapter 1

CLASS RANK NO. 1 VS. NO. 2 (0.1)

Chapter 1: The Boy Who Took My Place

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"Some people chase first place because they want to win.

Others chase it because they don't know who they are without it."

---

The classroom buzzed with excitement as students hurried to their seats.

"Did you hear? The entrance exam rankings are coming out today!"

"I bet David's first again."

"When has he ever lost?"

At the very back of the classroom, a tall boy calmly flipped through the pages of a thick physics book, completely ignoring the chatter around him.

David Archeon.

The pride of St. Aurelius Academy.

Student Council President.

Captain of the Academic Team.

Three consecutive years as Class Rank No. 1.

His black hair was perfectly neat, his uniform spotless, and his expression as unreadable as ever.

To everyone else, he looked untouchable.

To David, today was just another ordinary morning.

---

"Good morning, class."

Their adviser, Mrs. Valencia, entered with a stack of papers.

The room immediately fell silent.

"I know everyone's excited, so let's skip the announcements."

Several students leaned forward in anticipation.

Mrs. Valencia smiled.

"Before I announce the rankings, I'd like everyone to welcome our new transfer student."

The classroom door slid open.

A boy stepped inside.

He wore the same academy uniform as everyone else, but unlike the others, his blazer looked slightly worn, as though it had been carefully repaired more than once.

His chestnut-brown hair fell naturally over his forehead, and a warm smile lit up his face.

"I'm Shawn Holland."

He gave a small bow.

"It's nice to meet everyone."

The girls whispered among themselves.

"He's cute."

"I like his smile."

"Do you think he's single?"

Someone laughed quietly.

Mrs. Valencia pointed toward the empty seat.

"Shawn, you'll be sitting beside David Archeon."

Shawn looked toward the window seat.

David looked up for only a second before returning to his book.

No greeting.

No smile.

Nothing.

Shawn chuckled softly.

"So that's the famous David Archeon..."

---

After attendance, Mrs. Valencia picked up another sheet of paper.

"Now..."

"The entrance examination rankings."

The classroom instantly became quiet.

"As expected..."

She smiled.

"The competition this year was very close."

Several students glanced toward David.

He remained expressionless.

"Second Place..."

A few students exchanged confused looks.

Second?

Why was she starting from second?

Mrs. Valencia continued.

"With an average score of 99.7..."

"...David Archeon."

Silence.

No one moved.

Someone accidentally dropped their pen.

"What?"

"Did I hear that right?"

"David... second?"

Even David slowly looked up from his book.

For the first time that morning...

His eyes showed surprise.

Just for a moment.

Mrs. Valencia smiled before announcing,

"First Place."

"Average score..."

"99.8."

"...Shawn Holland."

The room exploded.

"No way!"

"Are you serious?"

"A transfer student?"

"He beat David?!"

Shawn blinked.

"Huh?"

He scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"I... actually got first?"

The class stared at him like he'd just performed magic.

David quietly looked at the rankings posted on the projector.

There it was.

1. Shawn Holland — 99.8

2. David Archeon — 99.7

A difference of...

0.1.

It wasn't much.

But it was enough.

For the first time in three years...

David Archeon was no longer Number One.

---

The bell rang for recess.

Students immediately surrounded Shawn.

"How did you answer Question 48?"

"Are you really a scholarship student?"

"Where did you transfer from?"

"You actually beat David!"

Shawn laughed nervously.

"One question at a time!"

Meanwhile...

David quietly packed his notebook and stood up.

Without saying a word, he walked toward the door.

"David."

A cheerful voice stopped him.

He turned around.

Shawn stood there with two cartons of milk in his hands.

"I bought an extra one."

David looked at it.

"I don't drink milk."

"Oh."

Shawn smiled sheepishly.

"I guess... I'll drink both."

David almost walked away.

Almost.

Instead, he spoke.

"...Congratulations."

Shawn blinked.

"For what?"

David looked directly into his eyes.

"For taking first place."

There was no anger in his voice.

No jealousy.

Only calm.

Shawn smiled.

"Thanks."

He extended his hand.

"I'm looking forward to learning with you."

David looked at the offered hand.

After a brief pause...

He shook it.

His grip was firm.

"So am I."

Then, without warning, David added,

"But don't get comfortable."

Shawn raised an eyebrow.

"The next exam..."

David's voice was steady.

"I'll take first place back."

For a heartbeat, the hallway was silent.

Then Shawn laughed.

Not mockingly.

Not arrogantly.

Just... genuinely.

"I'd like to see you try."

David's lips curved into the smallest smile.

It disappeared almost instantly.

But Shawn noticed.

"He smiles..."

"Barely."

"Interesting."

As David walked away, Shawn watched him disappear around the corner.

He had expected the famous David Archeon to be arrogant.

Instead...

He seemed lonely.

And for some reason...

Shawn wanted to know why.

---

End of Chapter 1

> "For three years, David Archeon stood alone at the top.

Today, someone finally climbed high enough to stand beside him."

Next Chapter: A Challenge Between Rivals

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