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66 She’s leaving

66 She’s leaving?

Penny became Professor Singh’s apprentice in her first life. Therefore, she knew some sides of this professor, just like how Professor Singh knew some sides of her. He was akin to a father to her, after all, nurturing her and guiding her. Sometimes, he would give her some tough love.

In other words, Professor Singh often finds out things even before Penny confesses or even before she does it. It was the reason she intuitively panicked when Professor Singh gave her that look.

But then, Professor Singh smiled and asked gently. “Miss Penny, how are you?”

Hearing his smile and the change in his tone, Penny mentally patted her chest. She heaved a sigh of relief.

‘Goodness. Right. In this lifetime, I’m still not his apprentice, so no tough love and scolding. There’s nothing to be scared of.”

“I’m okay, Professor. I’ve started school.” Penny quickly recovered from her mini heart attack and smiled charmingly.

“I see. How is it so far?”

“Hmmm. Good!” Penny grinned brightly before she turned her head. Her smile briefly disappeared when she faced Slater. “Study.” “Yes, ma’am.” Slater didn’t even refute and just hung his head low, answering the question he was answering before Professor Singh arrived.

Seeing this, Professor Singh chuckled. Atlas briefly mentioned

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Slater’s part of the bet, and seeing that Penny was with him, he quickly understood Penny was tutoring him. The professor was less worried that Slater would end up a slave with such a genius.

tutor.

If only Slater knew how lucky he was to be tutored by his sister.

“Miss Penny, did you answer the question I gave you the last time?” he asked quietly so as not to disturb the other brothers.

Penny nodded, but then cautiously glanced at Atlas. Seeing that her brother was busy answering with earplugs on, she handed a notebook with both her hands.

Professor Singh almost chuckled at how cute she handed her the notebook as if she was making an offering. He didn’t dwell on it though, checking the content inside the notebook. Her handwriting was beautiful and clean without any traces of inkless notes that would indicate she tore the page before this.

As Professor Singh skimmed the solution, his lips curled up. He glanced at Penny, only to see Penny blink at him. He knew she was trying to wink, but failed.

‘Don’t tell.‘ Penny raised a finger in front of her lips and Professor Singh nodded in understanding.

The problem Professor Singh gave Penny during their last session was the same one he gave Atlas and the rest of the star student section. It was a problem that the academy wouldn’t give because this was an actual problem in the research department that was given in the national exam last year, which no one had answered.

This exact problem was the reason no one scored perfect on the

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66 She’s leaving?

national exam last year.

“This problem is hard because it requires an entirely new solution that is a mix of three methods. Yet, she got it right in one try!‘

Professor Singh’s desire to make Penny his apprentice grew even more. Now, he couldn’t help but wonder if Charles already told Penny about his offer.

‘Right.‘ Curious about how advanced Penny’s intellect was, Professor Singh wrote another problem which was a bit harder than the last one he gave her. He added a note on the side:

[Miss Penny, do you think you can give me the answer in our next session?]

He slid the paper to her, making her brows elevate.

Penny curiously took the piece of paper and read the side note. Averting her eyes to the problem, she wondered, ‘Should I give him

the answer now?‘

Thinking about Professor Singh’s offer, Penny wasn’t afraid he would change his mind. The professor wasn’t someone who would get back on his words so easily. So whether Penny shows off or not, his offer stands. Even so, she didn’t want to risk chances.

Penny peeked at Professor Singh and saw him nod slightly. She pursed her lips and started writing a very long and detailed solution on the paper. Since she had to focus on tutoring Slater, she knew she would forget any other homework easily. Her plate was full at the moment, and it was much better if she was able to finish what was truly important.

Professor Singh’s offer was the most important for her since he

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66 She’s leaving

was her ticket to independence.

Thirty minutes later, Penny stopped writing.

She was about to hand over her paper when she noticed Slater

looking in her direction. She turned to her brother, only to see this blank look plastered on his face.

‘Did his brain overheat again?‘

“Penny, what is this abomination?” Slater wondered and pointed at her paper.

On instinct, she covered her paper with her plump hands. “Witchcraft,” and then folded it to give to Professor Singh.

“You finished it, Penny?” the professor asked with a tinge of surprise, and she nodded.

“Professor, I’m not sure if I did it correctly.”

“It’s alright,” it wasn’t like he was expecting her to get it right. He was simply curious.

“Alright.” Professor Singh checked his wristwatch and announced. “Atlas, take some water break. Come back after ten minutes.”

Atlas paused like a statue. He stared at his scratch paper and crumpled it. “I’ll come back in ten minutes,” was all he said before

he walked out.

“Is he okay?” Penny murmured, catching the irritation in her

brother’s eyes.

“Can I take a break too?” Slater asked, but not to Professor Singh,

but to Penny. “I think I need to touch some grass.”

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Penny’s attention was averted to him and, seeing that exhausted and helpless look on him, she felt a little guilty. They’d been here. even before Atlas came, and Slater didn’t complain throughout. He

earned the break.

“Come back in ten… minutes…” Before she could even finish, Slater already jumped from his seat and sped away.

When Atlas and Slater left, Professor Singh cleared his throat to get Penny’s attention. “Miss Penny, may I ask you a question?”

“Yes, Professor?”

“Did your father mention anything to you?”

Penny pursed her lips and nodded. “Yes.”

“I see.” Professor Singh smiled in satisfaction. “Have you made a decision?”

Yes.

The answer she wanted to give was easy. It was only one word with one syllable. However, despite wanting to answer, she didn’t.

“Miss Penny, don’t worry,” Professor Singh reassured. “Whatever the decision was, I’ll respect it fully. Moreover, I am not in a rush. You are young, and my offer might have come across to you as abrupt.”

“Actually, professor, I already made a decision.” She already made this decision with or without Professor Singh’s offer. “But right now… there are still some things I want to do.”

Slater’s bully was still around and despite getting beaten up, Keith still had the guts to respawn the next day to stir trouble. She had

to make sure he wouldn’t even think of touching Slater. Atlas was still studying for the bet and she couldn’t just leave, since she was the one who started the bet. Hugo also promised to give her sweets once he got his allowance, and her parents were having all sorts of problems with their elders.

Penny didn’t want to care for them so much because she didn’t want to get disappointed. However, she still had to do these things. because at the end of the day, being hated by them was also something she didn’t like. It was best not to burn bridges, even though she never planned to cross them.

“I hope you understand, Professor.”

Professor Singh’s heart softened at the thousand unspoken words swirling in her eyes. “Don’t worry, Miss Penny. Like I said, I’m not in a rush. Call me whenever you’re ready. I’ll take you as my

apprentice every day.”

“Thank you, Professor.”

Little did they know, Slater, who fled the scene, quickly came back because he forgot something. But then he heard Penny and

Professor Singh’s conversation.

‘She’s… leaving?‘

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