Chapter 23 Thirteen Ways to Solve This Problem " This boy dares to say such a thing ! " Finthed The students of Class 4 in their senior year at Ravenridge Senior High stared at Leander with a volatile mix of shock and disdain . In their eyes , Tim was the epitome of strictness - known far and wide as the strictest teacher in the entire school , even outstripping the principal in his unyielding discipline . Students who were once labeled as hopeless cases were transformed into paragons of virtue under his stringent watch . There was even the tale of a district leader's son , who , puffed up with his sense of importance , had dared to provoke Tim , only to be unceremoniously expelled . The incident had become a legend , a cautionary tale that left no student brave enough to challenge Tim again . Yet today , Leander had done the unthinkable . Not only had he been caught dozing off in the middle of class , but he had also brazenly declared that he was bored - an affront that seemed to flout the very fabric of the school's rules and expectations . His audacity was almost unfathomable . " What an imbecile ," someone murmured . " Does he think this is some backwater school ? To speak like that in front of Mr. Wells ... I can't wait to see how this unfolds . " Jade could barely contain her amusement . Leander had previously humiliated her , and ever since she discovered he was acquainted with Yvette , she had been itching for a way to get back at him . Now , Leander had foolishly stepped into the lion's den by openly defying " Devil Wells . " Opposing Tim was no trivial matter . Even if one had the principal's blood running through their veins , it would be of no consequence . " Hmph , " Victor sneered , a cruel smile twisting his lips . Amidst the class , only Madeline seemed to show any genuine concern for Leander . Tim's eyes gleamed with a frigid fury behind his thick - rimmed glasses . His displeasure was a tangible force , crackling in the air . In all his years as an educator , never had he encountered a student as brazenly defiant as Leander . It wasn't merely the fact that Leander had fallen asleep during the lesson - he had compounded his offense by openly declaring that he found the class tedious . " Mr. Wells , he's new to our class , " Liam interjected , sensing the imminent storm . He rushed to explain , hoping that Tim might show some leniency given Leander's newcomer status . " This is none of your concern ! " Tim snapped , cutting off Liam's plea with a sharp dismissal . The 1/5 19:21 Sat , Oct 11 Chapter 23 Thirteen Ways to Solve This Problem 41 Finished sternness in his voice left no room for further argument , and Liam retreated , realizing that Tim's wrath was indeed real . " Very good . Very good . In all my years of teaching , I've never encountered a student like you ! " Tim's voice dripped with icy disdain as he continued . " To attend school and show no respect for learning is one thing . But to fall asleep in class and then speak insolently when caught - that is an entirely different matter ! " His words sliced through the air , cold and merciless . " If you find the class so dull , then why are you here ? You might as well go home and sleep . " " You show no respect for your teachers and disregard the very purpose of education . Students like you have no place in this school . As of today , you need not attend classes anymore ! " As the head of the math department and the discipline director , Tim's authority was absolute , and his declaration was as good as law . Jade nearly burst out in laughter , overwhelmed by a sense of vindictive satisfaction . Tim's words were nothing short of a death sentence for Leander . " So what if you can fight ? So what if you know Yvette ? You'll still be kicked out of this school ! " The mere thought of never having to see Leander's irritating face again filled Jade with immense joy . " Hmph . He won't last a day and still thinks he can be in the same class as Madeline ? " Victor scoffed internally , feeling that he had overestimated Leander as a rival . " Sir , " Leander began , his voice steady , his eyes unyielding as he met Tim's gaze . " I just joined the school today . Sleeping in class was a mistake on my part , and I apologize . But is expulsion justified for this ? " Leander's composure remained unshaken , even in the face of Tim's harsh judgment . " Yes , sleeping in class alone is not grounds for expulsion ," Tim replied , his voice as cold as ever . " But since you claim that you find the class boring , it indicates that school has no meaning for you . So why stay here ? " Tim emitted a derisive snort , clearly resolute in his decision . " Sir , my reasons for remaining at school are my own . " Leander's gaze remained steadfast , his tone calm and unperturbed . " As for the assertion that classes are dull , I have my reasons for that as well ." " What , in your opinion , is the purpose of attending class ? " Leander's question cut through the tension like a knife . 2/5 19:21 Sat , Oct 11 Chapter 23 Thirteen Ways to Solve This Problem 41 #Finished Tim responded with unwavering certainty . " It is , of course , to acquire knowledge , to achieve exemplary grades , to gain admission to a prestigious university , and ultimately to forge a successful career ! " His answer echoed the ambitions of the vast majority of students , flawless in its conventionality . Leander nodded in agreement but did not let the matter rest . " You've indicated that the purpose of class is to gain knowledge . But what if I feel that I am not acquiring any knowledge from your classes ? " As Leander's words echoed through the room , an unsettling silence fell , thick and palpable . " Oh my God , what is he saying ? " His classmates stared at him in stunned disbelief . Initially , his comment about classes being boring had been audacious enough . Now , suggesting that he learned nothing in class was tantamount to branding Tim's teaching as ineffective - a direct affront to Tim's expertise . " Are you suggesting that my teaching is so inadequate that you cannot learn anything ? " Tim's eyes narrowed , a dangerous glint flashing in their depths . " That's not what I meant ! " Leander waved his hand dismissively , his voice smooth . " What I'm saying is , no matter how you teach , I have exhausted what there is to learn ! " " In other words , I have already mastered everything you are teaching ! " The sheer arrogance in Leander's claim was unmistakable . This sentiment was unanimously shared by his classmates . Even Madeline , her lips tightly pressed together and her fists clenched , was at a loss . Despite her top grades potentially giving her a say with Tim , she knew there was no altering Tim's stance now . " Is that so ? Well then , this will be quite simple ." Leander seemed blissfully unaware of the impending threat of expulsion . Instead , he offered a confident smile , his demeanor poised and self - assured . Without a moment's hesitation , he approached the blackboard , seized a piece of chalk , and began to write with swift , decisive strokes . " Hmph , all show and no substance , " Jade scoffed . Even the top students , such as Victor and Madeline , had wrestled with this problem for an entire night without success . How could Leander possibly solve it so quickly ? To her , Leander's performance seemed nothing more than a show , a desperate attempt to preserve his vanishing pride . Victor , uninterested in the spectacle , bowed his head . He focused on solving the problem 3/5 19:21 Sat , Oct 11 Chapter 23 Thirteen Ways to Solve This Problem himself , hoping to earn the admiration of his classmates and perhaps catch Madeline's eye . Tim , arms crossed , watched Leander's activity on the blackboard with thinly veiled skepticism . He was convinced that even the most exceptional students would require at least ten minutes to tackle this problem . Leander's hasty scribbles seemed nothing more than a flurry of random . incoherent marks . Yet , as Tim glanced over , he noticed that Leander had already covered half the blackboard . The initial steps on the board made Tim's eyes widen with disbelief . Tim could not tear his eyes away as his astonishment grew with each passing second . By the end , his expression was one of utter shock . After a minute , Leander paused , casually tossing the remaining piece of chalk into the holder with a perfect arc . " Sir , I'm finished . " Tim , however , appeared not to have heard . His eyes remained glued to the blackboard , filled with incredulity . " How is this possible ? " The blackboard was adorned with neatly organized mathematical notation , formulas , and theorems , flowing with impeccable coherence . Each step was flawlessly interconnected , leading directly to the solution with a clarity that surpassed even Tim's approach . The method was simpler and more direct , cutting through unnecessary complications with a precision that was nothing short of extraordinary . Tim's eyes narrowed as he tried to grasp the situation , unable to find the right words . The classmates who had anticipated Leander's failure were now left stunned into silence . The clarity of Leander's solution had a profound effect , dispelling their previous confusion as though a veil had been lifted to reveal a clear , bright sky . Victor and Jade stood immobilized , stunned into speechlessness . Madeline's eyes , previously shadowed with worry , now sparkled with amazement . Her anxieties were entirely dispelled . Leander turned to Tim , his tone casual and unruffled . " Sir , I have thirteen alternative methods to solve this problem . Would you like me to present them all for you ? " 4/5 19:21 Sat , Oct 11 From Outcast to Overlord The Unyielding Heir