Chapter 4

4

Rohan and I got on the school bus and headed to school.

"There aren't as many kids on the bus as I thought there would be?"

"……"

"Well, everyone is old enough to have a driver's license, so they probably drive their own cars?"

"……"

"Should we save up some money and buy a car later?"

"……"

I kept asking Liah questions because I was curious and didn't have anyone else to ask, but Liah just kept moving away from me every time I asked a question.

'Well, at least this is a reaction, right?'

It seemed that rebuilding our relationship would take time.

After about 20 minutes, the school bus started to enter the school.

As we passed the outdoor baseball field and entered through the main gate, I could see the school's name.

I recalled the information I had looked up at home.

- Founded: 1869

- Enrollment: Over 1,500 students

- National Ranking: 15,163/18,000

A public high school located in Eastmont, known for its high African American population and crime rate.

'Wasn't the graduation rate supposed to be below 30%?'

It was one of the worst schools in Oakland and California, with low college admission rates and poor math skills, and most students gave up on graduating.

'Maybe it's because of these preconceptions, but the school atmosphere feels as bleak as a prison.'

I got off the school bus and looked around.

A mix of fear and excitement in this new environment.

But with this healthy and strong body, what could possibly go wrong?

'I don't know why I was given this opportunity, but I'll enjoy it to the fullest before I wake up from this dream.'

I headed to the classroom I had pre-identified through the school app.

American high schools were different from the Korean curriculum I had experienced, being closer to a university system.

There were credits required for graduation, and students could choose their own classes to create their schedules.

'Math... I heard American math is easier, is that true?'

Math is the same everywhere, but I heard the pace is much slower compared to Korea, where middle school 1-2 grade content is taught throughout high school.

Anyway, I was so excited to study again after a long time.

In my previous life, I loved attending classes. Since I had a disability, I mostly listened to online lectures, but now I could attend in person!

I couldn't help but smile.

Was my appearance strange?

- Isn't that Rohan? It's been so long since he's been to school.

- Why is he dressed like that? It looks like something his mom bought for him...

- Is he carrying a bag? Is he here to sell drugs??

I could hear the kids whispering about me very clearly.

"Whoa! Sorry, I was just surprised to see you after so long..."

When our eyes met, they all jumped in surprise and slowly backed away.

'...My reputation at school wasn't good, either.'

Well, if I wasn't good at home, why would I be good outside?

I sighed deeply and headed to the math classroom as quietly as possible.

The school was quite large, accommodating almost 2,000 students, so it took me a full 20 minutes to reach the math classroom.

'I found it.'

Just as I was about to open the door to the math classroom, the school announcement system blared.

"……!"

I quickly checked the map on the school app.

'If only the announcement had been a bit earlier!'

After confirming my location, I started running as fast as I could.

Unfortunately, the principal's office was near the main gate, so I had to retrace the 20-minute walk I had just taken.

'Wait... Am I actually pretty fast?'

In my previous life, I didn't have much to compare to since I never ran, but I could feel that my body was very light and I was running very fast.

Ordinary people must enjoy this kind of freedom.

Thinking about my previous life made me sad, but at the same time, I was incredibly happy in this moment.

- What's with that kid? He's running like a maniac.

- He must have been called by the principal. That makes sense, he's here to sell drugs.

- But his physique is insane. Is he from that family...? He's at the level of an athlete, isn't he?

*

"Huff... huff..."

It took me 5 minutes to run the distance that took 20 minutes to walk, and I was quite tense, but when I arrived at the principal's office, there were still about 30 seconds left.

At first, I was a bit out of breath, but I quickly regained my composure.

'Oh, this is what it feels like to have a healthy body.'

In my previous life, I would get tired and give up after just a few turns of my head, so having a healthy body made me realize how happy I could be.

Knock knock –

"Come in."

The stern voice made me tense again. When I opened the door, an elderly man in his 70s, who looked like the famous actor Morgan Freeman, was staring at me.

'While Morgan is more of a dignified gentleman, this person has a more strict and stern vibe.'

"......"

The principal scanned me from head to toe and said in disbelief.

"Really, you actually came. You hardly ever come to school, so what sudden whim made you come to see me?"

"Um... I just came because I was called. I thought it might be a bit troublesome if I got expelled..."

Despite my logical answer, the principal's expression twisted.

"You came because you were called? You don't want to get expelled??"

He seemed more likely to believe I had come to sell drugs.

"I laughed at your mom's call saying you had amnesia, but now that I see you, I have no choice but to believe it."

"......"

'You were a kid who ignored the principal's calls and found expulsion amusing.'

I wanted to maintain Rohan Kim's character, but sometimes I was amazed at how someone could be so messed up.

"Sit down first."

The principal kept rubbing his temples, as if my presence was giving him a headache.

"Our school doesn't expel students unless they go to prison."

"Ah, I see. You give students multiple chances to reform."

"...Most of them end up in prison or drop out on their own. If we expel the few remaining students for lack of attendance or poor grades, the school might not survive."

The principal grumbled about how the already insufficient budget could drastically decrease based on the number of students.

'The historical record of a graduation rate below 30% had such a sad story behind it...'

Out of 1,500 students, 70% end up in prison or drop out. This hellish statistic might mean that the number of 1st graders is more than the combined number of 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders.

"By the way, the school app says I'm a 2nd grader. From what I hear, it seems I haven't been to school much in the past year..."

"Bragging, you little brat."

"...I'm sorry."

"Right, it's a difficult situation to expel you, so why would we hold you back? Just being on the school roster fills your credits, and you can graduate."

"Ah... You must be going through a lot."

"I don't want to hear that from the one who gives me the most headaches."

"......"

We sat awkwardly for a while.

"Are you really suffering from amnesia?"

"...Yes."

"That's a convenient excuse."

The principal still had his doubts but didn't press further.

"Did you forget the debt you owe the school?"

"...You mentioned the budget is tight... Are you trying to scam me, a student with amnesia?"

"Are you not only suffering from amnesia but also a lack of common sense??"

"Ah, I see. I do owe a debt. I'm sorry. I'm in a situation where I have to suspect everyone."

"...Talking to you is giving me a headache, so I'll stop there."

The principal took 4-5 headache pills and swallowed them whole.

"You were admitted to the school on a full athletic scholarship. The amount was quite large, so the maintenance conditions were strict."

"Ah..."

"Does that jog your memory?"

"No."

"...Of course, attendance and average grades are important, but the most important thing is consistently participating in sports activities. You can't control your performance in high school leagues, but attending training and consistently participating in competitions is mandatory."

I understood the principal's words immediately.

"But from my record, it seems I neglected all aspects."

"Talking about it like it's someone else's problem makes me even more upset."

"...I'm sorry."

"Pressuring you feels like bullying a patient, and it pricks my conscience... You're such a cunning kid..."

The principal continued seriously.

"The amount you received as an advance when you enrolled was $20,000. Since you broke the maintenance conditions, you have to pay it all back."

"......!"

"I've already refunded the school fees and textbook subsidies to the city, but you still owe $10,000."

$10,000 is a huge amount, nearly 12 million won. Considering our family's financial situation, it was a much heavier burden than I realized.

"Your mom has been paying it off in installments over the past year. Otherwise, you would have been expelled long ago."

The principal said they don't expel students easily, but not paying the debt is probably illegal.

'Even though I didn't do it, I feel guilty for the extra burden my mom is taking on to get me to graduate.'

'Even a hopeless troublemaker... A parent can't give up on their child.'

I asked the principal respectfully.

"What should I do?"

"...You catch on quickly."

"I don't think you were just giving me a long lecture to make me feel guilty."

"Right. If you start working to meet the minimum scholarship requirements now, I can plead your case to the city council. Maybe the scholarship can be reinstated."

"Minimum scholarship requirements?"

The principal showed me a document.

- Choose one of football, baseball, or basketball and join the varsity team (Varsity: main team participating in high school leagues).

- Maintain an average grade in all subjects (C grade or GED test can be substituted).

I had imagined much stricter conditions, so I sighed in relief after reading the document.

"Pretty easy, right?"

"Right? You can easily join the varsity team in any sport. As long as your name is on the varsity list throughout your enrollment..."

"Ah, I plan to take the GED test. Should I just set a date?"

"...What??"

The principal grabbed his neck in shock, more surprised than when I first came to his office.

"Wait, you're taking the test?? But you have amnesia??"

"Well, I can start studying now. Maybe losing my memory is actually a good thing?"

"Maybe so."

"......"

*

I took the GED test online the next day while the conversation was still fresh.

"......"

The principal let out an incredulous sigh.

"My God..."

American Physical Genius 5