The Reincarnated OP Protagonist Is Now A 3rd Grade Student (Patreon)

Chapter 9: The Determination to Bet on Perfect Attendance

Children's dreams have the 'potential' to change the world.

Chen An firmly believed in this statement because he had seen more than one child dreaming of becoming a hero to save the world.

As for whether the world needed to be plunged into chaos for them to become those heroes, they would just blink their innocent eyes at you and ask, "Can't it be done otherwise?"

He had to thank these human children for only daring to dream without actually taking action. With their skinny limbs, height of less than a meter, and the hurdles presented by their parents, they stumbled upon the incredible dreams they held.

But what if there was a mischievous child who dared to dream, had incredible initiative, and could actually achieve their goals?

"Well, maybe I should try to stop you."

Chen An cracked his knuckles as he walked toward Lu Li. "Although I'm not sure how to deal with you, let's start with a fight. In the world of adults, and especially in the world of children, sometimes strength represents everything."

"My seatmate, why did you do this?"

Lu Li looked at Chen An in shock, "Don't you hate cram school too?"

"Of course, I hate them."

"Then why are you trying to stop me?"

"Because it's quite unfortunate... I grew up too fast. I matured decades ago! Compared to your grievances with tutoring classes, what am I even complaining about? Do you understand how it feels for me to be too mature and not fit in with you elementary school kids?"

"I see, so you want to be my enemy..."

Lu Li pondered for a moment, unslung her backpack, and held it in her right hand. She stared at Chen An, "If you're trying to take away my right to enjoy summer vacation, then I won't just let you be!”

Chen An questioned with a bemused expression, "If you want to enjoy your summer vacation, why don't you talk to your parents? I guarantee that with the determination you have to blow up all the cram schools, your parents will surely comply."

"It's impossible. I've even cried in front of them, but they still act like they're doing it for my own good!"

Lu Li's expression darkened, "I thought we could become friends, but your attitude right now is just like theirs."

"I can guarantee that you'll be grateful to me in the future, as if you're throwing yourself into my arms with gratitude," Chen An said with emphasis, "Because of me, you won't have to go crazy inventing a time machine to erase your middle school delusions!"

Seeing that further conversation might be futile, Lu Li swung her backpack around like a meteor hammer, creating a whooshing sound as it spun rapidly. Chen An relaxed his body, ready to exert his full force at the right moment.

As if responding to their determined spirits, the bell rang out like a boxing arena bell.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Uh... Is that the prep bell?"

After an awkward silence, Lu Li said in a peculiar tone, "We're on the rooftop now. If we run a bit faster, we should be able to get back to the classroom before the official class bell rings."

"And so what?"

Chen An tilted his head slightly, puzzled, "I've already made the 'determination' to stop you here no matter what, even if it means—I'll reset my three years of perfect attendance today."

"But if we do that, I'll lose my perfect attendance!"

Setting down her meteor hammer, Lu Li asked in a negotiating tone, "Can we call a temporary truce? We'll have another match after school? I can't afford to lose my perfect attendance record."

"You dare blow up cram school and you're afraid of losing perfect attendance?!"

Chen An looked in astonishment at the now spiritless Lu Li.

"You don't understand. For someone who's not good at studying, perfect attendance is incredibly important! It's the only award I can earn based on my own efforts!"

Looking at the passionate girl, Chen An was even more dumbfounded, "You dare steal explosives from bank robbers, yet you're afraid of losing a perfect attendance award?"

"Who cares about those awards? I want the prizes!"

Lu Li clenched her fist and said, "The prize! that notebook with a faint scent of ink, tied with a little red silk ribbon, and that certificate! I can't lose it, really can't!"

"..."

After hesitating for a while, Chen An silently stepped aside. Lu Li thanked him excitedly and then rushed downstairs in a panic.

Watching the black hem of her skirt disappear before him, Chen An couldn't help but sigh and rub his forehead.

"You just let her go like that?"

The system, which had been observing with interest, jumped down from his shoulder, puzzled. "This doesn't seem like your style. According to your style, you should..."

"I should have taken this opportunity to threaten her to give up her bombing plan."

Chen An shook his head. "That was indeed my initial plan, but I gave up on it because I thought the chances of success were low. After all, what's more important to her, the perfect attendance award or enjoying summer vacation? She should be able to weigh that. Threatening her with perfect attendance would only increase her dislike for me, and that would lower the success rate of convincing her to give up the plan."

"So, what now?"

The system asked in confusion, "Continue learning ground-subduing techniques?"

"What else can I do?"

The elementary school student waved his hand dismissively, "After school, I'll just go report this matter to the police. Yeah, that's the plan! When I think about it, even if I become really strong and master those ground-subduing techniques, I still won't be able to—fight better than her parents, that is."