The Reincarnated Science Whiz

Chapter 16: Training

Camp The top 30 contestants with the highest scores were invited by the Huaxia Mathematical Society to join the Huaxia national training team for the International Mathematical Olympiad. As a result, they—along with the other contestants—would have to spend some time in Beijing. The news that Qin Yuanqing had won the gold medal at the CMO was also featured for 10 seconds on the *News Broadcast* that same day. As the highest-level, largest-scale, and most influential math competition for Huaxia high school students, the CMO attracts significant attention—enough to make it onto CCTV’s *News Broadcast*. When the news reached Jinpu No. 1 High School, the entire school went wild. It caught the attention not only of high-ranking county officials but even municipal officials, as this was the first time a student from Shuixian City had won a gold medal at the CMO. The media rushed to interview Qin Yuanqing’s classmates, teachers, and principal, and even traveled to Qinjia Village to speak with his parents, family members, and fellow villagers. Overnight, Qin Yuanqing became a celebrity in Shuixian City, the talk of the town. Even the students’ parents had come to realize that, having won a gold medal at the CMO, Qin Yuanqing could choose between Shuimu University and Yan Da University at will. He instantly became the “model child” parents spoke of, and countless students were filled with envy. Not long after Qin Yuanqing arrived in Beijing, the Yan Da University Admissions Office contacted him and once again extended a clear invitation, hoping he would sign with Yan Da University and become one of their special admissions students. “Qin Yuanqing, our Yan’an University Department of Mathematics ranks number one in the country. While certain institutions may be just a street away from us, their cultural heritage and strength in the sciences fall far short—by more than eight streets. They merely train highly skilled technical workers, whereas we at Yan’an University cultivate academic masters,” the head of Yan’an University’s admissions office declared with conviction. “Yan’an University is absolutely your best choice. You won’t regret choosing us!” Qin Yuanqing took a sip of water and looked pensive. Just as this admissions director, “Chen Lin,” had said, Huaxia’s best mathematics program was at Yan Da University; Yan’an University’s Department of Mathematics was truly the undisputed leader in the country, holding a pivotal position. Although Yan’an University’s Department of Mathematics didn’t rank in the top ten globally, it was still ranked 18th, whereas Shuimu University’s Department of Mathematics was ranked 50th—even lower than Fudan University, whose Department of Mathematics held the 22nd spot in the world rankings. If he were to choose the Department of Mathematics at Yan Da University, it would indeed be the best option in China. But who says he has to choose the Department of Mathematics!? Besides, just as he’d considered before, since he could get into Yan Da through the college entrance exam, why would he take the special admissions route? He can clearly make a living with his talent—why should he have to rely on his looks? He hates “pretty boy” types the most—if he chose the special admissions track, wouldn’t he just become one of them? “Director Chen, I appreciate your kindness, but I can’t sign a contract with Yan Da University. I haven’t decided which university to attend yet,” Qin Yuanqing said. “I’ll take the college entrance exam, and once my scores are out, I’ll choose which university to attend!” “Qin Yuanqing, as long as you agree to sign with Yan Da University and become a special admissions student, you won’t even need to take the college entrance exam. And you don’t have to choose the Department of Mathematics at Yan Da—you can pick any major you want,” Chen Lin hurriedly said. “The college entrance exam is risky. Sometimes, if you don’t perform well, then…” Chen Lin’s meaning was clear: if he didn’t perform well, it would be too late to regret it. “My mind is made up, Director Chen. Please don’t try to persuade me any further!” Qin Yuanqing said. Perhaps influenced by his past life, Qin Yuanqing didn’t actually have much regard for Shuimu University or Yan Da. As people often said online, too many students from those universities went abroad to study—and most of them stayed overseas. It always felt as though they were training talent for foreign countries. This fact weighed heavily on Qin Yuanqing’s mind. Studying abroad is fine, but the key is to come back. Huaxia is our motherland—it’s where our roots lie! Although he wasn’t one to spout mindless criticism, that phenomenon was indeed distressing. Perhaps some might counter by pointing out this or that shortcoming in the country today, but if there are problems, we should work hard to solve them—not run away from them. If no one takes action and everyone just waits for others to fix things, then what’s the point of having them at all? Qin Yuanqing lived right at the headquarters of the Huaxia Mathematical Society; aside from a change of clothes, his suitcase contained nothing but books. This session of the National Mathematical Olympiad training camp has a total of 30 participants. They will undergo a fifteen-day training program, after which the six most outstanding students will be selected to form the National Mathematical Olympiad Team to represent Huaxia at the IMO. The IMO will be held in March 2009! In previous years, it was always held in July, but in 2009, to commemorate a renowned mathematician, the date was specifically chosen as March 15. This time, they’ll undergo a 15-day training camp here. Once this semester ends, they’ll resume training, with only seven days set aside for the team members to celebrate the Spring Festival. After that, they’ll begin another training camp on March 1, continuing until they finally depart for Germany to compete. Three training sessions! As for time off for the training camps, the school has, of course, granted special approval! Since Huaxia first participated in the IMO in 1985, the team has competed in 23 editions and won the overall championship 13 times—a truly impressive record. In recent years, in particular, they have been among the top contenders for the title. In the dormitory building, there’s a small cafeteria on the first floor, with dorm rooms on the second floor and above. The dorm rooms are double occupancy, each equipped with a set of bunk beds. They feature private bathrooms, balconies, water heaters, air conditioning, wardrobes, and computer desks. The entire building has broadband internet, and it’s equipped with virtually all the necessary amenities, making it quite comfortable to live in. Although they are double rooms, since there are female competitors, Qin Yuanqing has a room all to himself. As soon as each competitor arrived at the Math Building, someone helped them set up a meal card. With this card, they could eat and drink whatever they wanted at the cafeteria downstairs. Qin Yuanqing hung his clothes in the closet and moved the books from his suitcase onto the desk; aside from a few copies of the college entrance exam syllabus and summaries of key concepts, the rest were all math textbooks. Qin Yuanqing went downstairs for a meal, then stayed in the dorm to read; the intensive training wouldn’t officially begin until tomorrow. Host: Qin Yuanqing Age: 18 IQ: 165 Emotional Intelligence: 100 Subjects: Chinese: Level 5 (30,000/1,000,000) Math: Level 8 (0/1,000,000,000) English: Level Physics: Level 5 (90,000/1,000,000) Chemistry: Level 5 (70,000/1,000,000) Biology: Level 5 (50,000/1,000,000) Physical Fitness: Level 1 (0/100) Now let’s look at the Study Coins—there are a full 3,000 of them. The task bar also lists three tasks: “Quest 1: Rank 1st in the city on the college entrance exam; reward: 500 Study Coins.” “Quest 2: Win an individual gold medal at the IMO to receive 3,000 Study Coins.” “Task 3: Win a team gold medal at the IMO to earn 3,000 Study Coins.” In the beginner system, there are only three tasks, and a new task only appears after one has been completed. Just like Task 1—it’s been sitting there, lifeless and motionless, precisely because it won’t go away until it’s completed. Early the next morning at 8:00 a. m. , 30 contestants gathered at the meeting point right on time. Their young faces still bore traces of childishness, yet they appeared more mature than most high school students. Of the thirty team members, nine were girls and twenty-one were boys, with the boys holding an overwhelming majority. Mathematics relies on natural talent and emphasizes logical thinking, areas in which girls are at a disadvantage compared to boys. Furthermore, without exception, all the members of this year’s team were science majors; not a single one was a humanities major. “Ladies and gentlemen, congratulations on joining the IMO training team!” the team leader said, looking out at the group. “However, you should know that only six members are selected for the national Olympic team each year. This means that 24 of you will be eliminated over the course of the next half-month!” “The rules are simple: there will be an exam every five days, and the six students with the highest cumulative scores will be selected for the Huaxia national team. They will represent Huaxia in Germany to compete in the IMO, going head-to-head with geniuses from over a hundred other countries!” The team leader scanned the group. “You should all understand the significance and weight of the IMO. Yes, the International Mathematical Olympiad—it’s the Olympics of the mathematical world!” “The six who are ultimately selected will shoulder the mission of bringing honor to our country and will enjoy unparalleled glory,” the team leader said. “If you want to become a member of the National Olympic Team, give it your all over the next half a month!” Upon hearing this, the crowd’s blood began to boil, and one by one, they clenched their fists. Bringing honor to Huaxia—this is what every Huaxia person dreams of. Just look at those athletes at the Olympics, giving their all against foreign competitors to win a gold medal—isn’t that exactly what they’re doing to bring honor to Huaxia?