I was a top student in America.

"Finally, I've raised my intelligence to 120."

Looking at the new information that appeared before him, Li Ao breathed a sigh of relief, a hint of joy in his eyes.

The so-called "model analysis" is to simplify complex problems, summarize them into models, and thus see through their internal operating rules.

This is significant in both math competitions and academic research.

Li Ao immediately thought of the research project he had just finished: the two-dimensional discrete averaging problem of convex functions.

If we had known about the term "model analysis" earlier, many steps would have been much clearer.

For example, the two-dimensional weight structure can be broken down, transforming the high-order problem into a controllable low-order module, and then establishing an equivalence relationship between the average on the continuous convex hull and the finite support measure.

That would save a lot of effort.

However, it's not too late now; it's a good time to complete the final proof and sort out the structure of the paper.

As his thoughts raced, he glanced at the system panel again.

Name: Li Ao

Identity: 11th-grade high school student

Power: 115.9

Agility: 116.7

Stamina: 117.5

Intelligence: 120.0

Reputation: 102.3

Keywords: [Explosive power], [Muscle control], [Muscle memory], [Rapid reaction], [Deep sleep], [Endurance], [Applying knowledge to new situations], [Abstract thinking], [Model analysis], [Clear expression]

"First, I'll finish revising the proof for the research topic. The rest of the time will be dedicated to preparing for the IMO and striving for a perfect score."

Mathematics is now his strongest asset, and if he can't demonstrate it on the international stage of the IMO, all his previous efforts will be somewhat wasted.

Once he made up his mind, he immediately laid out his schedule in his head.

……

October 7, Wednesday.

Annam, Hanoi.

In the evening, in the hotel conference room designated by the IMO organizers, Li Ao pushed open the door, carrying several stacks of lecture notes and a kettle.

Kevin and Michael were already inside, engrossed in doing practice problems.

The schedule before the start of the competition was not too tight, and the teams basically went back and forth between the hotel and the conference center.

The American team temporarily occupied a public study room, and the pile of draft paper on the table was the "spoils" of their two nights of staying up late.

"Leo, you're here early today. Planning to cram before the exam?"

We've been hanging out together from morning till night lately, and we've gotten along quite well.

Seeing him enter, Mai greeted him casually with a smile. Before he could reply, Mai pulled a test paper from the table and handed it to him. "Perfect timing. I just got a set of combinatorial math materials from a guy on the Canadian team that they use for training. They're all new questions. Want to take a look?"

"Thanks." Li Ao reached out and took the test paper, pulled out a chair and sat down. "But I don't plan to do any practice questions tonight."

"You didn't take on another new research project from some professor, did you? That's crazy." Michael raised an eyebrow.

Having spent the last few days with Li Ao, he had witnessed firsthand the extent of Li Ao's abnormality, but even so, it was still somewhat unbelievable.

With the official competition just two days away, most people would need to practice coding problems to maintain their skills.

This guy just finished his last project less than two days ago, and he's already not planning to do any more coding problems?

Kevin, sitting opposite him, seemed unfazed. He put down his pen and casually started a gossip: "By the way, have you heard? This year, a remarkable guy has emerged in the German team, named Peter Schulz. He's already participated in the IMO three times, winning a silver medal in 04, gold medals in 05 and 06, and now he's back again this year."

"I've heard of him, he's a complete monster," Michael chimed in. "Apparently, even their coach admitted that his skill level, like Leo's, is far beyond what high school teachers can teach him."

Before this, everyone thought Li Aoqiang was ridiculously strong, but now that the German team has produced a formidable player with four consecutive championships, there's a real sense of tension and rivalry.

It remains to be seen whether Li Ao, who is participating for the first time, can go toe-to-toe with such a prodigy.

Listening to the two rambling on and on, Li Ao smiled helplessly and quickly steered the conversation back on track:

"What are you thinking? I haven't even finished my paper for my last project yet. I'm not doing practice problems today because I need to prepare for tomorrow's international forum."

As he spoke, he patted the few pages of his prepared speech that he had brought.

"You scared me! I knew it! We're about to go to the battlefield, how could you possibly have the mind to work on new projects?" Michael breathed a sigh of relief.

Kevin was completely confused: "What's a forum?"

"It's a warm-up event before tomorrow's IMO opening ceremony. A few contestants will be invited to the stage to explain some problems," Li Ao explained. "Mr. Miller specifically asked me to represent the United States team."

"That's it? With your level, you could just find a difficult problem and talk about it. Why would you need to do special homework?" Kevin looked surprised.

"My task is a bit special," Li Ao said, shrugging. "Besides explaining the problems, I also have to give a speech on behalf of all the contestants, talking about topics like 'a love for mathematics.' It's a full thirty minutes, and I have to speak entirely without notes."

"Really? That's quite a show of force, Li Ao!" Kevin couldn't help but exclaim when he heard about it for the first time.

Michael nodded in deep agreement: "That definitely requires advance preparation. Given Mr. Miller's meticulous nature, he'll probably personally review every word for you and won't let you improvise."

"Brother, you're really making everyone envious. After your speech at the opening ceremony tomorrow, you'll definitely be the star of this competition," he exclaimed sincerely.

Michael was envious, but when he thought about Li Ao's overwhelmingly superior mathematical ability, he felt better.

Actually, Li Ao hadn't originally planned to bring this up; he simply didn't want to provoke his teammates any further.

If they knew that they could get an extra $1,000 in special allowance from Professor Miller for speaking on stage, those two would probably break down on the spot.

These past few days have been a crucial period for adapting to the venue, and the nerves of the teams from all countries are on edge. They are going back to their rooms to rest later and later, and some are even staying up all night in the study room.

That fierce determination to intensify was even more exaggerated than during the domestic training camp.

Li Ao and his group were no exception.

The group worked on their problems until late at night, and finally went back to their rooms at Daniel's suggestion.

Although Li Ao was still clear-headed and showed no signs of fatigue.

……

the next day.

In a conference room at the National Convention Center in Hanoi, Professor Jason, the team leader of the U.S. national team, had just finished a meeting of the evaluation committee and then called over Coach Carlson and Professor Philip.

"Carlson, how's the translation of the question coming along?" Jason asked first.

According to IMO practice, each participating country submits candidate questions to the host country, and then the host country's evaluation committee selects preliminary questions. After the team leaders arrive, the judging panel composed of team leaders votes to select the final six competition questions.

Subsequently, each team leader must translate the English version of the test paper into their native language under strict confidentiality.

During this period, to prevent leaks of exam questions, team leaders from each country are strictly prohibited from contacting the contestants.

Therefore, the team leaders from dozens of countries in the conference room were all "locked" in place at this moment.

"The translation work is finished. However, this topic was indeed quite difficult."

Carlson pulled out a few sheets of draft paper from the folder and handed them over.

Professor Philip, who was standing nearby, glanced at the question on the paper and nodded in agreement.

"Carlson's concerns are valid. Given the difficulty and calculation of this set of questions, let alone finishing three in four and a half hours, just solving one completely would be a miracle," Philip suggested. "Should we give some feedback to the assessment committee? It's so difficult; it's really damaging to the children's confidence."

When they first received the exam papers, they felt that the difficulty level was too high, especially the final two questions on each day of the exam – the third and sixth questions.

Most contestants probably won't even be able to find a starting point and will have to submit a blank paper.

After listening to their concerns, Jason did not panic; instead, he appeared resolute.

It's hard to say what the situation is with the other people in the team, but he knows Li Ao's background very well.

His performance in the training camp and the paper he has already submitted are enough to prove his unreasonable problem-solving ability.

Even if they don't get a perfect score at this IMO, it's a sure thing that they'll be in the top tier.

"Wouldn't it be better if the questions were more difficult? That way, the difference in scores can be created. It would be boring if everyone got full marks."

"Is that right, Professor Jason, my old friend?"

A male voice with a heavy German accent suddenly interrupted.

Everyone turned to look, and the person who came was Professor Müller, the leader of the German team.

"The more difficult the questions, the better it is for our Peter Schulz. In this IMO, the German team may not be able to beat the United States in total score, nor can it match China and the United States, but we are determined to get the highest individual score this time."

Professor Muller smiled provocatively. "Professor Jensen, how about we make a bet? I've heard you always carry top-quality Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee beans with you..."

"Schultz? You mean that young guy on your team who's participating for the fourth time?" Jason laughed. "I'll take the bet. So, what are you offering as your bargaining chip?"

"Okay. If I lose, I'll treat your whole team to seafood in Hanoi, you can choose any place you like. But I've seen your roster this year: five inexperienced rookies, plus last year's gold medalist who came in last place. You're not even in Peter's league. He was a perfect scorer last year. Are you sure you want to bet?"

"I know my own students' level perfectly well," Jason replied unhurriedly. "Professor Mueller, don't worry about your wallet later."

Carlson, standing to the side, rolled his eyes and couldn't help but mutter to himself:

They haven't even agreed to go to the University of Chicago yet, it's not even close to happening, how could they become your student...?

……