The sun lingered low and bright, an orange weight in the sky. Heat pressed through the streets, driving people into cool bars for lime juice and cold water. Even at Long Yan High School, some students still had classes; they waited for the lesson to start, whispering gossip from one bench to another. The room was filled with rows of benches, a teacher's desk, a huge blackboard, and a fan hanging from the ceiling, providing a comforting breeze against the heat.
"Hey, dude, do you know there's a test today?" a blonde-haired boy in a mask asked with boredom, leaning across the bench toward his neighbor.
"What? There's a test? I didn't know, dude. I haven't studied anything! I'm damn screwed. You'll let me see your paper during the test, right? I don't want to fail," the black-haired boy with a mask said, grabbing his friend's shoulder.
"Damn it, stop grabbing my fucking shoulder," Zack, the long-haired blonde boy, said, narrowing his eyes in annoyance. "I can help you a bit, I guess, but I didn't prepare anything either. I only remembered there was a test this morning when Vinoth mentioned it during PT," he said, smoothing the wrinkles in his shirt. "So don't expect much—we're in the same situation, okay? I didn't study shit."
"Ah, damn. I thought at least you studied, Zack," the black-haired boy said, releasing Zack's shoulder.
"It's not like I knew there would be a test today. So don't fail, Leon... or do fail, haha," Zack chuckled. He went quiet when Leon just looked at him flatly.
"Dude, that wasn't funny."
"Nah, it was pretty funny to me."
Leon gave him the middle finger as he opened his book for a last-minute look.
"Ah, fine, fine," Zack muttered, opening his own book to quickly memorize what he had skimmed the previous night.
Dink, dink—a bell rang and the students stopped gossiping. They all opened their books silently. The door opened, and a purple-haired woman with purple eyes, wearing a white shirt, black pants, a white tie, and a black mask, walked in with a book in her arms.
"Good afternoon, Teacher," the students said as they stood up. The boys wore white shirts with a bird symbol and blue pants; the girls wore the same, but with skirts. Everyone had a mask on their face, except for a few students.
"Good afternoon," the teacher said, smiling slightly. "Everyone, it's time for the test. It is English, covering the previous chapter. I hope everyone studied over the past few days, as I gave you plenty of time to prepare." She placed her books on the wooden desk and started writing questions on the board with chalk.
"Hey, Vinoth, did you study?" a student whispered as he took out a blank sheet of paper.
"Yeah, yeah, I did. Now shut up and let me concentrate," Vinoth said, chuckling at the sight of his classmates panicking. This is why one should always prepare, he thought, grabbing an A4 sheet from his bag.
Mm, this year, the students aren't too bad... at least they listen when a teacher speaks, Morrigan thought as she wrote ten questions on the board. The chalk rustled as students continued to whisper. She turned around and looked at them.
"Silent," she said.
They immediately went quiet, looking at the board with grimaces. She noted the troublemakers as she finished the list.
"Listen up. You have exactly 40 minutes to answer everything. Questions 1, 2, and 3 are 5 marks each. Questions 4, 7, and 8 are 4 marks each. Question 10 is worth 10 marks. The remaining questions—5, 6, and 9—are 2 marks each. That makes a total of 45 marks. You may start writing." She sat at the desk and observed them.
Mm, damn, I know the answer to the first one! I just studied it! Leon thought, rubbing his hand over his head. "Where did Rogue meet Roger, and explain how it happened?" It's from the previous chapter... I know the answer, damn it! He clenched his pen tight.
Mm, well, not bad at least, Morrigan mused to herself. Most of them are focused. Though... I almost want to see them struggle, to see them withstand the pressure and grow from it... Um, bad, bad Morrigan. Why am I having those thoughts? Mm... It's not so bad.
"Wait, I got it! I fucking got it!" Leon grinned as he began to write. "Rogue met Roger when Roger had multiple injuries on his body. Rogue took care of him, then Roger disbanded his crew..."
Ah, if I get at least 7 marks... the pass mark is 25 out of 45... I'm probably going to fail anyway, Leon thought, chuckling sadly. At least Zack will be with me... there's a strange comfort in that. He turned his head to check on his friend, only for his eyes to widen. Zack was writing furiously, filling the page.
Fucking traitor, Leon thought. Zack caught his eye and smirked slightly.
"Leon, what are you doing? Looking at Zack's paper?" the teacher said sternly, holding out her hand. "Did you finish? If so, give me your paper; do not bother others."
"Eh... uh, um, no, Ma'am. I haven't finished yet. I'm finishing now!" Leon said, his voice jumping with panic.
"Fine. Then just write your test. Do not look at anyone else's paper. If I see it happen one more time, I will take your paper regardless of whether you are done. Understand?" she said, narrowing her eyes.
"I understand, Teacher," Leon said, keeping his head down and scribbling as fast as he could.
Mm, just when I thought they were listening... well, just because there is a minority of troublemakers, it shouldn't affect the majority, Morrigan thought. Eventually, students began to submit their papers, including Zack, Vinoth, and finally, Leon.
"Time is up. Hand over your papers," she said, walking around to collect them as the final bell rang. "Quickly now."
She tucked the papers into her book. "Mm... so, who do you have for the next period?"
"Um, Teacher, the next period is Physics," Vinoth said, adjusting his glasses and checking his book to see if his answers were right.
"I see," Morrigan nodded, abandoning any idea of staying to talk.
The students sighed in relief as she prepared to leave.
Ah, well, who would want two periods of the same subject? But at least my class is better than Physics and over quickly, Morrigan thought, chuckling as she walked out. She passed a man entering the room and they nodded to each other.
She entered her office and closed the door, cutting off the noise of the school. The room was dim, lit only by the orange glow of the dying sun hitting the dusty floorboards.
"Mm, I don't have any more classes today. I finished my files and emails this morning... mm, it feels like a routine, honestly." She sat on a steel chair and sighed. Mmm, ha, it is difficult with my nature. I didn't think I would be stuck like this here for years , she thought.