Chapter 81: Unhinged
Half an hour later, the tests started. All the classrooms went quiet as everyone settled into their seats, watching as the teacher came in, followed by an assistant carrying a stack of test papers. The tension in the room was palpable as the teacher placed the papers on the desk and addressed the class.
"Good morning, everyone. I hope you’ve all prepared adequately. Remember, this test will contribute significantly to your final grades, so take it seriously."
The assistant began distributing the papers, the faint rustle breaking the silence. Eira glanced at Cyran, who gave her a small, encouraging nod before focusing on his own desk. Malia, seated in front of Cyran, was already tapping her pencil nervously against the table.
Eira flashed a small smile at the assistant as the paper was placed in front of her. Then her gaze went to it. Their first subject was English.
Typical.
Her eyes scanned the questions, and a sense of calm settled over her. She had prepared for this, even if her mind felt distracted by everything that had happened.
The assistant passed out the test papers until all the students had one, and then the tests commenced.
The silence in the room deepened as everyone began writing. The only sounds were the scratching of pencils and the occasional cough. Eira focused on the test paper in front of her.
The questions were a mix of essay prompts, comprehension passages, and grammar corrections. Eira’s hand moved steadily as she wrote, her thoughts flowing smoothly. She had spent enough nights revising for this to feel confident, even if the pressure of exams always loomed.
Halfway through the test, she glanced up briefly. Cyran was hunched over his desk, his brow furrowed in concentration. Malia, on the other hand, looked like she was waging an internal battle with every question. Eira resisted the urge to smile; in Ephyra’s memories, Malia always pulled through, even if her dramatic tendencies made it seem like the world was ending.
Eira’s pen paused at an essay prompt: