“And if my best means I fail?”
“Then you fail. And you do it again. Many have. Is it such a devastating idea, that you might fail?”
Colin cleared his throat.
Meghan scowled.
“Failing is not the end of the world,” claimed Eddy. “It just means you haven’t learned everything you can yet.”
She nodded, but maintained little confidence that she’d pass. She loathed the idea of failing. There were enough reasons for people to whisper behind her back. Failing the exam would just give them more kindling for the fire.
“By the time your exams are completed, I hope to have located a safe place for us to meet again,” said their uncle.
“Do we have to wait for you to send a leaf first?” asked Colin.
“How about, you send me a leaf when you’re able to come, and I will let you know if it’s safe or not.”
“Okay,” agreed Colin.
Meghan huffed and crossed her arms. “Why are you hiding?” she blurted out. “Sorry,” she spoke quickly, letting her arms fall. “That came out wrong. But why do you have to hide?” It was a question both she and Colin wondered about, but hadn’t dared ask. Eddy went silent. After a long minute, he finally answered.
“There is a ghost out there determined to steal your book, Colin. I don’t want them to track you down, by tracking me down. So yes, in a way I am hiding. But this doesn’t matter today. What does matter are your exams. Put all else out of your minds this week.”
Vague answer, thought Meghan. And it didn’t get by either of the twins that he had specifically looked at Colin, claiming the book was his. Not theirs. He wasn’t telling them everything. Perhaps he was right though, today was not the day.
He pretend hugged the twins, being sure not to really touch them, so they didn’t have to suffer the icy brush of death that came with touching a ghost. He wished them luck and asked them to send along a leaf after each exam, to let him know how it went. They departed, followed as always now, with Timothy flying up overhead, and Nona trotting on the ground below.
THE FIRST EXAM MORNING was chaotic; no one had slept and anxiety was high. Sheila had asked Ivan to escort the foursome to their exams, just to be sure they arrived on time. Even Irving Mochrie went to work late.
“Hard work will pay off!” he told them as they departed, his face stern, but hopeful.
It just made Meghan extra nervous, seeing how seriously everyone took exam day.
Ivan took the lead, commanding them to hurry as they left the Mochrie house. He did not look at, or speak with them, the entire walk.
“What exactly is his deal?” bleated Meghan, watching his smug strut up ahead.
“Ivan, he’s actually quite shy,” answered Mireya. “And, oh, I don’t know... sometimes he’s rather a big turd,” she giggled nervously.
Meghan laughed, which she needed; her nerves were getting the best of her.
Ivan waited at the school entrance, and then made, what the twins believed to be, an effort at a smile.
“Good luck. I am sure you don’t need me to remind you how important this day is.” His eyes grazed Meghan’s, but briskly darted another direction. He promptly sauntered off.
“Does he have friends?” questioned Meghan. “I can’t even fathom who’d take the job.” She couldn’t help but find his actions infuriating.
“Ivan’s a workaholic,” said Jae. “I don’t think friends are high on his list of priorities. Dad loves him for it, but I,” he stopped, the twins waited, but he did not continue on the subject. “We better get inside.”
They were about to enter when an eerie shudder rained down Meghan’s spine. She whisked around, swearing someone was watching her. “What’s new?” she mumbled, shaking it off as nerves.
NOT FAR AWAY, AT THE entrance of the school grounds, Ivan Crane caught his breath and let the branch he’d been peeking through, drop. She’d almost caught him. “No matter,” he whispered with a wry grin. “It’s all too easy really. She’s utterly predictable. Easy to read. She’ll suit just fine, once,” he cut himself off. Meghan’s eyes honed in on his location. His smile faded as he deftly backed away onto the road. Right smack dab into another student.
“Oh, Ivan, excuse me. I didn’t see you there.”
“Um. Hello. Maria.” It came out awkward when he finally did speak. He wasn’t sure how to explain his sudden materialization out of the woods.
She smiled brightly, not even bringing it up. “Lucky you. Already graduated.”
“Yeah, I guess,” he said breathlessly. “You should be too,” he found himself saying. “Or at the least, in graduate level.”
Her cheeks blushed. “That’s very kind of you. But I volunteered to start over.”
“Really? You’re so smart.” He was honestly surprised by her admission.
“Well I did miss two complete school cycles. I spoke about it with my father, and the Banon. She left it up to me in the end. She thought intermediate would be a better place to start over. Maybe it would have, but I’ll get back to the advanced levels soon. Honestly, it’s been nice to do something easy and familiar. And I get to help the younger students too. I enjoy that.”
She would be a great teacher, Ivan thought. Without thinking, he blurted out, “I’m sorry about your mother.” He snapped his mouth shut. It was a terrible thing to bring up. Especially now, right before a test. And so late; her mother had died almost six months ago, after a long battle with an illness.
He wished magic could heal everything. But it wasn’t all powerful. Or all possible. He knew this on a personal level, all too well. He chided himself inwardly for bringing up the subject of her mother. His breath hitched when she grasped his hand and squeezed it compassionately.
How did she always manage to be ridiculously kind? Even after everything she’d gone through, watching her mother succumb to illness.
“You’re a busy guy these days,” she said, letting go of him.
He nodded. But being busy was no excuse to wait so long.
There was a clang from the school that startled them both.
“Guess I’d better get going. Don’t want to be late on exam day.”
“Good luck, Maria. Although I hardly imagine you need it.”
“No. I suppose not. But I’ll take it anyway. Goodbye, Ivan. It was nice to see you.”
He nodded.
She hurried into the school.
He scurried off before he was caught by anyone else.
THEY STEPPED INTO THE school to find the hall abuzz. All students were routed into a small auditorium and organized into their class levels; elementary, junior, advanced and graduate. The trio mouthed good luck to Mireya, who was in junior level, and not expected to pass since it was her first try. Meghan, Colin, and Jae took their seats amongst the beginners.
It had not been so bad being amongst them on their own, but sitting with a group of youngsters, with an average age of eight to eleven, and with most all the other thirteen and fourteen year olds in junior level, they were uncomfortably out of place.
This was not helped by Darcy Scraggs or Dulcy Hadrian loudly taking their seats alongside the other intermediate level students, and sending fake greetings in their direction.
Meghan thought she’d had just about enough with the never ending gawking and staring. “So Jae,” she started, ignoring them. “There are four levels, and once you pass the four, you’re done?”
“Yup.”
“That’s not much, four grades,” she replied.
“It’s not that easy,” he told her. “It takes some students a few tries to pass one level. Everything has to be perfect, or you don’t move on. As you can tell, sometimes it’s a bit like a competition, to see who can get to a higher level the fastest.”
“It doesn’t seem like a fair system,” she mumbled.
He shrugged.
Colin sensed his sister’s nerves tensing and caught onto a real worry: he might go to the next level without her. She might get st
uck behind. With a bunch of kids. How humiliating.
She must be nervous. She’s letting her mind block break. Colin wasn’t sure how to help her. This usually went the other way around, she was helping him.
Jae continued explaining the classes. “It works well, actually. There is a bit of competition, but really, you get to learn at your own pace. Most kids start school around age eight, a few sooner, some later, like Daveena over there.” The trio laughed nervously. “With our traveling schedule though, most kids don’t get to juniors until age eleven or so, and then advanced level around fourteen, and then graduate starts at about sixteen. Ivan was sixteen when he passed graduate, the youngest ever; very smart and spectacular at magic.” He stated it matter-of-factly, not as if he was impressed.
Meghan huffed and jeered. “I suppose, when you’re like Ivan and have NO life, anything would be easier.”
She cast a knowing look to Jae. He grinned and agreed silently.
A bell clanged. The entire auditorium convulsed in unison. The school advisor, Muckle Mauch, asked for silence.
“Today is an important day!” the advisor reminded. “If you have studied hard enough, you will all succeed and move forward. Moving forward should be your highest priority since it leads to full initiation. Without getting through graduate level, you cannot attain full status.”
“What’s he talking about?” sent Meghan to Colin. Curious himself, he threw Jae a questioning look. He leaned in and explained in a whisper.
“Initiation means you have pledged your life to the Svoda, sworn to the Svoda way of life. Mostly ceremonial. But something everyone goes through.”
“Oh,” they answered together.
“Before we begin,” carried on Muckle Mauch, “we have a special guest, who will share a few encouraging words.” A door in the back opened and the crowd squealed as Banon Juliska Nandalia Blackwell strode in. A low murmur whizzed through the students.
“I can’t believe it!”
“She hasn’t come to exam day in ages.”
“This is incredible! I can’t wait to tell my parents!”
The students rose to their feet and vigorously welcomed their leader to the school. The Banon’s eyes swept through the eager young crowd, slowing briefly on Meghan; Colin would have bet his life that he caught the hint of a wink. He knew it had to be true when Meghan dropped her head in attempts to hide a smile. He caught the sensation of something strange in his sister, but couldn’t place it.
Juliska began to speak and the entire school hushed.
“I wanted to come here today and wish you all the best of luck. I realize this is an important day to all of you and your families, and if you have put forth the effort, then you have every right to be proud. I am confident your performances today will prove this.”
It suddenly dawned on Colin what he was feeling from his sister. She had a desire to prove herself to someone.
“That’s not like you,” he sent her. She cocked her head sideways, confused. “Never mind,” he sent back, wondering if it was Juliska Blackwell she was trying to impress. Colin suddenly felt sorry. Here was a woman who was building Meghan’s confidence, not that he personally thought she needed that. But he knew she did not believe in herself, no matter how she came across to anyone else.
“Meghan,” he sent into her mind.
“Yeah,” she sent back, listening to him and Juliska simultaneously.
“You’re going to pass today. We’ve studied all the topics. Besides, if you get stuck you can always ask me, it’s not like anyone would find out.”
She grabbed his hand and squeezed it nervously. Her eyes cried thanks. Colin had never let his sister cheat from him before, and he did not believe she would today, but if she knew he was there for her, maybe she would do better.
Of course, there wasn’t anything he could do to make her perform magic better. On that part of the exam, she was on her own.
The Banon ended her speech and swept out of the room.
“Each class to your test rooms please,” began Muckle Mauch. “Today’s test is a written exam; all you need are your heads. Pre-approved pens and papers are already waiting for you. I should not have to remind you that being caught cheating is an automatic failure.”
The students filed out to their respective rooms. Each student in the elementary class (about twenty students strong), was some form of pale, green, or blue. Teacher Lindy instructed them to all sit down.
“You have three hours to complete each exam today. I remind each of you that during your lunch breaks, in between exams one and two, you are not permitted to discuss your results. You may begin.”
COLIN OPENED HIS EXAM and instantly began writing.
Meghan’s heart thumped heavily, and she daydreamed about telling Juliska she had passed. She opened the exam. It took her until the last minute of the three hours to write out all the appropriate answers and examples required; she checked over the exam hoping she had not overlooked any small details.
Colin and Jae had both finished after two hours, but she had not noticed. Colin sat in the lunchroom, keeping his mind opened to her (just in case), but she came out of the room looking relieved.
“How did you do?” he asked her silently.
“I hope good enough to pass,” she sighed. They all sat quietly, watching as some students came out happy, some angry, and some, downright miserable, even crying.
“If time is up,” whispered Jae, “and you’re not finished, you have to repeat the level.”
Meghan did not realize how close she had been to an automatic failure, by finishing so close to the final hour. At the same time, she felt terrible for the students who had worked so hard and had to go home, failing so early on.
Her nerves came back as lunch ended and the second part was to begin. She had lucked out that morning, but would it happen again? She turned the paper over.
True or false.
Magic used against another person is forbidden. T / F
Give examples based on your above answer, on justifications for using magic on another person. (At least two required)
This is much harder her thoughts betrayed. Colin was already busy writing, but sensed his sister sorting through it.
“I think this is a trick question, because using magic against others is forbidden so the answer is true. But, they want a justified example of an occasion when you can use magic on someone.” After talking it through, Colin sent her a happy sentiment, telling her she was on the right track.
The only time you would be allowed to use magic on another person is to defend yourself, or if you had written permission from the Viancourt, or from the Banon, she wrote.
Colin and Jae were nearly finished, though time was only half used up. They were both confident and kept their focus as they finished. Colin sent a thought to his sister as he got up to depart the room.
“Get back to work and forget about me and Jae, you’re doing great.”
She smiled, took a deep breath, and continued.
Give three specific examples, on why you would need to report the actions of a fellow Svoda.
She choked for a second not sure she understood the question. She heard Colin’s echo.
“Talk your way through it again, like you did before.”
Her brain was hard at work when Teacher Lindy announced, “One hour remaining.”
She needed to hurry.
It all came together.
“This is the Svoda rule of turning in your neighbors if they do something to compromise the Svoda way of life. All I need to do is write down three examples of rules that could be broken. This one’s easy, seeing as Colin and I have already done that,” she said in light-hearted sarcasm.
“Now that you know you can, hurry up. You still have to write it all out, and be thorough,” Colin reminded her, breathing a sigh of relief.
Meghan began scratching her pen across her paper, finishing again, with only minutes to spare. At the end of the day, the twins had never been
so exhausted. But now they had completed day one, they could discuss their tests with each other. Numerous children were going over answers, trying to remember if they had answered correctly.
“I did fine,” said Jae.
Mireya wasn’t so happy; she hadn’t finished her exam. “I’ll be back in junior level again,” she said, sulking.
“Don’t be so hard on yourself,” her brother comforted. “You’re already in junior level and you’re only eleven, that’s really good. Keep it up and you’ll be vying Ivan for his graduation record.”
She hugged him and ran to catch up with her friend.
“How about you guys?” Jae asked as they walked.
“I passed,” said Colin confidently.
“You always do,” scowled Meghan. They both waited for her answer. “I’m not totally sure, but I think I did... good enough.”
“They’ll give us our grades before we move on from Grimble,” said Jae. “Guess we’ll find out soon enough. Don’t get too relaxed though, we still have tomorrow to get through.”
“Ugh,” grunted Meghan. “Tomorrow. I may have lucked out today, but tomorrow I have to actually use magic.”
Even Colin could not help her then. She would be on her own.
The twins sent a leaf to Uncle Eddy before bed, informing him they believed they had passed. The night was long and sleepless again. Chaos ensued once more as morning arrived, and Ivan again escorted them to their exam, day number two.
“Thank you so much, Ivan,” said Sheila. “I didn’t expect to be so busy, but I’m the only one working the library since Martha is out having her baby.”
“It is the least I can do,” replied Ivan, in a moment seeming almost human. “I am forever grateful for your hospitality.”
Sheila patted his shoulder lovingly. Ivan caught Meghan watching him through the corner of her eye; she shifted away. Ivan darted outside, ordering them to hurry.
“How exactly did Ivan come to live with you, again?” asked Meghan while they walked. She wasn’t sure why she even cared.
Fated Fantasy Adventure Page 32
