Chapter 33: Written Testing (1)

Chapter 33: Written Testing (1)

There were three phases to the assessment. A written test of knowledge, a physical test of combat abilities and spellcasting, and an oral interview. The interview was the final phase, with the order of the first two phases being random.

For the groups who had arrived earlier, including Xerxes fellows, the order of testing was determined by lots. Xerxes was hoping that his combat and spellcasting test would come first, as that was his strong suit. Hed rather go into the assessment with a bang and make a big impression, than start out with his weak point: book knowledge.

When the lots were cast after the dinner hour, his scalp tightened when he saw he was scheduled for the first round of written testing on Firstday, with combat and spellcasting being tested on Thirdday.

He hardly registered anything around him as he trudged from the dining hall back to the dorms.

I cant believe this, he said, flopping down onto his bed. Our group arrived fourth! I thought for sure that meant wed have a couple of days to study during the week.

Gandash sat at his study desk, which looked smaller than ever covered with books and papers. It was quite a contrast to Xerxes desk, which seemed emptier than a torrent valley in the dry season.

I told you something like this was going to happen, Gandash said. What were you doing all afternoon? Training?

Yeah.

Hope it was worth it.

Xerxes opened his mouth to fire off a retort, but no words came. He closed his mouth.

Gandash sighed. We have a couple of hours before lights out. Why dont we review together?

Groaning, Xerxes sat up. Yeah, I probably should. But review what? Do you have any idea whats going to be on the test?Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

Nobody knows that. From what Ive heard, though, the topics from the recent lectures and training exercises are all going to have test questions. Which one do you think is your weakest?

All of them?

Gandash laughed, then turned in his chair and grabbed a book. Lets start with starsea geography. Thats definitely not your strong suit.

Xerxes groaned again.

Gandash flipped open the book. Okay, they definitely talked about the breakdown of the empire itself. For instance, the Major Artery Gateways. How many of them were disabled, cutting off the passageways to the Nightmare Cove?

Xerxes licked his lips. Three?

Gandash looked up at him with a deadpan expression.

Greater Empathics and Minor Stellar Inkling!

Bingo!

See, Im not completely hopeless.

Another hour passed.

Gandash yawned. You getting sleepy yet?

No way. Lets keep going.

Okay, but its not smart to go into a test without a good nights sleep. He glanced at the timepiece above the door. Id say we have about another hour.

Shortly thereafter, the toll of a bell announced lights out time had arrived. They dutifully turned the main lamps out. But as was a custom among students everywhere, they threw a blanket to the base of the door to block the light, and kept studying with candles.

They moved on to battlefield tactics, then did a quick review of basic history, before Gandash finally said he was too tired to continue.

Night, Gandy, Xerxes said. Thanks for the help.

Sure thing, Xerk. See you in the morning.

Xerxes blew his candle out, lay his head on his pillow, and looked up at the ceiling. All of a sudden, he realized he hadnt thought about Katayoun for almost the entire afternoon. Now, she filled his mind; her hair, her eyes, her voice.

Dammit, Im never going to be able to fall asleep now, he thought. Two minutes later, he was snoring.

The following morning after breakfast, he climbed the stairs to the second floor of the main wing of the school, where most of the classrooms were located. There were a few other Seers already waiting outside of classroom 2-E, which was the test location.

He was still behind on learning names, but he recognized most faces. Not a single one was from Humusi. More mages arrived after him, and then a teacher let them in.

Make sure you have at least three desks between each of you, the teacher said.

When they were situated, the teacher passed out wax tablets and wooden styluses to the test-takers.

The first portion of the test is multiple choice. Record your answers on the tablet. Youll have one hour. When you finish, close the tablet and put your stylus down, then wait for the second phase of the test. In a moment, Ill pass out the test questions. Dont break the seal until I announce the official start of the test.

With that, the teacher passed out a sealed scroll to each student.

Begin, the teacher said.