Chapter 252
Mira took the card. “Don’t think about anything else right now. Just focus on your exams tomorrow.
I’ll set up a job for you over the winter break p>
“Thank you. Thank you so much p>
Tears slipped down Elara’s cheeks as she spoke.
“Alright, it’s okay. You’ve missed a few days, so hurry up and review your notes. Get your things ready for tomorrow p>
After Elara left, Rachel turned to Mira.
“What kind of job are you planning to give Elara for the winter break p>
“The steakhouse is going to be slammed during the holidays, and the pay there is great. I’ll have her help out over there p>
“But won’t she need to take care of her father?” Rachel asked.
“That’s true. It all depends on how she manages her schedule p>
The next day marked the start of their final exams. Mira intentionally cut her morning martial arts routine short by half an hour so she would have plenty of time before arriving at school.
Even though it was only the end of the first semester, this round of testing was a full- scale simulation of the national college entrance exams.
Not only were the questions styled after the national exams, but the testing environment and the invigilators were all held to the exact same rigorous standards.
Once the grades were finalized, the results would be ranked across the entire state, pitting schools directly against one another.
“Mira, did you check the Melvion Central High School forum? A ton of students are calling you out.
Even kids from other schools want to challenge your spot at the top p>
The moment Mira stepped onto campus, Liora Bennett practically glued herself to her side, her mouth running a mile a minute.
Mira smiled faintly. “It’s just finals. I’ll just do my best p>
“But what if you slip up? You won’t be able to hold onto first place p>
“Then I lose it. No one stays in first place forever. I’ll just work harder next semester. I’m not going to stress over it p>
“Alright, you definitely have a great mindset p>
Honestly, scoring over seven hundred was usually enough to clinch first place at
Melvion Central High School, but claiming the top spot in the entire state required
more than just breaking the seven-hundred mark.
Every year during the national exams, out of hundreds of thousands of candidates in the state more than fifty students in both the humanities and sciences would score above seven hundred.
Because of that fierce competition, Mira genuinely couldn’t guarantee that she would come out on top.
The first session was Literature, as per tradition.
It was time to enter the exam room
Even though they were testing at
their own school the vigilators had
all been brought in from other
districts.
Thanks to Mr. Harth’s intensive coaching over the past semester, Mira was confident
that her performance on the Literature paper would be top-tier.
She was especially aiming for a perfect score on the creative essay portion.
The exam ran from 9:00 to 11:30 AM. After finishing the paper and double-checking
her answers thoroughly, the bell rang to hand it in.
Once outside, Cara Dawson sought Mira out to compare answers, but Mira politely declined. “Now that this subject is over, just let it go. We should focus on reviewing for the next one.
A little last-minute cramming never hurts p>
“You’re right. I just couldn’t help myself p>
The Department of Education had orchestrated this drill with the best intentions, and
as students, their job was to fully cooperate.
The afternoon session was Math. While waiting for Liora and the others, Mira
mentally reviewed the formulas she usually stumbled on.
“Mira! You’re Mira Mercer p>
She glanced up to see a stranger. Judging by the woman’s age-mid-twenties—she
was likely one of the visiting invigilators.
“My name is Jane Vance. I’m a huge fan of yours! I love your music. Could I get your autograph p>
Jane Vance? That name sounded remarkably familiar.
“Of course. You’re a teacher, right p>
Mira pulled out a pen and asked while signing her name.
“Yes, I teach senior year math over at St. Jude’s Academy.
When are you releasing new music p>
“Probably sometime after the new year.
As you know, I’m a senior, so my schedule is pretty packed right now p>
“That makes sense. If you aren’t planning to become a full-time artist, then speaking
as an educator, I’d also advise you to focus on your studies.
Everything else can wait until after the national exams p>