A Beauty With Multiple Masks
All the students in the preparatory class were unnerved by the severity of Donovan‘s expression, so
much so that even Arielle roused groggily upon sensing the unusual nature of the atmosphere around
her.
She thought she ought to look into her own supplementary needs, considering how easily she dozed off
after her arrival.
“I‘ve stressed prior to the commencement of this examination how important it is. However, I‘ve avoided
going into the specifics before as I was wary of how it might affect your frame of mind going in. Now that
the exams are over, it’s time to let all of you in on it,” Donovan explained.
“What‘s this about, Mr. Baxter?” the student who shared tables with Wendy could not help but ask.
Donovan acknowledged that with a nod before he cut to the chase. “Although you’ve been told that this
exam is our monthly test, it is, in fact, an exercise for early recruitment initiated by Maxwell University.
There are six places made available to students from our school, with five of them allotted to the
preparatory class and one going to the normal classes. The principal and I were unanimous that the
places should be awarded to the students who come in ranking in the top five during this round of
examinations. Consequently, whoever comes out ahead will have the opportunity to undertake the
admissions test for Maxwell University at the end of the month.”
That drew a collective gasp from the students.
“I would have spent more time doing my revision had I known earlier.”
“Me too. I felt that I haven’t been at my best this time.”
“You can‘t put it that way. Had Mr. Baxter told us about this before, I might have been so nervous that I
wouldn‘t be able to concentrate on the papers at all.”
“It looks like I won’t be getting myself a ticket to Maxwell University‘s admissions test this time.”
Wendy‘s lips curled up wryly when she heard the remarks made amidst those discussions.
As she was the only one in class who received a heads up from Donovan, it proved that even Donovan
himself thought that she was the most outstanding student with the best character profile.
“Ahem!”
Donovan cleared his throat, which had the immediate effect of quieting down the class.
He waited until everyone had settled before he continued, “It‘s okay if you didn’t manage to earn any of
the slots this time around, as Maxwell University will be giving all of you another opportunity to try again
in the second half of the year. However, that would be an examination conducted on a worldwide scale.
The content that you‘ll be tested on would also be much broader, and what I‘ll be covering in class will be
tailored toward that accordingly. You don’t have to be
too worried as all of you will get a crack at it. For those who managed to receive a slot this time, make
the most of your time to prepare for the upcoming test. Come by my office after school today and get the
material I‘ve specially prepared in advance for you.”
The students then exhaled in unison. Some out of nervousness, some out of lamentation, but most were
in anticipation.
Their goal for joining the preparatory class was to get themselves into Maxwell University, for failure to do
so would see them transferred to the normal classes in the coming year.
“Alright, that‘s all we have for the side topics. Coming up, we‘ll begin to go over the content of this past
paper. So have your own copies at the ready, all of you,” said Donovan as he went into his lesson proper.
At the same time, Arthur also had the results put up on the bulletin board where it drew the curious
gazes of passing students who were not from the preparatory class and stopped to look.
“I heard that the papers for the preparatory class were extremely tough!”
“Of course! They were handpicked from amongst the best, the crème de la crème. But us students from
the normal classes are also able to sign up for the night exams, or so it was said.”
“Night exams? The hell‘s that?”
“Don‘t you know that Maxwell University will be allotting six advanced places to participate in their
admissions test this time? The normal classes will only be receiving one slot. If you register now, you‘d
be able to take part in the exams to compete for that slot in the evening.
“Oh, it’s Maxwell University. I’m majoring in arts, so the admissions to Maxwell University doesn’t really
concern us.”
While the students chatted amongst themselves, they began to flock toward the bulletin board as they
were eager to see which were the five lucky enough to be headed for exposure at Maxwell University.
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