After all of us put the headphones on, Train immediately signal the start of the test. And everyone started seriously answering.
Liam is the same.
Although his confident that he will passed, his goal is not just to passed but section A! He need to make sure he got a high score in both the written and practical skills exam.
He had advantages among these two. That's why he need to make sure he aced these two tests!
Liam can't hear anything. This might made some people panicked and anxious but the silence made him focus more and in answering the test.
The written test were divided into two parts: multiple choice, identification, and essay. The first one was a piece of cake and and while although the second part was a little annoying. This is perfect for him since he basically just memorized everything.
The real problem was the essay. The question is a very common but annoying to answer- 'What can you contribute to our academy?'
Liam sighed and rolled his eyes. My gosh.
Although he thought this, he didn't dare to just write whatever. From what he remember, the headmaster was the one who read every single answer of each student. She patiently graded them herself. And considering the essay is worth 20 points, Liam began to think about the headmaster.
Base on the novel, she's a woman who love people with strong personalities and those who have the guts to continue. But he can't be sure now that a lot of things changed from the novel. But still... if he didn't get anything wrong from the last two, a perfect score will be a good start.
After pondering for 5 minutes, weighing the pros and cons, Liam decided to take a risk.
Hmm... this should be good. He was a little nervous but he do hope the headmaster hasn't been switched out yet.
Liam typed and after putting his answer, a warning notification pop out saying that he still have 15 minutes to changed his answers. He removed the notification and start to go through the test to check if he skipped some questions or if he clicked or answer the wrong thing.
He took his time to ensure that everything is fine, consuming the whole 15 minutes, reading his answers.
After the fifteen minutes, a notification pop out saying the computer will shut off in 5 seconds.
The written exam was finished.
***
There's a thirty minutes break between each test and now, Liam was climbing down the stair with Lorthon. The two of them went from 'strangers to acquaintances to friends and to bestfriend' real quick.
It was all due to Lorthon's effort of trying to talk with Liam. He became a speaking machine after he found out that Liam doesn't like to speak that much and prefer to listen instead. He began blabbering about his childhood, his family, his two dogs, and so on and so forth.
I'm having second thoughts whether to really save this person or not. Liam thought as he try hard not to show a 'please shut the fuck up' face.
He thought about this guy's usefulness and immediately abandon the thought of cutting ties with him.
"So my mother told me that I'm a very blessed person and that I'm loved by nature. I thought it was a lie at first but there was a time that I was playing in the backyard when suddenly the plants started to move on their own and I can see different kinds of light-" he wasn't able to continue when a familiar female voice shouted from afar.
"Where have you been?!" her irritated voice was loud and some of the participants look over.
Liam rolled his eyes. "Upstairs obviously."
His lazy tone made Elisha more irritated.
"You made me wait!" she complained although she just left the room when she caught Liam's figure.
Elisha was about to say more when she saw a brown eyes full of curiosity looking over Liam's shoulder. Elisha was shocked and her body jolted.
"Oh my god! Who are you?!"
Lorthon was also surprised and his eyes widened a little. He didn't speak but look toward Liam instead. Liam look at him and saw his 'please introduce me to your friend' eyes making him sigh. He wanted to clarify that Eli is not his friend but whatever.
"This is Lorthon, we sat next to each other earlier." he introduced Lorthon first.
Elisha was startled. "You mean THAT Lorthon Wayne?! No way!"
Of course, Elisha was also aware about Lorthon's identity. This guy is all over the news after all. Someone like Eli who was active in social media knew a lot about Lorthon for sure.
It might even be more than him because in the novel, the only mentioned was his current situation, his love for Lorelei and the mystery about Lorthon's birth. His status window were not even shown.
Her shouting instantly attracted everyone's attention. Liam slapped her back.
"What are you shouting for? Don't you know anything other than raising your voice and being annoying?"
Elisha was enraged and hit Liam back. Liam didn't dodge but rolled his eyes instead. He's obviously unbothered by Elisha's antics. After days of spending time with this crazy woman, he started to get used to her flying hands.
"Lorthon, this woman is not worth befriending. Let's just skip her." he said in a serious tone making Lorthon really think twice.
He have an 'Is that true?' expression in his face. Liam's mouth twitch at this.
This kid... Is he being bullied because he's too cute? He seriously wondered.
On the other hand, Elisha was stupefied when she saw Lorthon being convinced by Liam's words.
"Are you kidding me?"
***
The two left their exam hall before walking towards Eliana's hall.
"Is it okay?" Liam asked Lorthon.
"Of course!" his face look excited. He's about to make more friends how can he not be okay?
Liam shook his head at this cinnamon roll.
"Are you sure?" Elisha asked worriedly.
"Yes, sister Eli!"
Elisha's heart leaped. So adorable!
Elisha Morris who had never been called sister for her whole life aside from Hannah was very excited as she rambled about Eliana.
"Ahem. Don't worry. Eliana is very kind! You'll like her for sure!"
That's right. These two had already became a family. They've known each other for ten minutes and already called each other so intimately. How scary. Liam thought.
"There she is." he said before waving at Eliana who immediately smile after seeing him.
Eliana walked over them. She wasn't as nervous as before.
"Look's like you had a good time?" Liam teased with a smile.
Eliana chuckled lightly. "As if."
She then greet Elisha, hugging her before glancing at the shy and cautious Lorthon. He was hiding behind Liam again.
She extend a hand on him with a smile.
"Eliana Morris. Lorthon Wayne right?"
Lorthon nodded his head vigorously.
"Yes, yes. It's a pleasure to meet you." his voice is a little awkward and he was hesitant as he slowly reach out his hand to shake Eliana's hand.
Lorthon was so used on being hated that he was very cautious, watching his every move as to not offend the other. Liam wondered what other things made him like this.
Eliana noticed this but didn't say anything. After shaking hands, she turned towards them.
"How's the exam?" she asked the three.
"I think I did pretty good." Elisha boasted. Liam could see her tail rise to the sky. He only shook his head and didn't comment anything else.
"It's fine." he vaguely answered, shrugging.
Eliana then glance at the nervous Lorthon.
"How about you? You think you got a good score?" her smile is kind and her question is natural.
Her gentle tone comfort Lorthon's heart and there was a sense of belongingness.
"I studied really hard so I hope so." he glance at Eliana and saw her still looking so he hurriedly added a few sentences like he wanted to.
"The questions weren't as hard as I expected. I was so nervous at first thinking that I'll definitely fail. But thank god I finished on time and..."
Lorthon started talking more and more as time passes. He was more comfortable now and even teased the two ladies occasionally. He was easy to befriend.
The three of them sat on a bench near the exam hall. The next location of the test will be announced in their badge later.
Twenty minutes already passed and they were getting along well. But Liam is still thinking about the reason behind Lorthon's overly cautious personality. Looking at him right now, he seems to be an extrovert.
Why would they hate him so much?
Just because he's younger and more talented? Is someone in power pulling some strings? Jealousy?
He was thinking of this when he heard the answer. It was a very low whisper that he would have missed if he's not thinking of Lorthon.
"Isn't that Lorthon Wayne? I heard he's into men."
What the fuck??? What 'into men'??? Lorthon is gay???
***