Time spun backward like an uncontrollable wheel, leaving only a few minutes left before the exam ended. The atmosphere of the classroom was filled with tension.
Standing tall and commanding at the front of the class, Mr. Pope grinned and had piercing eyes. "Five minutes left, guys..." he said, his voice resonating across the otherwise still classroom. "Make sure you have answered all the questions carefully and precisely."
Hearing the warning, the whole classroom came alive. Students worked swiftly, with some returning to their exams to correct any errors they may have made. Others, putting up every effort to cope with it, were still busy trying to solve the last remaining question.
Alvin, with his eyes focused and his heart racing glanced at his open exam paper on the table. The pen ink bore traces of the answers he had given, but a sense of doubt still plagued his mind. Had he answered all the questions correctly? Had he missed something important?
Time flew by in an instant. As the seconds ticked by in a relentless fashion, Mr. Pope's voice resounded throughout the classroom as he eventually proclaimed, "Three... two... one..."
Then, as if by magic, the exam papers and other school supplies vanished. Once again, the class was dead silent as they watched Mr. Pope's magic performance. with only a sigh of relief from the few students who had finished their exams.
The weight of relief washed over Alvin, and he felt his chest heave. Breathing in deeply, he allowed himself to be filled with the clean air. Even though he wasn't sure whether his answers were right, at least he had completed the exam with great effort.
"Alright, now it's time for you to find out what your score is," Mr. Pope stated, his voice betraying his contented smile. Gently rubbing his hands together, he seemed to be preparing for the moment of great significance that was about to unfold.