(Chapter 10) A Test?

The entire class was whispering to each other. "That ill commoner is back?"

"Looks at her clothes, they aren't even branded."

"She still doesn't speak... How weird."

Francesca took a glance at Astrid, then looked back over to Winoa.

Winoa didn't have a smile on her face... Distinctively meaning that she was quite upset, how could she not when the class was making fun of not only her mistress, but also her friend...

Mr. Dihl listened while he read, and he was disgusted. 'Do these kids think I'm deaf? I think I underestimated how these children can act.'

Mr. Dihl put down his book with a loud knock on to his wooden desk. Causing the class to immediately become silent.

"You, you, you, you and you. All will come to see me in my office after the speech. Hurry up and get ready to go to the hall now." Mr. Dihl pointed out some of the worst offenders for the words spoken about Astrid...

Those students were obviously incredibly upset, but what could they do?

Astrid stood up slowly and went to leave the class. She remembered where the hall was from her memories.

Winoa and Francesca were the first to follow Astrid. While the other students all looked at the 3 with condescending looks.

Mr. Dihl sighed at the sight. He then felt that the rumors surrounding Astrid within the school staff were true.

'She doesn't seem affected, but children often have the most difficulty speaking their minds... Let's hope Howard can pry anything out of her if need be.' Mr. Dihl had to keep in mind his position, he could only do so much without being biased.

"Where are you going Astrid?" Francesca was in a frenzy, she was worried that her new friend wouldn't be able to keep up with the bullying.

Astrid looked up at Francesca and saw her worried face, looking back forward, she replied. "To the hall."

Winoa gave a weak smile. Her Young Miss was so strong! But...

"Oh." Francesca was comforted, at least it didn't seem like Astrid cared much...

The speech was incredibly boring. With all of the students and teachers attending, the hall would seem to be stuffy.

But that wouldn't do, the hall was vast, allowing most likely 3 times the amount of students with ease. They all stood, to show respect. As the Principal spoke with a microphone with a projector showing his face to those not close enough.

After the speech, Astrid then went to walk to her first class of the day. English.

The school curriculum required the study of Italian, English, Maths, Sciences, and basic technology. With optional courses available.

The classes weren't separated based on skill. Since the students were all expected to be able to learn at the same pace. If they didn't then the teacher had the ability to keep the student behind for lunch and even after school.

The school was harsh to those not learning the lessons. And what teenager wanted to stay for hours after school since they didn't listen to a lesson for a little over an hour? So the students quickly were able to identify the benefits of working hard in class.

Not only that, but punishments were also harsh, even the simplest offense of being late could result in a detention, and a mark on their record.

When the student's record hit 3 marks per year, the school had the decision to be able to expel the student. Thus, being paid for the student's entire time at the school. While freeing up space for another.

Obviously, the rich parents understood this, they didn't want their money to go to waste. And for the opportunity of losing the best education in the country. So their children were drilled into going to school, and learning every day.

Astrid arrived at the English classroom after some walking, with Winoa and Francesca talking beside her, they looked like a respectable entourage...

As soon as Astrid opened the door. She saw Mr. Dihl sitting down sorting out some papers, while the students already inside, looked at her with the same condescending eyes...

The classes were mixed within the year, this was to help the children to make friends... On the surface at least.

The school wasn't state-owned, meaning that bribes were a common occurrence, just the simple act of putting 2 children in the same class. Could help establish relations within businesses or government officials.

However, the school also did keep a clean reputation, they never took bribes to outright expel another student, or to ostracize someone on purpose. But who said that the students in the classrooms couldn't do that?

Astrid inwardly chuckled, she had read up some information in a book about the school and understood this. It was more like propaganda for children to join their school. Especially ones which needed the best education and it could be afforded.

It was a genius system in reality. But that did leave students seeing the dark side of the world early. The worst part of school, is being hated by everyone in the class at the same time. Bullying was something in the grey zone. What counted as bullying? How could the teacher help? What if the student didn't say anything? Was there proof? What if there weren't any willing witnesses?

Astrid took her seat near the window and took a glance at the class.

Winoa was sat on the other side of the room away from Astrid. With Francesca at the front of the row Astrid was in.

"It seems like everyone is on time and ready. Alright, since the holidays, I'm sure that you may have forgotten some things. Hence we will be having a test. Make sure to not cheat. I have eyes on the tables." Mr. Dihl immediately gave a massive blow to the class.

The school was difficult, extremely. This year should be some simple language skills in the class for most schools. But in Mr. Dihls class. The written and reading tests were testing everything about the language and how fluent one was in it.

Mr. Dihl handed out the papers and made sure everyone was equipped. He gave them an hour to finish the test.

What the teachers aren't allowed to say to the students is that, every test that is done. Is randomly affected to affect 10% of their final grades at the end of their school life. Why they do this? It's to show consistency. Something in life which is crucial.

Astrid took a look at the paper and immediately started to write. Her entire demeanor was emotionless and cold.

The other students didn't notice since they were focusing on their test. But Winoa did, seeing how easily Astrid seemed to handle the test. She was at ease.

Mr. Dihl indeed had good eyesight, he saw Winoa's relief at how Astrid was doing the test. While he also spotted something terrifying.

The test he created was no joke, while he wished to help Astrid, he was in no position to hinder the other students. He planned to offer Astrid some private tutoring if needed. Something that was quite common, but he generally refrained from.

But he saw something amazing. Her whole demeanor gave Mr. Dihl a slight shiver, the calculative look in her eyes was something not in your average teenager. While she seemed to effortlessly finish the test within 10 minutes...

Astrid then sat for 5 minutes, she looked at Mr. Dihl and her eyes glimmered. 'Interesting, it seems my father did place some protection.'

Astrid then placed her hand up. "Yes?" Mr. Dihl tried to keep cool, he was desperate to look at the test Astrid wrote, to see if he wasn't losing his mind...

"I'm done." Astrid replied. Causing the entire class to freeze.

'Done!? Are you mad? She probably just wrote scribbles down... Hehe, related to her stupidity...'

Mr. Dihl nodded and walked over to Astrid's desk. He took the paper and was immediately stunned.

'This...' His hands trembled slightly, as he tried to keep his cool.

Some of the students were left to watch the fun, 'Haha! See! The autist is as stupid as always.'

Astrid didn't understand why Mr. Dihl had such a reaction, 'is he ill?' she inwardly wondered. His hands shaking like that wasn't normal.

Meanwhile, Mr. Dihl was looking at a particular part of Astrid's paper. 'This... Handwriting. How robotic and cold. No emotions, just written with the answer in detail...' Ah, the old man was looking at her handwriting.

How did he feel Astrid's handwriting was robotic and cold? Astrid was taught how to write like that from a young age. She didn't add flair, writing only existed to put stuff on paper...

His eyes then scrolled down on to the answers... And his face turned steely. As he flipped over the page to see the next batch of questions.

"Mm, I'll give you some work to do for the rest of the lesson. Stay behind after the test." Mr. Dihl spoke in a strict tone as he put down the paper on to the table.

The rest of the class was struggling to keep in their laughs. 'Ha! Mr. Dihl is angry and wanted the autist to stay back after class! Make sure to not make her cry.'

Winoa was nervous for Astrid. But upon seeing her blank expression. She decided to see if she could do anything after the lesson.

Francesca was obviously nervous, but she wasn't too good at English in the first place. All she could do is get Winoa to teach them later...

Mr. Dihl went through his desk and found some work. He looked over to the emotionless girl and inwardly sighed.

He handed over some papers and went back to the front. Left to debate life.