"Oh no, no, no, no!" she muttered, scrambling out of bed. "I'm going to die! I'm going to die! I'm definitely going to die!"
It was the morning of Professor Draven's first quiz, and it was a written test. Amberine hadn't finished studying yet, and now she was running late. She rushed around her small dorm room, gathering her notebooks and notes scattered all over her desk.
"Why did I stay up so late last night?" she berated herself, tugging on her robe as she ran to the bathroom. She balanced a textbook on the sink, trying to read while she brushed her teeth and washed her face. The words swam before her tired eyes, and she cursed under her breath.
"I need to remember this… Oh, what was that formula again? Focus, Amberine, focus!"
She finished her morning routine in record time, throwing her hair into a messy bun and grabbing her bag. She bolted out of her room, almost tripping over her own feet as she sped down the corridor. She had to catch the academy carriage; there was no time to lose.
Bursting out of the dormitory, Amberine sprinted across the courtyard, her academy robe flapping wildly. She barely managed to show her student badge to the carriage driver before jumping inside.
"Made it," she panted, dropping onto a seat and pulling out her notebook. "Now, let's see…"
But before she could get comfortable, the carriage jolted to a sudden stop. Amberine looked up, confused, as the driver turned to the passengers.
"Sorry, folks. We've got a problem with the axle. Everyone out!"
Amberine groaned in frustration. "Of course, today of all days," she muttered, hopping out of the carriage. She clutched her notebook to her chest and set off on foot, determined to make it to Professor Draven's class on time.
As she hurried through the academy grounds, she felt the weight of her morning burdens pressing down on her. Amberine was about to turn onto the main path when a voice called out behind her.
"Amberine! Wait up!"
She turned to see her friend Liv running towards her, her blonde hair bouncing as she jogged.
"Liv, I don't have time! I'm already late," Amberine said, barely slowing her pace.
"I know, I know! But I forgot my notes for Draven's quiz. Can I borrow yours for a sec? Just to skim through?" Liv asked, breathless.
Amberine hesitated, her panic warring with her desire to help her friend. "Fine, but make it quick!"
They stopped under a tree, and Amberine handed over her notebook. Liv flipped through the pages rapidly, her eyes scanning the text.
"Okay, got it. Thanks, you're a lifesaver," Liv said, handing back the notebook.
"No problem. Good luck!" Amberine replied, already moving again.
She tried to focus on her notes as she walked, but the path was crowded with students heading to their morning classes. She dodged a group of younger students playing in the courtyard, nearly tripping over a stray cat that darted across her path. She grumbled, her mind a jumble of curses and last-minute cramming.
"Out of my way! Move, please! Oh, this is a disaster!"
As she passed the library, the heavy wooden door swung open suddenly, nearly hitting her.
"Hey, watch it!" Amberine snapped, side-stepping just in time.
A tall boy with glasses peered out sheepishly. "Sorry about that. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, just trying to avoid a catastrophe," Amberine said, her voice strained.
She finally reached the entrance of the academic building, her breath coming in short gasps. She paused for a moment to catch her breath, then hurried inside, making her way through the throngs of students milling about.
"Excuse me, excuse me," she muttered, pushing her way through the crowd. She could feel her energy draining, each step heavier than the last.
As she reached the classroom door, she let out a heavy sigh of relief. She had made it, though she felt like she had used up all her energy reserves just getting there. She opened the door and stepped inside.
The classroom was already half-full. Amberine scanned the room and spotted Maris, sitting at her usual seat, focused intently on her studies. Maris looked up as Amberine approached, and her face brightened with a warm smile.
"Hey, Amberine! You made it!" Maris greeted her.
Amberine slumped into the seat beside her friend. "Barely," she sighed. "I had the worst morning. Everything that could go wrong, did. And I haven't even finished studying!"
Maris chuckled softly. "You always worry too much. I'm sure you'll do fine."
Amberine rolled her eyes. "Sure, easy for you to say. Hey, you look better today. Your complexion is almost back to normal. Did you get some rest?"
Maris nodded, still smiling. "Yeah, I managed to get a good night's sleep for once. It really helped."
"Good to hear," Amberine said, genuinely pleased. "But seriously, this quiz is going to be the death of me. And Draven… don't get me started on Draven."
Maris shook her head, still smiling. "You really should stop criticizing the professor so much, Amberine."
Amberine blinked, surprised by Maris's response. "What? Since when did you start defending him?"
Maris shrugged, her smile unwavering. "I just think you should give him a chance. He's not that bad."
Amberine was about to retort when more students began filing into the classroom. She noticed that Maris, who usually kept to herself, was suddenly the center of attention. Students were coming up to her, offering words of encouragement and congratulations.
"Good luck, Maris! You're amazing!"
"Wow, Maris, you're going to ace this quiz, I just know it!"
Amberine tilted her head in confusion. Maris was soaking up the attention, smiling and thanking everyone. Amberine turned to her friend, eyebrows raised.
"What's going on? Why is everyone acting like you're a celebrity?"
Maris blushed slightly. "Oh, nothing. Just a little recognition for all the hard work, I guess."
Amberine was about to ask more when the classroom door opened again, and Elara, the genius child of the academy, walked in. As always, she had a cold and indifferent expression, but today she also looked fatigued, with dark circles under her eyes.
Amberine watched as Elara made her way to her seat, her movements sluggish. She stood up and walked over to her.
"Hey, Elara," Amberine greeted, trying to sound cheerful. "Looks like the genius girl went several days without sleeping either, huh?"
Elara glanced at her, her usual icy demeanor slightly softened by exhaustion. "Something like that," she replied, her voice flat.
Amberine smiled sympathetically on the surface, but was full of spite inside. "You okay? You look like you've been through the wringer."
Elara shrugged. "Just a lot on my plate. Nothing I can't handle."
Amberine nodded. She was expecting spite, but her reply was too anticlimactic. "Well, if anyone can handle it, it's you. Good luck on the quiz."
Elara gave a curt nod and sat down, pulling out her notes and immediately diving into last-minute studying. Amberine returned to her seat, feeling a strange mix of camaraderie and competition. She knew Elara was brilliant, but even geniuses had their limits.
The classroom filled up quickly, the noise level rising as students chattered nervously about the quiz. Amberine took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. She glanced at Maris, who was still the center of attention, trying to shrug them off as she focused on her notes, and then at Elara, who was completely absorbed in her notes.
She then remembered that it was her notes before, and it was now completely rewritten to suit her style, she remembered about how she tried her best to muster her memories and remember about the materials that she had noted before. She foolishly took the opportunity for money, forgetting that the class has a significant value far more than that note of her.
Amberine clicked her tongue. "I should have asked her to pay more," she uttered regretfully as she stared full of scorn towards the notes.
She knows that it's not Elara's fault, but it frustrates her as she feels so stupid.
"Okay, Amberine," she whispered to herself. "You've got this. Just breathe and focus."
Just after she regained her composure, the door at the front of the classroom swung open, and Professor Draven strode in, his presence commanding immediate silence. He looked around the room, his gaze sharp and calculating.
"Attention," he said, his voice carrying command effortlessly through the room. "I trust you are all prepared for today's agenda. Only fools would sail without any preparation,"
Amberine swallowed hard, her palms sweating. She could feel the weight of the professor's gaze as he scanned the room, finally settling on her for a brief moment before moving on.
"Let's begin," Draven said, handing out the quiz papers. "You have one hour. Good luck."