She always knew that Ilex lived by his own rules, but she could not think that he would miss the exam.
Tilia remembered seeing her name at the top of the first-year cultural studies final exam results. Then, much later, she watched as Ilex Davenport walked into the classroom and was greeted with playful ridicule from his friends.
“Ilex, what were you doing that you missed the exam?”
"I was sleeping."
"What?! This guy is hopeless!”
Tilia would never forget the feeling of defeat she felt at that moment after hearing this conversation. She was so proud and pleased, she even believed for a second that she had finally defeated him. She felt so satisfied, such a winner, after checking the results on her report card. And to this man, what she so desperately wanted to achieve was less important than sleep.
From that day on, Tilia almost gave up hope of ever surpassing him. Instead, she sowed the seeds of inferiority and envy. And these feelings grew like moss, spreading inside her every time she saw Ilex effortlessly take what she wanted so badly.
Like now.
- Oh, we've arrived.
Tilia woke up from her thoughts when she heard Cecilia's voice behind her. She had been lost in her memories for so long that she didn't notice that they had almost reached the brightly lit lobby of the sorority house.
Finally this ordeal will end.
With a carefree expression on her face, Tilia turned towards the building of double rooms, quickening her pace. She wanted nothing more than to leave them behind and return to the comfort of her own room. The faster she walked, the more obvious her escape became.
-...Ilex.
Finally, at a fork in the path, just before Tilia disappeared into the sorority building, Cecilia's quiet voice was heard.
- Do you want to come in?
She asked in a low voice, lowering her eyes. Her drooping eyelashes fluttered slightly, as if from excitement and nervousness.
- It's cold outside. Maybe a cup of tea...?
- Cecilia Clayton.
- Hm?
Cecilia's blue eyes widened in surprise as she looked up at the sound of Ilex's voice. But what she saw was not the warm smile she had hoped for.
No, Ilex's expression was colder than the frost-covered ground.
- Was I waiting for you?
It would be better if it was just cold. At least then it would mean that he had once felt warmth.
- Tell me, was I waiting for you?
There was no emotion on Ilex Davenport's face as he looked at her. There was only a vague feeling of boredom and irritation from the situation.
- I never expected you.
With a blank expression on his face, Ilex Davenport stated the truth:
- And I never will. Not now, not ever again.
***
- The exam lasts 90 minutes. As you know, only black pens are allowed and any cheating will result in a retake for everyone. This is a final exam, so I know you're all nervous, but I'm sure you'll do great. Well, let's begin!
Just as the bespectacled teaching assistant finished speaking, the sound of pages turning echoed throughout the room. Tilia, sitting by the window, quickly scanned the entire exam paper before taking a deep breath and picking up her pen.
The sound of her pen on paper filled the air as she began to write without hesitation.
From his place at the very top of the amphitheater-style lecture hall, Ilex rested his chin on his hand and turned his head slightly. His blue-gray eyes stared straight at one point.
Tilia Ambrose.
Watching her, Ilex's face showed a slight tension.
His gaze fell on the wrinkle between her eyebrows as she focused on the exam questions, then moved to her serious green eyes and finally to her red lips, which she bit lightly, chewing on the end of her pen.
Soon, as if realizing something, Tilia's previously motionless hand quickly slid across the page.
Continuing to watch her, Ilex's tension subsided. He smiled faintly before twirling the pen between his fingers and placing it down on the paper to begin answering questions. His exam paper, like Tilia's, began to fill in neat black letters.
***
Tilia muttered quietly to herself as she looked through her notes one last time. The first final exam at the academy consisted of eight compulsory cultural subjects and four elective ones. To advance to the next semester and pass the second round of examinations, students had to pass all twelve subjects with a minimum grade. Failure of even one meant repeating two semesters.
- I'm finished. I completely failed.
From the very first day of exams, the auditorium was filled with sobbing students, and here's why.
It didn't matter how well you did on the other exams - if you failed even one, it was all over.
I wonder how Judy coped.
Tilia tapped her pen on the edge of her notepad, worried about her roommate who had been placed in a different class.
But she quickly dismissed this concern. She needed to focus on the words in front of her if she was going to pass her next exam.
The next exam was rhetoric, the subject that gave her the most difficulty.
“Damn these feudal lords.”
Tilia, who strived for high scores in almost every subject, could only hope for a passing grade in rhetoric. In fact, considering that over 80% of second year students were expelled because of this subject, passing it alone would have propelled her to the top positions.
“If they want to claim power, why can’t they just say it outright? Why do they need to twist their words like that?”
As Tilia frowned, trying to decipher the confusing classical texts, her thoughts grew dark.
“If I could go back in time, I would kick that smarmy noble right in the ass.”
Even as she cursed the ancient text, she still diligently memorized it. Then she heard a whisper behind her, a little to the side.
- Cecilia, did you accept this? Is this... a potion?
You should have taken earplugs with you.
Cursing herself for not being properly prepared, Tilia quickly turned the page in her notebook.
- Yes, I accepted it. I can't help but give in. This is the final exam.
But once you start noticing the conversation, it's hard to ignore.
This potion... It must be the holy water that is so popular in high society these days.
- Who doesn’t accept it now? I would be at a disadvantage if I didn't do this.
The lecture hall was filled with students studying for their next exam, but Tilia's ears were only focused on Cecilia's soft whisper.
- Is it true. Everyone else is practically galloping forward, so I can't be the only one running barefoot.
- But Cecilia, where did you get it from? There are so many fakes going around these days.
Stop listening to them. Focus on your notes.
Tilia decisively put this conversation out of her mind, returning to her study materials.
Here the pale moon symbolizes the objective correlate, deepening the speaker's sense of pessimism...
- I just drank what my parents brought. I don't know where they got it from. They don't tell me such things.
...This speech is strong in terms of ethos and pathos, but it lacks logos, as evidenced by...
- Tilia. Tilia!
Just as Tilia regained her concentration, a voice called her name. She looked up to see Cecilia, flawless as always, standing with a slightly flustered group of followers behind her.
Why would they call me?
- What? - Her smile was laced with some caution, and she looked at Cecilia, “Is there something you want to ask?”
- No, I just wanted to know how your studies are going. Not that I need to ask. You're probably fine, right?
With a bright smile, Cecilia looked at Tilia's notebook.
- Wow, your notes are really organized. You could sell them.
- No way, who will buy them?
- Why not? I would buy it.
Cecilia laughed softly, her gaze lingering on Tilia's notes before pulling something out of her pocket.
- Actually, I didn’t just come to ask how you were doing. I wanted to convey this to you.
- What is this?
- This is what helps you concentrate. Judging by the look on your face, I guess you haven't tried this yet. Fine. Try. You will notice a real difference.
Tilia looked at the small clear bottle that Cecilia had placed in front of her notes, and then back at her.
- And why are you giving this to me?
Why give me this? There's no reason for you to do something like that.
Although the question was not spoken, it was clear in Tilia's eyes. But Cecilia's expression remained warm and gentle as she looked back at her.