Blackthorn - Top Secret Villain School-Chapter 34: A Test of Will

The cool breeze of the calm autumn air licked at D’s nose as he and he, Max, and Roxanne made their way from Rookman hall to the physical sciences building down the pathway.

Students had lined up along the path to watch them walk to the building. Some were carrying signs and some cheered their names.

’A guy could get used to this’ D smugly thought to himself as he waved back at the students along the path.

A hand shot up and grabbed his out of the air, it was Roxanne’s lightly tanned hand.

"Are you trying to make this even more embarrassing than it already is? Just ignore them."

D shrugged and lowered his hand, at this point he’d been so used to Roxanne’s constant reprimanding that it ceased to bother him anymore. Whether it was the party, or cheating, or even waving to this crowd, she always found a way to bust his balls. He figured she wouldn’t be too happy if she knew what he and Nashoba were planning

The trio came to the black stone steps of the building and began ascending the small staircase and entered into the building.

There were two large guards in black gear standing on each side of the door. They stood, rifles in their hands, like two unmoving statues of black stone. They watched as the trio passed through the entrance and as they did the door behind them was slammed shut by one of the guards.

Finally alone, the trio kept making their way towards the room they were told to come to via a message they’d received early that morning.

Finally feeling a sense of reprieve Max asked "We’re just taking a test right? Why’s everyone acting like we are celebrities?"

"I think it’s just natural school spirit, it’s not like this place has any real sports teams, so maybe this is the only event they can cheer for." Roxanne said, hurrying to keep pace with the two men infront of her.

"That would make sense." Max said picking up the pace to arrive on time to the testing room.

They all rounded the corner and arrived at room 378. They entered and saw Nashoba and Scarlett had already arrived and were seated on opposite ends of the space. Nashoba was at a chair and desk towards the back of the classroom, while Scarlett sat in the front.

There was also another figure in the room, it was a professor that D didn’t quite recognize. She was a short older woman with salt and pepper hair. She sat at the front of the room reading something through her small rimmed glasses.

"Ah good, all students accounted for so now we can begin. Please have a seat." The trio did as instructed and each took a seat. Roxanne took a seat to the front of the room, her prim satin skirt brushing against the chairs as she made her way.

Max opted to sit in the middle of the classroom, and D sat near the back as close as he could to Nashoba without arousing suspicion. D gave Nashoba a Nod and Nashoba nodded back. A silent understanding passed between them.

As D took his seat their proctor began passing out their examination papers. Each student was given a packet of 5 or so papers with a staple at the top right holding it together.

D made an audible gulp as the thick packet was laid down infront of him. He could feel a bead of sweat forming out of nervousness on his forehead.

He looked down at the first question on the sheet of paper just below where he was supposed to sign his name.

’You must extract critical information from a captured hero without using physical torture and without revealing that you need the information urgently. Describe the single most effective manipulation strategy to make the hero voluntarily give you the information, and explain why this strategy works specifically on heroes rather than civilians or villains.’

’How the fuck would I even begin to answer something like this...’

He let out a stressed sigh and rubbed his temples.

’Lets hope this works.’

As he removed his fingers from his temples the device he’d placed over his right iris activated. The thin contact lens began analyzing the question placed before him and began working out a solution.

Within a few seconds the iris device overlaid the correct answer to the question in the space under the question. Quickly D’s pencil filled out the correct answer and he went onto the next question, and the next and the next. He’d tried to slow his pace so as to not arouse suspicion.

Eventually he found himself at the end of the exam, he shifted his eyes around the room to see how his friends were doing. He couldn’t see Nashoba but he figured he would also be about done at the same time.

The farthest along from what he could see was Scarlett, followed by Max, and then Roxanne. D took a finger and rubbed at his temples again and as he did the overlay over his iris vanished and the device became clear again as if it had never been there. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

He raised his hand up to get the teacher’s attention and she walked over.

"Done already?" Was all she said as she grabbed the packet from D’s slightly sweaty hands. He smiled at her and nodded.

D could feel all the eyes in the room shifting to him as he was the first one finished. He and Nashoba had made a plan that they should finish a few minutes apart just to be safe. With the pace the other three were going Nashoba would definitely be the second one done.

"Since you’re finished you can either wait in here or outside the door." The old lady said to D in a quiet voice as to not disturb the other test takers.

Not needing to be told twice, D got up and stepped outside the door. A couple of minutes passed and Nashoba exited the door as well.

For a moment D thought about giving him a high five and celebrating, but he could tell by the look on Nashoba’s face that they needed to remain lowkey until they were sure they’d passed.

The two sat outside the door on a wooden bench in the hall in silence. A while later Scarlett exited the room, and a bit after that Max and Roxanne also entered the hall.

With all of them done the teacher, who D realized had never given her name stepped into the doorway.

"Now that you’re all done, you’re free to go. Have a good one!" Was the last thing she said before closing the classroom door behind her.

The group began walking out the way they’d come in when Roxanne stopped in her tracks.

"If it’s all the same to you guys, I’d rather not walk out the door we came in. I don’t want to deal with all of those people again." She said with a weak, and weary smile.

They all looked at each other and silently agreed that after that exam none of them wanted to deal with all of that again. All except D and Nashoba, who both seemed perfectly fine after the exam despite finishing first.

The group walked out of the back exit to the physical sciences building and took a route around the giant, though slightly smaller, crowd of students that were at the front of the building waiting for their return.

Once they’d snuck back to Rookman hall the group was met by Val who was seated at the front desk. As soon as she saw them she hopped straight over the front desk and ran right up to them.

"How’d the exam go? Do you think you all passed? Do you guys need anything? I’ve got snacks, and water and-"

She stopped speaking to catch her breath for a moment, before D put up a hand and said, "Woah slow your roll there cowgirl, we’re all fine. A little tired, but overall we’re fine"

"Oh okay, good! So now what?" Val asked

"Now I’m going to go take a very hot shower and relax." Roxanne said as she pushed passed D and began making her way towards the elevators.

Everyone in the group followed her lead and also began making their way to the elevators.

The only one who was seemingly a bit apprehensive was Scarlett, she stood still as the rest of the group continued walking to the elevators. She turned around to leave when someone tapped her shoulder.

It was D, he was looking at her with a confused face.

"Where do you think you’re going? We’re celebrating, and you’re a part of this now." He grabbed her hand and began pulling her towards the elevator.

Scarlett wasn’t really sure why she was following them, as she didn’t live in this building but she had to admit it was nice to feel like she had friends again...