Chapter 35: The Inter-Stellar Exam

It's been a month since Jake and Aria came back home. Jake managed to convince Elizabeth that they had responded to a distress signal and found Seraphina.

Oddly enough, when Jake had mentioned the Dravaris family, Elizabeth did not look surprised but left the matter at that, something both Jake and Aria were happy about.

Grace had gone to work and Jake was currently tutoring Iris in the living room. He had also been doing the same for Lyra, who was now easily ahead of her peers.

Grace did not mind as the GOE did not force children to attend public schools. Though it was funded by the government, many students studied at home, and some instead opted to write the IS Exam, a systems-wide Exam that could be taken at any age and was equivalent to 16 years of normal schooling.

Usually, the extremely gifted and wealthy wrote the papers as it unlocked a category of jobs that would be unattainable at a young age even with good marks.

Those marks were used to apply for either further education in advanced studies, To join the highly skilled workforce in Sol or Officer Corps in the military.

Jake was confident that Lyra could easily pass the exam in a few months and the only reason he had put his examination on hold was to avoid unwanted attention.

He knew first-hand the amount of attention Aria had gotten and she had yet to write the paper, she could not go anywhere without the media swooping in for photos.

Luckily their parents quickly dealt with the problem, but Jake still noticed how bothered his sister had been.

'I can handle it, but they can't, not after everything they've gone through Atlas. Luckily things aren't bad at Lyra's School and she'll finish up this year, but what about after that.'

(They're stronger than you think Jake, just give them some time. Besides that, you need to go write that exam, don't you? It's booked for 2 weeks from now.)

'I almost forgot, you said I need it for my licence correct?' Jake asked the Atlas.

(Yes, our enemies will look for any sort of trail to your past when they find out about you. Instead of exposing your friends, build up your own identity so our benefactors can look like investors rather than allies.)

"What! You're writing the IS exam today?" Elizabeth exclaimed as Jake dropped her this bombshell at 8 in the morning, an hour before the exam.

"Uhh, yeah." Jake responded as he ate his breakfast calmly.

"Jake, what is this I'm hearing, is it true?" Grace had come out of her bedroom, a look of amazement on her face.

"Yes, Aunt Grace, I feel I'm ready for the paper, which is why I wanted to get it done. It also means I can also help out around the house. You and mom have been working hard and I don't want to feel like a burden." Jake spoke successfully evoking an emotional response from Grace, who had a sad but proud look on her face.

She walked over to Jake and gave him a tight hug and said "Aw Jake, you could never be a burden. We are so proud of you and will support you in all that you do." Grace spoke to Jake before turning to look at Elizabeth mouthing to her to say the same.

Elizabeth just looked at Jake suspiciously as she said that she'd drop him off and pick him up after.

'Dammit, she didn't fall for it Atlas.' Jake realised he couldn't fool his mother and spoke to the Atlas.

(Relax Jake, it's not a big deal. At least we hooked Grace.) The Atlas spoke.

'Yeah, yeah, but is this necessary?' Jake questioned The Atlas' reasons for doing this but went along with it.

(Yes it is, now go in for the takedown.)

Jake rolled his eyes internally and turned to Grace who was still hugging him.

"Oh yeah, Aunt Grace?" Jake spoke to get Grace's attention.

Grace let Jake go and looked at his face with a smile "Yes Jake?"

"You know how I've been tutoring Lyra?"

"Yes, you have been doing a fantastic job of that, much better than those kids at NC Prep who look like they know nothing." Grace praised Jake, mocking the students at NC Prep, the largest school in New Canberra.

"Well, I don't think I'll be able to teach her anymore." Jake's statement scared Grace.

"Why is that Jake." Elizabeth asked thinking something serious had happened.

"It's not like that, it's just I think she'll be ready to write the IS exam in half a year." Jake dropped another bombshell.

"WHAT!" Elizabeth shouted as Grace looked even more shocked at Jake.

The average age for the IS exam taker was 21, a 12-year-old being able to take the paper was an achievement that would be broadcasted on Earth.

The average age for geniuses writing the paper was 15, Jake and Lyra would make headlines all over the Net, Elizabeth realised what would come after and had a solemn expression on her face.

Grace had tears streaming down her face as she hugged Jake again before thanking him repeatedly. Jake felt bad for making her cry but if he wanted his plans to succeed he would need to do certain things he rather not.

"Clarence and Victor would be so proud, wouldn't they Elizabeth." Grace spoke as she ruffled Jake's head.

"They always were." Elizabeth smiled and spoke.

Jake was dropped off by his entire family as he walked into the New Canberra Maritzburg District Borough. Since it was the end of the year and most students write the IS Exam during the middle of the year, no schools were prepared so Jake would have to write the paper in the mayor's office.

Since the IS exam was the most important in the GOE, all papers were printed and delivered from Earth itself, invigilators and security personnel were sent from Earth and after writing, they would be sent back for grading on Earth.

Jake walked into the large building, dozens of government employees typing away as all issues in the district were handled here.

Jake walked over to the reception area where an old woman sat behind a large glass desk sipping away on a cup of coffee, and typing away with her other hand. When Jake approached the table, the woman did not look up and instead spoke "Welcome to Maritzburg District Borough, how can I help." Words she must have spoken countless times.

Jake was not pressured in the slightest and spoke "I'm here to write my IS exam." The words caught the receptionist's interest as she looked Jake up and down before standing up and motioning him to follow her.

They walked through the hallways and soon reached the mayor's office which automatically opened and Jake had seen that preparations were made.

The mayor Jean Cohen, a bald man in his fifties sat behind his chair, going through reports before he turned his attention to Jake and the receptionist.

"Martha?" Jean spoke.

"The boy writing the IS exam." The receptionist Martha spoke before turning around and leaving.

"Thank you, Martha." Jean spoke as the doors closed.

"AHH, so you must be Jake, welcome." Jean gave a friendly greeting to Jake as he stood up and shook his hand.

"Thank you, mister mayor." Jake replied.

"Oh no, the pleasure is mine, my boy. It's not often that we get an IS writer so young and if you pass it would make the city proud. It's wonderful seeing the youth working hard." Jean courtly replied as he motioned for Jake to take a seat.

"Tea, coffee? Before you write?"

"Thank you for the offer, but I'm fully prepared to write."

"Eager one ain't you? Well, if you're prepared, please give me 5 minutes to call the invigilators and you can start in 10 minutes. The paper will be 6 hours long and you're allowed 4 breaks as per the rules." Jean explained the process to Jake.

"A little advice, don't take more than 2, you'll be writing constantly so you don't want to lose time for nothing." Jean gave Jake a bit of advice.

"Thank you, Mayor, I'll remember it."

"Good lad." Jean laughed and patted Jake's back.

Jake waited in Jean's office as the exam was being prepared.

'So Atlas, how long do you think we'll be done in?' Jake relaxed his posture and asked.

(An hour max, but if we don't want to raise suspicion, take a break and get it done in 2 and a half. Though you'll still be accused of cheating they won't be able to prove it anyway.)

'Heh, let them.'

4 invigilators entered the room carrying question papers that had a minimum of 500 questions. Each one delved deep so short answers would not get you much.

Jake took a seat and was provided stationery and other materials.

4 invigilators stood watching Jake as the countdown began.

Jake looked through the questions and smirked, surprising the invigilators.

'Easier than I thought.'