Chapter 105
Annette paused for a few seconds, sensing Mirabella’s nerves. With a reassuring smile, she added, “Just answer whatever they ask you, and don’t be scared, okay?”
Mirabella flashed an ‘OK‘ sign at Annette with a confident twist of her hand.
It wasn’t long before Mirabella found herself stepping into Mr. Hammond’s office. Aside from Mr. Hammond, two middle–aged men were seated comfortably on the couch, likely the representatives from the Education Association Annette had mentioned,
Mirabella cast a brief glance their way before respectfully nodding to Mr. Hammond. “You wanted to see me, sir?” “Mhm,” Mr. Hammond responded with a warm smile and a beckoning gesture. “Come on over. Let me introduce you. These gentlemen are members of the Education Association. This is Mr. Scott, the secretary–general of the Education Association in our city, and next to him is Mr. Wade, an honorary member of the national Education Association.” Mirabella nodded calmly to both men, her face betraying neither fear nor anxiety.
Scott raised an eyebrow, impressed by the girl’s composure. Clearing his throat, he began, “Mirabella, if I may ask you a question?”
Her dark eyes focused on him, clear and sharp. “Go ahead.”
Scott straightened up a bit before asking, “I’ve noticed that your answers in the last two tests deviated slightly from the school’s curriculum. Did you have a private tutor or something?”
The query sparked curiosity in Mr. Hammond as well, who leaned in slightly, eager for the answer.
“No.” Mirabella replied, her voice even. After a brief pause, she added a question of her own. “Does this have anything to do with the ten points deducted from my recent city prelims?”
Scott was taken aback by her lack of a private tutor and her keen insight. Nodding at her, he explained. “Your written and oral responses should have been perfect scores. However, the methodology for the last two questions on your written exam was advanced beyond the curriculum. Although correct, we had to dock five points for each, considering a range of principles.”
“Advanced?” Mirabella’s brow furrowed in confusion.
Wade cleared his throat, stepping in to clarify, “Advanced, in this context, means using methods not typically taught at the high school level. That’s what we call ‘advanced‘ or ‘beyond the syllabus.‘
***
“So even if the answers are correct, it’s still not acceptable?” Mirabella pressed, puzzled. It seemed she still had much to learn about the academic world.
Wade hummed affirmatively, then added, “Going beyond the syllabus can breach fairness, but since the competition doesn’t strictly prohibit certain methods, giving you zero for those questions wouldn’t be fair either. So, a.ten–point deduction was the compromise.”
Mirabella fell into a thoughtful silence. So, using the simplest method wasn’t always best. She had to stick to the complex, traditional path. She definitely had underestimated the academic sphere.
After a moment, she spoke up. “So, for future tests, I need to stick to high school–level knowledge to avoid arbitrary deductions?”
“In theory, yes,” Scott said with a grin.
Mirabella massaged her temples, slightly disheartened. “Alright, I get it.” She had outsmarted herself this time. Sometimes, too much cleverness could be a disadvantage.
Wade, who had been silent, looked up, his gaze holding a mysterious promise. “If you make it to the international stage, you won’t have to worry about being ‘advanced.“”
Scott shot a surprised look at Wade. Though merely a member in name, Wade wielded considerable influence across Riverdale’s associations, not to mention his position as a biology professor at Prestige College.
12:35
Chapter 105
To hold such high hopes for a young girl who had only shown a glimpse of potential seemed a bit premature. Yet, there was a sense that Mirabella was not just any student, and perhaps, just perhaps, she was destined for a stage far grander than the local school competitions.
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