Darkthorn’s Blog

Sarah dragged her feet down the stairs. The school had hired a couple of bouncers to keep the yet unworthy from its lower levels. This would be the real test. The actual results didn’t matter so much, she just needed to proceed downwards.

“Halt.” The bouncers were just automations after all. Sarah had never been close to them, all the horror stories about those who were not ready, and the consequences always rang in her ears. “Your name?”

“Sarah Echinour.” She replied. “E-C-H-I…”

“Plagiarism,” said one, cutting her off. “That way.”

Jumping back in shock, Sarah couldn’t believe what he had just said. She hadn’t cheated. This was all her own work this time, she hadn’t wanted to risk failing again. This had been her last chance to enter the senior halls. Perhaps there had been a mistake.

Another set of escalators down, and Sarah was standing in front of her old year level coordinator in a huge open plan room. Ms. Phim frowned and started looking through the boxes of reports in front of her.

“What went wrong this time?”

“Nothing. It was all my hard work, I tried so hard. Are you sure there wasn’t a mistake?”

“We don’t make mistakes.”

“You don’t understand. There is no way I would have cheated. I’ll re-take all the tests right now if you want me to prove it,” pleaded Sarah.

“Sorry. That was your last chance.” Ms. Phim handed Sarah her results. “Good-luck in the future, with those, you’re going to need it.”

Sarah frowned and turned away. She had always though the teachers checked their results more than necessary. The head always color-coded the envelopes so that it was clear which went where, and then sealed them for privacy. The seal didn’t appear to be broken on her letter, but who knew? Ms. Phim could have used a little magic just to test it.

There were little viewing boxes to sit and read your results in the next room. Sarah went in. She opened her results carefully, making sure not to damage the paper with her knife.

Dear Sarah,

We regret to inform you that because of your extensive plagiarism, you fail to receive any recognition for your work. We have included the grades you would have received, had you not cheated, in brackets. A grade guide is included on the reverse of this letter.

Biological Basis of Magic P (B)

History and Philosophy of Magic P (A)

Practical Applications of Magic A

Religions P (A)

Theoretical Practice of Magic P (A)

With results such as these, we suggest a job in crime, or further action within cheating options. This includes gambling and drinking, you should already be familiar with these. No honest job will accept you, and we will certainly not be inviting you back to study with us next year.

Congratulations and sincere warmth

Mr. C.C. Gumn

Sarah didn’t bother to turn over the letter, she knew what the P’s meant. How could all of her results be nil, exempt, void, because of plagiarism? She had worked incredibly hard for those grades. Was it that she had scored so highly that they thought she had cheated? It wasn’t fair.

She almost laughed at the automated farewell at the end. “Congratulations?” For what? She had gotten an A for Practical Applications, but without a pass grade in Theoretical, no-one would want to accept her for further study or a job. Rogue mages were the ones who got grades like her. Most of them just failed each section, not had their grades wiped out for plagiarism.

Sarah sighed. There was nothing else for it. She thought about abandoning the letter then and there, but decided that too many questions could be asked. People were starting to stare at her curiously, wondering what she had gotten. She pushed through the crowds, heading for the stairs again. She had to escape.

Once out on the main road again, Sarah carefully calculated the speeds of the cars rushing past. The speed sign said 60km per hour, much too slow to make certain. Up ahead, there was a section of road marked 100. Sarah had always wondered why there was such a jump in speeds. She hurried her walk; she had to get there before any of her friends found her.

“Hey, wait up.”

Sarah kept walking, she was so close to her goal. The sound of running footsteps alerted her to the fact she was about to be grabbed from behind by Jane.

“Hey. Hey, how’d you go, I passed, finally, good thing too, isn’t it, what did they say about your career this time, I’m supposed to get an office job with mine, customer service or something, I did well in religions, didn’t you, and oh.” Jane cut off abruptly.

Carefully looking and scheming, Sarah checked out the cars.

“Hey. You know what, let’s go see a movie, pick you up.” Jane wasn’t the best at subtle hints, but she had enough people experience to know when her best friend was in a bad mood. “I’ve wanted to see that new one for ages, what’s it called, you know, the one that’s a take-off, they said it’s got heaps of decent look-alikes in it, think they used real actors for a change.” Jane dragged Sarah away from the road.

Sarah gave up, unresisting. Maybe being a thief wouldn’t be so bad after-all. At least she still had the choice. She wasn’t mind-wiped, she could act out against the system now. Her choice. And that other option was always free if she decided the life wasn’t for her. Nothing more to lose.