The Shadowseeker - Victor Kloss Page 0,67

said. She was silent for a moment, staring ahead thoughtfully. Ben dared not glance at Charlie or Natalie, in case they let something slip. He could feel his body shaking slightly, whether from the day's ordeal or from nerves, he couldn't tell, but he clenched his fists hard to try to stop it. The next words Wren uttered could decide their fate. He went over his story in his head, but could see no way he could have improved it without putting them in more trouble.

“At some point, Ben, you are going to have to trust us,” Wren said, giving him a kindly look. “If not the Institute, then at least me.”

Ben nodded, but didn't trust himself to speak.

“Your story has enough truth that I believe I can convince the executive council not to expel you,” Wren said. “I only ask one thing. When the time comes and the odds are stacked against you too heavily, come to me, as a friend and ally, not an Institute Director. You have a remarkable talent for survival, Ben Greenwood, but I fear your luck may run out.”

“I will do that,” Ben said, and he was surprised to find that he meant it.

Wren smiled, her eyes lighting up in the way that always made Ben feel a little better.

“Good! Now, I want all of you to take the Dragonway straight home. You look like you all need some rest. I don't want to put any pressure on you, but, believe me, you will need to be at your best for the exam tomorrow.”

— Chapter Twenty-Four —

First Grade Exam

The morning of the exam was another bright, sunny day, but Ben barely noticed the weather. While waiting for Charlie by his house, Ben started reciting a complicated trade formula when dealing with dwarves that he had learnt just last night. His body had mostly recovered from the physical battering it had taken yesterday, thanks to some powerful healing spells from Wren, but he now felt a little sick, and his stomach did unpleasant somersaults every time he thought of the exam. Ben had taken plenty of tests at school, but he had never felt like this. The difference was that he cared about this one; he really cared. The thought of failing and being dumped out of the Institute was too awful to think about.

But as bad as Ben felt, it was nothing compared to Charlie, who looked absolutely miserable.

“I don't know what you're worried about,” Ben said, as they started walking. “You're an exam master.”

“School exams,” Charlie said, staring forlornly at the pavement. “And only because you know what to expect. You sit down, and answer questions from stuff you've studied in a book. This is completely different. We have absolutely no clue what it entails.”

They spent most of the journey to the Institute discussing what they might encounter and quizzing each other on each department in a final flurry of revision.

Before they knew it, they were back in Taecia, climbing the hill to the Institute. As they passed the Institute's walls and approached the entrance, Ben felt a flutter of nerves, unconnected with the forthcoming exam.

“Do you think Wren managed to convince the executive council to let us stay?” Charlie asked, voicing the exact question that was on Ben's mind.

“I think so,” Ben said. “I can't imagine the guards letting us through the gates otherwise.”

Nevertheless, Ben passed through the Institute entrance with a feeling of trepidation, which lasted until Natalie met them inside, with a big smile.

“We're off the hook!” she said, raising her hand so they could both give her a high five. “Wren worked her magic, as usual. The only thing we have to do is forty hours of community service.”

“I'll take that,” Ben said, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders. He had been so focused on the exam he hadn't realised how much his uncertainty about his future at the Institute had been affecting him.

“How are you guys doing? Are you feeling confident?”

“We'd be feeling more confident if you told us a bit about the exam,” Ben said, flashing her a cheeky smile.

“You know I can't,” Natalie said, giving Ben a stern frown. “The only thing I can tell you is that it's different for each person. But you'll both be absolutely fine, trust me.”

They headed up the stairs together.

“Were you confident when you took the exam?” Charlie asked.

“No,” Natalie admitted. “I was a bundle of nerves, far worse than both of you. But I think you two are