Chapter 9 - My Professor Thought I Was Cheating
Professor Bell did not believe in sudden miracles.
She did believe in academic misconduct.
“Someone went from thirty-eight percent to ninety-six,” she said. “That requires explanation.”
Eli understood.
His old record looked like a cry for help written in Scantron bubbles.
“Give me another test.”
She did.
No phone.
No notes.
No calculator.
Eli finished with eighty-eight percent.
Professor Bell leaned back.
“Well.”
“Can I go?”
“No.”
Eli sighed.
She smiled slightly.
“I’m recommending you for the quantitative tutoring lab.”
He laughed.
She did not.
“You want me to tutor people?”
“You clearly understand the material now.”
“I learned it yesterday.”
“Then you remember what confusion feels like.”
His system flashed.
[HIDDEN QUEST COMPLETE: BREAK EXPECTATION WITHOUT VIOLENCE.]
[REWARD: MEMORY PALACE I]
A cool sensation moved through his skull.
Suddenly he could picture every formula he had studied arranged inside an imaginary apartment.
It was the nicest apartment he had ever had.
Trevor waited outside.
“You bribed her?”
“With what money?” Eli asked.
Trevor had no response to that.
Maya texted him.
SUBWAY BOUNTY TONIGHT. 9 PM. DON’T WEAR YOUR GOOD SHOES.
Eli looked down at his sneakers.
He owned one pair.
His phone buzzed.
[PREPARATION QUEST: PURCHASE BOOTS.]
“Finally, a quest with realistic priorities.”
Then the reward appeared.
[REWARD: BASIC MERIDIAN MAP.]
Eli stopped smiling.
May you like
The subway job was apparently going to hurt.
