The Third Reader - The School for Good and Evil

4) Hobgoblins

A/N: Hi! I made an Evelynn board on Pinterest which has some future hints and stuff @eviesmallwood if you're interested :)

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Yuba explained that the lesson was intended to prepare students for the 'Trial by Tale', a competition during which all students would battle in the Blue Forest. The winner was guaranteed the role of Class Captain, and would likely have a fairytale of their own someday.

"There are 5 rules separating Good from Evil," Yuba began. Evelynn leaned forward in intrigue amongst the circle of students surrounding the gnome.

"1.The evil attack. The good defend.

2.The evil punish. The good forgive.

3.The evil hurt. The good help.

4.The evil take. The good give.

5.The evil hate. The good love.

You must obey these rules if you want to survive your fairytale, it's the only way things should be, and it's not going to change anytime soon."

Evelynn's gaze dropped to the navy grass below as she flicked through the rules in her mind. Could they determine whether or not she was truly good or bad?

"But you must learn to recognise good and evil," Yuba continued. "Appearances can be deceiving..."

Evelynn found Tedros in the group, reminded of his judgement of the three readers based on their appearances; he was staring right back at her.

She quickly diverted her gaze.

"...no matter how well each side is disguised, you can always tell them apart. You must look closely and remember the rules."

Evelynn was trying to pay attention, but noticed Sophie leaning closer to Tedros and whispering in his ear. Her stomach squirmed as he reached out to touch her black clothes.

Yuba clarified that two students would be chosen from each side and turned into a random animal or creature. An additional student was then chosen to identify whichever was on their side.

Evelynn was lost in thought during most of the students' turns, distracted by the growing impossibility of her escape, as well as the unfamiliar emotion she felt watching Sophie flirt with Tedros.

Yuba noticed. "You there! If you can't even pay attention I suggest you give this a try yourself!"

The class fell silent, watching the outcast standing on her own.

She nodded, grumbling, "Sorry." 

"What's your name?"

"Lynn."

"Come here then, Lynn. I won't bite." Yuba pointed at the Never girl from before with the demon tattoo. "You too, Hester."

Hester strode over confidently, Evelynn reluctantly followed. She glanced at Sophie and Agatha with frantic eyes, but they didn't move an inch.

Yuba made all of the students turn around before he turned them into whatever he had planned, and before Evelynn could even stop walking she felt herself shrinking and shrinking, until she became a small, white mouse. 

Anadil's rats hissed at her from the witch's feet - now much bigger than before. 

Hester, in her mouse form, didn't act evil at all, standing as normally as a rodent could. Evelynn was anxious and confused, so appeared to stand rather strangely.

"Dot," Yuba snapped. "Which one is evil, and which is good?"

The students had turned around again, and they were all examining the little mice on the navy grass. Everyone was playing the game this time.