The Worth (Rebellious Heroes 4)

15

Three days have passed. For the past three days, I have studied hard for the challenge, keeping in mind the tips Philippe told me and Ylode's discussions on the topic. Maria was also a good study buddy. Every lunchtime, Maria would now sit beside Ylode and I to discuss the things we studied. But of course, that comes with some girls looking at us now, especially the popular girl. She knew that I already had an ally.

Now, three days have passed, and it's time for the second challenge.

Changing in our office and formal wear, we all went to the living room and started lining up, walking outside the palace. Once we were all there, a van welcomed us, accompanied with police cars from it's front and back. The hostess then instructed us to enter the van in order and we all did, with the van driving outside the palace to the main city, where it's crowded and it's streets are filled with people waving their hands or the Cech banner at us.

"This challenge is exciting to the masses." The hostess said, "It is because you'll be taking the challenge and it'll be aired on television. The masses will get to pick their favorite lady. So you should do your best and make an impression."

Oh my God, what? I panicked, feeling like what I studied for the past three days are not enough.

"Hey." I turned away from the window and saw Maria, who turned behind her to talk to me, "You studied for three whole days. You can make it."

"Yeah." I said as I nodded at myself for assurance, with Ylode holding my hand, "Yeah, I can make it."

After minutes of driving, the van passed by an arena-sized building. It was a colosseum, with 4 large television placed outside of the massive building. Currently, it is airing a Cech commercial. At the top of the building was adorned with a lot of Cech flags and outside the building, it was surrounded by thousands, even millions of people, waving not just Cech flags, but flags of other countries as well, cheering when the van passed by.

"They'll watch the event here." The hostess said as the van continued to drive by. I then continued to see the different flags waved by the people until I saw a familiar one. A dragonfly symbol. Pangaea.

They must have known about me. But they have no idea that it was not a Pangaean that joined The Worth.

It was someone from Tern. The enemy of Cech.

"They have no idea that I'm from Tern and I'm not Avelon." I can't help but whisper to Ylode, who also happen to spot Pangaea flag being waved.

"At least your dad's from Pangaea. So it's still fair for them." She smiled, keeping my hopes up, causing me to smile back.

After passing by the colosseum, the trip was silent again until the van stopped and we ended up by the tallest building in the city. Outside the building, there were cameramen and people around, lots of flashes and cheers overwhelming us. There were also reporters as well, trying to report the scene before them, or in short, trying to let people see the ladies in the van.

Then the hostess went out first and then let us out one by one and in order. As one goes out, flashes of cameras and noises would intensify. Eventually, I went out along with Ylode, facing the flashes of cameras and the cheers of people around us. I would also hear reporters speaking at the moment.

"And now, we have an elite Avelon Shirley. She's the only representative from Pangaea. And this is interesting. She is named after Avelon Pierre-St. Thomas, who was known to fight against Rebellious Heroes that once was considered a deadly intramurals in Pangaea." Then it was followed by statements that I did not able to hear, perhaps describing my wear, or who my maid is, which is Monica Benali.

But I was not named after Avelon St. Thomas. Avelon St. Thomas is my mom.

When all ladies went out, we followed the hostess going in to the building. We all went in the elevator that led us to the topmost floor of the building. As we reached the topmost building, we ended up at the well-illuminated part of the building, filled with 15 armchairs, separated from one another by few feet apart. There was also a female proctor, carrying papers in her hand.

"Ladies, welcome to the backstage." The hostess began.

"Backstage?" The popular girl asked.

"Yes." The hostess replied, "Here, you will take your math exam. You only have one hour to finish the exam. After one hour, whether you're finished or not, the proctor will take your sheets. Afterwards, you have 30 minutes to prepare for the talk show, where political and leadership exams will be tested. Is that clear?"

"Yes hostess." We responded in chorus as we started to sit and the proctor gave us the sheets that contained college math equations and questions. I can't help but smile at the math equations I saw. These were familiar and not to brag, I actually love math as a subject, same with how dad loves them too.

I looked at Ylode who was at the side of the room and smiled at her, letting her know that these were easy things to solve. Ylode, who also happens to love math can't help but smile back, giving me thumbs-up for good luck.

"Does everyone have the sheets?" The proctor asked.

"Yes ma'am." We all responded.

"You may begin."

And that's when time started ticking.

I then remembered what I've studied and practiced in math. Thank God that the proctor allowed us to use calculators and have a scratch paper for solutions that we were able to solve and arrive at a correct answer. As I was taking my exam, I can't help but secretly observe some ladies. Some of them were solving with ease. But there were some who were having a hard time and are secretly begging to have an answer. I also tried to look at Maria who was actually smiling upon solving the equation. She finds it really easy for her despite not liking math. I can't help but be proud that she applied everything I've taught her.

The proctor would roam the room, checking out on each and every one of us. Cheating was not allowed in this exam. And she was determined to catch one lady cheating. Maybe she really wanted to crush one's dream of marrying King Anton.

After an hour, I was able to finish all the equations. I then looked at Maria who gave me a thumbs-up, telling me that she finished all the items as well. However, there were some who did not able to finish. I can't help but feel bad for them. I watched as the proctor went to the hostess and thanked her before she left.

"Okay ladies." The hostess said, catching our attention, "The proctor will check your answers. For the meantime, please prepare for the talk show." She said as we heard a band playing and a voice of the host from the other room. The maids and ladies then rushed to respective places, Maria and Ylode rushing to me. I then stood up.

"Should I change?" I asked Ylode as I looked at my outfit: velvet pencil skirt, light blue blouse with a business coat, and silver stilettos.

"Both of you don't have to change." Ylode breathed, "Just the hair, make-up, and... accessories." Ylode then fumbled at her bag and took out a gold necklace, dangles and hoops, a pearl earrings and necklace, a make-up kit and the hair accessories. Afterwards, I let Maria go first, with Ylode finishing her hair in a bun. Then she motioned to me, applying brown eyeshadow, blush and light contour then a pinkish nude lipstick. She then straightened my hair as I placed the gold accessories. Afterwards, Ylode let Maria and I look at the mirror.

"There you go." Ylode smiled, "The only thing left are your finest answers then you're good to go." She said as Maria and I looked at each other and smiled, squeezing each other's hand.