The Intelligence Test

Chapter 1

I wake up to the sound of our housekeeper bot whirring around.

"Good morning, Varolen," Mynx beeps, a blue pixelated smiley face visible on its screen. "What would you like for breakfast today?"

"Um..." I hesitate for a moment. "Onigiri? With some omurice?"

"Will do. Please get dressed and brush your teeth as soon as possible. Your parents await you downstairs." Just as the bot exits the door, they add," Happy birthday!"

I get out of bed with the enthusiasm of a snail. Not that I'd know how snails move when they're enthusiastic, but I'd predict it would be something along the lines of slow.

The first thing I do is open the white cloth window blinds and admire the city below. My family might not live in a mansion, but we live in a tall building with just as many features.

The sight of Feroline usually calms my jittery nerves down. Today, it's not working.

The colorful domino-like buildings seem to stand more menacingly this morning, bronze windows shining like glaring eyes.

The sky is a light cotton blue, with only a small wisp of cloud.

I tear my gaze away and proceed to the restroom right next door. As I brush my teeth, I avoid glancing in the mirror.

I already know what I look like. Scruffy dark hair, a mole on the nose, and a few traces of acne on my cheeks. Wary brown eyes and chubby cheeks. Skinny frame that looks nothing more than skin on bones.

The bathroom doesn't look as terrible as me, though. The bathtub is built into the ground, making it look like a large rectangle with a spout. The mirror is gilded with silver, and the sink is made of smooth granite.

I wash my face, make no attempt to comb my hair, and make my way back to my bedroom to get dressed. As I do, I briefly scan my desk.

My review sheets from yesterday are in a pile, most likely organized by Mynx before they woke me up. In another pile are my old tests, scores in red pen peeping out.

Perfect scores all around.

On the right side of my desk, a transparent box with silver gravel sits, where my robotic chick resides. My pet waddles up the little ramp into the second floor I gave it. Its habitat is more colorful than half the city.

Next to the box is a series of twisted wires. It forms a half finished dragon, mouth open in a snarl.

In the center of my desk sits a pile of books.

I glance around the room quickly and shove the books back under my bed. Mynx must've dug them out when they were cleaning my room.

If my parents knew, they would never approve.

It's the year 2150. They'd say it's a waste of time. Everything is online now, why bother with paper?

Personally, I find paper comforting to work with. At least those can't be stolen by any hackers.

I stuff my wire dragon into the drawer too, where it lands with the rest of my creations that my parents won't see.

You might wonder why my parents seem to disapprove of these things. Come with me, I'll show you.

I check my phone as I go downstairs to the living room. The aroma of egg and rice hits me like a wave as I settle down on the cherrywood cushioned chair.

Notifications scream at me from the screen.

12:01 AM. Rel: Bruh the teacher can't take crap seriously these days like wtf man I was just joking just let me fricken be goddam someday I'm gonna kill myself and it's all gonna be ur fault cuz ain't no way i'm putting up with this anymore this mf needs to get their brain checked