Valhalla High (A Magnus Chase Fanfic)

My Math Teacher is a Monster

Gym was followed by AP World History, which was also taught by Odin. He had us play another Jeopardy! game and I had the theme song stuck in my head the rest of the day. My next class was AP Mathematics.

Mr. Lovelace looked strangely familiar. As I sat down beside beside Blitzen, my eyes slid on the back of Alex's head and I realized why. Mr. Lovelace bore a strong resemblance to Alex. They both had the same sharp features and slight build. "Hello class," he said after taking attendance. "My name is Mr. Lovelace, but you can call me Loki. AP Mathematics isn't for everyone; if numbers make you scream, then go run, run away and never come back."

Loki's thin lips stretched into a cold smile. "I promise this will be your most difficult class of the year. Not only do I give homework every night, but I start each class with a bellringer that is graded."

He then went out and passed the worksheet out. "You have ten minutes to complete it."

I thought he was kidding, but I set to work. I had barely finished the second-to-last question when he said, "Pencils down."

I laid my pencil to the side. "I shall collect them now."

A kid raised their hand. "Is this really graded?"

"Why yes," Loki said. "You should see your grades in Canvas by the end of the day along with an explanation of all the mistakes you made."

I didn't like Loki; he seemed to relish in the pain of others. After the bellringer was put away, he gave us the syllabus. "Read it over, gave your parents sign it, and bring it back tomorrow," he said.

Halfborn raised his hand. "I have a question about—"

"We don't have time for that now," Loki interrupted. "I need to pass out your textbook, so we can begin the first lesson."

He passed them out and had us write our names in the front cover. "Flip To Page 16," Loki instructed.

He had his own copy of the textbook which he put under the projector, so that we could all see it. "Lesson 1.1 covers integers, rational numbers, and real numbers," Loki said.

He went on to explain the difference between the three terms and I took some notes on a blank sheet of lined paper. After some introductory explanations, we were supposed to work through a series of questions. I finished the last one (Is -3 a real number, a rational number, or an integer? Check all that apply) and began to doodle.

Hearthstone must have been looking over at my drawing because he signed something to me. I recognized the gesture for good and I thanked him. He showed me his own drawing of what appeared to be an elf practicing magic. I gave him a thumbs up. "Why are you passing notes in class?" Loki asked.

I swallowed. The teacher was right beside me and I hadn't realized. "I, uhhh—"

"It seems the whole class needs to see this thing if it renders you speechless," Loki said, snatching the papers from Hearthstone and I.

     He strode towards the front of the classroom and put my page of notes for the entire class to see. "Well, look at this," Loki said. "Our Magnus is a budding artist."

    My cheeks burned like dragon's breath as Loki continued to speak. "Well, well, class. Look at this: Magnus has drawn a Dalek. Seems like he's a Doctor Who nerd. Oh and a girl!"

    He pointed to a picture I had drawn of my cousin dressed as Annabelle from the Peter Johnson series. "Give that back!" I said. "That's my cousin!"

     Loki's eyes widened. "Scandalous and let's see what Mister Hearthstone drew."

     He removed my notes from view and replaced them with Hearthstone's. I glanced back to see him putting his face in his palms; he didn't want to see the reactions of others. "An elf practicing magic," Loki said. "How many Renaissance Fairs have you gone to, Hearthstone? Can't you find something better to do with your time?"

     "He can't hear you," Blitzen muttered.

     "Well, he should try harder," Loki said.

      "He's deaf," I said flatly.

       "Disrespectful!" Loki said. "I'm writing up all three of you!"

     "That's ridiculous!" Samirah said, standing up.

     "Yeah, leave them alone," Alex agreed.

     Loki's eyes flashed. "How are my students supposed to respect me if my own children won't? Now sit down or you two are both getting written up."

    Neither of them budged. Loki stomped over to the old-fashioned phone hanging on the wall and dialed a number. The whole class was silent as he whispered furiously into the receiver, spit flying from his mouth.

     Samirah stood with her arms crossed in front of her chest. Blitzen was untying and retrying his bow tie. Hearthstone was gazing around the classroom with his cool, silent gaze. Alex raised her eyebrows at me. She was wearing a green vest and pink necktie today and looked stunning. Honestly, the prospect of being with Alex was more slightly terrifying than Loki.

     Loki finally finished his call and looked up. "All of you, go to the principal's office — now!"

    Samirah gave her father a cool look and swept past him. Alex strutted our of the room. Hearthstone and Blitzen were next and I trailed behind them. As we walked, Hearthstone and Blitzen made signs.

      The principal's office only had two chairs, so I stood and waited while Hearthstone sat down gratefully in one of them and Blitzen sat didn't beside him. Samirah was nervously rapping her foot against the ground and Alex was trying to comfort her. "He can't do much because of the court restrictions," Alex said.

     "But Loki might make our life miserable at school," Samirah said.

     "That's true," Alex said.

      Then, she proceeded to call Loki by a number of colorful words. I honestly couldn't blame her. I'd hate to have that monster as a parent. She met my gaze. "You were brave to stand up to my mother."

     "Your mother?" I asked.

    Alex nodded. I was still digesting the information when the vice principals strode into the room and spoke in unison. "It's time to talk."