The news created an instant buzz. Around John, students began to chatter in excitement. The scholars of Kerallin were near-mythical figures who spent their lives wrapped in secret study on their hidden world. Very few beings in the universe had ever even laid eyes upon the scholars.
Every so often the fruit of their research was presented by a messenger — new technology the scholars had invented, the histories of planets lost long ago, or works of mathematics so complex that that only a few minds in the universe could grasp their importance. Otherwise, the scholars stayed silent and apart from the rest of the universe.
“Wow,” said Queelin Temerate, her yellow eyes glowing and stubby feelers twitching with excitement. “You mean the actual scholars are actually coming here?”
“And they’re going to test us?” said Raytanna. “Oh goody, I just love tests.”
A cold dread had gripped John’s stomach. Although he tried his best, the only subjects he was any good at were math and flying.
As he had discovered when he first came to Hyperspace High, very few of the subjects taught at the school were anything like those he had been learning on Earth. John spent a lot of his time trying to catch up with the other students. A test on Galactic Geography or Hyperspace History was his worst nightmare.
He gulped. What if the scholars wanted to test him on Cosmic Languages?
Speaking alien languages was mind-bogglingly difficult for John, who had never even met an alien until seven weeks ago, let alone tried to communicate with one in their own language.
He often thanked his lucky stars for the ship’s computer, which translated every word that was spoken around him into English before it even reached his ears.
I’m going to fail.
He glanced at Emmie. Her golden skin had turned pale. She looked back at him, biting her lip.
John knew exactly what she was thinking. Between the two of them, they juggled bottom place in most classes. One week it would be him, the next Emmie.
There was every chance that both of them would fail a test.
Unlike Emmie, though, John had an extra worry. An accident had brought him to the school. Lorem had asked him to stay, but he hadn’t been specially chosen to study at Hyperspace High like everyone else. At least Emmie knew that the scholars must have had some reason for picking her.
Probably her talent at flying, reflected John. I don’t want to be thrown out, he told himself. I’ll have to go back to boring Earth school and never fly a spaceship again. Maybe if I study really hard before the test begins . . .
The voice of an Examiner interrupted John’s thoughts. Its flat, electronic voice droned, “Rule 109: Unauthorized speaking in class is prohibited. Future transgressions punishable by detention.”
“Oh, I’m sure there will be no need for detentions,” said the headmaster, as the class fell silent once more. “If I may continue . . . to answer your question, Queelin, the scholars will not be coming here. Many of them are too old to make the journey, so you will be traveling to Kerallin for the inspection. You will be representing the whole school, so I expect nothing less than your very best behavior. Remember, please, to apply everything you have learned at Hyperspace High.”
He stopped again, looking from face to face of the students.
“There is one last thing,” he said slowly. “I must warn you that the scholars are highly secretive. Beyond secretive, in fact. Once the test is finished, you must never speak of it to anyone. Do I make myself clear?”
A few students nodded.
“I will, of course, know if anyone is indiscreet,” Lorem said, stony-faced.
“Yes sir,” the entire class chorused.
Before he knew what he was doing, John’s hand was up.
“Excuse me, sir,” he asked the headmaster, “but when does the test start? Will we have time to revise?”
“The tests begin now,” Lorem answered. “The scholars are expecting you, and they wish to know what you have learned, not how well you revise.”
John groaned inwardly.
“If you are all quite ready, then, let’s get you on your way to Kerallin. Please follow me immediately.”
Thanking Professor Raydon, Lorem turned and led the class from the holo-classroom.
In the hallway outside, the feverish chatter started again. The students were all incredibly excited.
“Wow, my mom and dad would never believe I’ve been to Kerallin,” Lishtig said with a chuckle. “It’s, like, the brainiest place in the universe.”
“Not if Emmie and John are there,” sneered Mordant. “As soon as they land, it’ll be the dumbest place in the universe.”
When he saw John’s and Emmie’s miserable faces, he added slyly, “What’s the matter with you two? Afraid you’re going to be thrown out? About time, if you ask me. Neither of you are supposed to be here anyway.”
They both ignored him, too wrapped up in their own worries to argue.
“Get lost, Mordant,” Kaal growled from behind them.
“I was just saying —”
“And I was just saying get lost.”
“Yeah?” Mordant said. “What are you going to do about it?”
“Oh, I don’t know, Mordant. Maybe I’ll call an Examiner over,” snapped Kaal. “I’m sure they’ll be very interested to know your idea of ‘very best behavior’ involves insulting other students in the class before we’ve even taken off.”
Muttering under his breath, Mordant walked faster until he was out of earshot.
“Don’t let Mordant bother you; he’s an idiot,” said Kaal gently.
“He’s right, though,” Emmie said glumly. “I’m never going to pass any tests.”
“Me, neither,” said John. “I’m going to let the school down and prove that Lorem never should have asked me to stay.”
Clapping an enormous hand on each of his friends’ shoulders, Kaal laughed. “Cheer up,” he said. “The scholars of Kerallin would be insane if they threw either of you out. Between you, you’ve saved everyone’s lives on an exploding volcano planet, stopped an intergalactic war, and won the Robot Warrior competition.”
“Yeah, but none of that involved tests,” John groaned.
“I might as well save myself a trip to Kerallin and start packing to go home now,” Emmie added glumly.
“Don’t be silly, you’ll both be fine,” said Kaal cheerfully. “Hey, you know where we’re headed, don’t you?”
John and Emmie stared at him. Neither of them had been paying any attention to where Lorem was leading the class.
“Where?” asked John.
“Exit port kappa,” Kaal said, grinning.
It took a moment to figure it out. Emmie got there first.
“The pyramid!” she gasped, looking through a viewing window at the glowing ship that had docked with Hyperspace High earlier that morning. “We’re going to Kerallin on that amazing spaceship.” Her navy eyes brightened immediately.
“I thought that might cheer you up,” said Kaal.
A few minutes later, the headmaster brought the class to a halt outside the dock.
“Here our paths must part,” he told the students. “To ensure that none of you are coached or helped with the tests, the scholars forbid any teachers to accompany you. Mordant Talliver, your Serve-U-Droid will also not be permitted.”
Talliver gasped. “But . . . but that’s not fair. I need G-Vez. I have to have it with me. Without it, I’ll have to do everything myself. I can’t do that!”
“That’s the idea, Mordant,” Lorem said with a laugh.
“Serve-U-Droids are programmed to follow their owners everywhere,” G-Vez cut in. “I would be failing in my duty if I allowed the young master to go without me.”
“Think of it as a vacation, G-Vez,” Lorem replied.
The little droid spun around, lights flashing. “Ah,” it said, “if you put it that way, I have been meaning to change my batteries and tidy up my hard drive.”
“G-VEZ!” Mordant yelled. He sounded utterly outraged.
For the first time since the headmaster had appeared in the classroom, John found himself smiling.
“I am terribly sorry, young Master Talliver,” the little machine said. “But rules are rules.” It floated away to bob around the headmaster’s shoulders.
Mordant looked horrified.
Lorem nodded toward the pyramid. “Your assessment begins now. Starting with tests of Space Flight and your problem-solving abilities.”
“You mean we’ve got to fly the pyramid on our own?” Emmie blurted out.
“Precisely,” Lorem said. “And pilot it to the Kerallin.”
The last traces of Emmie’s nerves vanished. “I didn’t realize there would be a flight test involved,” she said happily. “Space flight I can do.”
“Well, now is your chance to show the scholars of Kerallin,” Lorem replied.
Addressing the whole class, he continued, “Once you are all on board, we will release the docking clamps. The ship will be moved away from Hyperspace High using our force fields. After that, you are on your own.”
A murmur ran through the crowd of students.
“Whatever happens,” Lorem said finally, “I’m trusting all of you will make me proud. Good luck, everyone.”
As the class filed through exit port kappa, a finger tapped John on the shoulder. He stopped and looked up into the headmaster’s twinkling purple eyes.
“John Riley,” Lorem said, “you look less than happy about this adventure. I’m surprised. I thought you enjoyed a challenge. What is troubling you?”
John tried to force a smile onto his face. He failed and looked down at his feet. “It’s just that everyone else belongs here, sir,” he said miserably. “They were chosen. I’m just an accident. I wasn’t supposed to be here. That Martian prince was. And I won’t do well on the tests.”
“Are you sorry that you were invited to stay on at Hyperspace High?” the headmaster asked, looking concerned. “Do you feel that you’ve made a mistake by staying?”
“No, no. It’s not that,” John babbled. “It’s just I’m afraid the scholars will tell me to leave. That’s what’s bothering me. This is the best school ever.”
“I’m glad you think so,” Lorem said. “You know, accidents often have unexpected consequences. In fact, many people believe the existence of the universe itself is a vast cosmic accident.”
“I guess,” John said glumly.
“There is no need to worry about your presence here,” the headmaster went on. “I am very happy to have you at Hyperspace High, and I know I am not the only one who feels that way. You belong at this school as much as anyone else.”
“Thank you, sir,” John said quietly. “But . . . well . . . I’m not the best student. At all. And the scholars will be sure to figure that out.”
John sighed. Then he lifted up his eyes and looked into the headmaster’s face. “Will there be lots of difficult tests?” he asked Lorem nervously.
An enigmatic smile flickered across Lorem’s face.
“What is life other than a series of tests, John?” the headmaster said. “Tests we must face with courage.”