The Double ( or More ?) Life of The Fake Heiress

The eighty–minute sprint that was the first exam whizzed by in a blur. A twenty–minute breather was all the students had before diving into the deep end with the second exam.

Mirabella had popped into the restroom for a quick break, and when she came out, she bumped into

Jenna.

In contrast to the somber faces of the other students, Jenna was the picture of ease. Spotting Mirabella, her excitement bubbled over. “Queen Mira, you totally rocked it. Half the questions on the exam – you called them!”

Mirabella just arched an eyebrow at her, then casually twisted the faucet to wash her hands. After drying them off, she noticed Jenna still hovering. “Don’t you need the loo?”

Jenna, who’d been mulling over her decent performance in the first exam, snapped to attention and scurried inside. But after a couple of steps, she halted and spun around, calling out, “I’ll be right out. Wait for me so we can head back together, okay?”

Outside in the corridor, Mirabella could overhear snippets of conversation from passing students, all about the difficulty level of the exam. Olympiad questions were notorious for being a notch above the regular school math exams, and this time, some curveballs had been thrown in; they were above the senior level but not quite college material.

Jenna emerged quickly, all chirpy. “Let’s roll.”

Mirabella gave her a sidelong glance. “Here’s hoping you can keep up that spirit after the second exam.”

Jenna, unfazed, gazed out toward the sports field. “With all the prep you gave me? I’m ready to slay.”

Mira had nailed the first exam predictions, and Jenna was banking on a repeat performance for the second. She felt like she’d been possessed by the spirit of a straight–A student confidence surging!

Shaking her head, Mirabella kept silent.

Side by side, they walked on, neither looking back. So, they didn’t notice Summer stepping out of the restroom behind them. Summer had actually arrived just before Mirabella went in, and upon seeing her, she instinctively closed the door again, staying put. She couldn’t stand the sight of Mirabella, afraid it would stir up the resentment she’d barely managed to tamp down.

It was Jenna’s enthusiastic “You totally rocked it” about the first exam that jarred her once more.

Summer had always harbored suspicions about Mirabella, who had come back from the countryside. Several probes had left her confused by Mirabella’s attitude, but now… her suspicions flared anew.

Watching Mirabella’s retreating figure, Summer’s gaze darkened.

Soon, the second exam of the league began. This time, the questions were modeled after the International Math Olympiad, with more expansive knowledge requirements and some content outside the teaching syllabus. With a full score of 180 and a duration of 150 minutes, it was a beast.

Mirabella scanned her exam paper, a rare look of concentration dawning on her face. The math problems were indeed the toughest among the major subjects. These four problem–solving questions were significantly more complex than the physics and chemistry ones she’d encountered in international competitions.

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But then again… for a mere league, to present a challenge of this international caliber seemed a tad overzealous, didn’t it?

As Mirabella tackled the questions, her mind wandered back to Mr. Hammond’s emphasis on the league’s significance. This wasn’t just any old exam; it was a battleground for reputation and honor, cloaked in the guise of academic competition.

An hour and a half later, Mirabella penned the final line to the last problem–solving question.