Chapter 34
Small World
I remained seated for a moment longer, letting the chaos rush around me like water around a stone. The scent of ink, sweat, and spilled anxiety lingered in the hall.
Slowly, I packed my pens into their simple case and slipped Dafa's badge into the inner pocket of my blouse. Its cool metal pressed against my ribs, a silent vow, a borrowed strength.
I rose from my seat. My gaze was drifting instinctively across the room.
Lilith already stood with her entourage. Gone was their earlier smugness; in its place clung an almost desperate energy.
"I can't believe that question on municipal budgeting! That wasn't in any of the preparatory materials!" wailed the sharp-nosed girl, clutching her forehead like she had survived a battlefield.
"And those logic puzzles, its ridiculous. Who even has time for all those steps?" another muttered.
"I know right."
