Not Even an Idea

Chapter Five: Competency | Part 3

Thirtyx’s frustration at Professor C’s assumption was drowned out by the surge of anger from Rhea. Almost no one double-Comps! Much less someone who’s running three clubs, continuing to help with palace duties, and learning an entirely new form of magic! And even if I wanted to, the absolute nerve of her to think I could randomly decide to double-Comp without a full council of approvals…

Thirtyx was half-listening while eyeing the thick packets on the desks on the left side of the classroom. Seerla thumbed through hers with a particularly queasy look. Even her face scales had gone pale.

It’s not like law is a walk in the park, either, Thirtyx noted. I mean, none of the Comps are easy, but this one…

Rhea raised an eyebrow, to which Thirtyx responded with confusion. Rhea called forth a memory reel that started with Thirtyx’s current expression—a bit more sullen than he’d intended it to look. The reel rewinded to a few moments ago, when Professor C ushered Thirtyx to the right without even asking. Another rewind, and Thirtyx’s voice echoed through Rhea’s head. “Not.. big… ones.”

Thirtyx set his jaw and looked pointedly at the notebook he was opening, but Rhea continued, undaunted. Look, I get it. I wouldn’t want to do all that work either if I was just going to get looked over for most of the jobs that require a Comp. But you don’t have to act like you don’t care.

Thirtyx rolled his eyes. Pretty sure I don’t care as much as you think I do. Everyone’s mistrust of Veriths is just… life. I can’t change it, you can’t change it, and if anything, it’s way less restrictive than you and Benn having no choice in your education plans.

Being forced to be queen because of my birth is not remotely the same as being barred from a whole host of potential careers because of yours. It’s okay if you’re upset! It isn’t right.

I’ve accepted how this works. You making me talk about it is what’s getting me upset. Thirtyx pushed his irritation toward Rhea alongside his words.

Rhea pursed her lips into a thin line as Professor C entered the classroom. She severed the connection and left Thirtyx alone in his head.

Thirtyx escaped any discussion of Comps during his next class, which anyone Comping for history would have taken as a 10th-year, but the talks resumed in full force at lunch. Rhea and Benn were already seated when Thirtyx arrived. Rhea jumped as though she’d been caught stealing cookies, and Benn scrambled to hide a Comps packet under the table. 

“Guys, I’m fine,” Thirtyx huffed. “You have as much right to panic about your Comps as I do to revel in all the free time I’m going to have.” He cupped his hands behind his head and made an exaggerated show of reclining against his chair. The influx of nervous energy had improved his mood greatly. If he had to guess, a lot of seniors were currently lying to their friends and themselves about how much they could handle. More were probably considering dropping their Comp plans but weren’t sure how to admit it out loud. Thirtyx felt a smidge guilty that he was being nourished by their anguish, but it dissipated quickly when he recalled the times they’d gotten amusement from his pain.

Benn reluctantly returned his packet to the table. “You guys know I’m not lazy, but this, on top of everything Grimm is having us do! It’s— it’s— it’s— it’s—”

Rhea cut off his stammering by nudging his water glass toward him. Thirtyx strongly suspected it had been spiked with a calming potion or two. “I don’t get what you’re so worried about,” Rhea said. “It’s not like we have to study. Our skills are leagues above those of most idiots who have passed a magic Comp.”

Benn’s derisive snort came out more like a strangled yelp. “Our skills won’t be worth anything when we’re asked to remember obscure magic theory facts or draw rune shapes we never use.” He flipped open the packet to a random page. “Some of these prompts are pulled straight from old Comp tests—including some really unusual spells they have you cast during the practical. I’m trying to make a coherent study schedule, but I just don’t see how it’s all going to fit.”

Rhea elbowed Thirtyx in the side. “That’s fine. We can hang out while Benn’s panicking.”

“Isn’t that what we usually do?” Benn’s glower turned smoothly to a smirk. “You have your fun. I’ll use all my freshly studied knowledge to turn myself into a fly on the wall for the absolute massacre of a lecture Grimm will give you when you fail.”