27 The Exam (2/2)
With the sound of the door closing, everyone seemed to be lost, not sure what the school was playing at. After a long silence, some of them gave up wondering and began the exam, followed by...cries of astonishment.
Ye Qingxuan heard someone in front of him curse, and when he started the examination himself, he was shocked as well. Out of six pages, only one page was on grammar, music theory, and mathematics. Four pages were essay questions!
Four full pages!
Advanced questions which had nothing to do with basic music theories!
'The impact of the church's reform over a hundred years ago, on the Anglo system,' 'the rise of the School of Choir and its leading figures,' 'briefly describe the seven questions raised by Hermes,' 'The similarities and differences between Runes' grammar and the common language,' 'St. Gregory's four big achievements,' 'The five criteria of the Choir...'
Up until the last page, it was completely blank.
”Did I get the place wrong? Is this the Trinity College?”
Some candidates were scratching their heads and making painful noises. Last night's crash studying on music theory and mathematics had been completely useless!
”Isn't the advanced mathematics supposed to be hardest part...”
”I never studied Rune's grammar!”
Under the whispered complaints, Ye Qingxuan clutched the paper and looked around with surprise. Had Wolf Flute done him an even bigger favor than he had thought? He grabbed his pen and felt uneasy.
-
In the busy examination room, no one had even thought to look up at the grand dome. No one knew that above the dome, there was a group of people casually holding wine glasses, looking at their miserable expressions.
On the second floor of the lecture hall was a hidden floor. In a magnificent hall, the floor was completely transparent, like crystals. The proctors were sitting on the couch, and looked down at the movements in the examination room, also exchanging words with each other.
”It seems that this exam is very effective.”
Several proctors looked at each other and laughed.
They watched everyone's sad expressions, and congratulated the one next to them, ”Genius idea, Mr. Ben!”
”Thanks.” Ben nodded, proudly rubbing his mustache. He said with a smile, ”After all, the School of Choir is also a part of what the musicians must know. If the commoners do not understand, they can't blame the others right?
”The Royal Academy of Music is the most knowledge-intensive school in Anglo. Testing only advanced mathematics and basic music theory won't be comprehensive enough.”
Some people agreed, ”I suggest that in the future, examinations as well as classes should expand this segment. Religious study should remain an important part of education.”
”Agreed!”
”Then it's settled.”
Ben said, ”I will report back to the school committee. If all the families here are in agreement, even the principal cannot disagree.”
The proposal had passed.
”The exam is so difficult this time. What if no one answers correctly?” Someone asked softly.
”The total number of candidates is two hundred and seventy. More than a hundred idiots will be dismissed and will no longer be our concern. We just need to take care of the remaining one hundred people.
”Yes. Religion is part of the noble family's education. Even if it is not the main subject, they won't be like the commoners, who know nothing other than how to praise the saints.”
The proctors looked at each other and laughed.
Most of the children of the noble families began all aspects of education before their coming of age, including art, religion, and etiquette. They were much better off compared to the commoners who only had at most two years in public school and only knew some hymns.
Once the scope of the examination went beyond the basic education, it would simply be a slaughter within the scope of the provisions.
Moreover, it would be easy to find the big fish in the small pond...the final interpretation was in the hands of the proctors. As long as everything was tidied up, even the principal would not be able to say anything once he came back.
Watching the group of blank-faced commoners, Ben could not help but laugh. During the long exam, someone pushed open the door, and sat quietly in the corner chair.
The noble proctors' smiles slightly retracted, and gave the old man a quick sneering look, then turned away.
Ever since the noble faction won the upper hand, the musician faction had completely given up under the influence of the principal. In order to appear fair on the surface, the principal only assigned an inconspicuous teacher as the representative, just for show.
Compared to the elites who wore expensive clothing, even with his meticulous hair, the old man's clothing was mediocre at best. He was very ordinary, and did not live up to the status of a musician.
He sat silently in the corner, not saying a word, and just looked down at the candidates. The dark iron surface of his mechanical metal prosthetic, replacing his right arm, shone slightly. Four fingers stretched silently.
He watched with concentration like a child.