Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 103548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 518(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
My lips pressed into a thin line. I didn’t have an answer to that, but when she spelled it out that way, I would be surprised if they weren’t failing too.
“Those that aren’t failing must have instructors that are doing the extra work of catching them up,” she said. “Work they shouldn’t have to do. Either way, I doubt the alpha council will call this experiment a success if the omega students fail, or all the professors break under the heavy workload.”
“I doubt that too,” I forced out, feeling smaller and smaller—stupider and stupider with every word. Why hadn’t any of this occurred to me? “What do you suggest?”
Ash smiled. “Page twenty-seven.”
I flipped through, landing on the title written in bold across the top. “Transitionary Introduction Classes?”
“That’s right.” She leaned in, lacing her fingers on the desk. “What I propose we do is have all of the teachers set clear benchmarks for their classes, and then design a test based on those benchmarks. Every student will take these tests—from alpha to omega. After all, there are subjects that omegas were taught that alphas weren’t as well.
“Once we know every student’s strengths and weaknesses, we’ll change their schedules and enroll them in the appropriate introduction classes. Only after they’ve passed those classes will they be placed in their chosen tracks. If they cannot pass the introduction classes...” She shook her head. “Then, they must simply accept that track is not right for them.”
Ash sat back, smiling wide because she knew she was right, and there was nothing I could say to contradict her. And dammit, it was true.
“Believe it or not,” she continued, “I applaud you for forcing this change for the mere fact that these introduction classes will finally be made reality. I proposed them seven years ago, but the current headmaster at the time rejected the proposal.
“For decades, we’ve relied on recommendations as assurances a particular student is up to the level of this institution, instead of simply testing to confirm if that’s true.” She nodded sharp. “No more.”
“I— Okay, but all this testing isn’t going to be quick or simple,” I argued. “Plus, you’re suggesting we create a bunch of new classes out of thin air even though you just said the professors’ workload is too heavy.”
“Just so,” she agreed. “School-wide exams for the entire student body will not be quick or easy. That’s why we’ll have to cancel classes while the staff prepare, and the students study. As for the new classes, we’ll interview and hire new staff—all who we’ll have no trouble paying after the current staff’s pay is reduced to their normal salary.”
Again that bland, shaming smile. “No instructor who works for me needs a bribe. They either want to teach in this hallowed institution, or they don’t. All the same, every member of staff will be paid a fair salary with the expected holiday bonuses, and not a penny more.”
I hummed. “None of that extra money came from the school funds. I paid them from my own private accounts.”
“Your commitment to not misappropriating school funds is admirable, but a bribe is a bribe, and I’ll have no part in it.” Her glittering eyes pinned me to my chair. “Especially because the council is fairly certain you’re being funded by the same vampire leech that released the video you made, violating our most sacred law.
“You may desire to be tainted by that filth’s dirty money, but you will not make the good decent wolves in this school a party to it.”
My brows rose lightly, amusement dancing on my smirk. “You’re not one for sugarcoating, are you?”
Ash returned my smirk, placing her folded hands on her knee. “I find it’s better to be direct. Speaking of, do I have the position or not?”
“Not so fast, Mrs. Ash. Keep that directness going and tell me your conditions, because we both know you have them.”
She chuckled—the first time anything approaching a laugh came out of her. “Very well. I won’t insult you by denying it. I do have conditions, and they’re nonnegotiable. First, should you insist on remaining the headmistress of this school, even though you don’t have the experience, training, or knowledge that makes you fit for the position, you will agree that the staff falls solely under my purview,” she said.
“You are both their boss and their pupil. It creates a power dynamic that is simply unacceptable. Your leadership professor shouldn’t have to worry that failing you will result in their termination.”
“I’m not that petty or that unethical,” I shot back. “But I do agree it creates a weird power dynamic.”
“Does that mean you agree to the condition?”
I sat back, considering her. I wasn’t stupid. Like I told the epsilons, Ash was one hundred percent here to be an agent of the council—ensuring that if anyone got their way in the end, it would be them and only them.