The Educational Placement Test was made for individuals in special circumstances, including ones that had been out of formal school due to various reasons. Callisto's reasoning was due to her incurable genetic disorder, but people had no way of knowing that, unless they had a close relationship with her parents.
The assessment was meant to determine the appropriate grade level of the person. Once done, the individual would be able to enroll to the grade level that matched what they showcased during the assessment.
The duration of the test depend on what grade level the individual was taking based on their age and whether the assessor had decided that they could take on a higher level assessment. The higher the grade level, the longer the test duration.
Based on Callisto's age, the grade level of the test she was currently taking was grade 10. But if the assessor, Edmond Saranyo, determined that her knowledge exceeded grade 10, she would then have an opportunity to take on a higher level assessment.
* * *
A few hours had passed since Callisto, Hinata, and Elesis went on separate ways. Like people finishing their daily shift, the students were finishing up for today's Brigada Eskwela.
Elesis and her circle of friends were lounging outside their classroom instead of leaving like the rest of their classmates.
"I wonder if Calli's done with her EPT," Elesis asked out of nowhere, sipping juice from the carton in hand whilst overlooking the ground from the second floor of the building.
"The grade level she's taking has to be grade 10," replied one of the guys, resting his back against the parapet. "It's only 10AM. She's probably still in it."
* * *
Meanwhile, in another school building where Hinata's classroom was located, Hinata was with his own circle of friends inside the room after doing their part cleaning.
Despite chatting animatedly with them, his mind seemed to drift to thoughts of Callisto. Wondering how she was doing in the principal's office.
And then, as he and his friends continued to talk inside the classroom, Hinata overheard a group of male students right outside the room.
"Hey, look at that."
"A new girl? Is she wearing a wig?"
"But why? Is it a new trend?"
"Maybe she's bald."
"She looks kinda cute, though."
Unable to help himself, Hinata excused himself from his friends who watched him leave the room, wondering what just happened.
He leaned over the parapet, and sure enough, Callisto was down there on the school grounds, seemingly heading somewhere.
"Calli..."
Before he knew it, Hinata was already making his way down the stairs to follow the young lady.
* * *
"This should be the way to the cafeteria like the principal said, but..."
On the way to the cafeteria, people that were either passing by or cleaning in groups from the side could not help but look at Callisto in awe. Unfortunately, her attention was too preoccupied with something to notice them.
Callisto had a troubled expression on her face.
Part of it was her wondering if she was really on the right way to the cafeteria to take a break from the assessment. The other was about what happened inside the Principal's Office before she left.
* * *
Inside the Principal's Office, Edmond Saranyo was looming over his desk, his hands splayed all over the test papers.
He had a troubled expression on his face. No, to say he was just troubled by something would be an understatement.
It seemed as though Edmond was frustrated more than anything as he looked at the papers before him.
"I can't believe it. This is already college level, and not only did she finished it all so quickly, every answer is..."
It was said that the higher the grade level of the test, the longer it would usually take to finish.
Grade 10 assessment alone was supposed to take a few hours if not more. And yet, to Edmond's incredible disbelief, Callisto finished her first assessment in less than thirty minutes.
When she was given another stapled sheets of test papers, she finished it all at almost the same duration. And then, she did the same on the next one. And another one.
Edmond didn't tell Callisto that the last test papers he gave her was for college level because he could not believe that the young lady finished the grade 10 test so fast with a perfect score just like the others.
Edmond made Callisto retake another college level test without her knowing with questions that were different from the last one.
But as he watched the girl go through it, Edmond immediately knew that the result would be the same as the previous ones.
Callisto did not disappoint.
He was so in denial of the fact that Edmond gave Callisto a sharp, stern look as he abruptly stopped her mid-test and told her to take a break for the time being.
"The cafeteria is open. You may go in there and take a breather."
"Y-Yes. Thank you very much."
Callisto, unsure of why Edmond seemed angry out of nowhere, complied immediately and left the office.
"Adela, Raymond, you guys..." Edmond's back hit the chair as he let the wheels slide backwards. "Even if she inherited her smarts from you both, this is still too much. Just what kind of learning sessions did you put her through?"
The only learning sessions Callisto had were with Hinata and Elesis in the last month. Hinata taught Callisto as best he could, even including some college level knowledge. Outside that, Callisto also did some self-learning, all for today's EPT.
Callisto never went through some special kind of lessons and activities from her parents like Edmond thought. But he would probably never figure that out.
Nonetheless, there was only one thing he could do at this point.
Edmond took out his mobile phone and made a call.
"Hello. We need to talk about Callisto Mandjet."