The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani Page A

gravely. “As I said, given the exceptional incompetence required to earn three straight last-place ranks, I am confident this rule will not apply to any of you.”
    The Nevers in her row threw Sophie a look.
    “When they put me where I belong, you’ll all feel foolish, won’t you?” Sophie shot back.
    “Your swan crest will be visible on your heart at all times,” Pollux continued. “Any attempt to conceal or remove it will likely result in injury or embarrassment, so please refrain.”
    Confused, Sophie watched students on both sides trying to cover the glittering silver swans on their uniforms. Mimicking them, she folded the droopy collar of her tunic to obscure her own swan—instantly the crest vanished off the robe and appeared on her chest. Stunned, she ran her finger over the swan, but it was embedded in her skin like a tattoo. She released the fold and the swan vanished off her skin and reappeared on the robe. Sophie frowned. Perhaps not so tolerable after all.
    “Furthermore, as the Theater of Tales is in Good this year, Nevers will be escorted here for all joint school functions,” said Pollux. “Otherwise, you must remain in your schools at all times.”
    “Why is the Theater in Good?” Dot hollered through a mouthful of fudge.
    Pollux raised his nose. “Whoever wins the Circus of Talents gets the Theater in their school.”
    “And Good hasn’t lost a Circus or Trial by Tale or, now that I think about it, any competition at this school for the last two hundred years ,” Castor harrumphed. Villains started rumbling again.
    “But Good is so far from Evil!” Dot huffed.
    “Heaven forbid she has to walk,” Sophie mumbled. Dot heard and glowered at her. Sophie cursed herself. The only person who was civil to her and she had to ruin it.
    Pollux ignored the Nevers’ grumbles and droned on about curfew times, lulling half the room to sleep. Reena raised her hand. “Are Groom Rooms open yet?”
    All of a sudden the Evers looked awake.
    “Well, I was planning to discuss Groom Rooms next assembly,” Pollux said—
    “Is it true that only certain kids can use them?” asked Millicent.
    Pollux sighed. “Groom Rooms in the Good Towers are only available to Evers ranked in the top half of their class on any given day. Rankings will be posted on the Groom Room doors and throughout the castle.Please do not abuse Albemarle if he’s behind on posting them. Now as to curfew rules—”
    “What are Groom Rooms?” Sophie whispered to Hester.
    “Where Evers primp, preen, and get their hair done,” Hester shuddered.
    Sophie sprang up. “Do we have Groom Rooms?”
    Pollux pursed his lips. “Nevers have Doom Rooms, dear.”
    “Where we get our hair done?” Sophie beamed.
    “Where you’re beaten and tortured,” Pollux said.
    Sophie sat down.
    “Now curfew will occur at precisely—”
    “How do you become Class Captain?” Hester asked. The question and the presumptuous tone behind it instantly made her unpopular on both sides of the aisle.
    “If you all flunk curfew inspections, don’t blame me!” Pollux groaned. “All right. After the Trial by Tale, the top-ranked students in each school will be named Class Captain. These two students will have special privileges, including private study with select faculty, field trips into the Endless Woods, and the chance to train with renowned heroes and villains. As you know, our Captains have gone on to be some of the greatest legends in the Endless Woods.”
    While both sides buzzed, Sophie gritted her teeth. She knew if she could just get to the right school, she’d not only be Good’s Captain, she’d end up more famous than Snow White.
    “This year you will have six required classes in your individual schools,” Pollux went on. “The seventh class, Surviving Fairy Tales, will include both Good and Evil and takes place in the Blue Forest behind the schools. Also please note, both Beautification and Etiquette are for Good girls only, while Good boys