002.

[revengeisbitter]

5(-3x - 2) - (x - 3) = -4(4x + 5) + 13

[pause, a few more numbers drawn here and there with an agitated hand]

I can't

It's

[another pause]

Write about something interesting. I don't care what

Comments

[mentis_reae]

Good lord. It has been a while.

[revengeisbitter]

Since when?

[mentis_reae]

Since I faced a math problem like that.

[revengeisbitter]

You're bad at it, then?

[mentis_reae]

Well, they were certainly never the focus of my studies. I was fairly good at them, though, if I recall.

[revengeisbitter]

It's basic algebra. Nothing too difficult but it's [pause] repetitive. Boring.

[mentis_reae]

"Repetition is the mother of learning," as they say.

[revengeisbitter]

For kindergartners, maybe.

[mentis_reae]

For everyone.

[revengeisbitter]

I said to talk about something interesting, not to lecture me.

[mentis_reae]

I should say that, if education seems to you so dull, that bespeaks a fault in you.

[revengeisbitter]

I was waiting for you to say something judgmental. Go on, what's my fault.

[mentis_reae]

An unwillingness to learn leads to a lifetime of ignorance. I should call that fault indeed.

[revengeisbitter]

The problem isn't an unwillingness to learn. It's hatred of busywork.

Besides. I'm

working ahead

[mentis_reae]

You have not yet reached this lesson in your mathematics class?

[revengeisbitter]

Not yet.