A mysterious substitute robot arrives at an ordinary school, and Bartek, Nina, and Marek discover that its idea of teaching is anything but normal.
School No. 13 in Wygwizdów was the kind of place where excitement went to die. Even the clocks seemed to drag their hands across the hours out of pure boredom. Then came Tuesday, right after maths, when Bartek, Nina, and Marek were slumped in the common room with cups of watered-down compote and nothing better to do than trade insults and jokes.
That was when Mr. Staszek, the caretaker and unofficial legend of the building, wheeled in a strange, rattling cart. On top of it stood something that looked like a metal chimney with arms. A crooked label had been taped to its front: Temporary Substitute Teacher - SUPERBOT Model 2077.
Nina straightened at once. "Oh no. A robot. This can only mean trouble."
"Or miracles," Marek said, leaning forward so fast he nearly tipped over his compote. "Maybe it can teach geography and make no eye contact."
Bartek snorted. "If it can also cancel homework, I’m in love."
The machine shuddered, gave a long, buzzy whine, and lit up. A screen on its chest blinked to life.
HELLO, STUDENTS.
Engagement level: 0%.
INITIATING EDUCATION PROTOCOL.
Mr. Staszek grinned as if this was exactly what had been missing from the school all along, then vanished with the cart wheels squeaking behind him. The robot turned slowly, scanning the room. When its glowing lens landed on the three of them, its voice crackled out through a speaker.
"For effective learning, I require coffee, a doughnut, and... an iPhone charger. First come, first served."
Marek shot to his feet. "That is the coolest thing I have ever heard."
"That is not what teachers usually ask for," Nina said.
Bartek was already thinking dangerously. "Maybe if we keep it busy, it’ll forget there’s a maths lesson."
Then the screen on the robot’s chest flickered red.
WARNING.
SYSTEM BYPASS ATTEMPT DETECTED.
The room went quiet. The robot’s lights began to pulse faster and faster. Something inside its base gave a heavy click, as if a lock had just been released, and the panel beneath its feet started to slide open.