The day’s lesson was in spears. They started from the top. Students selected their shafts from several lengths and thickness, the spearhead from a variety of materials, sharpened and polished the point, then assembled it all together. It was Ya Nu’s first time handling a spear and she managed it quite well. It only took her several tries to secure the spearhead onto the shaft and ensure it was aligned and intact.

This was new to many students, and easy work for a few others. Among them, there was one student who was particularly slow and rigorously poring over each set as if he was trying to read deeply into them. Even CON-ductors who might be interested in carving their own spears did not look at the pieces so thoroughly. This strange student’s behavior drew more attention because he was the Weakling Alstroemeria. Ya Nu passed behind him who was squatting and intensely turning around two spear heads, and heard the stifled laughing of their classmates when watching his activities.

“What if he’s just stupid?” one girl whispered.

“Explains why he couldn’t earn a single point in the exam.”

“Don’t laugh. It feels bad. You can’t fix stupid.”

But they laughed together.

Ya Nu found it distasteful although she didn’t necessarily care for the target of their mockery. She remembered all too clearly the way he reacted the first time she saved him from their upperclassmen, and considered leaving the situation alone. After all, he would probably just tell her she was wasting her time. But when the mocking did not lessen and increased in volume, she had enough. She swung her spear in front of the girls, frightening them, and said, “If you’re so much smarter, then act like it.”

The girls gave her a look that was part surprise, part irritation at getting called out for their attitudes. One of them had the conscience to at least appear ashamed. This time, it wasn’t Alstroemeria but the bullies that said to her, “Mind your own business.” Pitiful. They moved on, one off the girls deliberately bumping into Ya Nu’s shoulder in passing. In the meantime, Alstroemeria had taken no notice of the spectacle or that he’d been a main player in it. Ya Nu decided to erase this incident from her day and focus on the lesson.

Beyond the assembly line, multiple stations had been set up where the class could practice sparring, spearing straw dummies, or throwing. Throwing objects was her specialty so she saved it for last, preferring to use her time to learn new skills. An assistant-instructor was teaching the forms at the sparring station so she joined the students there. “Today, it’s just the basics. You’ll work with your Attributes later,” he informed them.

They had completed stamina and strength tests in a previous lesson, and she knew she was above the average student in Block 2. While her core power is strong, she had no formal training. The assistant-instructor came around and made small adjustments in her posture, the width of her knees, her grip, the trajectory of her movements, and others. She followed instructions well and asked good questions.

When sweeping around the students for the last time, he recognized her growth. “Good follow through,” he told her. “With more practice, this weapon can be lethal in your hands.” A spear wasn’t her weapon of choice, but she appreciated the praise. By the end of the lesson, Ya Nu was reasonably satisfied. She’d broken out in sweat from the exercise. She didn’t even mind missing out on throwing practice.

Still, she stopped by the throwing station that was furthest away to take a quick look at the field. It was lunch time and the students were packing and leaving. Only one other student remained behind, Alstroemeria. He was fixing two spears and was in no hurry. She half turned to leave but he picked up one of the spears and she waited to see how utterly horrible he could be at it.

The spearhead lodged into the center of the straw dummy, and it was not a bad throw at all, but he must have been lucky. Though his expression remained unchanged, his body language showed he was dissatisfied. He picked up the last spear, held it up, and mimed throwing.

Done observing, Ya Nu started on her way back to the front. An explosion from behind caused her heart to jump and a misstep. She swiveled around. Where the dummy had been, only a broken stump remained. Could it be? No, it was impossible. And where was Alstroemeria?

He had also started on his way back, just a few steps behind her, and nonchalantly passed by her as she stalled in her confusion. He walked ahead and she noted the dark mark on his neck. An i-VORY, the weakest Attribute.

Lessons were over by afternoon and the students were off for the next two days.

In the late evening, Erina met with Lucas outside the academy at his favorite pasta restaurant. She had already ordered when he arrived. He informed the waiter and headed for her table.

Lucas had just seated himself when she said, “I have an offer for you.”

At the same time, Ya Nu went to meet the classmate who’d previously called her out.

The girl was waiting behind the dorm and she wasn’t alone. An older boy, pale and lanky, stood by her, but Ya Nu didn’t recognize him. He must not be from their class. The pupils of his eyes were an uncanny red, the genetic physical traits of an IM-mortal. But she was in for a bigger surprise. As soon as she came within hearing distance, the girl raised a hand to stop her approach. She declared, “Ya Nu Amaryllis, I challenge you to a duel. Mer is here to officiate.” She indicated the boy, who flashed his Stone Shield – issued only to students within the top 50 rankings at Hollyhock. Per school rules, personal duels must be one versus one and presided by a Shield holder, and results would be recorded – the outcome affected rankings.

The girl made her reasoning clear. “If I defeat you, I will go up in the rankings. I just need to join a good quint. Amaryllis, you already have many offers. Please do me this favor.”

Ya Nu sized the girl up. They were of similar build and height. They hadn’t matched up in the Newcomer Rankings exam, but similar to the older boy at her side, the girl also had distinctive red pupils, giving her IM-mortal Attribute away. Ya Nu didn’t care about winning or losing, or the rankings, but she wouldn’t make it an easy fight.

“Ms. Amaryllis, please announce if you’ll accept the challenge,” their upperclassman said courteously. “Otherwise, I cannot allow this duel to proceed.”

Before Ya Nu could give her confirmation, they were interrupted.

“Oh, three students? Good.” Nurse Julienne Yarrow’s voice resounded as she popped into view. The upperclassman politely bowed to the nurse as she approached, and both Ya Nu and the girl hurriedly did the same. “Can’t find anyone else right now. Most students seemed to have left the grounds. It’s an off day tomorrow anyway. I have a task for three of you. Follow me.” The nurse left no room for argument.

The girl who’d initiated the duel opened and closed her mouth to protest, but she couldn’t bring herself to refuse and relented.

All three students followed Nurse Yarrow into the cafeteria, through the entrance to the underground arena, down a hall and through another door off to the side. Giles Heliconia and Za Alstroemeria stood just inside the room that was filled with boxes.

Giles said to Za, “Looks like Julie trapped three more. Lucky for you, Alstroemeria.” Once everyone present was inside the room, he explained their errand. He opened one of the boxes and held up a crudely stitched blanket. “We had a fundraiser at the end of last year. Several students volunteered to make the blankets. These are being donated to ForeGuards on the frontlines. Today we’re making deliveries. Julie forgot to inform the student council to take over this project, that’s why you’re here.”

“I’ll break your glasses,” Nurse Yarrow muttered.

Giles touched the bridge of his black rimmed glasses and continued, “First, we get these up to the trucks. The Lotus cousins can pair up and go with Julie,” he said, referring to the upperclassman and the other girl. “Amaryllis and Alstroemeria, you two leave with me.”

Ya Nu said, “Alstroemeria can do it alone. i-VORYs are good for this kind of thing.”

Za was unperturbed, but Julie said, “Don’t be rude. This is a team effort.” She picked up three boxes nearest to her and deposited it into the skinny Lotus boy’s arms. Then she picked up two more, nodded at the Lotus girl to follow, and led the way out across the grounds to the gate, where two vehicles waited.

Once the back of both trucks were packed, three members squeezed into the front each with the adults behind the wheel, and they started on their trip into Celaeno. Ya Nu was wedged in the center between the Assistant-Instructor and her quiet classmate. She chose Giles Heliconia as her conversation partner. “Mr. Heliconia, what do you do in between school terms?”

All instructors and assistants at Astradom, unless an Ordinary, were required to earn their Silver Shield. Giles answered steadily, “Most join the Militia. Some return to their hometown. Resting is a good choice. Unnecessary to exert extra effort.” He paused, then said less cheerfully, “Maybe next year, I’ll go see the sea.”

They reached the Prime Military Center in Celaeno and were instructed to drive through the side gate where an official came out to greet Giles and determined how they should proceed. Ya Nu happily descended from her cramped space and stretched on the courtyard. She glanced at Za who was observing the gate, the building, and all nearby individuals. His curiosity sparked her interest as well and she found herself doing the same. A security post stood by the iron gate. The buildings were several stories tall and zigzagged around one courtyard to the next; a maze of a structure. Aside from the official who came out to meet them, two others strolled down this courtyard, passing along the walls and moving on with no purpose. She noted a number of security cameras attached to some corners.

Giles came back to them and said, “We’re taking the boxes down to their warehouse. Follow me.” He picked up two boxes and led the way. They entered one of the doors into the building, down a staircase a few stories underground, into a hall, and then through two sets of double doors to an enormous but cluttered open space where they were instructed to deposit the boxes in a messy corner. “Remember that?” Giles asked and waved them off.

The two students repeated the steps until all the boxes were off the truck. Then Ya Nu and Za were herded back into the truck and out the gate as the official saluted their departure. Finally, the boring, heavy, and repetitive work was done.

Both Giles and Ya Nu exhaled in relief once they were back on the road.