Staring at the unwelcome apparition in my classroom doorway, I mentally shuffled through my list of known nobles. Unfortunately, I could think of too many contenders, including several notorious characters such as Duke Didane of Gravesbury's profligate wastrel of a third son. All this assumed the figure before me was a Grimmarker blue blood rather than a foreigner, uplifted commoner, or -- one could hope -- not a noble at all.

Please, not the duke's son.

Despite my shock and dismay, I didn't just stand there and gawk. My long-ago etiquette lessons kicking in, I curtsied with care and said, "Pardon me, my lord?" Better safe than sorry. "I do not believe we are formally acquainted."

Protocol dictated he introduce himself first, which he did with a theatrical flourish: "Dillian Didane. And you must be Miss Loress."

Right, which other noble would barge in here like this, alone and unannounced? The others employed common sense if not courtesy, sending representatives ahead of their personal arrival, upon the rare occasions they left their walled estates to come among us common folk, so as to ensure a smooth service. Yet this lordling lacked so much as an entourage. It wasn't that I liked normal noble behavior, but most nobles were somewhat predictable, or rather, predictably avoided. This one, on the other hand...

Thank mana he didn't recognize me. No, of course not: the few occasions we'd 'met,' I'd hugged the wall in an effort to disappear while he'd peacocked in the center of the room or hallway. The reason I couldn't recognize him either was I'd always kept my head bowed, not looking up until a safe distance away. His flamboyant attire, self-important mannerisms, and corresponding aura all passed for common among nobles. So too his youthful face, painted to appear around fourteen to sixteen, though I knew he was a little older than me; his fashion sense seemed to fall in line with high society's despite his rebellious image and reputation.

Unfortunately, my once-anonymity couldn't serve me now. "Lord Didane," I said, trying to keep from my face the fact I was remembering all the aspersions I'd ever heard against his conduct and character. "How may I serve you? Are you here for this class?"

"Indeed I am!"

"I am suitably honored, but... may I ask why you do not hire a private tutor?" Just why was he darkening my doorway?

"Oh, I could. But my family thinks this is a terrible waste of my time and talents, so I thought, why not outrage them further?"

Marvelous. Just what I wanted to hear. Not that I could refuse him, but would appeasing the young noble in front of me draw the ire of his more powerful but distant family? He smiled as though sensing my internal dilemma. "I have coin. Lots of it." He reached into a pocket and flashed a handful of... My mouth nearly dropped open as he said: "Oh, my bad. This class costs silver, not gold, am I right?"

I was suddenly reminded of our audience, my other students and assistant, as a nearly tangible wave of greed rolled through the room, punctuated by gasps and whispers. I also somewhat belatedly realized Lord Didane wasn't quite as careless with his personal safety as he seemed. Another student I'd taken for a high Silver-Ranker when she'd arrived earlier was single-mindedly scanning for threats, outwardly just another nervous adventurer but reading obviously to my senses as a hidden bodyguard.

The third thought occurring to me was one person's profligate wastrel was another's generous patron. Thus far I'd been spending silver on my pending robe fast as I was earning it, meaning I had not even begun saving for a focus. But if half the stories I'd heard of this lordling were true... perhaps he might represent a literal change in my fortunes. If only I could be sure he was a positive one.

I swallowed while he smiled in satisfaction at the room's reaction, though his eyes stayed on me. Concealing my nerves, I asked, "Which spell would you like to practice, my lord?"

"I mean to gain [Mana Dome] soonest," he said. "And then [Mana Skin]... in time for the Silver-Ranking test, let's say? Or even the Winter Festival tournament."

More gasps and gabbing. I just nodded, suppressing a wince when I felt his irritated disappointment. He had plenty of others playing the shocked peanut gallery, but apparently my participation was required as well. I didn't dare complain he was supposed to sign up for the class beforehand or that he wasn't on my list. (Supposedly such audacity sometimes earned his hearty approval but just as often his vindictive retribution.) Instead, seeking someplace far enough from the other students, I readied my chalk...

His silky voice cut through the room: "Here will do."

He'd chosen a central location perilously close to two combat spell-circles. I hesitated. "My lord," I said, "That spot is dangerous--"

"Lucky! That should help with [Mana Dome], then, shouldn't it?"

The two adventurers in the nearby circles both sent me panicked looks. I froze, trying to think of a diplomatic way out, when I realized: "Your rings. You're wearing rings of protection?"

He paused before laughing. "Haha! You caught me!"

But even without Empathy, the look in his eyes would've given me shivers. That was two for two, I realized: I was spoiling his enjoyment. At least the adventurers seemed reassured. Dropping my gaze, I quietly chalked the circle for Mana Dome where he indicated.

As much as I wished the time would speed by until the end of class, I didn't dally around. Lord Didane soon grew bored of watching me draw and struck up conversations with other students. From what I overheard, he was daring them to break through his Mana Dome, promising an unspecified reward to the first to succeed.

I drew faster.

Normally, every adventurer would be casting their own spell from the hourly bell, but the lordling's presence transfixed the class like mice cowering before a pit viper, afraid any moment his attention and forked tongue would swing onto them. I knew the feeling well, since I was experiencing it, magnified across forty-some students... but, I noticed, not one assistant. No, Keith Kilwin was pretending at disinterest all the while he oozed envy, disdain, and calculation. Well, silver linings: I thought this was the first time in my class he wasn't bored.

That's right, the only one bored was Lord Didane himself. Even when class started for real, he cast Mana Dome with so little enthusiasm I might seem a die-hard adventurer by comparison. Worse, he seemed more than happy to disrupt other students' spell-casting, not that this required much effort when half the class was craning their necks to stare at him. I could feel the roiling emotions in the room, a general wish to avoid notice or trouble coupled with a perverse desire for the opposite, surging back and forth like a tidal ebb and flow. Thank mana for Keith, who despite his unusual distraction was on top of his game, stopping stray spells left and right... oh.

I suddenly realized the increase in accidents wasn't all down to the lordling, or well, not directly. My assistant normally prevented most misfires from ever taking place, but today he didn't bother with prevention and skipped straight to intervention after the fact, especially where this enabled him to flex his metaphorical muscles in plain viewing. His ploy wasn't remotely obvious unless you could feel his intent and had seen him in so many previous classes, since he managed all this with a convincingly blasé air.

It was working, though for some reason Lord Didane disguised his increasing interest in my assistant, instead calling out: "Is this all? I was hoping for more from you, Miss Loress. Don't you have any way to speed or liven things up?"

It wasn't as though I enjoyed drilling spells either! "Perhaps, my lord, you might consider studying a Skill Book."

"Already done that. I meant something more."

I hesitated. It felt like he was leading me with purpose to some predetermined destination. In fact, the obvious answer to his question was to undertake risks, such as casting the spell inside a dungeon, but no way would I suggest such a thing to his face. "I'm sorry, my lord," I said, trying to sidestep his trap. "I'm just hired to draw the casting circles."

It was no use. "Oh!" he said as though he'd just had an idea. "Why don't we make a bet? I gained [Mana Barrier] within two tiresome weeks" -- what? That was faster than my speed, with near death by undine and everything! But then money could buy Books, mana potions, and possibly other advantages I knew not -- "despite distractions. Surely I can do better under your esteemed instruction." He splayed open his hands as I stared mutely. "Ten days. If I gain [Mana Dome] within that time, you win... let's say, one gold." His smile stretched as he casually continued: "Plus an extra gold for each day early."

And here it was: included among his many character flaws, the filthy rich noble was a notorious gambler. But since he didn't much care for money himself, what excited him most was gambling with other people's hopes and livelihoods. I was already ready for it, so I was unsurprised when he said: "But if you fail, for each extra day after the tenth you will owe me."

I waited out our audience's unsubtle reactions and then waited some more before speaking. "My lord, your proposed terms seem unlikely to benefit you in gaining [Mana Dome] at all speed, and on the contrary disincentivize doing so."

"I will apply myself as diligently as you could wish," he said, undeterred. "Or is my solemn word insufficient for you?"

"As you say, my lord." I knew better than to directly answer that; one of his artifacts probably detected lies. "But even the slightest subconscious hesitation might impede your progress and consequently win you the bet. If I might suggest an alternative?"

He cocked his head, his smile sharpening as he studied me. "Go on."

"If you know of a suitable rival, you might bet on who gains the Skill first. Not only would this align your immediate incentives with your stated intentions, but depending on the stakes, a little competition might both speed and liven your experience."

I seriously doubted he'd risk anything important enough to matter, but I'd been racking my brains for how to handle him since he'd entered my classroom. My only viable plan was to redirect his attention. As I was unwilling to throw somebody else under his carriage, that new target should preferably be another noble, such as his posse of fellow younger sons fancying themselves charming and courageous rather than rowdy and reckless.

He felt amused and... knowing? "A rival," he mused. "I will consider it. But why should it be one or the other? We might combine our wagers." He rubbed one thumb over a ring, discreetly, but I couldn't help flicking my eyes toward the subtle shift in mana.

Fortunately, he then resumed his casting without another word, and the rest of the class followed suit. Also resuming was my assistant and him dancing around each other. I tried not to stare too obviously, since I was fairly sure they were trying to be subtle.

Predictably, Lord Didane lost his patience first, though he waited until we were a tantalizing ten minutes from the hourly bell before calling: "Who're you?"

The class stilled. I felt like we were all holding our breaths as the two locked eyes. Even the hidden bodyguard was openly staring, though I supposed this didn't break character. Keith made a show of glancing around, as though to confirm he was the one addressed and wasn't needed elsewhere, before turning back with a cool expression. "The assistant instructor."

Thankfully the nonchalant disrespect raised more interest than annoyance. "Oh? What's your rank?"

"None."

"You're not an adventurer?"

I was also surprised. With all eyes on him, Keith said simply, "Turned my badge in."

"Whyever would you do that?"

"To save coin. Obviously."

Lord Didane paused. His eyes gleamed, and he said, "Well, assistant instructor, do you want to play a game?" Keith raised his brows and waited. "Let's see... yes, if you can stop any spell from reaching me before the end of class, I might just have a job for you."

Keith crossed his arms. "Might have a job? Is that supposed to tempt me?"

His opposite smirked a little, and I thought he had a good idea of the feigned nature of Keith's disinterest. "Oh, but if you work for me, I wouldn't want you working for anyone else. Not the guild, not yonder instructor... nobody but me, and I'm told I can be a generous employer." I held my breath, sensing his rising anticipation, as though readying for a finishing blow. "More importantly, I don't need your verbal agreement. This is only an offer, after all. You haven't wagered anything." He lifted a gold coin in one lazily elegant motion. "And here's another. One gold to the first student to land a spell on me."

The class emotionally erupted, most tempted but hesitating, that bodyguard spiking with unhappy adrenaline, and then adventurers were raising hands towards the self-appointed target, mouths opening on Skills...

And Keith's aura flooded outwards. I instinctively flinched from the lash of his hostile aura, retreated a step in the face of that sensory inferno. I'd thought him so stoic, so icy or grounded, but what I sensed from him burned. I understood at once he was ruthlessly restrained from learning to temper his fire, but oh, it wanted to rage.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

THUD. Somebody had toppled over. For one insane moment I thought they'd fainted, but in the next more would-be casters collapsed while others scrambled back, and as I looked around dazedly I realized it was just us three left standing in the rough center of the room. Various figures lay sprawled on the floor in their circles. Because... because Keith had knocked them out.

I couldn't help gaping at him, sputtering, "K...Keith! You can't just attack our students!"

Looking completely unrepentant, he pointed to the door. "Go." The scattered students hesitated, exchanging glances or simply staring at him. "Or wake up at the Healer's." He took a step towards the nearest throng, who didn't need more prompting to dash for the exit.

The ensuing mass exodus surprisingly included the assumed bodyguard, though the smirking lordling's eyes passed right over her without a flicker of recognition or doubt. But when I made to join, he said in his silky tones, "Not you, Miss Loress."

My heart sank, but I said, "I'm after a Healer."

"Wait," Keith said. "Finish dismissing the class."

I stared at him blankly for a moment before shaking my head. "This class is over. You won your... whatever you won." I wanted to add something smart like, 'And may you have much joy of each other,' or, 'From one indenture to another, Mister Kilwin?'

But really, who was I to judge? Nor would anything I might say matter.

So I left. I would've loved to keep walking until I was out of the Guildhall altogether, never to return, but I was still under contract. Returning with a grumpy Healer in tow, I was surprised to find the duo bantering like old friends, sniping at each other whilst making plans to join the same adventuring team. Lord Didane even paid off the Healer's fees without any fuss.

His mellow mood lent me hope I might leave in peace... which was soon dashed. "Miss Loress, good news. Stefan -- of the Lynch family, you know -- has agreed to race against me for [Mana Dome]."

He paused, and I took my cue: "Congratulations, my lord."

"Yes, yes. By the way, how long did gaining the Skill take you?"

I probably failed at concealing my look of horror. "I would rather not say, my lord."

"Whyever not? Is it terribly embarrassing? Tier-2, without a Book... and I'm sure you were otherwise busy. Did it take six months?" he coaxed. I said nothing. "Seven? Eight?" I ducked my head, cheeks flaming. "Come now, we won't laugh."

Even as I knew I shouldn't, I admitted, "I haven't the Skill."

They both stared at me. "You bottlenecked on [Mana Dome]?" the lordling said with incredulity.

"No," I said, "I just... I only recently obtained [Mana Barrier]."

"But you are the instructor. Don't tell me you're not an adventurer either?"

Disregarding his sardonic tone, I answered earnestly, "I'm registered as Bronze."

His brows lifted along with his amusement. "My class was led by a Bronze-Ranker and unguilded? I am having difficulty believing this. No, understanding. You teach Skills you personally lack?"

"I have no reason to gain every obscure Skill of which I am theoretically capable," I said somewhat defensively.

"[Mana Dome] is standard for mages," Keith said.

I didn't have a good retort for that... except I wasn't the only one here just starting to study such Skills! "How far along are you?" asked Lord Didane.

My eyes dropped. "Um, I haven't started yet."

"How fortuitous." My gaze leapt back up, startled. "You can join our contest."

I blanched and then tried to recover, though we both knew he'd seen it. "That would hardly be appropriate or fair, my lord. You have Skill Books, mana potions, and excess time, while I still have classes to teach and other responsibilities."

"We need you to conduct our contest in any case. Or would you prefer my previous proposal?" I stayed tense and frozen. "How's this, then. I'll pay for your Skill Book and mana potions, level the playing field, so to speak... if you can propose satisfying terms."

This was too much. My jaw dropping, I sputtered, "My... my lord?"

Too late, I felt the satisfaction curling through him. Yes, this was what he'd wanted from me all along. Real astonishment. Real temptation.

"Make me an interesting bet, Miss Loress."

Real excitement. He was crazy! Who just offered something like that to a near-total stranger?

If I were someone more creative and fabulous, I'd leap on the opportunity for a Skill shortcut. I'd impress this arrogant noble, win our wager in dramatic fashion, and... start making my Name. Or something. That was what storybook heroes did, right?

But I was just me. Put on the spot like this, I couldn't think of anything. What was I willing to wager? What could move this privileged son of a duke? I drew an absolute blank.

It didn't help I could literally feel his growing impatience. "May I have more time to think, my lord?"

"I want this settled soonest. In this Guildhall."

So no consulting my books, though in truth I thought they might for once be inadequate to the task. Somehow I doubted his heart's desire was readily accessible in print. Actually...

But when I asked what he was looking for, Lord Didane shook his head disappointedly. "If I knew that... No, I'll know it when I hear it. Let's just say I am hoping for a stroke of brilliance, but I will settle for some minor entertainment such as your suggested contest."

This was incredibly frustrating, but I held my tongue. I wished I was a quick thinker, a sweet talker. Surely Bessie could invent something clever on the fly... oh, Bessie! "May I ask a friend?"

"Are they in the Guildhall?" At my affirmative, he said magnanimously, "Then by all means."

Unfortunately, he followed after. We drew eyes and whispers everywhere, so feeling less than comfortable, I headed straight for reception to ask Bessie's whereabouts. No need: she was leaned all the way over a desk in deep conversation with Veronica, though they both turned on our entry as the lobby fell silent.

Bessie's eyebrows shot up. "Rena? Who're they?"

Keenly aware of a hall full of eavesdroppers, I said, "May I present Lord Dillion Didane. And my teaching assistant" -- was he still? -- "Keith Kilwin."

"Oh!" She snapped her fingers. "You're one of the new adventurer nobles keeping Derrick busy."

"My lord," I hissed at her.

"...my lord."

"Indeed. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, miss...?"

"Bessie Bridgett." She bobbed her head at him.

"Miss Bridgett, your friend requires aid." He didn't lower his voice, and I grew warm with embarrassment as everybody heard him say, "Did you know she lacks [Mana Dome]? At her suggestion, we will be holding a general competition to see who can gain the Skill first. I offered to cover her costs -- a mana potion a day plus the Skill Book, let's say -- on the condition of an interesting wager. Can you propose one worthy of my money?"

This last was addressed to the entire gathering, buzzing crowd. I couldn't help noticing schadenfreude mixed in with overall excitement. (Perhaps I appeared how I felt, like I wanted to disappear into the floor tiles.) Bessie gave me a sympathetic look before suddenly straightening, her face lighting up. "Derrick!"

I stiffened. Sure enough, the golden-haired Gold-Ranker was coming into the Guildhall while another adventurer whispered in his ear. He said something, and the other saluted -- so maybe not an adventurer -- before scurrying off. Derrick turned to the room. "What's this fuss for, then?"

He was quickly caught up on events. While Keith ignored us to converse with another receptionist, Lord Didane was regarding Derrick with keen interest, grudging respect, and... resentful wariness? But he kept smiling. "So good of you to join us. Care to share any pearls of wisdom, oh Captain?"

Derrick smiled right back. "An interesting bet relies on its stakes, either winning what you desire or losing what you fear. I believe I can guess both on your behalf, Lord Didane."

"Oh really? Do enlighten us."

"If you win, I will personally bring you into a B-Ranked dungeon and guarantee your safety while inside." The noble sucked in a breath, his eagerness palpable. "Only if you are the very first to gain [Mana Dome]. And I have no reason to suspect foul play."

"Yes, yes. And if I lose?"

"Give up adventuring until the Silver-Ranking test."

Oh, he both loved and hated the idea. I was so busy staring in fascination I didn't react at first when Derrick's eyes turned on me. "As for you, Rowena Loress, your purpose in the guild seems primarily motivated by money. If you win, your competitors will each pay you one gold. But if you lose, you must pay the same."

"I don't have that much gold!" I protested and was surprised by a flash of sympathy from Keith.

Not Derrick, though. "Borrow it," he said. "Or be beholden."

One gold going either way, but I felt like I stood to lose more than I could win. My tongue felt knotted in my mouth, unable to voice a protest. After all, the terms were fair. More than fair: if I placed in between, neither winning nor losing, I still came out ahead with my 'covered costs.' Nobody else was offered such whimsical largesse, and so unsurprisingly the 'open' contest had no immediate takers.

Well, it wouldn't officially start until the next day. Just enough time to rush and clear my schedule.

----------------------------------------

Though we weren't due to meet until tomorrow's hopeful reopening of Duni, my friends all arrived for an emergency meeting. "What should I do?" I asked anxiously.

"What can you do?" Bessie said. "You're already committed. If you hated this contest idea so much, you should have said so."

"To his face?"

"Crazy rich nobles," Tom said, shaking his head. "This is bad."

"Is it really?" Hannah said. "I think this is a good opportunity for Rena?"

"It's bad," I confirmed. "Dillion Didane might seem ridiculous, but he's had people beaten half to death for disagreeing which living Name's the greatest."

"That sounds made-up," Bessie said.

"It's not! I heard it from--" I cut myself off, flushing.

"Does he know you're a Scholar?" Blake spoke up. I frowned in thought, which he seemed to consider an answer. "You need to name-drop your guild pronto."

"You really think so?"

"Yes!"

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I knew of Stefan Lynch as the second son of Viscount Lynch and not much else. On first impression, he dressed in dark colors -- still fashionable, the gray highlights complemented his eyes -- and felt almost melodramatically melancholic. We exchanged formal greetings and then fell silent until the hour struck.

"Just us three?" Lord Didane said, striding in. I nodded, politely ignoring the invisible bodyguard in our reserved room. "I thought adventurers were supposed to be daredevils?"

"Perhaps if you hadn't announced your speed gaining [Mana Barrier]." The other noble heaved a long-suffering sigh.

"I believe few have [Mana Barrier] and haven't already started on [Mana Dome]," I offered. "My lord." Left unsaid was skipping the former equated to a handicap in our race. In my case, those few days could mean the difference between a healthy sum or crippling debt.

"Well, never mind. Shall we start?"

I'd already readied the circles, but this wasn't what he meant. One by one, we each stated our training thus far in Mana Dome or lack thereof and watched the fist-sized truth stone light up a dazzling white. Satisfied, we moved to our respective circles, positioned so closely together the edges nearly brushed, and started casting.

This was normally the dull part, but with my mind on my company and stakes, I was anything but bored. Surprisingly, neither were the two nobles. Gone were Lord Didane's lethargic movements, straying eyes, and distracted mind. He cast that Mana Dome as though his life depended on it.

I would bet my silver he'd similarly kept his concentration gaining [Mana Barrier]. Perhaps the madman had his method, after all.

"Unfair you already have practice," Lord Lynch said as he took his first breather. I was still going strong, despite our comparable mana pools, as he was incredibly inefficient with his. Those fancy mage robes were wasted on him.

Lord Didane said nothing until he'd finished casting, then: "Really, you are complaining now? Why did you accept?"

"Anything for a change of scenery."

"Did you have another fight with the dear Viscount and Viscountess?" Though he could continue, he paused to sip his mana potion. "Or with your lovely fiancée?"

"Do not remind me of her. I swear, sometimes I wish I was born a commoner. No betrothal dinners, no betrothal parties, no betrothal when I can't stand the woman."

I would've liked to think I was a trustworthy listener for whom these nobles could safely pour out all their sorrows, but in fact they seemed to have forgotten I was here. No, they simply considered me beneath their notice with each other present. I had the feeling they'd kept in touch but not truly spoken in some time, and this event doubled as a reunion and catch-up of sorts.

"No castle on the moors in which to brood?" Lord Didane drawled. "No servants to take care of all your needs?"

"I wouldn't know what I was missing, now would I, leastways until a rude pillock like you came and shoved it in my face. Do you think if I am horribly maimed in some dungeon, I can have this whole farce called off?"

"Not unless you can produce a replacement fiancé..."

And they were off naming and dismissing eligible bachelors. Their patter was idle and familiar, the language of people everywhere, except for the casual name-dropping of peers and scions. Remove the titles and wealth, and... they were just regular gossipmongers. Who were quite capable of multitasking with [Intermediate Meditation], alas.

So passed one of the strangest days I'd ever experienced. Thanks to said Meditation and my daily allotment of mana potion -- fair was fair, the potion was solidly mid-tier and probably cost a large silver for the one bottle -- I only had to take infrequent breaks between casting Mana Dome and repairing all three circles. Meanwhile, after the initial few castings, both nobles grew comfortable with simultaneously casting, Meditating, and chatting.

I wasn't ashamed to say I soaked up their words. Never had I understood the appeal of watching shows on the play orb, but what I overheard were discussions of real people, some of whom were mentioned in Grimmark's Peerage, Updated. Others I had known. I couldn't have stopped listening if I'd tried.

It was absurd. I was grinding a combat Skill and... quite possibly enjoying myself! The dissonance only ran deeper because I was still unsure how I felt regarding these nobles, and I'd been all but dismissed in return. (I'd exchanged maybe a dozen words total with Lord Lynch?)

Nevertheless, the two were well-informed and eager to share, lacking anything better to do. By lunch, I was filled in on the gossip regarding the unmarried male gentry. After a leisurely two-hour break, it was their female counterparts, which involved fewer facts, more speculation, and consequently more time. A shorter afternoon break later, talk turned to Grimmarker politics and general issues as influenced by these entanglements.

When it came time to separate, Lord Lynch bemoaned returning home while Lord Didane gave me a searching look. I supposed he'd just recalled I existed and found my behavior odd: either that I'd stayed silent for so long or seemed relatively at ease now. Right, I shouldn't relax just because he'd acted like a normal person; his easy friendship with the other noble didn't carry over to me.

In theory, we were now supposed to eat dinner, study Skill Books, and turn in early so we'd be fully rested tomorrow. However, these were more like vague verbalizations than actualized commitments, and for all I knew, the lordlings were skipping straight to top-shelf potions and private instruction once out of my sight. I suspected they were at least up to something, or they'd have set firmer rules such as the requirement for similar starting positions. But I dared not say anything.

After all, I was exploiting those same loopholes.

----------------------------------------

I had three or maybe four advantages I'd failed to disclose, which I could only hope would stay secret. Still, better to win questionably than lose unquestionably, or so I felt in this case; there was no such thing as cheating, especially if I wasn't caught.

First and simplest was my [Advanced Empathy]. I should pick up [Mana Dome] faster because Bessie already had it.

Second, when I'd shared my situation with my mentor, he'd surprisingly offered more than moral support. Lord Didane had bought the standard ten-use, twenty-four-hour-per-use SES; I'd then traded mine in, as agreed yesterday, for an individualized slip granting thirty one-hour uses. I was thus able to take advantage of the lunch and afternoon breaks to continue cramming in secret. As my experience of the Book so far involved feeling incredibly bloated all over, I was even more grateful for these shorter durations, proceeding with my third use in this first day after drinking a nutrient potion in lieu of dinner.

My maybe-third advantage was extra time, though unlike the others I thought this was not only to be expected but probably duplicated or surpassed. I was prepared to sleep four to six hours every night while quaffing energy potions, which I guessed was atypical for nobles or adventurers but not at all strange for Scholars. (Unfortunately, lack of familiarity didn't mean lack of resources, and I wouldn't put it past my competitors to pull all-nighters until this contest's conclusion. Oh well.)

Last but not least, one unanticipated benefit of going up against nobles was support from my fellow commoners, and specifically, certain Gold-Ranked guards. My long month of separation was finally over and just in time. I'd discontinued my outdoor running for this, squeezed Book studies earlier in the day for this, hung my hope of victory on this.

Time to reunite with Duni.