The Derrick family is alive with activity as I return.

My parents express how proud of me they are.

And, Mai is like a flower blossoming.

Her classes in etiquette were well-learned. But, she still punches me when I tease her.

"Son," my father says. "This year you are 16 and I know you are ready to take the civil service exam."

I nod.

"When you pass, you will have many opportunities. Some close to home. And, others significantly farther away."

"Tell me," he looks into my eyes. "What do you intend to do?"

I find myself at a loss. This is what I've been working towards since I was a child.

Countless hours have been spent cultivating my knowledge. And, now, I'm at a loss.

The heretic's purpose remains.

The skull and bones man's words ring in my mind.

"I don't- I don't know, father."

My father looks out from the window in his office.

"I have an associate in the census bureau." he pauses. "They need workers with not just the academic achievements to perform the job. But, who can also protect themselves."

"I understand, father. I would be grateful for the opportunity."

He smiles, "I look forward to your achievements."

I depart from the office and think about the potential job I could get.

It would allow me significant freedom.

I find Mai waiting nearby.

"Hello, Mai."

She looks sad, "What are you going to do after the exam?"

I know she wants me to stay nearby. But, I can't see myself staying in Reyl.

"Nothing is certain yet. I may not even pass the exam."

She laughs, breaking her sadness.

"The great Adam Derrick failing at something."

I pat her on the head, "I'll be fine. But, what about you? What are you going to be doing while I'm off playing around?"

Mai sighs, "Father and mother are seeking out a marriage partner for me. They've promised to let me cancel the arrangement if I want to."

She looks uncertain.

"Enough of the serious talk. Do you have any new poetry to read me?"

She brightens as we find her courtyard.

Her poetry is melodious and refreshing.

We spend the afternoon in such a fashion.

Mother is the gentle spirit I've always found comfort in.

"Adam," she says. "How did your visit with the Li family go?"

Self-consciously, I look away.

"Good, mother. I met her father and eldest brother."

She smiles, "I'm so glad that you have had the opportunity to meet your marriage partner before the wedding."

I can't help but feel the same.

Days pass in this fashion.

I even find Cousin Yu coming to spar. He's grown significantly better in our time apart.

The day of the civil service exam is approaching and, once more, I bid my family goodbye and travel in search of the capital of our Karas kingdom.

The dirt road is the straightest path to the capital. But, going off the main highways increases the chance of encountering bandits.

But, then, I'm not worried about outlaws.

Days pass as I weave through the small villages of the Eastern region.

The villagers are barely getting by.

I buy a meal of rice gruel in one of the villages, the best they could offer.

I stand apart from the poor.

My robes are made of relatively expensive material compared to their sackcloth clothing.

As I leave one village, a gang of boys bars my path.

They have a mean, hungry, glint in their eyes as they hold rudimentary clubs and spears.

The boys can't be much younger than me. But, our circumstances are significantly different.

"Your money or your life," one of the boys gives me the ultimatum.

I see the desperation of these kids. A number of them have their eyes on my sword. They're prepared for a fight.

I sigh. When I was the age of Meridian, I did the same kind of things.

I let out a gravity field and the boys sag down to the ground.

Alarm registers in them as they try to fight a force unimaginably stronger than them.

I walk past the boy who had given me the ultimatum.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

When I'm sufficiently far away, I release the field.

I pay the boys no further mind.

My journey teaches me of a poverty I hadn't seen in the cities.

This poverty has no hope for the kindness of strangers.

The poor waste away in the little shacks they call home.

Some tend gardens and fields. But, their harvest will be small.

Older bandits show up on the road too.

Men who have so little that they would kill or die for any profit.

I treat these men the same as the boys.

A spiritualist stands apart.

Days and weeks pass until, at last, I come upon the capital city of Nile.

The city was named after the legendary first ruler of Karas. And, stands next to the border with the empire of the sun.

The outer portions of the city are slums.

Suspicious eyes watch me travel down the main road.

I remember the time I was here as Meridian.

Then, I had been planning an assassination of the old fox.

Word of our plan spread and I lost several men and women.

Betrayal after betrayal.

I sigh, not everyone shares my values.

I can't expect everyone to want to flip the system over.

Cutthroats lurk in the shadows, waiting for me to walk down a dark alley.

I put them out of my mind and make my way to the wall that separates the rich side of Nile from the commons.

At the gate, I show my credentials to the guards.

"Young master Derrick," the guard says. "The exam will be held in the southern quarter. Good luck on the exam."

"Thanks," I say in parting.

The buildings inside the wall are significantly nicer than outside. And, I only get curious glances rather than predatory ones.

As Meridian, I had failed to pass the wall. But, as Adam, it's a simple thing to pass through.

The exam isn't for a week, so I find an inn to rest at.

It's more expensive. But, I don't have to worry about getting any unwanted attention.

I spend the next week taking in the sights.

The royal castle stands at the center of the city. One final wall separates royalty from the aristocracy.

I find myself wondering if I still hate the Jal.

This city is a microcosm of the nation at large.

The poor barely survive on the fringes of society while the aristocrats thrive and are overseen by the Jal.

I will find my place in the mess.

The days pass quickly.

I found a restaurant that I've grown rather fond of. They serve a noodle dish in a strong meat broth.

As I sip at my meal, I overhear the locals talking.

"The barbarian is taking control of the Southern cities around the alabaster quarries.

"Tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands of slaves are storming the estates of the wealthy."

There is a note of fear carried by the speaker.

"Ten thousand, hundred thousand, they're just slaves. The martial sects will handle them."

"But, they say Meridian is alive and that he's commanding the barbarian again."

Silence carries over the room.

"They've been saying he's back for 15 years."

"True," another voice says. "But, who else could rally the slaves and peasants like this?

"You recall how he brought the twelve tribes together and trained many spiritualists.

"If he does that with his hundred thousand and pulls the tribes back to his side, he could overthrow the Jal."

"Watch what you say," someone hisses. "I don't need the inquisition knocking on my door because of your loose lips."

I finish my meal and walk out of the establishment.

Could I do it again, I wonder.

But, then, I love my family.

When I was Meridian, treason was an easy choice. I had no one to protect when I went down that path.

I will not put my loved ones at risk for Meridian's war.

The day of the civil service exam has come.

I look at the hopeful faces of those who are prepared. And, the anxious faces of those who are not.

We will have 40 hours to complete the book worth of papers that make up the test.

A thousand scholars, like me, challenge the system to overcome their status.

More than half will fail.

But, I will not be among their numbers.

Fatigue is the enemy. But, for me, it is a simple matter to augment my body with chi.

The mental fatigue is something I've trained for years to refine.

The hours tick by and some close their eyes to rest. Others hand in their paperwork, having given up their hope.

All the while, my pen continues to write.

Night brings snores as I write by candlelight. I don't usually sleep anyway.

I'm through most of the paperwork as dawn breaks.

Some who had only planned to close their eyes for a minute find they've slept away time they needed for the test.

Noon comes and my pen comes to a stop.

Rather than review my work, I submit it as it is.

The proctor looks at me, unimpressed. My work submitted, I find fresh air and the smell of food.

It was strenuous. Much more difficult than the tests at the academy. But then, those were preparing me for this.

I whistle a tune as I find my way to a restaurant in search of sustenance.

It will be two weeks before I can learn my score.

Time flies by in the company of the elite.

I could go into the slums. But, figure that there is no reason to watch those who I won't be helping. Better to let them retain whatever dignity they still have.

"The martial sects are rallying to take on the barbarian and her horde," comes a voice.

"About time. They could have put down this little insurrection before it got this far."

Ivona is in for a hard-fought campaign if she's facing the martial sects.

My time is spent comfortably.

Many of the examinees populate the restaurants and businesses in the Southern quarter. Each hope they did well enough to receive the seal of a civil servant.

Finally, the day arrives. And, early in the morning, posters are plastered over the notice board.

Of the thousand examinees, only 377 names are ranked.

Many groans of failure escape the throats of my peers.

I expected to score high. But, I will have to see for myself.

I wait while the mass of people jostle and shove to get a sight.

Many stand for many minutes searching for a name that is simply not listed.

The crowds shrink and I edge closer to the noticeboard.

What I see surprises me.

My name is up there, as number one.

In my time at the Royal Academy, I grew used to having smarter people like Ben lead while I followed.

But now, I stand apart.

I feel a smile come over my face.

It feels good.

While others found despair, I found fortune.

The next day, a ceremony is prepared for those of us who passed.

"Congratulations, fellow scholars," the administrator says behind a podium.

I look around and see many families, all excited for their kin.

"All of you," the administrator continues, "have proven yourselves as the best and brightest of our kingdom.

"You should all take pride in that.

"But, this is a world of duty.

"You will go on to find station over other men and women.

"You will be responsible for both success and failure.

"Do not presume this test equal to the trials you will face in the future."

The man's words are austere. But, they sober the minds of my peers.

From here, they award us our seals.

The seal is in the form of an eyeglass resting atop a book.

This seal can be used to seal letters with wax.

But, it's also a status symbol that many wear on a chain around their neck. This is how I plan to carry it.

After the ceremony, a party is waiting for us. An opportunity to socialize and network.

I find myself conversing with one of the victorious scholars and her husband.

"This has been a stressful 5 years," she says. "All the tutors and classes. It nearly bankrupted us."

"But," her husband chimes in, "it didn't. And, now, the world is open to you."

She smiles with energy.

"What about you, Adam? What do you have planned for your achievement?"

I look around the room.

"I was thinking of joining the census bureau."

The couple nods, "Sensible. So long as you don't have to work around the peasants. I believe there's a startlingly high mortality rate for those working on the fringes."

I shrug.

I continue chatting for a while with the couple before moving on.

They continue mingling while I make my way to the back of the room.

As I contemplate leaving a jovial-looking fellow comes over to me.

"You're Adam Derrick, right?"

"I am."

The somewhat portly man bows, "I am Hector Chu. I am impressed by your performance on the test."

I recall the name below mine on the notice board, Hector Chu.

Returning his bow, I ask, "What can I do for you?"

"Oh, nothing." He waves his hand. "I just wanted to know the man who beat me."

I find him an easy man to talk with as we discuss our philosophies.

"I'm telling you," Hector says. "Giving property rights to the peasants would be a disaster.

"Only a lord has the vision to oversee the productivity of the land."

"I don't believe that," I counter.

"As landholders, the peasants would be more invested in making their land productive."

"And, what of taxation? Would you make an entire bureau to keep track of each peasant's obligation?"

"Yes," I say bluntly.

Hector shrugs, "If only we were the people who made such decisions."

I nod as I review my thoughts.

Our conversation continues as the party winds down.

Not only is Hector intelligent, but he is also opinionated.

I find myself arguing with him almost as often as I agree with him.

"Well," my chubby friend says. "I hope we meet again."

With that, I walk out of the party and into a world of darkness.