The days pass peacefully. The lectures give me even greater insights into society.

The first exam will be taken soon and the test will show who spent their time in study and who spent their days on recreation.

"Come join me, Adam," Robert pesters me while I study my notes.

"I'm telling you, the ladies will go wild over you."

I sigh, "You do realize that the reason we came to the academy was to study."

Robert chuckles, "Oh, my naive little friend. You fell for that line? We're here to make connections. And, the best way to do that is over a strong drink."

"Maybe, I'll join you." He elates. "After the exam."

He sighs and leaves our shared room.

I put him out of my mind as I memorize formulas and dates.

In the afternoon, I find my fiance.

I feel like she likes me. She just prefers to have a weapon in hand when we date.

"So," she says. "Have you gone out with that Astor kid?"

I'm surprised that she knows of my roommate.

"I haven't had the opportunity," is my response.

"So, you haven't been out chasing loose women?"

I laugh at her question, drawing her ire.

I dance away from her sword and gather my wits.

"It couldn't be that you would feel jealous if I were."

She fumes as she makes a reckless charge.

I deflect her sword before putting my blade against her delicate neck.

Her face is redder than usual.

"Don't worry," I say. "I wouldn't bring you dishonor like that."

She looks embarrassed by my words as we retake our positions.

Night and day pass and we face a new threat.

This test is interdisciplinary. It covers all the subjects taught in the lessons.

The whole student body gets an 8-hour window to polish their tests.

If your grades fall below a certain margin, expulsion is the answer.

The math portions are tedious. But, manageable.

One problem poses the question of two different philosophies. We get as many, or as few, pages as we desire to explain the advantages and disadvantages of each.

For some, bigger means better. But, I find long essays tend to be rambling.

The test is nothing beyond my expectations.

I finish at the 5-hour mark.

As I leave the testing room I see many frustrated faces.

I find myself wondering how Robert is doing.

I shake free from thoughts of the test as I walk into the courtyard.

"The peasants are rebelling in Tousan," my ears prick at the voice.

"They say the governor was killed. Masses of peasants stormed his estate."

"What's the Royal Army doing at a time like this?"

"I don't know. But, the bandit Felix is said to be one of the mob's leaders."

A cold dread settles over me as I hear the name.

Felix was one of my subordinates during the insurrection.

My mood sours. I hope they kill him.

If it weren't for people like him, people I trusted, betraying me, I wouldn't have wound up alone on that peaceful mountain.

Whatever promises the Jal rulers made must have soured for Felix and his ilk to rise once more.

"Tousan isn't far from here," the voice continues. "Isn't it possible the poor of Locley could be rallied against us?"

I leave the whispers behind me.

I've got the afternoon wide open.

The temple goes silent as I tread upon the threshold.

I hear the whispers of the gods and goddesses.

This is the only place I've been to where I feel the presence of the gods.

"Old soul," comes the monk's voice.

He comes out from a back room.

"I am pleased for your company."

I smile. He's not that much older than me. But, he shows deference like no one else in this school.

"Please," he sits with his legs crossed.

I follow suit and we look at one another.

"I'm sorry," I say. "I don't believe we've properly introduced ourselves. I'm Adam."

The monk smiles, "I am Kati Yuan."

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"So," I look around the room. "What can you tell me about the gods?"

Kati's disposition sobers.

"The gods and goddesses rule the heavens and the earth. The movements of the planets and the stirring of love in the heart.

"Mawai is a benevolent god of the harvest. But, he is at odds with the god Baccar who brings famine, drought, and pestilence.

"People commonly think that they must only honor the benevolent gods. But, this is not so. All gods demand our reverence."

I wonder how many times I took the gods for granted.

Starting life as a street urchin doesn't make one overly pious.

Maybe if I had had the gods on my side, things could have been different.

"In many ways, old soul, you are like one of the gods incarnate."

I'm stirred from my thoughts.

"What do you mean?"

Kati spreads his hands, "Your spirit is like an egg preparing to hatch. The power that you command now is only the beginning.

"The gods favor you. They know things that you do not."

I absorb the monk's words.

I have suspected the change in my spirit seed. That it could be growing into something more.

We carry on talking about the various gods until, at last, I retire and seek out the training ground.

"You're late," she says by way of greeting.

"I'm sorry. Got caught up with a friend."

Siri plays aloof as we begin our sparring.

"How do you think you did?"

She thinks for a minute, "I think I missed the physics question on page 5. But, otherwise, probably scored high."

She doesn't return the question.

We trade blows. I feel tension between us. Like there's something more. But, a large barrier remains between us.

We finish with a few words and I return to the dorm.

Robert's out and I find peace in my mind.

Time is passing faster and faster as the seasons change.

It's grown colder as the leaves fall from the trees.

My studies are in-depth and I remain in the top 10 of the testing scores.

Siri is a similarly high achiever.

But, Robert has only slid further down the ladder.

Too late, I think, has he recognized the threat of expulsion.

With every new test, he asks for more study aid.

Other than dates with my fiance and the occasional trip to the temple, my days pass undisturbed.

"They say the bandit Felix has escaped Tousan with 5,000 soldiers."

"You mean 5,000 peasants. It's just a matter of time before the Royal Army catches them."

I find word of my former friend escaping dissatisfying.

But then, I'm not invested in his fate.

Caught up in the rumor mill, I almost don't sense them.

My eyes narrow as I spread my spirit wide to catch the movement of the shadowy figures.

They're hunting.

But, I realize, they're not hunting me.

They're skilled as they track their prey.

I recognize him. The top-ranked student, who has remained at the top from the first exam.

He's a quiet bookish student.

He rarely asks questions as he absorbs the lectures.

Two assassins weave through the open air as the man finds a quiet corner to study in.

I shadow the shadows.

Two figures sparkle as steel comes out.

They're on him as I act.

I reach out with my spirit.

Unprepared, the two men are yanked from their feet and tumble to the ground.

The student cries out in alarm and runs away.

I approach leisurely, my spirit pressure weighing down on them.

I grab the masks from their faces. And, for a moment, I'm stunned.

"Boros brothers."

They look up at me, confused.

I think as I look down on them.

"The two of you have fallen low to play the part of assassins."

"What do you know, child?" one of the brothers snarls.

"I know that, once, the Boros brothers held off a thousand men at the Eventide Gate of Warhol.

"I know that the Boros brothers claimed the heads of 50 captains and one general in the battle of Lastmarch.

"I know that the Boros brothers did not betray Meridian in the Judgment."

They look up at me, confused.

"Who are you?"

The words hang in the air.

"Give up your assassination and meet me at the Master's Tavern in old town tonight.

"Or don't, and you'll never know."

I walk away and release the pressure on them.

They hesitate a moment before collecting their weapons and melding with the shadows.

That afternoon, I spar with Siri.

"What is it?" she sounds concerned.

"Oh... Nothing."

I make no aggressive moves and she drops her guard.

"Why do you do this?" she asks.

"What?" I am confused.

"You act like you have some huge secret that only you know."

I drop my guard.

"I'm sorry."

She bites her lip.

"So, what is it?"

I smile a self-deprecating smile and say, "Some old friends have come to town."

She looks curious. But, drops her inquisition.

Our wooden swords clash once more and I try to focus on the moment.

That night as we part, Siri looks as if she has something to say. But, she lets her thoughts pass as we walk off to our own business.

Old town is rundown but warm tonight.

The wealthy already moved out of this part of the city. Leaving only the poor.

But here one knows where one stands.

I switched out my robes for something more ragged.

The Master's Tavern is loud as I approach.

Several eyes find me. But, readily return to their business.

In the corner, I see them.

The Boros brothers are intentionally not looking at me.

I stop at the bar to request a drink.

A mug of suds finds my hand and I approach the brothers.

The stool between them is open.

I know the danger of underestimating these two.

"Who are you?" Albert, the older brother, asks.

I've been weighing my choices on how much to tell them. But, I've trusted these men in the past.

"I'm the reincarnation of Meridian."

"Bullshit!" Zach, the younger brother, yells as he stands up.

I apply pressure. He fights it. But, his butt finds its seat.

The outburst drew some curious glances. But, the tavern returns to the affairs of the night.

Albert looks at me, his hair graying with age. He looks impassive.

"How did Meridian and I meet?"

Zach looks interested in my answer.

"Just like this. You were playing bandit and I kicked your ass."

Albert nods silently.

Zach looks unconvinced, "What was the name of the woman I went on a double date with Meridian and Sandra?"

I chuckle, "Linda."

The brothers share a look.

"How?"

I scratch my head, "That's something I'm still trying to figure out."

Albert eyes me with an even gaze. "To go from the outlaw Meridian to the little prince of the Royal Academy..."

He doesn't finish the thought.

"My name is Adam. I am who I was born as."

The older brother looks like he wants to say more. But, Zach cuts in.

"Will you rejoin the fight? Felix is still fighting."

My lip twitches, "Felix betrayed me. As did Roland, Hellen, and many others. Whatever cause they fight for has nothing to do with me."

Silence hangs over us.

"I understand. It's just that the Jal have only grown more brutal in their treatment of the peasants.

"The taxes are too high and they crucify anyone who stands up to them.

"Have you heard what they did in Tousan?"

I find Meridian trying to take control of me. The ghost wants to live again.

"War is not the only solution," I say, understanding how bullheaded I was.

"So, then, what are you going to do?"

The question hangs over my head.

"I'm going to go to school. Learn what I can. Then I will take the civil service exam and find a position in government."

Zach says, "So rather than a prince, you would be a king.

"The reincarnation of Meridian has fallen lower than us assassins."

His words sting me.

Albert puts a hand on his brother's shoulder.

"Meridian. I can sense it, your spiritual energies are monumental. With you fighting for the people, we could overthrow the Jal.

"15 years ago, you cobbled together the 12 tribes into a fighting force.

"Now, you could unite the kingdom."

I sigh, "Would you do something for me?"

The two men look curious.

"Could you find the skull and bones man?"

A smile takes their faces.

"We will do as you command, Meridian."

Zach nods his agreement.

More ale finds our bellies as the night carries on.

I find it a joy to talk with old friends.

"So, why are you working as assassins?"

Albert shrugs, "Got to make a living somehow. Failed revolutionaries don't have the most stable revenue streams."

I nod my understanding.

"Why did-" Zach begins. "Why did Felix and the rest betray you? Betray us?"

I look into my beer.

"I don't know. They probably thought our cause would fail and took up the Jal's offer for my head."

A silence hangs in the air before Zach says, "I can understand the others. But, you and Felix were so close."

My mood sours at being reminded of my old friend.

"Enough of this talk," I say. "Why haven't you two settled down? Find good women and raise some kids."

Albert chuckles, "Do we look like the type to settle down?"

I smile as we carry on till the tavern closes.

"We will do as you asked."

I bow and they return it.

My trip back to my dorm is uneventful.

Robert is sleeping as I settle on the floor.

With thoughts of past friendships on my mind, I turn my focus inward.