We finish our breakfast in a cheery atmosphere. After cleaning up, I send Geneva home with the leftovers, Bell riding on my shoulder as we make our way to the foundation fields. The rest of the initiates are waiting for us, the air filled with excitement. Mano stands before them in his usual red robe, wearing an indulgent smile. He hasn’t changed much in our time together. His hair has grown a bit and perhaps his skin is brighter? Really not words I’d ever thought I’d apply to a young man, he spends far too much on beauty potions.

He nods toward me as we approach and I detour toward him.

“Lou. How are you feeling?” he asks.

“Not bad. Pretty good, actually. Soon, you and I are going to be fellow acolytes.”

His smile widens. “Of that, I have no doubt. Trust me, your time at the Hall hasn’t fully begun until then. I have many friends that would be eager to meet you. The same to you, Alana.”

“Ah, yeah.”

“Come on.” I grab her by the arm. “Let’s not take up our teacher’s time so he can get this show started.”

“Eager, I see.”

I pull her away to join the others, though we don’t join them. I’ve never been especially friendly with the others and after my very public problems with a member of the royal family, the last thing they want to do is get friendly with me.

“That man disturbs me,” Alana says quietly.

“Why? I’m found Mano to be nothing but pleasant.”

“That is exactly my point. He is never anything but pleasant. Ever.” She shakes her head. “He never raises his voice, he never does anything but smile. The only other expression I’ve seen him make is when he’s meditating.”

“So, you’re suspicious of him because he’s too nice? Too calm?”

“Don’t look at me like that. Do you know the most dangerous water, Lou? It’s not the flowing currents of the ocean or the rapid river. It’s a calm body of water. Water without a ripple looks beautiful but it hides foulness. It stagnates. That’s why you never drink from still water. My teacher taught me that.”

“Poetic. Your hands are wasted holding a sword.”

She punches me in the arm. “Though the two of you seem to get along fine.”

“The two of us understand each other.” I understand Mano at least. The man is a breed of merchant, a rare kind. He’s not the greedy kind that hoards gold and silver like a dragon. No, he’s a man that values the essence of trade. He uses equivalent exchange to get ahead and respects the rules of such engagements. Frankly, I don’t think he cares about much else.

Of course, I understand what Alana means. Mano is not a warm man. His smiles are sincere but there’s no empathy behind them. I don’t expect to see him handing out charity to orphans. I’m sure the only reason he treats everyone so cordially is because it’s the most expedient way to interact with them. If being an ass got better results, I think he’d be the biggest ass that ever was.

There may be something foul lurking beneath the calm surface of his mask but do I need to know what that is? No. I know that I can count on him to uphold his agreements and he’s a decent conversationalist as long as we stay within the realm of small talk. As that’s the extent of our relationship. I’m fine leaving it there.

“Seems like more than that.” She eyes me. “What was all that about introducing you to other acolytes?”

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“Jealous?” I grin at the look she gives me. “He recognizes me as someone valuable. He wants to show me off to his other contacts and he wants to show them off to me. If I find something I like and vice versa, it opens up the door for more benefits for him. Even if a trade can’t be made, simply being the one to open the door so to speak is enough to bolster his reputation.”

“You’re not the type for games.”

“The exact opposite, my friend. I love games! Especially ones where I win. If he wants to put me in front of a bunch of people who want to flatter me in hopes of future favors, well.”

She rolls her eyes. “You are so vain.”

“Thank you.”

I don’t get a response but I can see her slight smile.

Clapping draws my attention to Mano as he steps in front of our group. He waits for the rest to go quiet before speaking. “Welcome, initiates and hopefully soon to be acolytes.” His smile widens a fraction. “It has been several months. During this time, you have all worked hard learning the basic skills every good caster needs. The time has come to test your prowess. Be aware, those who fail the qualifiers will be deemed, frankly, unworthy of the Hall’s time. You will be dismissed and forced to retake the initiate year. If you prove truly horrendous, you will be banned from the Hall entirely, though I doubt anyone has any need to be worried about that. It has only happened thrice in the long history of the Hall.”

Do you think that’s going to comfort anyone!? I can hear the unease sweep through the others and I don’t blame them. They’re all wondering if they’re going to be the fourth.

“Let me ease your nerves. The test will be difficult. They are designed to be. To become an acolyte, you must simply demonstrate a mastery of the topics taught to you during your initiate year. However, the tests are meant to test your quality as a caster. You are meant to struggle but the better you do, the better your appeal to the Hall. This means access to better instructors, better accommodations, and better opportunities. Make no mistake. Your future begins today.”

His second attempt to ease the nerves of the group goes better. Some are still sweating but many more look excited. This is the chance they’ve been waiting for, after all. Why they’ve studied and sweated far more than they ever expected too. Especially this group, as they’ve had to contend with Kierra’s ‘love’.

“Today, your tests consist of two parts. Both will take place at the Caster Hall. The first will be a measure of your coefficient. There is no need to be concerned, as there is no ‘right’ number. However, many instructors insist their students have a minimum coefficient.”

I look at Alana and she shrugs.

“The second part of the test is a written exam so I hope you all paid attention in class.”

There are a few groans, Alana amongst them. I nudge her with a shoulder. “You been skimping on your studies?”

“I’ve done plenty of studying,” she whispers back. “Far more than you.”

“Really? Want to put your gold where your mouth is?”

“Bring it on, degenerate.”

“Mm. Fifty crowns that I score higher than you.”

“Oh? Did you suddenly go broke when I wasn’t looking? Put some real money on the line.”

“Well, well. What amount where you thinking? Maybe…three hundred?” I grin as her she flushes. “I don’t mind…as long as you tell me what you remember, in detail.” I’m of course talking about our night on the town. Specifically, our trip to the Courtesan Hall. It was…quite a night but she spent the most interesting bits blackout drunk. Claims it’s all a blur. I’m convinced that she remembers more than she wants me to know.

“Nothing to tell you.”

“Then you’re going to have to offer something else.”

“Let’s say 100 gold crowns if I win and if you win, ah.” She shuts her eyes and shakes her head. “I’m only saying this because I know I’m going to win. One friendly sleepover at your place.”

I perk up. “Come on, you’ve got to give me something.”

“We can bathe and sleep together if you keep your hands to yourself.”

“Ah, I’m a spooner.”

“Spoon your wife.”

“Oh, no you don’t. You’re sleeping in the middle.”

“Cheh. Fine. Hands over the clothes.”

“Deal!”

“Not so fast. One condition. No assistance from your thralls. You know, the mind readers.”

It’s my turn to frown now. I fully intended to use them of course. These tests are a measure of our ability. My elementals are a part of my ability, aren’t they?

What? I’m cheating?

Please. From what I’ve heard of this test, the use of magic isn’t prohibited. It’s the Grand Hall, for saints’ sake. To not use every advantage at my disposal would be a disgrace.

“Thought I’d forget about that?” she says smugly.

“Yes.”

“If you want to win, you’re going to have to do it by yourself.” Her smile says that she highly doubts that I can.

“Hmph.” I stick out my hand. She grabs it and gives it a firm shake. “When you lose, no stalling. I’ll expect you over promptly.”

“Same to you.”