34 Warning (1/2)

With my unique qi constitution, I would receive no benefit from taking in any particular element of qi. The most efficient source would be the most abundant one.

In this region, the great mountain ranges were a bountiful source of earth qi. I knew that it was best to cultivate somewhere deep in the mountains.

However, I had to consider the balance of qi in my body. The elements were organised in a wheel with seven points, with unique qi at its centre.

If I wanted to keep my soul neutral, the wheel showed that I needed to take in poison or thunder qi. My thoughts instantly went to Crow.

I knew that Crow had poison qi, and his study was within a mountain range. Tomorrow I would go talk to Crow, but for now, I had to meet the scholars.

Walking into College, I was greeted by Dong.

”Ah, Oscar! You're finally here. I was getting a tad worried! The other scholars are in the communal room, let me show you the way.”

Dong led me up the stairs and down my corridor, before opening a door at the end of the corridor.

”Go on,” he motioned through the door, ”they won't bite!”

Somewhat reluctantly, I passed through into the communal room. Fifteen male scholars sat around, some slouched deep into couches, others perched on desks.

Tai sat on his own chair near the centre of the room. He stood up at my sight, smoothed his robes and pointed at a couch to his left.

”Oscar, have a seat.”

Davide had already arrived and was curled up on the edge of the couch, nervously biting his nails. I walked over and sat next to him but before I had a chance to talk, Tai started up again.

”Now that we're all here, let's get on with this.” His tone was authoritative, much stronger than when I first met him. It was strange, being commanded by a 13-year-old boy.

”Davide, Oscar, now you've got mentors, you're officially scholars.” Tai began steadily pacing through the room.

”By now, you've probably noticed that scholars have a special position here. And that,” he stopped and turned towards us, ”is a position of power.”

”We're not just gifted students. We are symbols of power that inspire the school. And we have a duty to maintain that power.”

His cheesy delivery almost made me laugh, but I composed myself. He obviously took this very seriously, and it wasn't wise to piss him off for no reason.

”The Chairman's already mentioned Hunting Season. On the outside, it looks like amazing chance for the rest of the school. But that's not how it really is.”

”Do you know how many regular students have won a fight in the last ten years?”

I shook my head, playing along.

”Just one. Me.”

His answer surprised me. With his position, I had assumed that he was just a very talented scholar.

”Tai, do you not have a special constitution?” I asked.

”No. There was a scholar so useless,” he paused for dramatic effect, ”that he lost to a regular student.”

One of the other scholars perked up.

”But Tai, you're a monster.” All eyes in the room turned to this boy. ”I mean, I don't think there's anyone here that can beat you…”

”And that's the problem! None of you work hard enough! It's a disgrace to the name 'Emperor's Scholar!'”

”So, who did you beat?” I asked.

The room turned silent, and melancholy hung in the air.

”Fan Li. He's not with us anymore.”

Tai's ominous response made something click in my head. This wasn't earth. This wasn't your regular school. These kids weren't sheltered like me. They had fought to get where they were.

I realised that I had been far too relaxed and dismissive. I was in a top position in a military school, and there were responsibilities that came with it, regardless of my age.

”We cannot let another scholar be beaten ever again. Davide, Oscar, you've got to be strong. Never betray our name.”

I felt Davide nodding beside me and turned to see his face steeled with determination.

”Now, Davide, I have no doubt that you're going to push yourself. I heard what happened in the meeting, and Miss Bjorndottir won't let you rest.”

”But Oscar, I'm worried about you. Apparently, you held back at the testing stone?”

Murmurs spread throughout the scholars, and I spoke up to silence them.

”Word spreads fast I guess.”

”Hm. And your mentor is the librarian?”

”Yeah.”

”I hope you know that talent is nothing without hard work. Especially with a useless mentor.”

His words angered me, but I didn't want to cause a scene, so I kept my words short.

”I guess we'll have to see about that.”

”Ha, I could beat him in seconds.”

I held my tongue, not letting Tai drag me into a childish argument.

”Well, suit yourself. All you have to do is not let us down,” Tai clapped his hands in conclusion, ”well then, ire licet! Get back to work!”