The ninth bell had barely finished when the words appeared.
SCENARIO ALERT
EVENT: ENTRANCE EXAMINATION
WINDOW: 48 HOURS - AY1/M1/D6 09:00
DETAIL: NOT PROVIDED
I stopped with the cup halfway to my mouth. The clock on the desk read nine. Outside, students were crossing the court beneath my window. Someone called for a friend to hurry. Another voice answered from farther away.
The morning continued without waiting for me to read the warning again.
Forty-eight hours.
Exactly the interval between this morning and the time posted yesterday. I put the cup down.
Two days. I looked at the sword beside the desk and remembered Veylan taking it out of my hand. I had barely learned to finish one movement where I intended. Whatever happened at the examination, I would be facing it with the strength I had now.
I closed the alert and took out the oldest sheet from my notes.
Keep the academy's protection.
Hide the damaged core.
Avoid the Duke's correction.
