Bao and Denis reacted differently from Marlon. Much closer to how I had expected — formally friendly. The news soured their mood somewhat, but it didn’t shake their determination to reach their goal.If Marlon was right and they didn’t make it, it would hit them hard.Each of them had twice as many points as I did at the moment, but they hadn’t broken through yet. Depending on their choice of materials, that could drop their balance to zero or even below, whereas I was due for a generous payout at the end of the year for my breakthrough. There was some clever system behind it, with breakthroughs equated to cadet achievements, so the figures changed from year to year. Plus, it kept the suspense alive.This school loved its intrigue.Zola’s reaction was unique. She brushed the news aside as though it were nothing of consequence.“I’m breaking through in two weeks,” she said.“How?!” I didn’t understand.She was two whole months behind.“You thought your schedule was brutal?” she asked. “I have a SCHEDULE!”Well, at least you don’t have to risk your life!I thought it, but didn’t say it aloud. At the moment my life was less in danger. At least from poisons.I wasn’t a hundred per cent safe from them and still wore the bracelet with antidotes… both bracelets, and the amulet.The shirt I had to keep hidden in the locker — too hard to put on unnoticed, and I didn’t want unnecessary questions. I kept it ‘for special occasions’.For about a week no one bothered me and I could focus on my own matters. It was a little strange, being without Kate’s constant oversight and Novak’s interests looming over me. After all, the old and wise one had promised to accept me into his cohort of personal disciples, but it seemed he had other business.Still, he hadn’t forgotten me.One morning Kate simply messaged me, warning that in the evening there would be tea at the master’s.Tea (...)