I woke up to Xiaogui's face, hovering a few inches above mine.

"Sir, Oscar's awake."

"Alright, get him over 'ere."

"Sir, I can't–"

"Don't worry." I interrupted.

I struggled to my feet and shambled over to Master's room.

"Thank you, Master. Thank you so much for defending me."

"Yer damn right. Now it's time fer ya to pay me back," he eased himself out of his chair and rolled up his sleeves, "I know yer packing more of a punch than ya showed in court."

"Um, my qi's not full yet."

"Argh, who cares? Just show me what ya got."

"Okay.."

I commanded my qi to swallow his arm, taking control of it. With a flick of my wrist, I made him do a little wave. Master grimaced at his waving arm.

"I told ya, to show me what ya got! Do what ya did to blow up that brat's head!"

What the.. even Master thought I did it? Was his opinion of me that low? More importantly, was it okay to tell him the truth? Now more than ever, I needed people I could trust, but Master was fickle.

No, even if it was just to protect his test subject, Master put his position on the line to stand up for me. He deserved to know the truth.

"Master.. I didn't do that."

"Brat, yer not in court anymore. Ya don't have to lie to me."

"No, really."

"What? Don't bullshit me."

"It wasn't me, it was Tai."

I told Master everything I knew about the incident.

"So, yer telling me that bastard killed the other brat, just to frame ya?" he cackled and clapped his hands, "Impressive! He'd make a mighty fine disciple!"

Master caught the look on my face, "I'm joking, I'm joking. He's already got a mentor.. Anyway, so ya broke through to Elite Grade just like that? Maybe there's some hope after all. Go and cultivate a bit. Come back 'ere when something interesting happens."

"Master.. I can't cultivate anywhere."

"Why–Oh. I guess yer a bit screwed if Tai attacks ya.." he thought for a second then waved his hand, "Bah, that's not my problem. I'm sure it'll be fine."

"Master, please I–"

"I apologise for interrupting, but Mr Dong is waiting for you in the dining hall. It is best that you head back."

"Xiaogui, please.."

"Come back later, Oscar. I don't think you should miss this meeting."

"Okay.. don't worry."

As I headed out of the vault, a thought crossed my mind, stopping me in my tracks.

"Xiaogui, how do you know he's looking for me?"

"I monitor the school, so I am aware of everyone's actions."

"Wait.. did you see what happened in the isolation room?"

"Unfortunately, I have not been installed everywhere."

"Where do you have access to?"

"Oscar, I think you need to–"

"Xiaogui, this is really important!"

"Very well. I have control over the main communal areas, but student and teacher houses are incomplete."

"Like College?"

"Yes, I believe College runs on its own system. I cannot sense anything within it."

"That's strange. Xiaogui, can I ask you a giant favour?"

"What may I help you with?"

"Can you record me, like you did in the Vault? If I get in a fight, it's all over, and I'm worried someone's gonna attack me."

"That won't be any trouble at all."

"Really? Thank you so much!"

"It is my pleasure."

"And thank you Master for helping me!"

"Yeah, yeah."

I ran out of the Vault to go meet Dong in the dining room. With Xiaogui monitoring me, I was free to go everywhere but College. If I got attacked, I could prove it wasn't my fault.

Dong was finishing his meal at his usual table. I was starving after a day and night of not eating, so I queued up to get a tray of food. I was nervous to meet him, but Xiaogui's watchful eye reassured me.

Dong noticed me come over and motioned for me to sit. He finished eating, then placed a thin book on the table.

"You're down for a year of volunteer work scrubbing the training halls, as you requested. Have the supervisor sign each entry in this book, or you'll violate your probation.

"If you get a single fight, or miss a single day of work, you're expelled. You'll never join the military again. Don't make me remind you.

"Oh, and make sure you come to the arena tomorrow morning. If you miss the first day of hunting season, you're done."

With that, he left the dining hall. The jovial, gossipy Dong was gone. I clearly wouldn't get any more help from him, but at least he wasn't actively malicious.

I continued eating on my own, disregarding all the vitriolic stares. I didn't expect any less. This was something I had to get accustomed to.

"Big bro!"

Davide's call piqued my attention, and I saw him bounce over to my table.

"Davide! I haven't seen you in forever!"

"I know! School's been so boring without you."

His bubbly energy was a much-needed break from the gloomy day.

"I bet it was, tell me everything! What's Freja making you do now?"

"Big sis is still making me hammer all day, she just won't teach me how to fight!"

"Big sis..?"

"Oh, she told me to call her that.. I don't really know why.."

"Haha, Master made me call him.. well.. Master. But yeah, I think our mentors are weird."

"Yeah.. big bro.. what happened to you? There's all these weird rumours.."

"Yeah, I bet. Look, don't listen to any of them."

"But what really happened?"

I hushed my voice and gave him the abridged version, sparing the gory details.

"I told you Tai was bad!"

"Shh! You can't say that, he might attack you too!"

Davide pouted, "But it's true.."

"It's just not a good idea. Pinky promise me you won't tell anyone what really happened?"

"Mhm."

We wrapped our pinkies and sealed the promise with our thumbs. Davide's hands were like rough leather, and his grip was fierce.

"Show me your hands."

He turned them over, revealing gnarled calluses jutting out in yellow ridges along his palms and fingers.

"I did what you said every day! Big sis always has a little bottle with her, so I never forget. My hands only hurt really late, it's so good!"

"You've been working super hard! I need to catch up."

"Yeah, I wanna see how strong big bro is tomorrow!"

"I'm pretty weak. I bet you're stronger."

"Hm. I don't believe you." A frown crossed his face, "I'm scared about tomorrow."

"Why?"

"Big sis didn't teach me how to fight.."

"She must have told you something, right?"

"She just said 'hammer them!' How do I even do that?"

"Well, you've been to the same classes as the other kids, right?"

"Yeah.."

"And have you sparred any of them?"

"One time, but nobody ever wants to fight me!"

"What happened in that fight?"

"Um.. he was just really slow."

I laughed, remembering that Davide had the Golden Web constitution. He was probably already leagues ahead of his classmates, and they didn't want to be humiliated.

"Don't worry, you're gonna do great."

We finished our food, chatting about all that had happened. Our brief conversation put me at ease, reminding me of what an eight-year-old's life should be like.

Unfortunately, it had to end, as I needed to talk to Master. He wouldn't like what I had to say, but after meeting Dong I knew it was the right course of action.

Opening the vault door, Master greeted me rudely as usual.

"Why do ya gotta come 'ere every damn minute! Couldn't ya just stay dead?"

"I'm sorry Master, I need to ask a favour."

"I'm not hearing it. Come back another time! Or, never!"

He flopped back into his armchair and sipped from a cracked mug.

"Master, I wanna move into the Vault."

Whatever he drank came right back up in a violent cough.

"Ya what? No. No, no, no. Not happening. Get out!"

"Master, College isn't safe. Living there is gonna get me expelled!"

Master paused, almost considering the point, then burst out again, "Then get expelled! It's not happening."

Pleading to his better nature wouldn't do anything. I had to be more conniving.

"Master, think about what happens if I get expelled."

"So what? I'll just find another brat."

"Do you really think so? You'll get another chance to mentor a talented scholar?"

"Oi, brat. Don't let what I said in that court get to yer head. That didn't mean shit."

"Do you really think they'll let you mentor another scholar after this?"

"Watch yer tone, brat."

"The only student you ever mentored killed a fellow scholar. Everyone knows about it!"

"But ya didn't kill him, did ya?"

"That's not what they think. They'll never let you near a scholar again. My situation was strange to begin with, so you lucked out! How long would it take for you to get another chance?"

"Who cares about that shitty old technique, anyway?"

I had him. This was the home stretch.

"All I need is a place to meditate at night. I want silence as much as you do. You've already got a bunk bed; I'll just take the lower bunk."

"That's not a bed, brat, that's an important storage area."

"Master, what's more important. A storage area or your disciple that's gonna show the world the power of your research?"