The remainder of the tenday passed with practice, practice, practice. Exhausting, brain numbing, energy consuming practice. It was like sitting through school while learning physics and sitting on a chair with only one leg in the middle. Constant attention and split focus left me fuzzy-headed and extremely hungry. I'd completely lost all of my baby fat at this point, even if I was still built only slightly better than a scarecrow. I ate more, meditated more, and even thought about looking into other ways to pull in external energy, but I couldn't sense that energy, so how would I gather it? That's a question for later. The electroshock energy experiment hadn't worked out well for anything but channeling, so I was going to table that idea until I could get my hands on the leftover equipment. Perhaps low-level fields would be better than singular shocks. An idea for me to explore later, just not now. Now was practice time.

Meditation seemed to have some impact on my energy levels, either by boosting efficiency of my metabolism or perhaps by pulling in small amounts of thermal or kinetic energy from around me while I was meditating. It's even possible that it made no difference whatsoever, but I don't know why it would be listed as skill. But walking was, so it might just be a wellness thing. Allowed for better mental recovery? Frustrating. I had more information than everyone else, but it was effectively just a dim candle mounted in the middle of a dark room. Sure, I think it's far better to have some light than none at all, but it's still less than I'd like to have. I could see progress and changes, but I didn't have concrete information. Anyway, six days of nearly constant training did have some positive results.

{Status:

Name: Grintel Coddlestahl

Age: 17

Mental:

Acuity:

Perception:

Memory:

11

8

11

Psyche:

Wisdom:

Insight:

Willpower:

9

9

14

Physical:

Strength:

Coordination:

Endurance:

8

8

12

Skills:

Energy Conversion

3.052

Energy Emission

2.665

Energy Control

2.308

Channeling

0.144

Instructor

0.080

Meditation

2.685

Walking

5.024

}

I could wish for more, but the problem with numbers is they don't lie. Sure, sometimes people play games with the representation of the numbers. But I didn't suspect that the Basic Guide system was doing that. What would be the point to that kind of manipulation? It's not like it was trying to convince me to buy something. I could wish for more data all I wanted, but I'd have to make do with what I had on hand.

At any rate, Nineday had come, and the farmers markets were closed down at this point, so we had no errands to run. I opted for the lazy morning this time. I didn't want to be a muddled mess at the banquet tonight, since it was possible that there would be other guests. I didn't travel in these circles, but it was in the realm of politics to use this banquet as my introduction to some of the bigger players in the town, if for no other reason than to show off Wilhena's new philanthropic coup by getting me placed at the Omni.

I really needed to get out of my own head and power and start thinking more politically. Academic institutions in my last universe were known for internecine struggles between departments and even between members of the same department. Sure, my funding was more secure than most, since I had a direct tie to my sponsor, but that didn't mean people wouldn't want to secure it for themselves, or be aware of that tie.

I dressed for the occasion in my best suit, which was getting a bit too short in the sleeves and legs, but would have to suffice. I even wore one of those detestable cravat/noose/neck stranglers.

"Grint! The carriage is here."

"On my way, Mom!" I gave my torture device one more adjustment, buffed my shoes one last time with a rag, and headed out the door.

"Well. Don't you look handsome." Mom adjusted my cravat again, brushed off my shoulders and patted my upper arms.

"Mooom." I'm pretty sure I was heating the room just by the power of my burning face.

"Well, off we get."

The ground was somewhat slushy, the ice having melted in the sun, but still returning to frozen now that it had set, so the carriage was a much nicer option than walking would have been. We could have used a hired cab, but I suspected there was a message in having us arrive in their liveried vehicle.

I was wrong. Not exactly the first time. We were the only guests, and it was a delightfully informal affair. Heinrig's parents joined in, and while everyone was dressed for dinner, after dinner all the men got to remove their strangle-fabrics and unbutton their coats. We settled in to games and discussions of plans for the coming year, and steered clear of all the political discussions I was expecting. As the evening was winding down, Wilhena did come over to me and hand me a thick folio, a ticket for the train, and a letter of position.

"Grint, you need to study this, it will help you with your position, and I've included a notional schedule for the major release of research results every annum just before Yearturn. With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday, that should reduce your exposure for the first release at least. I would like you to publish the telekinesis study in the summer, and the other study after the first annum, both times with no release conference. Just put them into the journals quietly, as we've planned."

"I'll do that, ma'am."

"It's still Wilhena in private, dearie."

"I'll do my best."

"Of course you will. Wouldn't have put my father's legacy in your hands otherwise."

I didn't know what to say to that, so I used the only thing I could think of. I bowed formally, then impulsively hugged her. "Thank you!"

Blushing furiously for the second time this evening, I backed off, and we headed out and got into the carriage.

"What a lovely night."

"Yes, my dear, it was."

I just kept silent and rubbed my hands slowly over the folio. I needed to pack again, and head off in just a few days. I had my savings, and a secure position again. Unsurprisingly, this time I felt considerably more uneasy than the last time I prepared to leave home.