The results of the strategy test arrived two days after they did it, a testament of the quality of the school as they had marked more than two hundreds copies in that short time. They were assisting Yordar’s lesson as usual, while the professor started handling the results. Zac got his paper first and shared it with Mahon to show what it looked like.

On the paper there was written a small appreciation that read ‘Good work but you must learn to extrapolate from what you know.’ Just below the sentence, there was a circle with two numbers written on it, 137/202, representing his rank among the class. Then, a list of bullet points followed with several instructions on how to do better, what points to emphasize while studying and some exercises Zac could try to improve his comprehension.

Zac exchanged a look with Mahon and started to browse the list with attention, trying to understand what he should work on. Mahon smiled at his friend's enthusiasm and he knew the man was glad of his result. There were only 10 First Red ranks, which means a rank below 192/202 was already ahead of First Red.

But given Zac’s hardworking nature, it was to be expected that he surpassed that initial rank. After that there were 96 First White and, given his rank, Zac was 41th among them, already in the first half. Zac could be proud of himself and although he only ended in the last thirty at the physical exam, it was just a matter of time before he would be able to rank up to First White.

Mahon waited a bit before obtaining his own paper and he had the time to see what his roommates got. On his left, Allen got a rank of 168/202 and it was also approximately his rank on the physical exam, meaning he could also expect to rank up to First White once the duel opened.

Wyrran and Kali got even better scores than Zac, with 93/202 and 101/202 respectively. Given their natural talent at fighting on how they had performed during the physical test, Kali could consider challenging the top of the First White places while Wyrran could even reach up to First Green rank.

Mahon was eager to check his own results. Alas, with his lack of physical prowess, even if he ended first on the strategy test, there was not a chance he would be able to rank up as long as his body was this weak. Still, being a Last Red Nightmare commander, he had his pride, and he expected a rank high enough to impress his roommates and maybe reconnect with them before it was too late.

When he got his own paper, however, it was even more confusing. The bullet list was empty and in the place of his rank was written ?/202. Reading the comment, Mahon felt even more puzzled.

‘You are summoned by professor Rym. Please head to the administrative district at the end of your specialized training.’

Zac, who had been perspective enough to raise his head and take a look when Mahon received his scores, threw an interrogative glance at him. But Mahon shrugged his shoulders in response. He had no idea what that was supposed to mean. How could they not grade his answers? Was it because he screwed up the second part? Or did he impress them with his innovative solution at the end of the writing test?

They had no time to ponder more on the subject, as Yordar had finished distributing the papers and started his lesson. Zac patted Mahon on the arm, giving him his silent support while Yordar explained their results.

“So you all have a paper with some points to study for the weeks to come, but I would like to emphasize on some of them. If you have ‘Don’t be too aggressive’ written, what it means is that you should…”

The lesson was uneventful as the professor explained with greater details what he wanted the students to pay attention to. But Mahon did not listen to the reminders, as he was too focused on his own situation.

Why am I convoked by Rym and not Yordar if that has to do with strategy? Does it mean I’m in trouble? Is it the sacrifice part? That can’t be. That’s supposed to be just a test…

Thoughts coiled in his mind as he tried to make sense of the situation, but to no avail. In the end, he resigned himself to wait for the meeting time and pursued his usual routine. Mahon chased away his incessant thinking about the nearing meeting while struggling under Slander’s scrutinizing eyes. The Yoga session eased some of his worries and it was almost light-hearted that he presented himself to the administrative district.

He walked to the main entrance, the one they used to go to the banquet night every week, but also the one where he had met Rym alone and she had threatened him. That seemed so long ago now, but just four weeks had passed. He waited there for a few minutes before Yordar arrived and went to him.

“Hello again, Mahon. Please follow me.”

The professor smiled at him with a gentle expression, and then moved into the administrative district. Mahon followed a step behind him, but Yordar stopped a time short enough for Mahon to be at his side instead. He then proceeded to walk again with Mahon.

“Don’t be so tense. You did well on the strategy test. Impressively well, in fact. There are just some parts that we need to clear up so that those young fools can sleep in peace, but I have no worry.”

Mahon didn’t know what to answer, but it didn’t seem to trouble the kind professor.

“Your comprehension of Amentiae’s weak points are remarkable and I have to admit I had to ask for a spear expert to make sure some of them were real, hahaha… The young are indeed impressive nowadays.”

Yordar nodded to himself and gently smiled again at Mahon. This time, he answered.

“Thanks professor, your praise means a lot to me. But I must say if the young are impressive today it’s because the old paved most of the way yesterday.”

Mahon bowed his head in respect to the professor and the man laughed it off.

“You know how to talk, that’s good, that’s good... It’s here.”

Yordar pointed to a building to their left and Mahon turned accordingly so they could both enter.

“Be yourself and you may leave stronger than you think.”

The professor cryptically advised, as he opened a door and stepped in. It was a small room with a table around which several people were seated. Mahon recognized Rym and Revalor, the man who had tested him orally for the strategy test.

There were three other people, but Mahon did not know who they were. Given their attire, though, they seemed to be other strategy professors that had assisted Yordar on the day of the test. Yordar sat on an empty chair and gestured to Mahon to pick one of the others for himself. As he did, Rym straightened in her seat and spoke.

“Hello Mahon, thanks for coming.”

As if I had the choice.

“We have heavy topics to discuss here and I would like everyone to realize what we’re talking about. As you all know, Mahon is a commoner and arrived here with a letter of recommendation.”

Mahon stayed stoic, but a bad feeling crept up inside him about where this was going for Rym to start like that.

“He had shown no talents whatsoever and even a lack of abilities for physical training. Now professor Revalor could you please share your findings about the strategy test.”

The man slightly bowed to Rym and pursued with the same informative tone.

“I marked his paper and most of what he wrote is beyond perfect. Often there are details that we never talked about in class or in specialized training. There is no doubt his knowledge is deep on the subject and he knew much before coming to the Pine Hill Officer Institute.”

Revalor inspired deeply and his face betrayed a twitch of anger.

“However, on the simplest open questions, he dared to list profanities after profanities. That a knowledgeable man talks about sacrifice and retreat in such straightforward situations appears to me as nothing more than scorn and mockery! This behavior should not b…”

“Calm down professor Revalor, I would like you to stick to White please.”

“I’m sorry. That shabby crime made me lose my temper. During the oral part of the test, given a simple situation where there is nothing else to do but to charge straightforwardly at the Amentiae, this man,” he pointed accusatively at Mahon, “spoke immediately about retreat and had the guts to emphasize how perfectly sound strategies would not work.”

Rym raised an eyebrow and Revelar took a deep breath to calm himself.

“For an ignorant man, it’s already bad enough to mistake knowledge from ignorance and exhibit it so prominently. But when I read his written test I could only come to the conclusion that he is no ignorant man! And from a knowledgeable person to do that can’t be anything else but taunt and ridicule!”

Rym sighed and gestured for the professor to stay quiet while she took over.

“Yordar, on my demand, you also read the content of his answers. Do you confirm most of it comes from a knowledgeable man?”

“Yes, I do. An experienced and well-informed one, if I may add.”

“And then on to the final questions... Do you confirm they are utterly wrong and you had never seen such wrong answers in any other students’ answers?”

“That’s indeed true.”

“Thanks Yordar. Now, I know I am biased myself so I will abstain from both Yellow and Black. Yellow? Someone?”

The people stayed silent while Mahon started to think about what he was doing here.

“It was a simple joke. Or pure ignorance.” Yordar finally proposed.

Rym threw him a look that conveyed that no healthy mind would believe that, but she nodded nonetheless at his participation.

“Black?”

“It’s an insult at the school! He wants to disgrace our institute! He is…”

Rym raised her hand to stop the man a second after he started. On her face, one could guess she had already seen it coming.

“That’s enough. I think we all know what it means.”

She turned to Mahon and for the first time since he was here, he had the feeling he would be able to say something.

“Let’s listen to what you have to say.”

“It was pure ignorance.”

Mahon did not resist the pun. It was an easy one, but also he had not anything else to say. He had never wanted to denigrate anyone or anything, and he had completed the answers the best he could.

From the exchanges he had somehow understood he had not found the right answers to the open questions and even though he doubted Revalor's judgment, Yordar had confirmed it himself and he felt he was trustworthy. He did not understand how it was possible though, and even now he had trouble realizing what it was about. So ignorance was indeed a good answer. But he was aware that Rym would not believe a word of it.

If looks could kill, he would be dead now from how stern she was fixing him. Eventually, she loosened her jaw enough to speak.

“So I was indeed right and you’re here to make a fool of this prestigious school. Unfortunately, I don’t have the right to expel you from such petty behavior. So I will ask nicely. Can you leave?”

“I like it there. The training is entertaining. I think I will stay.”

Rym managed to hide her fury behind a forced smile and appeared impassive as she pursued.

“I will offer a hundred golds if you leave now.”

Mahon was ready to rebuke her again, but Yordar preceded him.

“Before we go to that, I must say that we didn’t quite complete the circle of Colors. I don’t remember you talking about Red or Green.”

Rym took a deep inspiration before she looked straight at Yordar. She didn’t like his interruption.

“If you have something to add, Yordar, just say it.”

“Oh thanks, I’m glad you asked. Red makes me believe the boy is telling the truth. I usually follow my guts, so I wondered how is it possible for such a scenario to happen? It’s only when immersed in Green that I got a glimpse at an absurd possibility.”

Yordar spoke with his usual slow rhythm, like he was going through his lesson instead of rebuking one of the school's highest ranked.

“If the boy used to be a Nightmare warrior, he would have a weak physic and extensive knowledge of Amentiae. But if he had never fought in Ratho before, he would be confused about the pacing, strength and tempo of a battle, as they are completely different from each other. Knowledge of Amentiae is the same, but where one sees an easy victory in Ratho, one might see a crushing defeat in Nightmare. It’s how big the difference between the worlds is.”

A flash of comprehension struck Mahon as the professor had explained his reasoning with simple words. Is it possible that Amentiae act way differently than he had thought? It could explain how he was sure of his answer when it was absurd for Revalor. Rym seemed as shocked as he was.

“You’re a commoner from Nightmare?”

Even with all herself control, Rym could not hide the disdain from her face.

“I offer you a thousand golds if you leave this school now.”