miss those days

Joel looked up. What are you doing there? Nalizar demanded. Why arent you wearing your uniform? Im not a Rithmatist, sir, Joel said, standing. Im from the general school. What? Why in the name of the heavens are you sitting in my classroom? Your classroom? This was Fitchs classroom. Or it should be. Well? Nalizar asked. I came with a note, sir, Joel said. For Professor Fitch. Hand it over, then, Nalizar said. It is for Professor Fitch personally, Joel said, stuffing the letter into his pocket. It wasnt about the class. Well, be off with you then, Nalizar said, dismissing Joel with a wave of his hand. The red chalk dust scattered on the floor looked like blood. He began dispelling his creations one at a time. Joel backed away, then rushed up the steps and opened the door. People crossed the lawn outside, many dressed in the white and grey of Rithmatists. One figure stood out. Joel dashed down the stairs across the springy lawn, catching up to Professor Fitch. The man trudged with slumped shoulders, the large bundle of books and notes collected in his arms. Professor? Joel said. Joel was tall for his age, a few inches taller, even, than Fitch. The older man turned with a start. Uh? What? Are you all right? Oh, um, why its the chalkmakers son! How are you, lad? Shouldnt you be in class? Its my free period, Joel said, reaching and sliding two of the books off the stack to help carry them. Professor, are you all right? About what just happened? You saw that, did you? Professor Fitchs face fell. Isnt there anything you can do? Joel asked. You cant let him take your classes away! Perhaps if you spoke to Principal York? No, no, Fitch said.

That would be unseemly. The right of challenge is a very honorable traditionan important part of Rithmatic culture, I must say. Joel sighed. He glanced down, remembering the note in his pocket. A request from him to Fitch. He wanted to study with the man over the summer, to l as much about Rithmatics as he could. But Fitch wasnt a full professor any longer. Would that matter? Joel wasnt even certain the man would take a nonRithmatic student. If Fitch wasnt a full professor, might he have more time for tutoring students? Thinking that immediately made Joel feel guilty. He almost pulled the letter out and gave it to the man. The defeat in Fitchs face stopped him. Perhaps this wasnt the best time. I should have seen this coming, Fitch said. That Nalizar. Too ambitious for his own good, I thought when we hired him last week. There hasnt been a challenge at Armedius for decades. What will you do? Joel asked. Hum Florence said. Hes handsome, you

know. Who? Professor Nalizar, she said. I was there when he approached Principal York about the challenge this morning. Swept right in, said, â€˜Principal, I believe it right to inform you that I shall soon achieve tenure at this academy. Exton snorted. And what did York have to say? He wasnt happy, Ill say that. Tried to talk Nalizar out of the plan, but he would have none of it. I can imagine, Exton said. Arent you going to ask me who he intended to challenge? Florence asked. She noticed Joel at the side of the room and ked at him. I seriously doubt you are going to let me continue my work in peace without hearing about it, Exton

said. Professor Fitch, she said. Exton stopped. Finally, he looked up. Fitch? She nodded. Good luck, then, Exton said, chuckling. Fitch is the best at the academy. Hell take that upstart to pieces so fast that the chalk dust t have time to settle before the duel is over. No, Joel said. Fitch lost. The two fell silent. What? Florence asked. How do you know? I was there, Joel said, walking up to the counter in front of the clerks. The principals office was behind a closed door at the back. Exton wagged his quill at Joel. Young man, he said, I expressly remember sending you on an errand to the humanities building. I ran that errand, Joel said quickly. And the others you gave me. Fitchs classroom was on the way back. On the way back? Its on the complete opposite side of campus! Oh, Exton, hush, Florence said. So the s curious about the

Rithmatists. The same goes for most of the people on campus. She smiled at Joel, though half the time he was convinced she took his side just because she knew it annoyed Exton. Exton grumbled and turned back to his ledger. I suppose I cant fault a person for sneaking into extra classes. Have enough trouble with students trying to skip them. Still, fascination with those blasted Rithmatists its not good for a . Dont be such a bore, Florence said. Joel, you said that Fitch actually lost? Joel nodded. So what does that mean? He will switch places in seniority with Nalizar, Exton said, and lose his tenure. He can challenge Nalizar back in one years time, and both of them are immune to other challenges until then. That poor man! Florence said. Why, thats not very fair. I just thought the duel would be for bragging rights. Exton continued his work. Well, Florence said. Handsome or not, Im grog less impressed with Mr. Nalizar. Fitch is such a dear, and he so loves his teaching. He will survive, Exton said. Its not as if hes out on his ear. Joel, I assume you dallied there in the classroom long enough to watch the entire duel? Joel shrugged. How was the duel, then? Exton asked. Did Fitch acquit himself well? He was quite good, Joel said. His forms were beautiful. He just

well, he seemed out of practice with real dueling. Such a brutal way to handle things! Florence said. Why, theyre academics, not gladiators! Exton paused, then looked directly at Florence, eyeing her over the top rim of his spectacles. My dear, he said, I dont der if there should be quite a few more challenges like this. Perhaps today will remind those stuckup Rithmatists why they exist. Should Nebrask ever fall Oh, dont tell me ghost stories, Exton, she said. Those stories are simply tools for politicians to keep us all worried. Bah, Exton said. Dont you have any work to be doing? Im on break, dear, she said. I cant help but notice that you always take your breaks whenever I have something important to finish. Bad timing on your part, I guess, she said, reaching to a wooden box on her desk, then getting out the kimchiandham sandwich packed inside. Joel glanced at the grandfather clock in the corner. He had fifteen minutes until his next classtoo short a time to send him away on another errand. Im worried about Professor Fitch, Joel said, still

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