a good training

Charlington said her parents just took her on vacation! That was the story at first, his mother said. Its hard to keep something like a runaway Rithmatist secret, though. Makes me der why they try to flee so often. They have such easy lives. Barely required to work, ungrateful lot Theyll find her soon enough, Joel said, jumping in before his mother could go off on that particular tangent. Look, Joel, you need to get into a summer elective. Do you want to end up in labor instruction? Many students who couldnt chooseor who chose too lateended up helping with the landscaping of the school grounds. The official reason for the program, given by Principal York, was to teach the generally affluent student population respect for those of other economic statuses. That concept had ed him some measure of ire from parents. Labor instruction, Joel said. That wouldnt be so bad, would it? Father was a laborer. Maybe Ill need to do a job like that someday. Joel she said. What? he replied. Whats wrong with being a laborer? Youre one. Youre getting one of the finest educations available. Doesnt that mean anything to you? He shrugged. You rarely do your assignments, his mother said, rubbing her forehead. Your teachers all say youre bright, but that you dont pay attention. Cant you understand how much other people would do for an opportunity like yours? I do understand, Joel said. Really. Mother, Im going to get a summer elective. Professor Layton said I could do math with him if I dont find anything else. Remedial? she asked suspiciously. No, he said quickly. Advanced. If theyd just let me study the things I want to, he thought, shoving his fork into his food, then wed all be happy. That turned his mind back to the sheet of paper still crumpled in his pocket. Professor Fitch had known his father; they had been friends, to an extent. Now that Joel knew Davis wasnt going to be around for the summer, it made him even more determined to go through with his plan to study with Fitch. He pushed his food around for a few moments, then stood. Where are you going? his mother asked. He grabbed the two books that belonged to Professor Fitch. I need to return these. Be back in a few minutes. CHAPTER The professors sat along their table according to rank, spouses at their sides. Principal Yorktall, distinguished, with a drooping brown mustachesat at the head of the table. He was a large man, wide at the shoulders and tall enough that he seemed to tower over everyone else. The tenured lecturers came next, Rithmatists and ordinary men interspersed, treated as equals when dining. Joel suspected that the equality had to do with the fact that the principal himself wasnt a Rithmatist. Moving along the table toward the foot, the next group of professors were what were known as regular professorsnot yet tenured, but well established and respected. There were about six of them. The Rithmatists in their ranks wore blue coats. The assistant professors in green came next. Finally, there were the three tutoring professors in grey. Professor Fitch, twenty or thirty years older than the people around him, sat in the last chair at the table. Nalizar sat in red near the head of the table. Even as Joel approached, he could hear Nalizars loud voice. certainly hope it does cause some people to sit up and pay attention, Nalizar was saying. We are warriors. Its been years since most of you held the circle in Nebrask, but I was there just a few months ago, on the battlefront itself! Too many academics forget that we are the ones who train the next generation of defenders. We cant have sloppy teaching threatening the safety of the sixty isles! Surely your point is made, Nalizar, said Professor Haberstock, another of the Rithmatists. I mean, no need to unsettle things further! Nalizar glanced at him, and in Joels perception, it looked as if the young professor was barely holding back a sneer. We cannot afford dead weight at Armedius. We must train fighters, not academics. Fitch turned away, focusing on his food. He didnt seem to have eaten much. Joel stood uncertainly, trying to decide how to approach the man. Theory is important, Fitch said quietly. What was that? Nalizar asked, looking down the table. Did you say something? Nalizar, Principal York said. You are testing the limits of propriety. You have made your point with your actions; you need not make it with insults as well. The young professor flushed, and Joel caught a flash of anger in his eyes. Principal, Fitch said, looking up, its all right. I would have him speak his mind. You are a better professor than he, Fitch, the principal said, causing Nalizar to turn even redder. And a better instructor. Im not fond of these rules and traditions you Rithmatists have. They are ours to follow, Fitch said. With all due respect, Principal, Nalizar cut in, I take exception to your previous statement. Professor Fitch may be a kindly man and a fine academic, but as an instructor? When is the last time one of his students was victorious in the Rithmatic Melee? The comment hung in the air. As far as Joel knew, Fitch had never had a student the Melee. I teach defense, Nalizar, Fitch said. Or, um, well, I used to. Anyway, a good defense is vital in Nebrask, even if it isnt always the best way to duels. You teach wasteful things, Nalizar said. Theories to jumble their heads, extra lines they dont need. Fitch gripped his silverwarenot in anger, Joel thought, but out of nervousness. He obviously didnt like confrontation; he wouldnt meet Nalizars eyes as he spoke. I well, I taught my students to do more than just draw lines, Fitch said. I taught them to understand what they were drag. I wanted them to be prepared for the day when they might have to fight for their lives, not just for the accolades of a meaningless competition. Meaningless? Nalizar asked. The Melee is meaningless? You hide behind excuses. I will teach these students to . I well Fitch said. I Bah, Nalizar said, waving his hand. I doubt you can ever understand, old man. How long did you serve on the front lines at Nebrask? Only a few weeks, Fitch admitted. I spent most of my time serving on the defensive planning committee in Denver City. And, Nalizar asked, what was your focus during your university studies? Was it offensive theory? Was it, perhaps, advanced Vigor studies? Was it evenas you claim is so important for your studentsdefense? Fitch was quiet for a while. No, he finally said. I studied the origins of Rithmatic powers and their treatment in early American society. A historian, Nalizar said, turning to the other professors. You had a historian teaching defensive Rithmatics. And you der why performance evaluations for Armedius are down? The table was silent. Even the principal stopped to consider this one. As they turned back to their food, Nalizar glanced toward Joel. Joel felt an immediate jolt of panic; hed already provoked this man once today by intruding in his classroom. Would he remember? But his eyes just passed over Joel, as if not even seeing him. Once in a while, it was good to not be memorable. Is that the chalkmakers son standing over there? Professor Haberstock asked, squinting at Joel. Who? Nalizar asked, glancing at Joel again. Youll get used to him, Nalizar, Haberstock said. We keep having to throw the out of our classes. He finds ways to sneak in and listen. Well, that t do, Nalizar said, shaking his head. Its sloppy teaching, letting nonRithmatists distract our trainees. Well, I dont let him into my class, Nalizar, Haberstock said. Some others do. Away with you, Nalizar said, waving at Joel. If I find you bothering us again, I shall Actually, Nalizar, Fitch cut in, I asked the to come speak with me. Nalizar glared at Fitch, but he had little right to contradict instruction given to a student by another professor. He pointedly turned to a conversation about the current state of affairs in Nebrask, of which he was apparently an expert. Joel stepped up to Fitch. He shouldnt speak to you like that, Professor, Joel said quietly, hunkering down beside the professor. Well, maybe so, but maybe he has a right. I did lose to him. It wasnt a fair battle, Joel said. You werent ready.

OUR THOUGHTS