Page 73 of Eternal Ruin

Kidan had barely registered the size or spotted people in the crowd before Yusef grabbed her hand and they quickly crossed to the Philosophy Tower. He had to shove and move a few students who glimpsed Kidan’s face and screeched like she was a murderer. Her heart thumped in her ears as she followed Yusef, hearing GK’s voice.

You’re not safe.

With each step, the clouds darkened and swelled overhead, promising a downpour. She sheltered in the building, shaking slightly.

“Are you okay?” Slen asked, eyeing the crowd through the glass.

“There’s so… many.”

Kidan had underestimated the reach of the 13th. It seemed like the whole of Uxlay was part of the faction.

“The dean will handle it.” Slen’s voice was firm. “She always does.”

Professor Andreyas was waiting in the cool umber room when they arrived.

His eyes roved over them as they settled in. “Well, did any of you master your houses?”

Kidan was still too busy thinking about the protests downstairs to have heard him clearly. When she realized what he’d said, a muscle ticked in her jaw. He was mocking them.

“We just started classes,” she said. “How do we even know when we do?”

“The sign is unmissable if you did. Up until now, you’ve all been able to read the house law on a wall or furniture. Once the house deems you worthy, the house law will be written onto your palms. It is called Absorption. Only then can you command the law to change, once it’s part of you.”

Kidan stared at her hands, apprehension tightening in her lungs.

Part of you.

“Now, mastering power is a separate study in itself. What did you discover from your readings?”

Kidan tried to block out the noise from stories below. “There are three types of powers. Interpersonal power, physical power, and magical power.”

“Yes, as house masters you must understand which power to wield and at what point. Let’s look at the Last Sage and Demasus, who would you say is more powerful?”

“The Last Sage,” Kidan said. “He created the Three Binds.”

“No, I think it’s Demasus,” Yusef said, leaning back on his chair dangerously. “I read somewhere he leveled an entire city into dust. If we’re talking physical power, it’s him.”

Something like a smile danced across the professor’s face but he said nothing, turning to Slen.

“I think it’s the Last Sage,” she said, tucking a short braid away from her eyes. “But not because he created the Three Binds.”

They all turned to listen to her explanation. “There were many reasons for Demasus to refuse surrender. He could have continued to wage war for decades to come. But the Last Sage understood something in him, and was able to influence him into a peaceful agreement.”

Slen’s words reminded Kidan ofAseracti.

You cannot command a house if you cannot command others.

“Well deduced, Qaros,” the professor said.

An odd thought flitted across her mind. What if it was Slen who left her that book? No, it couldn’t be her. She must have stared at Slen for a long time because she turned, tilting her head in question. Kidan wanted to trust her wholly but she kept being reminded of how unbalanced their knowledge of things was. Kidan had a sinking feeling Slen would always be one step ahead, and if she couldn’t catch up, she’d leave her behind.

“Test your influence,” Professor Andreyas said, pulling her attention back. “See the limitations and strengths of it. How do you sway people? By your knowledge? Charm? Social position? If you’re not aware of your power relations, the power of houses will be wasted on you. In turn, see who influences you the most. Whose words do you pay attention to? Or rather, whose approval do you want to attract the most? How have you changed or abandoned yourself to accommodate them? Write their name down.”

Silence fell. In the quiet, the building shook with the fury of the powerless from below.

Slen was the first to reach for a piece of paper, hiding it slightly. Kidan inched her notebook open slowly and, taking a deep breath, wrote the four letters in a very small font. Yusef had turned to the left, doing the same.

The professor’s stony gaze roved over them after a few minutes, brimming with centuries of knowledge. “You hide that name because it weakens you. But you cannot hide it from your houses. We have already said the house embodies you, so if that name masters you, it also masters your house.”