JOHN'S POVThe challenge room is nothing like the small practice rooms I've been working in. It's larger, more deliberate in its arrangement. Chairs curve in a half circle around the central examination area, close enough that observers can track every movement and every decision made in real time.I stand at the entrance for a moment, taking it all in. Families sit in the back rows, some leaning forward already paying attention to what's about to unravel, others affecting casual disinterest that doesn't quite land. Evaluators occupy the front, notepads open, pens ready. Dr. Hayes is there. Professor Nika. Mr. Carter with his sharp, X-ray like eyes.And Elder Ming, seated slightly apart from the others, his expression unreadable.The patient sits in a chair positioned exactly between two stations, one assigned to me and one to Divo. The symmetry feels intentional, like the setup itself is making a statement about balance and competition before either of us has done anything.Divo is

JOHN'S POVThe summons comes through a runner, he's a young assistant I've seen around the Academy but never spoken to. He delivers the message without making eye contact, hands me a small folded card, and walks away before I can ask questions.The card has two words in Elder Ming's elegant script.“Tea house.”I go after dinner, when the garden paths are quiet and most participants are in their rooms processing the day. The evening air is cool and smells like rain that hasn't arrived yet.The tea house feels quieter than before. The same small space, the same paper screens, the same low table. But the stillness tonight is heavier, weighted with intention in a way our first meeting wasn't. Last time felt like an introduction. This feels like something else.Elder Ming is already seated, two cups set out, steam rising. He looks up when I enter but doesn't smile this time."I thought you wouldn't show up, please sit," he says simply.“Why would I ignore such an invitation” I say as I ta

Chapter 88JOHN'S POVI wake before the morning bell, which isn't unusual anymore. Sleep has been thin and unreliable since the comparative challenge, my mind refusing to fully settle down even when exhaustion should drag me under.The closed door evaluation is scheduled for late afternoon, leaving the entire day stretched tight with anticipation. Every hour between now and then feels like something to get through rather than live in.I sit up and swing my legs off the bed, feet finding the cold stone floor. The room is still dark, the window showing only the faint gray that comes before actual sunrise. I stay sitting for a moment, letting myself wake fully before moving.The shared washroom down the hall is empty this early. I stand under the water longer than necessary, letting the heat work into my shoulders where tension has taken up permanent residence. The steam fills the small space, obscuring the mirror, which is fine. I don't particularly want to see my own face right now.Ba

Chapter 90JOHN'S POVI wake the next morning feeling like I barely slept. The closed door evaluation ran late, and by the time I got back, my mind wouldn't settle. I kept replaying that evaluator's silence, the way he studied me before closing the file.The washroom is busy. I wait my turn, step under the water when a stall opens, and let it run hot. Back in my room, I dress in the standard clothes and lace my boots carefully.At breakfast, there's a notice board near the entrance. My name has moved again.The aftermath of the evaluation does not bring clarity. No results announced. No feedback. Instead, group schedules shift again without explanation.I scan the board. I am reassigned to a smaller advanced workshop focused on complex cases. Starts in an hour. Conference Room D."Your name got moved again it seems," Maya says, appearing beside me."Yeah.""Advanced workshop. That's supposed to be for top performers. Usually only eight or ten people get assigned there.""Who else is i

JOHN'S POVI wake with the dull ache of yesterday still sitting in my chest. The networking dinner left something heavy behind, something that doesn't fade with sleep or morning routine. But I don't have a choice, I still go through the motions anyway. Shower, dress, and making sure my boots are laced well as funny as that may sound. The following morning does not reset the tension from the day before. Instead, it simply compounds it. The dining hall buzzes differently today. Although conversations appear to cluster tightly, voices lowered but urgent. Something is moving through the participant population like a current.I grab my food and head to find my team."You hear?" Thomas asks immediately. Barely letting me settle down. "Hear what?" I say as I take my sit. "Mentorship offers," Maya says, leaning in. "Word is that a few selected participants from the closed door evaluations will receive a private mentorship from senior instructors."My stomach tightens. "Where'd you hear th