The notice went up on the seat board overnight. Monthly Evaluation, three days out, open challenge format. Any student could challenge up to two seats above their own; a win meant an immediate swap.Ren was still reading it when Corbin's voice carried across the hall behind him."Seat Thirty's looking at the board. Cute." Corbin stopped beside him, close enough to make it clear this wasn't casual. "Thinking about challenging someone, Kestrel? Because I'd love to see that.""Wasn't planning on it.""Good. Saves everyone the embarrassment." Corbin's smile stopped short of his eyes. Ren had started noticing that, since the day Ferro's name first came up. "Actually. Change of plans." He nodded at the seat board. "You still owe me an answer from the infirmary. I'm willing to extend the courtesy, settle it here instead, in front of everyone, instead of just my word against yours in some hallway." He let that land. "I'm challenging *you*."Ren hadn't braced for that, even though he should ha