I didn't know that. And by the reaction around the tables, many others didn't either.
The Chancellor moves to the side as Master Varian joins him. "I'd like to now introduce you to a new Master at our school. King Varian of the House of Ravens, First Knight of the Templars, is honoring us with his experience and training as he takes over several classes and acts as my Second for the Templar seat on the Council."
Master Varian nods and takes his place behind the podium as my grandfather sits down. "Thank you, Chancellor Forrester. I look forward to sharpening the future blades of our Orders and making them battle-hardened. There grows a greater threat in our world than just Nephilim or unchecked Zeniths. Now, we have powerful rebel groups forming, flexing their muscles, trying to rip control of our world out of the hands of the Church and the Orders. You are the next generation of Knights who will be tasked with keeping order. With stopping these rebels and bringing peace to these lands. Are you ready?"
As cheers fill the hall, I stare straight ahead, my heart pounding as I consider the cost of my double identity.
CHAPTER 7
GRANDFATHER
The sky is still dark. Which is my second clue that it's entirely too early and I should still be in bed. My first clue was sleeping through the alarm clock. Good thing my roommate is better at mornings than I am.
I barely made it to Physical Training on time, but here I am, running an obstacle course at 5:45 in the morning, sweating through the morning chill. I can't use my Nephilim abilities to regulate my body temperature, because that requires the use of my wings. Instead, I strip off my black Castle V sweatshirt and tie it around my waist as I keep pace with Corinne and Wytt. We're all dressed the same, in our workout pants and black shirts, all embossed with the Castle V logo. And everyone looks equally miserable.
"I really don't think we should have to wake up before the sun. It should be a law," I complain as I duck under branches, jump over logs put as obstacles in the woods, and try not to trip in the dark.
Corinne looks over at me sympathetically, her hair blue this morning, rather than pink. "It gets easier."
I don't believe her, but I keep my mouth shut. I don't want to sound like the whiner I clearly am right now. Zorin will probably be thrilled to know I'll be working out so much. At least one of us will be happy.
Wytt's quieter than usual, and I nudge him as we turn a corner in the trail. "No witty banter to keep us distracted?"
Corinne laughs. "You and my brother share the love of mornings," she says.
"A kindred spirit," I say, giving Wytt a small smile.
He grins back at me. "The deep darkness of the night is where my soul thrives."
"Understood." I nearly trip over a rock in the path, but my reflexes are faster now, and I catch myself before I fall. That's a nice perk to all the changes I'm going through.
That feeling is short-lived. Three guys from our class pass us, and the big one in front, who looks like a linebacker with a thick meaty body and short dark hair, sticks his leg out to trip me. This time I do fall, scraping my knee on the rocky dirt. Wytt and Corinne stop and help me up as the guy turns around and smiles. "Sorry about that. Hope you don't tell your Grandpa on me."
He turns and runs away before I can think of a good comeback. I stand, dust myself off, and we start running again after multiple assurances that I'm fine.
"What was that about?" I ask.
Wytt and Corinne exchange a look that I can tell means they know something I don't. "Come on, guys. Spill it."
Corinne shrugs her shoulders. "She'll find out eventually," she says to Wytt.
I look to her and then to Wytt. "Find out what?"
Wytt sighs. "That's Garin. He doesn't like you much."
"I can see that. But why? I've never even met him."
Corinne answers. "He and his sister were scholarship students. They were on a waiting list, and they both got in… until you showed up."
I can tell this isn't going in a good direction. "What did my showing up have to do with it?"
"The Orders only accept a certain number of Initiates each year," Wytt says. "There's a huge waiting list. Even though there are other schools that train Knights, this school is the most elite. The best of the best train here. People from all over the world want in."
And now I understand. "So when I showed up and they accepted me, someone else had to go."
Corinne nods. "It was his sister. She had the weakest entrance scores."
"There was an entrance test?" I ask, surprised.
"For most people," Wytt says. "Some don't have to take it."
I look to each of them and see the truth. "None of us had to take it, did we? Because of our family connections?"
They both nod.
"So, Garin and his friends and others who have to rely on tests and luck, they hate us for our privilege."
"It's not your fault," Corinne says. "You didn't set up the system."
"First day of class and I already have enemies. Fantastic."
Wytt pats my back. "But you already have friends, too."
We're just getting back to the Castle when hidden speakers come to life and a British voice I recognize as my grandfather’s fills the air. "Attention Vianney students and faculty. Tomorrow night there will be a public whipping in the Castle Courtyard. All are required to attend. Thank you and enjoy your day."