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"And second, I ask you to carry around some sort of protection at all times A small shovel is preferable, as it can be used as both a blunt weapon and a burial tool; but a box of s will suffice It is our job to start training you to act and think like Monitors" He reached into his jacket and pulled out so wrapped in a cloth He unfolded it and held up a sloves "As you can see, we professors take the same precautions as you"
The room was completely silent as he wrapped up his tools and slid them back into his pocket
"Finally, I’d like to name this year’s top rank For those of you who are new to St Cléhest in the placement exam, which the entire school takes That student is thus the best Monitor at our academy"
He looked down at a piece of paper "Renée Winters"
It took me a few moments to realize he had said my name When I did, I was so surprised that I dropped my fork intomy cheeks flush as all heads turned in otten first rank when I hadn’t even finished the exam?
"Renée, would you co around the crowd, unsure of who I was
I stood up and walked to the podiuainst the wooden floor People whispered as I approached the front of the room The headmaster beamed and took out a small brooch in the shape of a cat
"The cat is the mascot of St Clément, and the symbol of Monitors all across the world," he said as he pinned it to the collar of my shirt "Now you and the cat are one"
"Thanks," I said, trying not to blush
"Congratulations," he said "And welcome to St Clé, the headmaster added, "Could you meet me in my office Monday afternoon after your classes?"
"Sure," I said, giving him a curious look But he only smiled I was about to return to my seat when he stopped me
"And now Renée will lead us in the recital of the Cartesian Oath"
I felt a wave of nausea pass over ainst the floor
"Drafted by our ancestors in the spirit of René Descartes, the Cartesian Oath is the sole pledge all MonitorsIt is our constitution, our ethical standard, our déclaration des droits"
Ethical standard? I was the last person who should be reading this aloud I shook my head at him, but he merely smiled and handed me a roll of paper "If you would please repeat after Renée"
I could feel the girls fro to will , I unrolled the paper
"Go on," the headmaster said softly
I cleared my throat "‘As a Monitor, I swear by O-Osiris’" --ment and the afterlife, that, to the best of my ability, I shall bury all deceased humans within ten days of death, to prevent reani, friend, or--or…or lover,’" I said finally, apologizing to Dante inmy words
"‘If I should sense the presence of an Undead, I shall seek him out and evaluate his rate of decay,’" I continued My eyes rested on Brett’s as I watched hi serous, or close to co hih Monitor Court for examination and trial’"
Clementine stared at ht with jealousy
"‘I shall never bury an Undead until he has proven hiuilty of murder or has--has--’" The headmaster nodded at me to continue "‘Has threatened my life’"
When the voices stopped, I unrolled the paper even more and continued "‘When I do bury an Undead, I shall do so promptly, painlessly, and in accordance with Monitor ritual, with no vengeance or brutality
"‘I shall never announce myself to Plebeians or Undead And finally, I understand that every being on earth has the capacity to cause pain, even Monitors, and that I will use iven to my own life’"
There was a lull in the room as we uttered the last phrase Without a word, Head that I could sit down, and the hum of conversations recommenced
After dinner, everyone parted aroundhall I tried to blend in, covering the pin on irls, all claoing on?" I asked a girl standing near the perihtened her "It’s the class rank list They just posted it, along with our class schedules"
Just then Cle at me as she pushed past my shoulder and up the stairs I h a folder of schedules until I found the sheet with my name at the top It read as follows:
WINTERS, RENÉE: JUNIOR YEAR SCHEDULE