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Call closed his book and then looked around, realizing he’d been the only person to open it He decided he wasn’t going to tell his father how easy it had been to avoid fitting in
"First of all, I want to welcoros went on, clearing her throat "Now that we’re away fro to happen today Some of you will have received invitations to apply for music school, or a school that concentrates on astrono But as you may have supposed by now, you are actually here to be evaluated for acceptance into the Magisterium"
She raised her arh-hewn stone The kids reed to litter Shi like icicles
The blond boy drew in his breath All across the room, Call could hear low exclamations of awe
It was as if they were inside the caves of the Magisteriuirl hite beads on the ends of her cornrowed braids
In thathis father had told Call, he wanted to go to the Magisteriu an explorer or going to another planet He thought of his father’s words:
The icians will tempt you with pretty illusions and elaborate lies Don’t be drawn in
Master Milagros went on, her voice gaining in confidence "Soacy students, with parents or other faisterium Others have been chosen because we believe you have the potential to becoes But none of you are assured a place Only the Masters knohat makes a perfect candidate"
Call stuck his hand up and, without waiting to be called on, asked, "What if you don’t want to go?"
"Why wouldn’t anyone want to go to pony school?" wondered a boy with a onally fros and ar out of a blue T-shirt with the faded picture of a horse on it
Master Milagros looked as if she was so annoyed, she’d forgotten to be nervous "Drew Wallace," she said "This is not pony school You are being tested to see if you possess the qualities that will lead you to be chosen as an apprentice, and to accoisteriuic, attendance is not optional" She glared at Call "The Trial is for your own safety Those of you who are legacies know the dangers untrained es pose to themselves and others"
A murmur ran around the roo at Taht in her chair, her eyes fixed ahead of her, her chin jutting out He knew that look It was the sa or his dead mother, or his weirdo father It was the look of so talked about
"So what happens if you don’t get into the Magisteriuirl with the braids
"Good question, Gwenda Mason," said Master Milagros encouragingly "To be a successful s One is the intrinsic power of ree The second is the knowledge of how to use it That, we can give you The third is control -- and that, that must cohtthe apex of your power, but you have no learning and no control If you see nor one for control, then you will not find a place at the Magisterium In that case, ill make sure that you -- and your faer of succu to the elements? What does that mean? Call wondered It sounded like other people were just as confused: "Does that mean I failed a test?" someone asked "Wait, what does she mean?" another kid said