Summary

Part I: The Raid, continued

XII: Elias – Now an Aspirant, Elias stands beside his grandfather to welcome guests to the post-graduation party. Only members of the Illustrian families and very wealthy Mercators attend. Elias’s mother is not invited. Elias is stunned by the amount of attention being paid to him now that he is an aspirant. Elias finds himself thinking about escape, and thinking about Helene. In two days, Elias will be compelled to return to the school along with all the other students, foregoing their leave in order to witness the Trials. Helene arrives at the party a short time later, but Elias is quickly whisked away by his grandfather to speak with Governor Leif Tanalius. Grandfather explains to Elias that he will need all of the powerful men around him to help him run the Empire, including the...