Chapter 2 Summary

In Chapter Two, John arrives at Minto Academy and is met by the headmaster, Archibald Minto who announces that he's fair but willing to flog when it's necessary. John says the majority of the students have some "freakishly" incredible talent, such as the ability to run or draw. There are some who have strange talents, such as juggling. John says most of the boys were passable with math or music.

One of John's classmates is Hamish Malahide. He is a year older than John and is a math prodigy. One day John discovers a group of boys urinating on Hamish. Hamish expects John to take a turn but John helps him up instead. That small act of kindness earns Hamish's never-ending loyalty. One day Hamish and John get even with a boy who had urinated on Hamish. The boy's name is Radipole. Hamish...