Prefect Goro Tsuda's gaze was like a sharpened dagger, its intensity piercing into Ritsu's chest like an unrelenting weight threatening to suffocate him. Yet, he stood firm, with a steady gaze and calm pulse, even as a cold sweat began to bead on his forehead.The prefect had dismissed the other applicants with a cheap excuse, wanting to interrogate him privately, eager to uncover the supposed secret behind his exceptional performance on the exams."How did you cheat?" Goro Tsuda bellowed with a hoarse voice that echoed in the room. "How did you manage to deceive the examiners? What trick did you use to copy the answers?""I didn't cheat," Ritsu replied with unwavering calm, maintaining his steady gaze.The prefect let out a mocking laugh, as if the notion that someone like him could have honestly excelled was a mere fantasy."Don't lie to me," he spat. "I know you did. No one can score that high without help. What dirty tricks did you use? A hidden book? A spell? Reiki?"His answer was resolute and truthful."None of that," he insisted. "I only used my mind."Prefect Goro Tsuda nearly fell backwards in disbelief, as if the answer had been an unexpected blow that defied his sense of reality."Your mind," he said. "Don't make me laugh. You're an uneducated orphan, a beggar living off the charity of your aunt. How could you possibly have such a brilliant mind?"Ritsu maintained his composure, hiding the contempt he felt for the corrupt and ambitious man. He had outperformed all other candidates with an almost perfect score on the exams, but Goro Tsuda refused to accept reality, partly out of envy and resentment, partly because of his own corruption.He was a rotten and ambitious man who had likely bought his position through bribes and favoritism. He imposed exorbitant taxes on the people from the Outer Walls and ordered merciless punishments on those who resisted. His envy and resentment consumed him.He was incapable of believing anyone could be honest.The history between Ritsu and the prefect ran deep into the past. As a child, he ventured into the city market to sell the scarce vegetables and fruits his aunt could gather, many in pitiful condition.Goro Tsuda frequently visited the market, humiliating the merchants and demanding a "tribute" to allow them to operate. He, with his pride and indomitable spirit, always refused to give in to his extortions. That act of defiance had caused the prefect to harbor a particular hatred for him."The very fact that you are here is an affront," he growled. "How dare you aspire to the Forbidden City?""I have offended no one," Ritsu answered simply. "I have honored my deceased mother, who taught me the path of honesty. I have honored my teacher, who taught me to respect knowledge. I have passed the exam without any tricks."The prefect's eyes flashed, then he stood up abruptly, knocking the chair to the floor. His face was red with anger and his eyes glowed with fierce hatred. Then he pointed a finger at him."Enough!" he roared. "I don't want to hear more of your lies and insolence. I know what you did, and I know what I'm going to do with you. I'm going to denounce you before the imperial court, I'm going to accuse you of fraud and treason, I'm going to have your head cut off and spiked."His teacher had told him that for some simple men, irritation and brutality were the answer in times of tension.Prefect Goro Tsuda was a very simple-minded man."Before making hasty decisions, I urge you to consider the evidence," he replied with a confident voice. "I have committed no dishonest act nor have I resorted to deceit. My success in the exams is the result of my dedication and effort. If you have evidence to the contrary, I urge you to present it before the court. But you will not falsely accuse me without foundation."Tsuda Goro, however, seemed unwilling to listen to reason. His congested face reflected his stubbornness and desire to crush Ritsu."Evidence?" he scoffed sarcastically. "I don't need evidence. I have influence and contacts in high places. Do you think someone like you can defy someone like me?"The prefect's arrogance filled the room, and Ritsu couldn't help feeling that he was trapped in an unequal struggle.But at that moment, the office door burst open, and an old man with an annoyed face burst into the scene. He recognized him instantly: it was Juro Sugiyama, the senior examiner in charge of the exam."Prefect Tsuda!" he called out impatiently. "I hope you haven't kept me waiting too long. Have you approved the passports for the admitted to enter the Forbidden City yet? I need to return to my mansion and drink some wine!"The prefect was startled by Sugiyama's entrance and cleared his throat nervously."Good afternoon, Examiner Sugiyama," he replied with a trembling voice. "No, I haven't approved the passports yet. There has been a problem, a serious problem. This boy," he pointed at Ritsu with disdain, "See, he's a scammer. He cheated on the exam. He tried to deceive you and the empire."Examiner Sugiyama frowned and approached Ritsu.He looked at him for a few moments, Ritsu was about to speak, but at that moment Examiner Sugiyama turned around, walked to the door, and stopped."Don't be a fool, Prefect Tsuda," he said with contempt. "Approve the passports right now. This boy didn't cheat. He's one of the best candidates I've seen in years."Prefect Tsuda began to stutter, but Examiner Sugiyama silenced him with a look."Don't waste any more of my time," he added sternly. "Approve the passports or I will report to the Court your incompetence."With that, he left the office without further delay.Prefect Tsuda looked at Ritsu with hatred, but he dared not contradict the examiner. He went to his desk, took a seal, and stamped it hard on a parchment."Here's your passport, damn bastard," he said with rancor. "But don't think it will be easy. There are intrigues there that will make you long for your miserable life in the Outer Wall."