The Inner Court lessons were all more interesting than anything covered in the first two years. However, that wasn't a good thing in all cases. When it came to assimilating facts, I was as much the top student as ever, memorizing names slightly less so...but in Etiquette, by the 4th day of lessons, the end of the first week, it was clear that there was one new aspect of the new curriculum I was struggling with. Worse, it was clear to the instructor.
"It's time to move to Free Practice period," said the Head Instructor, "however, I need Jue Zhu, Wang Jing, and Xu Zuhui to stay behind today."
There were snickers from the senior students at our expense as they left for the training fields. "Your grades in Etiquette are faltering, all three of you. Specifically, Wang and you, Jue, are so far proving totally hopeless at treating lower-ranked disciples in a manner befitting your status even just practicing it in the classroom, and Xu is barely any better."
"Begging your forgiveness, Head Instructor," said Jue Zhu, "but I cannot understand how the lessons you refer to are the least bit reasonable. People should be treated with kindness, no matter their station—that is a belief I've held all my life. In fact, those above should especially be kind to those below!"
The Head Instructor smacked the class pointer into his hand. "Yes, your lack of understanding is precisely the problem. That is why you will all be getting an extra lecture—to help you understand. You're far from the first to come through the Academy's Inner Court who have, shall we say, lacked assertiveness. I'd be a poor Head Instructor if I couldn't even turn the likes of you three around.
That being said, as this is a remedial lesson, there will be harsh penalties if your attentions wander, so eyes on me, all three of you!"
I made sure my eyes didn't leave the Head Instructor's. "Now. The world of cultivation is larger than the world you know. In the Mortal Heaven alone, even though mortals outnumber cultivators, there are still several billion of us, and you won't find a single one who won't leap at an easy chance to get ahead of those on their level. Many cultivators, once they join a sect, become embroiled in endless conflicts and disputes with their fellows, which hinders their journey as a cultivator. Tell me, how does one avoid this?"
"By not causing trouble, bothering people, or doing things like boastfully calling attention to yourself," said Jue Zhu promptly. The pointer made a sound like a whip's crack as the Head Instructor smacked it against the board.
"Wrong! Though indeed, boasting to the point you're a nuisance is like extending a formal invitation for trouble. I'll give you a small amount of credit there.
Either of you two have anything to add? Xu, how about you take a shot at this?"
I pursed my lips. All I could think of was, once again, drawing on my pro gamer experience. "If...if others think you're weak in some way, they'll pounce on you. But if other cultivators already believe you're too strong, they won't mess with you. So the key is not to show weakness." It wasn't a strategy I was able to actually put in practice in those days, but I had to think it was what he was looking for.
The Head Instructor gave a short nod. "That's the general idea. And there are many who view treating cultivators of lower orders than their own with leniency as just such a sign of weakness. This is particularly the case in the Top 100 Sects.
This does not mean you are obligated to treat lower-order cultivators who breach etiquette cruelly, I am certainly not asking you to bully them, but simply brushing things off, saying 'it's nothing' or the like simply won't do. Being obviously fake or awkward about chastising won't cut it, either." The Head Instructor looked right at me when he said that last part—indeed, I'd at least tried, unlike the other two. Thinking back, Wang Jing had acted way, way too nervous in the practice exercises, while Jue Zhu had simply remained silent which I now realized was his idea of protesting the activity. "So," the Head Instructor continued, "now that I have made clear that I neither expect nor want you to act mean for no reason, are you willing to seriously attempt to succeed in future Inner Court Etiquette classes?"
"Yes, Head Instructor," I said.
"I'll do my best!" said Wang Jing right after, making their "earnest" face that made them look way too cute.
A few more seconds passed, then "I will, Head Instructor," came from Jue Zhu's mouth as though they were being pried out of it with pliers.
"Then let's begin. We'll do some exercises to help me determine, or confirm, what may still be holding you back and how to get you past it."
By the end of free period, the Head Instructor declared that we were at least beginning to improve. As we were leaving, Jue Zhu got my attention. "Zuhui. I'm asking everyone in our year in the Inner Court to meet me in the common area in the dorm building once the first week of classes is over, so that's right now. With that 'special lesson' we had on the first day, I'm finally able to tell about what I've been collecting the last two summers."
"Collecting? You found something related to the Zodiac Legacies?"
Jue Zhu smiled at me. "Could be."
I walked with him back to the dorm building, with Wang Jing trailing a bit behind us. "I'm the last one you've told about this?"
He shrugged. "I was the most confident about you agreeing to hear what I had to say. You didn't make a secret of how curious you were about what I was up to last summer."
I laughed a little. "Fair point."
All our other 'year mates' in the Inner Court turned out to have answered when we got there. I was surprised to see Shai Shan there, though I did my best not to show it—as someone none too keen on socializing with people to try to make friends myself, I didn't want to drive her off.
"All right," said Jue Zhu, "I don't want to do this like a formal meeting or something, so just take a look at these."
We crowded around him as he held out the palm of his hand. In it was a pair of translucent jade shards. They were both triangular with one rounded edge. I clearly made out a large animal horn on one of them. "Pieces of a medallion?" Shokoya voiced what I'd been thinking.