Molly smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "Not a what,

  Monson," she said, "but a who." Monson, confused, looked at Molly, his gaze unwavering, waiting for her to explain. Whenshe didn't say anything, he said, "Molly, do you know something that you aren't telling me?"

  "Monson, honey," Molly said vaguely, "this isn't the time. You know that I can't walk and talk at the same time. I get alltongue-twisted."

  "Molly, we're standing still." "How about that!"

  "Molly Allison Pennmentail, cough it up!"

  "Monson, dear," she said, her tone suddenly switching from happy to resigned, even weary, "there is something, but Idon't know if you’re quite ready. Now is just not the time."

  He glared at her, trying to show his discontent. She didn't falter under his gaze but stood ?rmly, holding eye contact. Itappeared that she was trying to hold back a smile.

  "You're making fun of me." Monson's eyes narrowed. "Please tell me, what's the deal?"

  "Oh, all right," she said, choking back a laugh. "You have to promise not to get mad. It's not like I wanted to hideanything from you; I was just—"

  Artorius and Casey nudged into them, and Molly stopped talking. "Hey hey," Casey said, pulling in behind Monson."Monson, honey, who are your friends?"

  "Uh . . . uh," Monson stammered, trying to ?gure out how to explain that they weren't really his friends, but the big kidhad attacked him thinking he was the short, wiry one. Casey, saving him an explanation, bowed and said, "I am calledCasey. 'Tis a pleasure to meet such a ?ne and desirable lady."

  "Dude," Artorius said, shoving Casey slightly, "what the heck are you bowing for? Nobody does that."

  Casey glared at him, and then cracked a smile when he and Arto- rius made eye contact. Artorius glared back but alsoended up grin- ning. He then took the opportunity to make his introduction.

  "Artorius," he said, holding out a hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

  Molly eyed them both for a second.

  "Molly Pennmentail," she replied primly, ignoring his hand. Then, without warning, she bowed. Casey broke into a ?tof laughter, and Artorius turned a bright red.

  Molly and Monson joined in the laughter, as did Artorius . . . eventually.

  Guided by lighted arrows, the students and parents migrated from the parking area into ornate covered walkways. Asthey moved along, Monson saw different groups of older students greet each other in a variety of ways from high ?ves tokisses, each of the students seeming to address each other in some unique way. Girls grouped together as if magneticallydrawn to one another. The females laughed and whis- pered, eyeing boys expectantly, an air of secrecy lingering aroundthem. Large groups of boys gathered in well-established and obvious cliques, with the normal clichéd partitions of jocks,geeks, and nerds doing their utmost to avoid one another. Monson gawked. There were a lot more people than he hadexpected. The realization made him uncomfortable.

  The hallway divided into two paths that presumably led off into different parts of the school. Many of the olderstudents followed the right fork of the hall while the rest, including Monson’s group, steered to the left. Monson wonderedwhere the others were going but didn't care enough to inquire. Casey was talking sports with Artorius and Molly. Theyseemed to be disagreeing over something.

  "You're senile!" Artorius said bitterly. "I don't care how good we are, there is no way."

  "Arthur, you have to have faith, brother," Casey said, slapping him on the back. "Once they see us play, they won't beable to keep us off the ?eld."

  "Casey," Artorius said in a reasonable tone, "all joking aside, you have to be realistic." He looked grim, like what hewas saying was costing him a lot of effort. "There is no way that you and I are going to get on the top team, never mind actually playing.They have never had a freshman play varsity at Coren University. Never."

  "You know," Molly said, smiling and placing a hand on Monson, "Monson is automatically on the team."

  "What?!" Monson shot back, "What exactly am I automatically on?" "The Legion," Molly said, acting as if this wasthe most obvious

  answer.

  "Thanks, Molly," Monson replied sarcastically, "and what is the Legion?"

  Casey was the one who answered. "The Coren University football team," he said in awe.

  "How did you do that?" Artorius asked, looking slightly annoyed. "I have no idea," Monson said with mild shock. Helooked inquir-

  ingly at Molly. She merely smiled but said nothing. Casey and Artorius were both looking at Monson with something closeto reverence. Monson felt his face turning red. He quickly started examining the courtyard and buildings that were now infront of them in order to avoid the gazes of Casey and Artorius.

  "OK, Grey," Casey said, breaking the silence. "I gotta ask, how did you pull—"

  He was cut off when Molly placed a hand on his shoulder. Apparently, she didn't want him asking anyquestions.

  The courtyard of Coren University looked like it belonged in a brochure for ancient Rome. The yard was completelyenclosed by a small rock wall about three feet tall and a walkway that ran parallel to it. The path zigzagged between largeoaks and willows and was accented by lush and well-kept lawns. An abundance of gardens with all kinds of ?owers andshrubs, many of which were on the tail end of blooming, added just the right touch of the outdoors. The gardens wereperfect . . . or close to it.

  On the opposite side of the gardens, in the distance, older students pushed toward a large, looming building thatwas extravagantly lit.

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  His group of what Monson could only assume was new students continued down the largest of the rocky paths lookingnervous but excited. They walked for what seemed like a long time, owing partly to the sheer size of the campus. Thenervous atmosphere probably caused that feeling to intensify, making the walk feel longer than it really was. As theytraveled farther along, the students saw many buildings scat- tered around the grounds. Monson noticed the names ofeach building on large stone slabs placed methodically in front. The plaques were inscribed with names like "Caesar'sHall" and "Home of the Five Good Emperors." Casey and Artorius seemed to be enjoying the grandeur of CorenUniversity just as much as he was. In the short time he had known the two boys, this was the quietest they had been.

  The three boys and Molly followed the other new students, who collectively seemed to know where they were going,until they came to the doors of a massive building. The slab outside it said ‘Coliseum’. It resembled a mix between modernarchitecture and the old Roman Coliseum. The transition between styles was smooth but deliberate, the characteristics ofboth at times coming together to create something distinct from the individual contributions. It was quite the sight.

  "Didn't hold anything back, did they?" came Casey's voice from behind him.

  "Kind of intimidating, isn't it?" Monson heard Artorius remark. Molly was the one who answered. "I think that'sthe point."

  All three boys looked at her, puzzled.

  "It all ?ts, if you think about it," she said, her eyes still on the build- ing. "This school is the very de?nition of haughty.Some of the most renowned and talented minds of the last century have either studied or taught here. Very special people,my boys, more special than any of you could know. When you have special people, what better way to advertise than . . .well, this?"

  She looked at the boys as she gestured at Coren’s coliseum. "You take the good with the bad. There are some greatthings that are going to happen here for you, but keep your guard up."

  Monson, Casey, and Artorius all looked at her with confusion etched on their faces. Molly noticed their expressions andsaid, "All I'm saying is that I'm glad the three of you met, Cassius, Artorius, and Monson. The three amigos. It has a sort ofring to it."

  "Duh," Casey said, "they totally made a movie about it, but never mind that, how did you know—"

  The massive doors of the modern coliseum opened, effectively silencing everyone in the crowd. A man walked towardthem, a slight bounce in his step. He was approaching middle age, probably no more than forty, with a little gray in hisshort, dark hair, and an experienced look about him. He wore a crisp, dark suit and walked with con?dence and energyand wore a contagious smile across his face. The man covered the distance to the new students quickly, though probablynot quickly enough for the anxious crowd. He stopped in front of the nervous students.

  "Welcome," the man said, giving some of the closer students a little wink. "I am Markin Gatt, a teacher here at Corenand your guide." He bowed slightly to all of them.

  "I am here to take you the rest of the way, as the path ahead is somewhat treacherous," he said with a knowing smile.

  The man scanned the crowd, still smiling, and lingered for a frac- tion of a second on Molly, but when Monson lookedinquiringly at her, he saw no signs of recognition. Maybe he imagined it.

  "Parents," the man was now calling out, "you will take the ?rst right upon entering the Coliseum. Proceed up to thesecond balcony and take your seats there. You will be allowed to meet up with your chil- dren after the orientation."

  At this announcement, Monson looked around at the parents, who were obviously annoyed, while most of the studentslooked disheart- ened at the thought of an assembly. The murmuring that had been rolling through the crowd subsided.

  Mr. Gatt, apparently recognizing the looks of incredulity, smiled even wider. "It's tradition; the dean likes to talk to the students alone. He feels that this is a good time to begin theseparation process."

  "’Separation process?’" Casey said, raising an eyebrow. "What does that mean?"

  Both Artorius and Monson shook their heads, and then all three of the boys looked at Molly. She half-heartedly smiled.

  "Speaking of separation," Monson said, as something just then occurred to him, "where are your parents?"

  This question received two very different reactions.

  "My mom had to jet," Artorius said, unconcerned. "She wanted to be here, but she's a designer and has a show in Paristhe day after tomorrow."

  "My guardians couldn't make it today," Casey said, though he sounded a bit bitter. "Work, you know."

  "Now, if there aren't any questions," Monson heard Mr. Gatt saying, "all the new students will follow me."

  Monson, Artorius, and Casey picked up their belongings and followed the vast wave of students in front of them.

  The students entered the building and followed Mr. Gatt down a series of hallways until they came to another set ofdouble doors labeled "The Inner Chambers." Somehow the doors opened from the inside as the group approached.Everyone ?led in, and instantly, excited muttering broke out.

  The Inner Chambers were magni?cent. The room was circular, with a large raised stage at the front. Boxed seating saton raised platforms, which descended at even intervals to the middle of the oversized space, where a huge stage stood.Large silk banners bathed in crimson with the Coren University symbol traced in gold ?ligree hung from the ceiling,giving the space an earthy yet re?ned feel. The banisters, seats, and railways were built with beautifully carved wood thatwas deeply stained and polished with elaborate engravings of different scenes of nature. Inlaid lights offered direction forthose ?nding their seats. The only thing that seemed out of place was the low ceiling directly above them.

  On the center stage, a middle-aged man stood behind a large podium. He was handsome, with perfectly styled brownhair, steady brown eyes, high cheekbones, and white teeth. He looked like a newsperson—just a little too crisp to be real.He held himself with con?dence and surveyed the students imperiously. Monson recognized the man but couldn'tremember from where; it was another of those impressions that Monson was still getting used to. There were a few otherpeople sitting rigidly behind the man. Still at a distance, the group behind the podium was dif?cult to see. Monson movedon, choosing to continue his observation of his immediate surroundings. He was sure he would have plenty of time to getto know the faculty. Now that they were actually in the room, Monson could see that the low bulging ceiling that felt soout of place upon their entrance was due to a series of elevated box seats and balconies. It made Monson wonder why theyneeded so much seating. There couldn't be enough students to ?ll this place. Where were all the people coming from?

  The students moved slowly toward the front, taking seats close to the stage. Monson, Casey, and Artorius made theirway down the third aisle from the front and parked themselves next to a large, frumpy- looking boy who smelled ofcabbage. The boy turned from the friend with whom he had been talking as they approached. His eyes fell upon Artorius,Casey, and then Monson.

  He stared openly at the scars on Monson's face. His eyes grew to the size of dinner plates. Monson didn't like the lookin the boy’s eyes—as if he recognized him. Quite suddenly, the boy turned back to his friend and spoke rapidly in an excited voice.

  "Something really weird is going on," Monson said, leaning toward Casey. He looked at Casey inquisitively. "Do youhave any idea what the Horum Vir is?"

  "Well, of course I know what it is," Casey said indignantly, "but what does that have to do with . . . oh . . . I see . ..," he trailed off.

  Monson just stared at him. Casey obviously understood something he didn't, so he waited. All at once, Casey spoke fastand excitedly. "But how could that have happened?!? The whole thing is ?xed—everyone knows that."

  "What are you talking about?" Monson's bewildered voice broke in. "The Horum Vir," Casey's voice rose slightly."That's the only way

  you could have made the Legion without trying out, and as a fresh- man. Oh man, can I pick friends! This is going to besweet."

  Monson interrupted. "Casey, hold up, what is a Horum Vir?" "Not what," Casey said.

  "OK," Monson said, a resigned note in his voice, "who is the Horum Vir?"

  Monson already knew the answer. Casey placed his hand on Monson's shoulder and said, "You are, Monson."