Birthright-The Technomage Archive Read Online Free PDF Page B

expand it to a full farm. We have already started by doubling the size of his garden this summer.”
    “ So you expect to specialize in agriculture, then?”
    “ Yes, sir. I think so.”
    “ Interesting,” the headmaster said. “A good choice.”
    Ceril beamed.
    “ But I’m afraid that choice is not up to you.”
    “ Excuse me, sir?”
    The headmaster folded his hands in front of him and said, “We choose for you, Ceril, based on last year's End of Phase aptitude examinations and a cumulative interpretation of your five formative years at Ennd's.”
    Ceril folded his own hands behind his back momentarily, but moved them back to his side as the rule entered his mind unbidden: During Presentation, you should stand at attention, with your hands at your sides at all times . His ears and cheeks felt warm, and he couldn’t help but feel a little sick at his stomach.
    “ We choose for you,” the headmaster continued. “That way, you can be sure that you are well suited for whatever field you pursue. If we were to allow you to choose your specialization, then there would be some very poor professionals out there doing their jobs primarily for the love of it. And I don’t think I have to tell you, but that is simply not an efficient use of resources.”
    Ceril was speechless. He had his future planned out, or at least he assumed he had. He wanted to spend his life working with his hands, feeding people, helping people, and being with the little family he had. He just wanted a simple life. However, the headmaster’s declaration stopped his plans in their tracks.
    You are not ready. The headmaster’s P.A. address came back to mind. Ceril began to understand it a little better. He took a couple of deep breaths to make sure his voice didn’t break or sound rude, and said, “What would you have me study, sir?”
    The headmaster laughed, and as he did so, the hologram bounced slightly up and down. Ceril would have been amazed if he weren’t so disgusted. “I would have you study nothing, my boy. It is not my place to interpret a student’s future. The committee would have you study—” The hologram froze. The headmaster’s eyes darted to the left, and he stared at something that was obviously not in the same Instance as Ceril, then the hologram disappeared.
    Ceril blinked and looked around, but did not relax. The other students were still chattering away in their own, private meetings with the headmaster.
    After a few seconds, Headmaster Squalt reappeared to Ceril. He looked toward Ceril, but not at his face. At his feet. The headmaster spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully. “What…is that, Ceril?”
    Ceril looked down and his jaw dropped at what he saw: the golden metal of a Flameblade.
    That was impossible. Gramps had made him leave it at home. It had to be another hologram, and this was just a test for Phase II. “I’m sorry, Headmaster. What is what?”
    “ At your feet. What is that?”
    Ceril looked down again. He blinked three or four times. The sword was still there. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about, sir,” Ceril said. As he stared at it, the sword seemed to gain a slight glow, a hazy green aura.
    Headmaster Squalt’s brow furrowed and his lips pursed. He stared at Ceril and said, “I think you do. Do not lie to me, Ceril.”
    Ceril looked down again. “Um, i-it looks like a sword, sir.”
    “ Yes, Ceril. Yes, it does,” the hologram said. The headmaster became distracted again and quickly turned to look at something behind him. He said, “Would you mind telling me why there is a sword lying at your feet at Presentation? A sword that—unless I am terribly mistaken—was not there a few moments ago?”
    “ I wouldn't mind at all, sir. I just don't know,” Ceril said.
    The headmaster’s voice came back stern. “Have you ever seen this sword before, Ceril?” The headmaster looked behind him again. Why is he doing that ? Ceril wondered. Was he nervous or angry? Why was he so