Chapter XXVIII

Summary

• The protagonist navigates the stables of the Solivagus academy, considering how to investigate the ruins on the other side of the wall without being noticed. They decide that it would be best to wait a few weeks before attempting anything risky.
• In the stables, they meet a woman named Septimus Ascenia, who instructs them to clean the horse stalls and warns against touching the animals. If the cleaning is not done correctly, Septimus promises to make them come back and correct their work regardless of the hour.
• While cleaning the stalls, the protagonist is visited by a girl from the Class Three named Emissa. Cleaning the stalls is a common punishment, so she knows what to do and helps lighten the labor with conversation. She advises the protagonist to further spread their reputation of hitting a Sixth and getting away with it to gain more respect in the academy.
• Emissa explains that the older students may see the protagonist's action as devaluing their status, while others may think the protagonist is getting special treatment. This is especially likely due to another student, Iro, suggesting that the protagonist's reputation has been exaggerated for political reasons. This leaves the protagonist worried about his reputation among the academy classes.
• The protagonist and Emissa discuss how to advance in class. Emissa suggests impressing the instructors, but also mentions that Dultatis, the teacher who will decide the protagonist's advancement, generally disrespects students from outside the heartland. Learning this leaves the protagonist feeling uncertain about his chances of advancement.
• As they finish their work in the stable, the protagonist and Emissa continue engaging in friendly conversations. Despite their immediate connection, the protagonist remains cautious due to his parents' warning about the dangers of unchecked attraction.
• Emissa expresses her disagreement with the academy's class-based social barriers. The protagonist finds it strange that she's breaking these rules, but appreciates her restraint in not asking about his past.
• At the end of the work, the protagonist needs to report back to Ferrea to get his dinner. Emissa, however, plans to study. She explains that the penance was self-imposed due to guilt over not doing more to help the previous day.
• The protagonist meets Ferrea, who is surprised that their work is finished and warns them of extra work in the early hours if the cleaning wasn't done properly. She reveals that he has been moved up to Room Nine and will report to Praeceptor Dultatis, signifying their advancement in class rank.