The mark on the calendar remained untouched for the next six days.
Kael didn't buy a ticket.
Nor did he take the brochure out of his pocket again, mainly because he'd finally left it on his bedroom desk, held down by a small metal weight to keep the edges from getting any more creased. Even so, every time he passed through the common room, his eyes automatically found the school's name written beside the exhibition date.
Sylphie noticed on the second day.
She didn't comment.
Which, as far as Kael was concerned, was considerably worse.
On the morning of the seventh day, training began at six.
Four and a half hours.
Again.
Kael had already given up trying to negotiate five.
At least verbally.
"If I finish this without making a mistake, we increase it tomorrow."
"No."
"I hadn't even finished my proposal."
"You were going to ask for five."
"Maybe."
Sylphie raised an eyebrow.
Kael sighed.
"That word really has been ruined."
