Free The Last of the Sages (Sage Trilogy, Book 1) by Julius St. Clair Page A

had already raised a hand in anticipation. Arimus cleared his throat and patted Scarlet on the shoulder lightly.
    “This is General Scarlet, James. Although you can address her as Scarlet the same way you would address me or Kyran. She is here to continue the first test. I als o apologiz e ,” Arimus stressed as he glanced at Scarlet’s turned back out of the corner of his eye, “for not introducing her properly. She is your superior after all, and she deserves all aspects of the word respect. She does get fired up when you mention the forbidden word which you now know, but otherwise she is a well-tempered, level-headed individual.”
    “Thank you, Arimus,” she said. James realized she wasn’t so evil-looking when she was calmed down.
    “You’re James, right?” she asked him. James wasn’t sure what to say.
    “Correct.”
    “Now this is nothing out of the ordinary. I just have an innate ability to sense if someone is from another Kingdom.”
    “Oh. ” Nothing out of the ordinary she says…
    “Just relax,” she whispered as she placed a hand on his forehead. James didn’t know what to expect, whether there was going to be some pain involved or if she was reading his thoughts, which was the last thing he wanted since he was trying not to think about how lovely her hair smelled. He knew calling her cute was heresy. What other offenses he dare not commit were still unknown.
    “He’s clean,” she said matter-of-factly before backing away. “Well, not in every sense of the word.” Scarlet wrinkled her nose.
    “Thank you, Scarlet. James, you’re free to go for the day.”
    “That was it? Seriously?”
    Arimus chuckled.
    “I know what you’re thinking, but believe me, this was as serious a test as any other. If you were from another Kingdom, I would have killed you seconds ago.”
    “Besides,” Scarlet chipped in. “This test is nothing. All it determines is where you come from. The second test won’t let you down, rest assured.”
    “I’m ecstatic.”
    “Okay, well since my job is done, I’m off…Arimus - always a pleasure. Make sure you see me by the end of the day.” And with her message sent, Scarlet jogged through the courtyard gates rather than the academy doors.
    “Why is she going that way?” James asked. “Wouldn’t it be easier to go through the main building?”
    “We all do it. Not only is it great exercise, but occasionally you come across a stray beast from the forest which makes the walk even more exhilarating.”
    “Naturally.”
    “James, I want to also let you know that your solitude is now over, though I heard you cut it short anyways.”
    James gulped. Was there a reprimand for that?
    “You heard about that, huh?”
    “Yes, Catherine told me.”
    “Oh. So she knows who I am?”
    “Not exactly. She just said there was a new recruit that talked too much and had a gigantic bump on the back of his head. She also added that you were quite ugly.”
    “I didn’t know the bump was that visible,” James muttered, trying to ignore the last insult.
    “I assumed it wasn’t your brain expanding from a wealth of new knowledge.”
    “Did she say anything else?”
    “She said she’ll see you tonight in the east wing where your new room is. The east wing is where the cafeteria and the dorms can also be found.”
    “So that means she wants to see me.”
    “Sure,” Arimus said flatly. “But don’t get too attached to Catherine. Relationships are strictly prohibited in the Academy. They’re too distracting from the task at hand. If you wanted love, you should have stayed with the commoners.”
    “So you and Scarlet…”
    “No,” he stated very firmly. “We entered the Academy together long ago. We’re old friends - which explains our banter. But that’s all.”
    “It looked like it could be more than that.”
    Arimus scowled.
    “Run along, James. You don’t want to miss lunch. The cafeteria is on a tight schedule.”
    “Why didn’t you say so?!” James