The Shadowseeker - Victor Kloss Page 0,21

somehow made the room seem small.

“Go and retrieve the red books from your lockers and come straight back. Do not open them,” Dagmar said.

They left the room and headed down the hallway to the locker room.

“Does she realise telling us not to open the red books only makes it more likely that I will?” Ben said.

“I wouldn't. I bet she'll know if you do. Then she'll turn you into a pig or something.”

“I think you're getting a bit carried away.”

But her order, combined with Charlie's ridiculous warning, was enough to put Ben off the idea.

Ben wasn't surprised to see that Dagmar hadn't moved at all when they returned.

“Hold them out,” Dagmar said.

Ben did so, staring at the dark red leather and the yellow flowing script. His desire to open it grew with every moment, but Dagmar was a sufficient deterrent.

“The apprenticeship is, on average, a two-year course. Those who make it through and become full Institute members amount to approximately thirty-six percent. There are five grades, represented by the diamonds on your shoulder. At the moment, you are first-grade apprentices. Each grade takes progressively longer. Those who pass grade one normally do so within fifty days. The fifth grade takes closer to nine months. During the final two grades, you will choose just two departments to focus on. If you fail to graduate within two years, you will not become a member of the Institute. Is that clear?”

They both nodded.

Dagmar took the rod from under her arm and pointed it at their red books.

“Those books will take you through the apprenticeship. They are all called Institute Handbooks. In there you will find a checklist containing a series of steps you must do, for each department. Once you finish the checklist, you will face a final examination in order to graduate to the next grade. The checklist is split into theory and practical. Theory involves studying books and then answering questions to prove your understanding. In practical you put theory into practice. For the theory, you can study in the common room, the library or a classroom. I do not care which, as long as you are progressing. If you have any problems, you come to me, nobody else. All clear?”

Two more nods.

“The apprenticeship runs from 9am until 3pm. That gives you one hour forty-seven minutes left for today. I suggest you get going; you have a lot to do.”

Dagmar took a step back. Charlie and Ben took the hint. They quickly left the room, handbooks under their arms.

“Where shall we go?” Charlie said, as they wandered down the hallway.

“The common room,” Ben said at once. “Isn't that obvious, when the other options are a classroom or the library?”

“I was going to suggest the library actually,” Charlie said. “I bet the common room will be too distracting, and the classroom might be too strict.” Charlie gave him a meaningful look. “Plus, if we're in the library, we can use it for other purposes.”

“Such as what?” Ben asked.

“Well, wouldn't you like to know what a Guardian is? I bet we could find some answers in the library. I would also like to see if I can find any information on Shadowseekers.”

Ben had become so enthralled with the apprenticeship programme, he had almost forgotten about Elizabeth's words during the examination. He had even forgotten about his parents and their mission to find Elizabeth's Armour. Ben felt a little stab of guilt.

“The library it is,” he said, with a firm nod.

Such was their desire to get to the library that Charlie matched Ben's pace and they took the stairs two at a time. It was a strangely satisfying feeling having the diamond floating above his shoulder. He had only had it for less than an hour but already he felt like he belonged here. He had been so engrossed in joining the Institute to find his parents that he hadn't had time to consider how much being part of it would mean.

“Here we are,” Charlie said. They had arrived at a set of double doors, decorated with a picture of a large scroll.

Ben had forgotten how musty the Scholar corridor was; it smelled of old books. Shelves lined the corridor, sometimes on both sides, making walking a bit of a squeeze.

The door to the library was large and well used, and creaked as it opened. They entered a vast open room that reminded Ben of the old museums in London. There was a huge globe floating in the centre of the room, circling slowly,