A journey can choose to become a master of their guild if they contribute an original study or invention to their guild’s testament, and once they master… Well, I don’t know much about masters yet, but the ones at Genesis seem to have mostly educational or administrative roles. Masters can also join other guilds. Over the course of Maker history, there have even been six people who mastered every guild and were given the title Master-of-All. This tidbit was told to me by Hypatia, who had proudly added, “And two of them have been from my family.”

While I’m excited at the prospect of becoming a journeyman for a guild, every time I think about presenting my premature gallerie in front of the guildmasters, I feel like my skin doesn’t fit right.

“Has anyone ever not been accepted to a guild?” I ask Georgie.

“I think it’s happened before,” she answers. “But if I managed to get accepted, you for sure will.”

We’re in the kitchen performing our cleaning rotation. Master Bose and Mbali are on duty with us. Instead of it being considered menial labor, everyone at the institute—from apprentices to guildmasters—takes turns completing the practical tasks necessary to keep the institute running smoothly.

“Don’t let the fear of rejection cause you anxiety,” Master Bose says as he works his way through a barrel of serving dishes, scraping any remaining waste into the compost. “Genesis works with everyone to find their place.” He stacks the plates in a stone oven that uses energy generated by the methane from the compost to clean dishes using ultraviolet light and steam. “When an apprentice receives no guild invitations, the guildmasters give them assignments to work on, and they then reapply at the next season’s Quorum.”

That’s nice and all, but I can’t let that happen. Headmaster Bloche said he will send me away if I don’t renounce my provincial life before the next anniversary of the Exodus, which now that I have a basic understanding of the Maker calendar, I think is only a little more than half a year away. I need to join a guild now.

“But you really don’t need to worry,” Georgie interjects. “You’re a Sire! Guilds are always dying to recruit Sires. Plus, the hoverjoust teams all want you.” She lowers her voice conspiratorially. “Officially, guildmasters don’t take that into consideration, but everyone knows they all want to give their teams an advantage. You’ll for sure get more than one invitation.”

Mbali adds softly, “Do prepare to be rejected by the Avant guilds, but don’t let it wound you. They’re extremely selective.”

And they’d never accept a provincial recruit is the part she doesn’t say out loud.

She’s referring to the Blood Science and Mysticism guilds, both of which are illegal at Genesis but still practiced at Avant.