When the doors pinged open, Oliver was surprised to see Ralph, Hazel, Walter, and Simon standing beside the huge kapok tree. They all hurried toward him, as though theyd been waiting for him.

So? Hazel said, fixing her gray eyes on him.

What happened? Ralph pressed.

Oliver knew they wanted to know about the results of his test, but he didnt feel like sharing them. Telling his friends that he had the most powerful specialism of all could cause resentment. Telling them that his Seer type had been mixed was just downright scary.

Come on, Oliver, Walter cajoled. Please tell us.

Nothing happened, Oliver replied evasively. Professor Amethyst said Id be punished later and...

Not about the fight with Edmund! Hazel interrupted. The test! You were called to his office for the test, werent you?

Oliver squirmed. He really didnt want to reveal what hed learned about himself in the sixth dimension, and he didnt want to talk about the Orb of Kandra. Seeing it had felt special and deeply personal to him, not something to share with anyone.

Simon chuckled and clapped a hand on Olivers shoulder. Lets leave him be. Whatever happened in the test, Oliver has a right to his privacy.

Thanks, Oliver said, grateful for the ally.

The rest of them sighed, clearly disappointed that he wasnt going to divulge anything.

Just then, Oliver felt his timetable vibrating. In the exact same moment, all his friends must have had the same feeling, because everyones hand darted to their own pocket.

Dinner time, Hazel said, checking her own device. Maybe once youve eaten youll be more in the mood to tell us what happened. She gave him a cheeky smile.

Hazel, Ralph said in his teacherly, warning voice. Simons right. Oliver doesnt have to tell us if he doesnt want to.

Oliver pulled his timetable out from his large overall pocket. But it was not telling him to go to the F court like the rest of his friends. Instead, it was flashing up a large P.

What does P mean? he said, looking up.

Walters eyes widened. Hazel bit her lip.

What? Oliver demanded. What is it?

P is for punishment, Ralph explained. He clapped a hand on Olivers shoulder. I guess Professor Amethyst wasnt going to let you off that fight with Edmund for long.

Oliver gulped. He had no idea what a punishment at the School for Seers would look like, and he didnt really want to find out.

Wed better go, Ralph said. He sounded a little sorry for Oliver. He gave his shoulder a gentle, affectionate punch.

Oliver watched as Simon, Ralph, Hazel, and Walter bustled off together to the F door.

Now alone, Oliver looked down at his timetable. The coordinates seemed to be leading him toward the sleeping atrium. He drew up outside the door and was surprised when the gray Z turned white to indicate he was allowed through. He opened the door into the airlock.