Something to do with mirrors, Ralph explained. Someone told me on my first day but I didnt quite understand. Apparently if you angle mirrors you can create light…

Like with a periscope, Oliver added. He, of course, knew all about periscopes from his inventors book, not to mention from his task redesigning the one on the tank in the factory.

Yeah, thats the one, Ralph nodded in affirmation. Youre pretty smart for a, what, twelve-year-old?

Eleven, Oliver corrected. He wondered again how old Ralph was. He was tall and his confidence certainly made him seem older. What about you?

Im thirteen, Ralph said. But Im a first-year like you. We dont train according to our age. Most the students here are somewhere between ten and sixteen. It all depends on when Professor Amethyst finds out about their existence and calls for them. I guess its very complicated following the thread of a single person when there are numerous timelines and countless dimensions. He gave another nonchalant shrug. Anyway, come this way. I want you to see the fun stuff, not just the place where all the classrooms are.

He headed for a large door marked S. Oliver followed, frowning, curious.

What does S stand for? he asked.

Ralph wiggled his eyebrows. Sports.

He pushed open the large doors and Oliver gasped. Inside, the room was the same size of the whole atrium theyd just left, but instead of walkways and students rushing to classrooms, this one was filled with every kind of sports place imaginable, each one contained within a glass box, suspended at various levels. On the floor above, two students were playing tennis, above them two others were jousting. On the opposite side a basketball game was in full swing, and a couple of levels above was an entire baseball field. Crossing across the vast space was a ski slope, weaving in and out of a bobsled tunnel. Oliver could see a glass-bottomed swimming pool filled with swimmers, another just for diving, all kinds of gymnastics and tumbling equipment, a running track, a high jump, ping-pong tables, and a skate park.

Its very important for Seers to be physically fit, Ralph explained. We all have to partake in physical activity every single day with Coach Finkle.

Oliver grimaced. He was not sporty at all. None of the schools hed attended in his normal life cared that he hated physical activity. Hed managed to go through his whole education avoiding it.

Do we have to? he asked.

Its one of the rules, Ralph said, nodding. It doesnt matter what kind of activity you choose, hence all the options. Youll find something you like and dont mind doing. I promise you. Youll surprise yourself.

He smiled his breezy smile and they exited the atrium through the door theyd first entered. Back in the main foyer Ralph directed Oliver to a door with a large R on it.

R stands for reward, he explained.