I walk forward, marveling at my surroundings. There's a beautiful fountain in the middle, water flowing from a giant statue of a woman dressed in a dark cloak and holding a book tightly to her chest.

On either side of the courtyard, there are open pavilions, and priestesses walk around in pairs of two. I recognize them as priestesses because their outfits are different. All the recruits are gathered in the courtyard, the girls wearing the same white dress as me, the hoods drawn over their heads. The priestesses, however, are wearing black dresses, their hoods drawn back, their faces painted. There's a straight black line that runs from one temple to the other, shrouding their eyes like a visor.

The priestesses walk around the perimeter, keeping the recruits in one place and watching over them. When someone tries to go toward the pavilions, they intervene, stopping them and signaling them to move toward the fountain.

I move around slowly, studying my surroundings without drawing too much attention to myself.

There are tens of girls in white, maybe as many as a hundred.

From what Ze has told me, being a priestess is a sought-after position, not only due to its elevated status in society but also due to their rigorous training in the spiritual arts. Over time, they have perfected a secret technique taught only to its disciples, and it's said to help one develop great spiritual power—so much so that a few former priestesses became Supremes after spending time at the temple.

The competition is also fierce. Each year, the temple chooses only one girl. Once chosen, a priestess must complete at least one term, which is five hundred years. They cannot leave before the end of the term, but they can extend their position by an unlimited number of terms.

The bracelet rests heavily against my wrist, the purple pearl cold against my warm flesh. A flash of guilt slithers through me as I think of what I'm about to do. It might be cheating for a noble reason, but it's still cheating, and I've always despised that.

"Do not worry your pretty head, human. You are not taking anyone's spot," Ze speaks in my mind.

"Thank you for the reminder, Ze," I mutter drily.

"That is why I am here—to be your voice of reason," he teases.

I roll my eyes at him—though I try to do it in the least obvious way possible.

"Aren't you supposed to be busy somewhere fighting off demons?" I ask.

"Who says I cannot do both? I will have you know that I am the best swordsman in all Aperion. I could slay demons with my eyes closed and my ears shut. It is second nature to me," he boasts as if I expected a different answer from him.

"Ze," I groan. "Just focus on your demon-slaying and leave me alone. I'll contact you if I need your help, but for now, you're just distracting me."