---
She looked over the rows slowly. "Third. Spirits. A contracted spirit may attend the briefing and wait outside the testing rings. In step one, the spirit waits in the yard. In step two, the spirit waits at the fence. In step three, the spirit waits outside the door. If we see a spirit act for a candidate during a test that forbids aid, both fail. If a spirit causes trouble in the yard, the candidate fails and leaves."
Fizz listened without a sound. He kept his paws folded. His ears flicked once.
"Fourth," Master Hale said. "Names. We do not care if your name comes with a house. We do not care if your name comes with a goat. We care if your work is good, if your mind is sound, and if you can learn without making a mess for others. Speak simple. Stand straight. If you are sick or hurt, say so. If you are afraid, breathe. Fear is normal. Breathe."
She stepped back. The man with the chalk-stained hands took her place.
