Page 53 of The Art of Exiley

CONS:

– Bad hoverjoust team

What about the Sophists? They have an amazing guildmaster. I met with her once because she wanted to make sure I was integrating at the institute “spiritually, philosophically, and psychologically.” She is, as Michael had told me, the direct descendant of Ada Lovelace. She’s also as sweet as a gushberry and a total genius.

Sophists

PROS:

– Michael’s guild

– Nice guildmaster

– Art history = yes, please

CONS:

– Most other kinds of history = boring

– Psychology, sociology, theology = also boring

– Michael might be my TEACHER…

Mbali is the only Alchemist I’ve met. I know that their high material is glace, and I’ve passed the Alchemy lab a few times and it’s always smoky and smelly. They’re involved in things like chemistry, botany, and agriculture. It takes me a moment to make my list since I haven’t given the guild much thought before.

Alchemists

PROS:

– I’m good with plants

– Do they actually do alchemy—like make gold?

CONS:

– I got a C in chemistry last year

– Stinky lab

The Ciphers are my last choice, and I know little about their guild other than that Georgie often talks about their hoverjousting captain, Hera, and that Michael’s sister has done some prominent research for them. I’m pretty sure I don’t have the head for whatever they do. Even their guild emblem looks like some kind of complicated equation with a golden ratio spiral and the geometric and military compass invented by Galileo. I jot my notes quickly.

Ciphers

PROS:

– Great hoverjoust team

– Engineering and physics are theoretically cool…

CONS:

– MATH IS EVIL. STAY FAR AWAY

As an afterthought, I add the two Avant guilds to my list even though I’ve been told they’re only part of the Genesis Quorum as a formality since both practices have been banned here.

Mysticism is the smallest guild, very selective, and shrouded in secrecy. I don’t know why it was banned at Genesis, but Hypatia had once mentioned that mysticism is considered dangerous and that some people who studied their testament went mad or even died. Technically, Genesis allows apprentices to be guilded as Mystics and travel to Avant to learn from the masters there, but it’s rare.

Mysticism

---