The notice appeared on the Academic District boards at the seventh hour on a Tuesday, which was the specific time and day the Academy used for things it wanted to be seen before breakfast rather than discussed over it. By the time Vane came down the hill the boards had been read by everyone who passed them and the information was moving through the student body the way information moved when it had weight to it, quickly and without the usual noise.
He read the notice. It said two things: the first practical evaluation of the second year would be briefed at the ninth hour in the Grand Auditorium, and attendance was mandatory for all registered second-year students.
It did not say anything else. The Academy never gave more information than the minimum required for the relevant students to be in the correct room at the correct time. He had learned this in first year and had not forgotten it.
He ate breakfast. He went.
