Two days before the qualifiers a large trunk was delivered to the forge. It came from the palace and was addressed to Junseo in care of Knight-Master Lie. The other boys were all very curious so gathered around as soon as he arrived from the Academy.

"Come on, let's see what they sent you," Chenhui was dancing from one foot to the other.

"Really, can't it wait until after dinner?" Junseo teased the younger boy but Song-hee called him out.

"You are just as curious as we are. Don't pretend."

"All right. Fine." Junseo pretended to pout. When he took a closer look at the box, he was pretty sure he knew what it contained. He pried up the lid and shuffled through some wooden shavings before pulling out a piece of armor.

He had put a funny story about how difficult it was to find armor to fit into his letter home. He had described trying to make chain links fit ceramic fish-scales and added some silly sketches to entertain his nephew. Grandmother Min decided to help but locating the items in storage took longer than anticipated. Junseo would not have time to get used to the full suit but was grateful to at least have shin guards closer to the right length.

Hae-sung looked intimidated by what he could tell was very fine workmanship. Song-hee was the first to recognize the horse with a lightening mane as the emblem of General Min. The General had been a legend in Song-hee's family. Even though the man had been a distant second cousin, Song-hee's parents claimed he must have inherited his interest in clock-works from the preeminent Knight-Master. Song-hee tried to make a bit of a joke about the connection.

"That's wild," Chenhui piped up. "You guys have to be some kind of cousins."

Junseo and Song-hee did a quick fist bump and went back to sorting through the box. They took out what could be used straight away and put aside what looked like it would need adjusting or repairs. All the leather strapping was stiff and a lot showed signs of cracking so Hae-sung dug out his supply of saddle conditioner and went to work.

"You don't have to do that. You have your own gear to get ready for the matches," Junseo remined him.

"Nonsense. Mine is all set and you need to practice with these before the matches. Let me make up for all the extra running you put in getting me where I need to go in the mornings." Hae-sung was just happy to do something for the boy who made him feel welcome in the capital.

Junseo carefully unwrapped a short sword in a finely carved scabbard. He took it straight over to Knight-Master Lie for assessment. He had never seen a pattern of fine rippling lines along in a steel blade before and could not see an obvious maker's mark. He hoped the man would be able to tell him more and was not disappointed.

"Oh, it looks like you inherited a tiger's claw. There are maybe half a dozen of these in the kingdom. Each of them earned in battles against the Misaon sword masters. I wonder..." he said turning the blade over and then prying back the leather wrapping on the hilt. There was a disc of carved jade set in silver. "Ah, yes, Naomasa. I had forgotten."

The other boys had gathered around hoping to hear more.

"Wait, do you mean Grampa Min got this at the battle of Imiojan?" Junseo held the blade up and tilted it back and forth to see the lines in the steel before carefully passing it around the group.

"Probably, you have all heard a version of the story. But yes, he used decoys and noisemakers to draw the Misaon forces out of position and helped break the siege. He also helped design the flingers we still use to send a hundred arrows down from our battlements."

"Granny Min probably doesn't know this was in here with the armor. I will tuck it away and let her know we will keep it safe." Junseo looked to Knight-Master Lie and saw him nod.

"Why don't you use it? It has to be better balanced than the ones we are using now." Il-don could not understand why Junseo did not just accept this gift.

Junseo was surprised by the boy's attitude. There was nothing wrong with the swords they had been using at the practice yard. He took a slow breath and then explained. "First, this is not the style of sword you should pair with a foil. Second, and more importantly, I have not earned the right to use this sword. I have not even officially qualified for a training placement."

"Right, speaking of the qualifiers. The Sun Temple has advised me you are being ranked as a fifth dan."

"Fifth? But I am not 18."

"Yes, well they said that is why they reduced the level from what you have trained at with them. That and something about not enough time teaching in a dojo."

"It makes sense," Hae-sung interjected when he could see Junseo was still trying to absorb the rating. "He has been training on the upper terraces with the other masters for weeks." Hae-sung did not reveal how surprised he had been at first when he found Junseo had been admitted to the upper terraces. The others in his training level at the Temple were equally mystified. The excuse of needing to make further assessments did not satisfy them. Not when the Librarian was frequently seen watching Junseo during morning devotions. This lent credence to the notion the Sun Temple was interested in Junseo's crystal affinity. When he had broached the topic with his new friend, he had noticed a flash of worry before the boy brushed off the speculation.

"Well, they are bound to be disappointed since I have not shown an affinity yet. My dad hoped it would be amethyst because it is so useful for healers but it has no greater pull for me than any other stone."

"My dad was hoping for moonstone with me. Even though he knows I am no scholar he still hoping I might be a teacher like mom." Hae-sung remember the relief sharing a pain he thought he had locked well away.

The other boys were still looking at Junseo oddly. Song-hee had a funny smirk. "All those fancy forms and this street fighter can still get the drop on you," he said then blew across the back of his knuckles and rubbed them on his chest like he was polishing them.

"Is being a street fighter something you are proud of?" Il-don's voice dripped contempt.

"When it means I can best a classically trained Master. Not just an assistant, or even junior master, mind you." Song-hee replied and Il-don blushed because he was still working toward his fourth dan.

Chenhui ducked his head down to hide his smile. After all the insults Il-don had thrown at Song-hee, the boy had finally stood his ground. He had not made a threat directly but the offer of a "gloves off" match had been implied.

"Whatever you think of the classic style I need to review the fifth level forms so thanks for volunteering to be my student." Junseo told Song-hee to head off the confrontation.