Forbidden Books

Dawn was approaching, but except for Niya, no one had the intention of sleeping. Anfey, Suzanna, and Christian gathered in the hallway and were talking in hushed whispers. Slanbrea was downstairs in the courtyard, facing the east and muttering prayers quietly. A lot of people may not have understood that studying was like sailing a boat. Not progressing was regressing. People who actually live by this saying were much rarer. The most powerful men in the world were all very talented, but talent was not the only reason they became powerful. Hard work was another thing all these people had in common.

Everything came at a price, and even if a man was born into money and power, he would never become a powerful man without hard work. In this way, the world was just.