[ TT ] All apprentice mages are required to visit the five high temples located around the world before graduating . The temples rarely stay at one spot for long , however .

Smells of old oak and fresh blood intermingled on the stale air of the Third Temple, hitting Xi like a punch. The young apprentice slowed his step, tilting his head and straining his ears. Blind from birth, Xi knew how to truly use his other senses, a thing anyone had the ability to do, but few could. It was almost completely silent, save for a slow heartbeat coming from deep inside the Temple. 
 
 `` Xi, son of Xandus.'' A man's voice echoed off the walls, bouncing out to Xi by the door. The apprentice hurried his step. `` Strange, that so many fail to find the Temples, yet the blind son of a poor farmer merely walks in a direction.'' 
 
 `` You do not need eyes to see.'' Xi spoke as he made his way to the voice, now standing in the same room with the man. `` Just as you do not need the blood of a noble to perform arcane arts.'' 
 
 `` Very good.'' The man sounded to be smiling. `` I have but one question.'' 
 
 Xi waited. 
 
 `` What is the best weapon to keep sharp?'' He asked. 
 
 Xi thought for a moment. His Master had always told him that proper thought leads to a proper answer. 
 
 `` I suppose,'' Xi started. `` The spearman would say a spear. So that he can kill his enemies with efficiency. The archer would say an arrow, so that he can do the same. The scribe, perhaps a dagger, to open his letters. The merchant may say a sharp tongue is best.'' 
 
 `` But what is the best?'' The man asked. `` Truly?'' 
 
 `` I could answer as any of them, but that would make the best relative only to me. You ask for *the* best. So I would say, a sharp mind should be placed above all. The soldiers and scribes and traders of the world need only one thing in common, a sharp mind.'' 
 
 The man grunted. `` I see.'' 
 
 Xi waited. 
 
 `` You will find the badge in the next room, I hope you know the drill by now.'' 
 
 Xi nodded. 
 
 `` I hope to see you at the ceremony, son of Xandus.'' 
 
 `` I hope the same...'' Xi said. `` Forgive me, I do n't recall your name.'' 
 
 `` Names are unimportant.'' The man said. 
 
 Xi heard the man walk over and then beyond him to outside the building. A strange sound occurred, or rather did n't occur, as though the man's heart stopped beating for a moment, but then it reappeared. Xi shook his head and resolved to rest longer this time as he made his way to the badge. 
 
 Only one more Temple to go.
