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"So?"

"I could enter."

"Then why won't you?"

"Because I don't need to."

The other examiner speaks.

"You've been instructed to demonstrate capability."

"I've demonstrated capability."

"Not on this sample."

"No."

"Then you're refusing an evaluation order."

I hold his gaze. "Yes." Silence. My pulse pounds once against my throat. Rhyven's voice returns from this morning. Don't. Professor Vayne yesterday. Your strongest answer may be no. But neither of them is here making the decision. I am.

The silver-haired Councillor leans back. "What gives you the authority to determine which orders are appropriate?" There it is. The trap. I understand now. Not completely but enough.

"My manifestation." Her expression doesn't change. I continue. "You're evaluating whether I can use Blood Echo responsibly."

"Yes."

"Then responsibility cannot begin after I enter." Professor Neris lowers her eyes. Maybe hiding something. I keep going. "If I can recognize that a memory is unnecessary, deeply private, and potentially harmful to access..." I look toward the vial. "Then entering simply because someone with more authority told me to would demonstrate obedience." My gaze returns to the Council. "Not control." No one speaks. I hear my own breathing. Steady. Good.

The examiner beside her asks, "And if the information inside were critical?"

"Then necessity changes the decision."

"Who determines necessity?"

"Context."

"Not you?"

"Sometimes me."

"That sounds dangerous."

"It is." I let the answer stand. "That's why I'm here."

A faint sound comes from Professor Vayne. Not quite a laugh. Definitely not a cough. I refuse to look at him.

The Councillor slides the vial away. "Acceptable."

My shoulders almost loosen. "Physical recovery." Of course.

Professor Vayne steps into the circle. "Three minutes."

I blink. "Three minutes of what?"

"You'll find out."

Terrible answer. He opens a fourth sample. Smaller.