Down on the field, Junseo was accepting congratulations from some of the others in the training flight. The smaller boy who had stood up to the bullies earlier rushed over.

"Awesome how you put them in their place. I mean after trying to lord it over everyone only to lose in the first round," he grinned widely and brushed at the chalk marks on his sleeve.

Junseo chuckled and helped him out with the chalk mark on his back.

"I'm just here because my brother says the experience will help focus my training but you are ready to compete in the next round, aren't you?"

Before Junseo could answer they were called up into separate ranks for the weapons round. The process mirrored the hand-to-hand round with form being judged based on the execution of a set pattern of moves and then a couple of short matches. The top-rated candidates then faced a training master who would report their scores to the judges.

Following his uncle's advice, Junseo was competing with a staff. He saw his new acquaintance held a light sword. They nodded to each other before taking their places at opposite ends of the field.

Junseo had not found a fencing master to help him with the finer points in the style here. From what he could see from between his matches he thought he could have held his own with a sword. Maybe not with top scores but decent. His Uncle Kim had higher ambitions.

Even though Junseo had only been in the capital for a few months, he had been irrevocably claimed to represent his uncle's school. His occasional training master at the palace also had an interest. He told Junseo he expected him to remind the judges how versatile a staff could be and he took his task seriously. Junseo thought the nicest thing about the match with the training master was not having to worry about the specific forms for an assigned level. He could spin and twist as needed and surprised himself by disarming the man. He received a curt nod for his efforts and heard another smattering of applause.

"You will be going to the next round for sure!" his new acquaintance assured him. "Nobody in our age group ever disarms a training master. My brother did once, but he is a senior."

Junseo was a little uneasy but could only smile at the enthusiastic support. "From what I could see you did pretty well for yourself," he said hoping to change the subject.

As they approached the score-board they introduced themselves and scanned the lists together. They laughed to see how well match their academic ranking were, with Junseo a bit higher in languages and Go Me Yan higher in math.

"This can't be right. They disqualified you in the set forms and marked pending for the hand-to-hand matches."

"Look here, you have fourth overall. That is a decent show for a practice run." Junseo offered sincere congratulations. But when Junseo turned, he saw Me Yan doubled over. It seemed as if the bullies were back for another round. 

After quick glance to make sure they were shielded from view, he delivered a clear lesson. The guilty parties were not left with enough breath to raise an alarm. Junseo then scooped up Me Yan and set him on a bench not far from the scoreboards.

"Why do those guys have it in for you?" He was not sure he would get a straight answer but was curious. Me Yan shrugged and tried to explain the family rivalries. It was complicated but it boiled down to a combination of court politics and jealousy over his brother's accomplishments. The same brother approached and scowled.

"Don't tell me, the Choi's usual antics? Will you be alright?" San Jin asked.

Me Yan tried to stand but quick collapsed back onto the bench. His brother looked alarmed then scanned the crowd with his fists clenched.

"Relax brother, Junseo already dealt them a lesson. We just need to figure out how to get home without Mother seeing I'm injured."

"I can try to give you a bit of relief. You still need to see a proper healer as soon as you can but it should let you move without too much of a limp." Junseo looked at the elder Go brother for permission before moving in to help Me Yan. With San Jin shielding them from view Junseo worked the meridians to draw away some of the swelling before gently moving the knee back into alignment. Me Yan sighed his relief and stood up carefully.

"Where did you learn healing?" he asked with awe in his voice.

"I am not healer, just the son of a country doctor who was clumsy enough to need to learn some of the basics," Junseo said. The Go brothers were sure there was more to the story but could see the rest of their family was approaching.

"Thanks again." Me Yan clasped Junseo's forearm.

"I hope to see you in the next rounds," San Jin added with a nod. Junseo waived off this notion and went to search out his Uncle. He put off dealing with the man's disappointment long enough.