Adam tightens his jaw, nostrils flaring with anger and indignation at the comparison. And yet he knows Ronan's not wrong.

He pulls his hand back, but he stands glaring at Ronan for another minute, thinking it through.

He did pass their tests, and he was asked because he's qualified. He got their attention through his merit, and now he has a chance to name his own terms for it. "A scholarship," he agrees. "A real one. With a room in the academy, not the palace. And I'll be your friend for free."