Legend (Legend #1)
Chapter 2: Part One: June 1
by Marie, Lu,The chapter opens with June Iparis, a fifteen-year-old prodigy at Drake University, sitting in the dean secretary’s office after being pulled from drill class for scaling a nineteen-story building during lunch. The incident has drawn attention from her older classmates, reinforcing her reputation as the Republic’s favored but troublesome genius. June observes the office’s details with her sharp intellect, noting the dean secretary’s injured wrist and the muted news headlines about military conflicts. Her casual remark about the injury comes off as taunting, escalating tensions with Ms. Whitaker, who reprimands her for arrogance and warns that her behavior won’t be tolerated in her future military career.
June defiantly reflects on her exceptional achievements, including her perfect Trial score and early admission to Drake, justifying her actions as self-improvement for the Republic’s war effort. She compares her climbing skills to Day, a notorious criminal, questioning how the military can defeat enemies like him without pushing limits. Her confidence borders on arrogance, but it’s rooted in her belief that her abilities serve a greater purpose. The confrontation with Ms. Whitaker highlights June’s isolation—respected but not truly connected to her peers, who gossip about her exploits rather than engage with her.
The arrival of June’s brother, Captain Metias Iparis, shifts the dynamic. Metias, dressed in full military regalia, is visibly angry but maintains a polite demeanor with Ms. Whitaker. He apologizes for June’s behavior, acknowledging her repeated infractions, including leaving campus and attracting helicopters during her stunt. June’s sharp retort about their deceased parents underscores her complex relationship with authority and her brother’s role as her guardian. The tension between them is palpable, yet Metias’s presence commands respect, silencing the curious students outside.
As Metias escorts June away, her classmates buzz with excitement, asking about her climb. June reveals she reached fourteen floors, further solidifying her legendary status. The chapter closes with June and Metias passing the drill class, where students train for military assignments. June’s detachment from her peers is evident—she’s a spectacle, not a friend. The scene underscores her precociousness and the isolating weight of her genius, set against the backdrop of a militarized society preparing for war.
FAQs
1. How does June demonstrate her exceptional observational skills in her interaction with Ms. Whitaker?
Answer:
June notices subtle details about Ms. Whitaker’s typing patterns, deducing that the dean secretary has injured her hand. Specifically, she identifies pauses in keystrokes and observes that Ms. Whitaker is favoring her left hand. This showcases June’s acute attention to detail and analytical abilities, traits that likely contribute to her perfect academic record and high Trial score. Her observation, while accurate, also reveals her lack of social tact as her clinical remark comes across as taunting rather than helpful.2. What does the chapter reveal about the societal structure and values of the Republic through June’s experiences at Drake University?
Answer:
The chapter portrays a militarized society that prioritizes genetic superiority, discipline, and combat readiness. Drake University serves as a training ground for future military leaders, with drills like rifle handling and simulated warfront exercises. June’s exceptional status (youngest student with perfect scores) reflects the Republic’s emphasis on “good genes” and intellectual-military prowess. The presence of propaganda (news headlines about “traitorous” groups) and the Elector’s portrait suggest an authoritarian regime that controls information and demands loyalty. Students are punished for unauthorized training, showing strict adherence to prescribed methods.3. Analyze the relationship dynamics between June and her brother Metias. How does their interaction reflect their roles in Republic society?
Answer:
Metias, as a high-ranking captain, embodies Republic ideals of authority and discipline, yet his protective actions toward June show familial loyalty. His furious but controlled response to her infraction demonstrates his dual role: a military officer obligated to enforce rules and a guardian responsible for his sister. June’s sharp retort about their dead parents hints at underlying trauma, but their shared physical traits (black-and-gold eyes) symbolize their bond. The scene also reveals societal expectations—Metias is judged for June’s behavior, and June’s defiance threatens his reputation, highlighting how personal and professional lives intertwine in this controlled society.4. Why does June justify her unauthorized building climb as “self-improvement,” and how does this reflect her worldview?
Answer:
June rationalizes her actions by framing them as necessary for the Republic’s success. She compares herself to Day, a wanted criminal who can scale buildings rapidly, arguing that Republic soldiers must match or exceed such skills to win the war. This reflects her internalized belief in constant self-optimization for national service. Her logic exposes the Republic’s indoctrination: individual boundaries (like safety rules) are secondary to military superiority. However, her personal ambition (“I am smart”) also drives her, suggesting a complex mix of patriotism and ego.5. How does the chapter establish June’s social isolation despite her academic prominence?
Answer:
June is physically surrounded by peers but emotionally detached. Students gather to gossip about her disciplinary hearings but don’t engage her meaningfully—Dorian’s admiration is superficial, and others whisper rather than converse. Her reputation as a prodigy creates distance, compounded by her age (15 among older seniors) and lack of social graces. The narrative notes she’s “respected, discussed, gossiped about. Not really talked to.” This isolation stems from both her exceptionalism and the competitive, militarized environment where camaraderie is secondary to individual achievement.
Quotes
1. “The Republic’s favorite little prodigy is in trouble again.”
This opening line immediately establishes June’s reputation as both exceptional and rebellious within the rigid structure of the Republic. It introduces the central tension between her extraordinary abilities and the system’s attempts to control her.
2. “I don’t just think I’m smart. I’m the only person in the entire Republic with a perfect 1500 score on her Trial.”
This quote showcases June’s unshakable confidence in her abilities and the genetic superiority valued by the Republic. It reveals the foundational belief system that drives both her exceptionalism and her conflicts with authority.
3. “If the Republic’s most-wanted criminal can pull that off, then how are we ever going to catch him if we’re not just as fast? And if we can’t even catch him, how are we going to win the war?”
This pivotal thought demonstrates June’s strategic mindset and introduces the shadow of Day, the criminal prodigy who serves as both rival and benchmark. It encapsulates the chapter’s exploration of competence versus compliance.
4. “I am respected, discussed, gossiped about. Not really talked to. Such is the life of a fifteen-year-old senior in a university meant for sixteen and up.”
This poignant observation reveals June’s isolation despite her achievements, highlighting the social cost of her prodigious talent and the Republic’s rigid hierarchy. It humanizes her beneath the perfect-soldier facade.
5. “They’re holding their rifles out in front of them, attempting to load and unload as fast as they can while running… at Drake, almost all of us are well on our way to career assignments in the Republic’s military.”
This closing description underscores the militarized reality of education in the Republic, providing crucial world-building context about the society’s priorities and June’s constrained future options.