It's been a few months since Ivy entered Soar High Academy. Surprisingly, she kinda enjoyed the time being spent here. It wasn't often that someone would take pity on her, though Ivy was sure Ruby made a mistake when deciding to have her life spared. Shaking the thought out of her head, Ivy was currently standing along with the rest of the academy students in an assembly. Ivy was interested as to what kind of announcement it will be. A lot of the senior students seem to already know what was going to happen, but most first-years were very nervous.
Ivy felt a little nudge against her side and looked down to face Neo. She tilted her head before Neo whispered something in her ears, "The announcement is about the students' missions. Each team can take a task on the weekend and complete it by the given deadline. Also, a professor has to accompany the team to evaluate the team and make sure the team is safe."
Ivy thanked Neo before giving the girl some pats. Neo squirmed underneath Ivy's hand before sticking a bit closer to Ivy's body. Ivy giggled in her mind at how cute Neo was being. It seems as if every time she pats the girl, Neo acts like a small little sister.
Ivy snapped her attention back to the stage as she heard high-heel tapping and watched as Ruby approached the microphone. Every conversation and whisper ceased under the stare of Ruby. Ivy was impressed by how well disciplined the students were and silently commended Ruby.
Ruby cleared her throat before saying, "First, I would like to congratulate those who are here and made it through their first semester. Second, each team has been doing exceptionally well during their team exercises. Now for today's reason for the assembly, I would like to announce that the mission selections are available. For the upper-classmen, you already know the drill and may be dismissed if you want. For the first-years, these missions are optional."
A few teams decided to leave the building and resumed their afternoon with no disturbance. Most of these groups were fourth-years and already knew everything about the mission selection.
"In most cases, you won't be required to do one mission during your first year. But, during your later years, you will be required to take a mission appointed by me. If you do take one, here is a general idea. You can take a task from the mission boards on the walls and select any one of them. Some missions may not be accessible due to your year and experience. Once choosing a mission, there is an allotted time. Some may be a few days or a month. Each team will always have a professor with them, there is no argument about that condition. Once you complete the task, you will receive some Credits and time off from classes for a brief time. That is all," Ruby explained before dismissing the rest of the students. She left the stage as holographic boards started to spread around the circle room.
Students immediately started to crowd around the mission boards while Ivy waited for Rose's order. However, she was interested in these missions, considering that they may not have much of a wide option of tasks, Ivy was a bit bummed.
Rose was a bit stunned before collecting herself and saying they should check out what's available. She led her team to an empty board and scanned through the possible missions. Most of them were investigations and missing people. Just when Ruby was about to go to the next page, Ivy stopped her and scanned the very bottom mission.
"Investigate how a construction city somehow became abandon within one week," Ivy said before looked at Rose. "This one may be a bit more interesting than the others."
Rose nodded before tapping the mission, she entered her team only to get access denied. She sighed as she figured the mission may be out of their league. Rose was about to say something before hearing the HeadMaster's voice.
Ruby walked over and observed the team. Her presence wasn't missed by Ivy or Neo. She noticed that Rose was trying a second-year mission. Ruby sensed the girl's sadness before seeing Ivy's mind coming up a storm. "If you think about breaking the rules, Ivy, then your team will get a bit of backlash."
Ivy snapped her head at Ruby before shaking her head. She wasn't actually thinking about breaking the rules; instead, she received a message from Wrath. Ivy looked at the mission before seeing the next page, another page of investigations.
Rose sighed before pointing to an interesting mission. Everyone else agreed as she signed her team in. Ruby watched in the distance, tapping a few things before reassigning the team to their first option. She kept it a secret and walked away to look at the other students.
"Ivy?"
Ivy turned around to see Lilith hold a tablet close to her chest. Lilith smiled before approaching Ivy and planting a small kiss on Ivy's cheek. There was a slight fluster on Ivy's face that was barely visible, but to Lilith, she could feel Ivy's sudden swirl of emotions. Lilith smiled before disappearing behind Ruby.
("Damn you Lilith! I'll get back at you!") Neo screamed in her head as she stormed off. Ivy apologized before going after Neo.
The other three were left confused as to what happened.
("Does Ivy have a girlfriend?!") they all thought.
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A couple days after the assembly, Rose and her team were packing up for their first mission. Rose had asked Neo if she could help with equipment maintenance. Ivy finished her packing as she was used to traveling, so she always kept herself light. Rose questioned Ivy before realizing what she was doing, she was packing as if she was moving out. She immediately empty her stuff and panicked. If she couldn't get her things ready, then how would she be able to help.
"Keep your equipment light, only take what's necessary like food, water, whetstones, and a few others," Ivy hinted before leaving to help Neo. She noticed how York and Eden were quick to notice the change, but Rose was too engrossed in helping others than helping herself.
"E-Excuse me, a-are you Miss Ivy?" Ivy turned around to see a timid girl shaking. Ivy tilted her head as she was oblivious of how other people seemed to perceived Ivy.
"That would be me," Ivy responded.
The girl stood up straight and forwarded a message, "HeadMaster wants to speak with you before you go."
Ivy thought to herself before thanking the girl. She ran off to see Ruby before knocking down a student. Ivy shooked her head before helping the student only to freeze. She was a bit shocked to see Her again.
"Roman, what are you doing here?" Ivy spoke in a whisper. She pulled Roman on her feet before glaring at her.
"I'm gonna listen to what you said, I'm gonna stop crime," Roman said with a smile. Although it was hard to get away from Cinder, Roman was able to escape her clutches.
Ivy sighed before leaving a few words of advice. She rushed to talk to Ruby. Little did Ivy know that her speed was shocking everyone, only a select few could barely make out a figure. Ivy entered the elevator before arriving at Ruby's office. She gently knocked on the door. Once she heard Ruby's voice, Ivy opened the door only to see the Guardians. Ivy immediately closed it and tried to run away only to be held down by Wrath.
"We need to talk," Wrath said before pulling Ivy through the small portal and held Ivy close so she couldn't escape.
Ruby's face was darkened while Blake was reviewing something on a tablet. Everyone seemed disappointed, except Wrath, at Ivy, which didn't shock Ivy. Shiro was the first to speak.
"How long did you intend to hide your true potential?! How long would you not mention anything!?" Shiro shouted. Her silver eyes shot red as she stared at Ivy.
Ivy furrowed her brows as she was confused at Shiro's words. 'True potential'? The hell was Shiro talking about? The only thing Ivy was hiding was the fact she never goes full strength and the demon inside of her. Seeing Ivy's expression, Shiro stepped back and stared at Ivy with suspicion.
Blake finished reviewing all the collected data on Ivy before sending an oddly shaped blade at Ivy's face. Wrath immediately chained Ivy's limbs, making her completely defenseless. Ivy was caught off guard. When she tried to use her Mana, nothing was responding to her. Ivy tried to move her arms, but nothing seemed to respond
Just as the blade was about to hit Ivy's face, everything suddenly slowed down before stopping. Ivy's eyes glowed a bright golden before her surrounding changed. Ivy appeared outside of Ruby's office before entering. Everyone was shocked before Ruby stood up and slapped Ivy hard against the cheek.
PHAT!