It has been several days since the last day of the Magical Knights Training Program held by the academy, as well as the fire mage incident that happened on the last day.
While many were thrown off due to the whole incident, luckily no one was harmed. All the students were safely escorted back to the academy.
Allen had returned with Thomas and Cecily before they were escorted back, which both of them were very worried about Allen. Cecily also made sure to scold Allen a little for his actions, but she was mostly worried about his safety.
They weren't able to get into touch with Adam, Sybil and Oliver (the D ranks they were recently acquainted with), since the incident, however Philip assured them that they were safe and unharmed.
Luckily Philip promised to keep Allen's reckless actions under the rug provided Allen stuck with his promise not to do anything reckless like that again. Allen agreed and was thankful, and so Philip stayed quiet. Allen was also glad, otherwise William would've ripped him a new one if he found out, despite William's generally friendly personality.
Not long after they had arrived back at the academy, Allen had finally gotten in contact with William again. William had given him good news - clubs were back in session!
While clubs were back in session, William advised him to be careful and to stay safe - due to the incident that occurred - and to be prepared for clubs to be temporarily suspended at any time if the academy believes the students are in any danger.
The first day of the five day academy week was back, and Allen was back in his F ranked class with Thomas and Cecily.
The three of them sat together with their desks next to each other, as they normally did when they were studying together. Ms. Florence sat at her own desk, reading like she normally did, and the other two students were once again preoccupied with whatever they decided to do.
"So, what are we studying today Lily?," Allen asked, actually eager for once to learn, as he was awaiting the day they would take their D rank exams.
"Actually, I have something else in mind for today," Cecily responded. Did she have something good in mind?
"And what's that?," Thomas asked, leaning in. "Anything's better than studying!"
Cecily gave him a small glare before speaking. "Actually, I believe we are all ready to take our D rank exams! It's time we advance to D rank!"
"What?!?," Allen and Thomas both exclaimed at once.
It's almost as if she read my mind, Allen couldn't help but think and laugh in his head.
"No no no. You can't be serious, can you?," Thomas asked, concerned. "There's no way I'm ready!"
"I am completely serious," Cecily spoke confidently. "Besides, we have to get to D rank before the end of the year, otherwise we don't graduate!"
"You're… right," Thomas reluctantly agreed.
Well I need C rank before the end of the year, but that's another matter, Allen nervously thought.
"So, what perfect timing would it be if we were to do it today!," Cecily smiled. "I know we are all ready, if not double that! So what do you guys say?"
"Sure, I'm ready!," Allen agreed. "I'm ready to move to D rank!"
"Tom?," Cecily asked, awaiting his response.
"Yeah… let's do it," he reluctantly agreed. "But, don't expect me to do perfect!"
"It's alright, I know you can!," Cecily beamed.
"Bet! I'll do it!," Thomas's tone suddenly changed, affected by Cecily's words. Allen couldn't help but laugh at the two of them.
"Alright, let me ask Ms. Florence how we can take those exams," she said as she got out of her chair.
"Wait, right now?," Thomas asked, surprised.
"Yes, right now," Cecily answered, giving him a look like he should've expected that.
She walked up to Ms. Florence at her desk, to which Ms. Florence didn't even bat an eye.
"Ms. Florence?," Cecily asked, getting her attention.
"Yes, what can I do for you Ms. Rivertide?," she asked, without even looking up.
"Allen, Thomas and I would love to take the D ranked exams if possible," she answered.
Ms. Florence paused for a moment before answering, still engrossed in her book. "Sure"
"Great!," Cecily responded, excited. "And when can we take those exams?"
"Now," she instantly responded, already shuffling through one of her desk drawers, setting her book down on her desk.
"Thank you!"
"Uh huh," she responded, going through all the paperwork clutter in her drawer. "Go take a seat with your friends, I'll have it in a minute"
"Alright!," Cecily responded, turning around.
"Oh, and put your desks back, that's a requirement for the test. Other than that I could care less," she raised her voice as Cecily was walking away.
"So, we gotta put our desks back, huh?," Thomas asked, as Cecily had just walked back.
"Yep, it is a written test after all," Cecily nodded, already moving her desk.
"Oh darn…," Thomas sighed, but willingly moving his desk.
Ms. Florence had already walked over with three copies of the test by the time Allen, Cecily and Thomas were all situated.
"Alright you three, there are two parts to the D rank test. There's the written test, which I have here. That basically covers the basics of magic, such as elemental circles and all that stuff I could care less about," she explained, rolling her eyes.
"Anyways, after that is the physical exam. Once you lot are done with your written exam, provided you finish it before the end of class time, then I will take you three to the training room to do the physical portion of the exam," Ms. Florence explained.
"And what do we do for the physical exam?," Thomas eagerly asked.
"I'll explain it when we get there," she answered, obviously not wanting to talk further.
"Oh, okay," Thomas answered as Ms. Florence quickly slapped down their exams on their desks and immediately walked away.
"Good luck, or whatever. I don't care," she half mumbled as she quickly made her way back to her desk.
"Guess we start?," Thomas half asked, a little confused.
"Just start," Cecily advised him.
The three of them quickly began to start filling out their exam. Just by a quick glance, Allen could tell that their exam was really short and easy.
This will be really easy!, he thought, already starting to answer the first question.
He looked up for a moment to see what Ms. Florence was doing, and by no surprise she was once again engrossed in that same book she reads all the time. Allen was surprised that she didn't even look to check if the three of them were cheating, but then again she probably didn't care enough.
Despite that, they probably didn't need to cheat anyways. Allen already knew that this test would be a breeze for him. And if this test would be a breeze for him, then Cecily should have an even easier time than him.
The only person Allen was worried about was Thomas. However, one quick glance at Thomas told Allen he would be fine. Despite his normal hate for anything writing related, Thomas had a confident look on his face. Allen knew he would be fine.
As Allen started to speed through his essay, he couldn't help but think about the other first year, earth mage girl in his class that always wore a hood over her head, concealing her face.
He couldn't help but be suspicious about her, considering all that happened the other day with the fire mage. He just decides to try to forget about it, and focus on getting his exam done.
After only a short period of time, all three of them were finally done! Cecily was the first to finish, followed by Allen and then Thomas, which was no surprise to them.
Ms. Florence quickly took their papers and threw them on her desk, and they all just hoped they would not get lost somewhere on her dusty desk.
"Alright you three, since we have enough time, I guess we'll get the physical part of the exam done," she explained, getting up from her seat, book still in hand.
"I can't wait!," Thomas eagerly said. Allen and Cecily agreed. It was time for them to reach D rank!
"You two, go over to Mr. Lyon's class, or something," Ms. Florence pointed at the other two students in the room. "Honestly I don't care, but by the academy rules you can't be left unattended, or whatever"
Allen, Thomas and Cecily all gave each other mutual looks of understanding. They all knew she was like this, and it was no surprise.
The other two students in the room had gotten up, and made their way out of the classroom.
On the way out, Allen could've sworn the girl in the hood had given him a look of some sort, but he wasn't entirely sure.
I'm just imagining things, he thought, as he decided to once again let it go.
"Alright, let's go," Ms. Florence announced, already walking away without much warning.
The three of them followed Ms. Florence down the currently empty halls of the academy. Allen and them made some small talk on the way there, but Ms. Florence didn't make out a single word at all during their walk.
Coincidentally, the location in which they would be taking their physical exam is at the same training room that they use for their club.
"Wow, we haven't been here in what feels like forever!," Thomas exclaimed as Ms. Florence unlocked the door.
"And yet it only feels like yesterday that we were in here for the first time," Allen added, as the four of them walked inside.
"Alright you three, let's get this over with," she sighed as the three of them followed her.
"So what do we do for the physical exam?," Thomas asked, very interested.
"Luckily it's very simple," she answered, bringing them over to one of the corners of the training room. "See those three magic targets over there?"
"Yeah, we see them," Cecily answered, as they looked in the direction she was pointing.
There was a section of the training room that always had targets posted, for any students who want to practice their accuracy.
They would occasionally use them while participating in their Training Club, but mostly they focused on practice duels and how to use their magic better.
"Three of those targets, just three," Ms. Florence stated. "I don't care which three you hit, long as you hit three from where we are standing now"
The three of them lined up right where Ms. Florence wanted them.
"The physical exam does not have a time limit, but I would prefer if you three didn't take your sweet time," she rolled her eyes. "Anyways, Terrastone, you're up first!"
"Yes ma'am," Thomas saluted, getting into position.
As Thomas begins to start casting his spells at the targets, Allen begins to become worried for himself.
How will I pass this?, He thought. I can barely turn my mana into magic already, how am I supposed to hit three targets easily?
Allen's magic works a bit differently than everyone else's. Since he can't cast an air elemental circle (although he can do a fire one), he has trouble turning his air mana into physical air magic.
Elemental circles are supposed to help convert elemental mana into elemental magic. However, without the ability to create one by concentrating, it becomes much more difficult to cast mana into magic.
Not only does he have trouble with elemental circles, but just casting his mana physically is almost impossible for him.
Luckily he has been getting by since he has the ability to use his mana directly, instead of converting it into magic. Since he has the ability to control his mana directly, he is able to do things a normal mage isn't able to do, such as making himself faster.
Not only that, but since he has trained his body physically (which mages basically never do), and he has a sword, he is much more versatile in a duel.
But since this exam has to do with elemental magic output, he knew he would have a tough time.
"I did it!," Thomas yelled, as he successfully hit three targets. It took him a few tries, considering he doesn't have the best elemental magic output (since he focuses on strengthening his arms with magic instead), but he did it.
"Rivertide," Ms. Florence called as she wrote some stuff down on a clipboard she was holding, probably recording Thomas' result.
"Alright," she responded, getting in position.
While Allen was still debating what he would do or try, Cecily was already hitting her targets. It didn't take her long, as her accuracy has been improving greatly ever since they've all been training together.
"Okay, you two are both done," Ms. Florence announced, a lot earlier than Allen was suspecting.
Cecily and Thomas gave each other a high five, as they knew they passed for sure.
Well, guess I will have to try my best, Allen thought, getting into position. Hopefully this will be good enough.
It wasn't until Allen got into position that Cecily and Thomas finally realized - it would not be easy for Allen! They were so distracted by their own results that they forgot about Allen's magic troubles.
"You'll do fine, I believe in you!," Thomas encouraged him.
"You got this Allen!," Cecily added.
"Thanks guys," he smiled. He knew he may not pass, but he would give it his best.
"Hold it, Fleming," Ms. Florence called him, as she was still furiously writing on her clipboard.
"Yes?," Allen asked, wondering what she wanted. He started to get worried.
"Don't worry about this one, you don't need to do it," she explained, still writing on her clipboard.
What did she mean? Does she already think I'm not going to pass?, Allen thought.
"What do you mean?," Allen asked.
"I said, don't worry about it," she reiterated.
"But I haven't even-"
"Fleming," she stared at him. "I just saw you hit three of those targets. Understand?"
"Wh-," he started to say, confused. But then he realized.
"Thank you!," he said happily, realizing Ms. Florence understood his situation and was helping him.
"Uh huh," she said, finishing up her writing.
Allen, Thomas and Cecily all looked at each other surprised. Did their teacher, Ms. Florence, the one who almost never teaches in their class, just give Allen a free pass? They all could not believe it.
"Alright, since you all are already done and out of class, I will go ahead and dismiss class," Ms. Florence announced, already walking out.
"Wait, so we're done with class early?," Thomas asked, confirming.
Ms. Florence didn't offer him an answer, as she was already walking out of the training room.
"Well, guess we're done early," Allen shrugged.
"Yay! No studying!," Thomas cheered.
"I'll let that comment slide since we just did the D rank exams," Cecily gave him a look. Thomas and Allen just laughed.
Since they were already conveniently in the same training room that they use for their Training Club, they decided to remain in there.
After all, according to William, their club is now back to holding meetings, which means they can use the training room again!
They assumed that all the other club members probably knew as well, so they decided to wait to see if everyone would show up.
Shortly after the normal class times ended, everyone did fortunately show up - Rose, Stephen, Alice/Sarah (Since they are the same person, technically), and even their newest club member August all showed up!
Allen, Thomas and Cecily all have not spoken with everyone else for a little over a week, at least just before the magical knight training program was about to start, so it was great to once again see everyone.
They also started to catch up to what they have been all doing - Rose has been dealing with student council work (and Stephen too, but reluctantly), Alice has been focusing on studying (Cecily commended her for that!), Sarah had been working on "diva stuff" (or that's at least what she called it), and August has been up to learning how to better use his magic and even trying to make friends with some of the other mages in the academy.
After learning what everyone else has been caught up with, Allen, Thomas and Cecily all explain they just took the D rank exams! Everyone congratulated them (with Sarah also trying to hug Allen fiercely, but Allen did his best to stay away from her), and they all wished them success for passing their exams!
Stephen even offered to throw them a small party with all of them if they do pass, his treat. This especially got Thomas hooked, as he loves eating free food, or just food in general.
Since they all had a lot of catching up to do, they decided for today they would focus on talking and hanging out instead of training. They figured they would have a lot more fun just chatting away until the end of their club time.
I can't wait to find out if we passed!, Allen thought, as they were all talking.
Other than Allen trying to dodge Sarah several times and trying to get her to change back to Alice, everyone enjoyed their time, awaiting the results of tomorrow!