That dinner really was delicious, Juniper sure can cook. There was still a somewhat weird tension between the two girls though… I should organize a dorm event or something, to bring them closer togheter. They can't both be part of my harem- I mean, of this dorm, if they can't stand each other…
Anyways, I finally programmed my new movement-magic cartridge: 'After-Image'! It took me a while, it's actually already midnight, but I finally finished. Time to hit save and look at the stats.
----------------------------------
-Statistics-
Mana Price: 120 Mana/Use
Hologram duration: 2 seconds
Save
Edit
----------------------------------
Looks decent to me! I would've liked for the hologram to stick around longer, but that would cost me too much mana, besides, 2 seconds is enough to confuse the enemy.
I hit save again and after a short lightshow, the cartridge is finally programmed.
[Orange Cartridge] AfterImage: see Author's note for code
Alright, let's just sleep for now.
…
Fuck… I'm too nervous to sleep… The promotion exam is tomorrow…
Maybe Juniper could help me? Purely for sleeping purposes of course, her bed did feel really good after all…
…
I was right, her bed did sleep really good! Although I probably ended up sleeping less then I would have in my own bed… Whoops.
"Already awake Reo?"
"Yeah, just looking at your cute sleeping face."
"Mhwaah don't tease me like that."
She playfully punches my chest before giving me a kiss on the forehead:
"Good luck on your promotion exam. Some people might doubt your abilities, but at least you have me rooting for you! Now you have to come home with good news."
Juniper gets out of bed first, giving me something very appetizing to look at and leaving me speechless… Those curves…
"Now get ready dummy, I'll make you some breakfast later."
"Yes ma'am!"
I get up and silently head towards my own room to get dressed, I don't want to wake up Sara after all.
After getting dressed and brushing my teeth, I sit down at the dinner-table, where Juniper is already cooking up some eggs. There's a small note on the table which I pick up and look at.
"Oh right, I think Sara left that there before heading out."
"She already left? Did she say something to you Juniper? Is she going to come watch my promotion exam?"
"I don't know, she didn't say."
The note simply read: 'Good luck on your exam, prepare yourself for a delicious dinner tonight <3'.
Guess she won't be able to make it to my mock battle… Oh well, I already have Juniper supporting me. Can't say I'm not disappointed though.
After scarfing down the eggs on toast prepared by Juniper, I pack my stuff and head out. I could easily store everything in my dimensional tattoo, but I don't want to draw any unnecessary attention.
"Break a leg reo! I'll come cheer for you during the mock-battle!"
"Thanks Juniper!"
*MUAH*
I give her a kiss on the cheek and head toward the atrium, where the talent-appraisal takes place.
…
Looks like I'm a bit late, there's already a crowd gathered around an expensive looking gemstone, the size of a small car. There aren't many people, only the wood [I] class is gathered here.
Suddenly the gemstone glows a faint red.
"Fire-bishop."
People in the crowd start clapping, so naturally I join them.
"Not bad John, Fire-bishops usually don't have a hard time finding a party that'll take them. The glow of your talent wasn't that bright, but don't let that deter you, with practice you can even become a silver [III] Machia."
"Thanks mister Ito!"
Oh damn this is nerve-wracking, I didn't know the talent-appraisal would be this public.
"Next up: Yuma, get up on stage please."
The boy, who I now know is called Yuma, confidently walks up the stage and places his palm onto the gemstone, which in turn glows a steel-like silver.
"A Blade-knight! Congratulations! Even though the blade element is the most common knight talent, as you probably already know, knight-talents themselves are pretty rare! You'll become an excellent damage-dealer/vanguard Yuma!"
Oh wow, Mr. Ito actually seems quite excited for once, did something good happen to him? Yuma also seems pretty excited and the class is applauding even harder than the previous time. Those knight-talents seem pretty special.
After Yuma the applause somewhat died down, it only came back again for a kid who showed off a holy-rook talent and for some girl with the plant-bishop talent, which apparently were sought after by the bigger guilds.
Finally it was my turn though:
"Reo, get up on stage."