~Jorgeana Sparrow~
Today is my 17th birthday, and the day of entrance exams, to say I'm a complete nervous wreck would be an understatement. In fact it is the understatement of the century. They will be testing my academic knowledge of elemental magic, my physical ability to wield a variety of weapons and my elemental aptitude. Most of those who attended the entrance exams were nobles and families of high standing in the kingdom. As the academy came into view I was in awe and shock, the building stood high with the crest of the Athene Noctua on the main gate. As I walked to the gate to enter the grounds I was stopped by a guard.
"Examinees and students only." His gruff voice came sternly. He was in white armor made from a metal known as Astroli. This metal was lightweight and as strong as a diamond. The crest of a dragon intertwining a rose. These knights were known as the Dragonites.
"Erm…Sir I am here for the entrance exam." I stated as I looked for the paper in my bag. I heard the knight laughing though I wasn't sure what was so funny. Finally I located the paper and handed it to him. He took it with his eyes squinted in suspicion as he took it and looked at the paper. I saw a flash of annoyance on his face as he handed it back to me.
"Very well, continue Miss Sparrow." He said with forced respect. I nodded and continued through the gates. What an odd reaction from the guard. I took a deep breath and headed to the training hall where the first exam would begin soon. As I entered I saw mostly Nobles, it seemed as if I was the only commoner at the exam. Majority of the Nobles were talking to each other and didn't pay me any mind. I headed to the front where the headmaster was sitting to check in examinees. I cleared my throat lightly to gain his attention. He was an old man with a white beard that met his stomach. He had it braided and intertwined with red ribbon. His head was bald and his eyes were a kind blue. He looked upon me with twinkling eyes.
"Paperwork." His warm voice said gently. It was like that of a grandfather who cherished his grandchildren. I handed him the paperwork and waited as he looked for my name to assign my seat.
"Seat 41, Row 5 Miss Sparrow. May the Goddess shine down on you. After the exam report to Miss Kayau in housing to receive your room for your duration of testing." He explained as he handed the pencils they required to take the tests. They were jinxed so that no one could possibly cheat.
"Thank you Sir." I said and took the materials given to me. I sat down in my seat and let out a breath. Soon the rest of the students were ordered to take their seats as the exam was starting soon. A boy my age sat in seat 40 next to me and a girl a little older than me sat in seat 42. I kept my head down so neither would talk to me. By the way they were dressed I would guess they were nobles. I was organizing my things when a "pst" from the boy caught my attention. I looked up to meet his gaze but kept my head down out of respect.
"Yes." I said as I took in his sharp jaw and built features. His hair was blonde and his eyes were a red color. How is it possible to have red eyes? I wondered to myself.
"Egon Aeneas Owlli, you are?" His warm milky voice said, it was damn near intoxicating the way he said his name. WAIT!!! Did he just say his last name was Owlli as in the Imperial family Owlli. Keep it cool Jorgeana.
"Jorgeana Sparrow." I said politely. He nodded and showed a glamorous smile. My heart skipped a beat. Why did I have to sit next to this handsome prince?
"Good luck Jorgeana!" He said in earnest and gave a chuckle. Did he know what he was doing? I felt my cheeks warm and butterflies danced to the harmonies of his chuckle in my stomach. This is RIDICULOUS! I mumbled good luck back to him and turned trying to get my emotions in check. I'm not even a noble as if he'd consider me. I internally sighed and gave the headmaster my attention as he went over the rules of the exam and ordered us to start.
I started the exam by flipping open the four page exam. There were simple questions about the empire and its histories. The more challenging ones were the theories behind elemental magic. Since I did not attend an elite school that the nobles did, I didn't know as much as they did. Once I had finally made it to the last page it wasn't a multiple choice like the rest but an essay question.
"Why do you want to join the Athene Noctua? And what do you have to offer?" I stared at the question. What do I have to offer? I'm not even sure. I looked up to see most of the testers had already left. I bit my lip as I thought what do I offer? I touched the pencil to the paper and began writing what came to mind.
I, Jorgeana Sparrow, a lowly daughter of a commoner family wish to be a humble servant who brings her family glory. I have loved the idea of being an Athene Noctua since I was a young child. I will never give that dream up and will die if it protects the Empire and it's most prized treasure. I bring the elemental of glow or other known as light. As the histories have explained, those with the glow elemental are rare. I am a rare elemental barer and wish to give my power in service and honor to the Athene Noctua.
After I finished writing I headed to the desk I checked in to and laid my exam on top of the others. The old headmaster nodded to me and I headed to the housing office to receive my room. I entered the housing office and waited patiently by the desk. A plump lady came out and noticed me.
"Here for a room deary?" she questioned. I took in her features. She was no taller than 4'11 and she was a little on the heavier side. Hour-glass figure and a round face. She reminded me of a lady who worked in the bakery back home. Her face was loving and kind.
"Yes, I am." I responded.
"I'm Miss Kayau, since you're not a noble I can't give you a room on the upper floors until you become part of the academy. So you will be on floor two with the maids of those nobles." she said with sadness. I knew something like this would happen. The nobles were assigned rooms the day they received the notification of approval to take the entrance exam. Everyone who wanted to take the entrance exam had to pass a pre-approval exam. It is rare that a commoner makes it to the entrance exam in the academy and even rarer that they pass and attend the academy. I nodded as Miss Kayau led me toward the second floor. Once we reached the room she handed me the keys.
"Good luck on your future exams Miss. The showers are open all day and night and the dining halls open at 5 for breakfast, noon for lunch and 7pm for dinner. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask me dear." her sweet voice cooed. Almost like I was a dear one to her. She turned and walked off after I said thank you. I looked back at the plain brown door and inserted the key to open it. I entered the dark room, this won't do, I thought to myself. I thought hard to bring the glow to me. The room lit enough for me to locate the lamps that had been filled up but weren't lit. I willed the light into them instantly lighting the room. I sighed and set my bag down and decided to head to the dining hall for dinner.
Once in the dining hall I grabbed chicken and some salad. I headed to a table with a window view and was more secluded. It's not like any of the nobles would be my friend. I was eating while in my thoughts staring out the window when a presence pulled me out of my daydream. I locked eyes with none other than the prince. He sat at my table with a face full of curiosity.
"Hello again Jorgeana." He rolled my name off his tongue making my heart do palpations. This has to stop at some point right?
"Your majesty," I replied with respect. He frowned at my words, did I do something wrong?
"Please call me Egon." He stated with a small smile.
"Wouldn't that be disrespectful, I'm a commoner, I'm beneath you." I said with slight shame.
The prince chuckled at my words and shook his head causing me to blush red.
"We are all equals at the academy, though I'm sure there will be those who will use their status over you to feel superior. I, however, am not like that." he stated with a smile and tilted his head to the side resting it on his hand. I happened to look over his shoulder and saw a girl with long blonde hair in a high ponytail and fairy-like features. She was beautiful but man did she look so pissed I wondered why. The prince had finished his food and said his goodbyes. I waved bye and finished my food before heading to my room.
I hadn't made it far when I heard the light sound of footsteps behind me. But, when I turned, no one was there. I must be going crazy, I thought to myself. Shortly after I reached my door but it was cracked open. I could have sworn I had closed and locked it before leaving. I slowly pushed the door open to a dark room. I concentrated on manifesting the glow. The room lit shortly after as the glow, lumed and intertwined like children playing tag. I could see my room was ransacked. I wondered who broke into my room and did this. But alas that was a problem for another day. My clothes were scattered and my bed was a mess. I sighed and started picking things up. Before long everything was back to normal. I laid on my bed as my eyelids became heavy, sleep soon took over.