Following Lunch, we went to homeroom.
Myself, Eriko, and Ezekiel begin to walk. Rose and Eriko pass one another in the hallway as Rose and her group make their way to Class 1C. The tension between the two is still there.
In the corner of my eye, I see the long light green hair once again.
It was Bianca.
I call out to her "Bianca".
I head on over to here.
"Hello Valerus good day to you"Bianca responds with a kind voice.
"Good day to you too. Where were you during lunch?"
"I had to help one Professor Ariana with something. So I was delivered lunch to her room"
"Gotcha"
DING DONG DING DONG
"We'll I'll catch you later," Bianca says as she heads into Class 1C.
I wave to her goodbye as I turn to go to my class.
BUMP
"Valerus Marina we meet once again"
"Hello Jericho"
"We shall save our duel in a few days... Prepare yourself" as he walks backward sliding the door open behind his back as he enters Class 1A.
I stand there trying to process what he just did. As I head inside my classroom.
----------------------------------------
A nearby mountain range close by Aiz.
VRMM VRMM VRMM
"Ah, Aiz it's been a while. Argh this burn seems to be acting up again. The scar that old man gave me" Deadman says.
"Oh is your owie burning?" a female voice says as she carries a little umbrella with shades on.
"You would be shrieking in agony at the flames of the Head Captain of the Federation flames."
"If anything I'll just use my blood magic.
STEP STEP STEP
"Aiz looks much different since the last time I was here," Bloody Queen says as she tip-toes.
Deadman takes a look at Blood Queen.
"What do they call those on your face?"
"Sunglasses. They are sunglasses Agus- I mean Deadman"
"Remember prefer to codename Milady"
"Of course. Now where are our targets?"
"There" Silent points in the central district of Oriana. "They have strengthened the barrier but that shouldn't be an issue." Silent reassures the two.
"Mr.Marina we shall soon meet again," Deadman says as multiple summoning circles appear as an army of undead starts to rise from the ground with a book in his hand. "I wanna see how my little cub has grown," Bloody Queen says as she dawns and laughs with Deadman.
Silent can't help but stare and wonder why they got paired with them "These two are something" they think to themselves.
-----------------------------------
SHIVER
Again what the hell.
"Valerus pay attention"
Homeroom teacher Celeste Carmen steps forward.
"Alright class as many of you know the Magus Exam is in a couple of days. Am sure you are familiar with the rules as you heard from other professors, students, etc. However this year they will change it. "
The class goes into an outroar.
"How can you change it? Isn't it a tradition to follow? Were mere days ahead?"
"Please settle down. The change involves the third stage the eight mages who make it in will be the team for the Aiz Magnificent Magic Games. With the losing 4 being the substitutes of the main four."
"Why would they need to do that?"
Celeste thinks back to the conversation she had beforehand with Ariana Heldam.
"Why would the Headmaster do that?"
"He believes that if the Twelve Stars and Valerus Marina would place in the top four and something were to occur. Who else would be their replacement"
"I see the idea but why even continue with the Magic Games even if you know the risk"
"You'll have to ask the Headmaster yourself"
"Hmm," Celeste stands at the podium amongst her students.
"So interesting addition added. Does none of this seem fishy to you guys the fact that the headmaster is well aware of the danger this puts us in and still decides to do it?" Eriko asks.
"Well that won't matter cause you got the two strongest mages in this school," Ezekiel says proudly.
"Let's not forget the third years we hear a peep coming from them. Also knowing that there are three that stand out." Eriko says. "Val, what do you think? Val?"
"Valerus?"
Oh am sorry am just not feeling it right now.
"You were spacing out again. That's the third time since yesterday."
"Ah dont mind him he's just excited and anxious to participate in the Magus Exam."
"Yeah sure" I respond to them. "This is the same feeling as that night years ago.
-----------------------------
Class 1A
"Within the third stage, the eight mages who make it in will be the team for the Aiz Magnificent Magic Games. With the losing 4 being the substitutes of the main four." Taz Fuldre speaks.
"What a change," Jericho says aloud as he looks across the room.
STEP STEP STEP
"So Albeck how was it fighting a Twelve Star Mage?" Jericho asks.
"Fine. I didn't win"
"Hmm, that's not what I heard. You beat him and punched him straight to the ground"
"Believe what you must but I didn't beat him. If you want to ask more questions ask Rose Providence from 1C she'll entertain you" Albeck says as he walks away from his seat.
"I wish not especially since what happened after this mornings interaction"
"Albeck" Jericho calls out and runs to walk next to him.
"What's the scoops of you and Ms.Providence do tell" Jericho eggs on Albeck.
"Nothing"
"Ohh you guys are dating aren't you" Jericho persists as he follows Albeck.
Albeck remains silent as he heads out the door.
SLIDE
BUMP
AHH
-------------------------------
Class 1C
"So whoever places in the top 8. The losing four will be the substitutes for the main team" Araian Heldam speaks.
"Oh, Rose that means if all of us pass we can fill out most of those spots on the team," Azalea says.
"Meaning it'll be the Boutiques of Roses team, "Suneeta says.
"We got this" Lily says.
"No worries Rose we'll help you get a spot in there regardless if we are not partners" Bella speaks to the group.
"Thank you, girls I appreciate it," Rose says in a mean girl manner as she looks at Bianca Roche. "She might be a problem, not only do I have to deal with that Twelve Star, the emotionless statue in Albeck Reigns, but also the so-called Earth Saint," Rose thinks to herself.
"By the way who was that guy this morning with the cape? He looked to be someone important."Azalea asks.
"Azalea if he has a cape it doesn't mean he is important" Sunneta speaks as she playfully chops Azalea's head.
"Yeah we didn't even catch his name," Bella says with her arms crossed.
"Hey, Rose what did you talk to Albeck about in the morning when you caught up to him?"
"I dont wanna talk about it," Rose says in a depressed manner.
"Man, I guess Albeck got you thinking huh?" Sunneta says.
"No, he does not!" She speaks aloud.
"Awe look at you getting flustered over a boy" Bella teases her.
"Am not flustered am legitimately annoyed" Rose says as she stands up and walks to the door "am getting some fresh air."
SLIDE
SHUT
-------------------------------
Rose remembers earlier in the day.
"Albeck Reigns"
STEP STEP STEP
Albeck stops and turns to look at Rose.
HUFF HUFF
"Hey, I realized what you said yesterday. I need to realize to focus on myself and-"
"That's good glad you realized it. Good"
"See you later"
"Hey am not done-"
Albeck kneels to her "The twelve stars aren't the only competition in this exam you got me Valerus Marina, the dragon clad, and the Earth Saint. I suggest you ready yourself" as he walks away.
"Hmph what a talk. Dragonclad? Earth Saint. Who are they? Where are they?"
---------------------
Rose walks past Class 1B as she heads toward the restroom.
She places her hands on her head "Ugh this exam. I just gotta focus on Eriko, Bianca, and Alb-"
SLIDE
"Huh-"
BUMP
ARGH
Rose falls to the ground.
"What did I hit a stone wall"
"Sorry," a familiar voice says as he extends his hands.
Rose looks up.
"Albeck Reigns" she spoke as she came to her senses.
"Ah, so you guys are."
"No. Dragonclad"
Rose looks "That's the guy from this morning. It's all coming together now"
"Am fine thank you Albeck" Rose says as she continues her way to the bathroom. "The list grows more and more for the people I need to but to prove to myself that am great. Hopefully, I'll show my good-for-nothing parents that left me" Rose says as she sets on winning the Magus Exam.
-----------------------------------------
The Federation Headquarters Squad 7 Barracks
"That is all Captain. Should be on standby when the Magus Exam occurs?" Aisaki finishes her report.
"Yes, Aisaki we should. Let's inform the other companies as well "a female voice speaks.
"Yes, we shall" a woman with long coral pink hair, and a black coat, with 7 out of the sides of the octagon shaded with a ladybug symbol, a white dress, with a beauty mark under her left eye, and dimples. Lying on her ladybug-themed chair bed.
[The Federation Captain of Squad 7 Healing Squadron: Okina Tenmu]