Celeste~

She giggled. "When you do this job long enough you get a gist for calling what place students rank. Plus, the practitioners are all the rave about your power, they're very intrigued so you'll get bonus points there." She winked at me and all I could do was gawk. What did she mean they were interested in me? For what exactly?

"Um, right. So why exactly are they so interested, they have a lot more notable and powerful people to concern themselves with do they not?" The same glint of amusement shined from her eyes.

"Well of course Celeste, that's why you're so amazing, new blood, fresh meat you know? Especially after that fight with Caspian, everyone wants to know who you're walking out of this place with."

"I really didn't expect to be anyone this early on." It was weird, and I definitely wasn't for it. I wanted to go back to my peaceful little life and leave the academy just as inconspicuously as I came but with good qualifications.

"That's why you have to prepare." She flashed me one last smile that told me that I wouldn't be getting any more information out of her, not that she said anything too interesting aside from me catching the eyes of the practitioners.

We walked out of the door and I was finally allowed to check my phone. Jesus, it was already 7pm? How did the time go so quickly. I guess time flies when the adrenaline kicks in.

I saw two notifications from both Chloe and Rain who had already finished their assessment and were in the cafeteria. On my way there I saw a few people who must have finished the Trial at the same time I did, it wasn't many though. The hall was just the same with only a few people to spare, the assessment really was personal because we all had different things we needed to work on that were sometimes more simpler than the others.

I grabbed my food which consisted of the Indian food that was my go-to, what other reason would one have to detach from routine other than doing the last Trial here at Blue Phoenix? I searched for Chloe and Rain in the crowd, they were easy to point out because it wasn't as many people as usual. Among them all I saw a few familiar faces like Chimen and Chilisa along with Latía, who didn't happen to be with the girl from before.

I walked over to my friends and greeted them before sitting down. Needing to know I asked, "How was the Trial guys?"

Chloe spoke and said, "It was weird, it was odd having all of the weak spots in your powers pointed out but it really put it into perspective how much work we're going to do at the actual Academy." Well, I didn't think of it like that.

"Yeah, it was kinda different for me, they expanded my powers in ways I never knew they could. This place is more valuable than anything the people we actually get our powers directly from could teach us." She had an expression I could only describe as starstruck while she described her experience. She must have learned a lot about herself during it, at least I'm not the only one who had a bit of a weird time.

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"What did they make you do?" I was genuinely curious. I didn't know of any other powers Rain had aside from her shield, she could very well have some but I didn't think so. "They made me expand my Shield so much, they made me realise my shield wasn't just a part of my arm or hand but my whole body. It came from within, That also allowed me to deflect some hits by sending the energy back, that was way harder though. But damn, it was enlightening to say the least."

"That's so fucking cool, how did you manage to improve that much in one session? they probably count that towards our ranking too, if so, you're at the top for sure." I was so proud of my friend, no wonder she felt like she was practically brand new, she basically discovered a part of her soul.

"Yeah I didn't even think of that, they sure sneak in ways to test you, I heard they might even call some people back to further assess them. They're really thorough with this whole thing but I'm glad." She really had a whole new outlook on this place. I was happy for her.

"What about you Chloe what did they make you do?"

She had the most excited expression on her face, she was practically jumping in her seat and definitely looked like she was burning to tell her story, and it was so adorable and typical of Chloe. "They taught me things that I didn't even know was possible. I really did believe with my whole heart that I wouldn't be shocked by things like this because of how common my power is but boy was I surprised today. They told me that I could actually increase the heat of my fire from inside of me, I tried and tried again but it just didn't work. She didn't want to give up though and by this point, I think it had been hours and I was so over it. I got kinda angry when he kept telling me to throw the balls over and over again and they weren't getting any hotter but it was then that it happened. I hit the glass again, I didn't even know I did something good until I saw her squealing in her seat. She told me that sometimes, very rarely a firebender's ability to control the heat of their flame is dependent on their emotions. She saw something inside of me and brought it to life."

She looked just as Rain previously did when she was telling her story, in awe. "But you know I was thinking, it's kind of a waste considering I'm not really an angry person, I mean, what if I have to fight someone who was my friend and I just can't do enough damage because I feel bad or something. That's kinda shit you know." Me and Rain chuckled at what she chose to to focus on during all of this. It was just how she was though.

She continued on. "He told me that I had to find my flame within and that everything would fall into place after that. He was kinda cute as well I don't know if he was flirting with me but I'd sure hope so."

"Now, now let's not create too much drama too early, try to keep your panties on for now." Rain spoke while she tried to contain a laugh but was failing miserably.

"That's cool as hell though, I didn't even know that fire benders could do things like that and you would think we would considering how popular the power is."

"Right?" Rain chimed in.

"But I'm so happy for you, you improved a lot as well you might be heading to number one, don't forget me when you're rich." I joked

Chloe laughed and said, "Don't be silly you'll be right there with me. But we have waited long enough now, how did your Trial go."