"confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing"

~~August Wilson

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Celeste~

...In these cases a temporary removal of magic could be ordered until a later date. The Third examination consisted of one's ability to engage in conflict without the use of magic. This on is pretty self explanatory, we are tested on an over reliance of magic because in their words 'magic can't always save you' they were right, a simple practitioner with a power to remove powers would equal defeat if one cannot defend themselves in any other way. The fourth test is a bit different from the others, it worked out your ability to withstand mind altering magic.

Through trial and error they get a grasp on how many psychic attacks you could take and how well. Some have powers that could cause temporary confusion, memory loss or a complete alteration of reality, ones ability to defend against psychic attacks was dependant on their harmeas. This was the amount of psychic defence a person has. how much a person has was mainly completely random, with people with more strength only slightly averaging more harmea.

The fifth trial was at a later date and is simply the overall ability of a student based on a holographic model that replicates combat identically.

It was all a lot but necessary in a world as unpredictable as ours and these Trials determined what level Academy you went to.

"Oh don't be silly." Chloe rolled her eyes, clearly finding the prospect ridiculous. "While we don't have similar powers we are very similar in strength, definitely not enough of a difference to make us go to completely different Academies." That was true.

The difference in power between us was unlikely to make us go to different academies but there was still that chance. "Fair enough" I spoke.

Happy with my agreeance she continued on explaining her excitement for this 'new world' we were stepping into.

"Honestly, the main thing i'm anticipating is meeting my future husband, he's gonna be tall, hm, blonde or maybe brunette, oh! and of course super mega powerful" she firmly stated.

I understood the excitement, climbing social ladders is currency I guess. Chloe came from an average family, her parents were community guards and while that title held some status it wasn't nearly as impactful as working for the National Defence League or for the government or for the Royals themselves.

Those were the ones who had power in their blood and their offspring would most definitely be at the most prestigious of Academies, unless of course, they were the unfortunate.

She had a good amount of power and with her beauty, definitely had the potential to climb a class or three.

Chloe was tall and built, quite the opposite of me, her combination of all shades of red hairs was folded in layers that fell just beneath her ear and while most our age didn't suit short chic styles as much as they had hoped but Chloe was the opposite. The style looked as if it was made especially for her and suited her diamond face. Matching her hair she has a set of the most copper eyes i'd ever seen, probably a result of her powers but they were beautiful nevertheless. She was a star.

She shined and would most definitely able to have her pick of suitable men. And boy she knew it.

She would leave the Academies happy. With a good suitor and because of her charm and looks, more notoriety then she came with. Her parents weren't the most important, so while they cared or should I say had an obsession about status like the rest, there was a limit to that.

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Definitely lovely people, who would probably be surprised by the success of their daughter in dating. "Oh your gonna have a blast aren't you."

"Hell yeah I am, these are gonna be the best years of my life." One can dream.

"Try not to make too many people addicted to you, we know what happens when that goes left."

Of course her enticing beauty garnered a lot of males who were not willing to let her go.

"And try not to catch anything, we don't know where these people came from." She gave me an affronted look, as if to say my nose had grown six inches. I raised and eyebrow and she rolled her eyes. "Such a prude." I laughed and said "Just looking out for you."

" So, What about you, Looking forward to finding your man" she chirped.

"Not really, Don't wanna be with an uptight weirdo or a lowlife, gotta find a sweet spot somehow."

she giggled and said " It's fine even if your more powerful or weaker then you think those looks of yours will get you exactly what you want" So optimistic.

"But I don't even know what I want."

"You'll figure it out eventually, now come, get some rest before tomorrow, you'll need it." I will figure it out in due time. Now however, I needed sleep.

I woke up tired and groggy. I could barely sleep last night and I wasn't really surprised. I was nervous about the Chamber Trials and couldn't shake it quickly enough to get a good nights sleep. The trials would begin later, around 4pm and now I needed to get ready. I walked into the bathroom and gave myself a quick glance. My multiple shades of platinum blonde ringlets cascaded down my neck all the way to my waist.

My hair was frizzy and definitely needed taming but not too bad for curly hair. My ivory skin glowed and my silver eyes shimmered against the sunlight that entered my bathroom. I did definitely show signs or tiredness but they could easily be rectified with some makeup. My short thick figure looked back at me in the mirror and I couldn't help buy admire my frame. Full and curvaceous I had well above average breasts that were nicely placed in my light pink bra paired with thighs and an ass that could kill. My hips were wide and soft, creating a beautiful hourglass shape that fit my aesthetic perfectly. I turned and my ass protruded from my underwear in just the way I liked. My waist was toned, probably from training but still carried a nice weight to match my curvy features.

I was beautiful, I knew this and just like Chloe I would probably have a good time at the Academy in regards to male attention.

Sadly that wasn't my priority.

I showered and dressed myself, putting on sleek black jeans and a black shirt to ensure I had all the mobility I needed for later. My things were already packed and I would have everything I needed at Blue Phoenix so I was not too concerned about forgetting anything. Needing to eat and gain energy for today I went downstairs where I met Chloe again.

She did have a brother and he was our age and coming to the trials with us too but like per usual, was no where to be seen. Probably somewhere manhandling his boisterous friends I dismissed the matter and met my best friend, and second parents at the table.

"Morning Alphito."Saul greeted me.

Alphito was a nickname given to me by my mother first, she called me it because of my white hair and eyes, replicating the goddess who had the same features. "Morning, how are you guys."

"We should be asking you that! it's your big day today." Amy, Chloe's mum, exclaimed.

"I know, i'm scared as hell, I mean i'd rather stay home to be honest but I don't really have that choice do I."

"We knew you would say that." Saul spoke "Listen, you'll be okay, we all had to do this and i've given you everything you need to know about The Academies." He did. Knowing what was gong to happen did make things easier but the cunning ways of the department that controls the Academies makes sure that each year comes with a twist so there was always that to think about.

"Mentally, I know i'll be fine. But try telling my gut that, this anxiety is gnawing its way through me like a rat." they laughed at my dramatics and the sound of their voices couldn't help but make me feel better.

Chloe spoke and said "You'll have me, always. we're gonna give them shows they'll never forget and make our destined mark on the world once and for all"

"In the name of all that is holy I hope so."

Rushing through the door with an ungodly amount of force came Chloe's brother, Markan. Tall, slender and built just like his sister he was a sight to look at. With little to no body fat his muscles ripped through this tight shirt and his bad boy jeans gave him just the edge he needed to embody that roughness he has to him. Unlike his sister he kept his mane long, just slightly below his shoulders. While Chloe's red hair gave an enticing friendly look Markan's hair had the opposite affect, instead emphasising the darkness of his whole aesthetic.

His deepset eyes peered at us with fiery passion as he burst through the door and spoke. "Hey guys, ready for today because I sure as hell am."

Smiling and very confident in his ability, he looked as though anxiety didn't know his name.

And rightfully so, Markan was powerful and would definitely secure a good place at a good Academy. "Not at all." I replied while Chloe said "Hellll yeah I am" he laughed.

"Aw lighten up Celeste, you'll be fine, you have nothing to be scared of your powerful. And if it's suitors you're worried about worry no further as all of your darkest desires stand right here in human form." He winked at me and while he was giggling along with the rest of them there was definitely truth in his flirtation.