They spent their next few free days studying. Even the elder Bloodwaves tried to get the girls to do something else. Instead, they studied even harder. They knew they were behind on their studies and really wanted to score similarly to Meredith. They did not want to disappoint their sponsors.

Soon the week ended. The girls now found themselves sitting in a big lecture hall. The school was a cluster of old buildings mushed together. They had been guided in with the rest of the applicants. Meredith was sitting a few rows ahead of them. Everyone had been assigned a number.

The written part of the test took four hours. It had sections on math, science, language, history, religion, and a miscellaneous section. Auna had found the questions relatively easy, there were a few that made her think.

The applicants were then brought outside to do non-magic combat. Each one would be sparing with a volunteer adventure. Ciela faired similarly to most of the applicants even though she was two years younger than most.

“A, Jade you are next.” The tester man said.

Auna walked up to a 15-year-old boy. He was very tall and broad. Smirking he ran at her very quickly. His weapon had the Jade symbol on it. All the adventurers’ weapons had it, her father must have paid them off to hurt her or make her fail. Auna side stepped the boy bringing her sword down on the back of his knees. He folded easily. Auna put her sword to the back of his neck.

“Surrender.” Auna said.

“That is enough, you have been marked move on A, Jade.” The tester man said as Auna went back to line. “Enough!” He screamed as the boy got up running at Aunas’ back.

Theodore who had been sitting as a puppy on the side lines grew to his adult size knocking the boy down. Theodore had been small enough to be granted entry to the school, he like the other tamed monsters he had been waiting outside for Auna.

Auna smirked at the boy. “Theo darling come here.” Theo was in Aunas’ arms as she walked to the next section.

It was time to do the magic test. It was a very simple test, they had to destroy a target with anything. Most applicants were picking fire. That was fairly boring though. Ciela threw a few seeds at the target with her wind magic, the tester tilted her head.

Soon the vines grew and ripped apart the target until there was nothing left. Ciela returned the vines into seeds calling them back with wind magic. Her nature magic had grown a lot.

Soon it was Aunas’ turn. She walked up to the line. Looking at the target she knew she wanted to put shock in the testers’ eyes. She smirked. Soon shadowy figures long and smooth appeared out of the targets shadow. They wrapped around the target squeezing until it popped into two pieces, then it dragged the pieces into the shadows. There was only a few splinters left on the ground. Everyone stared at her.

“How did they do that?”

“Neither used incantations.”

“Is that the standard?”

“Are they freaks?”

These were the few things that Auna could hear as they walked away. She was beginning to feel that maybe they were really talented like Edward explained. She didn’t care though. She and Ciela waited for Meredith by the front gate. They were planning to walk back to the villa as a group.

“Hey girls.” Meredith smiled as she walked up. It had taken her an hour longer due to the order.

“Ready?” Auna asked though she was already turning away.

“Sure, want to do some shopping on the way back?” Meredith is a shopaholic.

“Shouldn’t we head back like we were told to?” Auna eyed her.

“Fine.” Meredith whined.

I don’t get why she wants to shop so much. She has a lot of things already. Auna thought as they passed a few children playing in the street. They were obviously slum children their thin bodies covered in mud.

Auna stopped for a moment bowing her head to give a quick silent prayer for the childrens’ health. It was a habit from some of her previous lives where she was raised by the church. She always prayed daily since that life even if she didn’t think anyone was listening. She assumed the Gods of this world had left her once again.

“You pray so much, do you want to be a priest?” Meredith said rolling her eyes.

“It would be priestess. And no not really. I just know what it is to suffer, they don’t deserve it.” Auna walked onwards not paying the dirty children another thought as Meredith just squinted her eyes looking at the seemingly happy children.

“They said the test results will be out the day after tomorrow.” Meredith was trying to start a conversation with the girls.

“I am interested in the results.” Auna was thinking about what they would do if they did not pass. Would they retry next year?

“I’m sure all three of us will pass, my parents are always having me read and learn more than what is needed for the test. Most commoners get around 50% of the questions right, nobles are higher at 70%.” Meredith shrugged as Auna stopped to look at her.

“Wait, the test is that hard?” Auna asked remembering how she answered every question with only a few giving her pause.

“Yes, the Bloodwave children are expected to get an 80%. My brothers both got over 90%. They were their years representative.” Meredith smiled.

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“Representative?” Auna had began to move forward again.

“Yeah, the highest score for our age will be our class representative until the next test. The under eight children have a separate representee to keep it fair.” Meredith spoke.

“Wait, another test?” Auna was very confused.

“Hm? Yeah, every two years we take a similar test, to see if we qualify for other branches of study. I guess it also shows our growth, and most times changes the years representative. Oh right, you’re in the 1st years or eight-year-olds. Your birthday is within the first semester.” Meredith was rattling off information.

“Every student will complete ten years of school. If they fail the bi-yearly test they are removed. They will continue their education through private tutors or public school.”

“Now most 1st years don’t have a major as they didn’t qualify. You have to get certain grades in certain sections to qualify. Some can be recommended for the less known majors.”

“All children will have a minor, usually something that interests them. You can start majority of them in the 1st year.”

“Each day has six available class slots of two hours. Two of them are optional all ten years depending on your major and minors. 5am to 7am is the early morning option, and the 6pm to 8pm is the late classes option.”

“Normal classes run between 8am and 5pm with an hour lunch at 12pm. Breakfast is served 7am to 8am, and dinner 5pm to 6pm. I hear the food is amazing.”

“Most 1st and 2nd years only have three classes a semester. We can have up to nine in a year, or four each semester with one extra. They don’t want students pushing themselves too hard.”

“The class slots are two hours every day though teachers don’t usually use the whole slot. Instead, we are given free time under their supervision. It sounds like a lot though my brothers rarely have the whole eight class hours.”

“I think they said it was closer to six.” Meredith seemed to stop talking finally.

“Wait. Why would you give me so much new information at once?” Auna was holding her head, feeling a headache coming on.

“Oh, you really didn’t know?” Meredith shrugged.

“If we score a perfect 100 in a subject on the first test, we are allowed to start taking it as a major or minor. The second test is a bit different; we pick the subjects we want. We have to score at least 70% to continue the classes or start them in that field.” Meredith was smiling knowing she was causing Auna a headache. Auna had caused Meredith many headaches with what she knew so it was being done on purpose now.

“Do you think you will start a major?” Auna asked.

“Yeah, I focused on etiquette because it will take a long time to major in it.” Meredith said.

“Why didn’t you give us all this information when we agreed to go to school?” Auna was in MaryBeth’s study. The lady seemed to do most of the administration items of running their territory.

“We did not want to pressure you. You just needed to pass; we did give you more than enough study material to reach high scores as well. Our daughter took four years to read all of them properly.” Edward was sitting on the sofa; he had been reading a book.

“We weren’t supposed to read them all?” Cielas’ voice was small, and in shock. She had not enjoyed the last few months reading and studying.

“We did not expect you to, no. We thought you would read the ones that interested you. It would have given you enough marks to pass your first test. Ciela your test was even easier as you will be entering the preschool division.” Marybeth had put her quill down.

“Well, we did read them all. Now what?” Auna asked.

“Well, if you got the grades to start a major you should do that. It is rare but even pre-schoolers can start a major.” Marybeth smiled warmly, “Now go play it isn’t worth worrying about it until the results are out”.

The next day the whole group ventured to the school to see the results.

Auna stood at the result board at the front entrance of the school. It was massive there was a board for the preschool, the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 9th years. The 10th years had private final exams at the years end.

Right at the top of the 1st year board was Aunas’ name, she scored an overall 97%. Her magic test was 100%, combat and written were both 95%. A person named Jensen scored an overall 94%, his magic was 95%, combat 94%, and written was 93%.

Looking further she saw Merediths’ name. She had an overall score of 84%. Her magic was 91%, combat 70%, and her written was 89%. She had made the cut off for the Bloodwaves’ overall score and written. Auna could see the elders were not happy with her combat score. Meredith also looked disappointed she was not the representative of her year.

“I should have studied more instead of going to all those parties.” Meredith was sulking.

Auna looked over to the preschool board. Ciela had managed to score a 98% on her written, 100% on magic and 91% with combat. Her practical tests had been marked on an easier grading scale though it was still impressive. Her written was very impressive most of her group was in the 70% range. Her overall score was 96%, the top for her age group. She would be their representative.

Though the representative for her age range had very little responsibility. Auna would have to make an opening speech and be a part of the student council. The president was usually a higher year though so she would not have to worry too much.

“Girls, great job.” Samantha called over all three girls praising them for their grades equally.

“Here passing gifts.” She handed each girl a bag with a couple school uniforms, the official handbook, candies, and a customized hair accessory.

“It is tradition that all Bloodwaves get a hair accessory for their first passed test into the royal Jules academy.” Marybeth explained as she helped Auna tie her hair with a silver bow ribbon. The ribbon had a metal crescent moon clasp in the centre.

Ciela had been given a similar ribbon that was orange with a beautiful sun clasp. Meredith had a black ribbon with a bloodred flower shaped clasp.

“Even boys?” Ciela asked.

“Yes, though they usually get hair clips that dangle.” Marybeth was smiling brightly.

“We will get your class options tomorrow; they would have been sent out this morning. It will let us know which subjects you passed for study.” Edward ushered them to continue walking so others could get to the boards.

“Well, Auna are you excited?” Marybeth asked.

Auna could only shrug because behind her glasses her eyes were dewy. Oh, stop it they are only a little bit teary! Auna harshly scolded Mr. Voice.

The adults laughed slightly and began talking about their own school days.

“Hi AunaLuna, you bested me again in grades. I thought I had a leg up on you this time around!” A short boy with a very familiar voice had all heads twisting his way.

His bright red eyes were startling against his white hair streaked with blue and red. What was more startling was his wings, blue with sparks of red. He was the flickering boy.

“You must be mistaken child.” Edward sounded serious.

“Not at all, AunaLuna knows me, well a me.” He winked while a tall man with similar colouring patted his shoulder.

“Sorry Duke and Duchess Bloodwave. My child is cursed as a runaway please don’t take offense.” The man was bowing.

“I’m sorry Duke Pearl what does that curse have to do with him bothering my child.” Marybeth was scolding the other duke.

“Ah part of his curse is he is a wild child that will chase what fascinates him.” Duke Pearl smiled softly at Auna “Sorry if he bothered you dear.”

“Um Marybeth, I do know him. From my last world I think sorry.” Auna was holding on to her dress to get her attention.

“Oh? Well then I owe you both an apology for the misunderstanding as well.” Marybeth bowed back to Duke Pearl.

“Did I hear you call my child your child?” Count Jade walked up.

“She was presumed dead on your registry for a year, we are within our rights to sponsor her. And while she is under our sponsorship, she is considered our child.” Marybeth smiled gently as she ushered the children forwards. “Good day Count Jade.”

Auna looked behind her to see Jensen waving madly, she waved back at the boy gently.