24 Final Exam Day (2/2)

”I'm open to any plan!”

”Celestial Summons not only fight for their master but can also become one with them.” Ruby changed into a bright red ball, which melted inside of Maria's chest. 'Wha... Something is happening inside of me!' Maria felt a surge of powerful energy flowing through her veins, a huge blaze of bright crimson flames were summoned forth and shielded her in a large ball.

The small audience that was watching did not expect what they had just witnessed. Once the ball of crimson flames disappeared, Maria's grandfather saw that his granddaughter was unharmed from the event that just took place.

Smirking at the interesting sight before, Maria's grandfather made a request.”Matilda, how about letting Maria stay here for the entire week?”

”It seems you and I are on the same page. I also think letting Maria camp out in the forest will be of great help as well.”

”Ara, despite your huge affection and love for Maria, when it comes to training, you two can be quite strict,” giggled Maria's grandmother. Sadly the main subject of this conversation had no clue about what was taking place. Because if she did, she would've glared at the both of them and called them Spartans!

For that entire week, Maria camped out in the Xale Forest, a horrendous experience that she would never forget. At the end of the week, Maria said goodbye to her grandparents and returned back to the capital. After returning back from her break, Maria learned she wasn't the only one training throughout the week, as was Mai and even Julian.

Classes continued on at Diamond Academy, and before anyone knew it, the semester was finally over, and it was time for the Elementary Division's Final Exam Day. Maria sat in between her two best friends as the Final Exam took place on a large floating arena. Down below from the spectator stands, Maria could spot the large octagonal stage.

Looking around, Maria saw how even with the entire Elementary Division present, only one-fourth of the arena was filled up. With students chatting amongst each, it was clear to Maria that anxiety was prominent amongst most of the students that were present. Though, Mai was excluded from that list. ”Yosh! I'm ready to show the results of my training with Nee-sama!”

”I don't feel so well. I'm so nervous that I want to throw up,” groaned a pale-faced Julian, clutching his stomach.

”Hang in there, Julian, you're not the only one feeling nervous.” Maria patted him on the head, missing how his cheeks flushed a light shade of pink.

Hearing heels descend across the stage, Maria saw it was the same lady from the Opening Ceremony. ”Hello, students of Diamond Academy, as most of know, today is your Final Exam. It will be overseen by every teacher in the Elementary Division, along with the Headmaster of Diamond Academy.”

She spoke into the microphone, and standing beside her was a handsome, familiar-looking man, that caused the three friends' eyes to pop out of their sockets from shock.

”H-He was the headmaster?!” exclaimed Mai.

”And to think we talked back to him! We're so screwed! He definitely has a bad opinion of us now.” Julian cried into his hands.

'Why does bad luck tend to befall on me?!' silently wept Maria. When the woman passed over the mic, the Headmaster began to speak next.

”For those of you wishing to move up a grade, you better show peerless results. Meaning that I'm expecting each and every last one of you to not fail. Diamond Academy is full of stars, some more radiant than the others. We have no place for the weak.”

The pressure that came from those words felt as if a mountain was crushing them. Julian looked as if he was on the verge of passing out and so did a majority of the students. Those filled with nothing but confidence remained calm or were grinning like Mai, itching to show off their skills. Fists balled tight, Maria felt just as anxious as Julian, nowhere near as confident as Mai, but a determined glint flashed in those emerald eyes.

”I... refuse to fail.”