A/N: Normally thanks go at the end, but I want the end statement to be the last one, because powerful last sentence are usually lost by stupid author notes. So… Thank you to Mireekian, for the basic idea.

I realize that there are probably a lot of mistakes, but it's 11 at night, and I'm going to bed. The next, and final, chapter should be up tomorrow.

Trisana Chandler walked into her 3rd class of the day at Lightbridge University. She was really looking forward to philosophy with Professor Clearwater. Philosophy was an optional course for mage studies, and she enjoyed it. They were now on moral philosophy. Tris liked it because it's a lot easier to control your temper when you know a rational solution for a problem, instead of getting mad. Professor Clearwater made the course enjoyable and easy but mentally challenging. They had many debates, discussions, and write ups all on aspects of life and reasons. Today they were starting personality traits.

"All right class, take your seats." Professor Clearwater, paused a moment as every one sat down and stopped their conversations. "Today we get to start personality traits. I know, it doesn't sound like it has to do with philosophy but we're getting there. Can anyone tell me some personality traits?"

Answers were shouted out from all across the class, as the Professor pointed to each student. "Humility." "Niceness." "Love." "Stubbornness." "Shy" "Outgoing." Happy." "Faith." "Self-centered."

Tris had doubts that some of these were actual personality traits, and that 'niceness' was actually a word. Apparently Professor Clearwater agreed as he said. "Bryce, niceness is not a good tense of the verb to use. Some of those others aren't really personality traits, but are more different aspects of how people live their lives. You should know the difference by now. One last one from… Joshua."

"Bravery."

"Ah, my favourite one. What is bravery?" The class was silent. "I want an essay on what you think bravery is. This is worth forty percent of your final grade, so put some thought into it. It can be any length you want: one paragraph, one page, 5 pages, even 20 pages; just get your point across. You may leave when you are done, or in 2 hours. If you're not finished then, I expect it first thing tomorrow. Go."

Every one got out paper and started writing furiously. Tris wrote down the title, her name and the date and thought before she started writing.

What is bravery? After everything I've gone though I should know. Is bravery blindly performing magic to try and survive? Is it doing every thing in your power to try and help people to live? Is it defending your home against pirates, or protecting your friends at risk to yourself? Is it killing to save lives, even though that's your greatest fear? Is it trying to help your friend fit back in with their old life, or blindly trying to help a friend divert a forest fire? Is it trying to get rid of a fire strong enough to kill thousands, to help a friend and 50 people live? Is it doing everything you can to stop an illness, no matter how small your job is? Is it trying to save a friend from death, and being their only anchor to life? Is it getting your mage licence at 14, and having to defend every step of the way? Is it dealing with your fears to help a student learn the best? Is it doing everything you can to do the right thing, because only you can do it? Is it learning new, unexplainable magic that most people go insane just attempting? Is it taking on a new student, despite personal issues?

I think bravery is having the courage to do the unexpected, and almost impossible thing, that most people would never even consider and doing it in a heartbeat, because you know it's what you have to do. But it's that and so much more. What can I put? What can I put?

Tris considered just writing down everything that she had thought, but she knew that wasn't the right answer. Suddenly it came to her, and she knew it was right. She wrote down what she had though of, gathered her things, handed the page to an amazed Professor and was the first to leave the class.

It took a moment for Professor Clearwater to get over his shock. He had assigned this essay every year for as long as he had been teaching, and no one who was done in less than 1 hour ever passed. Trisana had taken under 10 minutes.

She was one of his best students; he had hoped that she would put more thought into it. He had been really looking forward to reading what she would write, but was a little disappointed that she finished so soon.

As he looked down at Trisana Chandler's final two word answer, he had to smile.