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"How truly lonely you are, only watching birds that are a world away from you."

Heroes Graves

"I didn't know the Academy had a place like this."

Wake nodded as she stood, looking at the flowers that she had placed in the slot of a newly filled grave. The room was small, large cabinets lining the walls, filled with the ashes of fallen Disciples. She didn't know how she found this place, but she had felt drawn to it. Turning to Chlotz she gave the boy a sad look.

"It's supposedly a graveyard for Disciples who don't have a home to return to."

"It's sad that they don't have a home to return to..."

Wake nodded as she began moving through the building, moving her hand to point at a section of the wall.

"My hometown was destroyed by a Nest. When I die, I'll be buried here."

Chlotz almost seemed shocked at the statement, his voice shaking as he began talking.

"What about your parents?"

"Monsters killed my parents, and my friends. My only sister died the night of her wedding..."

Wake's fist clenched as she gritted her teeth. Chlotz noticed tears building up in the girl's eyes, but he remained quiet so she could continue.

"She died protecting me from a monster that broke its way into our home. Her white dress...wasn't white anymore..."

Wake chuckled as she turned from her friend, but Chlotz knew that the girl was starting to cry remembering that.

"That sight, her holding me while the monster tore into her...I will never forget it."

Wake again clenched her fists as her sadness was quickly replaced by rage. Her whole body seemed to shake as she turned to Chlotz.

"As long as I can still fight, I will never let these monsters get away by living."

"I see...I'm sorry for asking such a hard question."

The silver haired girl paused, a smile finding its way to her as she began walking out of the building. Chlotz hurried after her, and managed to catch up as the girl began muttering under her breath.

"I just want this world to have peace. So she will forgive me for being a useless God's Gift."

Chlotz didn't speak at first, but he soon smiled as he patted the girl's back. Wake looked to him and returned his smile.

However, as the two left the building, they didn't notice a certain pink haired girl hiding around the corner. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she quickly hurried off.

Road to Aterra Academy (Several Days Later)

Wake hummed to herself as she walked along the route to the Academy, looking out to the ocean as she enjoyed her morning. However, a commotion several yards away from her caused her to shift her attention from the sea to a small group of people ahead of her. She tilted her head as she heard one of the group yelling at another.

"Wonder what's going on over there?"

The person of the group who was being yelled at was a tall boy with a disheveled uniform. The person doing the yelling was a short girl with exceedingly long sky blue hair that faded to white halfway down her back. Wake noticed she had the S-Rank uniform, however she had two different colors of stripes, red and brown. At some point the boy held up his hands as he had a exhausted look to him.

"Hold up, little lady!"

The girl's demeanor changed almost instantly, causing Wake to tilt her head. The girl stopped shouting, and instead stood quiet. Wake could almost feel the blood lust coming from the girl where she was standing.

"Sorry, but I'm in a hurry. If you're hitting on someone, try somebody else."

"Don't be like that," the boy said as he gave the girl a hungry smile; "isn't that the Academy uniform? It's so cute on you. Just hang out with me for a while."

Wake then began to quicken her pace, easily becoming annoyed by the boy. However what then happened caused the girl to pause.

"A cute little first-year like you-"

Faster than even Wake could follow the girl spun and launched a kick into the boy's leg. She could even hear the bone snap from where she was standing. The boy cried out in pain as he fell to the ground, however the girl caught his collar and held him up.

"What was that? I'm a third-year. And you need to show some respect."

The girl then dropped the boy and began walking away, leaving the boy writhing on the ground as the boy's friends watched her leave. Wake whistled as she continued her walk, passing by the boys and admiring the girl's handiwork.

"That girl's got skills. I really didn't expect her to take him out in one hit."

Headmaster's Office

"High Priest, did you call for me?"

Wake moved into the room and stood at attention before Mattero's desk. The old man smiled and chuckled as he nodded.

"Always so serious. Yes, I have a favor to ask of you."

Wake watched as the man reached into his desk and pulled out a letter. he placed it on the desk and motioned towards it.

"The fact of the matter is...The President of AngelMarker wishes to meet you. Apparently, he wishes to see the hero that sterilized a Dusk Circle."

"Me?"

The priest nodded as he leaned back in his chair, something seemingly bugging him, but he retained his smile as he continued speaking.

"The broadcast stations will be filming the meting. He'll want a big to-do. Always trying to connect everything he does with his business. That said, I'm sure this meeting is part of another one of his corporation's publicity stunts."

Wake shook her head as she gave the man behind the desk a bewildered look.

"You understand that, and you're still going to allow it? How is his business related to our duty of exterminating monsters?"

Mattero held up a hand and the girl fell silent, he shook his head before continuing.

"It's all about vested interests. I'm sorry, but you're dragged into it this time."

"I understand. If you're giving me an order, then I'll do it."

"Then I'll be counting on you."

Second-year Classroom

As Wake finished the last of her assignments she could see Chlotz shaking with excitement at what she had just told him. She honestly couldn't figure out why he was excited for a simple meeting.

"That's so awesome! Your face is going to be broadcast across the entire world!"

"How did I know you were going to say that?"

"Come on, think about this! AngelMarker Industries is the mega-corporation that built Fort City. Rumor says that all of this Academy's funding comes from AngelMarker."

Wake looked up from her work, almost surprised at the information Chlotz was spilling out.

"You know a lot about this."

"I'm not a part-time at AngelMarker for nothing. Although, I've never met President Rhiod Marker myself. When's the meeting going to be?"

"Tomorrow. Pretty sudden if you ask me."

President's Office (Next Day)

Wake flinched at the constant flashing of cameras from the over abundant news stations. She was honestly beginning to wonder how people do this regularly if she couldn't last twenty minutes. She was so concentrated on this problem that she lost half of what the President was actually saying.

"The extermination of all the monsters within the Dusk Circles, this is the wish of all of the people of this world. AngelMarker Industries will continue to strive to develop technology to aid you. I then ask that you Disciples, in turn, put these technologies to good use."

The President honestly didn't seem like such a bad man, but Wake was starting to see what Mattero had meant. This man was turning everything into a business proposal. and she really didn't know how to handle that.

"I have high hopes for your continued efforts."

Upon realizing that the last statement was directed at her, the girl quickly gave a salute to the man,

"I will do my best to meet your expectations."

Walking out of the building when the meeting was over, Wake let out a loud sigh as she put a hand to her heart.

"Who knew that being on camera was so...exhausting?"

Stopping Wake looked up into the crowd of retreating reporters and quickly spotted a familiar girl talking to the President.

"Is that Alec? Why is she talking to President Marker?"

Deciding that she wanted to know what they were talking about, she quickly sneaked towards them. When she was in earshot she stopped moving and remained quiet.

"I will be returning to the Academy now."

Rhiod nodded as he put a hand on the girl's shoulder.

"The appearance of the God's Gift has little impact. You are still the best Disciple."

"I understand."

"Do not let me down."

Alec shook her head as she frowned.

"There is no need to worry. Please excuse me...Father."

With that Alec bowed and proceeded to walk into the crowd, Wake noticed that the President seemed a little disappointed, but he didn't do anything else before also walking off.

"Huh, so Alec is Mr. Marker's daughter."

Second-year Classroom

"Hey Wake, I saw you on the broadcast! It's amazing that you got to meet the president of AngelMarker! And I'm jealous!"

Wake looked up from her notebook to the two Disciples that stood at her desk. She honestly found it bad that she couldn't recall the two's names. Honestly, today was a day where everyone was staring to blend together. The second of the two raised his fist into the air as he laughed.

"I can't wait to be an S-Rank and make a name for myself! I want to be famous, too!"

Wake simply sighed as she rested her chin in her hand.

"I honestly just want a nap. That was a bit nerve-wracking to be honest."

"Hey, Superstar! Let me borrow you for a second."

Turning she was surprised to see Chlotz standing behind her. The red haired boy grabbed her arm and pulled her from her seat. Wake honestly felt too exhausted to argue, so she simply let the boy drag her along. the two other Disciples however seemed to get rather annoyed at this.

"What the hell, Chlotz!? We're having a conversation here!"

"Sorry, but we've got urgent business to take care of."

That snapped Wake out of her exhaustion. She spun to face him as her expression became serious.

"What is the urgent business?"

"Let's get out of the class and I'll tell you."

Wake followed Chlotz out of the room, beginning to worry what the boy could have wanted from her. The two moved throughout the building until they ended up in the entrance hall. Chlotz then stopped and turned to Wake with a smile. Worried she inched closer.

"What's the urgent business about?"

"I saw the meeting," Chlotz began; "you looked so nervous."

Wake's eye twitched as she sighed, the exhaustion returning somewhat.

"You just wanted to talk about that too?"

"No. This isn't about that. The Qualifying Exam for the third-year Elites was held yesterday."

The silver haired girl really didn't understand what Chlotz was getting at, so she simply tilted her head at his statement. Noticing this, the red haired boy chuckled.

"One of the female Disciples was promoted to S-Rank. I would assume you'd be curious what kind of girl she would be. We could go and find her."

"Chlotz, you aren't just doing this to get a girlfriend are you? If that's the case you can go and see her yourself."

Chlotz continue to smile as Wake stretched, attempting to wake up.

"Man, don't be like that. Aren't you the least bit interested? C'mon!"

Chlotz gave her a pleading look, and she sighed again as she smiled back. She was starting to get annoyed at how easily her friends could get her to do things.

"Fine. She better be adorable though. I've been looking to hug someone."

"What about Isana?"

"She's been busy at AngelMarker for the last couple days. And I really need a hug."

"I can hug you."

"No."

Chlotz just shook his head as he lead the girl to the third-year classrooms.

Third-year Classroom

Chlotz threw open the door and hurried inside, with Wake following closely behind him. The girl shook her head as she moved to stand beside him.

"You know, the only reason you got away with that was because it's break."

"Shush! I said we won't talk about it."

Wake's eyes narrowed as she turned away from the boy.

"Fine, so, which one's the new S-Rank?"

"It's supposedly a girl named Serina...but she's a third-year, so she's got to be a super hot girl with bi-"

Wake slapped a hand over the boy's mouth as she sighed.

"Enough already, Chlotz."

The boy gave her a look before pulling Wake's hand away from his mouth.

"Well, I don't see anyone around that looks like that, anyway. Did she go home already?"

"Maybe she just isn't what your imagination's making her out to be?"

Before Chlotz could respond a third-year walked towards with a small smile. Wake returned the smile as she again placed a hand over Chlotz's mouth. The girl raised an eyebrow, but she began speaking.

"You're the God's Gift, Wake! What brings you to the third-year classroom?"

"We were hoping to see the new S-Rank who had been promoted because of the exam."

"Ah, you mean Serina," the girl paused as she turned back to the class; "Serina! God's Gift is here to see you!"

There was no movement at her words, so the girl turned back to the two with a confused expression.

"Hm, she was here a moment ago."

As she said this another third-year walked past, stopping as the girl looked even more confused.

"Serina said that she was going to stop by the library before she headed home."

At this point Chlotz managed to pry Wake's hand away from his mouth. He had a large smile as he turned to Wake.

"The library, huh? If we hurry, we might be able to catch her. Let's go!"

Wake then watched as the boy ran from the room, shaking her head she returned her attention to the two girls and bowed.

"I thank you for the help."

Standing back up Wake also hurried from the room to follow her friend. The second of the two girls then turned to the first and gave the girl a look.

"So, was she as beautiful as you thought she was?"

"Yeah. Why do you sound so angry?"

"Because you're fawning over her!"

"So?"

"WE'RE DATING!"

Library

"I wonder if Serina's here. We could split up, I'l look in back!"

Wake turned to inform her friend that that was a terrible idea, but he was already gone. Sighing she began walking through the rows of bookshelves. When she passed the section on science fiction, she stopped as she realized something.

"Wait, how and I supposed to know who she is? I mean, nothing of what Chlotz said sounds right at all."

Turning a corner Wake paused as she spotted a familiar Disciple. The girl from two days ago was leaning against a bookshelf, standing on the tips of her toes as she attempted to reach a book.

"It's...just...out of reach!"

Wake blinked, but she quickly began walking towards the girl, hoping to help. When she ended up behind the girl she smiled.

"If you'd like, I can help."

"Huh?"

The girl stopped and turned towards Wake with a blank expression. Wake smiled as she gestured to the shelf.

"You sound like you need some help reaching that book."

"Oh...Thanks for your concern. But it's okay. I'll get it myself."

The girl then turned back to the shelf and then began reaching for a book again. Wake tilted her head as she watched the girl continue in her struggle. She had to hold back a giggle when the girl started hopping.

"Oh, she is so cute..."

"C'moooooon...Dang it, I'm so close!"

"Look," Wake moved forward; "I'll get it for you. Here."

Wake reached past the girl, however the girl began to growl.

"Agh...Hey, don't get in my way-"

With that the girl hopped again, however this time she didn't land correctly. She stumbled backwards and collided with Wake. The silver haired girl's eyes went wide as she began to fall back. The two hit the floor with a thud and Wake's vision went blurry. The girl groaned as Wake shook her head. She moved her hand to steady herself, ending up on something soft.

"Owww..."

"Sorry...you alright?"

"Yeah, it's nothing. Wait...Get your hand off of me!"

Wake's head snapped up and her eyes widened as she noticed where her hand was. She had unintentionally groped the girl. Blushing she quickly dropped her hand and chuckled as she met the annoyed stare of the girl.

"Sorry, didn't mean to do that..."

The girl growled as she stood up, wrapping her arms around her chest as she turned away.

"Pervert."

Standing as wall, Wake scratched the back of her head as she leaned against a bookshelf.

"I am sorry."

"Apologizing won't help anything!"

Wake opened her mouth to again apologize, but the girl quickly spun and slapped Wake. Stumbling Wake put a hand on a shelf to keep herself from falling again.

"Yikes...She slapped the God's Gift. That's some girl."

The two turned to see Chlotz walking towards them. Upon realizing what the boy had said the girl turned towards Wake.

"She's the God's Gift? Well, now that you mention it, she does look familiar."

"I'm sorry...It really was an accident..."

The girl gave Wake a look before quickly deflating, her anger seemingly vanishing in an instant.

"I know...I'm sorry I slapped you so hard."

Wake smiled, nodding as she reached past the girl. Pulling out the book that she had been reaching for. Turning she handed it to the girl.

"Here, this is the book you were reaching for."

Chlotz leaned forward and caught a glimpse of the book title. Wake turned towards the boy with a raised eyebrow.

"What?"

"Oho! Using Star Energy to Enhance Your Chest!?"

Wake's attention snapped to the book and back to the girl, she could see the anger again.

"You moron! That isn't the book I was looking for!"

The girl's attention then briefly shifted to Wake's chest before she turned and stormed off. Wake pulled the book close as she looked at the title again.

"It wasn't? I'm pretty sure it was..."

Chlotz sighed as Wake put the book back onto the shelf, he seemed rather irritated.

"I guess we couldn't find our new beautiful teammate after all."

Oh well," Wake also sighed; "let's just give up for now."

Wake patted the boy on the back as the two left the library. However, as she consoled her friend, her thoughts again returned to the book.

"Why would our library even have a book like that?"

Another chapter complete, I hope you enjoyed!

I have no idea why it took so long to get to this.

Hopefully it is now shown why I cut the last chapter when I did.

Also, I'm going to go back and fix the errors of the previous chapters. So look forward to that?

Again, I hope you enjoyed,

Have a nice day!