Students of Crocus Academy of Magic are classified into two classes: Caster or Holder. Caster Magic is expelled from the body while Holder Magic requires an external source to produce the magic. Under these two classes are several sub-classes.
In Juvia's case, she is classified as Caster, sub-class Elemental and her specialization is Water. In her past life, she choses Assassin as her second specialization. But in this life, she would chose Wizard.
Preoccupied by a lot of things, she had forgotten that the Crown Prince also chose Wizard as his second specialization and it would be inevitable for them to be in the same class. But it was too late to regret since she had already submitted her application. She could only grit her teeth and enter the classroom.
She was one of the first few students to arrive. Sighing in relief, she chose to sit in the middle of room. With the Crown Prince's personality, he would definitely chose to sit at the front or at the back. It would be safe to be in the middle to avoid interactions.
After a while, her guess had been proven to be correct. Crown Prince Gray arrived and chose to sit at the front. Juvia felt the load in her chest lighten as she sat back on her seat after curtsying to the royal prince.
Juvia soon forgot his presence when the class started. Since it was a new specialization, the curriculum was totally different from her past life. She was eager to learn since power would allow her to avoid a lot of troubles in the future.
When the class ended, she grabbed her books and went out. She had an appointment with Lisanna today, they would be eating lunch at the gazebo together with Lucy and Meredy.
Ever since the tea party, Lisanna would always invite her and Lucy to small gatherings with her friends. Juvia was not stupid not to know she wanted to get close to her. She had expected this reaction since the beginning so she was not at all surprise. Still, she had pretended to be overwhelmed by the honor for the first few days then gradually acted like they became the closest of friends. She still kept her naive and lively persona in front of them.
She was already in the hallway when someone called her name.
"Juvia..."
She stopped on her tracks when she heard the familar voice. How could she forget? Those voice haunted her dreams and now even her reality. Various questions entered her mind but she forced to suppressed them.
Calming herself she turned around to see the Crown Prince looking at her like how he looked at a subject, holding a paper in his hand that appeared to be a copy of her specialization form.
Juvia did not know how to feel at that moment. She should feel happy that he did not remember anything, for their past had been full of torment and treachery. But to see the man you loved with all your heart, gazing at you without the passion and longing he had always have was something even Juvia did not anticipate to hurt her.
She thought she was ready. She believed she would be able to look at him straight and let go of all the things they both owe each other. But once her name came out from his lips, she expectantly thought what if... he was also...?
Her hands clenched her skirt. You are hopeless, Juvia.
Gray walked towards her and handed her the paper. It was a copy of her form, with her name on it. She mispelled something the first time so she just stuck it inside one of her books the other day, totally forgetting to get rid of it. It must have fallen when she was in a hurry to go out.
"You dropped this, Lady Juvia."
She avoided his gaze and accepted the paper with a curtsy. "I thank Your Royal Highness."
"What are you doing? Are you bullying my friend?" A female voice queried, her rapid steps were loud enough for them to hear.
Juvia straightened her back and caught sight of Meredy and Lisanna. Meredy was frowning, her cold gaze on Gray as she approached. She placed herself between Juvia and Gray, facing him as if protecting her cub.
Juvia pressed her lips to prevent a smile. She was aware that presently, Meredy had no feelings of friendship with her. The pink-haired girl was only doing this because she hated Gray so much, she wanted to humiliate him every chance she got.
No matter, their arrival saved Juvia.
Meredy, even in this life you are rescuing me.
Gray did not answer, apparently used to it. He left without saying a word, outright ignoring Meredy, his own niece.
Meredy snorted as her eyes lingered on his retreating back.
"Alright, let it go, Meredy. We must leave for the garden," Lisanna broke the silence. She gave Juvia a grin, "We are here to fetch you. Come on! Lucy is waiting."
Both Juvia and Meredy were pulled along by Lisanna.
In the gazebo, the four of them conversed as they ate their lunch. Juvia was surprised that the food was as delicious as they looked. The taste was also familiar. It was safe to assume that Lisanna was placing importance to their relations since she specifically ordered the Strauss family head chef to cook a lunch for them. After all, the Strauss' head chef was exclusive to serve those that the family deemed important. For a little get together of four 12 years old ladies, albeit one princess in the midst, a simple meal should be enough. It wasn't necessary to be this extravagant.
"Right, Lisanna, how was your sister's preparation for the examination?" Meredy asked as she put down her glass on the table.
Lisanna beamed, "It is going well, Princess. My sister is confident she will win the S-class grade title."
The one Meredy was pertaining to was the examination that happens yearly for the seniors to test their abilities. They would be divided into four groups and be sent to different locations to complete missions. Only one student in each group has the chance to be hailed as S-class grade grauduate.
Of course, being an S-class grade graduate and S-class mage are not similiar. S-class grade graduate only has the potential of being S-class mage in the future, but it does not mean they will be.
Still, it was essential for seniors to partake in the exam and win the glorious title. Because after graduating, S-class grade graduates are given priority in everything. The missions they would be provided were tailor-made for them, ensuring not only their capablities' progress but also their safety. Resources would be bountiful and never lacking. They would even be secretly protected by the imperial family's guards until they were able to protect themselves.
So it is not entirely wrong to call them future S-class mages.
"That is reassuring," Meredy said with a nod. "Do tell her to be careful not to get hurt. I heard the exam this time will be twice as difficult as the last one."
"I have heard that rumour as well," Lucy added. "They say, the seniors this year are particularly powerful so the academy increased the difficulty."
Juvia swallowed her food and joined in the conversation. "When the time comes, we must watch them together. We are gonna cheer for your sister, Lisanna."
"I agree," said Meredy.
Lisanna was moved. This was her friends' thoughtfulness so she also agreed. Lucy was not to be beaten, she suggested they bring lost of foods and even blankets since the exam is going to take a while.
In Juvia's last life, Mirajane was not hailed as an S-class grade graduate. Albeit she did become an S-class mage eventually, that loss had become a stain in her past.
Subconsciously, Juvia's hand clenched tightly on the utensils as she vaguely remembered what happened before. It was a tragedy in disguise. She must not let Mirajane be defeated this time.