Author's Note: Hey all! I'm glad to all of you reading and those who took the time to review so far and enjoying this mini series. Well, nothing much more to report except for the fact I've been listening to a couple of Eyes On Me remixes. OCRemix is a good place. Anyways…

Disclaimer: How can I really say this…? I. Do. Not. Own. Final. Fantasy. VIII. Period.

Enjoy!

/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/

To Be Magic

Chapter III: Singing Your Last Lullaby

/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/

Rinoa seemed very hopeful that she'll succeed in the SeeD training classes. She validated her hopes and aspirations by making her way on to the top of all of her classes. Squall and the educational counsel eventually moved her to the advanced classes. Rinoa breezed through them, due to her sorceress powers. Other students were jealous, some ego fanatical ones labeled her as a cheater, as she had several powerful GFs equipped from the time compression journey. Because of this, she was still a social outcast outside her circle of friends. That's all what she needed. Her friends… and Squall.

I should really give Squall a visit, to show him my progress. To show him… That I'm satisfying my strengths to defeat my fears. Rinoa eventually reached to the door of Squall's office and stopped for a moment. But… I still fear my sorcery. It will possess me again. Squall will come running, only to get killed… by me… She hesitated before raising her hand to knock, but decided against it. She turned around to leave only to see a smiling Selphie bounding towards her. She's always so cheerful. So carefree.

"Hiya Rinny! How've you been?" Selphie asked with a smile so bright, it lit the darkness of Rinoa's heart.

Rinoa smiled back, alleviated of her thoughts momentarily. "I've been fine, Selphie. What're you doing here?"

"Oh, I was on my way to invite everyone to a little get together later on. Wanna come?"

"Sure! What time and where?"

"Tonight at 8 at my dorm!"

"Ok, I'll be there," she was happy that she still had her friends. She did not care for other peoples' opinion anymore. One step closer to strength…

"Great! Now if you would excuse me…" Selphie began. Rinoa nodded and started to walk off.

I don't have anymore classes for the rest of the day, so I should go to my room and get to my studies for tonight. I'll tell everyone about my achievements in my classes then. Rinoa thought with a smile on her way to her room.

She got to her room, and took a quick shower. After she came out and dried herself, there was a knock at her door. She answered it to reveal a delivery man.

"Good day, Ms. Heartily. You have a package from Dr. Odine."

"Oh, its finally here. Thank you," Rinoa signed for it and tipped the man.

/-/-/-/-/

"Hello? Is Dr. Odine there?"

"Is this important?"

"Yes, it regards his latest experiment, the Sorceress Requiem Braclet."

"Please hold."

"Yeeez?"

"Dr. Odine, this is Rino-"

"Ah, yez, ze zorzerezz. You want to control your power, no?"

"Yes, could you please tell me more about your experiment?"

"Ah, yez. Zis brazlet will allow you to channel your zorzerezz powerz into ze realms ov reality. Zis will take ze powerz and form with your mind in order to reproduce your zoughts momentarily. Alzo, it will make your inner zubconzious come out also. For ze example, you equeep ze brazlet and you are thinking of training your powerz to make them stronger and into your control. Zis will take form of whatever you wish. Any questionz?"

"So… if I were to, say, wanting to alter reality completely…"

"No. You cannot do zat. And ze reason iz because that it would change all reality, not ze intended effect of power manifestation."

"…I see."

"And remember, zis iz ztill in ze beta, and you are still willing to test zis, yez?"

"Yes. I am."

"Good. I will send zis to you immediately." Click.

/-/-/-/-/

Knock knock. "Hey! Rinny! It's late! Are you ready?"

No answer.

"Rinoa!" called Selphie again.

Still no answer.

"What's the matter! I'm coming in!" And Selphie walked in, only to reveal a shocking surprise. Rinoa was absent. "…? Maybe she's in the library still studying?" She took out her cell phone and called Irvine to see if he saw Rinoa.

"No… sorry, I suggest you have Squall call her on the intercom."

And she did just that.

"Rinoa Heartily, please report to the Commander's office."

10 minutes later, no sign of Rinoa.

They waited longer.

Still no response.

"Where IS she? I'm going to run a student locator scan in through the entire Garden," Squall responded to everyone's worried expressions.

There was no trace of Rinoa.

/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/

Aha! A cliffhanger! Well, you'll just have to wait and see where Rinoa really is. Then… -starts writing the next chapter-