Sorry for the incredibly long time that I have waited to update this story, but here it is!
The next day back at the private school is much worse than the past few days. The halls are filled with gossip and nerves. My swagger attracts some eyes as I cockily walk to my classroom. Mrs. Hara leans back in her chair, holding two letters clenched in her grip. We make eye contact and she gulps loudly. Her arm extends and I take hold of the envelope addressed to me. Hell yeah! I did it!
Kamiko furrows her brows and runs out of the class. I snicker, "Thanks for everything, Mrs. Hara, but I'm out. Peace."
The other girl, Charlie Landon, takes her letter and follows me. "I was told that there is a car out front for us. Were your parents trilled?"
I get she is trying to be nice, but this girl doesn't know me at all. I know her though. She is the captain of the soccer team and the lacross team, so it was no surprise that she got the other spot. Otomes have to be physically fit.
"Oh, I don't have a dad and my mom is a drunk, but I'm sure regular parents would be elated," I nervously brush my hair out of my face.
"Oh, well I'm glad for you. You deserve it more than most people. I'm glad that I made it with you," She smiles.
"Yeah, same," I blush a bit. We get in the car and arrive at Garderobe in Windbloom in a little less than an hour.
"Good afternoon, ladies. I have had the chance to meet you all over the past few weeks, and it is nice to see you again. This is the practice arena here at Garderobe. This is where you will perform one last test: The placement test. It will take a few hours. If any of you find the physical activities too grueling, either power through or quit. There is no shame in that. I will be testing your abilities to adapt and to fight. Good luck to you all."
Within the first 30 minutes, many girls give up and remove themselves from the school. I get that a lot of the girls were just sent by their rich family or their rich country, but they seem to give up too easily. That just means the odd of a higher ranking for me, so I'm not complaining.
Each of us has to also have a one-on-one with a current student from the coral class. It is my turn to go.
I take in a deep breath, preparing to win. I have to prove myself. I know I have the potential in me to become a meister. I have to become one! I focus on the other otome and hear Natsuki's voice more as a background sound yell start. Before she had time to finish the work, I am directly in front of my appontent. The girl is startled, surprised I nkow how to use my robe.
I slam the otome down from the column into the hard terrain below in one motion.
"That's enough, girls," Natsuki calls for me to come down. With her eyebrows raises, she grins, "Mizuki Chiba is the winner. In that case, Ms. Chiba, please wait off to the side. I will have a seperate task for you."
I step out of the way as most girls do not match half of the amount of force I have shown. I beat a current coral that easily. I surprised myself even.
Headmistress Natsuki excuses the rest of the girls, letting them know that the results will be decided and emailed out later in the day. They are sent to eat lunch as I am held back.
Natsuki turns to me, "Now, it's just us. So, how did you do that? You took her down like you have done that before."
"Well, I've been in fights before, just not with an otome. I don't really know how I moved that quickly, though. I think the suit helped me sort of."
"It reacts to the amount of energy of the otome inside. That was all you. Either way, it was quite exciting," Someone enters, making her turn her attention to her left. "Ah, she's here. This is pearl number 2, a member of trias, Chie Hallard."
Chie approches and extends a hand to me. I shake it a little nervous. "Ha, don't worry. I don't bite...hard," She winks.
I chuckle nervously and look down. Natsuki clears her throat, "I asked her to come down here to dual with you, Mizuki."
"Wait, woah, woah, is that necessary? How is that a fair fight? I am not even a coral yet. I know that pearl can fly and usually have a special move."
"Hmm, smart girl. Then in that case," Natsuki steps in close to me. I feel my chest rise and my cheeks flush. She wraps her arms around me. "Materialize."
My robe changes from red to gray. "There, now you are in a pearl robe. Do your best. Chie, you do your best as well." She materializes the pearl as well.
"Of course, Headmaster," Chie flies to the top of one column which is already raised. As I ascend one slolwly, I try to imagine flying. It is hard to grasp. Otome are so cool.
"Start!"
Oh shit. I wasn't as prepared this time. The othe girl charges foward, flying my way. I narrow my focus, pause, breathing deep. I pounce just as she nears me. One of the strings attached to my robe grabs her ankle, throwing her sideways into a column. It doesn't slow her down as rod slams into my right ribs, sending me falling down.
I call out in pain, but that pain motives me more. I growl and imagine myself flying again, except this time, I really am. I reach my fist up ready to punch her, but she grabs my wrist. She places a foot on my stomach and we drop quickly.
Oh god, she got me good. There is now a mizuki-shaped hole in the dirt. As the dust of the crash clears, a hand extends my way, "Great job, Mizuki Chiba. You did exceptionally well."
I take the hand as she pulls me up. The columns return to the ground around us and Natsuki saunters over. "Thank you, Chie. You may return to class now."
With that, the girl with glasses smiles at me and exits. Wow, that was intense.
"Now, you can go to lunch now. I'll announce your placement later. And Mizuki, I'm proud of you."
"Ne, Natsuki, don't make me blush!" I cross my arms and furrow my brows, making her chuckle.
Later, all students are called to the arena. Headmistress Natsuki and third pillar Shizuru Viola stand above us at a podium. Natsuki steps fowards, "Results for this new semester are now availiable. teachers are coming around now with your rank, your room number, and for some corals, your room duty assignment. Coongradulations, ladies. Shizuru?"
The tawny-haired woman approaches the post and many of the girls light up. "Thanks you, Headmistress. Classes will start Monday instead of today. We thought it would nice to have one last full weekend before we return. New students, make sure if you have any questions to ask you big sisters. If they cannot answer you or you have further question, all of the staff is here for you. Thank you."
An old teacher hands me a packet with my name on the cover, "Congradulations, Miss Mizuki. It seems you have done well."
I smile weakly and nod. The label reads:
Mizuki Chiba, number 15 pearl. room assistant: Mizuru Kruger
She's gonna kill me.