AN: I sincerely apologize for taking so long to get this chapter out, all my Professors decided that it would appropriate to make their finals papers. It really crushed my muse for a bit. Ironic considering the chapter's subject... This is just hilarious timing. This was planned in summer and it still managed to match up.

Year 1: Tested

Azure's POV

"UGH!" I drop onto my bed after another annoying final.

I just want to sleep.

(We have Professor Sky's final in three days. You can't afford to.)

Not in the mood to do this Rex. Talk to me like someone NORMAL, or shut the Hell up with the commentary.

He goes silent, and I question whether or not he actually gave up until I hear him knocking on the door.

I open it and he walks in. "You do realize if you don't get a good grade on this one, you'll fail the course?"

"Like I fucking care."

"Try to. If you don't pass all the classes, you won't graduate."

I snort. "I don't particularly want to be a Huntress, remember? If I take an extra year or two, I don't give a damn."

Rex raises his hands in exaggerated surrender. "Fine, I tried to help." He walks out the door, stating "You probably wouldn't pass if you tried anyways."

What?

"Hold it right there Rex. I could pass this test no problem. Hell, I can ace it!"

"Care to make a wager?"

"I bet I can ace this final without your help. If I win, you will act as my butler for the entire summer break!"

"And if I win... well, you won't enjoy what I have planned." Images of Rex's punishment filter through my head and I shudder.

"All the more incentive to win."

Rex closes the door and I open up my text book.

(Revelation in 3...2...1...)

HE FUCKING TRICKED ME!

"I can't believe you managed to be this far behind on the material, Azure."

"Sorry, Haley. I guess that growing up on the streets shouldn't have interfered with a formal education." The two of us were using the library in attempt to study.

"I already agreed to help you, so that really isn't helping with the matter."

"Sorry. Its just... I have no prior schooling, and I'm lucky to be literate. Science is something I have no idea of."

"Look it's simple. All you need to know here is..."

She helps me with the material for an hour, although the progress is frustratingly slow.

I sigh. "I am never going to pass this test."

"You never really cared about the tests before. What's so special about this one?"

"I made a stupid bet with Rex. We take our word very seriously."

Before Haley can reply, Artic walks up to us. "Well, hello Azu-"

"Fuck off."

"You don't even know what I was going to say."

I rest my head in my hand. "Given your track record, it was either a flirt, or asking me out. Either case, the answer is no. So, I repeat; Get the fuck away from us."

As he walks away I mutter, "He does remember I held weapons to his throat when we first met, right?"

"Some people are into power like that."

"That just makes for an unhealthy relationship. From me, that it saying something."

Haley chuckles. "So, you want to keep going on the test?"

"Nah, its time for lunch. I can pick up afterwards."

When we get our food, Rex and Jason were already at our table, arguing as usual. I chuckle. "Rex must be having a good day, he hasn't punched you yet."

Jason rolls his eyes. "At this point, I feel like punching him." However, they have settled down.

The faintest hint of a smile appears on Rex's face. "And we all know how that would turn out. So Azure, Haley; how is the studying going?"

Haley is about to reply when we all realize what Rex said. She turns to look at me. "Did he just... call me Haley?"

"I think so. Are we certain this is Rex?"

Rex shakes his head. "That is your name."

The rest of us just exchange glances at each other. What parallel world have we stumbled into?

Jason is the first to respond. "Its just... you always call everyone besides Azure by their last names."

"Shut up, Breech."

And like that, order has returned to the world.

(Not funny Azure.)

No, seriously, what made you start using Haley instead of Onyx?

Rex stands up and starts walking away. "I think we're done here."

I give up. I am not going to pass this test the proper way. So, time to go back to my roots.

I am walking through the halls late at night, heading towards Professor Sky's office. I just need to wait till I know she isn't there, and I can get a copy of the test.

As luck would have it, I see her leaving the room before heading off. Thank you, luck.

The door is locked, but that doesn't really matter to someone like me. I simply Shift to the other side of the door. So much more fun then picking locks.

I head onto the computer and pull up the final. All I need to do now is sync this to my scroll and I have an easy A.

I take out my scroll, but when I go to hit the sync, my finger pauses. Why am I hesitating? This is what I came here for.

...

Do I feel... guilty?

...

What the hell is wrong with me? I'm supposed to be a Huntress, yet here I am cheating to win a bet with Rex. I can't believe how pathetic I am.

I walk away from the computer. I am going to play this right.

Once I leave the room, I turn around to see the Headmaster standing in front of me.

"Hello Miss Raptor, a lovely evening, isn't it?"

"...Yes it is."

"A shame to spend it all looking through a teacher's files."

I sigh. "Just tell me how much trouble I'm in."

"None at all."

What?

"We've been expecting this since day one, Miss Raptor. We didn't expect it would take the entire year untill you pull this kind of thing, and you manage to avoid actually committing the crime. So no punishment is needed."

"You have to be kidding me."

"Those of us in the know about you have been watching to see if you would regress to your... less than desirable habits. Minus a few slip-ups early on, which we attributed to adjustment, you've been a decent student. Miss Raptor, you are a brilliant individual with a bright future. You have a sense of pride and determination. You set goals for yourself, and when you meet them, you pick harder ones. If you invest that energy into being a Huntress, I have no doubt you'd become a legend for the next generation. That is why you were given this second chance. Make the most of it." He walks off.

Make the most of it... I smile. I guess I don't have a choice in the matter.

Rex and I see Haley off as she leaves school.

"Now, lets talk about your punishment."

"What the Hell, Rex? I got an 87 on the final. I passed with flying colors." I studied half the night to earn that.

"The bet was that you'd ace the test. 87 is close, but not acing."

"That's a fucking loophole and you know it!"

WN: And we end Year 1 of Sanctum Soldier. Double meaning title FTW.

All I want to say is pay attention to what Rex calls people. It reveals a lot more than you'd expect.

I won't have the next chapter up until sometime in January. Family Vacation.

However, another surprise for you all.

? view.

I am sitting at my desk when I get a message alert. I open it up.

Dear brother,

I am happy to say that Azure has passed your test. She has matured greatly over this last year.

Love,

Neath

I smile.