Hello, everyone! I'm back. I've been stuck with exams lately, so my updates were slow, but now, I have time. Yay! At least, I'll get my mind away from 'Forced to Love' for a while until I manage to write the next chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Uta no Prince-sama or any of the characters. I only own my OCs and the plot.

Chapter IV

Three months went by as I studied at Shining Academy. I found out that, as a novice, I was not allowed to go over to the Sword Magic section. Only apprentices were allowed to do so. As a result, I did not see Haruka during that time, not even once. I was saddened by that fact at first, then I became determined to study more, hoping that I would be able to pass the trials and see my companion—if not a friend—again.

I got along with my roommate pretty quick. She was a social butterfly, as most students call her, and was pretty popular too. Her cheerful attitude always made me feel happy. She told me she was training to become an Enchantress, who—I learned later—were magicians who manipulated people by infatuating them. Her magic course was really hard, but not as much as healing. Even though, Tomo kept telling me that I'll pass. Thanks to her support, I managed to keep up with the heavy studies I had to do.

I later discovered that all Novices—regardless of their interests—are to take a beginner course 'Magic 101'. It consists of various types of magic. It was like an introduction to magic, its uses, its dangers, and its history. The course was full of information, historical facts and etc.

As a novice, I only had to read textbooks and study through books and scrolls; nothing practical, yet. Master Ringo told me that this was the best way, as it allows me to grasp a lot of information on the subjects of my study before I got to the real heavy material. I barely had any free time, and if I ever did, I would probably hang out with Tomo or go to watch other healers train. Most healers were people of higher classes, so it was not easy to befriend them at all. Especially that Eiichi has kept his promise. Almost everyone at the academy knew of my origins, and they even believed I was a thief. Some people didn't believe that, but most of them did.

But that was the last of my concerns. I needed to focus on my studies. Becoming a better healer was the only way I can get these people to stop looking down at me. Master Ringo said I was progressing fast, and the scores I got were high. I was not satisfied, though. My level was not good enough to take the trials yet. We—me and the others who were in my class—still had to take lessons on practical healing techniques, and Master Ringo was the one who gave them to us.

"Now, students. Listen up. This is your first time trying practical healing. If not focused, it can be very dangerous." He said. "Try to use all the information you collected about healing so that you can make sure this does not turn into a disaster. Okay?"

"Yes, Master Ringo." The class chimed.

"Good. Now, each of you will perform one of the simplest healing techniques: Breath." I have read about that technique. It enabled its user to breathe out a healing aura. It was an easy technique, but it required focus and carefulness. "Here, let me show you." With that, Master Ringo closed his eyes, holding out his hands in front of him, as if he was holding a cup with both hands. His hands slowly started glowing with a faint light green aura. He opened them so that they were facing upwards and gently blew on them. The light green aura flew off his hand and into the air, spiraling and moving slowly and beautifully. The students—and I—watched in pure awe.

"Beautiful…" I murmured, but Master Ringo seemed to hear it. He smiled.

"Yes. Healing magic, even though it is one of the hardest types of magic, is very beautiful. Only when it's used properly." Then he clapped his hands together. "Now, class, it's your turn now." The students started taking turns, performing the technique. I was getting nervous each time my turn got closer. I didn't want to fail. Not now. I still had a long way to go. The other students were so talented that it made me feel hopeless. But I did not give up. I still had a chance.

"It's your turn, Nanami." The girl next to me said, nudging me. I swallowed nervously and took a deep breath. It was certainly not the most relaxing thing to have everyone staring at me, waiting for me to start.

"Y-yes…" I muttered, blushing lightly at the attention. I slowly held my hands up like Master Ringo did and closed my eyes, trying to focus my mind on the technique. Nothing happened at all. I slowly opened my eyes, feeling very disappointed, but was still determined to do it again. I tried a couple of times more, but they were all the same: Nothing happened.

"Heh! She can't even perform this simple trick!" one boy exclaimed and laughed, with the other students joining him soon after. I lowered my gaze, feeling humiliated.

"Stop. This is not nice!" I heard Master Ringo yell. "She may not be able to do it so easily, but that doesn't mean she is not good." The students slowly grew silent again. Master Ringo sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, looking clearly annoyed. "Class is over for today. Study well, and try to learn some new techniques on your own."

"What? Without help?" one girl asked.

"Yes. I want you to be able to feel the magic yourself." He said. "Should you need help, come and ask me. Now, see you later." With that very statement, class was dismissed. I was about to walk out of the room, but Master Ringo called me. "Haruka, I need to talk to you." I gulped and nodded, going back to my seat. Master Ringo was putting away some papers while he was seated at his desk. I sat down and fixed my gaze on my lap. I thought I was going to get a lecture or something, but I was wrong.

"Haruka…" he began, looking at me. I looked up a bit just to be able to see his expression. He looked very calm, and had a smile on his face too. "I hope you are not feeling bad for what happened earlier…"

"M-master Ringo…"

"It's okay to make mistakes, dear. No need to feel bad at all. It's quite normal, especially when you are learning. Do not take people's words of criticism too personal, alright?" he said with a smile. He walked over to me and put his hand on my shoulder, smiling reassuringly.

"Yes..." I nodded, smiling a bit.

"Good." He replied, walking back to his desk. He pulled out a book from the drawer and walked again back to me, giving me the book. It was a large book with a dark brown leather cover, with something scribbled on it with gold. It was not in the language I knew. "This book will help you learn more about healing. It's special." I opened it and flicked through. It was written all in the same language as the one on the cover. Master Ringo seemed to notice my confusion, as he chuckled lightly. "Don't worry about the language… I know someone who can help you…"

"Thank you, Master Ringo." I said, getting up from my seat.

"You're welcome, Haruka." He said, the smile never leaving his face. "Just remember this: Keep trying and you'll succeed." I nodded and walked to the door. Before I left, Master Ringo called again. "Oh and, come by my office after lunch. I'll introduce you to the person who will help you with the book." I nodded one last time before leaving the room. I felt happy with what my teacher told me. He was right. Opinions of those students do not matter to me at all. All that mattered was that I needed to train more. The trials were only a month away, and I needed to be prepared.

I went to do my daily researches on different types of magic. But, like every day, my mind drifted off to Haruka. How was she doing, studying Sword Magic? Was she okay? I wanted to see her, but that was not possible. I have tried to ask Master Shining for permission once, but he said that he couldn't let me do that, unless there was something very urgent. It didn't seem fair to me, but maybe he was doing this to keep things disciplined.

"Yo, Haruka!" called Tomo as she walked into our room. "How are things going?" she asked, sitting down beside me. I put my notebook down.

"Good. I was doing some researches on Time magic."

"I see."

"It's pretty interesting, using magic to manipulate time…" I said with a smile. Tomo laughed.

"Yes. If only I can stop the time and punch all the people who bully you." She said.

"No, Tomo. I don't like violence."

"But they are being mean to you. Why are you so calm about it?"

"Well… I learned I shouldn't mind them at all." I replied, recalling what Master Ringo told me at class. Tomo smiled.

"You are so kind, Haruka." She said. "But now, let's go get lunch. Come on." With that, she grabbed my arm and literally dragged me all the way to the lunch room. We had lunch like we usually did, talking about classes and magic. Tomo would usually change the topic to boys, and how she has found a perfect boy for me and things like that. Each time we talked about that, I felt flustered. There were a lot of nice boys here at the academy, let alone Leon, who has been very nice to me since the very beginning. Tomo would always say I liked him, but I would deny. I didn't really know, and I didn't think much about it either.

Lunch was done, and I headed straight to Master Ringo's office. He was there, waiting for me, along with Master Shining. They seemed to be discussing a very important matter, but they stopped when I walked in. Master Ringo approached me with a smile.

"There you are, Haruka. We were just talking about you." He said. "Master Shining wants to tell you something very important." I looked over at the older man with anticipation. He simply smiled down at me.

"Miss Nanami…" he began, and I was getting more nervous. Beads of sweat started trickling down my face and my neck. "Master Ringo has been telling me about your progress. I have decided…" then he paused for a while. "…You will take the trials tomorrow…" I was shocked.

"W-what?!" I exclaimed worriedly. "I-I'm not ready for this! I—"

"Haruka, you have to." Master Ringo said. "It's the only way you can get help to read that book."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"The only person alive that can read that book," Master Shining spoke. "…is currently studying Sword Magic."

"And we cannot let you go there, unless you pass your trials." Master Ringo added.

"But, I'm too weak to pass. I'm—"

"Don't worry, Miss Nanami." Master Shining cut in. "You have more talent than the students in your class. You just have to trust yourself…" I sighed and nodded.

"Yes, Master Shining." I replied, feeling a bit nervous.

"Good. You can leave now, Miss Nanami." I turned around and walked back to my room, thinking about the information I have just received. I walked in, almost bumping into a very worried Tomochika.

"Haruka! Where have you been all that time? I was so worried!" she said.

"I'm sorry." I replied, walking to my bed. I lay down on my back and stared at the ceiling, feeling worried and nervous. Tomo seemed to sense that; she walked over to my bed and sat down as well, still looking very worried.

"Hey, are you okay?" she asked.

"Yes… It's just…" I hesitated before telling her. "My trials are taking place tomorrow." I said finally. She looked shocked, just like I looked when I heard the news.

"Tomorrow?! So sudden?!"

"Yes."

"But… Why?" I couldn't tell her more. I didn't know If I was allowed to tell her about the book or not. So I decided not to tell her about that.

"I don't know…" I replied shortly.

"Okay. All you need now is to rest. You need to be prepared for tomorrow." She said with a smile. "I wish you luck, Haruka." I smiled back and nodded, getting under the covers. I put my head on my pillow, clearing my mind. But that was not possible, as another question flashed through my mind…

Who was the person they were talking about?

And, that's all I have for this chapter. I hope this was good enough, minna. Yay! I'm so pumped up! R&R minna! I'd be really thankful for any help you give me.

See ya!

KuraiHaru17