Chapter 1: The Final Exam
[Shinn]
"GAH!" I jerked. I woke up with a start. Cold sweat ran down my muscular body as I tried to remember what had happened. After finally calming down,
I realized it was that dream again. "Man..." I grumbled. That same dream has haunted me for the past 6 years and I haven't been able to
overcome it. Suddenly, my dorm room busted open. "Onnichan! Are you okay?!" A shout almost destroyed my ears as I tried to recognize who the
intruder was. It was my sister, Sora, of course. "Y-Yes.. What's the matter?" I replied, quite shocked of her actions. She looked around for a while and
finally calmed down. "I'm sorry Onnichan.. I thought you were attacked or something!" She answered giving off a relieved sigh. "Oh dear.." I thought.
Once I pat her head, I asked her to go back to her room after exchanging "Good Nights" to each other. I got back to bed and my eyes started to feel
heavy again. And before I knew it, I was back to dreamland.
"Gah!" I jerked. I woke up with a start, again. "Deja Vu huh?" I sighed. Looking the clock, it was 6:00 am. I got out off bed and immediately headed for
the bathroom. After showering for 10 minutes, I ate a bowl of "Mareal" ( A parody of Magic + Cereal ) for breakfast. This was my original routine
everyday. But, even though I do it everyday, today was an exception. I looked at my normal Black Uniform with black pants and shoes. Any other day, I
would have worn my usual uniform. But not today. Today was Graduation Day. The students of "Xavae Magicus Academia" (literally meaning Xavae's
Magic Academy) are going to have a match to graduate. And for match I mean one that can lead you to your death. I opened my other cupboard and it
revealed another set of uniform. It was called the "Xavae Finale". I looked at the Black Trench coat completed with Dark pants and Kung Fu Shoes. I
sighed. I put them on and to my surprise, a perfect fit! "Alright.. Time to go to class!" I said as I switched off the lights of my room and headed out the
door.
"Any questions?" my Sensei asked the class about the Final Exam. In reply, we all gave him a firm "No Sir!". It was finally the Day, the day I freaking
graduate from Magic School. But before that, there was a Final Exam that needed to be commenced deciding who leaves and who stays. It's a
traditional Cerrian Fighting Match where 2 people are needed to spar with each other. But, it doesn't matter if you win or lose. As long as you meet the
qualifications of graduating, you graduate. Sora, my sister, gave me a warning that I must graduate or else she'll never forgive me. But once I think
about it, it wasn't that bad to be in the same class as her. "Yo! Shinn-kun!" A voice called out to me. It was Lucion Fenrir, the class representative of
Class 3-C, in other words our class. He is also the strongest in the class , well after me. For all this 6 years in this school, I was never serious. I always
thought that this was all useless. You might call me lazy but I call it saving strength for better matches . I vowed to become a lot stronger ever since
that day... That Day...
Sensing my discomfortness Lucion asked, "You ready bro?" He asked me with a grin. I did the same. Even though he was the most popular in the
class, he only interacts with people who has something interesting about them and someone who is stronger. Though I use only about 20% of my
power, he seems to able to sense my full potential. Who knows? Probably Half-Dragons characteristics. He uses Fire Magic and really good at close-
combat. He is usually seen with a sword in battle. He even has his personal weapon call the "Demonic Battle Sword". The length is the same like other
normal swords but it has a "semi-circle" shape at the end. It's painted with red all the way and some white streaks at the sides. Breaking my thoughts,
the bell rang. It was starting. "All right everyone, follow me to the Battle Dome!" my Sensei ordered as he headed out the door. I sighed and headed
off to the Dome where the students are supposed to gather. Putting my left hand in my pocket, I dragged myself with my class as excited chatters filled
the room.
The Battles will begin at 9:30 am. So we are still having some discussions here and there. "As you all know, you have 3 choices of Magic classes when
you graduate. First is the Battle Mage Class. It specializes in close-combat and uses Swords, Gauntlets, Axes etc. Next is the Magical Supporter Class. It
specializes in Mid to Long range attacks and uses Long-ranged weapons such as the Bow, Staffs etc. Last but not the least, we have the Wizard Tamer
Class. It specializes on summoning an ally to help you in battle. Usually, Tamers uses Hammers, Spears, Maces etc. We all wish you good luck in the
Final Exam. Remember, you automatically graduate if you beat your opponent!" The principal reminded us. "That was so long..." I thought. The others
cheered and were excited for the upcoming Exam. I even heard some of the girls going for Magical Supporter or Wizard Tamers. Of course, most
females will choose that as they'd rather fight from a long distance, away from the enemy. The word "coward" popped inside my head. But, that leaves
exceptional females like my sister. Since she is one of those rare female Lightning Users, there isn't much long-range Lightning spells she could use. So,
she decided to fight close-range. And I tell you, she fights like crazy. Last year, her usual weapon of choice are Gauntlets. I think that's a smart choice
as,not only it improves Strength, but it also improves agility. Then, a name being called cut off my thoughts. I saw a group of girls waving at me. They
ran up to me and asked, " Nehh~ Shinn-kun! What class would you want to be?". The reason the girls came up to me like this is because I was
considered to be the handsomest guy in class. Next is Lucion. But, I don't really care so I just don't mind. "Well.. My first choice is Battle Mage," I
replied. They gave me back an excited reply which I thought was weird so I just walked away. I spotted Lucion in a distance and joined him. The only
people I'm comfortable with is him and Sora, which was expected. We waited for another 30 minutes and it started. All of us assembled at a corner
and a teacher spoke,"Alright, each of you come here and take one Ball. It will show which Block you are in. A for Red, B for Blue,C for Yellow and D for
Green." One by one, each of us got up and took different balls. Lucion got a Green Ball. When it was my turn, I took out a Yellow Ball. Which means I
was in Block C. I was quite disappointed as I wanted to fight Lucion but I guess luck was not in my side. The girls I spoke to earlier got either a Yellow
or a Blue Ball. "Informations of who you are fighting are kept a secret!" My Sensei added. "Well.. let it all begin," I mumbled as I rolled my eyes.
After skipping 3 rounds of the Exam, there were still plenty of competitors left. Currently, only 3 have been confirmed to graduate. They are Izuno Ken,
a Fire User, Craiger Xelastes, a Nature User and a mysterious boy named Kain Etivlos, an Earth User. "Boringggg..." I thought. After some other
matches, I was at my limit. I always hated waiting. Like a wish, the announcer spoke. " Next we have Guradob Xavae! Our principal's grandson. He'll be
using Earth Elements. Fighting him will be... Shinn Shinji! He uses Lightning attacks!" The crowd cheered. "What? A weakling like him?" I complained
as I pointed at the furious Guradob. Well, I did heard he was the strongest Earth user at school but that doesn't mean that the other Earth users were
strong. I looked at him with bored eyes which seems to tick him off even more He replied, "You'll see... I'll beat you to a pulp!". I shook my head and
sighed. That's what all people say when they want to lose.