The ride from the station in Haqir to Coven was fairly long. I used that time to run over test prep in my head, while a certain someone had other plans. 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbFLbAc0UT
"How?" I ask staring at Blu, who was fast asleep on Tua's shoulder across from Sans and I. 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBAHZA4HkT
"Oh, come on Ruan. This shouldn't be of any shock to you. I'm pretty sure that big brain of hers needs some rest. Bet she was up all night figuring out some new equation for God-knows-what." Sans reached out and poked Blu's pale forehead. 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDVmoV4SoC
I couldn't help but gush at her. Tua simply looked out the window while stroking her short flames. Blu was the baby of the group, although she was only a few years younger than the rest of us. The only reason she was at our level was because of how smart she was. She was practically a genius. Typically, someone her age should be starting at Coven, but Blu was about to graduate. 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCtYXAVwZY
"Hmm?" Blu shifted in Tua's arms. Her wide brown eyes fluttered open and she looked up through her long lashes. With one look out the window, she recoiled at the great brightness and squeaked. Blu always did have pretty sensitive eyes, especially as soon as she woke up. "Are we almost at Coven?" 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgW9Iz7u91
"I guess you could say that," replied Sans. "We're approaching the tunnel." 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdHA5xEtI4A
The broad green scenery decorated with bits of fresh snow disappeared in the blink of an eye as we were swallowed into the darkness of the tunnel leading to the grounds of Coven. This gave me a rough estimate as to how far away we were. The lights in the train crackled to life and we were once again bathed in brightness. 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBl5neKWjFA
Blu pouted. "It was nice while it lasted." 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDk5GKIIBD
"How was the nap, Ms. Sleepy Head?" 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWEvd8mXro
"Great. I dreamt of the new project I've been working on. If only I could get it to work as well in real life." Blu glanced down at my hands. I hadn't realized my fingers were tapping against the table. "Oh, Ruan! Don't tell me you're -" She whispered the last word. "nervous." 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq5Z3f2zI74
I snorted. "Me? Nervous? As if." A wicked smile spread across my face. "I'm just thinking about how I'm going to cream you in the combat portion of the exam." 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1w42QdtLv
"We'll see." Blu returned a similar smile. 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0CSVfWF7g
"Heads up." Sans pointed at the scenery that erupted from behind the common pitch. 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoExUdWhKTk
There it was. Coven. Built into the Terra Mountains in Yeven, a secret province used specifically for the training of Yanzenians, it was a vast structure, more technologically advanced than anyone who lives in the outskirts could ever imagine. 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPPHdBBbi0
The train began to slow down on the entrance tracks as it was accompanied by the remaining trains holding the rest of those attempting to join the Yanzenian workforce. From left to right, it was Trotir, Gurir, Haqir, and Renir, with Altusiqua in its grand middle spot. Apparently it's a symbol for the outskirts' relationship with the capital, but some have other theories. 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6MV30xvXIb
Over the intercom, Yuna gave one last motivational speech as we were pulling into the station on the left side of Coven. 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWJ6JC5UJ2
"Remember your purpose, remember what you're here to do, and don't shy away from unexpected occurrences. You never know. These experiences you face soon may just answer all of your questions about life." 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ95V6Qk2aDM
There she goes being all weird again. I turned to Blu and focused on the look in her eyes. It was a mixture of excitement and determination with a smidge of curiosity. I can tell she'll do well. She has the heart for it. Of course, one's heart isn't everything, but when paired with the traits that Blu has, it makes a killer combination. My line of vision switched to Tua. There wasn't much to read off of her. She had her usual stone cold expression but her eyes were soft, and they were looking straight at Sans, who was busy rummaging through his knapsack. 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgGwSGTmSmh
"Hey Blondie." Sans' deep hazel eyes looked up at me through the stray pieces of hair covering his face as he bent over. "Searching for lost treasure in there?" 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYClvGSkLb
"Something like that. I can't find my pass." 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJo0R2k2xej
"Oh, yeah." Blu pulled a small white envelope out of her jacket. It read: Sandeus Hedge. "I've got you covered." Sans opened his mouth to speak but Blu went on before he could get any words out. "I stopped by your house this morning to drop off a package for your dad from my uncle and just as I was leaving, your mom started freaking out about her "brainless son". She gave me your pass on my way out." 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BNVtWHBTU
It was hard to hide my laughter. "Smooth as ever, aren't you?" 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhMpELiJwD
"In my defense, I was in a rush. I woke up late after staying up to cram Professor Magonia's last minute study guide in for the written." His infamous smirk appeared. "You know me." 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCx2EjaJL8m
"Yes, I do, which is exactly why I can easily understand your mother calling you a brainless son." 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKVxG0PG7D
Tua let out a short snicker. It was nice seeing her like this. 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJE4VoOqm3r
"Before I'm laughed at anymore, can I please get my pass, Blu?" Sans reached out his long arm to receive the small envelope. 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1ZdlMkCHVk
"Of course, brainless son." 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7m4n3qbVj
Another snicker from Tua. 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMNvhpDFeL
"I'm not gonna live this down for a bit, am I?" 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSC439wNkxw
Mischief took over Blu's face. "N-O-P-E." 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmGNNjEwxYK
Sans took the envelope and didn't hesitate to swat Blu with it. The little red replied by sticking out her tongue, which only resulted in more swats from Blondie. Tua had gone from snickers to full blown laughs by now. I pulled Sans' hand away with one arm and pinched Blu's cheek with the other. I tried to be serious and talk but whenever I tried, my voice got caught in my own laughter and I ended up sounding completely unintelligible. After a short while, I calmed down and was able to create a proper sentence.869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGZF6HsdmD
"Okay, Swatty and Insultra. Can we focus down? We're about to take one of the most important exams of our lives. Can't you two save this for later?" 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Lq1hr98CG
Sans retorted with, "Sure thing, mom." 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡszK12YbMoI
Blu simply nodded in agreement.869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxtujS2KhA
"Good. Thanks for cooperation, my lovely children." 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr327xoPJEW
The train came to a hissing stop and my stomach fell. I wasn't nervous, I wasn't nervous. Or was I? The heavy metal doors slid open. Sans snapped me back to reality, pulled me up, and guided me off the train with everyone else. Once each person from each train was out and we were sorted into groups based on our studies, we were greeted by the headmaster of Coven, Ramona Coriné. She was a bony woman, quite tall, with short gray hair, and emerald eyes. She donned her ceremonial plum-colored cloak. It was a bit on the bulky side, with precious jewels and silver thread sewn in various places. 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjOJSQ5e4ha
"Welcome, children of the future. Thank you for choosing to take part in the exam that will decide your life as a Yanzenian. As you go on with the events of today, keep your mind steady. I wish each and every one of you the best on your endeavors. Let the Grads begin! You are to report to your first class and receive further instruction. Good luck." 869Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqbC4RDLRJ
Due to the grouping, Tua and Blu were on their own, while Sans and I were still together. The massive doors leading into the main part of Coven opened up and in as much of an orderly manner as all of us could manage, each group dispersed in their own directions to begin a very long day.
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