Dawn felt bad for Reina as she was forced to sprint across the gym. She didn’t even know how she did it; Dawn would have managed one at sprinting speed and jogged the rest.

Not Reina though; she caught the attention and envy of many as she practically blitzed through, passing them all twice already. Dawn barely held a chuckle in when Reina stuck her tongue out at Arcturus’ back as she passed, before winking at her.

“Okay, attention. We’re going to be judging your swimming speed. Get into groups of three, I don’t care what.” Arcturus said tiredly.

Everybody went for their friends and Dawn was about to go toward the brothers before stopping. This was a place for a new start. Maybe she could start by spending more time with her new friends?

Much to the utter delight of Felicie, Dawn went to join her instead. “Yay, Dawn! How about Angel next, she doesn’t seem to be with anybody!” Felicie suggested.

Dawn glanced over at her. She knew Angel and Reina had some sort of antagonistic relationship. What if Reina wanted to join them after she finished?

Felicie gazed at her when she asked this question. “She’ll join us of course!”

Dawn deadpanned. “Of course,” she repeated. Felicie had completely missed the real question! She sighed. “All right. You want to go ask her out?”

She eagerly shook her head. “Oh no, she scares me. She might yell at me.”

Dawn glared at her. So what, she was supposed to be yelled at instead? Taking a deep breath, she headed over to where Angel stood alone.

“Hey, Angel. Felicie and I were wanting you for our group, and you don’t seem to have anybody, so how about it?” Dawn cringed at how awkward she made it sound. Angel studied her for a moment before shrugging.

“Sure, what’s the worst that can happen?” She made it sound like it was a horrible thing to do!

Grudgingly, Dawn followed Angel and Felicie over to the waiting room. Lucifer, Brandon, and Lincoln were up first. Dawn cheered for Lucifer and Brandon. Hey, she didn’t know Lincoln!

Brandon flashed off a cocky grin that made half the female population swoon, Dawn included. He was so handsome, she didn’t see how anybody could resist. Besides her, Angel gagged (but she pretended not to take notice.)

“Okay, start,” Arcturus said drowsily and pressed the timer. Immediately they were off, swimming as fast as they could. Dawn’s eyes tracked the brothers as they overtook Lincoln. The only question remaining was which sibling was going to win?

There was a buzzer. “Time’s up. Get out.” Arcturus studied his sheet. “Lucifer passed, move over there.” He motioned toward a separate isolated area. “You two, sit back down.”

Grumbling, Brandon stormed over to Dawn while Lincoln chuckled good-naturedly. Dawn winced. Brandon was amazing, but he had problems with his competitive spirit. Especially when it came down to him and Lucifer.

“You okay?” Dawn made sure. Brandon grunted in response.

“Geez, either give a straight answer or don’t reply at all,” Angel said.

Brandon whirled around. “Oh, shut up,” he sneered. “I bet you can’t do any better!”

Angel crossed her arms. “Says the man child whose overinflated ego doesn’t allow him to let his brother enjoy his victory.”

Brandon growled. “You’re lucky you’re blind, otherwise-“

“Brandon!” Dawn gasped. Felicie suddenly looked a whole lot more murderous.

“Or what? Gonna try to fight me? I can take you on without my eyes, here and now!” Angel insisted. Dawn gaped at her. Was she asking for a death wish?

Brandon smirked. “Really? Then how about i-“

“If you kids back there are done flirting, hurry up and come over here. Brandon, you just sit back down and do whatever the heck you’re doing,” Arcturus said.

Everybody snickered as Dawn shot Brandon a glare before following her friends. Once they were far enough, Dawn turned to Angel.

“Angel, I am sooo sorry. He must be insane, he’s usually not like that! There is no excuse, so-“

“It’s fine. I’ve gotten used to being blind. Kinda had to. Besides, I can still see. I’m not defenseless.” Angel said.

Felicie frowned. “You can still see? How?”

Angel opened her mouth when Arcturus blew his whistle. “Go!”

Caught off guard, Dawn was hit by Felicie’s flailing limbs and she hit the water. The frigid liquid caught her by surprise and she twisted and turned, nearly drowning herself before she remembered she could stand up. She positioned herself against the wall and pushed off, trying her best to catch up.

Felicie, bless her heart, slowed down and was looking at Dawn. Dawn couldn't help but feel grateful, but wondered if Felicie understood the meaning of a race. She quickly passed Felicie and surprisingly, was a few meters away from Angel.

She was wickedly fast for a girl who was as short as Reina. Her little legs didn’t kick half as much as Dawn's, but she was still propelling herself further than she could dream of. That was it, Dawn was convinced all short people wielded super strength.

Dawn smacked the wall with her hand and stuck her head out. She took a deep breath before plunging back in and turning around, going the opposite way. She passed Felicie on the way and felt bad for her; she was definitely going to be last.

And judging from how things were going, Angel was going to be first. Dawn tried to catch up, but her legs felt weighed down and her arms were sluggish. Finally, she reached the end and broke free from the waves.

Panting, Dawn brushed her thick strands of wet hair out of her eyes. She spotted Angel already up and out of the pool, stretching and gazing at Reina. Following her example, Dawn pushed herself onto solid ground.

The buzzer rang again when Felicie smacked the wall. With her head, that is.

“OW!” Felicie whimpered, grasping her head. “That hurt!”

“Okay, Angel, move on. I believe you two know the drill?” Arcturus asked. Dawn and Felicie nodded, the latter with tears in her eyes.

“What do I doooo, Dawn?” Felicie bailed.

“What?” Dawn inquired.

“I passed! What if I don’t get into the Academy and get sent back? That can't happen, I need to stay here!”

Dawn chuckled lightly. “Don’t worry. Just look at Reina, she’s already ‘failed’ at least three tests and she’s still here.”

“Yeah, for now. Besides, I don’t want to run 5 miles! How does she do it?” Felicie asked, finally wiping her tears away.

Dawn shrugged and leaned in. “You know, I have a conspiracy. All short girls must be taking some sort of drink that goes their supernatural abilities. No way they’re so strong otherwise.”

Felicie giggled. “Silly Dawn! There’s no magic!”

Dawn glanced around before letting a small twirl of frost spin on the surface of her palm. “This used to be considered magic, wasn’t it? Back in the past? But now we know it’s just Arts.”

“True,” Angel chimed in, giving her a heart attack. “Considering technology has replicated it and there’s been no sign of magic in history, magic is simply science we have not discovered yet. If science can’t do it, then it’s impossible.”

“Nuh-uh! Magic is about doing the impossible!” Felicie protested.

“I thought you said there was no magic?” Angel arched an eyebrow as Felicie tried to take it back. “Anyway, good job. That’s all I wanted to say.” With that, she turned on her heels and walked away.

Felicie gasped. “Do you know what this means?! We’re bonding with her!”

“Yay?” Dawn said. All of a sudden, there was a loud beeping noise. It sounded like an alarm, and quickly caught the attention of everybody in the gym.

The source turned out to be Reina, who was gazing intently at her wrist. Dawn presumed her watch (was she wearing one? Couldn't tell from this distance) was where the alarm was coming from. She watched Reina look at the clock and then at Arcturus. Everybody else’s gazes went to him as well.

He looked conflicted before eventually sighing and waving his hand. Reina promptly turned and exited the room, closing the door behind her with a bang.

“Hey, what do you think that’s about?” Daphne wondered out loud. Dawn shrugged.

She came back an hour later after they were pretty much done. Reina practically skipped over to them, waving cheerily. “Hey, guys!”

Dawn eyed her. “Are you sure you’re feeling all right?”

She cocked her head cutely. “What do you mean?”

What was happening here?! She changed moods faster than Dawn changed her shoes! Dawn laughed it off.

“Oh, nothing.”

“Great! Let’s go eat, I’m starving!” Reina cried.

“Sure.”