Yes, of course.

There's no way I was the only person who didn't know how to hand in a test!

Even after a full night's rest, I still had to continuously reassure myself that this was the case. Nodding to myself in the hallway feels ridiculous, but I don't stop until I see a congregation of students.

Curiously, I near the crowd and notice the results of the aptitude exam are already posted. As expected of such a fine establishment. It is indeed the prime location to achieve my two main goals:

Learn many fascinating things.

And make genuine friends.

My eyes begin scanning the posting to where I'm most able to see above the heads of students. Let's see, let's see. Where's my name?

...

Hm?

...

Is it even lower?

...

I-It's not here?

...

D-Don't tell me I forgot to write my name...!?

My eyes backtrack and I scan it anew. My birth name is nowhere to be found - Not on the fifth, fourth, third... second… first page-

…

Huh?

I-It's at the top. The very top. Actually, it's the first name on the first of five pages.

A-Alphabetical order perhaps…?

The thought is quickly crushed when I see the name right after mine begin with an 'M'. The shock stops my stream of thoughts, and I begin tuning in to the murmurs around me.

“I can't believe we had to do such a difficult test as soon as we got here.”

“And to even rank us with our full names on display. So harsh.”

“Truly! And why was it so hard? I thought it was simply an aptitude test!”

“Apparently, the whole curriculum is included on that test and every student takes it. Didn't you see some upper years there with us?”

A-Ah. When I think about it... It's true Leila was there, even though she's a constellation-cycle ahead of me…

“Eh!? What in Twice is that about? As if we'd know any of that…”

“Yes, well it doesn't affect our grades anyways. Let us go shopping in town to forget the whole ordeal.”

“Sounds like a good idea! Let's go, let's go!”

W-wouldn't you want to review the topics on the test if you didn't understand it? What do you mean 'go shopping in town’? You're all so laid back…

Unless…

I'm feeling a downpour of cold sweat along my back right now.

All this time… I've simply been trying my best, sometimes to the point of wanting to throw up… But, is that… Also not normal?

“Hey, you.”

No, more importantly, what was that about having the full curriculum on the test? H-How can that be? I learnt it all sun-cycles ago!

“Hey!”

W-What… It can't be… My dream of learning many wondrous things… Slowly, I see my goal shattering before my eyes and I stagger a bit.

“I said hey! You overeating imbecile!”

What's all this noise…? I'm slightly lightheaded as I turn around. Meeting angry eyes the shade of snow, pitch-black hair lays down cast, piercings littering an otherwise unmarred complexion.

“Don't get cocky just because you happened to place two ranks above me.” The boy in front of me snarls. Suddenly, all eyes turn our direction.

Huh? Do I know this person?

“Oh uh, no I wasn't aware-” Whispering buzzes through the onlookers and an uncomfortable feeling begins building up. “That you were speaking to me…”

A few others step up and flank his side. “Yeah, who do you think you are to rank higher than us Kindred?”

“A bloodbag should know its place!”

“Perhaps, we should show this thing how to respect its betters with some discipline?”

E-Eh…!? What!? This… A-Am I...

Getting bullied before classes have even started!?

M-My second dream of getting along with everyone here, to make meaningful relationships and connections… How can that happen if I'm a target of bullying…? Everyone will stay away from me! And oh dear Thrice, will I be alone for all three years???

My eyes begin swimming.

The rebellious looking Kindred suddenly scrunches up his face, eyes narrowing to daggers.

N-Noooooo! I'm sorry!

- Before he suddenly turns around to face his flunkies. “Who do you mongrels think you are to be threatening my childhood friend!?”

"..."

...Huh?

Childhood friend?

My eyes whip towards the ranking board. At third place reads Nott Amaryllis.

Blink blink blink.

H-His hair… It's dyed black… He has two piercings in each ear and another on his left eyebrow…

Nott…

Are you going through a rebellious phase?

I can't see Nott's expression, because he's turned away from me and towards the crowd. But, they're all pale and shaking limbs, terrified expressions warping their faces. Even without looking, I can feel the overwhelming power and menacing fear only someone from the Amaryllis familia is able to exude.

…Seriously, what are you doing you dolt?

An uncomfortable silence stretches on. The unease in the air baffling to me. How can this moody and rude brat scare everyone so much? Suddenly, an amusing memory pops back into my head.

Recently, I read a book on Vampiric Mythology. The name Nott is the personification of night, more specifically…

The Goddess of Night.

Coupled with the fact that Lady Amaryllis keeps going on about wanting a d-daughter… And now Nott has b-black hair-!

“Pft-!”

“...”

Ah, everyone turned to look at me. Nott's face is exuding irritation, b-but… that hair…! I try to clasp my hand over my mouth, but ahhhh it's no good. I can't-

I break into earnest giggling. “T-That hair really suits you, Nott.”

Oh, this is bad. My face is starting to cramp at trying to push my smile down.

“What-” His eyebrows furrow, “Y-You…”

Giving up on forcing my amusement away, I easily let out the last few remaining chuckles from my chest. Everyone is looking at me with a complicated expression, while Nott is slightly trembling.

Hmn? Did I make him mad? Oh my, I should make my escape post-haste. This crowd is likely thinking I'm the one that's mad in a different sense.

“Well then,” I quickly compose myself, “I have another matter to attend to. Good day, Nott.”

“Wha-!? Hold on! I'm not done talking to you-!”

Thankfully, the others bar him passage. Asking things such as why we are acquainted with one another or other such bothersome things. I make a break for it, turning corners and rushing away with fervor.

But that's really a relief! I wasn't actually getting bullied!

The sudden burden being lifted makes my shoulders feel light and me feeling optimistic.

Yes, there's a lot I can be doing! Even if the lectures aren't new material, this is still the most illustrious learning institution in the entire continent and there are resources that can only be found here. I'll also try speaking to my professors about taking a harder course load.

Mmn, good job me. I've successfully pumped myself up! Though, I suppose just this once, I'll give a bit of credit to where credit is due...

Thanks for cheering me up, Nott. I didn't realize you considered me a childhood friend.

It just barely makes up for that comment a few moon-cycles ago on how I was gaining weight though.