-Friday Morning, 11th Of the 1st Month, Year 910-

"Ahhhhhhn," Yawning, I get out of bed, still feeling a little tired, but I shake it off and do my morning stretches, 'I've been traveling so much lately that I haven't gotten the chance to continue Dad's training. If he found out, he'd probably make me do double to make up for all the days I missed.'

Promising myself to start training again once I'm fully recovered, I finish stretching, feeling more awake than before, 'Those potions really work, I'm feeling better and better every day.'

After I left the Academy on Tuesday and woke up the next day, my condition took a turn for the worst. I felt heavy, and it was hard to gather any strength in my body. Not only that, but it was really cold, and my heart was beating faster than usual to the point that it started hurting. But once I took the potion, I started feeling better. My body felt lighter and warmer, and the pain in my heart eased up a bit.

Since then, I've been taking the potion every morning like the strange nurse told me to. But every time I remember her, I shiver a little, thinking that the potion might have some weird side-effects.

'...No...It should be fine, I've only been feeling better since I started taking it. So it should be fine, right?' Even though I feel a little scared, I take one of the potions from the top drawer of the dresser and gulp it down. Then, a warm sensation spreads throughout my body, easing my discomfort and bringing a smile to my face.

While getting dressed, I wonder about what Gramps has planned for us today. Ever since I finished taking the Entrance Exam, I've been spending more time with him, exploring the city. He suggested this while we were eating breakfast the other day, remembering that I don't know much about it. He even told me that he would get me anything I liked as a present for making it through the exam.

When he told me that, I was really surprised because when I came back from the Academy the night before and told him about my fight with Jun, he shouted, "You reckless child!" and smacked me on the back of my head. His whole face was red, and he had a really scary expression on his face at the time, so I knew that he was mad at me for getting injured. Although he scared me, I felt happy that he cared about me so much.

But I wish that he didn't hit me so hard. Even though he looks skinny, his hits really hurt. I thought that he would still be mad about the fight, but he wasn't, and he even told me that. So I was surprised, but I still accepted his offer, feeling happy. During the exam, I came back late both days, so I didn't spend much time with him.

On Wednesday, we walked around and looked at a lot of different shops. Although we didn't buy anything except food, it was really fun. I learned a lot too, whenever I had a question, Gramps was always able to answer it. I felt like he knew everything.

'And this necklace,' I pick up the gray jewelry case, sitting on top of my dresser and open it.

Inside is a chain made of silver, hanging from it by a small loop is a silver pendant with a green jewel embedded in it. The jewel fills up most of the pendent, so only the silver around the edges showed on the front side. Gramps brought it for me while we were exploring yesterday.

It cost him a lot, but he told me not to worry about it and that it was perfect for "a reckless child like me." I still wanted to refuse, but he also said that it's my present since I didn't choose anything before. Hearing that, I gave up and accepted his gift.

It's called 'The Verdant Pendant.' Gramps explained that it's named after the pendant's jewel, 'The Verdant Jewel, ' which has special healing powers. Whenever my vitality gets low, the jewel will activate by itself and slowly restore it so long as I'm wearing it. I was sad when I heard that once the energy stored inside of the jewel runs out, the jewel will turn gray and stop working. I asked if there was a way to restore it, and he told me that there is, but it's better to just buy another one when that happens.

Hearing that, I got even sadder, but then I remembered what Mom used to tell me, "The most special things don't last forever. That's why you should always cherish what you have while you can."

'I'll make sure to take care of it, but I won't wear it during test and stuff because that's cheating!' I nod to myself, promising not to do that.

Putting the necklace around my neck, I finish getting dressed and head downstairs with some expectation. As usual, Gramps is already down at a table waiting for me.

Finished ordering my food, He tells me, "Let's go exploring today too after we finish eating. I want to show you as much of the city as I can before school starts."

"Alright," I smile, happy to go exploring today too.

A few minutes later, our food arrives, so we stop talking and focus on our meals. After we finish eating and get ready to leave, Mrs. Russo walks in with a brown shoulder bag.

"Hi, Ryner! It's been a while," She spots me and waves with a bright smile.

"Good Morning, Mrs. Russo," I smile back, happy to see her.

"Good Morning," Gramps reaches out his hand to her for a handshake.

"Good Morning to you too," She shakes hands with him, "My name is Aurora, Aurora Russo, I teach History at the academy."

"Nice to meet you, Young Lady. My name is Malcolm," Gramps introduces himself and lets go of her hand.

'So Gramps name is Malcolm, that's the first time I've heard it since I met him,' I feel a little bad now, realizing that I never asked him, but it should be fine, 'He was the one who suggested that I call him Gramps to begin with, so I guess he doesn't mind me not using his name. In that case, I won't change anything either, I'll keep calling him Gramps. It sounds better than Mr. Malcolm, anyways.' Reaching that conclusion, I join back into the conversation.

"How can we help you today, Young Lady?"

"I'm here to deliver Ryner's results and a little message from me," Saying the last part, Mrs. Russo's smile turns to a frown.

"Message?" I tilt my head, thinking that it might be about my dad's letter.

"...Mm," She nods her head and comes closer, stopping in front of me with her eyes closed.

"What is-" Suddenly, I feel a light impact on my forehead, surprising me, interrupting my train of thought. Before I can understand the situation, Mrs. Russo shouts, "Why would do something so dangerous!? It was only an exam, and with your results, even without that fight, you would have passed with flying colors, and yet you fought so dangerously! If your friends and Fenna didn't take you to the nurse in time, there could have been serious consequences!"

"But-" Again, she thumps me on the head, "I don't want to hear any excuses! As your future teacher, I want you to promise me that you won't do anything like that again! You need to have more restraint when you fight others! Both of you could have died!"

"...Mm," part of me doesn't want to, but I nod anyway, feeling bad for making her worried, 'I'm probably going to fight him again though, and I can't promise that it won't happen again if we do fight. But I'll try to be more careful when I fight. '

"Good!" She smiles and pats my head, "As for your results-"

'I almost forgot about that, but earlier didn't she say that I would have passed anyway, even without that fight?' I turn my eyes to the bag she's carrying, feeling a little nervous.

"-You passed! Although that last fight was reckless, you really demonstrated your determination and skills in it! Though it was still reckless! But since you promised not to do it again, I won't say anything more about that," She sighs and hands me a letter from the bag.

Looking at the back of the letter, I see my name written in solid black letters. Flipping it over, I notice that the envelope is closed by a red seal with an eight-sided star on it, which I learned from Gramps is Arcadia's symbol. I circulate my Qi, trying to calm myself down, and slowly open the letter, carefully so that I won't rip it by accident.

Congratulations Ryner,

'You performed brilliantly in all sections of the Entrance Exam. Through your written exam you have shown that you have a good foundation in all subjects. Although you need to work harder on Math and Biology. But still, you performed well above most of your peers. Your aptitude for Mystic Arts is fantastic, although the circumstances surrounding your blessing are a bit problematic. But I promise that you are safe here in the Academy. For your protection, though, most of the teachers haven't been informed about your blessing.'

'I don't know who wrote this, but I'm really glad they didn't reveal anything about that,' I let out a sigh of relief and keep reading.

'But I can't say that things will stay this way forever, so you must prove to them that your potential is limitless and that you deserve to be a member of Arcadia, regardless of anything else. So I look forward to your future. Now about your performance in the Combat Test.'

'Uh-oh, For some reason, I have a bad feeling about this.' I still passed, though, so it should be fine, right?

'During the first round, you showed your determination when you dove in to close the distance between you and your opponent. Not only that, but you showed that you had a solid foundation with your manipulation and use of Qi. Although with the sword...well, I think you already know with that man as your father. In the second round, you completely overwhelmed your opponent, showing that you were far above some of your peers. Now, as for the third round, a lot of instructors felt that it was unnecessarily reckless, but personally, I feel that your determination to win above all else was wonderful. But still, you should be aware that there are some consequences for fighting like that. Your scar and new title among those who took the exam with you is proof of that.'

'Title?' I scratch my head, having no idea of what he's talking about.

'Anyway, I'll end this long letter with that. I look forward to your future results. Welcome to Arcadia, Ryner.'

Sincerely,

The Principal, Andrew Rhodes

'Finally,' I clench my fist, 'I'm one step closer to my goal.'

"All done?" Mrs. Russo smiles, still standing there.

'Ah, I forgot she was still here,' I scratch my head and apologize, "I'm sorry."

"It's okay!" She pats my head, still smiling.

"Is there something else you need, Young Lady?" Gramps asks.

"Hm? No," Mrs. Janson shakes her head, "I just wanted to see his response after reading the letter."

"Mm," Gramps nods with a small smile.

My cheeks feel kind of hot, seeing her bright smile, 'I wasn't expecting that at all.'

"I almost forgot!" She claps her hands, remembering something, "You need to show the gatekeeper that envelope later to get into the Academy. Also, make sure you bring all of your stuff because right after the Entrance Ceremony, you'll be going to the dorms, and your temporary residence pass will expire!"

Keeping her words in mind, I ask, "When is the Entrance Ceremony?"

"It's in seven days, counting today, so the 17th! The Ceremony starts at 9 am. Please don't be late, the Vice-Principal can be really scary sometimes when it comes to rules." She shivers a little.

"I won't be," I shiver a little too, remembering the Vice-Principal's overwhelming presence.

"Then, since that's all I have to say and I have a couple more letters to deliver today, I'll be going!" She laughs and leaves the inn.

●●●

-Friday Afternoon, 11th Of the 1st Month, Year 910-

After Mrs. Russo left, I put the letter in my room and left the Inn with Gramps. We walked around and looked at some more shops and ate lunch.

"This isn't too bad," I say as I bite into my sandwich.

"...Mm," Gramps nods with a slight frown.

"Is something wrong?" I stop eating my sandwich and stare at him.

"Ryner-" He stops walking and turns around, "Since you passed the Entrance Exam, it's about time I left."