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. 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHEIjRCqng
"How?" I ask staring at Blu, who was fast asleep on Tua's shoulder across from Sans and I. 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJRAMfY9Xl
"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. 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡalbE3fuS0Y
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. 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDJfysmzAY
"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?" 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNce5pmykTM
"I guess you could say that," replied Sans. "We're approaching the tunnel." 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojuEDuZkXa
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. 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Bm7crfl6R
Blu pouted. "It was nice while it lasted." 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVtALhwYgrP
"How was the nap, Ms. Sleepy Head?" 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJtY0AzR8s
"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." 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvT3jhFUu9
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." 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1oXLMOznV
"We'll see." Blu returned a similar smile. 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKm4Ralh8N
"Heads up." Sans pointed at the scenery that erupted from behind the common pitch. 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYWZxkMygpO
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. 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixO7qZWK0B
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. 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99joYRczH3
Over the intercom, Yuna gave one last motivational speech as we were pulling into the station on the left side of Coven. 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECPnD4TBcx
"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." 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG83ciDGyTX
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. 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXkgmxJmFu
"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?" 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKab7aa8pWX
"Something like that. I can't find my pass." 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ22ZBT3kTsC
"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." 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojozJtZ8TP
It was hard to hide my laughter. "Smooth as ever, aren't you?" 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hAcSu1qXy
"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." 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMYUUjce0j
"Yes, I do, which is exactly why I can easily understand your mother calling you a brainless son." 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIV2GmsQ1o
Tua let out a short snicker. It was nice seeing her like this. 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMSexxJtXu
"Before I'm laughed at anymore, can I please get my pass, Blu?" Sans reached out his long arm to receive the small envelope. 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauqNXwAB7W
"Of course, brainless son." 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dG8KxGKwP
Another snicker from Tua. 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYRpvY0eLP
"I'm not gonna live this down for a bit, am I?" 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhT3wAQ7OnS
Mischief took over Blu's face. "N-O-P-E." 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnDBgqZ0OD
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.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Wr2C4SCmR
"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?" 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0bYbBOGQb
Sans retorted with, "Sure thing, mom." 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9d3pM13Kr
Blu simply nodded in agreement.731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxF2ZrMg7pY
"Good. Thanks for cooperation, my lovely children." 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGPgKGLobP
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. 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtxPxDJ6C1
"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." 731Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzvfAjxnUc
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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