Inside the testing hall Akari stood at the back of the room. She hid herself in the corner and watched as Rin ran in with Kiko, Mollie, and Sophine. Rin looked at all the people in front of him, as if he was looking for Akari, however he was soon surrounded by his friends. The distraction caused Rin to introduce his friends to his new friends he just made. As the group to young boys and girls spoke to each other excitedly, Akari had already looked away and had her nose stuck inside her book.

"If you all can settle down, please." Principle Dolph asked as he stood on stage with the rest of the teachers. "Settle down."

The children all listened and stood in straight lines. There were five rows with ten people standing in the row. 51 students total who tested for The Astronia Academy.

"Thank you everyone who came today. Everyone here knows the standards of Astronia Academy. Our Astronia Academy is not only prestigious throughout our country, but our reputation rings far and wide. Once you enter Astronia Academy, you have the responsibility to carry our name wherever you go. And that is why we are selective at who we invite to take the entrance exam." Principle Dolph told them. "As for your test results, if I do not call your name, that means you failed. When I call your name, I will call your rank as well. You will then come up here and receive this paper with your class schedule. After all the names are called, you are to report to the first class and your teacher will inform you on what will happen next."

Principal Dolph began reading names and rank. The student would receive the handed out paper and immediately leave the testing hall to their first class.

"Mollie Thorwbeck. Rank 10."

....

"Donovan Fernna. Rank 8."

"Sophine Lian. Rank 7."

"Wuying Lan. Rank 6."

...

"Delan Zaho. Rank 4."

"Kiko Lehar. Rank 3."

"Rin Noboru. Rank 2."

The whole time Rin looked around for Akari, but he didn't see her. His eyebrows scrunched together as he walked towards the stage to receive his schedule. With his paper in his hand he left the testing hall and stood by the door to hear Principal Dolph call out Akari's name. However all he heard was silence.

"Where did she go? It makes no sense for Akari not to place first." Rin whispered to himself as he tried to look into the testing hall again.

His vision was suddenly blocked by a chest that stood in front of him.

"Are you not going to your first class?"

Rin looked up and saw the teacher stare down at him with a stern face.

"My friend. She took the test and wasn't standing with us during the announcement. Her name wasn't called either."

"Student Rin. You should go to your first class. If your friends name wasn't called. It meant that she didn't get accepted."

"What do you mean she didn't get accepted, she--"

"Student Rin." The stern teacher said. "Go to your first class or I'll mark you for disobedience."

Rin opened his mouth, but closed it again. He glared at the teacher for a moment before going to his first class.

"Rotten girl, left and didn't even tell me." Rin grumbled under his breath as he complained about Akari. "Doesn't know how she makes others worry about her. With such a rotten girl, why should I care where she is and if she's alright. With four abilities, who should worry about her? She could protect herself! Not me. I'm not going to worry. Why should I worry. She's just a rotten girl."

When Rin reached his first room, he opened the door and inside everyone cheered. He was placed in the same class as his friends.

"Rin!" Everyone shouted.

"Come sit over here!" Kiko said as she waved him over.

"No over here!" Donovan said as he waved Rin to sit by him.

"No I saved this seat especially for Rin!" Wuying said as he pointed to the seat in front of him.

Rin smiled, but suddenly his smile froze. Akari's words repeated in his head.

"You smile at everyone like that....you smile at anything and anyone. It makes it less special."

Rin stood frozen at the door as his smile slowly disappeared. Where did Akari go? Why isn't she here? A sudden feeling to need to find Akari came over him. For some reason he felt as if the thought of never seeing her again made him sad. Rin suddenly felt panicked as if he couldn't find her now, he would never be able to see her again.

Soft, delicate hands touched his shoulders and Rin snapped out of his thoughts. Her white hair looked soft and shiny. Her big light grey eyes were lit with concern and her pouty lips frowned.

"Rin are you alright?" Kiko asked as she squeezed his shoulder.

Rin looked at the beautiful girl in front of him and a sudden sense of comfort came over him. Rin smiled at her, but his smile froze again as a feeling of disgust quickly overwhelmed him. Rin pushed her hand away from him and he took a step back.

"Sorry. I don't feel so good." Rin said as he quickly went around her and sat between Delan and Donovan. Wuying quickly changed seats so he would sit behind Rin.

"Oh." Kiko said softly. "Do you need to go to the nurse's office?"

Rin laid his head down on his desk and used his arms as pillows. The feeling of disgust was gone as fast as it came. Why was he feeling this way? Why isn't Akari here? Where did she go? If she was here, she would know what to do to make him feel better.

Kiko slowly shuffled to her seat which was behind Donovan so she could stare at Rin's back during class. The room became quiet again as they waited for their teacher.

The door opened and Rin quickly looked up with an expectant gaze. His eyes fell down with sadness as the stern teacher he met before walked through the door.

"Hello everyone. My name is Jean Tao. You may call me Teacher Jean or Teacher Tao." Jean said as he walked to the podium. "My office is connect to this room. If you need anything, you will find me there if I am not teaching. This will be your homeroom. I teach history and fighting. Everyday, I will teach you history. After our lesson, you are to move to your next class. And so on and so forth. If one of your ability is fighting. Then I will be your teacher again. Go to the room number that is written on your schedule."

Jean quickly explained the rules of the academy.

"As you all know, once you're accepted to this academy, you are to live here as well. Rooms and meals will be provided for you and you are allowed one maid or servant during your stay here. No personal guards are allowed on academy property."

Suddenly the door opened again and Rin's eyes lit up with excitement.

"Akari." Rin whispered as he smiled.

But soon his smile disappeared as Principal Dolph walks in and smiles at everyone.

"Hello, students."

"Hello, Principal Dolph." Everyone said back.

"I have an announcement to make." Principal Dolph said as he looked at everyone in the eyes. "We have a special student that will be joining your class."

Rin's eyes widen with excitement as he listened, knowing that it was Akari.

"She has tested out of several lessons and class, however she will need a class as her homeroom. Since one of her ability is fighter, she will join your class as Teacher Jean is the fighting instructor. Please welcome Akari Ayame."

The student's all looked towards the door and Akari walked inside. She stood by Principal Dolph and didn't greet anyone. Rin grinned at Akari as his eyes shined brightly. Just looking at her made him feel comfortable again.

"Do you want to introduce yourself?" Teacher Jean asked.

"Akari Ayame." Akari said.

"Why don't you say a little bit about yourself to everyone." Principal Dolph suggested as he saw how cold she was towards everyone.

"I have my own path to walk and so do you. Let's stay on our own paths and do not let those paths cross. You'll regret it. I'll make sure of it."

The whole room became deathly quiet after Akari's words. Then a couple of girls whispered.

"Scary."

Rin's grin widen even more.

Yep. That's the rotten girl he knows. She never changes.