Rose's POV

Oliver and I walk up to Headmaster Jackson. There is one more person with us as we begin walking.

"Hi, my name is Rose, and this is Oliver." I start the conversation.

"Hello, my name is Andrea." Andrea says with a slight Italian accent.

"Are you Italian?" I ask.

"Yes, my parents and I moved into Blood Hound Village from Italy, after they told me about the magii community. They are both elementals." Andrea responds.

"That's cool. What elements do you wield, and which part of Italy?" Oliver joins the conversation.

"I am a dual wielder of both the elements nature and air; air from my mother and nature from my father. We are from Milan." Andrea says.

"Good luck buddy." Oliver tells Andrea.

"What?" He asks confused.

"You just made friends with someone who speaks fluent Italian. If I know her at all, which I do, she will only speak to you in Italian now." Oliver chuckles.

"È vero!" I say with a huge smile. [ T : It is true! ]

" Sei davvero carino lo sai." Andrea chuckles. [ T : You are really cute you know. ]

" Così mi è stato detto." I respond with a shrug. [ T : So I've been told. ]

"I'm a dual wielder of both the elements air and water, my sister over here is a multi-wielder of all the elements and a dragon rider." Oliver adds in.

"Wow, I thought when you said that at the ceremony it was a joke." Andrea stares at me, awestruck. I shake my head no. Headmaster Jackson comes to a stop in front of a couple familiar classrooms.

"Since you can all wield air, this is where I thought I could best show you guys what I am about to explain. Tomorrow, after breakfast, this years generation will all individually enter the arena and be tested for their level. The test remains the same for the most part, just slightly different based on your status. Their will be a fight in hand to hand combat, your skills will be tested in all weaponry, then, if you are a dragon rider, you will have to calm down a dragon and elementals will use their elements in battle."

"The dragon will be out of control, one of the wild ones we have saved from poachers. Of course we will have people on stand by to help, but we want to see how developed your relationship to a dragon is. Now for the elementals, you will be forced to use your element against people who are going to 'attack' you. If you cannot wield your element, no matter the situation, you will be placed in Level 5. If you can wield your element but can't use it to aid you in your fight, you will be placed in Level 4. If you can wield your element and defend yourself, you will be placed in Level 3. If you can wield your element and advance, you will be placed into Level 2. If you can wield your element and fight back and forth with your element against your attacker, you will be placed in Level 1." He takes a breath before continuing.

"Nobody in the recent decades of our Academy have been able to reach Level 1 as a first year on their second day, so do not set your hopes that far. The closest person to do that was Mr.Casey, ten years ago, who was placed in Level 2. His advances were weak, yet still present for both of his elements."

The 19 year old prodigy. I think to myself.

"Also, you will be placed in your respective classes due to your performance on level placement day. If you are a Level 4 or 5, you will be put into a basic Introductory Class for your element. If you are Level 3, you are placed in the regular Manipulation and Control Class for your element. And, if you are Level 1 or 2, you are placed in the Advanced Manipulation Learning and Control of your element. Most Level 1's and 2's are year 4's, with the exception of a few year 3's. All year 2's so far have only gone as far as Level 3, and only year 1's are placed in the introductory class. That is why we are in this hallway. The classroom to my left is Level 5, the classroom to my right is Level 4. The other two Level classes are right beside them, just in a larger area for more learning space."

"All Level 1 classes are placed in the east wing, we passed by them on our way here. This is so that they have lots of space to practice their elements while staying focused. Also, a tell tale sign of a Level 1 is if they have an item with their designated elemental color on it. Some may have bandannas, some have rings, others have watches, you also have the option of getting a piercing for the jewelry related items. If you have not noticed yet, most of the top students in Level 1 all bear ear piercings with a stone colored of their element." Headmaster explains.

"How is a dragon rider ranked?" I ask.

"Ah, a dragon rider is based practically the same way, yet slightly different. A rider will be Level 5 if they cannot control the dragon, requiring help from one of the riders on standby. A rider will be Level 4 if they cannot control the dragon, yet it shows no sign of harming them. A rider will be Level 3 if they can control the dragon, but it doesn't get close to them whatsoever, maybe walking around and still alert. A rider will be Level 2 if they can control the dragon and get them to stay still. Lastly, a rider will be Level 1 if they can gain the dragons trust, enough to touch them." Headmaster replies.

"The highest anyone has ever gotten on their placement test was Lucas, who was placed in Level 3. He is now the only rider currently in Level 1, but still has a few issues with taming wild dragons. Every single year 1, besides Lucas, has placed either in Level 4 or 5. For dragon riders, you get a customized item of your choice when you reach Level 1. Most dragon riders graduate Stone Heart Academy and head to University being ranked a Level 2. The exceptions are Lucas, Marcus, Trent, the sixteen masters, and a few more of the dragon riding instructors you will eventually meet. And, if you become a master, tattoos will magically begin forming on your body, specialized to your dragon and personality. The sixteen masters were extremely powerful and capable." Headmaster continues. He clears his throat.

"Anyway, the reason I am speaking with you three is because you will have to face multiple attacks. For you dual wielders, there will be someone different attacking you for each element you possess, not to mention the separate combat and weaponry tests. Oliver, Andrea, you will have 1 more attack to handle than the other year ones due to your dual wielding. Rose," Headmaster sighs. "You will face an extra 4 attacks on top of the standardized tests. And because you, along with Oliver and Andrea, wield multiple elements, you are more powerful. Thus, each attack or test given to you three will be harder than everyone else's. It is protocol."

"Rose, we will have a medical team on standby in case you pass out from exhaustion or bear serious injuries. We have had many students collapse from too much energy use, injuries, and panic. Not to mention, that those were just the regular dragon riding or elemental students." Headmaster looks at me sympathetically.

I just shrug in response, I have had to fight off bears, wolves, have fought against my villages best warriors full out, and have gone several days without food before. When someone lost our food on a hunting trip, I rationed my shares out to everyone to keep everyone else from starving. When I returned home, Mr. and Mrs.Lucia were furious, along with a fuming Jason, Garret, Nicholas and Jamie. When my grandparents found out, they baked me lots of treats to 'fatten me up again'.

Anyway, because I made my powders and remedies, the warriors were not afraid to push me to my limits. There was a time when I had fought Jason full out, and I was wounded so bad that I couldn't move for the next two days. Jason felt really bad, but he wasn't in any shape better than I. I have only bested him twice out of all the fights we have fought.

"What if someone is extremely talented in combat, but weak with their element?" Oliver questions.

"Well, there is a reason that combat and weaponry is a separate test. It works the same way as the others. Being weak in combat, not being able to wield a sword or land an arrow near its target gets you placed in Level 5. Being weak in combat, somewhat being able to use a sword or if an arrow is relatively close to the target, you are placed in Level 4. Being average in combat, being able to use a sword okay-ish or landing an arrow on its target but not exactly gets you placed in Level 3. Being good in either weaponry or combat, but not both gets you placed in Level 2. And being strong and talented in both combat and weaponry will get you placed in Level 1."

"Some year 1's have gotten into Level 1 before, but it is not often. All year 4's are Level 1 currently, as well as some year 3's and a few year 2's. Level 2 is full of years 2 and 3, and the rest of the year 2's are in Level 3. Nobody gets placed into Level 4 or 5 because many people train in their villages prior to coming to Stone Heart." Headmaster Jackson answers.

"What do you get when you become a Level 1 in combat and weaponry?" Andrea asks next.

"Well, they can apply for jobs at the school's blacksmith, located in a separate building closer to the teachers quarters, which are connected to the school. But, only Level 1's can apply for this job and it is extremely competitive. This is because a few times a year, we will go into a human town for a day and spend time there. You have to have money in order to get something you may want. The Academy provides a little cash for year 1's and year 2's when we go, but year 3's and year 4's are expected to bring/earn their own money for the trip."

"There are only a few different jobs on campus you can apply for, the blacksmith, a part time chef, a sanctuary worker, and a few other places. You can have more than one job, but just make sure to keep up with your studies. I must say though, how much you get paid depends on your specific job title and the hours you work. One example is the sanctuary, the place where we help nurse magical creatures and wild dragons back to health. If you are a tamer, keeping the animals calm, you get paid more money than someone who may clean the food bowls." Headmaster Jackson explains in fine detail. "Is everyone clear on what is to happen tomorrow?" He asks, returning back to the topic at hand. Us three nod.

"Alright, follow me." And we do, we follow Headmaster into a spare room with lots of clothes in them, all multicolored. "Okay, find clothes in your size that match up to your elements." He says to Oliver and Andrea. "Rose, here are your clothes." He hands me a box of clothes, all in my size, bearing the colors of all four elements.

"Thank you Headmaster." I gratefully thank.

"It was no problem, we had to get you some clothes as well, seeing as how every other chosen one's wardrobe will be easier to get than yours. We called up a seamstress last night and had one of the maids get your size right by looking in your suitcase. We got them specialized for you, seeing as how you are literally one of a kind. I forgot to add, but once your reach Level 1 for your element, as long as you are wearing your designated item, you are not required to wear your elemental colored clothes. Most times students stick to their colored clothing, but sometimes others may just wear black." Headmaster responds.

I smile bright, looking through my box of clothes. We all thank Headmaster and go out of the room with the new additions to our wardrobe. Before I depart ways from Andrea, I tell him in Italian to sit by us during meal times, he agrees. Oliver and I chose to take the elevator instead of the stairs. We get to Oliver's dorm room and enter, on the way up I told him I wanted to see the rest of his dorm, as well as help him pack away his clothes. He agreed, but only on the terms that he does the same for me.

Oliver and Jake's dorm is less flashy then mine, more English looking. It doesn't take Oliver and I long to unpack his clothes. We head to my dorm next. When we step in, Oliver gasps in shock.

"No fair!!" He playfully glares. I just laugh, setting down my stuff, offering him some cookies. He gladly accepts, moaning in delight when he bites into one of them. We walk to my room and get to work. I placed all of my new clothes in drawers so it doesn't deter from my color organized closet, yet is still easily accessible. After this, I give Oliver a tour of my dorm.

"Your dorm is way better than mine. How did you even decorate it? I never saw you come with decor." Oliver questions.

"I just rearranged the decor that was already here to where I thought it would look better. For example, the living room was loaded with plants, so I put some in my room and another in my activity room. Then, I rehung some wall stuff that I felt was in the wrong place to begin with and personalized it last night." I tell my brother.

"Wow ... that's just .... wow." He stutters out in shock. We spend the rest of the time together, just like old times.

"I'm telling you! He didn't even tell me where it was, he was just like find it on your own or don't wear any." Oliver tells me with tears in his eyes. I bust out laughing again at Oliver telling me about how Luke hid his favorite undies and then refused to help him look. We open the canteen doors, walking into line together. I do my best to hold in my laughter, but one small look to my right, and I'm laughing aloud again, along with Oliver.

" Hai una risata così angelica, bellissima." Andrea comes up to me, kissing my cheek. I know Andrea is just teasing, he told Oliver and I that he was gay earlier, which may I say is super cute. [ T : You have such an angelic laugh beautiful. ]

"Posso dire che hai delle fossette premiate?" I tease in return, kissing his cheek back. We have already arrived at our table, the others waiting to eat for us. [ T : May I say you have award winning dimples handsome? ]

I introduce Andrea to everyone when Jake asks me a question.

"Why did you kiss him on the cheek?" In confusion, and slight jealousy.

"It is in Italian culture to greet a person by kissing their cheeks, though not everyone does it." Andrea responds for me.

"Can you tell me something in Italian?" Jake asks. I nod, giving a mischievous glance to Andrea, him being the only one who will be able to understand me.

"Imparerai ad apprezzarmi come amico, non come cotta. Inoltre, a volte il tuo respiro puzza." I seductively say, innocently batting my eyelashes and slightly pouting my lips. Andrea busts out laughing and I give Jake an extremely satisfied smile. [ T : You will learn to like me as a friend, not a crush. Plus, sometimes your breath stinks. ]

"I don't even care what you said to me, that was hot!" Jake says shrugging his shoulders, blushing a bit. Andrea and I share a knowing glance, containing our laughter for now. I motion for everyone to bow their heads and close their eyes with joined hands. Andrea does as well, even though he has no idea what is going on. After I say grace, I explain to Andrea my villages tradition and why I still do it, of course all of this being spoken in Italian. Oliver just laughs aloud randomly, we all look to him.

"I told you Andrea. I told you and look how true my words were." Oliver laughs again, referencing as to how I only speak to Andrea in Italian.

"I don't mind, I actually find it quite nice to speak to someone who shares the knowledge of my homeland's culture." Andrea says, giving me a grateful smile. I return one.

"I also find it nice to speak Italian with someone who is not as old as Mr.Lucia, don't tell him I said that." I look at all of the boys seriously. They just laugh and chuckle at my words, knowing that if Mr.Lucia heard me call him old, I would be forced to train all day, only allowed 2 ten-minute breaks. Hereby say that nobody has called him old in many years.

The golden boys fill Andrea and Jake in on Mr.Lucia's tendencies, with Oliver and Mikey adding in a few comments. I notice the time as I see the sunset, bidding all of the boys goodnight.

I follow my nighttime routine, getting under the covers of my bed when I am done. I fall asleep thinking about tomorrow, and reminiscing on memories from my old home.

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