Rose's POV

I walk down the stadium steps after my name echos through the dome like structure. I enter the arena by pushing open the fence. I walk towards the center of the area, in front of Headmaster Jackson, waiting to be given instructions.

"Your placement test will begin with weaponry, then combat, each of your elements, then lastly, dragon taming." His voice amplified by the microphones. "Proceed to the table to pick out your favorable weapons, or you may use your own if that is preferred. You will be assigned to hit a number of moving targets at a distance of 10 meters away, then 15, then 20. After this, we will see how well you do the same with a bow and arrow from longer distances. Finally, your weaponry assessment will be completed when you go against the top swordsman in Level 2." I hear hundreds of gasps in the crowd. Surely I thought my test would be difficult, but I never saw that coming. "You may head to the weapons table now." Headmaster finishes.

I walk my way over to the table set up on the side of the arena. I see an assortment of knives, daggers, swords and other weapons. I don't even glance at the other swords, knowing my imperium sword is more than worthy. What I take a look at are the throwing knives, perfect for taking down a target and delaying their escape. I test out the weight in my hands, finding it perfect for the occasion. I don't want to use my knives because they are designed to stab at close range, not be thrown from long range. Although, if needed, my knives would do a sufficient enough job. I grab the twelve set of throwing knives, holding them expertly.

"The targets will be moving in every direction of you, your job is hit your targets with accuracy and precision. Don't be discouraged if you do not hit the targets, it will be difficult. The test begins in 20 seconds, good luck." Headmaster says. I all but scoff in my head, 10 meters is nothing, 15 is average, 20 is what I warm up with. Throwing knives is my worst skill in weaponry, still very advanced compared to other 15 year olds. I can practically feel the smirks the golden boys are giving Headmaster, if only he knew what I was capable of. Ten seconds before my test begins, I clear my head of my thoughts, ridding myself of nerves. I close my eyes and focus soley on the sounds I hear, the slight difference in breeze. 3... I count in my head. 2... I can do this. 1... Showtime!

With eyes remaining closed, I throw one of the knives northeast to my position. I feel the tiniest bit of difference in wind current against my skin. I throw the next knife southeast to where I am. I continue this process with my eyes remaining closed, finally throwing the last knife southwest to my slightly adjusted position. I open my eyes and see all 12 targets stopped with knives sticking out dead center, bullseye. The crowd is silent, obviously reeling back their previous judgement of me. That took a while for me to master, not trying to lie.

When round 2 begins, after I collect each throwing knife from my previous targets, I keep my eyes open. I do the same thing I did for the 10 meter targets, feeling for the difference in wind resistance. As well as before, I have 12 identical targets, all with knives hitting the center of the bullseye.

When round 3 approaches, I go for a different tactic. I take off my shoes and socks, my bare feet now touching the dirt ground. When the 20 meter targets begin moving, I listen carefully and feel for the vibrations in the ground. I feel one dead west of where I am, throwing my knife at the target with more force. I hit the bullseye but it wasn't centered. I have no time to further think about it, with another target moving slightly in between southeast and south of where I am. I throw the knives with utmost precision in a rhythm. When I am all out of knives, I look up at the Headmaster; he nods his head in approval. A single bead of sweat trickles down the side of my face.

"We will move onto archery." Headmaster states. The process is fairly the same as the others. I hit every target with precision and accuracy, though I wish my bullseyes were more exact. "Lastly, swordsmanship. You will face your opponent in 30 seconds, good luck." Headmaster's voice tells me. I unsheathe my sword from its holding, allowing everyone to see my beauty. I hear more gasps in the audience, everyone admiring my craft. I take a deep breath and get into my stance, my bare feet remaining shoeless. I see the Level 2 swordsman approach me, unsheathing his sword as well.

"I am sorry about this, but I cannot go easy on you. Usually these tests are no where near this hard, you are doing exceptionally well." He compliments me.

"Thank you." I reply. Before our fight begins, I bow my head with my hand holding my sword in the middle of my body. It is tradition in Trinity Stone to bow to your opponents, showing them your respect. I raise and take my previous stance, the Level 2 follows my actions. They are about to be surprised, for swordsmanship is my best part of weaponry. Our time is up, the fight begins.

He makes no move to advance, staying on the defensive, so I attack first. I take a jab towards his stronger side hoping he will fall for my bait, he does. When he moves out the way, at lighting speed I jab to his weak, finding an opening. My sword grazes his side slightly, breaking skin. Before he can react, I crouch down and swipe my right leg under his own. The swordsman loses his balance and I point my sword at his neck. I have bested him. The Level 2 student looks at me in awe.

"How did you move that fast? I couldn't even advance towards you." He asks astounded.

"You underestimated me and my capabilities, I played that to my advantage. Because you were shocked at my advances, you didn't defend yourself, leaving you defeated before you could even move your sword." I tell the boy, sounding more like Mr.Lucia than ever. "What you did just now was not your best, the muscles on your arms tell me that you are very talented with wielding a sword. Don't let your judgement cloud the truth, for if we were in a real battle, you would be as good as dead." I reality check him. I could have had my fun with him, but I know that I need to save my energy for my other placement tests.

"Very well done Rose. You will now finish your first test by engaging in a fight with Level 2's best fighter. Your test will begin in 20 seconds, good luck." Headmaster tells me. I remove my sword and the other components in my leather case from my back. I also keep my boots off for now, for hand-to-hand combat will require me to be quick on my feet and diligent. The boy enters the arena taking his stance, I bow my head before I take mine as well. The final component of this test begins.

Instead of me advancing, he takes a swing to my weak side, I effortlessly move out the way. Jamie taught me well, and I won't let his teachings go to waste. I see the boy's faults in his stance, he is strong, but not quick. His stance is slightly off balance, putting more pressure on his stronger leg, favoring his left knee.

Without waiting, I take a false jab to his head then swing to his side with more power. He tries to throw in a punch, but I see it coming and block it before it reaches my face. I punch his nose with strength, hearing a crack before blood begins to flow out of it. I then move to punch his temple, a pressure point, but he moves out the way and advances towards me.

He takes two jabs at me, I dodge the first and barely miss the second by ducking. I kick my leg at his favored knee, popping back up and roundhouse him, kicking his temple. The force of his instability and my kick at his pressure point causes him to knock out. I didn't really want to be the cause of bruises on his body, and I bested him because he fights a lot like Tony. I'll probably get Level 1 since I beat both of Level 2's best fighters, logically speaking.

"You have completed your weapons and combat test. We will move onto your elemental level placement tests. Which element would you like to begin with?" Headmaster asks.

"Air." I respond, not bothering to put my weapons back on. I figured that if I could manage air first, then the other elements would come easier.

"You have a minute to call upon your element, good luck." Headmaster says. I know that there is only one way I could manage to wield air right now. I sit down on the ground and clear my mind. I relax my muscles and focus my mind on the air around me. This isn't enough, I concentrate on the particles in the air. How it would feel for my to use every single atom and wield it at my will. A breezes blow by, reminding me of my awaiting battle.

I see a figure I recognize as Mr.Ivanov, waiting in front of me. I see the intricate tattoos run up his neck, his large build and muscles on display—a master of air. Before my time completely runs out, I bow my head and focus on the texture of the air surrounding me. When a buzzer blares, Mr.Ivanov is already summoning his element.

I feel the slight difference of where atoms are being joined together and taken out of the air. I dodge the air master's mini attack, when a force of air blows by where I just stood. Mr.Ivanov looks at me calculating, I use this time to attempt summoning my element. I imagine the particles of air, the smallest of oxygen atoms. I then imagine myself combing these molecules and willing the thousands of molecules to attack.

I can feel the wind surrounding me now. I try and grasp onto a few particles of air. I make a larger force after combining many atoms together, sweat gathering at my eyebrows in intense concentration. With this, I move my hands outward in a fluid motion, using the air at my beck and call. I am surprised when Mr.Ivanov is pushed back in the arena, stumbling at first before regaining his composure.

He looks at me in surprise, I too am in shock. My shock is soon replaced by worry as a force blows me back into the air. My body flailing in the wind, before my body can go splat, I manipulate the air to help me land on my feet. I will the wind into a small ball of energy if some sort and throw it at the Russian. It does not do much and he easily deflects it.

He used more air to push me away, getting me off balance. I create an air force field of some sort, protecting me from the attack. While I try to maintain my force field of air, Mr.Ivanov creates a ball of air much like the one I had, but larger in size. He powerfully moves the air towards me, and my weak abilities are not enough to sustain the attack. The ball of air breaks through the force field and hits me dead center in the chest.

I am roughly forced backwards, losing my footing. I land on my back harshly, the tiny rocks on the ground sticking into my back. When I attempt to get up, I feel this invisible force weighing me down. I try and move the air particles to lighten the pressure, just as I think it worked, Mr.Ivanov gets a firmer grip on the air surrounding me. I submit to him by hanging my head, showing my defeat. I am not mad that he has bested me, if anything, I think I put up a worthy fight.

"You have completed your Air placement test. Which element should you proceed with next?" Headmaster asks the similar question.

"Water." I reply. Water is most like air, therefore the process of willing it should be the same. Headmaster Jackson tells me that I have a minute to call upon my element. I take a few breaths before focusing on the humidity in the air, as well as the large tub of water they have in the back of the arena. The fight with Mr.Ivanov took a lot of effort, thankfully, water shouldn't be too bad.

I walk over to the tub of water, closing my eyes and splashing my face. I feel the texture of the water, it's temperature cooling down my hot body. I imagine the flowing water gliding through the air, the blue substance being used to attack others with a sort of gracefulness to it. I have always favored water and nature when appreciating my surroundings. I then focus my attention on the wetness of the air. By centering my mind, I have newfound confidence that I will be able to use the element. I open my eyes and walk closer to Mr.Barden. He has tattoos on the back of his hands as well—a water master. I bow to him as I have the others and take my defensive stance.

Mr.Barden follows Mr.Ivanov's lead by using a mini-attack to see how I would respond. When the ball of water comes my way, I will the element and flick my wrists, moving the water formation out of the way. I use the water from the tub first, focusing on raising it and moving towards Mr.Barden. I see it come towards me, shaky at first, then gracefully to my side when I have a better hold on the element.

Before Mr.Barden can think, I use some of the water and forcefully blast the water towards him. Mr.Barden too stumbles a bit, surprised at the display of strength for a year 1 I am assuming. Mr.Barden engages in attack, me staying on the defensive. He continues move after move, gracefully yet powerfully attacking me. I use a shield of water and brace myself for impact. When it hits me, I move back a couple feet, yet still remain standing.

I take this moment to suck in a deep breath of air, and use my strength to remove the humidity out of the air and against Mr.Barden. Water forms together, and soon enough, I have 8 medium sized balls of water. Mr.Barden makes a move to distract me from my concentration, but I dodge the cheap shot and instead start attacking. I push all 8 balls of water towards Mr.Barden quickly from all directions. He breaks down 6 of the attacks, but two hit his body with force from his blind sides. Mr.Barden gets aggravated that I was able to hit him.

Harsher and more forcefully than any previous attack before, Mr.Barden forms a large ball of snow and throws it at me with incredible speed. I don't have any water to will or time to react before I am hit with the large impact. I roughly land on the dirt ground, tumbling and rolling, my face bearing scratches from the uneven terrain. Blood starts gushing out of my lip, the skin torn from the impact. I know that I will be in pain for the next few hours, and will have a large bruise on the side of my body by morning.

I hang my head and admit defeat to Mr.Barden, still wheezing to get my breath back, submitting to the pain. I haven't moved from my spot yet, still trying to get used to the pain. I help myself up slowly, wincing at every intake of breath. My ribs feel bruised from how strongly the snow collided with my body. I choose to just remain sitting on my knees, heaving to get my breathing under control.

Mr.Barden looks away in shame of what he did and walks out the arena. I squint up to the crowd for the first time since I started my tests and see many different emotions displayed. Some have a look of awe, a lot of the older students and staff glare at Mr.Barden, my friends and others from my village look at me with worry. I nod my head to show that I am ok, although I feel the opposite. I look at Headmaster, inquiring that he asks me to continue.

"You have completed your Water placement test. Which element should you choose now?" Headmaster Jackson asks, almost reluctant.

"Nature." I say. Fire will take the most out of me energy wise, so I need to take that test at the end. Same stuff said, I have a minute to prepare, nothing new. I sit down on the ground for a moment, not making my body hurt any less. After my breath is stabilized, I have about 34 seconds left and walk towards the tub with earth's resources is it.

I put my hands in the dirt, feeling the texture, imagining how it would move at my command. I imagine all of my talks with Nicholas while watching him garden. I walk towards the center of the arena again, only to come face to face with Mr.Casey, the literal dual wielding master prodigy. He gives me a sympathetic look when I stand back up from bowing. I take my stance, wincing at the movement of my side. Our fight begins now.

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