Headmaster Jackson's POV

I see Rose enter the arena, looking around and observing her surroundings. Ah, a very perceptive student we have indeed. When she walks to the center of the stadium, I give her the basic instructions.

"Your placement test will begin with weaponry, then combat, each of your elements, then lastly, dragon taming." I tell her. I inform her that she must go to the weapons table and choose the ones on the table or she can use her own if she feels more comfortable. When I tell her that she will going against the top Level 2 swordsman, I hear the shocked responses of my students. Rose looks indifferent to the news, probably wondering why her test will be harder than everyone else's. Well, Star informed me that Oceanus, Ampiere, and Beau were unable to get into her mind. When I asked Star how this was possible, she told me that it has never happened before with an untrained mind. This shows that Rose is extremely capable and powerful.

"The targets will be moving in every direction of you, your job is to 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." I tell the girl. Rose looks almost offended when I told her that the test will be difficult and not to lose hope. She will have to throw the knives and shoot the arrows at longer distances than everyone else, all with moving targets. For Oliver and Andrea's tests, their targets were 8 meters, 14 meters, and 20 meters away, all moving targets as well. Every other 15 year old's test was 5 meters, 10 meters, then 15 meters, all targets either in motion or stationary.

My gaze piercing down at the young one before me. She closes her eyes as the time runs out. Her test has begun, and to my shock and everyone else's surprise, she throws each knife dead center of every target with her eyes closed. When the 15 meter targets began moving, with her eyes now open, she began moving gracefully, throwing the 12 knives perfectly. As the last round approached, she took off her shoes. I was confused by the action until Casey informed me that she would be feeling for vibrations in the ground, a common thing for nature wielders to do.

It's almost as if Rose is in her own world, she's only focused on her task at hand. When the 20 meter targets start in motion, she falls into a beautiful rhythm of movement. Feeling her surroundings, then throwing the knives with utmost practice. When she finishes, she looks toward me and I give her a nod of approval. She repeats the process with her arrows, as if it's second nature. Every target hitting a bullseye. She unsheathed her sword when I tell her to prepare for her fight.

"That is the finest sword I have ever seen..." Howard stutters out in awe. I must admit, I can't help but agree with him. The black obsidian color reflective of the suns rays, intricate designs on both side of the handle, it's artistry is flawless. I notice that there is an engraved quote along the spine too far away to read, as well as a smaller design on the sword's tip. It is truly beautiful, though I wonder how she acquired it.

Soon, Avery steps into the arena and exchanges a few words with Rose. She bows respectfully before getting into her stance, Avery follows in her footsteps. Before I can comprehend, she is moving her sword at a rapid pace with strength. She takes a jab to Avery's stronger side that ends up being a trap. Avery dodges her false jab leaving his weak side unguarded. She takes advantage of this opportunity and grazes his skin, faster than lightning.

She crouches into a low position and swipes her leg under his feet so that the Level 2 boy will lose his balance. Avery falls meanwhile Rose pops up and puts her sword to Avery's neck just as he lands on his back. The fight literally taking less than a minute long. When Avery asks her how she did that, she responded loud enough for all of us to hear, but not intentionally.

"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. 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 judgment cloud the truth, for if we were in a real battle, you would be good as dead." She expertly responds. Rose picked apart his defenses and gave him the exact feedback he needed to hear for him to improve his skills. She would be an amazing instructor.

When Boston enters the arena, they too exchange a few words before she bows. Rose is an extremely admirable student, showing her respect to all who fight her while being humble about it. I am excited to see what she is going to be able to do with her elements. When they get into their stances, Boston advances with a punch to her 'weak' side but she gracefully dodges. Her hand-to-hand combat almost looking like an elegant dance. She takes a quick and aimed jab at Boston's head, he moves out the way only to be forcefully punched in his side. How she saw the opening, I don't even know.

He takes a swing at her head but Rose blocks it before it can make contact with her skin. Instead, packing a powerful swing into Boston's nose, definitely broken. With blood gushing out of his nose, Boston looks enraged. When she tries to get at his temple, he moves out of the way at the last second.

He advances towards her, Rose avoiding the punches by a smudge. She ducks to avoid the last jab and kicks at Boston's favored knee. When he loses his balance, she roundhouse kicks his temples with just enough force so that he will be unconscious yet not enough force to seriously harm him. Thank god she didn't do that with her boots on. We have the medical team carry Boston out of the arena when I speak to Rose.

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

"Air." She responds after a moment of thinking. Rose makes no move to put her boots, or other weapons back on, probably thinking that they will only slow her down.

"You have a minute to call upon your element, good luck." I tell the girl. While I am watching her get ready, I converse with Howard about her test as Ivanov makes his way to the arena. I could have chosen Level 1's for Rose to fight, but I want to see her go up against some of the stronger elementals for her first battles. From here, then we can see which level she should truly belong in.

"Level 1." I tell Howard with certainty.

"No doubt about it. She has an extremely precise combat form, one that is hard to fight against. She is already strong, but I will push her more than the other Level 1's so that her strength can increase, as well as her stamina. Her weaponry was phenomenal, she could be the best archer we have at the Academy and she is only a year 1. She could easily give the year 3's and 4's a run for their money. I am not going to lie, I will be extremely tough on her, more so than the others. I see much potential in her. She also identified me as her combat and weaponry teacher before the tour started." He tells me honestly. Although Howard puts up a tough facade, he cares for the well beings of all of his students.

I watch as Rose meditates, her body seemingly relaxed. I know that many powerful air masters utilize meditating on a daily basis. I just wonder how she could already know to meditate in preparation for her air placement test and look for the vibrations in the ground like a nature wielder would. Ivanov blows a small breeze by Rose to wake her of her trance. She respectfully bows towards Ivanov before the buzzer blares. I don't know how Rose is completely oblivious to the looks of awe, disbelief, pride, and the looks of lust that even I see her receiving. For such a perceptive girl, she can be very unaware.

Rose moves to the side just in time as a gust of wind is blown in her previous spot. Everyone, including I, is anxious to see if the wondrous girl will fight back. Ivanov is assessing her unknown capabilities, Rose takes this time to try and will the air around her. I don't think it is working until I surprisingly see a medium-large rush of wind attack the air master. He stumbles a bit from the force, but regains his composure in a timely manner. They are both shocked until Ivanov advances.

A large gust of wind blows Rose into the air. I believe her body is going to make contact with the ground when she moves her hands. She slows down, landing on her feet upright by manipulating the air around her body. She forms a small ball of air and throws it at Ivanov. I am shocked to say the least, she is already using her air element to not only defend but to attack.

The air master forces a large breeze in the direction of Rose. She creates a wall-like shield to avoid the advance. She is sweating in concentration, doing her best to keep up the shield. Her attempts seem futile as Ivanov makes a much larger ball of energy infused air compared to Rose's and hurls it at the girl. It breaks through her shield easily and forced her back a couple feet, making her roughly land on her back. She attempts to get up but is held down by something. I see Ivanov holding his arm out, I'm assuming holding her down by adding pressure to the air. When she realizes she can no longer attack nor defend, she hangs her head, admitting her defeat.

I say my rehearsed lines and watch Rose move towards the tub of water as Ivanov approaches his previous seat.

"What is your honest opinion of the girl?" I ask my trusted friend.

"She is remarkable. I thought that she would only be able to defend my advances, which is why I was shocked when I felt that I was being pushed back in the arena. Not only this, but I saw her feel around the air for the individual atoms, that is how she evaded my first mini attack. Rose felt the air being sucked away, in order to feel the presence of air molecules, you have to have extremely good focus and concentration. Only a few year 4's are able to get it by the end of every year. For her as a first year to be able to notice that ... she is being placed in Level 1." Ivanov tells me, his Russian accent thick.

"I agree, she is the best 15 year old that Academy has yet to see." I say. I can see that Ivanov wants to ask for something, but is unsure. "If you have something to ask my friend, just do it." I tell him.

"I don't want for Rose to attend her Advanced Air Manipulation Class full time. I want to train her personally part time. She can attend her regular Air development class on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, but on Tuesdays and Thursday's, I want her to learn from me." He honestly says. For my friend to request to train a student is unheard of, Ivanov is usually one of the first people to get frustrated with his students.

"That can be arranged." I tell him, after considering it for a moment. I intently watch as Rose puts her hand in the tub of water, closing her eyes. She unconsciously is moving her hand delicately through the water, causing ripples to form in what looks like a yin and yang symbol. She opens her eyes and walks towards the center of the arena, preparing for her fight with Barden.

~~~~~~~~~~~\\~~~~~~~~~~