***
Astrid watched as the black vehicle returned with the Flaremore siblings.
'Mizuki's finally back...'
He tapped her shoulder from behind. She jumped before giving him a knock on the head.
"You idiot!"
"I was expecting a 'Welcome back, Mizuki!' but i guess that'll do."
Mizuki chuckled as they both entered the academy. Today was the day that revealed who passed. They entered a large hall where they were to wait for futher information.
As the professor entered the room, carrying a stack of papers, Astrid's heart skipped a beat. This professor was assumed to be strict but fair, and his opinion held immense weight in the academic community. He began distributing the papers one by one, his face an enigma, revealing no hints of the scores he held within his hands.
Astrid's hands trembled as she received her paper. She took a deep breath, unfolding it with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. Her eyes darted across the page, scanning the professor's analysis on each trial, and she couldn't help but feel a surge of hope.
The professor cleared his throat, commanding the attention of the room. "Before I announce the results, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the exceptional effort and dedication displayed by all of you during this course. It is not an easy journey, and I commend each and every one of you for the progress you've made."
Astrid's heart swelled with pride as she listened to the professor's words. She glanced around the room, seeing the mixture of nervousness and excitement on her classmates' faces. They had all formed a tight-knit community, supporting and encouraging one another throughout their academic endeavours.
With a brief pause, the professor finally revealed the news everyone had been waiting for. "And now, without further ado, let me announce the results of the final exam."
"Tentaro Umi, fail. Rishi Wints, fail. Denda Maske, pass. Yotsuba, fail." Astrid's heart sank a bit after hearing the first results. They were extremely judged. Somehow, she felt she had no chance of passing. The professor continued. "Mizuki Matsuno, pass. Aki Helrare, pass. Mirage Cetera, pass. Lilith Flaremore, pass." Mizuki looked at Astrid with happiness, while she gave him a sight of dread. He reassured her through a "hmmph!" of hope, and all Astrid could do was anticipate. "Nagi Flaremore, pass. Destiny Moylen, pass. Lux Mos, fail. Astrid Atsuko, pass."
A wave of disbelief washed over Astrid. The weight that had been bearing down on her shoulders seemed to lift, replaced by a surge of pure elation. She couldn't believe her ears. It was a moment she had dreamed of, worked tirelessly towards, and now it had become a reality. As she overwhelmed herself with joy, the professor finished reading out the names.
As the crowd slowly dispersed, Astrid couldn't help but reflect on her journey. She realised that passing the exam wasn't just about the win; it was about the perseverance, the determination. She had discovered her true potential, honed her skills, and learned invaluable lessons about perseverance and determination. With renewed confidence, she set her sights on the next chapter of her academic journey, knowing that the triumph of this exam would serve as a foundation for her future endeavours. She had proven to herself that she had what it took to succeed, and she was ready to face any challenge that lay ahead. And so, with her head held high and a heart filled with excitement, Astrid stepped out of the classroom, ready to embrace the endless possibilities that awaited her. The path of knowledge stretched out before her, and she was prepared to do whatever it took to kill Baron.