Cassidy's teags were a little more than Veronica could handle. More in the sense of that she couldn't really do any of the things the Cassidy wanted her to do. Like softcore sexual flirting.

  But, Cassidy did teach her a few things that she could actually use. Hopefully.

  The two got off their carriage o arrived at the academy. It was a very rge plot, with perhaps seven ht rge buildings, if not more.

  "This is... more than I expected." Cassidy stood i the academy grounds. Extravagant statues leading the applits towards the courtyard. "I thought this school was merit based but..."

  "This looks like a school for nobles..." Veronica added, her brain overloading from the major difference from her home town and the academy in the capital.

  The girls hardly snapped out of it as they followed the pathway into the courtyard, where many, maudents were. At a quick t, there couldn't have beehan five hundred applits. Most of whom looked riough to purchase one of the school buildings.

  Cassidy looked around, not at what the school offer, but everyone in the area. It was clear she wasn't looking for friends.

  "What are you looking for?"

  "The person for you to make out with."

  "I-I don't need another persht now anyways..."

  "Wouldn't it be o get that upgrade sooner rather thahough?" Cassidy replied with a sky smirk. "Oh, she's pretty cute." She said, ly pointing out which girl.

  "Cass, I'm being serious. I don't need someone else right now. The upgrade isn't even very useful. I think."

  "Look hun, just leave it all to me. I'll find the perfect person for you. In the mean time, you practice making out with me."

  'Make out with my best friend for practice. I mean, I guess it makes sense...' Veronica thought, trying to get it through her head.

  Soon though, a few people walked onto a stage in front of the applits. Teachers perhaps. Or at least some form of offical staff members. The first, and only person to speak was a rather beautiful woman who couldn't have looked much older than her mid or perhaps te twenties. Slightly tanned skin, long, dark brown hair.

  "Ahem. I am the current headmaster of this academy, Beatrice Ardenmeyer. You have all e from different pces of the world to e to this school, and reciate that. However, just because your applications were accepted, does not mean you are students at this academy." Headmaster Beatrice excimed.

  There were a few whispers along the lines of "then why did I apply?" or simir. But, it was obvious, no?

  "I uand your fusion. However, we ot just take in everyone lies. All applits must pass the week loion process. You will be examed on basiowledge and your physical fitness. You do not o be the best of the best right off the bat. Though, we still have rge expectations, and if you do not meet those, you will be sent bae."

  There was... even more e. What did people expect? This was a highly prestigious school. Of course they wouldn't accept everyone as a student. They had to prove themselves.

  "Aha! Target spotted!" Cassidy whispered, fusing Veronica.

  "What target? What are you talking about?" Veronica whispered back, dumbfounded.

  "You'll see. I'll give you the details ter. Time to do some witchy reaissance!" She slowly made her way away from Veronica, wiggling through the crowd.

  Veronica, oher hand, was just fused, the pirl.

  "Today, you will take a short interview with some of our various teachers, and then make your ways to the temporary barracks assigo you. We will tier that. So, let's start. If your Spirit is a magic css, please follow Miss Arae," a tall, pale woman iage who could be mistaken for Cassidy if she were a succubus, raised her hand in a way that said to follow her.

  "Rogue csses. You'll follow Mister Harriot." A rather average looking man with no disable uniqueo him.

  "And warrior csses, follow Miss Tisha." A tall woman, taller than Miss Arae, with dark gray hair and blue eyes. She seemed somewhat familiar to Veronica, but where has she seen her before?

  "Ah non-bat csses, you'll follow Mrs. Haley." Why are all the female teachers, so far, so beautiful? Is that normal, or some kind of bonus this school gives its female employees?

  No matter. All the students, Veronicluded, followed their respective staff members, splitting apart from everyone else. In the warriroup, there were roughly two hundred people at a gnce. Which means Veroninca has a rather low ce of getting in. But so do the other students.

  All two hundred applits followed the oeacher, who led them to one of the many rge buildings. It was rather rge, with an enormous stained gss window above the doorway, like what you'd see at a church. Though, the design on this window pictured an armored knight sying a dragon.

  'What have I gotten myself into?' Veronica thought, as she ehe building.

  "Wele to the warrior's training hall. Here, any of you who pass, will be using this pce for any trainied to your css." Miss Tisha stated, tinuing to lead the students a little further.

  She led all of them te ter, where many other younger people were, perhaps some older students who agreed to help out.

  "Please line up, and start your interviews. Don't worry, they shouldn't take too long." Miss Tisha said as she took a seat behind the ter, with the older students as well.

  Veronica herself lined up in front of Tisha, where many students decided not to go. Which made sense, as she was quite intimidating. Though, the line was still quite long.

  Luckily for Veroninca, she was one of the first in line. And so, her turn soon came up.

  "Hello there. Please tell me your name and the basics of your Spirit." She was quite straightforward, which, more or less, eased Veronica.

  "I'm Veronica Dornan and my Spirit seems to be some form of versatile fighter, I think." It wasn't teically a lie, right?

  "I see. And what made you want to e here, as opposed to other bat academies?" The question came, quick as lighting.

  "Well, I guess it's because I would be able to learn more about it, and figure out what it wants from me better at this academy."

  "Det answer. And finally, do you know who I am?" She asked, staring deep into Veronica's soul.

  Then, and only then, it clicked into her head.

  "You're... You're Mercury Tisha, niamed 'Mercy' for your merciful as towards your oppos in battle. You once helped in the war a few years ago, fending off over a thousand troops by yourself, to allow the wouo evacuate, during the Battle of Helm's Point..."

  "Well, it was two hundred, and I had about a huroops helpihough, I guess they o fantasize something. But, finally, you're the first person whnized me. Tell me how you figured that out?"

  "I read a lot of books." Veronica stated pinly, realizing that she's practically casually talking to a hero.

  "That expins it, I guess. Well, your interview is over. Please follow the signs towards the applit dorms a for a bit.

  And so, Veronica did, still barely believing that she was standing face to face with the greatest warrior of this geion.