Chapter 4

Sena walked into the testing area. Taking a deep breath and turned to face the direction of the examiners. Gripping her swords tightly she got into position holding the sword in her left hand diagonally right, right hand at her side. Just like she practiced her right hand swung at where her opponent's neck would be pulling back her left. Stepping forward lightly following with a thrust from her left, then a chop to the area of the shoulder, retreating.

Sena got into the familiar rhythm of her swordsmanship when, "Stop, you pass. Go get your things at the administration office." Sena floated over to her destination grinning like a fool. Right before she left the testing area she realized she still had the swords. Wearing a tomato like complexion she returned the swords eyes toward the ground, rushing away as if running.

By the time she had reached admin she had returned to her regular color and the sun had slightly set. Going to the desk designated for weapons test takers she spotted two familiar backs. People tried to keep their distance so a small space formed around them. Curious glances being thrown at them, but ultimately acting like they were minding their business. Instead of slowing down she sped up adopting a cheerful attitude. From the corner of her eye she spotted the gossiper in the mixed crowd as one of less discreet observers.

Thinking this'd be an interesting show if she was part of the audience she spoke in all the joy she could muster, "Father, Benjamin what are you doing here? I got great news to- " PA! Sena was expecting the slap, however, she didn't expect her 'fiancé' to put that much force into it. The hit sent her tumbling, she caught herself on her hands and knees resulting in her hands being scraped, drawing blood. Her knees were spared as she was wearing pants. She stared at the floor shocked and trembling. Shocked because she didn't think he would be that violent at this age. She ran her tongue on the side of her mouth that got hit. Sena tasted blood. Trembling because of the pain coming from her hands. There was no pain from the slap the area felt numb.

The action drew surprised gasps from students and staff alike even Sena's stone faced Father showed surprise, causing the spectators nearest to backpedal. The angered boy paid them no mind. This wasn't the case for the Master, even if he didn't particularly care Sena was still the boy's fianée. While holding the boy's shoulder, looking at Benjamin from the corner of his eyes as if to prevent any more nonsense, "Forgive him, Sena. He was just surprised. Why did you apply here? Were you not going to buy jewelry?" As if remembering something Sena looked up looking wronged, using a small voice, "I did buy the jewelry. But I ended up in front of the Academy. Benjamin talks about the Academy a lot. Since he goes here and rarely leaves, I thought if I also attended we would be able to spend more time together..." Sena trailed off sniffing and letting tears fall.

"Sen-" "Does MY family need such a wife? YOU only have to be obedient! Is that so much to ask for? You came to this institution on a whim? You with no ability? !" He turned to the Master speaking respectfully, "I don't like this one anymore. You can pick out the next one." With that he turned and left leaving Sena on the floor. She looked to the Master with pleading eyes. He walked forward proceeding to help her up and speaking in a melancholic tone, "Sena, abandon your last name or come back home and forget about this place. I can't protect you if you stay nor can I force you to leave. If they learn you have already been punished hopefully they will not bully you too much. I know you really want to go here but would you consider coming home?"

Sena felt disgusted. It took all her effort not to let the feeling bleed into her expression. Sena's face was slightly stiff, "I wish to stay here, if you must disown me for my safety then so be it. Goodbye Father. " Sena turned away from him with her head lowered, finishing what she came to do. Taking her schedule, a map and her room key she ran as fast as she could to a deserted area near her dorm building. After she stopped she started giggling eyes bent like crescent moons, shining brilliantly. The more she giggled the louder she became. Soon she was clutching her stomach howling with laughter.

Sena stopped laughing when she heard footsteps behind her. The source of the sound being the gossiper. He looked at Sena with a complicated expression for a bit before letting go of whatever it was he was thinking about. She stood up properly but there was still a face splitting grin on her face. Her facial expression looked odd with the bright red hand print, the tear stains and slightly puffy eyes.

While the boy was curious about the whole story the earlier scene made it easy to guess the story. Besides that the look on her face was enough to discourage any further questions. He extend one of his hands for a handshake, speaking with the same energy and familiarity as the last time, "Kaiden. Kaiden Asher. It's nice to meet you Sena." Sena didn't create a distance this time, directly shaking his hand, "Nice to meet you too."

Kaiden immediately thought of somethings, "You're a regular person right? What did you apply here for? How do you plan to stay here past three months?" The three months mentioned are a deadline for normals to reach Entry stage. It is also the the same time quarterly exams are held as well as when someone can add more subjects to their studies. A fail in any one subject means expulsion. After someone is expelled they can't apply again for exactly four years. Failed applicants can try again yearly. "Yes. I applied here for weapons training and I plan to stay the same way everyone else does."

Sena spoke in a very relaxed tone, making it clear she was not worried. Kaiden nodded, "I'll see you around then." He waved as he left. After making sure he was gone she headed to her dorm, grin disappearing instantly. Her dorm room was on the top floor of a twelve story building. There were three such buildings packed close together. The buildings had no paint or any design. They looked like large rectangles with regularly placed shining squares. There was no elevator in the building, Sena climbed the stairs to her room.

When she arrived at her room she was sweating but otherwise fine. Sena entered the room that looked like a bachelor apartment. She searched through the place, finding the cupboards in the kitchen area filled to the brim with non perishable foods and one with a pot, pan, bowl and plate. A drawer had some forks, knives and spoons. There is a fridge but both the freezer and cool parts were empty. There's also a kettle, microwave and a two plate stove. Perfectly set up for a person to live alone. There was an empty space, that would normally be a living room, then a door leading to the bathroom. In the bedroom area there stood a single bed with a window above it and a wardrobe. Filled with a few average sized female clothes.

She felt satisfied with her room. Sena sat down on the floor looking over her schedule. She had a class in the afternoon for three hours every even day ( Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday ) of the week. This meant Sena had her first class five days. Pulling out the map she saw the class was held in the same testing area. Sena put both away in a drawer, taking out her ouroboros necklace from the storage bag and wore it immediately. She observed the necklace closely liking it more the longer she looked. Now, as long as no one decided to be petty, she had 4×4 meters total in storage space.

Sena placed the storage bag into the same drawer as the map. She went to the empty area and practiced her swordsmanship before making herself a simple meal. She made enough for three meals. When she finished with her chores she sat cross legged in the empty living room bringing up her cultivation manual. Speaking of those she should probably think of a name for them. It would be bad if she gave a different name everytime a person asked about them.

Sena reread the introduction like a ceremony before she actually starts reading. After finishing her fanfare she was nearly vibrating in excitement. Sena began reading the Entry stage method.

...

.....

Sena wished she could bang her head against the wall. The cultivation method described was just a more detailed and specific version of what she was originally doing. The only differences were clear instructions on circulating qi and the focus being the middle dantian instead of the upper one. While these two differences are extremely misleading Sena still felt a little stupid. In a way similar to how someone would feel if they got a math question wrong because they wrote + instead of - or vise versa.