One year later......

Aria had already spent quite an eventful year at the academy.

She had got into many troubles, and had officially taken the title of the troublemaker of the academy, so much so that if there was any trouble at the academy, the first suspect was Aria. But despite this, the teachers could never bring themselves to punish Aria severely and she always got by with only a little scolding.

Her power had also become quite known throughout the academy and the capital. She had also made many more friends but Helen stayed her best friend, she had even visited her home during the holidays, largely impressing her and Joseph's father, who, as Joseph complained, seemed to like her more than Joseph or Helen.

Aria had also visited Sonia and Victor twice along with Jacob and Harper, where the three had been very much admired by everyone for getting into the academy.

Aria had also, much to Joseph's horror, already completed more than half of the academy course, passing four exams in water precision and earth, and five in water power and wind bending.

Helen had also passed four exams in her water precision class, she and Aria usually took them together, three in earth bending and two in fire bending.

Jacob had lagged behind a little on the third exam and had been able to pass it only last month.

Joseph, who had been at the academy for two years now had already passed seven exams in water power, and six in water precision, fire and wind bending.

The four were progressing at their own paces while enjoying their time together at the academy.

The third day of the new session dawned bright with the sun smiling on the academy castle. Aria got up, stretched and climbed out of bed. She threw open the windows of her room in the top of the north tower as cold wind hit her face. Aria had again lasted the longest while fighting six months ago against Professor Thomas and had thus earned this room. She had done great that time, considering that she had only received minor scratches and a slightly deep cut before giving up.

That was the most important lesson Aria had learnt. Knowing when to give up when her stamina was exhausted so much that fighting any more would lead to her fainting or getting gravely injured. Professor Thomas had commended her for the great fight, but most of all he had praised her for learning when to give up.

Now, today was the day she would fight Professor Thomas again. Aria looked at the sky and said to herself, "Bright sun, no clouds. Will be a little hot. Seems like summer came early this year. But that's good. I never quite got used to the snow."

Aria had already taken a quick bath and put on her uniform, white shirt with dark blue pants. This uniform had now come to be attached to Aria and many students, boys and girls, had asked Professor Thomas to change their uniforms. And Professor Thomas had of course allowed it so that now you would mostly see white shirt and dark blue pants in the whole academy with the other uniforms like stars in a sky.