It's Monday. Ten o'clock in the morning. The room where the first rehearsal took place is full of people again. All unfamiliar faces for Iruka and Kenji.

  "Where did so many people come from that the classrooms are full to bursting?!" I asked Kenji in amazement.

  "Well yeah a lot of people were waiting for these exams and everyone was supposed to take them at a different time next year, but because of the emergency, everyone taking the apprentice exams is here." Kenji explained calmly.

  I looked around our classroom. There were dudes and nerds here, some weirdos., posers like me and neutrals. Just like a normal class.

  Everyone seemed to know each other, even Kenji ran off to talk to one of his friends. I was left alone. Again.

  I put my head on the board and looked out the window. Outside it was that pleasant weather when the sun is shining and it is warm, but a flock of clouds is sweeping across the sky and thus covering the yellow disc here and there. That was my favourite thing, according to the weather. I closed my eyes a little and started playing with the wind. I always enjoyed that. Seeing the wind play with the leaves. The tree opposite swayed gracefully to the rhythm of the wind. I couldn't hold back and had to chuckle. This is just the best for boredom.

  But the boredom ended when I heard a commotion in the classroom. I turned my head to the class and watched disinterestedly what was going on. Some dude was picking on a guy I didn't know. Mr. Tough Guy started shoving him until he fell to the ground. By the time I could think about what I was doing, I stand up.

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  "Hey! Stop it!" I stood up abruptly until a chair fell behind me.

  The boy tore his gaze away from his prey and began to focus on me. He smiled a little, but it wasn't a pleasant smile. Slowly but surely, he began to approach me. As he approached, I realized I was about two heads shorter. He was almost upon me now, and the adrenaline began to pour into me rapidly.

  "Hey, hey guys! The names are already posted!" A young man shouted and everyone started to clear the classroom.

  My salvation. I sighed in relief. The kid slowly started to turn around, but before he left, he spoke:

  "I hope I'm up against you, stinker!" He hissed and walked away.

  Hm? What does he mean?

  With my head hanging low, I headed for the blackboard. Here were all the kids in the building, each of them trying to get as close to the boards as possible. They were shoving, swearing, just to get their name.

  "Oh there you are." Kenji grabbed my shoulder.

  "Ugh. I was afraid I wouldn't find you."

  "Don't worry. You may be a little guy, but you're not unmissable." And he laughed at me.

  I just threw a stony face and didn't comment further on his stupid insinuation.

  "Hey, what's this test all about?"

  "It's a duel. One on one. You can take on anyone in this hallway."

  "What? Well, that's nice." I said ironically.

  "Don't worry, I think our spells will be enough for them."

  He patted me on the back a little and I gained a little more confidence from that.

  We finally made it to the board. A moment of suspense came. And it was too damn long. My heart was pounding a hundred and six. I had drops of salt water on my forehead. I flipped through the pages looking for my name. And then it came.

  "Iruka Huro versus Hiro Yamadashi." I read it quietly, but so Kenji could hear.

  "Kenji Samaro versus Ten Yushina."

  "I hope I'm rooting for you."

  "Don't worry, you'll be too much if you want to."

  "Well, I hope I'll be rooting for you."

  "Don't worry, you'll be too if you want to."

  We both smiled at each other. That smile was a smile of support. Now the real trials begin. We have to make it through. We all came here hoping to fulfill our dreams, but only a few of us will make it.