The 9th month of Cretan Epoch, the Britania Academy for Alchemy and Magic was experiencing the mid-Autumn season in which leaves from trees were starting to fall down on the earth, dried and brittle.

Students were all busy with their studies, especially when the final examination was about to commence. The class 2-A was in the middle of discussion for their upcoming outdoor practical exam.

"Everyone should now have the document regarding the final examination. Again, read it carefully and prepare for your exam."

All of the students answered in chorus as they started to examine all the rules, explanation and requisites of their examination.

"It says here that we need to form a group of five in order to proceed with the exam site."

"The exam site is in the Caraga Mountains. Is that a bit extreme for the finals in this semester."

"And it is a week of duration. It's almost more like an extreme practical training than an exam."

Almost all of the students had their own opinions and talked about their exam. They one by one asked for the questions regarding the rules of the exam. Their class adviser answered all of it efficiently while being able to discuss the entirety of the examination.

After clarifying things and understanding the coverage of their examination, everyone started to move to form groups that will be with them during the exam as their class adviser gave them the free time to do so.

Ryder and Johannes also tried to find some members for the group they will form. They initially approached Sienna who was having a conversation with her friends.

"Sienna, did you already have your group?"

"Ryder... the thing is..."

Two of her friends were having their hands clasped and bowing a little like asking for forgiveness which just made Sienna a bit anxious about it.

"I'm really sorry, Sienna!"

"Like I said, it's not a problem. We all don't know that it will be in teams not individually."

The problem is, two of her friends already joined another group for honoring their previous commitment. They felt a sense of guilt as they betrayed Sienna though she didn't really hold them accountable for it.

"Sheila and Marianne have a promise to one student in the other section that if the final examination will be formed in the team, they will join them, so they won't be with us because they had an initial commitment to them."

"We can reject their offer now but..."

"That's the only thing that you shouldn't do. Or else, I will really be mad at the two of you for breaking your promise." Sienna gave them a glare and warned them to forget that idea.

The two just felt goosebumps and gulped as they looked at Sienna who was showing signs of being mad. Until, Sienna sighed and tapped their shoulder.

"Like I said, we couldn't help it if that's a promise you made. I'm not forcing you to be with me as I said at the very beginning that you're both my friend, not my servant."

"Sienna..." The two were looking at her with teary eyes due to her leniency and kindness.

"Stop that."

The two just thanked Sienna and went to the other section to meet with their group. Sienna just smiled as she looked the two ran out.

"Woah! That's some level of kindness."

Sienna just slightly elbowed Ryder who appeared behin her just to tease her. Ryder just winced in pain.

"Okay, what is it again, Johannes?"

"Well, we're both asking if you already joined a group."

"You already see. I'm all alone--no, wait. I also have another friend."

Sienna went to Ellie's seat who she found that quietly sitting on it without involving herself to the other students that were busy in forming groups.

"Ellie!"

"Ah. Lady Sienna--I mean, Sienna. Good day!" she hurriedly greeted before fidgeting in nervousness.

"You're still that fidgety. Anyway, you're still not joining a group? Well, looking at you, you're still not in a group. Then, come with me!"

Sienna pulled her up and went to Ryder's place. Ellie just got surprised as she saw the other students who will be in her team.

"Join our team."

Ellie von Claudia, the third daughter of Count Claudia of Grevallis Kingdom. She was a kindhearted and generous person which was brought by her environment and family influence. Her two older sister and one older brother feed him with love and care, to the point of spoiling her which brought her to this point of adapting their kindness.

But, given their family status, and her father's influence which was not that big, their family was one of the ridiculed and mocked as a country nobles even with a count title, but they were not bothered by it as they were filled with support and love from their family and people in their domain.

Until the start of crown succession happened where high ranking nobles started to associate themselves to the successor they want, Claudia Count Family didn't join the wagon and stay on their  territory in the edge of the kingdom, retaining neutrality. This became a problem as the other nobles oppressed them to support their chosen successor by the means of business intervention, threat or illegal means.

The eldest son got pressure from the order he was knighted. The two eldest daughters were being offered countless of marriage invitation which were just facade of pressuring Count Claudia. Also, Ellie, who got recognized as a mage in her young age, was coveted by countless nobles for their own gain.

Count Claudia, on the end of his wit, decided to protect his family by stalling a year in choosing a successor for that battle. He also enrolled Ellie to the academy at young age to prevent other in threatening her safety.

Ellie, who felt upset about their situation, studied hard and tried to muster a courage in form a connection with other mages, but to no avail because of her shy personality. But, not until a helping hand offered her a salvation and light, Sienna von Oswald, the sole daughter of Duke Oswald of Grevallis Kingdom. That was when she felt indebted and thankful to her and decided to repay her with any help she can do.

"Hey, wait! Who told you that this is your team? Were not really going to recruit you!"

"Oh? Really? Then, you can go out alone from my team."

"You boyish woman!"

"What boyish? You skinny weakling!"

"Fire fly!"

A word play directed to Sienna who was a proficient user of the fire element.

"Needle prick!"

A word play directed to Ryder who was a knight with thin physical appearance.

The two started bickering which Johannes ignored and approached Ellie to introduce himself.

"We didn't have a chance to properly introduce with each other last time. I'm Johannes von Rutherford."

"I-It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Ellie von Claudia."

"Don't be too formal. Just be casual. We will be in team for week and you're Sienna's friend, making you my friend too."

Ellie blushed by his words and just silently nodded at him continuously which he found confusing if he said something that made her looked threatened.

"By the way..." Ellie stopped her nodding. "Since we're going to the Caraga Mountains, we could find Professor Shiro Blanca's laboratory during the exam, right?"

The other two stopped fighting and looked at her. Ryder looked with a troubled face after hearing it before raising his concern.

"Well, that's the initial plan, but... we don't know if we could find Professor there, even with the map that Senior Alexis gave."

"It's okay. Looking at the map that Senior Alexis gave and the map for our final examination." She opened the document to the page showing a map.

"Hey, Sienna, how did she know about Senior Alexis?"

"Huh? What are you saying? She's the one who introduced us to Senior Alexis before to help us in some magic research."

"Really?!"

"Look here." She pointed the place in the examination map. "This is the map for Khunlun Forest which is the same with Senior Alexis' map."

"You're right!" Johannes agreed.

"So, it's possible. Then, we just need another team member to start our meeting for our plan."

"Ah!" Ellie raised her hand. "Actually, I know some who might be a big help for us."

"Are you serious?"

"She's more helpful than a certain someone." Ryder looked at Sienna.

"Are you talking about that idiot who couldn't help himself?"

The two glared at each other again and ignited their interrupted bickering. Johannes just sighed and tapped his forehead while Ellie just forced a laugh while watching the two.