Saraphina looked up as the sound of the train's wheels rubbing against its tracks beneath her. Looking around the room she found herself in a private booth, the whole space turned into an elegant area for a small group of people. There were a few red sofa's resting against the sides and even a bed off in the corner. A glass coffee table was bolted down towards the middle and there were sections up above for luggage. Both sides of the booth were completely covered in windows, showing the buildings and hills as they passed. Looking around the room she found herself in a private booth, the whole space turned into an elegant area for a small group of people. There were a few red sofa's resting against the sides and even a bed off in the corner. A glass coffee table was bolted down towards the middle and there were sections up above for luggage. Both sides of the booth were completely covered in windows, showing the buildings and hills as they passed.

There was movement in the corner of the booth. On one of the red sofa's, slowly a male figure sat up, placing the book he was reading to his side. Slowly he turned, his blond hair flowing around in front of his face. His green eyes, with a hint of an orange ring around the edge, met Saraphina's.edge met Saraphina's.

Saraphina stood there holding the Male Academy uniform tightly in her hands.academy uniform tightly in her hands.

“So that's what the old hag meant when she said there is no reason to get off the train,” The male muttered as he sat the book on the sofa cushion beside him and stood. The male took a few steps toward Saraphina as he spoke, “Wish she would have just delivered you to the dorms instead of breaking the law to sneak you on here. I think that witch just likes pulling me around.”

“Edwain... I'm-”

“Just shut up Saraphina, I don't want to hear it anymore. All you ever do is apologize. I get it you are forced to do whatever she wants just as much as the whole Zanderson family. Doesn't mean I hate you any less,” Edwain was looking directly into Saraphina's eyes. However, his gaze was isolated, cold despite his warm breath brushing against her forehead. His eyes narrow and his chin stiffed causing Saraphina to feel a cold chill shiver through the room.

“May as well relax,” Without hesitation, Edwain took her hand and pulled her towards one of the sofas.

“I am sorry though, you shouldn't have to-”

Edwain pushed her roughly and she fell backward sitting on the sofa. Edwain didn't say anything as he sat beside her and quickly lowered his head into her lap, where she had placed the Academy outfit. “Hope you don't mind princess, but I've been on this train for fifteen hours and I'm really tired.”

“F-fifteen hours?”

“Yeah, the male academy is on the opposite border of the country, in fact, we still have about eighteen hours to go, so you may as well get comfortable too,”

Quietness filled the booth as Edwain's breathing became steady making it hard for Saraphina to move. She tried to stay still as she focused on the farmland passing by outside.

“Edwain, have you ever wanted to just be... normal?” Saraphina muttered. There was no reply though, looking down, it was obviously that he had not slept since before getting on board the train.

An interesting smile came to Saraphina's face as she pulled her head back to look at the ceiling. Her hand going to Edwain's messy hair. “You always did this to me when my grandmother would upset you. You would wait until she wasn't looking and take it out on me, and then fall asleep on me. You haven't changed at all in the past year and a half.” Saraphina closed her eyes allowing her mind to wonder.

“Yeah, that's right. Despite your bad attitude I actually kind of miss having you around all the time Edwain. Even if you did hate me and the rest of the Rosewoods,”Saraphina allowed her thoughts to wonder.

Growing up, Saraphina lived in a large home, surrounded by hills. The Rosewood made it a point to cut themselves off from the rest of the world. The Rosewood family had always been either respected oR feared, and due to that fear, they had cut themselves off long before the great war had affected the country and made them into heroes. The closest town was full of nothing but magic users and some young run-a-ways who knew their loved ones would never search the area.

Even after the war not much in the area had changed, the Rosewoods still kept to themselves mostly, the main thing that changed was the added seat for magic users in the government circle, but it wasn't enough to truly change the position magic users lived. After the war, several lesser magic families had left to join with normal humans. Due to their lower magic abilities, it was easier for them to live without the use of magic, nor were their bloodlines strong enough to help repopulate the magic users within the country or to train in the academies.

However, the story between the Rosewood and Zanderson was lost in time many decades ago. In fact, the Zanderson and Rosewood appear to have always been at odds. Many generations fighting, over and over. At least, that is the story in which Saraphina was told.

Finally, the families came to an agreement, they would do one last battle. The stronger Rosewood and the Strongest Zanderson would fight to establish who's family was truly stronger. The loser's family would become servants to the other, with a contract bound with magic and blood. If ever defied the winners could whip out the whole other families bloodline in an instant.

“When I was younger I had no idea that the Zanderson's were basically forced to be kind to me.”

Saraphina at the age of six was running up one of the many hills that covered the property the Rosewood's owned. At the top of this one sat a rather important tree. The tree was planted by the first Rosewood to come across the land and each Rosewood members name was carved into its bark. Resting under the tree was eight-year-old Edwain.

Saraphina didn't hesitate as she leaped right onto Edwain. “Edwain!,” her knees pressing into his gut causing him to wake up from the pain and quickly sit up. His head hitting against Saraphina's.

“Saraphina! What are you doing?” Edwain shouted as he held his head.

Still sitting on his lap Saraphina held in the tears and refused to rub her head as she stared into his eyes. “Take me out of here,” She shouted.

“W-what, no way. Get off me!” Edwain grabbed her shoulder roughly and pushed her off.

“I hate her too Edwain, so... if we run away you can't be hurt anymore and then you won't have any reason to hate me.”

Edwain smiled as he shook his head. “You're an idiot. If I tried to run away I would be putting everyone else in danger. Besides, I don't hate you because of that witch. I hate you because you annoy me. Every day I have to be nice to you in her presence or else. I have no reason to run away with a Rosewood. I honestly want nothing to do with you!”

“In that case. When you are around grammy she forces you to be nice to me right? Well, when she isn't around you don't have to. I won't tell her anything. You can be however you want when she isn't around, ok? So... maybe one day you won't hate me.”

“Guess you still hate me anyways,” Saraphina muttered. Finally, she looked down once more only top be greeted with a wide-eyed Edwain. His gaze caused her to jump, a shiver going up her spine. Edwain didn't seem to notice this however as he sat up and rubbed his hair with a light yawn following.

“A-aren't you still tired?” Saraphina asked. For a moment he ignored her, standing up and stretching his arms out before moving his head from side to side to stretch his neck

“Yeah, but I can't sleep. Your lap is far too bony you know.”

“I didn't ask you to use me as a pillow .”

“Yeah, I know. Anyways I do have some information for you about the academy. For the most part that witches plan should work fine as long as three things happen. One you are able to become my roommate so that you will be able to have some privacy. Two you don't let any of the older male teachers touch you. This is a no matter what circumstance. Although males no longer learn any medical abilities, the older generation did and from just a touch many of them will be able to tell that you aren't a male. It is very important that you do not allow any of them to find out. Normally I would just sit back and let you mess up, but if you are caught you will take my whole family down with you. I cannot let that happen. As for the third, I don't care how you go about it, but you better not slip up on anything. Memorize your backstory for Sora and don't give anyone a reason to suspect you. This means no random overuse of your abilities. Got it?”

“I-I understand,” Saraphina muttered, still sitting on the sofa.

“You should probably just get some rest, there are only going to be some boring hours ahead,” Edwain muttered. He made his way back to the coach in the corner and plopped down ready to go back to sleep.

“Edwain, do you think I am a failure as a Rosewood?” Her eyes looked towards the floor.

“What Rosewood isn't a failure? Besides, I look at it this way, you are only half Rosewood, right? Your mother wasn't a Rosewood and if you go all the way back to the first Rosewood to move to this country, well you would be considered even less a true Rosewood right?”

“W-what do you mean?”

“From what I understand, the Rosewood family is just like a breed of horse or dog.”

“How can you-”

“You seriously don't have any patience. Basically, I am saying that the Rosewood family is literally just a mutt of all the best qualities from other high magic user blood lines. That's why you can do so many abilities that are why you are powerful. It is all because of the genes from all of those past families. Did you know that every Rosewood marriage that has been recorded has been completely arranged? Did you ever question why even now in this day and age? It's literally so that the Rosewood's abilities can continue to grow, pick the strongest Rosewood woman or man and force them to marry someone of high skills from another close magic user family.”

“In that case then shouldn't you feel honored,” The words slipped out of Saraphina's mouth so casually, so quickly that she instantly slapped both hands over her nose, mouth, and jaw. Her head jerked in Edwain's direction. Edwain had just sat with his back against the armrest. He had picked up the book he had been reading earlier, unwilling to respond to her slip of the tongue.

“I've rarely seen you interested in a book. What's it about?”

“You're as noisy as ever, you might want to fix that. It's a rather, awkward quality in a guy don't you think?”

“True, but I don't have to pretend to be a guy for almost half a day, why start-”

“Because if you don't you won't even get through the first twenty-four hours. Why don't you go change.”

“Fine, I will, but on one condition.”

“Of course princess, your last request before I no longer have to serve you.”

“There's food on this thing right?”

“That's it?”

“Don't be so upset Edwain, grandmother had called me out so early in the morning I didn't even have a chance to eat lunch, I'm starving. Besides, did you really think I would change in the same room as you?”

“Fine, fine, I'll go,” Edwain muttered as he put the book back down and made his way towards the exit. He glanced back before closing the door. Saraphina was already unbuttoning her top, she didn't even notice his eyes as she pulled it off revealing her undershirt. Edwain turned back and walked out of the booth and started heading towards the main booth.