Here There be Witches

Untitled Part 17

After what seemed like forever Anara started going to classes again. No missions, and she had to sit out for physical lessons, but she wasn't sure she would have done one even if she could. It frustrated her to no end to have to admit that herself. Then, a little while later when her wound had been healing nicely and hardly bothered her anymore, Professor Stein made a morning announcement.

Anara was sitting comfortably in her back row seat, idly reading a book of horror stories when he skidded into the classroom on his chair. "Alright people as I'm sure you know, there isn't much time remaining." She looked up to see "Written test in 3 days!!!" scrawled across the board in huge letters. She grinned. She may not be able to do anything impressive actively for now, but the results of the Super Written Exam would be posted for the whole school to see, and she was gonna get first place again. It annoyed her that she could still tie with others for the top spot, but she supposed that taking Ox out of the running entirely was against school rules. "In three short days you'll all be taking the general test for meisters and weapons--the Super Written Exam. I assume you have all been studying for it." Heh. She knew her friend Maka was also dead set on the top spot this year as well, and knowing the ridiculously dedicated girl she had most definitely already been cramming. For the first year in all her time at the academy Anara was actually going to study as well. There was just too much riding on this test. "Just to let you know, I'm writing the test questions this year," Stein said. "If you studies the material you should be fine, if not--"

"Woah woah wait!! Hang on! That's not fair at all!" Blackstar interrupted.

"Oh?" The professor was clearly annoyed at being cut off so rudely.

"Yeah! That means your daughter get free access to the answer key!!" Oh please, as if I would ever... She rolled her eyes as the other students murmured in agreement.

"Ah. Of course that would be a concern. Don't worry, we've already fixed that little issue. Anara will be staying at Gallows Mansion from tonight until after the test is over." Wait-- "What!?!" The girl couldn't stop herself from blurting out the tail end of her thought. "You never told me that!! I mean, it doesn't change anything, I never would have cheated anyway but don't you think you could have--"

"Anara--"

"--Given me at least some warning before hand!?!"

"Anara--"

"Especially if I'm supposed to be there tonight! And for three days!"

Her dad sighed. "Yes, my apologies, it simply slipped my mind. I assure you it's not the the staff doesn't trust you, it's just to be entirely fair to the other students. Also it will be four days--until make up tests for those who can't be there are also over."

She huffed and sat back down. Well, at least Kid and the girls didn't seem surprised. Anara suddenly realized she might have come off as rude. She hoped they didn't think she didn't want to go live with them. She did! It would be like an extended sleepover. Once she got over the shock she was definitely excited, she just prayed they hadn't gotten the wrong impression.

"Now, as I was saying, if you haven't been studying you might have a problem. In any case good luck!"

When he rushed out the door (and tripped on the frame) Anara was the first to follow, immediately giving her father a Looktm after helping him up from his spot on the floor. He quickly looked away and let out a sigh. "Hey, I'm sorry kid, I really didn't mean to take you by surprise, it just happened."

She hummed, annoyed. "Yeah, alright. Sorry, I shouldn't have overreacted. I have to be over there tonight?"

"Yes, that's right. I'm not exactly happy about it either, you're still injured pretty badly, but I'm sure Death the Kid and the Thompson sisters will be very accommodating. Besides," He smirked at her. "I know you're not that upset. You probably can't wait to get to spend--"

"OH mY DEaTh, ok, ok shush please!" She could hear the friends in question's voices coming out of the classroom and a burning pink spread across her cheeks. Stein let her quiet him but gently moved the frenzied hands away from his mouth.

"Way cool! This is our first written exam ever!" Patty bounced excitedly out into the hall with Kid and Liz beside her looking indifferent. "Let's go!" She pumped her fist in the air.

"Just because they put the word 'super' in front of it doesn't mean I'm going to study." Kid declared. Anara shared the sentiment. Well, until this year at least. "Ah, Anara," The trio stopped in front of her and her dad with smiles despite her outburst earlier. "We're looking forward to having you at our place, I assume you might need a bit of help packing though?" Kid raised an eyebrow.

"Ahaha..." She laughed nervously, face burning. "No, no, I'll be alright. I'm so sorry! I'm looking forward to it too, I just freaked out a bit because I didn't know that was coming."

"Of course," Kid responded sincerely.

"Yeah that's understandable," Liz glanced over at the impassive scientist. "So what about you then, are you going to study?"

Anara was quite aware that the professor was awaiting her answer just as much as her friends were (although of course he already knew what she would normally say.) "Ah...we'll see. I usually don't though..."

"Ok. Well, if you're sure you don't need any help packing we'll see you tonight."

The trio and Stein all wandered off in different directions, and Anara could hear Maka stressing to herself from behind her. "What's wrong?" She asked.

The other blonde girl looked up. "Oh, Anara! It's just, I'm super worried about the test! I already have to compete against you and Ox, but now Kid too. The son of the Grim Reaper...things could get real ugly."

Anara considered it for a moment, staring in the direction Kid and the girls went, silently proud that Maka saw her as serious competition. "That's not quite true."

"Huh? what do you mean?"

"I mean you don't really have to compete against us, it's not like only one person can be number 1. All you have to do is compete against your score from last year and get 100%. Then no matter how well anyone else does, at worst you'll just end up sharing the spotlight, but you're still the best." Maka seemed astonished, probably because she somehow hadn't realized that for herself. "So don't stress about how well everyone else is going to do, there's nothing you can do about that. Just focus on making yourself the best you can possibly be..." She turned to her friend with a devilish grin. "Because I won't go easy on you!"

Maka laughed and punched her. Anara punched her back. "Thanks Anara, that really helped! I'm already less stressed. Alright! First place on the exam! Let's do this!" They walked off together, both pretending not to notice Maka's dad doing some strange voodoo in their direction behind them.