I guess the others don't understand the importance of the magic and close combat exams. The written exam is pointless, just a fancy patience test.
This is when the real work begins. We head to the firing range where we practiced magic before. Each one of us has a special target because we each had a unique power. For example, mine had to be made with a special spell to tell the teachers if it was a fatal blast of lightning. While Luna has to freeze hers solid enough to hold the 'struggling target' inside the ice. Ruben has to reduce his to a charred pile of ashes, like most, but his is made of much more fire resistant materials because his fire burns exceedingly hot. I just hope I hit the target, I have been having a hard time focusing the bolts, they usually just scatter everywhere. I have been working on a way to build up the charge and shape it as a charged sphere of lightning, i have been having little luck.
I slow my breathing and heart rate and focus my magic. We face down range and sight our targets, and get ready to let the magic strike. I let my bolts fly and they scatter everywhere just like I feared. The others duck my haywire magic.
"That's okay," the exam professor says, "You have two more chances."
"I will get it next time." I answer.
I try again and the shot fades away halfway down the range. My face is burning up with embarrassment.
"Last chance," the professor tones.
"I know!" I snap.
I funnel my rage into my last shot, I charge up until I nearly unhinged my jaw so my charge can expand in my mouth, and I let the charge go. It flies down the range. Hitting my target dead on and is reduced to a chared stump. The stump hisses while smoke slowly rises from the char. The exam master slowly draws a breathe to tell me what he thinks of my powers. Then in that instant, a full bolt of lightning falls from the sky and burns what was left of the target further to a crisp and setting the lower half of the range on fire. I turn around with a look of pride on my face and I am met with a look of shock on the professor's face, pride on Rubens, and awe on Luna's.
"Okay, I think Luna should go next since I just set the entire lower-half of the range on fire. Then Ruben can melt the ice with his test. What do you three think?"
That snaps them out of their trances.
"How did you do that?" Luna asks, stupefied.
"I built up my charge and shot it. I guess the charge going into the target made the lightning want to hit it. Am I the only one that notices the approaching storm? That's why I said we should hurry earlier in the cafeteria."
Just as I finish my answer a massive bolt of lightning strikes off in the distance and an explosive clap of thunder that deafens us all momentarily follows.
"Oh, okay I guess I'm up then." Was Luna's reply.
