Ozymandias Academy

Part 1

Elle walked into the room and saw Jenna sprawled on her bed. She jumped up when Elle opened the door and waved something at her. "Gah. What is it?" Elle asked, backing away.

"My letter came!" Jenna jumped up and down excitedly.

"It did? That's amazing!" Elle joined her friend in jumping around. She had received her letter inviting her to the testing at Ozymandias Academy a few days ago. It had been months since they both applied, and Jenna in particular had been despairing that she would even get an invitation. This despair had only ramped up since Elle got her letter and Jenna did not.

"We are both going to Oz! I can't believe it!" Jenna spun around and fell back onto her bed, exhausted from the celebrating. "You think they'll let us stay roommates?"

"How could they not?" Elle said, sitting down at her desk. She spun around in her chair to face Jenna. "Even if they assign us with two randos, we'll make them switch us to be together."

"Sounds perfect." Jenna sighed happily, then looked at Elle upside down, head hanging off the bed. Her dark hair hung down in a way that made her look like her round head was being stretched. "We can't forget that we haven't gotten in yet. We still have to pass the test, and then go through the probation period..."

"Don't be so negative!" Elle chided gently. "And sit back up, you're starting to look like a tomato." Jenna obliged, then sat pouting for a moment. Elle rolled her eyes. "We're going to pass the test. Just because our invitations came late doesn't mean we're not getting in. They give everyone a fair shot, that's the whole point of the test. They only accept the best of the best, you know."

"Yeah, yeah, and even getting invited is a huge honor. I've read the pamphlet, same as you." Folding her arms, Jenna stared at her swinging legs before pushing herself off the bed and onto the floor.

"What are you doing?" Elle asked, even though it was perfectly apparent that Jenna was getting ready to leave.

"I'm going to go practice." She finished tying her shoes and grabbed her bag. "I know you don't have to because you're perfect, but do you want to come with me?"

"I am not perfect, and yes, I'll come with you." Elle didn't bother mentioning that she'd in fact just gotten back from practicing. She didn't want to remind Jenna that she'd gotten a few extra days to prepare because her letter came earlier.

As they walked out of their hall and towards the open field, Jenna wouldn't stop chattering. "We should really talk with Nyssa. She can tell us all about the test. And since she already goes there, she can help us with what we need to know. Maybe -"

"Enough, Jenna," Elle said. "Just because Nyssa's my sister doesn't mean she's going to help us. And besides, they change the test every year, specifically to make it harder for legacies to get in." She frowned. Hopefully the admissions board wouldn't be biased against her just because her sister got in already. She twirled her finger in the air, channeling the anger into a stream of sparks that swirled around her before dissipating into the ground. Grinning, and proud of herself for being able to channel her emotions into magick, she turned to Jenna to find her mouth agape. "What?" Elle asked.

"You didn't tell me you could do sparks! That's amazing!"

Elle stuffed her hands in her pockets. "Well, they're anger-based. I didn't think that would be great for you, you're probably the least angry person I know."

Jenna put a hand to her chest. "I am offended. I'm angry all the time, I just repress it. Now teach me." Her eyes lit up as Elle demonstrated the hand movement again.

The day of the test arrived, and Jenna was very nervous. She couldn't stop wringing her hands and humming, an unfortunate nervous habit of hers. Elle had just about given up on slapping her friend's hands to keep them from twisting when their car pulled up outside the academy. Jenna stepped out while Elle paid the driver. She had her backpack slung over one shoulder and was fiddling with the straps when Elle touched her gently on her back. Jenna jumped, then grimaced apologetically. "You ready to go?" Elle said softly, looking at her friend's worried expression.