[h1][u]Ciara Ventura[/u][/h1]
[i][color=gray]Wingram Academy, Main Building[/color][/i]
[@Nanaya]
[hr]

[i][b]"And also before we begin in full, how about a little bit from each of you?"[/b][/i]

Ciara almost spat out her coffee as Professor Alto started class by asking for secrets. Personal details. She wiped a hand across her face, trying to hold back a cough. Did she swallow wrong? Who started a class like this? Wasn't this a school that praised skill over silly things like feelings?

Then she remembered Michael. His kindness. No, even if the preliminary trials were focused on power and battle prowess, the school seemed to have a soft spot for students.

Hildegunde went first, standing, or rather, sitting, in her solidarity. Ciara found herself nodding along, immediately reflecting back to seeing Hildegunde's hand brushing up against the spike in the Head Advisor's office. 

The boy with glasses, the analyst from Gulliver's fight, went next. Ciara recognized him, providing valuable battle intel in the heat of their struggle against the giant golem. Quiet fellow. Bones? Was he an aspiring doctor? Ah- yes, her guess was right. Chunji's finishing statement answered her inquiry, and Ciara smirked.

The one and only light of lights, Iraleth, went next. Ciara had yet to see a light as bright as hers. She wouldn't be surprised if Iraleth was, in fact, the brightest light in the entire school. It would be beautiful... if they weren't fighting later that day.

Ciara's eyes narrowed into a glare, sharply looking away as Iraleth spoke. She couldn't let her guard down. Not for a second. [i]Serve the church[/i]... Her suspicion of white magic might not be far-fetched after all.

Then, Otis spoke up. His voice was calm and level. More long-winded than the rest. [i]Ascendis[/i]? Was that part of the full name of the Record? Its importance increased in those two seconds as he spoke about it. If it was one of [i]his[/i] goals, it had to be important.

And she just happened to be having a duel there later that day.

Strangely, a sly smile crept over her features. Maybe her trial was actually a blessing in disguise.

As Otis shot a question back at the teacher, Ciara's eyes shot to the door. There was a quiet stretch in the room. Maybe it was better to ghost, avoid these questions. Alas, if she were to dip, she wouldn't discover this PB the teacher mentioned.

After Professor Alto answered or ignored Otis' question, Ciara would take advantage of the monetary quiet. SHe set her coffee to the side, resting her head on a hand.

[b]"Ciara Ventura. 16. Perfect red leaves bring good luck. The strongest win. I don't have any goals, really."[/b] [i]Just keeping my head above water.[/i]

[i]"Liar. You have a goal."[/i] Came the sharp, biting Voice in her mind.

[i]"It's more short-term."[/i]

[i]"No. It's long-term. And it's larger than the dark one's."[/i]

[i]"It's a dream. I don't know if I have the strength."[/i]

[i]"Little Hunger, you don't have the luxury of doubt. Remember what is at stake."[/i]

Ciara fell silent as the conversation played out behind her eyes. Did she really have a goal, in this dizzying, entrancing school? Did she dare to dream, when she was so close to losing everything?

She had to. How could she pretend to sit here calmly if she didn't have a shred of hope? 

Yes, she had to have some form of goal.

[i]Live through this day.[/i]