"That's her, that's her . The only zero who was able to enter the academy"

"I wonder how did she survive her last 2 years here"

"No, the question is 'How will she graduate?'"

"Oh yeah, that's right . It was a group competition wherein the individual score will be tested base on ability and physical strength . And another is the group score but who will take in their group someone without ability and would just drag the whole team down . The group won't graduate if they are from the lowest places ."

*sigh* she could only sigh . That is indeed her problem right now . No one would accept her into their group . She asked a lot of groups already and they flatly rejected her . They didn't even try her if she could synchronize with their team or if she is capable enough .

As Eureka thinks about this problem she is already walking towards the headmaster's office in order to ask for reconsideration regarding her case . She knows within herself that she is good enough to become a knight of the kingdom .

This academy is the beginning for all the aspiring knights . But most of those knights or to be precise all of the knights, that graduated, have abilities . Those with weaker abilities or those without could only be palace guards .

"Ms . Eureka"

Just as she's about to hold the knob to open the office door she heard someone calling her from behind .

"See I told you she'd be here"

"I see, I see Karen . "

"You called?" she impatiently called for their attention, after all, she still has a problem to solve in order to graduate . Why of all times do these people have to interrupt her today, when she's resolved to fight with the head in order to graduate .

"Ah yeah sorry, I'm Feena though I suppose you do know . Anyway, you know that the graduation competition is just around the corner . And you know that it is a group of six right?" she slowly explained it to Eureka as if implying something .

"Please direct to the point . "

"Uhmm you see, we really are looking for someone to complete our group . . . " seeing Eureka becoming irritated Karen went ahead with the explanation .

"I can hear a but"

"Yes, we also know you are Eureka and that uhmmm I mean your ability"

"I don't have any ability so why did you talk to me when your group is not yet complete" She actually already knows what they are implying, she could be on their group but with her non-ability self also known to others as zero, they can't just accept her instantly .

"Fight with us" Feena seeing how irritated Eureka already is, just went and asked her for what they really wanted her .

"Fight with you or fight a duel with you?"

"Oh yes, we want to have a duel with you, in a kind it's a test for us to see if we really could take you in our group . "

"Okay" accepting it instantly startled Feena and Karen .

"You're not going to think about it?" Karen wondered . "I mean we literally told you that you're zero and that you have to prove to us that you can keep up with our group . "

"If the strongest group asked for me to duel them in order to join their group, I don't think anyone would think about it . Plus I AM a ZERO . When?" Asking for the time and place of their duel .

"Then tonight at the practice arena, we'll be waiting," Karen said as they wave her goodbye .

"I guess I don't need to talk to the headmaster now . " Turning back she started thinking about the group who invited her .

Karen, Earth ability .

Hideyoshi, Wind Ability .

Mamoru, Earth Ability .

Feena, Water Ability .

And their leader Raven, Fire Ability, being the top of the class .

The perfect group, complete with the top strongest abilities . Of course, there are others with this ability but Raven's group is one with the best synchronization within the team . To think that this group wanted to try her that is more than enough for her .

As long as she can graduate and be a knight, that's more than enough . That's where everything will begin for her .

That night, standing in the middle of the arena . Eureka waited calmly as the whole group arrived .

"Who am I going to duel with?"

"Don't worry just me and Feena is fine . The boys are just here to watch." Karen replied just as the boys went to the stands to have a seat .

"Shall we begin?", unsheathing her sword . Feena stepped aside implying that Karen will be her first opponent . Karen started chanting to begin her attack .

As she finished her chant Eureka jumped up and flipped then sliced the earth that was sneakily attacking her . Karen smirked and chanted another bunch of incantations . Spikes started appearing fast from the ground .

Eureka, on the other hand, jumped right and left in order to avoid the spikes . The chants never stopped and this time the attack came from above . Eureka this time didn't avoid them but fought it head on not even a single one neither landed on her nor grazed her . The shower is not yet finished when Karen chanted another spell .

"Hey isn't Karen going overboard," Hideyoshi asked the other guys "It is important to try to go overboard in order to test her" Mamoru replied looking at Raven .

Karen's chant never stopped while Eureka kept on avoiding and slicing through her attacks . Just as it seems like all Eureka could do is to avoid and defend, Karen attacked with blocks of earth from four sides and tried to flatten Eureka . But when the four blocks reached the middle, there was no one there .

"Eh?" Eureka's sword was suddenly in front of her .

"Give up?"

Karen smirked at her but suddenly disappeared when she was sent flying by her own attack .

"Harara she fainted . To think that you would use her own attack against her . Mamoru if you please" Feena called when she approached Karen who's currently lying on the ground .

"How did she?" Hideyoshi can't help but ask .

"She used the block of earth's, attacking her from behind, momentum to increase her speed and be in front of Karen instantly" Raven replied .

"So I guess it's my turn to fight you now? Do you need a break?"

"No need let's finish this now . "

Feena is currently holding a one-foot silver rod which turned into a whip when water was added to it . Their battle started instantly, Eureka could only dodge knowing that she can't slice through the water . Feena began using high end spells creating duplications of her up to 9 images.

But what startled everyone was the fact that she ignored the other after images but went directly to the real one and attacked her relentlessly taking advantage of Feena's shock .

When she did recover she instantly created a water wall where she uses her reflection in order to distract her opponents . But to no avail for Eureka instantly located her whereabouts and hit her again .

"That should be enough" before Feena started attacking again someone spoke from the top of the stands .

"Ah, it's the headmaster" Karen who just woke up was the first to speak.

"Good evening headmaster . " Everyone greeted .

"It's already late, isn't it that you all have curfews?" Walking down the headmaster started lecturing them . "But oh well, are you here trying her for your group?"

"Yes we are"

"Hmmm seems someone noticed her capabilities that others didn't" looking towards Raven who just stood there . "What do you think?"

"The way she moves, her agility and speed are great, fighting against Feena and Karen who's at the 4th level of their abilities . But her prediction is something else . " Answering, implying what he had observed through the two battles Eureka just finished .

"Right right? Those instructors really, they just couldn't accept losing to her on those exams of yours that is why they wouldn't even show her grades to her classmates . They didn't know her worth at all . " As if having a tantrum the headmaster spoke stamping his feet on the ground .

"They lost?" the others asked . After all, every exam was an individual one, either they'd show a high-end spell perfectly or do a spell that is acceptable to their instructor . But in Eureka's case, no one knows how she had been passing all this time .

"You see… . . "

"Headmaster that is unnecessary . Those exams are over no need to reminisce about them" interrupting the headmaster's story Eureka faced Raven .

"Did I pass or not?"

"Do you mind having one last battle?" Instead of answering Raven asked a question .

"It's not enough I suppose, so who will I fight?"

"Let's have a match" after saying so Raven went ahead to the center of the stage . The others were shocked they didn't expect their leader to have a battle with her .

"Didn't I tell you it's already late? Why are kids today so stubborn, they won't even listen to you . *sigh* One last battle, do you understand me or I'll punish you" muttering to himself as he sat down .

"You should watch this even closer, this would be very different with the first two," he added speaking to the others .

Their battle began, they stood there as if measuring each other up . And before anyone could react Eureka turned around and parried Ravens' attack .

"It doesn't seem that prediction is what you're doing but instead you can feel it can you? The ability of your opponent?" Raven uttered before jumping backward .

"A replication using fire, I must admit, that is really something," Eureka replied looking back at the replica standing to where Raven was at the beginning of their battle .

thinking to herself as she moved forward and attacked .

They parry each other when Eureka suddenly split her sword into two and blocked the fireball attacks coming from the replica standing behind her .

"That's a surprise, you can even attack using your replica," she commented as she moved back leaving space between her, Raven and his replica .

"Back at you, you can even feel the attack from behind even though you're engaged into another fight, but the replica can only attack once and he can't stay for so long" just as he said these the replica turned to smoke and disappeared .

"She can fight equally with Raven," Hideyoshi can't stop himself from commenting .

"Not entirely, your leader's holding back it seems," the headmaster said seriously .

Who would have thought just as he said these words Raven used one of his three strongest spells . INFERNO .

It engulfed the whole stage but it doesn't affect the caster himself . Yet before this spell was cast, Eureka combined the handle of her swords creating a long staff .

As the inferno engulfed the whole stage she started spinning her weapon creating a wind barrier turning into a tornado stopping the fire from getting near her . It, at the same time, obstructed everyone's view on her . But Raven didn't stop his attacks and sent fireballs towards the tornado . No one knows if it reached her or not .

"What kind of battle," everyone stared in surprise as the whole battle unfolds in front of them .

"If that was an ability she's using and was inferior to Raven's level, that wouldn't have worked, but to think that a zero would use a natural wind to stop it, was truly amazing," Mamoru commented .

Just as the inferno disappeared the same time as the tornado she created, all that's left to where she stood was one of her swords . They suddenly saw her coming from above, Eureka's attack hit but the one standing in front of her turned to fire, she instantly turned her body to block Raven's attack from above her .

"You must have used your sword as a platform to jump high enough to avoid being seen," Raven said upon the clashing of their swords .

"But you predicted it and jumped higher than I did," complimenting him, she inclined her body and used their swords to push her away from him .

"Okay, okay, that's it," the headmaster clapped his hands stopping their fight .

"Headmaster this is the second time you stopped my battle, what's wrong with you?" Eureka retorted .

"What do you think Raven? Knowing that you are currently at the 3rd level of your ability," ignoring her, the headmaster turned to Raven .

"Would you like to join our group?" Raven then asked her .

"Of course, it would be my honor," she said gratefully . She can finally have a chance to graduate .

"Thank goodness . I've been racking my brain to find a way for her graduation . And mind you I've been waiting anxiously all day for her to barge in my office . But then she didn't come so I was wondering where the blockhead was and saw you guys fighting here . You guys did a great job . You took a whole lot of load in my shoulders… . " The headmaster just started ranting non-stop .

"Anyway, how does this work?" Eureka turned to Raven and the others completely ignoring the headmaster completely .

"Practice tomorrow at 5," Feena answered copying Eureka on ignoring the headmaster .

"I see, I shall take my leave then," she then turned her back .

"Hey hey I'm not yet done talking here . Eureka, come back here . Geez, that girl really, she never listens to me," Kaoru could only mutter .

"Headmaster, why does it feel like your too close to each other?" Hideyoshi asked .

"Oh do we look like something else?" the others looked at him incredulously . "Anyway, you should go and follow that girl . "

This time they looked at him filled with confusion .

"What? You think fighting against you three would leave her unscathed? Don't be ridiculous you are one of those strong among your class, of course, someone who relies entirely on her senses and her skills can't entirely keep up with that kind of battle . Why don't you ask your leader? I suppose you've noticed . "

"Her agility and speed dropped," He simply replied .

"The way your battle goes she had a drop in her performance?" Karen wondered .

"Come on obviously, so just go and follow her . She's as stubborn as hell she won't let anyone see it but if no one helps her she'd end up overexerting herself and might end up dying . "

"What is your relationship really?"

"I'm just her guardian . Stop thinking too much . Here's the key to her room go and barge in there don't bother knocking she won't open it for you . " The headmaster tosses the key to Feena .

"Why do you have her key?"

"I told you to stop looking at me like that . I have each and everyone's key right here *opens his coat, showing a whole bunch of keys lined up inside*"

"You have all the girls room keys? Eeeww," Karen couldn't stop looking at him disgustingly .

"Hey, I have every student's key, okay . And I'm not into girls," He then looked at the guys which made them shudder .

"HEADMASTER!!!!"

"Hahahahaha . Now go . And go straight to your rooms once you're done. You're already way past the curfew," he turned ready to leave .

"Plus she's in your group now, you should take good care of each other," without looking back he walked away waving them goodbye .

"Her guardian? Now that's news," Hideyoshi said as they watched them leave .

"We're going then," the girls said their goodbyes and went to Eureka's room .

"What are you doing here?" upon opening the door a first aid kit box was placed in front of her .

"Help you with your wounds," Karen grins .

"Thanks but no thanks," she said as she closed the door behind her .

"The headmaster was right in one thing, you won't let us in," Feena said as she entered the room .

"Wha- How did you come in?"

"You locked the door we have the key so simple," Karen welcomed herself and sat down on Eureka's bed .

"That Kaoru I would really kill him . "

"Kaoru?"

"The headmaster, you don't know his name?"

"Oh yeah, that's right . Anyway, take off your clothes," Feena placed the first aid on the bedside table .

"No, I won't . Look it's fine, I'm fine . I'll just rest and I'm good to go," opening the door implying for them to leave .

"No, you sit down . And oh there it is your gym shorts . Now get change and let's get it over shall we . " Karen pulled her towards the bathroom and threw her the shorts she took from her drawer .

Defeated Eureka changed and came out . Feena motioned her to take a seat .

"Remove your shirt will you . "

"You guys really…"

Karen and Feena were stunned at the sight of her back . Burn marks, wounds, and scars .

"*clears throat* I will be applying the medicine now . "

They quietly treated her .

"The fireballs," Karen started breaking the ice .

"It did hit you after all . "

"Yeah, I have no ability after all creating that tornado barrier wouldn't allow me to move the way I could without creating one . Two of them hit me . "

"But still you really are amazing coming up with that move while Raven's chanting the spell for inferno," Feena commented finishing up the treatment .

Before she could wear her shirt . Karen touched a scar on the back of her left shoulder . "This scar? How long was it already?"

"Almost 3 years," she answered just as she wore her shirt .

"How did you get it?"

"Do you want coffee or tea?" asked as she boils water .

"Coffee is fine . "

"Coffee . "

"Coffee it is then . " Preparing the drinks to give her guests she answered the question .

"I can't enter the academy being a zero so I should have done something else to enter right?"

She served their drinks and walked towards the window .

"Fighting against the headmaster is really very very difficult never try it," leaning against the window sill, she faced and warned them as if it ever crossed their mind to even try fighting against the headmaster .

"You fought against the headmaster?" they could only ask in shock .

"I did and the other instructors in order to get in . That's how my exams went as well . I have to fight against an instructor while he or she is using a new level of spell . If I can't then I'd fail, if I was able to block their attacks and counter then I'd pass . "

Feena and Karen could only stare and drink upon hearing her explanation, there's nothing they could say about it . Amazing? Of course, that's totally obvious . She didn't receive any special treatment just as the rumors said .

She practiced and persevered in order to survive in the school where only a few could stay .

"Anyway, that's that . So tomorrow at 5 by the lake behind the school,"

Feena finished her drink and stood up, Karen followed after .

"We shall take our leave now, thank you for the coffee," as they leave .

"Uhmm," they looked at her, "Tha-Thank you for treating my wounds . "

"No problem we are a group now anyway," they waved their hands and left closing the door behind them .

Eureka thought as she prepares to sleep .

*****

(Why do you always end up having so many wounds when you're training on your own)

(Shut up, Zu)

(*smacks her head* yeah yeah . )

*****

(Do your best in there you understand?)

(No wait you're staying behind?)

(We have no time, I'm sending you there now)

(NO ZU!! WAIT!! DON'T!! ZUUU!!)

"ZU!!" Sweat dripping down her forehead as she sat there wide awake from a nightmare .

To think that I'd have a dream on you after so long . 4 years kah, it's been 4 years Zu, it's been 4 years . You really are the most stupid person I've ever met .

She stood up knowing she won't be able to return to sleep, prepared to leave and went straight to where their practice would be held . She lied down beside the lake and stared up in the sky . All kinds of memory flashing through her mind .

I took another step Zu, the second step after entering the academy . And I will never forget my promise . We'll meet again, I know we will .

"Aren't you early?" she abruptly sat up and drew her sword .

"Woah chill, it's us," Hideyoshi raised his hands .

"Sorry," was I too deep in thought that I didn't notice them arriving? That would be very bad, isn't it?

"Anyway you really are early, it's 4:30," still asking as the three of them approached her .

"I woke up early and could no longer return to sleep . So I thought I'd just come here instead"

"AH!! Eureka you're here," just then they heard a shout from behind .

"We went to your room planning to wake you up but then no one's there . We thought you runaway or something," Karen continued, beside her was Feena who was obviously pretty irritated .

"You opened my room on your own again?" Eureka said as she reached out her hand . Karen took and shake it .

"What are you doing?"

"I thought you want a handshake?"

"I'm asking for my key . Give it back now"

"Why?" Karen pouted but still returned the key seeing her serious face .

"So what happened to your face Feena? Woke up on the wrong side of the bed?" Hideyoshi spoke up .

"No, this stupid girl banged at my door at 3 in the morning for me to join her in waking up Eureka . "

"Hey," Karen retorted, "I'm not stupid . "

"Stop pouting cause I'm getting more and more irritated right now . "

"But it was so long since we had another girl in our group, I was so excited to chat with her I couldn't sleep at all . "

"Stop this nonsense now . Since we are all complete anyway we should just begin practicing our synchronization with Eureka," Mamoru stepped in before Feena could answer back . Knowing that once this two started bickering they won't stop .

"Oh," Eureka faced them all, "Once again I am Eureka and I really am grateful that you allowed me to join your group for the graduation competition, I'd do my best in order not to be a hindrance," she bowed deeply .

"Welcome to our group Eureka," Karen smiled happily at her . And as she raised her head Mamoru, Feena and Raven nodded their heads while Hideyoshi had his thumbs up .

"Shall we begin then . "