The Story

According to Kiley and Christina, after their fall through the floor of the hall they found themselves in an empty room with a single orb levitating in the center.

"We saw most of what happened," Kiley explained cheerfully, she and Christina were sitting on the bed. Julie stood, leaning against one of the bed posts, "Right up until the Akuma was cleansed"

Christina nodded solemnly

"By the way - awesome use of the spell swords!" Kiley congratulated Julie, "although, if you ask me, you were toying with the monster" she raised an eyebrow, "you could have easily blown it away with your fire"

Christina nodded with silent agreement

"Yeah," replied Julie, scratching the back of her head, "I just didn't wanna show off everything I am capable of" she gave a crooked smile, "you know, in case someone was watching"

Her friends nodded understandingly

"Anyway," Julie continued, "besides the Akuma – you didn't see anything else?"

"Umm, no" said Kiley, placing a finger on her chin, "I mean, your test was to cleanse it and you did!" she smiled cheerfully, "after that we just found ourselves in this room--"

Christina turned slightly pale. Noticing this, Kiley added; "well, we fell through the floor again" then continued;

"--and found you lying on the bed. So, we waited until you woke up and shortly after," Kiley beamed, "you did!"

Julie listened to this and pondered, 'so they did not see the boy – was he then not part of the test after all?'

Christina broke her silence with a calm, searching voice, "that's not the full story, is it?" her eyes observed Julie carefully through her large round glasses, "I noticed the Akuma was distracted when you attacked – you weren't alone," she raised an eyebrow, "were you?"

Julie shook her head, "no, the boy showed up in the hall sometime during the cleansing"

Christina's eyes widened and Kiley gasped dramatically. Julie quickly got them up to speed regarding her encounter with the boy.

After the explanation was completed, Julie noticed the shocked expressions on her friends' faces; they seemed more surprised than she was by their story.

"Alright," said Julie, feeling the need to justify herself; "I know it may be bad that he disappeared," something had been bothering her ever since her encounter with the boy – and it was finally being let loose, "but perhaps that was part of the test? I'm sure it's not a big deal!" Julie continued uncertainly; "Just don't tell anybody about it, especially Mother Linza." She paused, her fear of failure reaching its peak, "I don't want to be the sister everyone remembers as the one that failed the most important task of the Sisters in history because of something embarrassing!"

Kiley stood up and put her hand on Julie shoulder; "Stop over reacting," her tone was cheerful and reassuring, "you'll see him again - he was supposed to be enrolled in The Academy right? So he'll probably be your classmate!"

"Don't worry" said Christina, her brows relaxed, what Kiley said seemed to make sense to her as well; "we won't tell anyone because really, there's nothing to tell"

Julie looked at her with a not-impressed expression; "wow, that's really reassuring – thanks"

Christina shrugged; "What?"

"Anyway!" said Julie, regaining her composure and resolve, "Christina, do you have any thoughts on the magic that's been used for the test?" her and Kiley sat down on the bed beside her, "I figure it has to be some kind of dream spell since I was in bed the whole time," Julie paused, "right?"