Maria sat in the carriage right across from her mother; Shirone and Kuroka were outside steering the griffons. Some time had passed since it was announced that her mother was taking her to go visit her grandparents. At first, Maria thought her mother was just kidding around, but then Spring Break arrived and Diamond Academy allowed the students a week of vacation.  Now here she was in the carriage with her mother sitting across from her, humming happily. Maria was getting restless from the trip, seeing how her grandparents lived in the West Region of Astral, outside the capital. "Maa, it's been a long time since I last visited home. The last time your grandparents saw you was when you were a baby~!" There was a large smile on her mother's face as it was easy to see how eager and excited her mother felt about a visit to her old home again. 

 Maria never expected that right after her grandfather's bold announcement that minutes later a low-level, {Class-Pawn: Water Horn Ram} would make its appearance. Without hesitation, her grandfather pushed her out in front, and immediately the Water Horn Ram locked its eyes on her. "Go get 'em, Maria!" shouted her grandfather, followed by a cheerful shout that came from her mother. "Maria, mommy is here cheering you on!" Sitting down at a small table, which Maria couldn't help but question just where on earth it came from, sipping on tea, her grandmother shot her an airy smile. "Good luck, my adorable granddaughter. " 'They clearly have no intention of helping me,' Maria thought with a blank expression, turning her head back to the Water Ram. Only to scream once she saw the

 After Julian made his way down and stepped onto the stage, he found himself facing off against a {Class-Pawn: Snake Earthworm}, a large worm type creature that could crush its opponent with its long heavy body. It slithered on the ground, charging straight towards Julian, who immediately made a break for it. The Earthworm Snake began chasing him. Meanwhile, other battles were also taking place. Just like Julian, the other children were struggling, only one stood out from the others. "Hey, isn't that Four-Eyes, the annoying sidekick that is always hanging around that stupid prince?" inquired Mai, directing her eyes towards where she was pointing her finger. Maria's eyes widened once she noticed that the person was indeed Gilbert. "Yep, that's him," confirmed Maria, watching the boy perform some type of lightning spell th

  "Mai, on your left!" yelled Maria.    "Julian, look out behind you!" shouted Mai after taking out {Class-Pawn: Barbarian Yellow Tiger} with a Light Magic Spell. The purple-haired boy used his Bloodline Magic to defeat the {Class-Pawn: Fire Horn Zubron} he was up against.   "Maria, above you!" said Julian. Maria dodged the attack from the beast she was up against and moved in to attack with her crimson dual fire fans. Once all three beasts were taken out, the three friends happily congratulated each other.   They were in the middle of their Confrontation Against Magical Creatures class, which took place in a forest located outside the academy's grounds.   Confrontation Against Magical Creatures w

 "Now that was a lovely shopping trip; don't you agree, my adorable Maria?" This sweet cheerful voice was none other than the countess. Maria was strolling down the street with her mother, walking side-by-side while Kuroka and Shirone trailed behind them. For two hours Maria watched as her mother picked out a variety of outfits and dresses to try on for themselves. If she liked them, her mother ordered for them to be delivered to the Rosendrey manor. They had gotten up early this morning, Shirone and Kuroka dressing Maria in a simple pastel yellow turtleneck top with puffy sleeves and in a plaid pastel yellow and pink short pleated skirt. Silk pink ribbons were used to tie her hair into pigtails; around her neck was the necklace that Mai had won during the Love-Me Carnival.  Her mother's choice of attire matched the