Embarrassed, she looked away and tucked her hair behind her ear. The blush in her cheeks was beginning to fade by the time he informed her that tomorrow's class would be nothing to be excited about -- not that she was. There was nothing fun or remotely enticing about being flung by shadowy tendrils or sucked into a dark abyss. She watched him walk off, almost relieved when he left as she let out a soft exhale. Her eyes lowered to the book in her arms, hoping she'd find more clarity with regards to her gifts when she inevitably read it. With that, Diem continued on with her day. She sat through a few more classes before returning to the dorms to study for the night. When all her assignments were completed it was late. Lora had turned in for the evening, sleeping soundly in the bed across from hers. With only the glowing lowlight of the lamp on her nightstand, Diem read the thick, leather book Professor Relic had loaned her, taking notes on a pad she kept close by. The next day she was awakened by her alarm clock as usual. Her pen was still loosely in her hand and the book lay open on her chest. As she pushed herself up hurriedly, the blankets that covered her hips nearly tripped her up as she sprung from the bed.<br/><br/>Diem rushed to get ready, not wanting to be late when she met Freya and the other for their dawn training session. Though she was mentally prepared for the same workout, the girls had other plans. She was made to push a weighted sled down and back across the arena, then was given a review of the moves she'd learned the day before to practice on dummies and heavy bags. Since Freya knew that she had combat training, she ended the session there. "I think if you get your ass kicked twice in one day, you'll lose confidence." She smirked, patting her on the shoulder as she and her friends went about their day.<br/><br/>She went back to the dorms for a shower, then sat through her first class, where she occasionally dozed off. As determined as she was to succeed, she might have been pushing herself a bit too hard. At least she had a party to look forward to at the end of the week, she thought as she made her way to the locker room. When she had suited up, she joined the others on the sidelines. Her classmates were fascinated with the upperclassman as they went up against the instructor, probably even a bit relieved to see that they weren't faring any better against him. Even Freya, who was top of her class, struggled. Diem looked to Maxim a few students down from her, able to see the tension in his jaw as he worried after his sister and her friends. When Freya was put in a position to chose between passing or saving her friend, she surprised everyone by opting to save the girl who the instructor had in his death grip. The gasps and wide eyes were offensive.<br/><br/>Would everyone really sacrifice someone else to pass a class?<br/><br/>Freya gathered up her friends, one over her shoulder and the other under her arm, and walked off the field. It was clear that she was hurting as she limped away. Diem moved through the crowd of students, sliding past the gently as she made her way to Maxim. "Is she going to be okay?" She asked.<br/><br/>"She's strong. She'll be fine." He assured her.<br/><br/>"Good . . . We should start working together, I think."<br/><br/>"You and me?" He said, raising a brow.<br/><br/>"Don't sound so enthusiastic." Diem smirked, knowing she probably wouldn't be his first choice for a teammate. She was, by far, the weakest in the class but she was far from being the dumbest. She knew she didn't need to be the strongest, if she had the strongest. "I've been working on a few things." She shrugged.<br/><br/>". . . Fine. I'll try something new." Maxim nodded, smiling down at her.<br/><br/>"I want in." A soft voice spoke at her back. When Diem turned, she was surprised to see the angel who had ignored her and given her dirty looks.<br/><br/>"Sera," Maxim said, surprised. "Didn't peg you for a team player."<br/><br/>"Fuck off, Maxim. I want to pass this class as much as the next person and if it means teaming up with the likes of you and her, then I'll do it." She admitted. " . . . If you'll have me." Sera added with a roll of her eyes.<br/><br/>As much as Diem wanted to tell her to go to hell, she was willing to put whatever ill-feelings she had for the angel aside for now. "Alright, I guess. Let's go." She walked alongside them to the front lines, ready to give the lesson her best shot.