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It’s what people have been waiting to see…or is it? Yes, it’s the grading for Sapphire Second! I don’t think I’ve mentioned this before, but you should take all these gradings with, as they say, “a grain of salt”. Why? Because these are the grades as they appear on the Academy’s database, with the potential year-end ratings based on the staff’s own predictions. Some students will make these predicted grades, some will not, and others will surpass them in ways never expected. Also: the Academy records can lie. Maybe the teachers detect some abnormalities they want to hide for the safety of their students, or maybe some students hide their true abilities for reasons known only to them. Whatever the case may be, to quote a wise man, “no one here is exactly as they appear…” |
| Doyle | |
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Doyle is in many ways the equal to Theseus, at least as far as his grades go. The two of them are perhaps the perfect example of how two people with the same rating can be so vastly different in the flesh. Doyle has attained his physical strength though a desire to impress others, while Theseus’s comes from a desire to protect them. Doyle’s focus on the physical also means his spiritual side is slightly more underdeveloped than Theseus’s. If he were to rise above his sexual desires, he could be a SEELIE candidate, but Doyle’s longing to impress and be recognised by others is so ingrained in his persona he may never overcome it. |
| Joel | |
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Joel has, perhaps, the biggest difference between current grades and predicted ones. He has a lot of potential, but whether he can find the self-belief to use it is another matter. Much of his future really does hinge on his relationship with Kaori, as through her he has gained a mentor in Herman Shimomura. Perhaps the pressure of an idol passing on their teachings is too much for him, however? No one can really predict where Joel is going – only that he will end up either a great success, or a hopeless failure. |
| Kaori | |
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Kaori suffers much the same problem as her boyfriend – great potential limited by her own weaknesses. If she can overcome her doubts she could surpass her mother, but her inheritance overshadows her everywhere she goes. Her lack of self-esteem and tendency to cling to others for support, rather than find strength within herself, hampers her current ability. However, unlike Joel, she is unlikely to be too effected by a break-up. Kaori is the sort of girl who would rebound onto another, and begin the cycle again. |
| John | |
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John’s statistics are like a reflection of his father’s. Excelling in physical knowledge, with the potential to do well in mystical knowledge if he learns to accept that side of the world (and himself), his other lacklustre grades are likely to be covered for by the myriad of gadgets at his disposal. The only thing they can’t account for is his lack of creativity – John relies too much on established methods and logic and falters when faced with things he cannot adapt to. |
| Angelo | |
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Angelo isn’t the sort of person to really notice spiritual or magical things, and probably never will! Dancing aimlessly through life, his irrelevant attitude wouldn’t get him into any ordinary SEELIE Academy, but for some reason Payne likes to keep him around. The irony is, of course, that although Angelo may not be popular with SEELIE, the human organisation, he certainly would be with the traditional Seelie <em>Court</em> of the faeries. |
| Lysander | |
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Remember how previously it looked as if all the top students were girls? Well here’s the guy who slips into their little clique without any of his fellow students realising. For all his japes and shenanigans, Lysander is by far the most accomplished male student in his year…and part of that is down to his incredible mental defences. High physical attributes were always expected from him but, like with most students, the staff didn’t expect Lysander to hold up on the magical side. And yet, somehow, he does. Maybe better than anyone would want to admit… |
| Dante | |
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Dante’s grades are all over the place. His mental defences are high, helped (oddly) by his low social skills, while his creative talents are certainly above average. There are two things that really stand out about him though: firstly is his magical sensitivity – he is often able to notice things that others don’t – while second is his chi. Only Katrina matches him in natural, untrained levels. The problem that arises here is that, while Katrina is a kind, sisterly figure, Dante is more prone to emotional trauma. Combined with high natural chi – and thus a greater influence on the mana around him – it makes him a potential risk to those around – something he himself appears aware of, hence his personal barriers and anti-social nature. |
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What, where’s Phantasia? You can see her ‘assumed’ grades tomorrow, along with Faye’s. I say ‘assumed’ because neither faerie was around for the Midsummer exams, and thus the Academy’s records are based on what Queen Thetis told them. Oh, and I promised to show you the gradings for a non-student, just to show you how they compare? Who will it be?! There’s only one way to find out! |
