The last person Azalea wanted to see right now was her step sister Janet.
Boxed in by the crowd she couldn't even pretend to not hear Janet's voice or make an escape.
Having collected her package and hung out with her friends all Janet had left to do was come over to her sister and gloat.
Ever since Janet joined the Blume household an intense sibling rivalry had sprung up between them.
The two were similar in age and constantly compared to each other so much that Janet was heavily favored in Meadowbrook.
Thanks to Joan's efforts everything always worked out in her daughter's favor.
While Azalea was just seen as sourpuss always complaining about Janet to the point of alienation, where her teachers avoided her and she couldn't get along with her classmates.
Being able to finally separate from Janet would be the best thing that could ever happen to Azalea.
If her nerves were already on edge, seeing Janet appear made her mood plummet even further.
"Father says he's on his way to pick us up, have you collected your package yet?"
Azalea wanted to answer but her throat still felt sore from that feeling of having that stranger force his mental energy down her throat.
She made a move to fan Janet out of the way of the stall since she needed to collect her package before the Mercy Academy recruitment team decided to pack up and leave.
A familiar face with fake bottle blonde hair came out of nowhere and tucked Janet behind him in a protective gesture.
Thinking that Azalea was about to throw a tantrum and hit Janet, Brian shouted loudly at her.
"Azalea, have you lost your mind? You think because you got into some backwater academy you no longer need to hide your hostility towards your sister and dare to hit her in public. Boys from Meadowbrook High are no longer good enough for you now that you're off to university youre fooling around with a stranger in public. Your father is a diplomat. How do you think he would feel knowing that you're out here destroying the reputation he worked so hard to build."
Taken aback Azalea could only blink as she listened to this unprovoked attack.
She shuddered at the disgusted expression on Brian's face.
To think up to six months ago she had been secretly dating Brian and thinking the world of him until Janet stole him from Azalea's nose.
Self-consciously her hands moved to cover her ears, she was tired of having to be constantly on the defensive and just wanted to collect her package and go home.
"Brian, calm down. I don't know why Azalea is upset but shouldn't we be celebrating even if it's a low ranked school. I mean, with her limited mental energy it's a wonder she even qualified in the first place. I can understand her being jealous of me when I got into Britannica University father's alma mater. Azalea, go grab your package, we'll wait for you in the parking lot okay?"
"Okay," answered Azalea quietly, not wanting to argue since she needed the ride home.
She turned to walk towards the Mercy Academy stall but Brian grabbed the hand that still throbbed and Azalea flinched from the pain. "Stop! There's no way you are qualified to attend Mercy Academy."
"Brian's right," agreed Janet, "check your wrist again. It's probably an academy with a similar crest but something must be different so just double check."
Azalea shook her head. "I triple checked there is no other crest around that is remotely similar to that of Mercy Academy."
"There must be some mistake, maybe we should go and find the proctor and have him sort this out," advised Janet.
Brian gestured convincingly, "This mistake can cost you your life and is not to be taken lightly Azalea. With your low mental energy aptitude you shouldn't be able to even pass through the gates."
Legends were made at Mercy Academy and they were counted heavily on by the government to do dangerous missions like squash invasions and terminate criminal masterminds.
"It's a school for monsters," said Janet gravely. "Only the most zealous, overpowered mental ability users are allowed to attend that school. It's just too dangerous for ordinary people and a wimp like you Azalea wouldn't last a day."
Brian and Janet were practically shouting at Azalea and when she tried to brush past them to go collect her package they tried to pull her aside causing a tug of war and her school bag ripped.
This annoying sound managed to draw the attention of a Mercy Academy professor.
"What seems to be the problem?" asked Professor Blythe.
Such a low turnout this year he was grateful to finally have something to do.
"My foolish sister thinks she got into Mercy Academy but it must be some kind of mistake."
"That's ridiculous. The Cup of Dreams doesn't make mistakes. Young miss let me take a look at your wrist," demanded Professor Blythe.
Azalea obliged him by showing him her still swollen wrist that had been manhandled earlier.
Professor Blythe grabbed a scanner and swiped it over her wrist, just that small flick set off the scanner's alarm.
It went off loudly and Professor Blythe had to press a few buttons before the alarm would calm down.
Ecstatic, Professor Blythe inquired, "Simply amazing. Young miss what's your name?"
"It's Azalea Lily Blume."
"Blume doesn't ring a bell, what's your mother's maiden name before marriage?"
"Belgrade. Her name was Flora Belgrade."
"Ahh… of Belgrade Heights…such a pity… wasted talent that disappeared from the scene so many years ago and you're her progeny."
He laughed to himself then slapped Brian hard in a cheerful manner.
What seemed like a simple tap on the shoulder was literally soul crushing mental power.
It was so powerful that Brian crumpled to the ground in pain and Janet rushed to his side to assist him to the nearest bench.
"We'll wait over there," said Azalea pointing to the bench furthest away from the Mercy Academy stall.
Freaky accidents were known to happen around those involved with Mercy Academy.
"You my dear are going to turn Mercy Academy upside down." Professor Blythe nearly choked on his laughter. "I wouldn't miss this for the world. Come with me, let's get you registered so that you can get your package. Welcome to Mercy Academy and good luck my dear. I'm afraid you are going to need it."