[Center][b]First of September[/b][/center]

Once again it was the first of September. Once she would have ignored the fact as unimportant. Now, she was looking forward to it. Now the date was a memorable one.

It was the welcoming ceremony for the new students at Master Melody's. Today a few dozen young people would embrace the duty of protecting the world from whoever wanted to bring chaos and ruin to it. And even though the new students were only replacing old losses, the occasion was festive never the less. And so, just like a true Living, Hazumi had prepared for celebration. Her dress was a white canvas stained with every colour of the spectrum and in her simmering hair the essence the of all living things was weaved into ethereal flowers.

While the staff took turns to introduce the students to the Academy's rules and regulations, Hazumi waited patiently next to the principal. Then, when the time was right, she stepped forward and approached the new students. Moving slowly down the row she asked each their name and reached out to take their hands and touch their open palms. As their hands touched, Hazumi let her power seep into them and bind their souls. As she removed her hand the new Musician was left with a shiny fragment of the Essence of the World. The cycle was completed. The Instruments of the fallen were given a new master and the scars were forgotten. 

With each new Instrument that was given Hazumi felt a piece in of her rip but the feeling was pleasant. It made her emotions stronger, her excitement bigger. It made her more human. As she reached the final student her heart was already fluttering with anticipation. And then, when every last student held their designated Instrument, the ceremony reached its peak. 

The principal, Lily Quarin, stood and parted her lips. And what escaped them wasn't a speech, but a song instead. And as the sitren's voice rose, it beckoned everyone to follow. Students, both old and new, felt compelled to play, sing, and dance and they did, all at once. 

At first what came out was a sea of chaos, waves of noise competing and clashing against each other. But soon enough the competition died down and harmony settled into the room and into the students' hearts. Slowly order was born and and the melodies eased beside each other into a beautiful singular. That was when 
Hazumi's heel hit the marble and she started dancing, drunk on the melody of a thousand souls. Beneath her light steps sprouted impossible flowers and they grew and glowed with a vibrant warmth. The flowers in her hair split into petals that fluttered behind her before finally bursting into a flock of ghost-like butterflies that scattered across the ball room. 

It was in the heat of the dance when Hazumi’s senses finally realised there was one student she hadn't welcomed yet. Her tempo never slowing, her eyes immediately found the unassuming boy who had received his Instrument a long time ago. 

She knew that she should stop... but couldn't bring herself to. So she flew past him, grabbing his hand and dragging him into a fast dance. 

"I see you've finally made it! Welcome to Master Melody’s, Timore!" She laughed cheerfully and spun him around.