[color=a187be][center][h2]Meruin Hazy[/h2][/center][/color]

	Meruin frowned, raised a hand up, then reconsidered and sent it back down. The crowd had settled down considerably thanks to the efforts of a certain teacher, and from their murmurs, Meruin could piece together what she had missed. Evidently, the Heir of Baphel was among the 500 or so students in this room. An already tantalizing piece of news that drove the students still more ravenous at the promise of power should the Heir be found and presented to the Headmaster. Not to mention the announcement of the beginning of the Magic Games, it was no wonder the students were in a frenzy. It took the intervention of a teacher to calm them down - though Meruin was doubtful of his methods . . . and she had to confess that his boast was more than a little underwhelming.

	Graduate from the school at fifteen? Was that truly such a difficult feet? She herself was fourteen and a fifth year, and by all means, if she chose to do so, she could easily move up to sixth year - but she did not. She needed to stay in this school until she had completed her own agendas. The facilities and the environment were difficult to find anywhere else, and if the only requirement to access it was to be a student, then by all means, she would remain one. So this Mister Alistair's achievement of graduating at such a young age . . . Meruin simply shrugged it off. Perhaps it really was a great feat, and perhaps she was just as capable of achieving it, but what did it matter? Age was nothing to the art of Magic. Only knowledge and experience granted you any merit.

	She frowned, looking at the teachers. It seemed none of them had bothered answering her, and none of the students were as concerned as her. If that was the case . . .

	The small mage stood up, a tired look on her face. If the announcement was all they came here for and there were no classes or lessons to be had, she was done here, whatever Mister Alistair had to say. It was not as he could fault her for wanting to leave now, yes? She hardly had the time to waste on meaningless drivel and pointless arguing, not when she could be doing something productive.

	Like sleeping. Yes, a little sleep sounded just lovely as of the moment.

	[color=a187be]"Excuse me,"[/color] murmured Meruin, standing up and weaving through the crowd, towards the door. [color=a187be]"If you don't mind, I'll be leaving now."[/color]

	As for the Heir of Baphel: What of it? Yes, the Heir and the Eye were of great interest to her - but [i]only[/i] for research. She had no wish to obtain it or the rewards the Director offered. Whatever greatness she obtained would be obtained through her own work.