• Everyone took their seats as the graduation started. The lord mayor, Russ Minirai, walked out onto the stage and stopped in front of the podium that stood in the middle. He wore the suit he always wore at work with all his badges pinned to his chest. He was not old, but not young; his brown hair was speckled with gray and his face was slightly lined. Wrinkles at the corner of his eyes and mouth showed he smiled often. Everyone's eyes were on him as he spoke his first sentence.

    "My, my, we sure are formal today. I feel like the only casual one here!" He smiled at us. A small chuckle came up from some of the people in the crowd. Most people smiled, probably glad not to have a serious lord mayor.

    "Well then," He continued. "Welcome soon-to-be-ninja graduates! You must all be very excited to become adults! I am happy to host yet another graduation this year. I know all of you will succeed tremendously! But first, let me explain how you'll graduate." I saw a lot of kids look at each other.

    "What?" Someone whispered behind me. "I thought this was all!"

    "Oh ho!" Minirai laughed. "You didn't think a simple ceremony would make you ninjas, did you? Oh, no no no! This is just where we explain what will happen!" Most of the kids made surprised noises.

    "There are three tests you must pass before becoming a real ninja. The first tests your abilities. The second tests your knowledge. And the third tests your skill. If you cannot pass all of the tests..." He paused. "you must go back to the academy." A large gasp emitted from the crowd. I gaped at him.

    "Well, we have some surprised faces in the audience!" His eyes swept over the audience. "Only the best will pass. But! You do have time to prepare. I suggest you gather your nerves and get a good night's sleep tonight!" He laughed alone.

    "So, then. If you pass, you will be given a Cloth." He held up a thin, long piece of black fabric. "This will officially announce you as a ninja. And the more you get, the higher your rank." Okay, now I get it. That's why Lev had always had those things tied to his bag! But why the secrets? I wondered in my mind.

    "I bet you're all wondering why we kept this secret!" Minirai suddenly said. I started. "Well, we wanted to see how you prepared yourself for the unknown. We wanted to see whether you worked hard to take on anything that suddenly came up unexpectedly, or if you just did what you were told so you could pass..." I saw some kids look at their feet, away from the lord mayor. Hmm... I thought. So how long are the--

    "The tests -- or exams, as we call them -- will only last a day." He said. Jeez! I thought. That's incredibly creepy! How does he keep reading my mind? "That day," He continued. "is tomorrow." The crowd gasped again.

    "You can't expect us to be ready by tomorrow!" Someone shouted.

    "Yeah!" Another voice came up. "How are we supposed to prepare ourselves?" Sounds of agreements came from all around.

    "Didn't I explain the surprise just now?" Minirai asked. The sounds of anger and nervousness ceased, replaced by an uncomfortable silence. Minirai looked across the audience.

    "So, ability, knowledge, skill. Easy, right?" He said.

    "Tch..." I quietly said to no-one. Probably not. I thought.

    "You will, as you may know, be assigned to a dorm until you're at least 3rd Level. That could take any amount of time, depending on how talented you are. You will have a room mate, too, of course." A few people raised their eyebrows, but there were no loud sounds. "After the exams, your roommate and team members will be determined by your skills so you are divided evenly. I hope you all get along!" I sighed pessimistically. Ooh, lets all get along!

    "Your roommate will be on your team. The teams will be made up of four beginners and a 5th Level as the leader/teacher. Make sure you can get along with your teammates, you'll be with them until you die, or are no longer a ninja, which will be a very long time from now, unless you are a traitor." He emphasized the last word with an unfamiliar emotion.

    There was a quiet murmur traveling over the crowd. Once everything was silent again, the lord mayor spoke.

    "Well, I do hope I mentioned everything! Further details will be explained tomorrow! Until then..." He raised his hand in farewell. "12:00 at the training grounds, don't be late!" He walked slowly to back stage. Voices of worried students and amused parents rose almost instantly. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lev, Mother, and Kedai look at me. I kept the thoughtful expression on my face.

    "Well," Lev said. "are you ready?"

    "No-one's ever fully ready, no matter what they think...." I replied, getting out of my seat and walking toward the door.

    "That's our Lucy!" Lev said, patting my head. I looked at the ceiling and sighed.

    It seems life has more surprises than necessary.