Term Finals Arc

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This article may contain major plot details for the SPY x FAMILY manga.
This article may contain unmarked spoilers.

Read at your own risk.

Term Finals Arc

Manga

Volume(s)

13 - 14

Chapters

90 - 96
Short Mission 12

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Note that the arc title and following sub-headings are fan-made and used to better organize the story.

The Term Finals Arc is the fifteenth story arc in SPY x FAMILY.

Operation Strix is now at a crucial point. Anya is about to face the term final exams at Eden Academy, which will determine her future in the academy. Struggling to find a way to have success, Loid finds an unexpected ally that could help Anya pass the exams.

Summary[]

A Strange Old Man[]

Sigmund's Thoughts — The old man lost at the park

Yor and Anya take Bond out for a walk and come across a strange old man. Upon finding out that he is lost, Yor decides to help him. They go around town in an attempt to jog his memory but to no avail. Bond eventually leads them in one direction after catching a scent, but they end back at the Forgers' apartment. As Yor apologizes, an old lady walks out of the front door and greets the old man as Sigmund. The old man recognizes the lady as Barbara, his wife. Loid then appears and explains that the couple are their new neighbors and they formally introduce themselves as the Authens.^[1]

The Charity Bazaar[]

Melinda thanks Millie for her work — Melinda connects with Millie

The city is holding a charity bazaar where Yor and her co-workers help with setting up the event. While the girls moan and gossip, Matthew McMahon tells them to cut the chatter as they are being watched, among the observers is the Lady Patriots Society, which is Melinda Desmond's club. Yor explains that she knows Melinda but her colleagues do not believe her. Millie has a hard time and excuses herself, and her colleagues console her. However, they are interrupted by women from the Lady Patriots Society, who want them to hurry along, remarking that the young people do not appreciate the cost of peace or the respect that the soldiers deserve. Millie, who lost her father in the war, begins to talk back and incurs the society's wrath. Things continue to escalate until Melinda herself arrive. However, it only makes Millie loses her temper as she believes the Desmonds are responsible for starting the war. Matthew then corrects her, saying that Donovan Desmond was not the prime minister when the war started. Nonetheless, Melinda apologizes as her husband was in charge during much of the war. As Melinda gets called away, Millie also apologizes. With the situation defused, the girls talk about Yor's friendship with Melinda, pointing out she did not even try to be "posh."^[2]

The Term Finals[]

Anya is ready to write her final exams — Anya begins her final exams

The term finals that will divide the class will happen the following week. For Anya, failure is not an option: there is the pitfall of Tonitrus Bolt as well as the collapse of Plan B, but as past quizzes have shown, cheating via mind reading is not an option. At the Forger residence, Loid starts tutoring Anya in Math, she shows signs of struggle once again when the Authens have come over to offer cookies. Accepting their offer, the Forgers go to the Authens', and everyone shares a bit about themselves. Noting that many of Sigmund's books are related to languages, particularly Classical Language, leads to Anya talking about her upcoming test. Sigmund offers his help by asking Anya about her favorite books, to which she responds with Spy Wars. He then pulls out a first edition of Spy Wars and uses it as a textbook. After a productive study session, the Forgers take their leave, and Sigmund asks Anya about her ultimate goal beyond becoming an Imperial Scholar. Anya responds with "world peace," and Sigmund compliments her for such a grand goal and gives her a hug. Throughout the rest of the week, Anya continues to come to the Authens and study hard with Sigmund. The day before the exams, Anya promises her old neighbors that she will bring back Stellas. On the day of the exams, Henry signals the start of the final exams, and Anya, having received some enlightenment, is ready. Five days later, the grades for the final exam are posted in the courtyard.^[3]

The Results and the Mysterious Brother[]

Anya finds out about her third Stella — Anya gets a Stella

With the results posted outside, the students excitedly race out to check their results. Once they see their overall rankings, Becky and Anya are glad that their rankings have gone up. Upon checking the subject rankings, Damian has earned a Stella for getting the highest score in History while Anya earned one for placing second in Classical Language. However, Anya's Math score is below the cutoff, meaning she is getting a Tonitrus Bolt as well. Anya presents her results to her parents upon returning home. Loid is shocked, but he decides against scolding and instead compliments her for doing a good job. Anya then shares the news with the Authens, and Sigmund states that being rewarded for hard work is something to treasure, even though one day she will experience the frustration of not being rewarded despite hard work. Later that night, as Loid tucks Anya into bed, he asks if she used to be in an environment where she needed to use Classical Language, but Anya says she cannot remember.

Anya is trying to read Demetrius's mind — Anya's first failed attempt to read Demetrius's thoughts

The following day, everyone receives their respective Stella for their achievement. As the day wears on, the older students also get their rewards, with Damian's older brother, Demetrius, in particular receiving six Stellas. Instead of heading back to class with the others, Damian decides to stay behind to talk with his brother about their father. While attempting to read his mind, Anya finds out that Demetrius does not understand people and thinks that to do so is a waste of time. The others for their part find him creepy and a little scary, while Anya cannot help but note how weird Damian's relatives are. After learning that Demetrius is not always in touch with their father, Damian wonders if he had misconstrued the two's relationship.^[4]

The Reward Ski Trip[]

The Forgers go to a ski mountain for Anya's reward

An episode of Spy Wars prompts Anya to exclaim that she wants to give skiing a try and so the Forgers set out to the mountains for a skiing trip. A blizzard forms as the day wears on, blocking the roads in and out of the area. Seeing no alternatives, the Forgers head to a nearby lodge to stay the night. The news is that the road will be cleared by morning, which one of the lodge occupants hopes that is the case since there is a local haunting legend known as "The Red Snowman," who murders the townsfolks one by one during blizzards. He tries to scare Anya by saying the monster's favorite target is noisy children who stay up late, but Anya is unfazed, wanting to find "The Red Snowman" instead. Later that night, a shadowy figure begins to lurk in the corridor with a weapon in hand. Eventually, one of the occupants is found lying on the floor, stabbed with a frozen carrot, prompting everyone to believe that the legend is coming true. As Loid tries to figure out the case, Anya uses her telepathy to figure out that the lodge owner is the culprit. Together with Bond's precognition, they work out where he will strike next, and Anya influences Loid to catch him in the act. With the culprit apprehended and the case solved, the Forgers finally leave for home.^[5]

Preparations for the End-of-Class Gala[]

Anya invites Damian to be her dance partner

With the exams out of the way, a gala is scheduled to celebrate the end of class, and students are asking around for dance partners. Becky states out loud that she would like to invite Loid but is told by Henry that guardians will not be attending. Damian is asked by Emile if he has a partner in mind, but he finds the idea repulsive. Henry advises him that these events can be useful experiences, as dances are common at social events. Upon hearing that, Becky eggs Anya on to ask Damian to dance with her, which she does. However, Damian rejects her and immediately runs away in embarrassment, only to get told off by Henry. Becky then encourages Anya to keep trying, and they plan a date to get their dresses.^[6]

Accompanied by Martha, Anya and Becky head to a dress store to pick their dresses. When Anya returns home, Loid is dismayed by the cost, which cannot be returned. To ensure that this investment will yield results, Loid gets Anya to practice her dancing. The practice does not go well, with Anya struggling to keep up. A frustrated Loid decides to give up since there is still Yor's Plan C. However, Anya insists on continuing until she gets it right. Loid relents and agrees to practice some more after school the next day.^[7]

The Day of the Gala[]

Eden Academy End-of-Term Hall Party — The beginning of the party

On the day of the gala, Martha runs into Henry while dropping off Becky. He asks if she would like to help out as they lack sufficient volunteers, which Martha agrees to. There are games for the night with each class pitted against each other. After the competition wraps up, the students start jostling for a partner before the dance starts. Various girls approach Damian but are rebuffed. However, when Anya gets asked by Arnold Crowley, the top scorer in Classical Language during the first term finals, Damian intervenes. However, as Damian had previously refused Anya's offer, other boys approach Anya. Unsure, Anya looks towards the disguised Loid, who believes it is ultimately Anya's and Damian's choice. Anya once again reiterates her desire to dance with Damian as the other girls start surrounding him. In the end, Emile and Ewen declare themselves on Damian's dance partner selection committee and hold a competition to help pick Damian's dance partner.^[6]

With Loid's help, as well as her telepathy, Anya eventually wins, and Damian reluctantly agrees to dance with her. On the dance floor, Henry invites Martha to dance "for old time's sake." As Anya and Damian dance, he wonders how she managed to answer some personal questions about him earlier and asks if she can read his mind. Anya answers truthfully, but Damian discards it, believing that she is conjuring up some wild fantasy with her response.^[8]

Story Impact[]

The Forgers get new neighbors, Sigmund and Barbara Authen.
Demetrius Desmond makes his first physical appearance.
Anya Forger earns her first academic Stella in Classical Language, with both her and Damian Desmond tied with three Stella Stars.
Anya and Damian dance together for the first time and their relationship takes a significant step forward. Anya also confesses her telepathic abilities to him, but he does not believe her.