Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Easton was peaceful as ever, well as peaceful it can be here with grey clouds above the academy's head. All the dorms seem to keep to themselves and most are staying inside on this grey day, Lang especially seems to be planning something but it isn't anything nefarious this time around.

There has been word around of a transfer student coming from Walkis Academy into Easton and it's been quite the buzz around school.

Mash on the other hand couldn't care much for this buzz. The only thing he needs to do is focus in class though that's easier said than done as every time he looks at the teacher she'd just turn into a creampuff. . . mmm, he could go for one right no-

“Mash!”

Finn’s voice is honestly the only thing keeping Mash paying attention.

“Mash please, this is the twentieth time.” Finn said concerned, Mash can't just keep failing class like this.

“Sorry… “, Mash feels bad for making Finn do this but sadly doesn't have a better solution to his problem.

“Before I'm gonna end this class here I have an announcement to make!” The teacher stepped In front of the class, now everyone seemed to have their attention on the teacher, curious to hear about this announcement.

“As you know next week the yearly tri-academy festival will happen and this year it's Easton's turn to host it, this is an important tradition with many people coming over to the academy from outsiders, other students, and even some divine visionaries will attend so we will need everyone to be on their best behaviour next week.” Everyone just quietly nodded to the teacher.

“Oh no, I completely forgot about the festival next week!” Finn panicked, Mash in contrast has no idea what this festival is about or that it even existed.

“Good, now for the festival, we will have some stalls and other activities visitors and students can do but we are a bit short staffed so if anyone is interested in helping you can tell me after class, if you help you may be rewarded with extra credit you can use for any class.”

Now that had Mash’s attention, this could be a great way to pass his classes without struggling too much. Mash placed his hand on Finn’s shoulder giving him a determined look.

Finn confusedly looked at Mash before asking,” Do you wanna help out at the festival?” Mash nodded, “That's great! I was gonna apply too, maybe we can ask Dot and Lance if they wanna help too,”

*RINGGGGG*

The bell went off as most students left the classroom, Mash and Finn were one of the only ones left inside as they approached their teacher.

“Do you boys want to help at the festival?” She asked.

“Yes!”
“Yeah”

“Alright, I need you two to sign these papers and select which booth you want to lend a hand at.” She explained handing them papers and pens to them.

They both scanned the papers, most booths didn't interest Mash in the slightest but one caught his eye and in mere seconds he signed and gave his paper to the teacher, Finn was stunned staring at the speed Mash used.

“I see, you want to help the creampuff booth?” Mash nodded his head repeatedly in excitement.

“Ah. . . That explains why” Finn thought,
“I'll do that one as well ma’am” he chimed in.

“Alright, thank you, boys, for helping, you may leave now,” she dismissed them, Finn and Mash were quickly out of the room now in search of their friends.

The hall was packed like usual but now the murmurs of the upcoming festival were all that people were talking about, this event seemed to be a big deal, at least that's what Mash concluded, the teacher mentioned Divine visionaries would attend right? This could be a good opportunity to maybe gain a better insight into them, I mean how hard could that be?

__________________________________

Train wheels echoed in the cart as not many people were occupying the space. It seems most people are trying to avoid the three students in the cart, but more specifically the one that looks like he's gonna kill anyone who walks past him.

Every person that had to walk past them did as fast as they could, most leaving a trail of dust behind while their faces sweated from nervousness

“Onyx you're making us look bad.” The apparent ring leader spoke a fan right in front of her mouth as her sly soulless eyes glared at the twitching man.

“FUCK,” He screamed as he kept banging his hand on the table in boredom, “Yokooo, how much longer till we get thereee!” The man insistently complained.

The other two just stare at him, not really in the mood to worsen the situation.

“As one might say patience is key, sadly you lack the simplest comprehension.” Elegant words spun out of the last one's mouth, none of it made any sense to the silver-haired boy but it was an insult.

“SHUT IT EMEL! I DON'T WANNA HEAR SHIT FROM YOU” The man yelled holding his sharp wand up shooting a metal spike at the poetry spewer. All this did was damage the window as the other just dodged the spike.

“Maybe if you stopped popping veins you can aim better than your usual.” Emel retorted back calmly.

“Oh fuck you, Shakespeare!”

A loud groan was heard from Yoko, why was it these two she was sent with? Every second with them is a migraine waiting to happen.

__________________________________

Finn and Mash were quick to spot Lance and Dot in the hallway, granted they stood out all the time in a crowd.

“Hey! Lance, Dott, how was your class?” Finn walked up to them.

“They were fine, nothing much happened,” Lance replied, turning around facing the two of them.

“I mean yeah but the teacher did mention, something helping the festival something” Dot explained poorly.

“Did you even listen?” Lance questioned.

“Hah?” A red eyebrow was raised towards the loli-, siscon.

“W-well, Mash and I decided to help out at a creampuff booth, did you two sign up for anything?” Finn asked, looking at them both.

“No”, “Nah”

“We don't need extra credit, plus I need to help represent the Adler dorm for the public so I'll be busy,” Lance said.

“Represent Adler dorm? I thought this was a festival?” Mash cocked his head confused by the need for a representative.

“That may seem so but there is more to it,” Lance suddenly got serious,” This festival has always also been a way for each of the three major academies to show off their prestige, many nobles and high class attend so we need to keep a good image during it,” Lance paused making sure all three could understand he was being serious, two meatheads specifically need to have that drilled in their head.
“It's why there have been three representatives selected from each dorm to make sure the academy image doesn't falter,”

“He's very right, but there is another reason why~” A familiar voice intersected the conversation, all four looked over to the face of Orca’s dorm leader,
Margaret Macaron and following behind them. . . Finn's eyes widened like a fish mostly in fear as behind Macaron was Carpaccio.

‘EHHHHH! WHAT IS HE DOING HERE???' Finn screams internally, he is quick to hide behind Mash and Dot.

Meanwhile, Lance, Dot, and Mash looked at them in confusion.

“Oh come on, you don't know there is more to it? Even though you got selected~” Macaron asked, amused by their lack of knowledge
“Fufufu, well a ‘thing’ that happens during the festival is one of the other two schools students like to ‘play’ around a bit at the hosts' academy,” Macaron was being very vague, Mash and Dot already clocked out not understanding what they are talking about.

“We as representatives have to make sure the festival goes smoothly and make sure our dorms are at their best behaviour showing Easton's talent while keeping troublemakers at bay~” They finished explaining, Lance wanted to ask for a clearer explanation but Macaron didn't seem keen on saying more.

‘I should ask Rayne more about this.’ Lance thought.

Lance's attention shifted towards the other student behind Macaron, he had just been standing there staring at them, creepy if you ask him, ‘Wait? Wasn't he the one stabbing people during the divine visionary selection exam?’

“Is he one of the Orca's representatives?” Mash seems to have also noticed Carpaccio, he still didn't say a word, just tilted his head a bit.

“Oh yes, Carpaccio, Ambrosia, and I were selected as representatives, he's just with me so I can keep him in check better.” They happily exclaimed Though the name Ambrosia doesn't quite ring a bell for anyone there.”If I'm correct Rayne was also chosen as one?” Margaret continued.

“Yeah, he was, though I don't know if we have a third one for Adler.” the blue head answered, Macaron nodded.
“Do you know which three will represent Lang? I have tried to get them to answer but they seem pretty busy with setting up for the transfer student coming.”

“Hahah~, they are so eager to give a good impression on the little one,” Margaret giggled,” I know Abel will be one but for the other two I'm uncertain, I'm assuming Abyss and the Madl boy probably?”

“That makes sense, for representatives for Lang I can't think of anyone else that would fit the bill,” Dot said, rubbing the back of his head.

*RINGGGGG*

The bell rung throughout the hallway signaling the next class everyone scurrying to their classrooms, Margaret looked up with a smile, “Well it was nice to chat with you boys but we should get going,” They walked past the four of them with Carpaccio right behind them, Finn still keeping his distance from him,
“Bye, bye now~” Macaron waves one last time before disappearing into a hallway.

The four were just left behind still a bit befuddled at the Orca's perfect words but they had no time to dive any deeper.

“Welp, I guess we should get going,” Dot asked but he was already walking away.

With everyone nodding they went their separate ways, Macaron’s words still hanging at the back of their minds.

__________________________________

The scribble of a pen was the calming sound that filled the room. The man in the office room, quietly working away a deathly amount of paperwork, the only other movement the brunette made was to push his glasses up periodically.

*Knock* *knock*

The door of the office was tapped a few times, the man still didn't look up from his work keeping his eyes on the paper,
“Come in,” he said coldly, almost annoyed he was disturbed.

“You're not gonna even ask who it is?” A gentle voice spoke as they let themselves in, eyes shut as always and his smile sweet as honey,” So, Orter I'm sure you've heard of the festival coming up at Easton?”

“Not happening,” Orter shot Kaldo down immediately.

“I didn't even ask yet?” Kaldo's disappointment showed.

“I already know you were planning to ask, you weren't the first to ask me this, Ryoh already came over this morning about it,” You can almost see a vein popping on the sands cane forehead just talking about the annoying man.

Kaldo was a bit surprised Ryoh already asked the other but made it quick for him to use his ace card.

“Well, it's a pretty big event there is a chance Innocent Zero might be planning another attack?” Kaldo tilted his head a bit trying to catch the other's reaction, “Wahlberg is still recovering from last time, this would be a great opportunity to strike again?” While he doesn't want to cause unnecessary worry, Kaldo does want the sand cane to relax a bit and if suggesting a possible attack at the academy for him to go then so be it.
While he was thinking about suggesting to visit his younger brother, he refrained from saying that, maybe that wouldn't be for the best.

Orter released a deep sigh, massaging his head already tired of this festival, “Fine, I'll go if that stops you two from bothering me.”

“Great! We'll be leaving tomorrow morning, see you there~” Kaldo happily smiled at his success, leaving the sand can as he shut the door gently behind him.

A loud groan could be heard from the other man behind the door, not at all excited about his unplanned trip.

__________________________________

Chapter Text

Lance and Dot were making their way out of class, both planning to head back to their dorms with Mash and Finn, you'd think that would be easy but this is Easton nothing can be simple.

“Do pay attention when the teacher is saying something Dot,” Lance remarked.

“What? C’mon, it's fine it's not like it was anything impo- WOAHHH,SHIT-”

*THUD*

Dot fell face first into the school floor, looking up he saw that Lance didn't even bother trying to catch him,”What the hell man?!” The blue head still didn't say anything but he had an extremely confused look on his face, ‘hah?’ Dot looked behind him to only see what he assumed was another student lying down in the middle of the hallway like a rock, shaking and sniffling, the only thing they could see was their Lang dorm coat and a mass of pink burgundy hair.
Was that what he tripped over??
.
.
.
‘Eh?’ they simultaneously thought.

Nobody was saying a word mostly because the two couldn't think of anything to say to the student, shaking in fear.

Dot decided to break the silence between them for the sake of his sanity,”O-oi, what are you doing on the floor for? You tripped me over y’know?”

*Hic* The student looked up from their fedal position tears in their eyes and a drippy nose only for them to go white, as if Dot and Lance were ghosts

“A-a-aAAHHH! I'M SORRY, I'M SO SO SORRY,” The student immediately clinging to Dot apologizing,
”P-PLEASE, don't throw me out the window!! O-oR use me as a magic target, PLEASE!” the boy was two seconds away from a breakdown and they only said two sentences to him, he kept shaking Dot like a limp towel.

“Hey, hey! Calm down, dude! What are you even talking about? We aren't gonna send you flying” Dot tried his best to calm the other down, he honestly has no idea why the boy was so scared of them, Dot looked over to Lance signalling him to also confirm he wouldn't throw him out as well.

“Yeah we won't, it's just why are you curled up in the middle of the hallway?” He asked, certainly not the best place to curl up and shiver.

*Snif* “R-really?” Dot and Lance both nodded to the boy,”W-well I was lost a-and I tried asking this one guy where Lang dorm was b-but THEN HE PULLED A DAGGER OUT AT ME, SAYING HE DOESN'T TALK TO WEAKLINGS!”
“I thought I would never have to deal with that again after I transferred!
Ijustwantedsomederictionsbutnooo,everypersonImeatwantsmedeadandIstilldon’tknowwheretogo!!!” He started ranting so fast Dot was having a hard time keeping up, his words were just gibberish in the redhead's ears at this point.

“*Inhale*.” The ranting boy began to calm down, well… At least he tried to, his legs on the other hand were still shaking like a leaf.
They both could finally have a better look at the boy's face, his droopy sad green eyes and slightly tan skin not to mention his weirdly fluffy hair better in view, Lance takes note of the two lines on both of his cheek's vine shape.

“D-did you get anything he was saying?” Dot looked over to Lance because he had no clue.

“Mm, it seems you ran into Carpaccio.” the siscon moved his hand under his chin still thinking about something,”You said you didn't know where Lang's dorm was, right? But aren't you from Lang?” Lance gestures to his coat.

“Y-yeah I am, but I'm new here.”

Two light bulbs went off for both boys, "Wait a second, are you that transfer guy from Walkis everyone was gossiping about?” Dot asked.

The burgundy boy nodded.

“Well, that explains a lot,”
Lance went ahead and offered his hand for the boy to take pulling him up from the ground,
“Lance Crown, nice to meet you,”

“Oh, so I don't get a hand?” Dot raised his eyebrow, Lance didn't even move a muscle, only giving an unamused glare ”Fine! I'll get off myself,” getting up and patting away dirt from his pants,”Dot Barrett, The obvious main character of this fic!” he cocked a smirk sticking a ‘cool’ pose.

“O-okay?”, the student just went along,
“I'm Azin Dresora.” He sheepishly greeted.

__________________________________

Mash was in class with Finn, as stated ‘was’ since being randomly teleported into Walhbergs’ office was completely out of his control, now staring at the still bandaged headmaster,
”Weren't you supposed to be in recovery still?”

“Yes, but I can still do administrative work, this academy's work won't be waiting for me to recover,” Mash questioned that since he could see blood dripping out of the old man's mouth.

“Anyways, I have a request to make for you, Mash Burndead,” Walhberg checked to see if Mash could follow along,”As you are aware next week a very important festival is coming up and I have yet to select Adler's last representative.” he hints hoping the shroom boy gets were he is going here.

“Ah, you want me to help you select the last one-

“NO, I want you to be the last representative.”

“Oh, why me? I think bamboo captain and Max guy would suit better.” Mash wasn't nervous to be a representative but he just didn't want to do it, it seemed like a lot of work and he still needed to help the creampuff stand and that was a way higher priority.

Walhberg was a little surprised but carried on, “I understand that this might be a lot but I want Easton and certainly Adler to be properly represented by choosing those who truly embody the values of Easton, and I think you embody them to your core, Mash Burndead.”

“But I have to help the creampuff stand.” Mash bluntly stated.

The old headmaster's glasses crack at the statement,”You can still help the stand even if you're a representative, and this could be a good way to interact with some divine visionaries, no?”
…
“Okay, I'll do it.”

“Ha ha! Great, I thank you for your time Mash, I'll teleport you back to your classroom now.” Walhberg tapped his wand and in seconds Mash’s body was glowing blue.

*Poof*

Walhberg lets out a sign, he truly hopes the other academy students don't go to far this time around, it has always been like that, all three schools are at each other's throats, and this festival is a big way to drag the other's reputation to the ground, Walkis especially has a habit of going extreme with this, power and strength is essential to them.
‘It won't be easy keeping everything in check but I have belief in the students I chose to keep order.’

__________________________________

Just like that, he was in his classroom with everyone staring at his entrance, well. . This is a bit awkward.

Bowing politely towards the teacher. “Sorry about poofing out. . . Mr.Walhberg wanted to talk to me.”

Thankfully the teacher was understanding so Mash went to Finn, class was ending anyways, Finn whispered to Mash, “Why did Wahlberg call you for anyways, Did something come up?”

“He asked me to be a representative for Adler, and I said sure,” Mash replied with a creampuff in his mouth having been pulled out of nowhere, it's time for a protein break.

“Oh, oka- Wait what?!”

__________________________________

Azin finally felt lucky today after the horrendous morning he had, getting lost trying to find Lang only to be threatened when he asked for directions!
But in the end, he has been through worse at Walkis so what difference does it make, as now he is being guided by Lance and Dot to Lang.
“T-thank you guys for guiding me, I honestly wouldn't know what to do.” He is thanking them again, in Azin’s experience he rarely meets people who want to help him.

“Like we said before, no problem dude.” The redhead was relaxing his arms behind his back taking his sweet time walking.

“Mm, in any case, this could be a chance to ask Lang about their representative since they didn't answer me before,” Lance glances at Azin,” Are you aware of the festival next week?”

“Festival? Oh! That one, yeah I have known for a month by now, at Walkis everyone was talking about it but I was too busy transferring to pay it any mind.” That's not entirely true since it was hard to ignore how his now ex-roommate talked about it like he was planning something.

Dot got a bit curious, why did Burgundy transfer from Walkis anyways? It's also very much a prestigious academy like Easton, so what was the difference,” So like why did you transfer? I mean aren't Easton and Walkis basically the same?”

Azin was quiet for a bit thinking how to answer, it isn't like he doesn't know why he transferred it's just it's kinda hard to say the school basically runs like a military camp and that you felt like every day you were gonna die not to mention your psychopathic roommate that definitely would kill you in your sleep if you pissed him off which by the way was an easy thing to do by just existing!

“O-oh, uh how do I put this? Walkis takes their training a ‘bit’ more seriously than others, I just couldn't keep up anymore so I transferred before they had a chance to kick me out. . .” Certainly left out some details but that should be enough to feed their curiosity.

“Damn really? Well, I don't know if Easton will be any easier but whatever floats your boat.” Dot waved a passive hand, Maybe there was a difference between the academies, oh well not his problem.

Lance abruptly stopped Azin bumping into him,” We're here,” pointing at the large wooden door. It's faint but you can hear mumbles of students behind the wood.
Lance also took the initiative to knock on the door, all three waited patiently for someone to answer.

Thankfully they didn't need to wait too long since before they knew the door was open by a pink pigtailed girl.

“Hihi!-. . .oh? What are you two doing here?” Ignoring how quickly Love’s mood changed to disgusted when she saw the two of them, she immediately got excited again upon making eye contact with Azin.
Love was quick to shove the red and blue duo aside with no hesitation, she held Azin's hand shaking violently as she greeted him, “Hi! I'm Love, you must be our new dorm member! So nice to finally meet you!” The pink boy was only able to say ‘Hello’ and ‘Nice to meet you too’ during Love’s earthquake handshake.
Love finally stopped shaking the poor boy and took a pretty hard look at him,
“You look a lot. . . Scrawnier than I expected?” Azin looked soul-crushed by her statement though he couldn't deny she was right.

Soon enough someone else came to see what the fuss was about at the door, Lance instantly recognized Wirth, Lance gave a nod of acknowledgment as the Madl boy gave one back, that has been their thing for a while when they see each other, no words just a nod.

Dot just gave a questioning look at the nod they both did.

“Oi, Love, what's going on here?” he asked, taking a look at all four of them.

“I’m greeting our new dorm member, Duh” She pointed at Azin, “What did you think I was doing, I'm a model host you know!” Love posed offendedly, poking Wirth’s chest as a way for him to pay attention to her.

Azin was very quiet, talking with people is never his strong suit, the best he could do was a small wave,
”Hi-i, I’m Azin Dresora,”

A simple mhp was heard from the mud mage, Azin could clearly tell he was judging him already, his eyes looking him up and down.

“Well, as you have probably heard I'm Love Cute,” The pink girl made a love heart with her hands,” And this here is Wirth!” Love patted the mud mage's arm.
“Come inside already! You should meet everyone!” Love took Azin's hand and dragged him inside, this was definitely a lot for the burgundy boy and certainly not what he was expecting, though he wouldn't complain since everyone here was already way nicer than anyone he had ever met at Walkis, maybe he'll actually have some friends here.

Wirth meanwhile looked back at the Adler boys, not wanting to deal with them he just said,”You guys can come in if you want, just don't cause any trouble.” And like that, he was gone too.

Dot poked at Lance's shoulder getting the siscon attention,”Should we text Mash, Finn, and Lemon we're here? They are probably looking for us, right?”

“Mhp, We should, I'm sure they would like to meet the new kid as well,” Taking out his barely used phone, Dot sighed, a bit disappointed he couldn't bring a gift for their unexpected visit, guess he'd have to double it next time.

Chapter Text

Azin’s instinct was to hide away in a corner somewhere, there were so many people here and while he could guess a good chunk of them came to avoid class or chill out for an evening there were still a considerable few looking at him specifically. Their eyes felt like they were judging every step he takes, the way he holds himself. Heck, Azin could probably imagine them judging the way he breathed! 

Love was still holding his hand while she dragged him through the crowd with Wirth, Lance and Dott going off to do their own thing. She was talking to him but Azin wasn't quite registering what she was talking about, all the noise made his head fuzzy as he sweated bullets by the unexpected welcoming of his arrival. ‘I- I can't chicken out now! I'm not getting a second chance, it was a miracle headmaster Wahlberg let me in after messing up my test spell!’  

Azin still cringes everytime he remembers the way he almost hit the HEADMASTERS head, as his ranged spell ricocheted from the target to where the old mage was standing. If he even did something similar in a Walkis exam he would have his head on a pike while probably getting shamed for messing up.

Love suddenly came to a stop, well suddenly for Azin since he wasn't quite paying attention to his surroundings. As he looks up he sees two other students looking their way. One had light blue hair in a ponytail and was wearing purple eye patch on his right eye, ‘Did they hurt their eye?’, The other one was slightly shorter, white hair with purple tips and a thousand yard stare- ‘HUH?!, WHAT'S WITH THE CREEPY BABY DOLL?!’ 

Maybe Azin was being too generous with thinking Easton would be normal, well, normal ish. 

“Huh? Abyss, what's with the eye patch?” Love questioned, already leaving Azin's side, proceeding to point at the other student.

“U-u-h,.. U-u-m” The masked student just starts stuttering, ‘Ah, they're quite shy, glad I'm not the only one with bad social skills.’ Azin could honestly relate with the other student as they seem to almost vibrate as they stutter.

“What Abyss was trying to say was that he thought he would be more approachable if he covered that eye.” The doll holding student spoke for the other. Abyss, the name of the eye patch student confirmed the other was right by nodding his head.

“Ah! I see, I assume you picked it out Abel,” Love cheekily asked, she seems to know the answer already. 

“I did.” Abel said in a monotone voice, Abyss blushed a bit at that.

‘huh,’ was all Azin could think of the moment, before Love remembered why she came to them in the first place. Excitingly grabbing Azin's arm and putting him right in front of the other two's faces, “Right! I found our new dorm member!” She proudly shook Azin as he extended his hand for a greeting, “Oh, and two of those Adler boys are here too I guess, the blue and red one.” 

“Hmp,” was all Abel replied for a moment before, shaking Azin's outstretched hand “Abel Walker Langs dorm leader, a pleasure to meet you Azin Dresora.” turning towards the blue haired boy, signaling to do the same.

”Abyss Razor,” he said quietly.

“Eh, you knew my name already?” 

“Why of course, I am the dorm leader after all, I need to know all the students in my dorm not to mention headmaster Wahlberg said you were quite interesting.” Abel stated

‘Please don't say he mentioned that messed up spell, please don't, I don't need that in my consciousness right now!’ Azin internally panicked, “A-ah, really now?”  

“Yo! How's it going guys?” A familiar boisterous voice came from behind Azin. Turning his head, he sees Dott and Lance approach them. Dott waving his hands at them.

“Good evening Lance and Dott, Love mentioned you two came to visit” Abel turns his attention to them.

“Yeah, Mash, Lemon and Finn will join us, we helped Azin get here and decided to stay for the party.” Dott was snacking on some kind of strawberry tart as he spoke.

“Generally so, but I also wanted to ask Lang's representatives for the festival next week. I only got all of Orca’s dorm reps and Adler still needs one more,” Lance was straight to business, already looking around for who they might be. 

“Understandable, the festival is an important event,” Abel surmises, “Lang has all three representatives selected, Wirth, Abyss and myself of course.” 

Abyss nodded again at the mention of his name.

“Ah, so Macaron was correct in their assumption, hopefully Walhberg will have selected our last repri- 

BOOM  

“Eek!” The sudden loud noise made Azin jump, as he and everyone else in the room looked over at the source of the noise. The front door somehow broke of its hinges as it collapsed on the floor revealing three students, a yellow haired girl, a freckled boy and a mushroom head

“MASH!” 

“Oh, I thought it was a pull door.” 

‘HOW THE HELL DO YOU PULL A DOOR THAT BIG OFF ITS HINGES BY JUST PULLING?!?’

__________________________________

The welcome party was unceremoniously ended by Mash’s door breaking, at least he can take the leftover creampuffs he spotted on the table all for himself.

Some members of Magia Lupus took it upon themselves to fix the door as most students went back to their dorm rooms since night was getting closer.

Meanwhile he and his friends hung out together near the door.

“Damn way to kill a party dude.” Dott pointed out as he looked at the progress of the door repair.

“It was an accident, I didn't mean to.” Mash was definitely starting to feel real guilty about it, he offered to help fix the door but his friends advised Lang to just fix it themselves.

“It’s fine, Lang has exceptional mages and the door will be fixed in no time.” Abel tried to comfort, at least Mash thinks that was what he was trying to do.

“Uh, M-mister Walker, where should these plates go?” A pink burgundy haired boy approached them as he nervously eyed Mash, ‘Is there something on my face?’ 

He thinks while subconsciously patting his cheeks to check.

“No need for the formality, Abel is fine,” The shy guy seemed embarrassed by Abels correction, “And you don't need to clean up, you don't know your way around the school yet so just leave it to another student.” The shy guy just nodded and placed them on the table next to him.

“Oh! So you're the new transfer student from Walkis, right?” Finn greeted the other boy, “I’m Finn! Nice to meet you.” 

“Hi-i, I’m Azin Dresora.” Shy guy shyly greated, that's a tongue twister.

“That's Lemon, and the guy that broke the door is Mash.” Finn pointed at him and Lemon as he started chatting with the student, though chatting is generous as the shy guy just nodded and didn't speak much.

Wondering his eyes around as he stuffed his face with creampuffs Mash got the odd feeling he was forgetting something. ‘Eh if I can't remember, it probably wasn't that important.’

‘Probably….’

.

.

.

After a bit of chatting with Lang, they said their goodbyes as it was bedtime and they still had to walk back to the Adler dorms. Mash was so sleepy he was basically sleep walking back as the others chatted about their day.

“Yeah that basically it, then Mash got teleported back. He said Wahlberg asked him to be Adler's last representative and he said yes.” Finn explained 

Ah 

Right,

That's what he forgot to mention.

__________________________________

Azin was walking behind Abyss as he guided him to his dorm room, it was mostly quiet as they walked. Hard to make conversation when you're both awkward people, ‘C’mon just talk to him about anything! You promised mom you would actually make friends here.’ Azin hyped himself up, as they got closer and closer to their destination.

“S-so w-whats with the eye patch?” He asked. Abyss flinched a bit, probably didn't expect Azin to conversate with him.

“Oh, it's… it's quite personal, I hope you understand.”

‘... Great going dumbass! The one thing you ask and it's a sensitive topic for him, great going Azin, just great!’ Internally he beats himself up for THAT being the ice breaking question.

“I-i’m sorry, I-i-i didn't mean to be intrusive or anything!” Trying really hard to backpedal the awkward situation he got himself in.

“No, no, no! It's okay, I know it's quite odd but it makes me more comfortable.” Abyss objected to Azin's apology.

“That's… good to hear.” Azin kinda has to get used to normally talking to people. Having no friends and most people around being ones he would rather choke on a nut than talk to, it's safe to say his skills are quite rusty but he has hope for once, ’E-everyone seems to be so friendly with each other, sure some students are weirder than others and more akin to the ones he used to being around with, but … The people I met today all seem like they at least care about another in their own ways.’

“We're here.” Abyss announces, as he points at the door to his right, “This is your room, all your stuff should be there.” Abyss explained as he handed Azin a brass key,”You should sleep and unpack tomorrow, Abel will also give you a tour of the school after you unpack so be ready by noon,” 

“O-okay.” Azin fiddled a bit with the key before Abyss takes his leave, walking past Azin to his own dorm, “G-goodnight Abyss!”

Abyss stopped in his tracks before nervously replying back, “Goodnight Azin.” 

Azin watches his blue hair for a bit before disappearing from view.

Left alone Azin opened his door to get ready for bed, it creaked loudly as he pushed it in. To his left he sees and empty side with boxes, scanning his right he sees-

Wait a minute- 

“W-what are you doing here???”

On the right side Wirth was sitting down on his bed book in hand and wearing an expensive looking pj set, a light from his desk lamp being the only thing illuminating the room, “What do you mean ‘what am I doing here’, it's also my dorm?” he offendedly glanced at Azin, “We're roommates.” He stated like it was obvious. Which on Azin's end WASN'T CLARIFIED AT ALL!

“Nobody told me that part!” Defending himself from seeming stupid, as he closed the door behind him.

“Well now you know.” Was the only thing Wirth responded with before going back to his book.

“You- wh- hu, ugh.” Azin doesn't have quite the catchy comeback, just sighing in defeat. It's night, Azin has no energy to deal with this right now. He starts opening a few boxes in search of his clothes, ’Dammit I should have probably labelled them,’ he finds them eventually pulling out a light pink hoodie and white knee high loose shorts taking it to their shared bathroom to change. 

Coming out of the bathroom Wirth was still reading that book, he seems to have no plans to sleep yet. Azin meanwhile flopped on the bed and instantly dozed off into dreamland. 

__________________________________

Wirth kept reading for a while, his new roommate knocked out instantly to sleep. The book being a gift from Love, This book seems as boring like the other ones you own. Not saying she was wrong that it was up his alley.

Midnight eventually came, probably should finally sleep as he neatly putting a bookmark on the page before placing it on his bookshelf. Turning his lamp off Wirth got to bed to sleep though not before glancing at Azin still deeply sleeping while laying spread out on his stomach, ‘Hm, I wasn't able to get a good read on him. He just seems nervous and standoffish for the most part.’ It feels weird to have a roommate, Wirth got lucky by not having a roommate since his first and second year, guess his luck ran out eventually.

‘No choice but to get used to it.’ 

Chapter Text

Mash and Finn had to get up bright and early the next day, it's a normal Saturday for most students but those that signed up to help booths for the festival had to help build them in the school's front yard.

“Whoa, there are a lot of people here!” Finn exclaimed. They both just got to the yard only to be treated by dozens of people, most were civilians of profession, crafters, blacksmiths, bakers and general businesses and activities for students and non-students alike to enjoy upcoming week. Among them were also students from different schools, their uniforms making them stand out among the crowd as Finn and Mash weaved their way to find their chosen booth to help.

“Why are there other school students here already? Wasn't the festival gonna start Monday?” Mash questioned as he looked around, most people are too busy it seems to pay them any mind.

“From the festival flyer other schools also have their own booths, they're probably here early to help set them up as well probably?” Finn theorized as Mash checked his paper for the right booth. Their booth number being 69, ’heh.’ 

They soon located the creampuff booth a bit further away near the woods, there isn't much there though, just a white square to show where the booth is gonna go and a pile of building materials in the middle.

“Oi, are you two part of helping our booth?” a man in a baker's uniform came from behind the material heap, he had a chef hat on and a line on his chin.

“Yes we are! I'm Finn and this is Mash.”

“Hi.” Mash waved at the baker, ‘...he kinda looks familiar,’ and the feeling seems to be mutual since the baker's eyes widened when laying eyes on Mash.

“Y-Y-YOU!” 

“...Me?” Mash pointed at himself as if the baker wasn't frantically pointing while he freaked out.

“YOU’RE THE UNMARKED KID THAT BENDED THOSE COINS BACK AFTER CRUSHING THEM!” 

“Oh, episode one baker guy” was the only thing Mash could say.

__________________________________

Gentle breeze of the wind caressing his hair and face was the only thing cooling Orter’s nerves down from slapping both Ryoh and Kaldo from their brooms.

Why did he get stuck flying in the middle of these two again? And why are they so insistent on him joining their tour of the festival's activities, they're here to keep the peace not goof off.

“Dear Orter, I am afraid that we simply cannot deprive the masses of my fabulousnesses, after all it rare for ordinary citizens to gaze upon me in the flesh~ winks in dazzling gleam~” Somehow Ryoh has visible sparkles coming from his wink also ‘fabulousnesses’ isn't a real word.

“You can flaunt your fabulousnesses while also keeping an eye out for Innocent Zero, Ryoh.” Orter pushes his glasses up, looking down at his watch to see how much longer he can put up with this. Ryoh meanwhile kept on making reasons on why all three of them should see that strength test competition Walkis was planning for the festival.

“We are almost at our destination, Walhberg said that we should land in the inner courtyard, he'll be waiting for us there.” Kaldo chimed in. Ahead they all can see Easton's stone towers poke the sky as down below the main courtyard was filled with people, students and others alike.

.

‘I wonder how Wirth is doing?’ 

__________________________________

After the baker got over his shock, they were somehow able to convince him that Mash was different from the crazy strong unmarked guy from his memory. 

Yep, definitely not the same guy.

“Alright, I need you two to get our booth built and ready while I and my partner are busy bringing over the batches of premade creampuffs from our store, is that clear?” The baker ran through what they had to do. Mash and Finn nodded along, “All that you need should be in the pile if you need more stuff near the school entrance there should be more supplies you can take, understood?”

“Yes, sir!” 

“Good, see you kids later.” Like that he and the goblin baker were off and Finn and Mash were left to their own devices.

“Alrighty! There should be some instructions on how to set up the booth, maybe if we finish early we can look around at the other booths?” Finn taking the initiative approaches the pile, right on top of it all a pamphlet with booth building guide for noobs 101 written on it. 

“So, what do you think Mash?”

.

.

.

“Mash?” 

“Hubuhubuhubuhubu” Mash's brain was working overtime as the information he was just given was not properly processed.

“Oh”

__________________________________

Sun rays brightly pierced the mud mages face as he tries his best to shut his eyes, rolling to the wall as he groans in annoyance.

“Ha-haCHOO!” 

Huh? 

A sneeze, that's weird Wirth isn't sick or anything, ‘Eh? Is someone thinking about me or something?’

Maybe it was finally the sign for him to get up. 

Slowly getting up from his bed he looks out the window, it's so bright it has to be at least noon or later. 

Sigh 

Sleeping twelve plus hours and he is still tired, it has been like that for awhile now, ever since his defeat from Lace Crown. 

Wirth isn't one to sleep in late, always up at seven maybe earlier to study or practice his magic lately though, he has no motivation to do anything honestly.

‘What's the point… I don't even know what I'm gonna do today.’

After his defeat Wirth had a lot to mull over. Nothing seems worth doing anymore, surpassing his brother doesn't seem possible, Orter the shadow he constantly drowns in. No matter what he tries or accomplished he'll always be compared to Orter and he'll always be better than Wirth. Strangers, teachers and most of all his parents can't help but always make Orter the paragon he has to strive towards. If he can't be like or better than Orter, what is he then? Just a worthless waste of space.

.

.

. 

Pring~ 

A text message buzzes from his phone, pulling away from his mind. He looks at his messages, not even blinking when he sees Love’s 76 unread text, mostly about him waking up late and asking to hangout later. More urgently were Abel's texts.

Abel walk in 

Where are you? 

Walhberg wants the representatives to make rounds around school grounds to check for no trouble.

01:30 pm 

Abel walk in

Don't make me drag you out.

That's a promise not a threat.

01:40 pm

GojoGlasses

I'll be ready soon

01:41

Probably not the best response to give Abel, ‘He’s definitely gonna smite me.’ Guess he does have plans for today.

“Stupid rep shit …” Wirth mumbled under his breath as he got up from his bed to the bathroom. Abel might think he's being difficult but he didn't choose to be a representative for Lang, Walhberg made him do it! Why should he care!

‘Maybe before I would do it but now… ‘ 

Wirth doesn't finish his thought.

He doesn't want to admit how far he has fallen, at least mentally wise. He still keeps his grade up but that is mostly to shove down the rising worthlessness he feels. 

Stepping out of the bathroom, towel hanging from his shoulders. Wirth checks his left, the once barren side of the dorm now filled with stuff from his new roommate, ‘I almost forgot about that, too bad for Shuen, no more crashing in my room idiot.’ Checking out the newly decorated side of the room, Wirth scans over the stuff Azin left on his desk. 

Is it an invasion of privacy?… maybe, but Wirth is just gonna look around, no touching so it's fine. 

Azin has a bunch of sketch books piled on the table, the top one open to a rough doodle of different kinds of flowers, most are ones he recognizes around the school gardens. Looking down a box is open, inside crusty paint tubes and brushes seen haphazardly thrown in. ‘He likes painting, huh. At least organize them a little bit?” 

The bed has now a dark maroon bedding with some clothes thrown on top and the wall has band posters tapped on it, one in particular catches Wirth’s eye, Wands & Roses, coincidentally a band Wirth is into, ‘Azin is messy but at least he has taste.’  he thinks while smirking a bit.

Pring~ 

Taking his phone out, the first message that greeted Wirth sent shivers down his spine.

Abel walk in

I’m coming for you 

01:58 pm

__________________________________

Orter, Kaldo and Ryoh land down on the grass of the inner courtyard, there aren't many students here but the few that are take double looks to make sure they actually saw THREE Divine visionaries land in their academy's yard.

Orter dusted off some dirt from his coat while a familiar old geezer approached them from the shadowed awning.

“Ah, good to see you all again so soon!” Walhberg greeted them with open arms, je still has some bandages from the last time but other than that he seems in good shape.

“Ah~ good afternoon sir Walhberg.” Kaldo was quick to greet the old mage, somehow bowing while holding five different luggages, thee of those being Ryoh’s 

‘Why did he bring so many bags?’ The light cane will always confound him, “Good evening Walhberg.” Orter pushes his glasses.

“Ah-ha~ Truly it has to be a blessing for us to meet so soon again!” Ryoh was firmly padded Walhberg’s shoulders, maybe a little to hard since the geezer coughed quite hard at that.

“Cough cough” Walhberg straightened back up, “Well anyhow, I'm glad you all decided to join the Tri-festival this year around,” The old mage excitedly beamed, “Come, come now we should get you three settled before anything else.” 

With a tap of his staff Walhberg teleports them into a decently sized room with three beds, a coffee table, desk and closet. An on suite bathroom is spotted on the right, all of it made from dark oak wood and decorated with green velvet curtains, “Here is where you'll all be staying for the next week, I'm sure it's nothing to your own homes but it's certainly comfortable.” Walhberg let them wander around the room a bit, Kaldo was already storing his honey in a side cabinet while Ryoh gushes that the room can almost be as stunning as him.

“Truly spared no cents for us sir.” Kaldo chuckled.

“Haha! Why shouldn't I? You three get comfortable and take a look around the school, I'll be busy working so I won't be around to show you around the booths but I'm sure you all will enjoy yourselves.” And like that the geezer was gone, evaporated into a puff of smoke.

“Get unpacking. I wanna do a sweep around the school at least once today.” Orter commanded, not willing to let his guard down just yet.

“Hehe~ already back at work.” Kaldo surmises, gently placing his sheathed sword on the bed.

“Of course, danger is always afoot.” 

__________________________________

Finn was holding the paper example of how the booth was supposed to look like against… whatever they created.

“Why…. WHY DOES IT LOOK LIKE A DUCK!?” Finn wailed in anguish, they have been doing this song and dance for HOURS. 

Mash took it upon himself to build the booth while Finn tells him what to do but for SOME reason whatever Mash builts it looks ANYTHING but a booth!

Duck,

Gopher,

Creampuff,

BAMBOO CAPTAIN! 

HOW DO YOU EVEN DO THAT???

Finn slumps to the ground in defeat, Mash stood over him in guilt.

“Sorry…” Mash says poking his fingers against each other like a child that got caught stealing candy.

“Sigh , we're never going to finish this..” Coming to terms with their fate.

“Oh my…” 

They both look to their left and spot three students flabbergastingly staring at Mash’s creation. Two were familiar faces Azin and Abyss while the other one was someone neither had seen before. A girl from Orca dorm with long platinum blonde hair styled in a large braid and face framing bang with square glasses so thick Finn couldn't see her eyes.

“Oh hey, mask guy, shy guy and….” Mash tilts his head a bit, realizing he doesn't know the Orca girl.

The Orca girl notices Mash’s hesitation, placing a hand on her chest while slightly bowing, “Hoho~ my apologies how rude of me to not introduce myself! I’m Ambrosia Merlinus, one of the representatives for Orca dorm.” She then got really close to Mash, seemingly examining him,”Hm, you must be… ah yes! One of Alders representatives correct? Mash Burndead?”

“Yeah, that's me.” 

“Hoho~ I can't believe I am finally meeting you! The boy who defies magic by pure strength, Ah, I want to try out so many experiments on you!” Ambrosia started to make grabby hands at Mash,”How is it possible you can block magic no normal person can? Is your body secretly enchanted!” 

Finn was pulled from the ground and placed squarely in front of Ambrosia, turning back it was Mash who decided that he would be his meat shield against this weird girl.

“She's creepy…” Mash shook his head refusing to be a lab rat, Finn thought he'd get brain damage, not like Mash had too much up there anyways.

“Eh, Miss Ambrosia, I'm pretty sure you're scaring him. Maybe give him some space please?” Thankfully Azin came to the rescue pulling Ambrosia back a bit. 

‘THANK YOU AZINNN!’ Internally crying for his savior, Finn was NOT about to know if she would be interested in him being a lab rat.

“A-anyways, what are you guys trying to build here?” Azin loosely points at the bird-like structure.

“It kind of looks like a goose.” Abyss added on.

“It's uh- it um, it's supposed to be a booth.” Finn presented the example drawing on the paper.

All three of them looked from the paper to the structure and repeated that a few times, a mutual understanding occurred between them.

‘That looks nothing like the picture!?’

“It sure looks like you two need some help, how long have you guys been working on this?” Abyss offered.

“Seven hours, maybe more. Help would be very much appreciated at this point.” Finn could see the pity on Abyss’s face.

“Well since I’m already here, I guess I'll help out as well, hoho~.” Ambrosia offered as well. Taking out her wand made from purple wood with yellow details, with just a flick the hour long duck sculpture was dismantled. “There we go! A clean slate, though I think some of your materials need to be replaced. They look like they have been used as a punching bag.” 

That would be Mash’s doing, he kept breaking the hammers so opted to just punch the nails into the wood instead. 

“Sorry…” Mash looked down at his feet, “I’ll get more supplies from the entrance” Mash was walking off to the front gate.

“A-alright I guess I can help too.” Azin catches up to Mash quite quickly.

“Huh? I can carry the materials…and I don't think you can even lift a plank.” 

Azin looked hurt from Mash’s statement although it's not untrue, still he hurried away with Mash till their heads disappeared into the crowd.

“So, we better get started hoho~”

__________________________________

Walking down the hall it's unusually empty, most students are outside checking around the courtyard or chatting it up with students from other academys. Lance kept guard though, representative is an honorable position he must not let trouble happen. ‘Anna, give strength!’ The smiling image of his little sister filled the man with courage as he marched on to an intersection.

“Oh, Lance Crown.” 

Surprised by the voice Lance looks to the left halfway spotting Abel sauntering down the hall, creepy doll in his arms as always.

“Abel, I thought you were busy with showing Azin around?” Lance remembers that was what the Lang dorm leader said when he requested Lance to take his spot patrolling the halls.

“We finished early, he and Abyss went to check out the booths outside. “ Both start walking down the hall together. “I just… had to make sure one little mud mage does his job right.”

Lance almost jumped at Abel's sinister face, sending out a prayer to the poor mage that got definitely scolded. Abel went still after that, Lance assumed he was done conversing until he spoke up again.

“Y’know…Wirth has been acting off ever since you defeated him,” Now that took Lance’s attention, He is somewhat aware that in their scuffle something had changed in the mage but he didn't think it would be drastic enough for his dorm leader to notice. At best he wanted Wirth to find worth in himself instead of wrecking his sanity over not being better than his brother. A brother complex if you will, ‘Siblings should look out for each other.’ 

“He's usually very studious compared to how he represents himself, Wirth is always studying and practicing his magic, always trying to achieve the best, lately though…” Abel ponders a bit before continuing, “ He does the bare minimum for projects and practice, Love told me he stopped studying in his free time even after she pestered him to help her, he just hangs in his room all day and sleeps in whenever which he never did before.”

That's definitely concerning, the mage with an inferiority complex Lance remembers would not dare to make himself ‘useless’ like that, “Maybe he got a hobby?” Lance doubts that's the reason but you never know.

“You and I both know that's not the case.” Abel coldly replied. Lance only glanced away, that was a bit dumb to suggest on his part.

Abel took his time before he talked again, this time the voice that came out sounded worried,”I, I just want to be able to help him if he needs it. I'm not just his dorm leader but also his friend, that includes everyone else in Magia Lupus.” 

He will admit, Lance didn't think he'd see Abel be concerned over someone like this, well except Abyss.

Abel's icy heart has melted quite a bit from the first time they met, Lance can't help but smile a bit at the dorm leader's progress.

Lance was about to say something when both noticed a new set of footsteps echoing in the hall further away, looking ahead a new face passed them. The figure hasn't noticed them yet but it was obvious they weren't a student from Easton, wearing a black uniform with a white cravat…A Walkis uniform.

‘Hm? What's up with the umbrella, we're inside?’

__________________________________

Chapter Text

The unusual umbrella student paused for a moment, glancing to the right as they held intense eye contact with Lance and Abel through their fuschia eyes.

The student had long black hair with white streaks on the left side, pale skin contrast black lips and eyeshadow. Their mark appears as two tears streaming down his right eye.

“Non-Easton students are not allowed to go here, you should go back to the courtyard or places that the public is allowed to access,” Abel sternly ordered, he then pointed at the student, “Leave.”

In an instant the earlier warmth dissipated, Lance can't blame Abel's switch up. This student shouldn't be here, the school has put up clear rules and regulations to make sure visiting guests don't just wander school grounds. This student has to have come here on purpose, ‘Someone looking out to make trouble? Kinda dumb to do it in broad daylight, not to mention so casually too.’

The Walkis student just turned to face them with an elegant motion.

“One did not intend to wander down forbidden paths. merely, I was seeking the wonderment of a place befitting a visionary. Mayhaps you would accompany me in search of finding the route from whence I came?”

.

.

.

“What…?”

Lance absolutely did mean to say that out loud but in his defense he didn't expect an overly eloquent worded response. ‘He, he can't be serious, right? There's no way, why does he talk like he's in a poetry contest?? Is this a prank, this has to be a prank???’ Lance searched to Abel to see if he was crazy for finding this weird, thankfully the puppet mage also sported a flabbergasted expression.

The student straightened up, examining their expression closely before walking to them, placing a hand over his chest as Abel and Lance flinch due to the sudden closeness.

“My deepest apologies, how impolite of me to not introduce myself. I am Emel Poet, A fair student of Walkis academy and a visionary of the written arts.” He then makes a refined curtsey, as roses fall from nowhere, ‘Where the hell did those come from?’ .

“I have faith you may assist me in understanding this unfamiliar space.” He then proceeded to stare even more intensely at them.

‘What is going on? I have never heard anyone speak like this before. Why is he talking like a character from a novel?’ internally confused, Lance somewhat kept his composure. The students' words didn't seem like complete random speech. He can only imagine what Abel might be thinking right now.

“Are you asking us to help you find your way back?” That's what Lance thinks he's trying to say, he just hopes it's right.

“Indeed it is” 

Oh thank God he got it right, Lance sighed in relief.

“If that's it then we will help you but you have to not wander past the front hall, it's off limits.” Abel then glanced a suspicious look towards Lance, Abel wants Lance to stay alert. This whole situation is still suspicious no matter if the student just seems like an eccentric individual. Lance then sent a soft nod to confirm he understood to look out.

“I, Emel Poet, pledge to uphold your regulations.” 

Abel proceeds to take the lead in guiding Emel back, meanwhile Lance stays behind. Both cover the eccentric students front and back, in case this ends up being some trap after all.

For a second while walking Lance swore he felt an unusual breeze past him, it was only a second before it vanished. For the rest of the walk he kept his wand in his hand. 

__________________________________

Orter and Kaldo waited outside of their room, both waiting for Ryoh to be done getting ready.

‘He can't actually be taking this long to get ready?’ Orter checked his watch again, 

30 minutes have already passed by now. The sand cane is getting impatient, tapping his foot on the ground.

“You should relax Orter, I'm sure Easton isn't going to collapse suddenly just because you didn't get to do your patrolling,” Kaldo tried to ease Orter's worries,”Besides, maybe you should take this festival opportunity to take a break~” The white haired man suggests, while his eyes remain closed Orter can basically feel them glance his way in a cheeky manner.

“No thank you, I had already taken a break the week before.”

“Taking two hours off isn't a break, Orter.” The heat cane suddenly appeared before him crossed armed, tone serious this time. “Listen I know you are a chronic workaholic but at least try to enjoy the festival.” 

“But what if-”

“If anything happens we'll be there to stop it, we are divine visionaries for a reason and trust Walhberg's abilities to keep the school safe.” Kaldo slacks his shoulders. He gave Orter a soft smile while adjusting his glasses back in proper position. “So just take it easy, okay?” 

The sand cane tilts his head down, hand covering his mouth in a thinking position, eyes not making contact with the man in front of him. Kaldo only chuckled at this, Orter thinks he's being subtle but sadly or not, nobody has told him yet that his ears turn pink when he’s flustered.

“I’ll think about it,” When Orter glanced back up Kaldo had a weird look on his face, like he knew something Orter didn't. “Anyways since Ryoh is not gonna show up yet I'm gonna walk around the area of our room.” He already turned his way to the right side of the hallway they were standing in. Their room was placed in a long narrow corridor, the right side had large open windows with an unobstructed view from the lake around Easton and the stone left wall was decorated with potted flowers.

Orter was about to walk away when,

“Orter~” 

Stopping in his tract, Orter was about to turn around again but before he did a sensation of soft lips gently touched his cheek, just a small peck nevertheless he could feel that Kaldo’s lips were sticky and Orter could get the faintest whiff of sugar. 

“See you later~” 

Kaldo acted so casual as Orter started to speed walk away, hand slapped over the kissed cheek. Catching a glimpse of himself in a halfway mirror Orter looked red as a tomato, that only furthered his flustered heart.

__________________________________

Wirth dragged himself through the school, his head still hurts from where Abel hit him, he didn't expect his dorm leader to do such a nasty smack. 

Wirth is absolutely bored out of his mind, It doesn't help that patrolling was extremely dull, barely anyone was inside. It is a bright and sunny day today, not to mention it is the day booths are being set up and new people are coming on the school grounds.

The most anticipated ‘event’ is which divine visionaries will come to visit the festival each year, granted they are not obligated to come but it is kind of a tradition of the festival that at least one or two come.

‘Maybe Orter-’

.

Instantly, that single thought made Wirth stop in his tracks. He almost gagged by the notion in disgust, anger maybe resentment? Wirth doesn't know, but the feeling is NOT a positive one. Why did he think THAT? How could his own mind betray him like this?

Wirth doesn't care about him!

He doesn’t give a damn if Orter is here! 

He doesn't care that Orter doesn't care about him either!

Cause if he ever did he wouldn't have abandoned him. 

Wirth kept moving along the halls of Easton, in his head scanning around for things to find to keep his mind away from wandering that way again. 

‘Why even think of the idea? Orter probably could care less for a festival of all things, right? He probably would rather work than entertain the idea, right? 

What else did he do anyways before he left home?...’

A sharp turn to a left corridor almost made him trip by how fast he moved. ’I’m thinking too much on this, theoretically even if he did come, why would he bother his time with me . These days I can't even bother trying to surpass him anymore, why hope?’ 

Wirth enters another corridor, this one though has the entire left wall open. Large open windows that show the crystalline lake that surrounds the academy, the air felt breezy and smelt of salt. It calmed his head for a second.

Only a second, 

because when Wirth sets his sight straight on he is surprised to see two familiar divine visionaries, 

Kaldo Gehenna and Ryoh Grantz. 

He paused as he just stared the two down as if they were a ghost.

Thankfully they hadn't noticed him yet , they seem to be talking about something Wirth couldn't care about, as long as they don't spot him. Especially Kaldo Gehenna, he had a personal run in with the heat cane during the Divine Visionary selection exames.

‘He caught me off guard during the interval between the first and second round, he just talked to me for a few minutes about mundane topics, but he definitely knows I'm related to Orter. I could tell by the way he looked at me and the constant sibling questions.’ Wirth really isn't in the mood to deal with someone who is clearly going to talk to him about Orter. He’s trying to NOT think about him for realms sake! ‘Okay, chill out. They haven't spotted me yet, I just need to back away, slowly…’

Making as little noise as possible, Wirth slowly turns around to go back and find a different route to walk or who knows he'll just run back to his dorm! It's not like Abel is gonna know he didn't-

The moment he turned his back on the two canes behind him, Wirth is face to face with alien yet familiar yellow eyes and the glasses he tried to imitate with his own.

.

.

.

Nothing is said as the two brothers just look at each other, Wirth tries his best to decipher what the sand cane could possibly be thinking at this moment. A useless endeavor since Orter's face is perfectly stern and unreadable as always.

Wirth screams internally for his body to move, to run far away from this situation. Wirth watch as Orter opened his mouth to say something- 

“Ah! Orter you return from your quick surveillance!” The light cane’s voice stopped whatever Orter was gonna say.

‘PLEASE, for all that's good in the realm-!’ 

“Oh, who is that?” Wirth can hear walking from behind him.

‘FUCK,’ Wirth panicked more in this moment than in he ever did this entire year. 

The tightening of chest from wanting to shrink and disappear was so strong he felt it physically, almost painfully so. Every bead of sweat that rolled off his face felt like fire burning streaks down his body, Wirth hands shake uncontrollably. 

Wirth needs to get out ,

Now.

From his uniform sleeve Wirth pulls out his wand, with almost record speed he points it at the wall right next to him. “ Moduros!” 

In a blink of an eye he ran into the now muddy wall, pushing through the mud as he clawed out to the other side of the wall. 

He doesn't know what's more insane, the fact he did that in front of THREE Divine Visionaries or the fact he still kept RUNNING from there. 

His body is just working on autopilot at this point and it's desperately yelling so many things that the only thing he can do is keep running. As the world just becomes a blur of shapes and colors, Wirth keeps his pace until he'll collapse from exhaustion.

Where is he running to? He doesn't know.

He just needs to run .

He needs to hide .

Curl up somewhere secluded and cry away the pain in his chest. 

Stay there till his big brother comes to cheer him up.

To help wipe his tears away.

And gently soothe his swollen cheek, still red from their father's hand.

__________________________________

Unsurprisingly the three visionaries looked at each other in pure confusion, while Orter stood stiffer than usual, ‘Did....Did he run away from me?’ 

That…

“Eh? What was that! That was incredibly unmanly! And who was that? Sparkles in confusion?” Ryoh frantically looks between the Orter and the wall Wirth disappeared into.

Kaldo watches Orter space out even more, his eyes becoming unfocused on the floor. He might have imagined Orter’s lip trembling before pressing them to a stiff straight line, he stays still not peeping a sound.

“That was Wirth, wasn't it?” Kaldo asked softer than usual.

“Who?” The light cane looks over at Orter for an answer.

Orter perked up in surprise when Kaldo mentioned Wirth by name, he was sure that was something he hadn't shared with him. ’How did kaldo-?’ 

.

.

.

“Orter?” 

“Let's go.” 

“Huh?! Your not gonna-”

“Let's go.” Orter directly shuts Ryoh’s attempts to talk down, Kaldo meanwhile lets his expression explain his worry and displeasure. As Orter struts out the corridor, making his way to the front courtyard. Not even sparing his colleagues a glance back.

Orter thought didn't care at the moment, he didn't want to talk about it.

__________________________________

The front gate of the school is somehow even more packed than the inside, students and booth owners alike scoured the front's new temporary material shed. Piles of wood, paint, nails and other carpentry tools any person would need.

Azin and Mash waited patiently for their supplies under the shade of a tree. It was mostly quiet. Well, except for Mash eating his creampuff, ‘Protein break.’ 

Azin meanwhile is watching the river of people walk by. Weirdly though, everytime someone with black and white uniform walks by he flinches while watching them pass by.

Soon enough, a staff member called them over from their shaded spot and guided them to their requested supplies. They were neatly stacked up and all the different screws were labelled.

“Do you guys need any help carrying- OH MY GOD!” The poor staff member didn't even get the chance to finish as Mash casually lifted a twenty plank pile of wood with one hand. 

“No, we got it.” Mash nonchalantly replied, already picking up another pile of wood with the other.

“A-a-a, o-okay?” The staff member fearfully backed away to the material stall.

Mash soon found a conundrum, both his hands were full but there was still another pile of wood not to mention paint, hammers and nails. He stares at the materials as if they offended him. ‘Ah, maybe I could kick them up on top and carry them all- whoa.’

Before Mash could do any Mashy-problem solving, the leftover stuff started to levitate off the ground and drifted away towards shy guy. Azin waved his wand in a soft gentle motion as he positioned the supplies behind him, they floated like their feathers and not as heavy pounds of supplies.

“I came with you to help! So, let me take care of the rest.” Azin smiled at Mash as he took a spot next to him as they walked back to where the booth is located, materials trailing behind them.

‘Ah, I kinda forgot shy guy was there to help me…He's using that float spell the teacher taught us at the beginning of the year. What was it again? Leviavki? Levuessa?’ Mash gave up trying to remember, not like he's ever gonna use it or anything. 

While walking Mash started to notice Azin staring at him, ‘Is there somewhere on my face again?’ before Mash could ask the burgundy boy beat him to it.

“So you really can't use magic?” Azin asked.

Wait

H- how did he know?! ‘I thought I kept it better hidden this time.’ 

“....N-n-n-n-n-n-n-no” Damn you terrible lying skills.

“Y’know a lot of people gossip about you, right?” 

Mash went still not sure how to respond to that information.

“Also, if you have magic you would have used it to carry the supplies.” Azin continued. Those were two hard points to argue. Not that Mash is gonna lie now, kinda too late for that.

“Yeah, I don't have magic.” Mash confirmed. There was a little bit of surprise from Azin, didn't really think Mash was gonna bluntly admit that. 

That does raise the question though…

“What do you think about it?” 

“Huh?”

“What do you think about people who can't use magic?” This wasn't some test, believe him Mash knows that people have rather low opinions on him just because he's magicless, like? Have you seen how this whole show started?  

“O-oh, U-u-m…” Shy guy thinks for a bit, Mash patiently waiting for a response. “I don't really care...I mean! Not in a negative way! It's just, you're also just a person who has value no matter what you can or can't do. I'm no better than you just because I can use magic and you can't, you have your own strengths just like I have mine…” Azin nervously walks, keeping his head straight, seemingly afraid of what Mash might say.

“…I see” Mash honestly appreciated the answer, hard to find people who don't care about his non-magic self without making a fuss about it beforehand. “I'm surprised you're so calm about it.” Mash admits.

Azin looks back towards Mash, “Y-yeah, I guess so…My mom is the one who raised me that way! She's a one liner but has weak magic, people treat her dismissively…So she raised me to think that way about people.” Azin's eyes showed many faces as he talked about his mother, joy, sadness, and guilt? 

“She seems nice.” Mash is happy that there are other magic people like his pops, ‘Maybe they can meet, pops is pretty lonely because he chose to raise me, he should have some friends too.’

While thinking about getting pops a friend, Mash smelled something metallic in the air. 

‘huh? Is that me?’ Just to make sure Mash took a whiff of himself, ‘Not me.’  

Glancing at Azin he also seems to smell it, however his reaction is… intense. 

His nose scrunched up in disgust, eyes going wide in…fear? 

“Yo, little dove~” A gruff voice calls out from somewhere. Mash looks around for the voice but he can't see where it came from. It doesn't help that his vision is off thanks to the stuff he's holding. The voice had an odd malice in them, whoever said it seems oddly giddy. ‘Was that directed at one of us?’

“Did you hear that too?” Azin didn't respond to Mash’s question, ‘Shy guy must not know who that is either.’

Another look at Azin and his expression somehow got worse.

A hand now covered his mouth as it trembled, Azin somehow kept the hovering supplies afloat while he silently panicked.

‘What’s going on? His panic is making me panic!’ Mash thinks while keeping pace with Azin as he starts to walk faster.

__________________________________

‘No,

No no no.

No no no nonono.

I must be imagining it, right? RIGHT?!

There's no way…

That disgusting voice!

T-there no way. 

He ,- No.

Your imagining it Azin.

Just keep walking,

Keep walking. 

You didn't hear anything .

He's not here .

He's not- ‘

An arm wraps around his neck, making him stop dead in his tracks. Azin doesn't dare look to his side, he already knows it's him.

Lowering his eyes, Azin can see the person's hand, it's gruff with veins visible. A metallic wand in hand glinting in the sun. It's casually handled between his fingers, a long sharp point on one end and a shorter one under the handle, both sharp enough to pierce someone’s flesh.

His motion seems random but Azin knows better than that, he knows Onyx better than that.

The long point is dangerously close to his throat while the arm squeezed his neck in place, threatening him to stay in place.

‘Go away…’

“Heyyy, little dove~” the voice is drawn out, as the other's face draws closer to his.

‘Stay away from me…’

“What? Not in the mood to chat?” Azin can feel his breath on his cheek. 

‘Leave me alone…’ 

“Y’know… pretty shitty not to say goodbye. I have been ya roommate for three years and not even a letter?” He stops spinning his wand around, the sharp tip hovers over Azin's skin.

“It's hard to find a pet like you to play with, y'know?”

The cold tip presses into Azin's skin piercing the skin on his neck, drops of blood slide down his throat onto his shirt. 

A hitched breath is let out but Azin keeps his mouth shut, he can feel Onyx’s predatory gaze on him. 

“You better look at me, little dove.” Just as Azin felt more pressure on the wand-

THUD

The drop of heavy wood to the ground made the people around them stare at what's going on.

“Heh? Who are you?”

Azin glances at Mash as he steps around the dropped wood, his face obscured by his bangs.

Onyx leaned back to look at Mash “Scram mushroom head! This ain’t got nothin’ to do with ya- 

A gust of wind hits Azin's back, a crunching noise is heard as the pressure around his neck leaves in a snap.

Swerving his head to the right he sees Onyx has flown into a stall, it's absolutely crushed as he lays in the wreck. Everyone around them screamed in panic, backing away from the broken booth.

The silver haired boy slowly pried himself up from the wreckage. The right side of his face is completely purple and swollen, blood dripping from his nose and lips.

“You…” a murderous gaze contorts on Onyx’s. 

Azin flinched as his whole body trembled, his hand couldn't hold the hovering supplies. Letting it drop on the ground as well, as Azin's back away almost tripping over himself as he runs away from the scene. 

“YOU BRAT!” 

That yell from Onyx’s was the last Azin heard as he ran towards the school.

__________________________________

“YOU BRAT!” 

The heavily pierced student yelled at him, pointing his wand at Mash. There was red dripping from the tip, blood, Azin's blood.

Mash’s body boiled in rage at the other student, yellow eyes scowled at the taller boy.

Onyx waved back his wand, and with a flick pointed it towards Mash.

“ Perce!-” 

Before the spell could be casted, a large sword flew by with immense speed, grazing Onyx's arms making him drop his wand. 

“What the!?” blood spilled from the cut on the silver haired students' forearms.

“Stand down.” A cold monotone command was heard. 

From the crowd that started to form around them, an all familiar cane emerges from the depths.

“You are!-” 

Another blade materializes next to the sword cane, pointing it directly at Onyx.

“ surrender .” Raynes' gaze turned murderous.

.

.

.

Tense seconds go by as nobody says anything.

Finally Onyx lets out an exasperated sigh before falling down on his knees and holding his hands up.

“ Fine.” He spits out like venom.

Rayne walks closer to them, giving a glance at Mash before setting his eyes on Onyx.

“You better plan a good reason for all this because Walhberg will have no time for your foolery.” With a flick of his wand Onyx is teleported presumably to Walhbergs office. 

Rayne faces the crowd that surrounds them,”Whoevers booth this was sent your name and registered number to the head organisers and you'll be compensated fairly, everyone else moved on with your day, the representatives will make sure none of this will happen again.”  

With that Rayne turns to Mash and grabs his robes hoodie, dragging him away to a secluded area. 

Mash tried looking around for Azin but he was gone from here.

‘Where did he go?’

Rayne finally stops behind a stone wall far away from all the stalls

‘Rabbit guy, I was wondering where he was.’ Mash has cooled down by now and just feels guilty for causing trouble to Rayne, and he definitely didn't uphold his representative duties by wrecking a booth.

“What happened?” The sword cane questioned, staring Mash down in a serious look.

“He hurt one of my friends.”  Mash didn't sugarcoat it, that guy hurt Azin and Azin clearly was terrified of him. While he feels guilty, he doesn't regret punching the guy.

Rayne paused for a moment before sighing, “Next time don't punch immediately, that shouldn't be your first option in that kind of situation.” 

“Okay…” Mash nodded like a child being scolded by their parents, not really making eye contact with the rabbit obsessed man.

Rayne then turned around and walked away, not even sparing Mash a second glance. “We have a meeting with all the representatives tomorrow, be sure to be there.” And with that last bit of information Rayne was gone again.

Mash stood still by the tree ‘Ah, he knows about the rep thing.’’ Pulling out a creampuff from his coat. 

‘Oh yeah, I need to bring the materials to our stall. ’

_________

Mash walks up to the booth spot that now has a basic frame up. Ambrosia looked over the instructions as Abyss and Finn chatted with three new faces with them.

Lemon and Love were showing Finn some kind of accessories while Abyss listened to Dot’s loud ramblings about him being forgotten by the author.

“I’m back with stuff.” Mash announced, dropping all the materials on the grass. 

Square glasses looked up from the paper “Ah! Perfect, now that we have our supplies we can get this booth up in no time!” Ambrosia went and double checked if they had everything.

“Mash you're back!” Finn greeted him, Lemon and Love a bit behind him.

Abyss and Dot also walk up to him,”Yo! Having seen you all day.” 

Abyss was glancing at Mash in confusion,“Where's Azin?” He also checked around in case he just missed the burgundy boy.

“I don't know.” Mash shrugged.

“Eh?! What do you mean ‘I don't know’!” Finn asked, “He went with you!” 

“He did, when we were walking back some spikey guy came up to us. He seemed to know Azin talking to him and stuff, he pointed his wand at Azin so I punched him.” Mash casually explained, granted he didn't hear any of the exchange they had, just saw the blood before reacting.

“YOU PUNCHED A GUY?! Did you get into a fight??” Finn wondered if there is anything Mash can do that won't include using his fist.

“Not really, before he did anything Rayne stepped in and stopped him. He teleported spikey to Walhbergs office, after that I couldn't find Azin anywhere.” Mash continued. Mash felt tired after explaining what happened, ‘I need a energy break .’ taking out another creampuff from his robes.

Finn was taken aback a bit when Mash mentioned Rayne but recovered quickly, “Well at least there wasn't a fight,” Finn was just glad it was nothing too serious, though still worried for the burgundy boy.

“Understood, if I see Azin around I’ll check to see if he's alright.” Abyss promised, the mage seems to already have a protective attachment to Azin.

“Alright everyone, time to get this booth up!” Ambrosia cheered, all six followed suit. It seems like everybody is gonna help set this booth up, a little overkill but Mash doesn't mind though. If he gets to hangout with his friends it doesn't matter what they're doing.

__________________________________

Gasping for breath as the burgundy boy bumped and tripped through the sea of people, only soft ‘sorry’ and ‘excuse me’ left the boy's mouth.

Making his way up the school's steps Azin nervously glanced back, checking if Onyx followed him somehow. 

It certainly wouldn't be the first time.

He nurses the wound on his neck, trying to rub away the blood that was on his collar. It only made it smear all over his neck, while Azin desperately tried to scratch it off him like it was acid.

Azin just wants to get to his room, the thought of visiting the nurses office doesn't even cross his mind.

Getting to the door a few people were going in and out of there, Azin paid them no mind as he pushed through. 

Thud! 

Accidentally bumping into something, Azin glimpsed back to apologise but he didn't see anyone there.

‘Huh?...’ 

Pausing his steps to look back he sees no one near him to have bumped into.

‘D-did, I hallucinate that.’ Already stepping away, Azin blinked rapidly as if someone would magically appear.

When nobody appeared Azin turned his back and left.

__________

Azin made his way to Lang dorm, making sure to not run into anyone. 

Even so he shrunk into himself as he walked, using his hood to cover himself. Holding on to the fabric like his life depended on it.

Azin starts to slowly wind down, previous adrenaline fading away but fear still present. As he thinks about what happened.

‘I-i left Mash behind…’ Azin swallowed the guilt down, ‘I-i promised I wouldn't be like that and leave my friends behind.” yet he still did, out of his own fear.

Azin hugged himself as he got near his room's corridors. He ran away out of instinct, it was what he always did when Onyx appeared to mess with him. 

Just hoped he'd give up and leave him alone.

Digging in his coat pocket Azin pulls out the rusty key and opens the door as fast as he can, accidentally slamming it shut behind. Azin just lets himself melt against the wood down to the floor. The cool metal penetrates his back as the pent up anxiety spills out in the form of tears down his face. Azin just let the tears flow, it's better to let them out then try and hold it together.

A faint rustling is heard in the room, for a second Azin thought it was just the leaves outside before more was heard with the creaking of wood. Looking up from the floor, green eyes meet grey ones.

.

Wirth and Azin just space out in surprise, Azin noticing the deselved look of the mud mage, just black shirt and pants, robe and tie discarded to somewhere. His eyes had prominent dark circles, looks like Azin accidentally woke him up from a nap seeing the way he was als lying down on his bed.

Wirth consciousness caught up on him, mouth agape he sat up properly from the messy bed, rubbing his eyes awake or maybe just to double check.

“What happened to your neck?!” Was the first thing Wirth said.

__________________________________

Lance and Abel brought Emel to the front door of the school, scanning around, he saw nothing unusual. The sky is a bit darker and starting casting light pinks and orange. ‘It's almost the end of the first prep day.’

“I must thank you both from the depths of my soul, you were truly my saviours in this endeavour.” Emel bowed to them.

Lance by now has mostly accepted the eccentric poet's ridiculous wording. “No problem, hope you come on Monday for the start of the Tri-academy festival.” 

Their walk back was uneventful besides the strange wind, Emel just chatted with them about random topics in poetic wording.

“I will undoubtedly return for the festival on the first week day.” The poet reached for something from his pocket, presenting two slips of paper delicately held between his fingers. “Here, A token of my gratitude for both of you.” 

Abel and Lance both take one, it was just a blank piece of white paper, ‘odd gift, it's just paper, is there a secret to it?’ Lance flipped it around and more white showed.

Emel proceeds to snap his fingers and the paper folded itself into a rose.

‘Oh.’

“Use the fine buds however you see fit.” and with that Emel left them on the school steps as he blended into the crowd out of sight.

Examining the paper rose, it was folded incredibly neatly, it was perfectly done.

“What an unusual student, at least he didn't cause trouble.” Abel commented, placing the paper rose into his doll's arm.

Lance himself pocketed his rose in his robe, ‘Maybe I could give it to someone? Anna would like it, I could send it to her.’

Lance noticed Abel walking away to the yard,”Where are you going?.” 

“Abyss messaged me, he said he's helping build your friend's booth.” Abel kept walking away.

“Hey! Wait!” Lance called for the doll mage but he kept walking, Lance had to speed his way to him. 

__________________________________

By the time Mash and co finished the booth, the two bakers finally came back with a trolley of trays of creampuffs, Mash had to control every muscle in his body to not eat them. They were pleased with the job and gave all of them some snacks and of course creampuffs, although they did have to leave as the school was closing soon and they had to go. So now the gang is sitting down in the grass snacking on some food, before they go inside to get ready for bed.

“Good evening.” Someone greets, turning their heads they see Abel and Lance walk up to them.

“Abel!” Abyss quickly got to the dorm leader, offering a creampuff that he held onto specifically for him and asking many questions about his day.

“Thank you Abyss…here,” Abel takes a paper rose from his dolls hands, placing it by Abyss’s ear. “For you.” 

Poor Abyss almost exploded, turning completely red even almost dropping the offered creampuff.

Almost,

Since Mash inhumanly speed, caught it before it hit the ground, ‘No creampuff should be wasted!’ 

“Woah! I didn't know you did origami Abel!” Love looked at the rose in Abyss’s hair.

“I didn't.”

“Heh?” Love now looked at Abel in confusion.

Lance then searches his robe and also pulls out an identical paper rose, “We ran into a student from Walkis who was lost and he gave us these in return for helping him.” Lance still found the got lost part suspicious.

“Damn, some guy rizzed you guys up??” Dot came up sporting a shocked look, Lance could hear Dot mumble “It's always the good lookin’ guys that get flirted with!” As a tear streamed down his face.

“Do you want it?” Lance asked, tilting the rose forward a bit towards Dot.

Dot thinks about it, before making a gloating expression, “Ohhoho~, Didn't know you thought so highly of me!” Dot boasted, wiggling his eyebrows at Lance.

“Y’know what…” 

Dot waits in anticipation.

“Finn, you can have it.” Lance gives the now confused Finn the rose.

“Wha-? HEY-”  Dot started complaining to Lance. While the sis-con couldn't care less about the red heads' loud insults of him being heartless.

Mash meanwhile simply watches his friends, a slight smile spreads on his face as he watches them.

__________________________________

Chapter Text

.
.
.
Silence filled the small dorm, neither student spoke or even tried to make eye contact with the other. Well atleast Azin didn't want to, keeping his head glued down to the floor.

Wirth was sitting next to him on Azin’s bed, fiddling to remove the backing of some gauze. The silence was awkward as hell but Azin can’t really complain since it's kinda his fault for not responding to anything the mud mage was asking about.

After Wirth asked about his neck wound Azin just looked at him not saying anything, he's never had anyone to run to when he got hurt at Walkis. This situation was pretty new for him and Azin didn't know what to do, so he just kept quiet with any words stuck in his throat.

‘I didn't expect Wirth to do…this, from the ‘I don't care’ persona he showed.’ Finally Azin peaks over to see Wirth throwing away the backing, catching Azin looking at him. Immediately Azin turns away again, now face a bit red.

“Move your head to your right.”

Azin followed Wirth’s order, tilting his head a bit as soft gauze is placed on his neck wound. ‘Why is he helping me? We barely know each other, why bother with my problem?’

When Azin wasn't responding to anything Wirth seemed to have been in thought but his expression was hard to read, it was only stoic.
He eventually disappeared into the bathroom, Azin assumed that was it and Wirth decided to just ignore him.
When the mud mage suddenly came out again carrying a first aid kit, setting it on Azin's messy desk before telling him to sit on the bed.
It caught him so off guard Azin just did it without questions, sitting on his own bed while Wirth opened and rummaged in the first aid.

“There, just don't go whipping your head around for a bit.” Wirth boxes back the stuff into the med kit again, not waiting around bringing it back into the bathroom.

Azin lightly touches the patch on his neck, it surprised him how neatly Wirth had done it. Looking around the room it has shifted into a bright orange hue, as the sun sets soon. ‘How much time has passed? It was pretty bright not long ago.’ Azin watches the small window in the room.
‘I still want to apologize to everyone for running away. Especially Mash, he didn't have to stand up for me but… he did anyway. It's the least I can do for him after getting dragged into my problems.’

A door creaks open, Wirth enters back again. No spared glance as he goes back to his own bed, plopping down as he grabs a book from his desk, opening it to a marked page.

‘Eh…?’ Azin watches Wirth read his book, a bit taken aback by the mud mages actions. ‘So he's gonna pretend nothing happened? Usually I would be grateful but let me thank you at least!’

Azin fidgets a bit with his tie, now a bit conflicted and even more red.

“S-so, how was your day?”

Azin mentally facepalm, ‘DAMNIT! Why was that the conversation starter?!’ Now he wishes he hadn't said anything at all!

“THAT’S what you're gonna start with?” Wirth shoots a confused look with the hint that he probably thinks Azin is a bit stupid, and you know what? He won't argue against that.

“Listen, I'm not good at this! A lot has happened today, OKAY!”

“Obviously, you like shit.”
.
.
“YOU'RE the last person that should say that! You literally look like you got hit by a broom multiple times!” Azin burst out after a few seconds, frantically gesturing at Wirth’s dishevelled everything.

“Well at least I didn't burst in with blood all over me.” Wirth also retorted, setting his book to the side to point at Azins still bloodied shirt.

Suddenly feeling very exposed, Azin remembers his unchanged shirt. Slightly grumbling ‘It wasn't that much…’ under his breath. Wirth just rolled his eyes at the burgundy boy’s mumbling.

“HEY, It wasn't my fault! I just HAD to run into that sadistic FREAK! even though one of the main reasons I switched Schools Was to GET AWAY FROM HIM!!” Azin for once turned red in anger, flailing his arms around like he's trying to fly off the ground. “Like that HAD to be a coincidence right? I'm crazy right?? Is the universe hellbent on my suffering or something!? WHY CAN'T HE JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!” Azin heaves out the last part needing to stop to actually breath for a second.

The mud mage was left a bit speechless, not expecting such a passionate rant about some guy he doesn't even know. And also the unexpected rage from Azin. “Alright! I get it, just- calm down!” While Wirth would usually not care about someone else's ruckes, have you seen the people he's around? BUT, it's quite late now and the last thing Wirth wants is someone complaining to Abel about yelling in the dorms.

Focusing back on Wirth, Azin remembers the whole reason he even began the poorly started conversation.
‘Well, now I feel like an idiot…I wanted to thank him, not yell about my grievances.’ releasing the situation, Azin took another breath to calm his head, taking his time to let the heat out before speaking again.”I really went far off from what I meant to do, W-what I wanted to say is,

...Thank you…”

Wirth attention suddenly snapped towards Azin.

“For patching me up and stuff…You really didn't have to do that but you did even though I bothered you..” Azin turned sheepish again.

Wirth thinks for a moment, “First of all, we share this room, it’s not ‘bothering’ to go to your own room.”

“Eh?”

“Second, I did it because… I wanted to…I did it for myself.” Wirth hesitated for a moment weirdly, did he really need to think that hard about it?

‘Why phrase it like that?’ The mud mage eludes Azin, even though he’s comparatively blunt.

“..hm.” Azin decides to just go with it. Though to Azin’s mind his reason seemed more like a reassurance to himself than to him.
_

“So, how about you?”

“What about me?” Wirth is now the one confused on what the other means.

“I mean, what happened to you today to end up like…that?” Azin vaguely motions at Wirth's whole messy state.”You seem like an organised person from how your side of the room looks, I find it hard to imagine you're not like that to yourself.”

Wirth looks around his own side, hard to deny he looks like an outsider to his own room. His dishevelled self barely fits in with the organised desk, neatly arranged books and the general cleanliness of his side. It's almost laughable, “You really wanna know?”

“Yes-, kinda? I mean! If you don't want to, it's fine. I was just, curious.” Azin back tracks his words, probably to not seem like a noisy smuck.

“Heh, Why not? It can makes us even for you ranting about your troubles to me.” Wirth jest a bit, while Azin mumbles a ‘sorry’ again.
he's got nothing to lose telling his shy roommate about his brother.
‘It’s not like he knows.’

“I just ran into my brother today, I haven't spoken to him in five,-six?-” God, he doesn't even remember how long it's been,”-Or so years? I didn't expect him to be here so I panicked and ran away from him…”
‘Looking back on it, it's pretty pathetic I ran away like that'

“Oh, you two have a strained relationship?” Azin curiously tilts his head.

“Heh, couldn't tell by just that?” Wirth though it was pretty obvious, why else would two siblings not speak with each other for years.

“I thought maybe it could be other circumstances! I mean, I don't see my mom that often but that's because of her work.” Azin clarified, he then had another thought. “Were you two once close?”

“Hm? I guess we used to be…but that was a long time ago by now, something happened with him that made him change.” Some would say he was exaggerating but to him, the Orter that came back from the police academy was a completely different person.
“The crazy thing is I don't even know what happened to make him change! He suddenly was so obsessed with rules and order, he even changed profession!”

Wirth remembered when Orter came back home for two months, he told their parents he wanted to attend Easton and become a divine visionary out of the blue during dinner. No further questions from their parents, one of their sons was finally reaching their standards so why would they care how he changed his mind. Wirth meanwhile had to silently watch, trying to make sense that THAT was really Orter.

“The ONE time I tried to ask him what happened I got brushed aside! ‘It doesn't concern you’ Well guess what? It does concern me! Because it obviously affected you idiot!”
Wirth talked as if Orter was actually there, he wants to say these things so badly to him. At this point he just wants closure, to know what happened to the brother he once knew and move on with his life away from his shadow. ‘Hard to find closure when he is as talkative as a brick wall.’ and also running away on Wirth's part isn't helping much either.

A stretched silence followed, Wirth rubbing his temple to cool down. ‘I meant it as a joke when I said ‘ranting back’ I didn't mean to actually do that…’
Getting back on track Wirth looked back up only to notice Azin missing from across him, searching around the room he unexpectedly finds Azin next to him.

“When did you move?” Was he so distracted talking about Orter that he didn't even notice the other move?

“Hm? Oh, I did a bit ago.”

“Ah.” That's quite embarrassing.

“I wanted to maybe give my sympathy but, I don't think that would be helpful. So, I decided to just listen to you.” While still nervous like he usually is, Azin managed to curve out a light smile. Gentle and warm it was even more accentuated by the light of dusk filtering through the window, Wirth isn't used to being on the receiving end of those kinds of genuine smiles. Apparently so unused to that he could feel an odd feeling in his stomach.

“I... appreciate that, I’d rather have people listen than try and sympathise. In the end, it'll always be just out of pity.” The last thing Wirth wants anyone to think about him is pity, it just proves he's useless in some way.

“No problem, I'd be happy to lend an ear if you need one! I don't mind.”

“Really?” God that sounded so desperate, Wirth didn't mean to make it sound like that but it felt too good to be true to have someone there to just listen to him, for just him.

“Yeah! We're friends.” Azin noticed what he just said, “ I-i mean if you wanna be friends, I-i’ll still do it even if you don't want to be…”

“We're friends.” This was the most normal way Wirth has made a friend despite the event that led up to this.
He became friends with Love because he didn't immediately call her cute and she was determined to make him say that she is, following him around like a duckling to get him to say it. When he joined Magia Lupus they all became friends just by how much time they spend together though none of them have yet to admit they see the others as friends. Lance? Does he consider Lance a friend? In some way yes but it still made his point that he has yet to make a friend in a normal way.
’Pretty sure Shuen is the only normal one and even then we only did become friends because our parents knew each other.’ Not to mention some cough cough ulterior motive on Wirth's end.

Azin's face lights up, it was kinda blinding Wirth, “Then how about we talk about something else? I’m sure we let out enough grievances for one day.”

While Wirth felt some kind of relief after letting his anger out, moving away from that topic is fine on his end. As much as it lifted some weight from his mind he just needs to stop thinking about Orter and his whole being for a bit before his brain develops terminal migraines.

“Yeah, let's do that.”
.
.
.
That's how they spend the rest of the remaining daylight, just chatting about things that they like. Talking till the sun went down and further into the night, talking to each other.
Although it was kinda one-sided when they went into hobbies and interests, a hard realization that studying can only go so far as a hobby. Not to mention because of only studying day in day out interests are slim to none, Wirth can count all his interests on one hand.

‘I should probably get more hobbies.’

__________________________________

One day before the festival

The morning was crisp and bright, not a single thing amiss-

“PumpPumpPumpPumpPumpPumpPump”

Ah, right in a green yard in the Adler dorm one mushroom head was up early for mornings training. Pumping metal in a rhythmic way as he exercises, surely there have been many noise complaints from students that just wanna rest on the weekends. Good thing for Mash that a good chunk of students are too afraid of him to make any complaints.

“PumpPumpPumpPumpPumpPumpPump”

Two hours of his training went by, it's now 10:38. Mash is still going strong, planning to spend his last day before festival duty working out.
‘I feel like I'm forgetting something…’

“Mash!”

Stopping mid pump, Mash looks over to see Lance staring at him. Disappointment written all over his face, why is he making that face?

“Good morning Sis-con.” A quick greet before going back to training.

“Oi, stop lifting! We have to go to that representative meeting, remember?” An exasperated sigh leaves Lance, thankfully he decided to check if Mash remembered the meeting.

“Ah, that's right now?” he did forget something.

“In 5 minutes, so you better get ready fast.”

Well there goes Mash’s plan for the day.

__________________________________

All nine representatives sit around a long table, the harsh lights in Wahlberg’s office could blind anyone awake. Lance was glad Rayne finally showed up, he was worried he'd be too busy with Magic bureau work.

Looking around Lance notices Ambrosia tinkering on some device, ‘Huh? Why did she bring that with her?’ It was trumped shaped with extra tubes and three extra heads on it, not to mention at the end where someone's mouth is supposed to be there is a potion bottle instead.

‘You know what, that's not my business.’

Another look around he spots Wirth,
’What the..?’
The mud mage is actually just sitting and looking around as well but to Lance’s surprise the usual round sunglasses he wears are off and hanging on his shirt pocket.
That should be nothing noteworthy but the fact is he's never seen Wirth without them on, so it's odd he decided to not wear them, ‘What's up with that?’

Lance caught Abel’s eye while looking, the puppet mage glanced over to Wirth and back on him,’So he also finds it odd.’ A silent agreement.

“Good morning everyone.” Wahlberg appears in a green flame, perfectly teleported on the seat at the head of the table.
Everyone greets the headmaster, all eyes on the old man now.

“I’m glad everyone was able to make it today,” He eyes Rayne specifically,”Now, let's get right to business.”

Lance straightened up, focused on the headmaster.

“This is the final day before the festival begins, your job will be to keep order and peace at the festival while showing Easton’s principles. For the most part the festival is free range, but there are some events that will happen and I would like you all to stay extra vigilant during those since there are going to a lot of people and things to prepare,” Wahlberg taps his staff, papers appear in front of everybody.
“This is the master schedule of the festival, Monday is opening day so no large event that day. Meanwhile Tuesday there will be a music performance led by Macaron.”

A playful chuckle came from them, Margret can't seem to be more enthusiastic.

“On Wednesday is a debate event by Saint Ars. Thursday is an inventions exhibition, and lastly on Friday there is a strength challenge set up by Walkis academy and that night to round up the festival a firework show.”

That's a lot of information to go over, Lance looks over at Mash and the poor boy's brain is frying.

“Ah! Right, some divine visionaries have already arrived to join the festival!” The old man adds. “Sir Madl, Gehenna and Grantz decided to join the festival this time.”

‘The sand cane? In a festival setting? That's unexpected.’ Lance caught Wirth looking away from Wahlberg when he mentioned Orter, not in surprise but embarrassment? ‘Did he know already?'

‘Any how, I should rehears the schedule with Mash later.’ The last Lance needs is having to wrangle Mash around all week, their trying to avoid conflict and Mash has a habit of accidently setting those off.

“Any questions?” Wahlberg asks.

Nobody objects, it is quite straightforward. They just need to last the week.

“Has the Walkis student I sent to you been dealt with?” Rayne interjects.

‘Huh? Walkis student?’ Lance glances over at Rayne for answers.

“Oh, right spikey guy.” Mash also adds.

‘HUH?! DID YOU DO SOMETHING?’ Now Lance is staring Mash down with a face that just screams ‘what the hell did you do?!’

“Oh right! No need to worry about him, one of his upperclassmen even came to apologise for his behaviour as well, The young lady made sure to keep him in check and to deliver swift punishment once they leave.” Wahlberg smiled, probably glad that the situation got resolved quickly.

“Fu~ fu~, Not even opening day and there was already an incident?” Macaron perks up, clearly also curious about the event they missed.

“It’s nothing that should concern you.” Rayne cut Macaron down fast.

“Yeah, I just punched him and he flew into a stall and broke it.” Somehow Mash doesn't seem to see the problem with that sentence.

“WHAT?!” That finally broke Lance's straight face.

Y’know what? That's what he gets for hoping things will go smoothly.

__________________________________

The town was lively, shops were busy with getting ready for the Tri-academy festival while folks strolled around with friends.
It was a bright day after all, the sun shining down with no clouds in sight.

Thankfully Emel keeps his umbrella by his side always, as he makes his way towards their meeting spot in the park.
‘What a shame that our appointment had to move to tomorrow, the consequences for bringing along a brute..’

He didn't get clear clarification on what happened but Emel can assume what it was knowing how Onyx's behaves.

Entering the park's gate Emel wasted no time looking around, making a beeline to the back where it's dense with woods and most people are far away from each other. A fine place for secrecy.

Emel doesn't even reach the gazebo yet but he can hear the argument brewing there.

“I ask you to do one thing! Lay low, yet somehow YOU got yourself sent to Wahlberg’s office!” A female voice spoke out, the barely contained rage seeping in each word she said.

“It ain't my damn fault! How was I gonna know a mushroom headed kid was gonna punch me in the face!”

‘Hm? Mushroom head?’ Still miffed about the situation Emel can't deny he is now curious about this mushroom head.

“I couldn't care less about a mushroom kid, when Rayne Ames was there! Do you have ANY idea how much damage control I had to do to EVEN let you back inside Easton!” a slam was heard.

Well that is certainly interesting, ‘He somehow managed to get Rayne Ames involved, a new height for Onyx.’ No wonder they had to move the meeting to the next day.

Getting closer Emel can see Onyx scoff, he also notices the bandage on his head and cheek as he leaned back putting his legs on the table.
Meanwhile cerulean eyes notice him, the earlier aggravated posture is changed in an instance putting on a masked smile as if she wasn't yelling her brains out moments ago.

“Well look who finally came to join us, I hope you have done better yesterday Emel.” She flips her red fan open, covering her face in a way you can only see her eyes.

“You'll be elated to hear that I have been more successful scouting, Lady Yoko.” Emel bows politely at her before taking a seat under the gazebo.

“Tsk” is the only acknowledgment the poet gets from Onyx.

“I have uncovered each of Easton's representatives, their certainly no easy foe to deal with.”

Yoko shows a pleased look, well as much as Emel can tell from her eyes.

“From Orca there is Margaret Macaron, Carpaccio Luo-Yang and Ambrosia Merlinus.” Macaron should be their focus concern from Orca, a talented Magic user with great power. Not that the other two are any less of an issue, from what he heard Ambrosia is incredible with Alchemy not to mention with machinery while Carpaccio is a master cane user much like Emel himself.

“Lang has Abel Walker, Abyss Razor and Wirth Madl but from what I can gather Wirth is absent and less interested in doing his duties.” Emel didn't see the Madl boy anywhere around the school, he had to interrogate a Lang student to get who the reps from Lang are. Abel Walker seems to be the ringleader in Lang, both reps follow his orders implicitly, especially Abyss.

“Heh~ little Madl boy not cut out for the job?” Yoko jests, probably already brewing a plan.

“Lastly Adler has Lance Crown, Rayn Ames,” Yoko throws Onyx a disapproving side glance, while the silver haired boy throws an inelegant middle finger at her. “And Mash Brundead, The same rumored boy that has no magic.”

Yoko queried,”No magic?”

Emel nods confirmedly.

“Hah, to think they let an evil person be a representative of Adler or even attend a school that's supposed to be righteous. Quite ironic isn't it.” She jokes but her face shows utter disgust.

“I should mention Rayne Ames isn't the only divine visionary that is present. Kaldo Gehenna, Ryoh Grantz and Orter Madl are already present in Easton.” Orter being the outlier here, unexpected that he would show up here.

“Hm~” Yoko put deep in thought, closed eyes showing full concentration. “We can start with something small tomorrow when the festival starts, call it a welcome gift~”

“What are you suggesting?” Emel inquires.

“I’ll just use my personal magic to simply stir up some fun, keep them on their toes.” She chuckles delicately but the malicious undertones are clear,”Thanks to my invisibility potion I was able to scan around Easton for undetectable entrances and exits.” So her mission went smoothly.

“At night we'll start the party~”