Once in a Blue Moon (RevisionEdit in progress)

by HeroProject39

"Don't chase the dreams. They'll lead you to nowhere, just an abyss you'll never be able to wake up from." She delves deeper into the mysteries of Twisted Wonderland and its inhabitants...until she may never wake up from a world that blindfolds her gently from the reality waiting beyond the road. (OC) REVISING. Main story ON HOLD.

28. EVENT: Vargas CAMP!

Reminder that the events are not canon to the main story as confirmed by Yana in an interview on Magical Archives!

Chapter length: 21k words/132 pages. And this is with excluded scenes that don't feature Strix in it (cuz I'm lazy tbh).

Synopsis: In which Strix should have just stayed home.

~Vargas CAMP!~

The cool, crisp scent of dirt and foliage permeated in the wind grazed her skin and the tip of of her tongue. Mother Nature was singing its greetings in this ungodly hour of the day for our sleep-deprived night owl.

From beneath the red rim of her black cap with the white, cursive Night Ravens logo embroidered in the center, Strix stared into the distance of the Silent Woods where the abandoned cottage was behind them.

"To think that we'd be back in the Dwarfs' Mine..." Strix released a yawn. She underestimated the morning sun of the spring season illuminating the green fields and beaten paths burning in all their intensity. And she hated it with her light-sensitive eyes.

For the outdoor occasion, Strix wore a red button down shirt and a black jacket with a long black shirt reaching her thighs and forearms underneath. A red and yellow flannel cloth wrapped into a knot resting on the side of her waist, tucking one side of the red shirt while the other was loose. Her feet sported brown laced boots and red socks. Her black leggings have red vertical stripes with thorns at the side.

To top it off, a black scarf with red at the tail ends is wrapped around her neck into a side bow, the embroidered Night Ravens insignia peeking below the bow. The black shield crest trimmed in red with red devil horns and the gold NR initials above a pair of intersecting feathers and the full name across the ribbon is the band's logo. (1 - See Author's Notes at the end)

After listening to Night Ravens' song, "Piece of My World", she was a fan of them ever since. She had even asked Crewel to let her buy a set when they went shopping in town to buy the clothes she needed for the camping trip. He helped coordinate the outfit, of course.

Sitting beside her on their wide tree stump, Grim shivered. "Remembering it makes my fur stand... Oi, Strix, don't sit there sleeping!"

The ponytailed girl was already drifting into autopilot mode as her head bobbed up and down. "The sunlight's... making me sleepy..."

"That should be the exact opposite!" Retorted Grim. "Anyways, blow more bubbles, will ya? This time, make a lot!"

"Yes, yes..."

Hanging around her neck is a yellow bubble wand of fresh bubble solution. Strix softly blows into the wand. A stream of rainbow bubbles drift in the air.

Grim chases after stray bubbles and pops them, giggling all the while. They were doing this ever since they arrived to the Dwarfs' Mine as they were expecting many more people to arrive after them.

From the river before them, a pillar of water shoots up, revealing a horned fish Dream Eater akin to a piranha. It was Fin Fatale looking forward to playing with its master in bubble popping.

Strix giggled, watching as the aquatic creature leap over the wooden bridge in an arc and pop some bubbles along the way. It left a curtain of sparkling showers in its wake.

Grim jumped when a few droplets came into contact and quickly shook them off his fur. "Hey, give me a heads up next time one of those things pop up!"

Strix smiled mischievously. "Sorry, even I don't know when they pop out sometimes. Fin Fatale just wants to play like you do, Grim."

Fin Fatale resurfaces from the river and chomped its jaws as though speaking to Strix.

Strix translates for Grim, "Fin Fatale told me it popped 13 bubbles from that big jump before."

"What? I could only do seven in one round! I don't believe it, it must've lied." Grim stubbornly said, squinting skeptically at the Dream Eater.

"Fin Fatale wouldn't lie, especially to me. At least, that's what they said. It did look like 13 bubbles, though." Strix shrugged.

Grim took it as a challenge. His spirits ignited with healthy determination. "I'll show you~! Strix, one more time!"

Light flashes in the abandoned cottage area, signaling the arrival of NRC students from the sports clubs.

They stop playing bubbles now that they don't have to wait longer. Strix bids Fin Fatale goodbye and caps her bubble wand.

Grim notices a familiar duo and runs on all four legs to greet them. He calls out, "Oiiii!"

Ace perks up. "Huh? That voice sounded kinda familiar..."

Deuce looks to the direction of the source. "Someone's coming towards us..."

Grim comes to a stop before them. He placed his paws on his hips, "You guys showed up so late, yanno. How long were you gonna make me wait?!"

"Grim?!"

Strix saunters up to them with a wide yawn to greet them first thing in the morning. She mumbles, "We were called out in this unholy hour of the day just to wait forever for you all to come... Why did we even come here early..."

"Strix is with you too?!" Ace exclaimed. He walks up and pinched her cheeks. "If Strix of all people is here so early in the morning before anyone else, this has to be a dream, right? And why are you dressed up for the occasion?"

"I didn't have anything to wear for camping so Professor Crewel took pity on me and bought me this stuff. Also why are you pinching meee?" Strix drawled out, sluggishly swatting his hands away. Her mild nature that arises under the morning sun had too little energy to spare to have pulled away easily.

"Just a little stimulant to keep the resident night owl up," Was what Ace cheekily replied, grin and all.

Deuce was still registering the fact that they're also in the event when they don't even go to a club at all. "Why are you guys here?!"

"'Cause we're the record loggers, duh." Grim replied.

Question marks float above them. "Record loggers?"

"I asked them to do it," Crowley answered upon approaching their circle. "Their job is to keep a record of everyone's progress with their tasks by taking pictures with the ghost camera."

"The genius cameraman Grim and his assistant Strix are here to keep an eye on you," Grim said. Strix didn't bother to correct the switched roles he mixed up. "We're gonna capture every moment, even when you mess up!"

Ace glared at the smug Grim. "Dammit... Get off your high horse."

Strix holds up the vintage camera whose straps were slung around her neck. "Don't worry, it'll be more fun and natural for the album that way."

"Also, per Coach Vargas' request..." Crowley continued, "I talked to the ghosts of Mt. Dwarf and asked them to be assistants for the duration of this camp!"

The ghosts drifted about with amiable smiles and waved. "Hello~"

"Thank you, headmaster." Vargas smiled.

"Oh, it's nothing~ I'm so very kind, after all!" Crowley preens, standing straighter as he laughed.

Meanwhile Grim squinted. "I feel like I've seen those ghosts before..."

Vargas looks over the field. "All right. All members are here... So now we can get Vargas Camp started. But before you can start tackling your tasks, there's something I need all of you to do. That is... Setting up your tents!"

"Seriously? We have to start by putting up tents? This got lame really quick..." Ace grumbled before a sly grin uplifted his spirits. "But we'll be able to put 'em up in no time using magic."

He prepares his magical pen in hand, "All right, let's go—"

"NOT SO FAST!!" Vargas swiftly snatched the item from his grasp. "I'm going to confiscate your magical pens and phones now. You'll be overcoming your challenges with your muscles and smarts alone."

Deuce turned to his fellow track member and friend. "Did you hear that, Jack? It's going to be really inconvenient without our phones..."

"I think it's worse having our magical pens taken away. That basically means our magic is banned." Jack frowned at the inconvenience.

Deuce furrowed his brows. "Huh? ...Oh right, the blot!"

"That's right! 'Blot' is an extremely toxic and dangerous substance produced when you use magic. Usually, the magic gems embedded in your magical pens absorb your blot for you." Vargas waved Ace's magical pen embedded with a ruby-colored gem respective to Heartslabyul's colors. Ace was lamenting the lack of a medium to cast magic in the background.

Vargas continued, "However, if a mage doesn't have those... And they try to use magic, then their blot will pile up directly inside their body and soul. Your unique magic is already a given, but even slight amounts of magic will take a toll on you once they pile up."

"Agh, sounds like a pain... So pretty much, we can't use any magic." Ace grouches.

"Welcome back to my world." Strix quipped wryly. The handicap affects nothing different from the usual for her.

"Heh... Sounds just like Coach Vargas. This is a battle of brawns, with no magic involved. I'm all the more confident I won't lose to anyone!" Sebek puffed his chest outwards, boastful grin lighting his spirits on fire.

Deuce perks up. "An athletic battle? Bring it on."

"To ensure everyone's safety, Noctowl is allowed to summon her familiars and call upon their magic to the rescue." Vargas announced. "Of course, they won't be used to do the challenges for you guys."

"I will be holding onto your phones and magical pens. Rest assured. Once Vargas Camp is over, they'll be returned to you safe and sound." Crowley said.

"All right, let's head on over to the campsite where you'll be setting up your tents. Follow me so you don't get left behind!" Vargas announced.

"I will take my leave and return to the academy now. I'll see you all again on the last day. Good luck, everyone~!" After bidding farewell, Crowley exits using the mirror portal back to Night Raven College, the mirror vanishing the next second.

"I see a few others also dressed for the occasion," Strix remarked upon seeing Sebek's wear. They stand out compared to the others who were in their PE uniforms.

No one said anything about not wearing PE uniforms, so they had the free will to wear their camping outfits.

"I like your coat." Strix complimented to Sebek. The designer patches are a cool touch.

Sebek puffed his chest out, smug grin and all. "As you should! The spirit of Diasomnia will never lose to any other brand!"

Strix rolled her eyes, smiling nonetheless. "Spoken like a true Diasomnia student..."

She spots a certain eel sauntering in the crowd. It was easy to spot him and his new threads. Under the Sea and Over the Sea, huh. His little moray eel mascot toy attached to his fanny pack is a cute addition.

Then she glanced to the Magift club.

Ruggie's bright yellow shirt with a hyena character is branded with the name "Hungry". The black spotted bandana and tennis headwear also has a hyena head on it. The clothes look cozy, Strix thought. And quite befitting for Ruggie.

Strix zeroed her sights on the man in front of the boy. She stifled a shameless snort behind her hand.

It wasn't the bright orange "Ambitious" brand jacket nor the attractive high ponytail Leona wore that caught her off guard.

It was the atrocity of the horrendous leopard patterned shirt that nearly broke her. Vil would have lost his marbles if he witnessed Leona walking around in that shirt. Yet somehow Leona makes it work at the same time?

"Uh, you okay there, Strix?" Grim asked.

Her poker face instantly replaced her mirth. "Yeah, don't worry about it." That shirt is going to keep her awake for a while, for sure.

Upon arriving, Grim marvels at the vast field. "Ooh~! This place is huge, yanno!"

"This is where you'll be sleeping for your three days here. We've got a full supply of 1-to-2 person tents for you, so come up and grab as many as you need for your club and set 'em up." Vargas gestures to the mat with tents sprawled across the surface.

"You have a time limit of 60 minutes. Take note of that, anyone who feels like they might take a while. Your sleep environment is the most important thing for protecting yourself, and for resting your worn-out muscles." Vargas began.

The brunet walks side to side as he lectured. "Think about sunny spots or cool areas—maybe you want to set yours up under the shade of a tree... Or think about comfort while you're sleeping—maybe you want to look for flat ground... Make sure you discuss these things with your club."

He then gestures to the table, "I've also got toolkits for you to use, so come take one if you need it. All right now... Get to it!"

Everyone dispersed and went to work.

Strix glanced to them. "Let's go see how everyone's doing."

Grim bobbed his head. "Yeah! Let's check them all in order."

The Ramshackle duo watches from a distance as they listen within earshot to the horse riding club decide on setting their tents together by the river for easy access to water.

The track and field club were about to follow when Jack told them the water levels will rise and become dangerous. Instead he proposed they take residence underneath the trees for shelter from the rain and wind, to which they agreed.

Grim curiously watched the boys. "Everyone started moving all at once. Okay, we'll see what happens next!"

Strix snaps photos while everyone worked on their tents. Some smiled and posed for the shot while others were focused on their task to not notice. Regardless, they make great photos. She thinks she's gotten good with her photography skills.

"Thirty minutes left~!" A ghost announced.

It was at this point Deuce and Jack realized they were spending too much time reading the manual to a T and began working together to help each other set up the tents.

With the Magift club, Ruggie and Epel have set up Leona's tent (who was, unsurprisingly, lazy to do it himself) with dexterous hands and worked on their own tents.

"Aw, man... The track and field and Magift clubs look like they're actually getting things done..." Grim wilts in disappointment.

Strix rolled her eyes.

Moving on to the horse-riding club, Riddle asked Sebek to pull the guide ropes from the opposite side but had nearly lost his grip on his rope by the first-year's strength.

Grim snickered. "Nyahaha! Riddle got totally overwhelmed there. That was way different than when he's leading Heartslabyul."

"Don't say that," Strix chided the little beast. "He's doing his best like he always has."

Slate gray eyes make eye contact with azure blue. Having noticed, Strix spared a reassuring smile his way. The redhead refocused his attention on the tent, embarrassed to have been seen in his position.

"Fifteen minutes left~!"

With the basketball club, Floyd had nearly finished his tent when he decided the yellow tent should be swapped for a red one, much to Jamil's dismay. Floyd goes on a tangent about lively, colorful tents unlike Jamil's beige tent and almost dragged Ace into the conversation who didn't want to get involved.

Jamil's sighs can be reached to the pair who sweatdropped sympathetically.

"Looks like Jamil's got a ton on his plate, at his dorm and his club..." Grim murmured before looking around. "I see a few clubs that put up some weird-shaped tents too. Are those gonna be okay?"

Vargas tweets his whistle tweets loudly. "TIME!! There are some noticeable mistakes here and there... but for the most part, you put up your tents without issue. I'd say all clubs just about passed."

Sighs of relief and murmur washes over the students.

"Now that your muscles are getting warmed up... I'll go over the challenges of this camp. Everyone, listen carefully!! This is the most important thing for you to successfully progress with your challenges..."

He raised a red badge with a golden antler head engraved inside between his fingers. "Vargas badges! When you finish a challenge, go up and talk to the nearest ghost. They will give you one badge once they confirmed that you've completed it."

"There are a total of seven challenges for you to take over the course of these three days. Clubs that get a Vargas badge for every one of their challenges will pass and receive their reward. But the clubs that fail to collect seven... I'm sure you already know."

Strix mused how intense and strict the consequences are for athletic clubs.

"...You got all that? Makes sense? So now I'll move on to explain the three challenges you have today. First is 'territory'! You need to put together a safe environment for you to get by for three days. Collect firewood from the woods around the campsite and build a campfire."

"The second is 'food'! Get to know the environment of Mt. Dwarf and make your own food. Catch some fish by the lakeside and cook them to eat."

"Your third challenge is 'learning'! You'll be deepening your understanding of topics you've learned in class by putting them into practice. Head into the tunnels of the Dwarfs' Mine and mine for magic gems. They should be no less than one cubic centimeter, and weigh at least three grams. If you bring back gems any smaller than that, it won't count as clearing the challenge!"

"Take a look at the map included in your guidebook. The three areas I just described are listed in there. It doesn't matter which one you clear first, or who attempts which. The fishing rods and pickaxes you'll be needing are up here for you to borrow. Come up and grab them as you need them. You have until sunset. Make sure you have all three challenges done and your badges claimed by then. All that's left now is to... get started!!"

'This is pretty much just a boy scout event...' Was what Strix learned before yawning.

"Camping is much more tedious than I thought..." Strix mumbled to herself, flipping through her guidebook to look at the map. There's a big tree with a hollow face and extended tree branch arms appearing animated with life, just like in the Snow White movie. It would be much more creepier at nighttime.

"All right! Let's go explore the three areas too!" Grim skips down the beaten path through the forest with Strix.

Grim called out, "Oiii, Magift club!"

Epel glanced up as he was bent over collecting twigs. "Oh, Grim and Strix-san!"

Strix could be imagining it, but the angle of the morning sunlight hitting his fair complexion like glass is making him sparkle. Damn pretty boys. Even Mother Nature is blessing them.

She greeted him with a drowsy smile beneath the comforting shade of a lush tree. "We came to see how you guys are doing."

"If you're in the forest, that means... You're doing the challenge where you have to collect fire logs and then make a campfire?" Grim inquired.

Epel nodded. "Yeah. We just finished gathering all our wood under Ruggie-san's directions."

Grim peers at the bundle in his frail arms. "Hmm... You guys got a bunch of twigs and leaves mixed in there. Aren't those gonna start burning up really fast?"

"That's the point." Ruggie began, wood and leaves in hand. "Thick and bulky firewood burns for a long time, but the flames are hard to get going. So we collected easily flammable tinder, like these dry branches and pine tree leaves."

Epel creased his brows together. "But what are we going to do for our main fire? We don't have matches or lighters, and since we have to hold back from using our magic too, it sounds really hard..."

However, Ruggie shook his head. "Nah, it's easy. I'll show you. Let's head back to camp."

The curious first year trio follow the hyena's lead. Upon returning to the campsite, a certain Magift captain was loitering around in broad daylight.

Summer green eyes languidly acknowledge them. "You're back."

"Oh, you're here, Leona. You've been doing nothing ever since we set up the tents, yanno?" Grim told him.

Cat-like pupils narrowed into thinner slits sharp as a blade. "You got something to say, furball?"

Grim avoided his piercing gaze and scuffled to Strix's leg. "Nothing, yanno..."

"So, Ruggie-san. How do we do this without a match or lighter?" Epel asked.

"First you lay out a few stones on dry ground... and then put your tinder on top of them." Ruggie lays the stones in a circle and tucks the wood and leaves inside the space. "Next, I'll get out this white rock I picked up near the river and a steel file."

"Steel file? Did you bring that from home?" Grim asked.

"No, I borrowed them from one of the toolkits they lent us when we were setting up our tents. Take your rock and file... and strike 'em together like so!"

Stone and steel clash. Orange shards flashed and fell on the leaves, manifesting flames.

The freshmen widen their eyes in awe.

"Whoa! It sparked!" Epel remarked.

"The leaves caught fire." Strix said.

"It worked. All you have to do now is slowly transfer the flames to the firewood, while paying attention to the airflow. See? Easy, right?"

Grim lets out an impressed "Wow~!" while watching the flames spread and grow bigger.

"You know so much about kindling and how to start fires... You're really experienced with camping, Ruggie-senpai." Strix praised.

"Shishishi. Maybe you could consider giving me a little something if you're going to compliment me." Ruggie teased before continuing, "Although, I guess it's better to say I'm experienced with surviving, not camping. I've picked up a few things from when times got desperate. Anyway, now the fire's lit. Hey, ghosts!"

"Oh! I see you successfully made your campfire. You cleared the challenge! Here, take your Vargas badge." A ghost hands him the badge.

"All right, we got the first one right away!" Ruggie grinned.

Strix raised the ghost camera to snap a photo for the achievement.

"You can use the campfire for the other challenges, and it's absolutely crucial for keeping warm at night. So be careful that it doesn't go out." The ghost advised.

"Got it. I mean, if we make our fire big enough, it'd be able to withstand heavy gusts anyway." Ruggie said.

"Is this really the time to be enjoying yourselves?" Leona gruffly spoke up.

Ruggie grows confused as everyone else does. "Huh?"

A diminutive blur flies into the campsite. Cladded in a tree-like dress coated in green moss, their brown flowing hair were held back by vibrant green vines woven into a headband topped with a dainty leaf bow. Veins glittering like roots in their green tinted wings fluttered.

"A fairy?!"

Grim gawked at the sudden appearance. "Who's this?!"

"Th-They weren't always there, right?!" A Magift club member said.

"Yeah, they just appeared out of nowhere. Where'd they come from?" Another wondered aloud.

"Ruggie-san, don't these fairies look angry...?" Epel asked. The wood fairy's once serene brown eyes were ablaze with fury across their earthy skin tone.

"Seems that way to me, too. Maybe something happened..." Ruggie furrowed his brows.

"Obviously it's 'cause you made a fire." Leona bluntly told the hyena.

Ruggie lets out an indignant squawk. "Huh? So it's my fault?! But why...?"

Strix steps forward. "Looks like this is where I come in. Everyone step back. Leave the magic to my Dream Eaters."

A chubby brown raccoon dog with a green leaf atop its forehead bounces into life. It bears a striking resemblance to Meow Wow.

Catanuki uses draining magic to rob the weak fairies of their health, effectively weakening them to the point of driving them away before they would get flattened by its tummy bounce. Strix didn't want to harm them so this was the safest option.

Strix scanned the area for any fairies to reappear. "...All clear. Good work, Catanuki."

Said tanuki spirit trilled as its back was affectionately stroked by their master, melting underneath her touch.

Epel stared where the fairies were last seen. "What was going on with them...?"

"They were probably afraid of the fire." Leona suggested, spurring confusion among everyone for elaboration.

Ruggie asks, "Um... What do you mean?"

"It's something that happened back when the Dwarf Mines were still open." The brunet explains, "The miners' campfires caused a huge forest fire to break out. Ever since then, the fairies from the forests around that area have started referring to fire as 'red flower'... And have grown afraid and hateful of it. That's why they came to put ours out."

"Bingo! There's no need for me to explain it then." The ghost smiled.

Everyone stared in awe. "Wow..."

"You know so much about this, huh." Strix remarked. A rare moment of witnessing the infamous slothful lion bestowing his wisdom. But now she feels bad. They were just trying to protect the forest...

"We learned this in class. Strix and Epel are first-years, but what excuse do the upperclassmen have for not remembering this?" Leona glanced over to the rest of the Magift club.

Ruggie and the upperclassmen nervously laugh and avoid eye contact with their captain.

The man sighed. "Vargas is a pain to deal with, so you better not fail."

"But what should we do...? If they're trying to put out our fire, that means we'll keep getting attacked as long as we have our campfire going." Epel voiced aloud.

"That's true... I can only summon three Spirits at once, and they certainly can't watch over everyone's campfire while a problem could show up elsewhere when I need them." Strix said.

"Hey, uh, Leona-san? Out of curiosity, is there any chance you'd be willing to guard our fire or anything...?" Ruggie trails off. His ears lower with vulnerability as he pleads through softened blue gray eyes. Surely Savanaclaw's dorm leader would lend a paw in warding the fairies if they were going to meddle in their camping site—!

"No. Chase away the fairies yourselves." Leona shot down in a heartbeat. "These fairies are weak and quiver at the sight of fire. Even you guys should be perfectly capable of fending them off."

Everyone was not surprised yet were disappointed nonetheless.

"Called it... Just thought I'd try asking." After slumping his shoulders, Ruggie faces the club members. "All right, let's take turns guarding the fire while also going to help out with the other challenges."

"Okay!"

Strix quirked a smile. Looks like they'll be fine without her help as long as they don't rely on magic. "We'll go see how the other clubs are doing, then. Do your best, everyone."

Just as she turns around, a hand grabs her wrist.

The blue-haired girl looks back to meet the straight-laced face of Leona.

"Cuddle."

"You on the other hand should actually put some effort..." Strix sweatdropped. She didn't immediately shrug his grip on her as it wasn't forceful. It was more like a child clinging to their mother's hand.

He tugs her sleeve. "The weather is nice. Perfect for a nap."

"I'll be your pillow some other time." Strix replied nonchalantly without a second thought, used to his demands. "Unless if you're willing to help your club with the fishing challenge, then we can go walk to the lake together."

Lion ears droop.

"Then you have fun playing hooky elsewhere. I'll be making the most of my time with this event since I never went camping before." Strix said.

Though his expression rarely shifted, the light in his eyes quivered just the slightest. This did not went unnoticed by her. "I'll hold you to your word."

Strix rolled her eyes. "Yeah yeah."

After Strix coaxed Leona to let go and walks away, Ruggie's smug smile watched his long tail flick low to the ground. Once she was out of earshot, he snickered, "Looks like someone's sulking..."

Leona shot a glare over his shoulder. "I heard that."

Despite this, Ruggie snickered again as he turned away to retrieve equipment for the remaining two challenges.

The Ramshackle duo appears at the lakeside. They spy their friends in the track field club fishing by the edge.

"Oiii! Deuce, Jack~!" Grim cried out.

The noise startled potential fish from biting the hook.

Deuce's eyes widened. "Ah! The fish...!"

Jack growled, baring his white fangs. "Grim, our prey escaped 'cause of you!"

Grim jolted before stubbornly huffing. "H-Hmph! You guys are just bad at fishing!"

"Sorry about that. I'd have stopped Grim if I knew. How are you guys doing?" Strix asked.

"We haven't gotten anything yet... We just started." Deuce replied before narrowing his eyes at the gray beast. "Grim, stay quiet, okay?"

"If I have to..." Grim grumbled.

"Fishing looks like fun," Strix quietly walks up to crouch beside Jack, peering at the fishing rod and bait curiously. "You just attach the bait on the hook and swing, right?"

"Yeah, but it's easier said than done." Deuce's sigh can be heard seeping in at the end.

"You never gone fishing before?" Jack asked the girl.

"Never, much less touch a fishing rod." Strix sheepishly replied. "It looks professional holding one in hand, though."

"Why not try it? Some prey is coming back." Jack offered. "It'll be good to feel the experience yourself instead of watching."

"Wouldn't that be considered helping you out on the challenge?"

"It's fine," A ghost supervising the area had overheard them and hovered to their circle. "Part of the Vargas Camp is learning survival skills in nature. You're a student just like the others, in the end."

Strix ponders. "If you say so... Then, I'll take you up on your offer."

Strix carefully sits down between Jack's legs and holds the rod handle so as to not suddenly disturb the surface of the water. The handle feels bulky and heavy.

Jack leans forward and grasps the rod and her delicate hands in his. His head hovered above her's as he said, "Keep a steady hold on the rod. Relax your body and leave room to move around for when the line sinks."

Strix was attentive to his instructions that she didn't register the fact that Jack's burly build was practically engulfing her small frame.

From the sidelines, Grim was peering out into the lake when he spotted something unusual. "Oi, look at the lake! There's a huge shadow in the water!"

Everyone follows the direction Grim's paw pointed. A murky silhouette slithers underwater.

"That's a fish... Right? It's coming closer. That's big enough to feed everyone in the track and field club. Jack, we gotta catch that one!" Deuce said excitedly.

"Y-Yeah... But don't you think it's a little too big?" Jack dubiously said.

Strix squinted skeptically. The elongated, squiggly shape is eerie yet familiar. "Could it be...?"

They watch in suspense as bubbles rise and the shadow expand.

Deuce scrunched his brows. "I-It's coming to the surface...?"

A pillar of water shoots up. Teal blue scales and a white body emerged from below. One olive and one bright yellow eye blinked at the stunned faces of the speechless freshmen.

"Huh? Mackerel and Sea Urchin... and Baby Seal and Shrimpy are here too. What're you guys doing?"

"L-Leech-senpai?! What are you doing here?" Deuce exclaimed.

Eel merman Floyd tilted his head. "The challenge? I got hungry so I have to. But using a fishing line and waiting is so lame. It's way easier to jump in the lake and catch the fish yourself."

Heterochromatic eyes stared. Jack and Strix were still huddled together, reciprocating his unblinking eye contact tentatively. The more they continue the staring contest, the more unsettling Floyd becomes. Why is he staring at them, anyway?

"Sea Urchin and Shrimpy sure are comfy together..." Was what Floyd duly said with unamused eyes.

Jack stiffened before abruptly letting go of her. He never noticed until now how intimately close they were. Did her scent distract him again? He swears he had no ulterior motives! "No, this is-!"

Strix glanced behind in confusion.

A webbed hand grabbed her ankle before yanking her close to the lake water. A yelp leaps from her throat as her upper half falls backwards into the wolf beastman's arms now holding her back from being dragged underwater.

"Shriiimpyyyy play with meeee~" Floyd childishly drawled, a pout puffing his scaled cheeks as he attempts to keep her close to him.

"No, Floyd-senpai! I'm going to drown!"

As the tug of war between Floyd and Jack with poor Strix in the middle ensued, a track member whispered to his neighbor sympathetically, "Ramshackle's prefect has it rough..."

"To be so familiar with Floyd Leech-senpai frightens me..." His neighbor shivered.

"Leech-senpai, stop! You're going to scare the fish from coming here!" Deuce reproached.

"Strix is about to drown here and that's your concern?" Jack retorted in dismay. Meanwhile Strix had a flat deadpan of a fish herself, tired resignation painted on her face. What else is new.

"...Oh, right. I was in the middle of hunting for prey. See ya." Releasing her ankle, Floyd dips back underwater and disappears from sight. His hunger took priority now.

Grim stared. "There he goes..."

"You could do that...?" Jack sweatdropped.

"I guess him turning human itself is already a survival skill in a way..." Strix mumbled, sitting back up straight.

"We keep on getting interrupted! I'm going to catch the next one for sure!" Deuce swore. However, a plop ripples the lake where they were fishing.

"The hell, what is it this time?!" Cried an exasperated Deuce who was very close to slap his fishing rod to the ground.

Strix's 2.0 vision detected another presence floating above the lake. She stands up and points, "Someone just threw a rock, over there!"

It was a fairy, one with a long dress and hair flowing like water, blue wings reflecting the rippling water surface. Their body was shaking with laughter, blue finger pointing at them and eyes sneering.

Deuce frowned. "I don't know what they're saying, but I can tell they're making fun of us."

Strix regarded the fairy with dull eyes. "Then I won't feel as bad when I kick them out."

Fin Fatale springs to the air from the lake. It bares its jaws at the fairy and chomps the air in intimidation.

Strix narrowed her sights on her target. Her right foot pulls back against the dirt. Gripping the fishing pole in her hand, she casts her line.

Fin Fatale leaps and bites the hook. It is sent flying for the fairy who had little time to react at the speed the intimidating Spirit was reaching.

"Gravity Strike!"

The Dream Eater performed a spin attack surrounded by a black ring. Zero gravity magic encompasses the fairy in a dark sphere before it was sent skipping across the lake by the slap of the tail fin. By the fifth leap, the fairy disappeared underwater and never came back again.

Strix sniffed, resting a hand on her hip and the rod on her shoulder. "That'll show them to not underestimate us."

Grim and the track and field club members watching the scene slackened their jaws in awe.

"S-So cool!"

"Beast tamers are something else!"

"You showed that fairy who's boss!"

As the members hollered for Strix, Jack sweatdropped. "That's a unique way to use a fishing rod..."

Deuce smiled in gratitude. "Thanks, Strix. There's no one in our way anymore. I'll catch a fish this time now!"

Fishing went smooth sailing afterwards for the track and field club.

While passing time, Strix had reeled in only to find Fin Fatale hooked. She stared at the fish Dream Eater. "...What are you doing?"

Fin Fatale wiggles. It just wants its master to catch them~

Strix giggled and rubbed its tail fin. "I'll feed you candy when we get back to school. Can't eat that stuff when we're camping, after all."

She continued the catch and release game with Fin Fatale for several rounds until it was time to switch up the game. Setting the rod aside, she played with the Dream Eater by dipping a finger completely underwater and draw big figure eights while it follows her finger. It would then playfully bite her finger when she least expected it, eliciting a squeal at the touch.

Grim was watching them in boredom, as he couldn't be trusted in the fishing field to do much. He shrieked upon a set of jaws resting on his pitchfork tail that had laid limp dangerously close to the edge of the lake without his knowledge. Strix laughed at how Grim managed to catch a fish, playfully chiding Fin Fatale for biting his tail that could be mistaken for a fishing hook. Grim stayed a good several feet from the edge after that.

After some time, the boys decided to stop fishing and count their catches.

"Seven, eight, nine... I caught ten of them!" Deuce said, holding a bucket.

"I got eight."

"I caught thirteen!"

"I caught 22. We got a good haul." Jack glanced to the buckets filled with fish.

"I thought catching and cooking fish would be one of the easier challenges. But we ended up having to fight some fairies... It was interesting." Jack mused.

"That combo attack was something..." Deuce remarked, referring to Strix and Fin Fatale's teamwork.

A ghost floats over to check their progress. "Ooh, track and field club! You boys caught so much! Once you cook these up, you'll have cleared the lakeside challenge. We have all the seasonings and cooking equipment you'll need back at camp. Feel free to use them."

"Okay, then, let's head back to camp." Deuce paused. "...Although, I'm not sure what to make. I've helped my mom cook sometimes, but there's no way I can make anything difficult. What are you going to do, Jack?"

"I can't cook anything complicated either. If these were smelts, they'd be good just by frying them after you catch them. What should we do?" Jack glanced back to the navy-haired boy.

"Hmm..."

After arriving to the campsite and dabbling in how to cook the fish, the boys and Grim taste the results.

A pleased grin lifts Grim's lips licked over once. "Yuuumy, yanno!"

"Ahh, the meat is soft and melts in your mouth, and the flavor is amazing!" Deuce praised.

"It's just grilled with salt." Jack tossed a glance before breaking into a smile. "But it tastes amazing when you're eating it while sitting around a campfire outside, right?"

"Yeah! Give me another one!" Demanded the gluttonous cat.

Strix snaps a photo of them eating the fish before admitting, "I feel a little bad..." She (and especially Grim) didn't catch a fish to have their share of food earned.

"Don't worry. We had a good haul; sharing with Grim isn't an issue. Plus, you helped fend off the fairies while we have no magical pens to rely on." Deuce assured.

"Here, stop worrying and eat up too, Strix." Deuce hands her a grilled fish.

Strix tentatively accepted his offer. "Thanks for the food..."

She angled the fish quizzically before deciding to bite a piece in the middle. The tender fish meat and prickly salt sparking flavor for her tastebuds is a flavor that has her wanting for more servings.

Her eyes widen in delight. "This is good."

Deuce smiled fondly before turning to the Savanaclaw student. "...Jack, what are we going to do once we're done eating?"

"We should help with the other challenges. I'm sure they'll need extra manpower in the mines." Answered Jack, flexing his muscles.

"Mining for magic gems, huh...? Bring it on!"

Bidding good luck for the track and field team, Strix and Grim went ahead to visit the mines. She recognized the equestrian lub members gathered in a circle inside the tunnel just shy from the entrance.

"Hey, we're here." Grim announced.

Silver looks behind. "Oh, the score keepers. Did you come to see how things are going in the mines?"

"Yeah. But anyway, what are you doing standing around for? Aren't you supposed to be looking for magic gems?" Grim asked.

"Yes. But it's difficult to find magic gems in an abandoned mine, even if we tried blindly swinging our axes around. So we were in the middle of revisiting the information we have about magic gems." Silver explained.

"Is there anyone in our club who can thoroughly explain how to find and mine for magic gems?" Riddle asked to the circle of club members.

"I've learned this in class before. Of course I remember it!" Sebek boasted.

He lifts a finger. "The term 'magic gem' generally refers to gemstones that have absorbed from their surroundings and mutated. When searching for them, you have to track the weak magic power emitting from them... But they say it's a task that requires a great amount of focus. It's a hard-earned skill. Amateurs like us would only be able to figure out a gem's ten-meter radius. However, it's better we give it a shot instead of digging around at random. Only a fool would try striking every single corner of these vast tunnels... Once we've identified the approximate spot, we can start actually mining. We'll first chip off the weathered, brittle surface with our pickaxes. After that, carefully extract the magic gems using a hammer and chisel. THAT IS ALL!"

"Wonderful, Sebek. I'm impressed you listen so well in class." Riddle praised.

"Heh. It's not a bad feeling at all to receive praise from the second-years' top student. I am humbled and appreciative to hear your words." Said Sebek.

"Amazing. That's Sebek for you. You always get good grades with in-class lectures. I need to pick up the pace to match your speed." Silver said.

"You're only ever sleeping during class—don't talk like we're the same. These are just the basics of the basics." Sebek told him.

"'Basics of the basics'? Really? I didn't know any of this..." Grim muttered.

Strix tries to recall all the lectures up to now. "Did I sleep through that? I would have written something in my notes while in autopilot mode..."

"That's an impressive skill. I should follow your example and make use with my sleeping habits." Silver mused sincerely.

"Part of it is muscle memory, though I'm left with back and neck pains most of the time..." Strix trailed off sheepishly.

Meanwhile Sebek was squinting at the drowsy pair, judgmental. "Are humans this prone to sleep?"

"Now, we got our refresher on magic gems. Let's start looking for them." Riddle announced.

Everyone grabs a pickaxe and scattered in search for magic gems. Eventually...

"I FOUND ONE!"

Grim and Riddle yelped. Strix flinched and covered her ears, nearly about to collapse to her knees from the intensity reverberating all over her body.

"My eardrums nearly exploded, damn it..." Strix cursed under her breath.

"Why do you have to yell so loud out of nowhere...? That hurt my ears." Grim muttered.

Sebek glanced to them. "What's with that reaction? I found a gem fragment. Look!"

They come closer to examine it.

"It's tiny! You only found this with some crazy luck!" Retorted Grim.

"But it works. It's big enough to meet the challenge's guidelines. So with this, we cleared the challenge." Sebek said.

"...No, don't get too excited yet." Silver said, drowsiness replaced with heightened security.

Sebek scoffed, "Ha, are you mad that you lost to m— hm?" Pausing mid-sentence, he sharpens his hearing before looking to the depths of the dark tunnel. "...Something's coming towards us."

Silver assumes a defensive stance with his pickaxe brandished in place of a sword. "Brace yourself."

"I know!" Sebek barked before following suit.

A small orange light emerges from the tunnel to reveal a fire fairy.

Aurora silver eyes narrowed. "...Fairies in a place like this? And they appeared out of nowhere the second we got a magic gem... Do you think they're after our gem?"

"You might be right. I don't understand what they're saying, but I can sense there's hostility." Riddle said.

Sebek was not deterred, though. "Hmph. However many of them there are... Are these measly Mt. Dwarf fairies really planning to take on us, who were trained in the Briar Valley? It took a lot to find this gem. There's no way I'll let them steal it from us. Silver, let's chase them off!"

"I'll take care of them!" Strix cuts in, adding before Sebek would retort, "I won't risk the chances of you guys resorting to magic in emergencies. My Dream Eaters will take care of the trouble."

"...She's right, Sebek. Let her friends help us out." Silver glanced to him.

"Hmph! As if I'd need magic to ward these weak fairies. Very well, test your might against them." Sebek shrugged.

Catanuki bounces into the field, bright brown color pallet easy to detect in the dim tunnel.

The raccoon dog spirit casts Blackout that blinds the target in darkness from attacking. While the fire fairy is confused, Catanuki then summons two rings of rainbow light crystals revolving the fairy, inflicting Sparkra on them.

They stagger before relenting and fleeing back to the depths of the mines.

"Thanks, Catanuki." Strix rubbed its head, its stubby striped tail wagging happily like a metronome.

"I thought we would just be mining for magic gems... I didn't expect we'd end up fighting fairies. This was a really strenuous challenge..." Riddle silently sighed.

"Things like this are no big deal for me. After all... I swore I'd live up to all of Lord Malleus' expectations!" Sebek said.

"Really, Sebek... When Malleus-senpai is involved, you're suddenly full of motivation." Riddle noted.

"OF COURSE!! Lord Malleus is absolutely incredible!!" Boomed the boy.

Riddle and everyone else cringed. "Please don't yell like that in these reverberant tunnels... It's ringing through my ears..."

Sebek continued, "Now, we got our magic gem fragment. Let's go get our Vargas badge."

"Then we need to go find one of the ghosts." Grim said.

A ghostly laugh chimes in. "You called?"

Grim shrieked, much to Strix's dismay. Being in this mine is really starting to get on her nerves. "H-He got behind me all of a sudden!"

The ghost snickered at his amusing reaction. "Sorry."

"Ghost! We got our magic gem shard." Sebek hands the crystal to the ghost.

He inspects it, humming thoughtfully before nodding once. "This is indeed a magic gem shard. Here you are, equestrian club. Take your Vargas badge."

Sebek happily accepts it. "All right!"

"That's the Vargas badge?" Silver peered at the red pin in the half-fae's fingers curiously.

"Now I'll be able to report well to Lord Malleus and Master Lilia."

"Want me to take a picture to commemorate your big moment?" Strix offered, ghost camera in hand.

"You're very thoughtful for a human. Yes, go ahead and serve your role as the score keeper." Sebek invited haughtily, posing with the badge and gem shard in either hand.

"This guy's got an ego for days..." Grim mumbled from beside the girl.

Strix giggled before snapping the photo.

As the sky darkens, everyone assembled in the campsite before the fitness teacher.

"It's sunset! Time's up for your challenges! I'm going to check your progress of day one right now. When I call out your club name, answer me with the number of Vargas badges you have. Ready? Equestrian club!"

"We have three badges." Answered Riddle.

"Track and field!"

"We also got three." Answered Jack.

"Basketball!"

"Three." Jamil answered before muttering to himself, "...Just barely, though."

"Lastly, Magift club!"

"Of course, we've got three." Answered Ruggie.

Vargas grinned in satisfaction. "That's what I'm talking about! Looks like all the clubs secured their three badges and got through the first day successfully. But if you were scrambling to get your challenges done minutes before sunset, you've still got a ways to go. I'll announce the challenges for day two tomorrow, but know that their level of difficulty can't even compare to the ones you had today."

"The forest fairies might come to put out your campfires at any given time, but worry not! Noctowl here will keep them at bay with her familiars throughout the night. All right... Dismissed!"

Club members break into chatters, some with slumped shoulders and sauntering legs as they settled comfortably for the first time since this morning.

Vargas approached Strix and Grim. "...Hey, score keepers. Come with me."

Grim cocked his head as they follow. "Huh? Where're we going?"

"To the dwarf cottage where I'll be staying at. You two will set up a tent next-door and sleep there."

"I completely forgot where we'd be sleeping..." Strix voiced aloud. She was dragged all the way out to the Dwarfs' Mine early in the morning for this event.

"Whaaat...? We gotta sleep next to Vargas? And not just that, we have to walk over there and set up a tent? This sucks..." Grim groans.

"Rest assured! I'll keep an eye on you while I'm doing my workout!" Vargas flashed an incandescent smile and a burly thumbs-up.

"Like that helps! Help us out with our tent!" Retorted the gray cat.

"I don't want a muscleman watching us set our tent at night while doing squats..." Strix muttered, suppressing a shudder. That's creepy.

Upon arriving, a gray tent is unfolded along with the parts needed. At least the contents are laid out beforehand.

Grim visibly cringed at the effort needed to build the tent. "I wanna sleep already, but we gotta deal with this first..."

"Seeing the boys do it looks kind of tough. But it shouldn't be too hard..." Mused the girl.

"If I recall correctly, first find a flat area and use stakes to stake down the base at all corners..." Strix mutters to herself the steps she remembered from watching the students as she works. She decided to set the tent on the space beside the cottage before draping the firm square base to the ground.

Picking up a mallet and stake in hand, she hammers the stake into the stake holes. Sharp pitched noises and Vargas' grunts performing chair squats in the background fill in the otherwise peaceful silence of the night. So far she hasn't lost a finger.

"Next, assemble the tent poles like so..." She snaps the poles together via shock cord.

"Attach the tent to the poles..." Noting the dome shape tent picture in the manual, Strix inserts the two poles inside the sleeves, crossing the middle to make an X shape.

"Connect the poles to the base of the tent..." Strix places the ends of each pole into the designated holes on the edge of the tent's exterior.

"Lastly, attach the 'rainfly'...? Oh, it shields the tent from the rain. Makes sense." Strix places the rainfly atop the tent and used the velcro wraps from the underside to secure the rainfly to the poles before connecting it to the stakes.

"And... done."

Strix steps back to admire her handiwork, comparing it to the picture in the manual. Nothing out of the ordinary. That was easier than she thought.

"Great work, Noctowl! See? It's not as hard as some people make it out to be." Vargas praised after pausing from his squats.

Bashfulness lures her eyes away. "...Thank you, Coach Vargas."

However, he detected the joy within. "It's fulfilling to do something yourself for the first time. I knew this event would be perfect for you to attend, aside from being the record keeper. I hope to see more of your enthusiasm tomorrow. Good night, Noctowl."

She bobbed her head once. "Good night, Coach Vargas."

He excused himself and retires for the night inside the abandoned cottage.

"Finally, a place to stay from the cold." Grim breathed, despite not having done a single thing to help. Well, he wouldn't do much anyway with no opposable thumbs.

Just as he was about to waltz inside, he looks behind. "You're not gonna come in?"

"As the resident night owl of Night Raven College, I'll be patrolling for the night. You can have the tent for yourself until then." Strix assured, countenance fully awake and voice clear. Her sluggishness was absent during nighttime.

"If you say so." Grim shrugged before slipping behind the flaps.

~Intermission: Out on a Stroll~

Late in the night, a member from the equestrian club awoke to nature calling for him. He quietly slips out of his shared tent to wander a few trees away where no one would see him do his business.

A few crickets chirping in the background helped muffle the sound, one of the perks of nature.

Once he zipped up his pants, a chill ran down his neck. However, it wasn't just simply the chill breeze. He sensed something staring at him.

He slowly looks behind his shoulder.

A pair of beady glowing blue orbs flicker in the distance. They were quite far, yet they somehow pinpointed his location and remained locked on their target.

He flinched. What is that? Could it be... a monster? Maybe it's just an animal. Their eyes do have that effect at night. But what animal in the wildlife during this spring season has blue eyes...? More importantly, is it ever gonna look elsewhere?!

He slowly crouches low and tiptoes on his feet to make a beeline for his tent. He mentally manifests a mantra to not to get caught by the unknown blue eyed presence, lest he won't catch another wink tonight. Fortunately he wasn't being pursued as he had returned to his tent.

His fellow club member was roused awake by his ragged breathing. He peeked an eye open. "What's up? You look like you saw a ghost."

"I don't think so," Was what the boy replied, sweating bullets. He would have seen their white willowy body if that were the case. How creepy was that?!

Meanwhile, unaware of the source of the noise, Strix was looking towards the direction confused. She shrugs to herself, writing it off as part of the background noise before resuming her patrol. Just your friendly resident night owl out on a stroll.

~Intermission End~

Sharp clanging sounds of steel ring across the campsite.

"It's morning, everyone. Wake up~! We're going to announce your challenges~!" A ghost hovers with a pair of frying pans banging each other.

The sun was still shy from emerging the horizon. It was too early to call it "morning", much to Ruggie's dismay.

"MORNING! It's a beautiful day." Vargas beamed, looking alive as he was when the sun was at its highest point in the sky.

"Ugh... I'm still so sleepy..." Floyd flashed his sharp jaws as he grumbled.

A heavy sigh from Deuce. "The floor was so hard, and it feels like I didn't get any rest at all..."

Disappointment settled Vargas' visage. "I can't believe you guys... Not only do you not have muscles, but no manners either? You're supposed to answer my greeting! Otherwise I'll disqualify you here. Let's try this again... Morning!!"

"...Good morning." Came the despondent response.

Leona scowled. "First thing in the morning and we have to see someone this irritating..."

Vargas announced three challenges for the second day. First is to find wild 'lambent flowers' and make a potion that will heal small wounds quicker. Second is to capture a catfish, which may prove to be difficult to fish for. Third is to search for a magic gem bigger than the first day's.

Most of the equestrian club set out to find the lambent flower presumably rare, according to Sebek. Ruggie goes to fish for catfish novice in fishing could take. Jack suggests the track and field club go to the mines to put their muscles to use.

While everyone was settling on tackling which challenge, Grim yawns. "Fnya~ I'm sleepy."

Strix's head bobbed as she was teetering between sleeping and staying awake.

"Hey, hey. Baby Seal and Shrimpy."

Grim acknowledged the basketball club approaching them. "Huh? What's wrong, Floyd? Jamil?"

"Have you seen Ace? He hasn't come back to his tent since yesterday." Jamil asked.

"Haven't seen him." Strix replied languidly through bleary eyelids, still not conscious enough to look at Jamil and Floyd.

"I see... Well, this is Ace we're talking about; he can get carried away. He probably went off and stayed in another club's tent." Jamil said.

Upon feeling a hand on her shoulder, Strix's body stilled. Her chin tipped up to meet smiling eyes.

"If you find Crabby..." Floyd's smile warped into an expressionless frown, pupils shrunken like bullets that could snipe a man between the eyes with his gaze alone.

"Say 'I'll strangle you later'."

Then his smile slipped back as snug as a glove. "Tell him that's a message from me~ See ya."

Strix watched as Floyd and Jamil leave. Floyd's irritability must be worse thanks to the early wake up call.

"...Where did Ace go? Well, we'll be going around all over the place today. Maybe we'll run into him somewhere." Grim said.

Strix yawned in agreement.

They wander into the forest where a bottomless swamp is situated.

Grim spots a few students. "Look! It's the ridin' club. You guys found that flower yet?"

"We did. On a floating island in this swamp, roughly 30 meters away." Silver replied.

"Can you see that flower-like object in the distance? It may very well be what we're looking for." Riddle points to the direction towards the swamp.

Grim squints. "Mm... I can barely see a thing from over here."

Strix detected a vague contour of a flower basking under the spotlight in the middle of the swamp. "It's pretty far."

"The question is, how are we getting there. This is one extensive swamp." Riddle mumbled.

"We've no time to waste. I'll go check myself." Sebek crosses through the swamp without hesitation. The mud sloshes with each step taken.

"Sebek! Casually entering the swamp like that is risky!" Riddle shouted as the first year continued treading and distancing himself from the edge. "We don't know how far it is to the bottom, let alone how difficult it is to escape the mud. There's a chance you'll sink under the swamp if your feet get stuck!"

"Don't think for a moment we're the same as you humans. I'm not so weak as to let this hinder me." Said Sebek without a pause in his step.

"He never listens!" Cried an aggravated Riddle.

Riddle sharply exhaled. "...Having said that, are you confident he'll be okay, Silver?"

"Lilia-senpai taught us how to handle harsh conditions without much trouble. There's no need to worry." Replied a calm Silver.

"And what sort of instruction would that be, exactly...?" Riddle squinted dubiously with Strix at the young man.

Silver's gaze had yet to leave the swamp. "Look. He's already on his way back."

"He doesn't look affected by the mud weighing him down at all, and with a straight face too..." Said Strix. What a champion.

Sebek's lower half was caked in mud upon standing on land again. He returned empty handed with only dirty clothes. "The luminous flower hasn't taken root on that floating island."

Silver crestfallen. "Ah... That's too bad."

Riddle stared at Sebek in contemplation. "...Sebek. I'm aware of how competent you are, but were you at all hesitant about getting muddy?"

"It's a sunny day. Wiping down with a towel should be enough to get one dry. Damp clothes pale in comparison to the shame of simply giving up and being outdone by that Leona-senpai!" Sebek said.

Confused by the name drop of Savanaclaw's dorm leader, Riddle said, "Leona-senpai...? What do you mean?"

"It's nothing important. He's just feeling competitive after they had a little disagreement before we arrived at camp." Silver explained.

"That might explain his behavior up to now," Strix remarked, unsurprised. Of course.

"Heeey! We've got a problem!" A member of the riding club shouted, running up to the group.

"Weren't you supposed to be standing watch over our campfire?" Riddle said.

"Yeah, about that! A whole bunch of fairies showed up. We need backup!" Reported the member.

Sebek's eyes narrowed. "Back again, eh. I see they haven't learned a thing. I'll drive them away myself!"

Strix yawned as she spoke airily, "Have fun~ The fairies are really weak that you boys don't need magic to drive them out."

True to her word, all they had to do was ward the fairies off with their weapons around and they would flee if they wished to live another day with their wings intact.

"Let's return to our objective now that we've chased them off." Riddle began.

"Certainly. Just watch, I'm going to get that luminous flower without a doubt, no matter if it's growing on a cliff or in a swamp!" Sebek proclaimed.

After searching along the forest road, Sebek finally found the flower on a cliff and claimed it through peculiar means without a shred of hesitance.

"Observe. It's been plucked. This is the 'luminous flower'!"

"Awesome, Sebek! Do you think we're the first club to actually find it?" A fellow club member wonders aloud.

Meanwhile Riddle mumbled astonishingly, "I didn't expect him to scale that cliff using brute strength alone..."

"That's wicked..." Murmured a drowsy Strix who was awake at the time to witness Sebek climb without any gear and then reverted back half asleep afterwards in a comical fashion.

"Now, let's concoct that potion with this flower I acquired!" Sebek announced.

They return to the campsite and prepared a pot of boiling liquid potion. Smoke rises as Riddle continued to stir.

"That's one funky lookin' smoke cloud. You sure it's gonna be okay...?" Grim peered dubiously into the pot from Strix's shoulder.

"All we have to do if we mess up is collect more ingredients." Silver shrugged.

"Not to worry. Do you even know who I am? I would never let Sebek's hard work go to waste." Riddle then pours the contents into a vial before sealing it with a cork. "There. It's perfect."

"GHOST!!" Sebek hollered one over to their circle.

The ghost hovers to them. "You rang~!"

"Here. Our magic potion for the challenge." Riddle hands him the potion.

The ghost inspects the vial between his fingers. "Hm... Yep! This is one well-mixed potion. Congratulations on completing the forest challenge, riding club. Here's your reward!"

Riddle smiled widely. "Excellent! Our fourth Vargas Badge!"

"Great work, Sebek. I didn't even notice your clothes had dried. They're spotless." Silver glanced down to Sebek's formerly dirty clothes.

Strix snaps back to reality from her drowsiness and followed his gaze as well, unusually focused. "You're right. When did you do that, Sebek?"

Riddle sweatdropped. "Silver, Strix... Shouldn't you two commend him on our achievement first?" Seeing the drowsy pair together is like two peas in a pod.

Sebek scoffed. "Hmph. I'm not waiting for praise from them. However... Riddle-senpai! I admire your skill when it comes to potion-making. It's quite good—for a human, that is... Let me express my gratitude!"

"Is that supposed to be a compliment?! ...Is what I wish to say, but... I'm afraid it's hard to determine whether you're being frank or simply cheeky." Riddle deadpanned.

Sebek roars with laughter. "We, the equestrian club, are without equal!"

Grim prodded Strix's cheek with his paw for attention. "We got everything we need on 'em jotted down."

Strix hummed vaguely. "Which club should we see next..."

Grim spots a group from a distance. "Hm? Hey, look at that! Jamil's whippin' up some grub..."

Strix doesn't need eyes to see Grim's plotting Cheshire grin bloom with ulterior motives.

He coaxes into her ear, "So, hey. What say we go document the basketball club's progress next? We'll get to eat somethin' real yummy for sure..." He snickered.

"Oh you..." Strix rolled her eyes before bidding good luck to the boys and walking down the path to the lakeside.

...

"Yo, Magift club. Get a hit yet?" Grim greeted.

Epel glanced to the duo, fishing rod in hand. "Oh. It's Grim and Strix-san. This makes... three!"

He reels in his catch successfully.

"Ohh. Now you've got the hang of it. It's smooth sailing from here on, huh." Grim remarked.

Epel smiled. "Ruggie-san taught me all sorts of tricks, but we still haven't hooked that giant catfish."

From beside the boy, Ruggie was staring at the fish flailing from Epel's hook. "Hmm... Epel-kun, pass me that fish."

"Huh? I don't mind since it's club property, but... What're you going to do with it?" Epel asked as he handed the fish.

"Fillet it and use it as bait. The giant catfish's got an appetite for basically anything. There's no telling where it'll show up if all we do is wait... So I plan on luring it out right now with some strong-smelling bait." Explained Ruggie as he worked his magic.

"Using our catch to land an even bigger fish... That's amazing, Ruggie-san. You really do know everything." Said Epel with eyes round with awe and respect.

Ruggie grinned. "Shishishi. Leave the sweet, sweet praise for after I catch this thing, with any gifts. Anyway, here. I rigged the cut-bait. Give it a shot."

"Thanks. Okay, here goes!" Epel casts his line.

He pursed his lips queasily. "Now I'm kinda nervous..."

Ruggie reassured, "Just hang loose. Now, come on... Come on..."

"...Hm?" Epel squints and recognized a large blob of shadow gravitate towards the bait. It was a size he had never seen until now. "Whoa!"

Ruggie's grin widened. "Here it comes!"

Epel stood up and clung to his rod tightly, the wire trembling with the fish' struggle. "O-Okay. Looks like something took the bait! It's tugging harder at the line than any of the other fish I caught today!"

"Shishishi. It's gotta be the giant catfish! Epel!l-kun! I'm sure you already know this, but don't you dare let go!"

"I know, but... If this keeps up... It's gonna pull me straight into the lake!!" Epel gritted his teeth and dug his heels to the earth.

"Magift club! What're you standing around for? Hold right onto Epel-kun so it doesn't drag him in!" Ruggie ordered.

"Right!"

All the members cling to the small boy from being dragged into the lake and pull him.

Grim watches in anticipation. "They're landing a big catch, Strix!"

Strix nodded. "Sounds like the opportune moment for a perfect photo."

Ruggie's large ears twitched towards the direction of the source. His visage tensed. "That sound... It can't be..."

"R-Ruggie-senpai! A bunch of fairies are headed our way!" A Magift member tells him.

"I know!" Ruggie then groans. "Ugh. The fairies need to get with the program already. Epel-kun, concentrate on reeling it in! Don't you let up either, Magift club! I'll chase away the fairies away myself!"

"You don't need my help?" Strix inquired.

Ruggie had equipped his fishing rod in hand. He goes to stand before the fairies and flashed a wink over his shoulder. "You keep your lens on them for that picture-perfect photo!"

Strix grinned. "Got it!"

Ruggie wards the fairies away with his expert handling of his fishing rod, swatting them with the line and even smacking some with the hook.

A bead of sweat rolls down Epel's temple. He wrestled against presumably the catfish's might until the fish has weakened.

Finally with their persistence prevailing, the line swings upwards into the air. A gigantic shadow looms above, blocking the sun and casting a shadow over the Magift club.

Strix snapped a photo right then.

The captured creature plopped to the ground a distance away from the lake. It was a catfish.

Epel's cerulean blue eyes glimmered upon the realization. "I... I caught it!"

"We did it!" Cheered the Magift club.

"Great work, guys!" Ruggie praised, having successfully chased away the pesky fairies with little effort.

"Whoa! This thing's freakin' huge..." Grim walked up before the now limp catfish and ogled at it. It was at least three times his size, too.

"Two meters huge, even... Like it's too big to call it a fish anymore." Epel peered down at the massive fish specie.

"So we're dead sure on this being our giant catfish, right?" Ruggie asked the ghost.

"Right! Challenge complete. Here's your Vargas Badge, Magift club." A ghost hands Ruggie the badge.

"Shishishi! Thanks." Ruggie turns to face his club members. "Welp, since we caught more than enough for lunch, let's head on back to the campsite to cook. Might as well see how they're handling that flower thing while we're passing through the forest."

"We better get going too." Prompted Grim.

Strix nodded. "Then our next stop is the mines."

"Okay! See ya later, Magift club!" Grim waved.

"Yeah. Good luck with note taking!" Epel waved back as the Magift club treads through the forest hauling their catches in hand.

"Strix-kun!"

Said girl paused just as she had turned to the direction of the mines. She glanced back only for a certain spotted hyena to sling an arm around her shoulder casually.

"How'd the photo go?"

Strix withdrew a photo from her pocket and showed it to him.

Ruggie smiled, pleased. "Very picturesque shot. Nice work."

Blue gray eyes narrowed slightly. His grin curled knowingly. "I'm more curious about that other photo you took~ Heard more than one snap, Kitten~"

Strix sheepishly smiled. "I wasn't really trying to hide it, but I know you well enough to know you'd 'charge me a fee' for taking your picture without permission."

The grin has yet to leave Ruggie. "You know me so well~"

"And as usual, I'll pay you with sweet treats once this camp is over. I thought you looked cool fighting off those fairies, so I took one." Strix admitted.

"Ooh, let me see."

Strix pockets the photo away and slips out of his arm. A grin crept to her lips. "You'll have to wait for the full album, Ruggie-senpai. I already showed you a preview of my photography skills."

She waved. "See you later."

Ruggie crossed his arms behind his head as she left, a mysterious smile growing.

"That Kitten..."

...

The sharp clang of pickaxes against stone rhythmically resounded throughout the tunnels of the Dwarfs' Mine.

"All right! I got one." Jack reaches to pick up the gem.

"And the size?!" Deuce asked.

"...Mediocre. It's too small." Jack frowned.

Deuce slumped his shoulders. "Terrific... We're having a difficult time finding a shard that meets the requirements. How about we change up our dig site, Jack?"

"Apparently. I mean, that's what Leona-senpai taught us to do." Said Jack.

"Yo, track club!"

Deuce glanced back. "Grim and Strix."

"Any progress so far?" Asked the girl.

"Not even close. We were thinking about finding another spot to dig since all we're getting in this area are silvers." Deuce replied.

"How 'bout that spot you and Ace were at?" Grim suggested to the boy.

Jack was confused. "Ace? What's he mean?"

"I've been to this mine before with Ace, Grim, and Strix." Deuce explained. He doesn't make eye contact with him as he continued, "We, uh... needed a huge gem for reasons."

"Reasons... Oh! You mean when everyone was in an uproar over how crazy stupid this year's first years were when we'd just enrolled..." Jack stared at Deuce with flat eyes. "That incident where you and Ace shattered one of the academy's prized chandeliers."

"W-Well, hey, never mind the details. Grim's right. I'm pretty sure we found one killer shard deeper in the mine. But... We were also attacked by a monster." Deuce solemnly mentioned.

"Monster?!" Exclaimed the beastman.

Strix nodded. "Yeah. A huge monster carrying a pickaxe and a lantern... with its head dribbling black ink."

"Seriously? You sure it wasn't just a bad dream? Or maybe you got spooked and confused a ghost or fairy for a beast?"

"We could never mistake that for anything else when we were on the brink of death. We even encountered a couple of ghosts here at the time and they pale in comparison (pun unintended) to that monstrosity." Strix firmly said, a serious expression sparing no lightheartedness.

"Beating that thing wasn't easy, you know!" Deuce attested.

"Yeah! It was all drippy and big and super scary!" Grim hollered.

They were up in the wolf's face now. Jack raised his hands in surrender. "Okay, guys. Okay. I hear you. Anyway, there might be bigger magic gem shards in the depths of the mine. Either way, we've got to go."

Deuce hesitated. "Yeah, but..."

"Even if we run into that monster, you defeated it before, right? Which means we can handle it. I'm not gonna half-ass this challenge here and run out of time. I'll go alone if I have to. You guys stay here."

"...As if I could let you go alone and let you think I'm a coward. I'm going with you!" Deuce said with resolve.

"I-I-I ain't scared one bit either! I'm gonna follow ya and take those notes!" Grim stuttered out bravely.

Strix placed her hands on her hips with a defeated smile. "I'd never know the meaning of sleep if I pretend nothing's wrong. Of course I'll go with you."

The four proceed further into the mine.

"I think it was somewhere around here. Let's move fast and find that magic gem shard." Deuce said.

However, the fluttering of wings and crackle and pop of flames are heard.

"That noise... Is it-"

"Yeah! It's those fairies again!" Jack frowned.

Deuce gritted his teeth. "Guess we better give them a warm welcome!"

Strix set loose Catanuki on the fire fairies again. They don't want to be in this creepy part of the mine than needed. With a bit of whacking and pouncing, the fire fairies fled from sight.

"...We managed to chase them off. Ghosts, and now fairies... There's something special about sites with magic gems, huh. Who knows what's in store for us. Let's find that shard already." Deuce urged.

"I'm on it... Pretty sure this is what Leona-senpai was talking about, a place with tons of white rock layers. There's gotta be huge shards in there." Jack said. They begin searching while Strix stood like their bodyguard for any threats. Fortunately none had come to pass ever since.

After some time, the gang returned to the mine entrance.

"How's this shard for size...?" Deuce asked.

"Eheehee! You pass. Here's your Vargas badge." The mine ghost bestows him the badge.

"Thanks a lot!"

"We did end up finding a massive shard there." Jack muttered.

"You owe it the trusty Great Grim here for cheerin' ya on!" Said a smug Grim.

"All you did was stand behind Strix, petrified." Jack told him with a straight face.

"Fgna?! I-I wasn't petrified! Deuce was the one shakin' in his boots!" Accused Grim.

"I wasn't shaking. I was swinging my pickaxe!" Deuce then groped his hand where the tool should have been equipped. "Huh? The pickaxe... Ah!"

Jack glanced to the boy. "What's up?"

"I left my pickaxe back at the dig site... No way I can afford to lose our school equipment. I'll go back and get it!"

"Want us to go with you?" Strix offered, concern settling in her visage. The site is deep inside.

"It'll be fine. I'm just getting that pickaxe. Besides, those fairies definitely had enough after we ran them off back there. You don't need to wait for me. I'll catch up and meet you back at camp." Deuce reassured.

"You got it." Jack then gestured Strix to follow when she was still hesitant. She ends up leaving the Dwarfs' Mine without Deuce.

Strix would regret turning her back to the mine that day.

...

"All riiight! Our second day comes to a close. Looks like every club made it out of the fire intact. Those muscles are looking fine and firm!" Vargas grinned.

"They look the same to me." Grim deadpanned from behind him, Strix branding a similar unamused expression.

Vargas ignored the stark contrast in mood. "...Anyhow. Tomorrow's your last day at Vargas Camp. Needless to say, you'll be tackling our final round of challenges head-on. You'll know details when the time comes. Always keep vigilant and strive to the utmost! Now, does anyone have any questions? If not then I'm breaking this up."

"Over here." A hand was raised.

It was Jamil. "I have a question."

Vargas acknowledges him. "The Viper from our basketball club, huh. What's wrong?"

"Ace Trappola hasn't been back to camp since last night." Jamil reported.

Vargas pursed his lips. "Hmm. Trappola, you say?"

"Yes. No one's seen him since yesterday at the latest. It's possible he might've gotten involved in some trouble..." Jamil solemnly said.

Suddenly Vargas boomed with laughter. "Not to worry, Viper. It probably feels awkward getting together after bailing on all those challenges. He'll be back when he's hungry! But more importantly, you should be thinking about your final challenge tomorrow! You better get those muscles plenty of rest. Now, then... You're dismissed!"

"Where'd Ace even go, anyway? Plus bein' gone since yesterday means... He hasn't eaten for a whole day!" Grim exclaimed.

"You think he's okay?" Strix wondered aloud.

"Well, Ace is one smart cookie. He probably found something yummy and is keeping it all to himself. We've gotta interrogate him if we find him!"

Strix sweatdropped. "Ace is not a glutton like you, Grim."

"Hey, record-keepers! It's back to the cottage for us!" Vargas called.

"Vargas wants us. We better go." Grim sighed as they walked. "You think he's gonna make us sit on a bench and be his dumbbells again?"

Strix's expression scrunched up, mumbling dreadfully, "I don't want to be bench pressed ever again..."

...

How could this happen?

Strix bored her eyes past cowering fiery ears and at the ground, sitting still as a statue. She doesn't know if she simply hasn't registered the shock or was a master at retaining her composure.

Strix was comforting a trembling Grim in her arms when several pairs of footsteps rushed up to discover their rattled forms nearby the cottage.

"Grim-kun! Strix-san!"

"I-Is that... Epel?! I-I-I thought we were goners...!" Grim stammered out in fright before wailing, "You sure took your sweet time with saving us!"

"Ahaha. Your face's all scrunched up with tears and snot, Seally." An amused Floyd said.

"You guys don't look hurt..." Jack mumbled, hovering besides Strix who assured him she was perfectly fine, just a little petrified.

"But somethin' serious must've gone down to freak out Grim-kun like that." Ruggie mused.

"Hey. Can you tell us what happened?" Epel asked.

"Strix and I were hangin' out in our tent when we heard Vargas. He was all, 'Uwah! Stop! Someone help!' When we took a little peek outside, there was this big ol' dark silhouette jumpin' straight outta the cottage!" Grim explained.

"Dark silhouette?! What's it look like?!" Floyd asked.

"It happened so fast..." Strix muttered, somewhat still in a daze. It was as if the wind had knocked her out, yet she was still wide awake. It would have been her imagination if Vargas' absence didn't happen.

"For real? I'm gonna have to see it myself, then." Said Floyd.

"But I'm glad you two are safe." Epel smiled in relief.

"So what's the plan now? Even an authority figure like Coach Vargas went missing..." Jack trailed off.

"We should meet up with everyone else first. There's no telling when that dark silhouette or whatever will appear. We shouldn't stay here." Jamil said.

"You got that right. It's bright and crowded back at the campsite. So let's pass through the woods quick on our way back." Ruggie prompted.

They return to the campsite and explain the situation to the rest of the students.

"...That's the gist of what's goin' on." Ruggie finished.

The quiet night is stirred awake by the restless mumbling among the clubs.

"Four missing persons, and what's more, one of them is Coach Vargas? To think this happened the very minute you were out of my sight..." Sebek mutters to himself, referring to the missing Leona.

A Magift club member anxiously spoke up, "R-Ruggie-senpai! What do you think's capable of taking out both Coach Vargas and Leona-senpai?!"

"Uh, well..."

"And Ace? What about Ace?" A basketball member asked.

"Don't forget Deuce! Did that dark silhouette thing manage to take him out too?!" A track member fearfully wondered aloud.

"Don't write them off dead when we haven't found them yet." Strix coolly told them, though internally she was worried about her friends' wellbeing as they speak. Everyone in the school knows the trio were close like peas in a pod, no matter how much they act stoic about it. It was understandable to recognize her concern underneath her composed mask.

Suddenly feeling guilty, the track member stuttered out an apology, to which Strix accepted.

"Wh-What's going to happen to us? Are we even safe here?" A riding member nervously asked.

Another suggested, "Hey. Why don't we just leave the mountain? The further we are, the safer we'll be, so..."

"A terrible proposal for those with such poor visibility in the dark... You've no idea where the figure that attacked Coach Vargas is. Actually think and you'll realize the danger." Sebek said.

"Wh... Why, you!"

"Give it a rest, you two." Riddle said. He glanced to the Diasomnia first year. "Sebek. You ought to choose your words more carefully."

"Why? I haven't said anything wrong. I'm simply teaching them the right way to go about things!!"

Riddle stared at him in exasperation. "...I look at you, and the phrase, 'People are mirrors that reflect your image' comes to mind."

"Anyhow, this isn't the time to split up. We should all wait here until morning." Silver said.

"Yeah... The headmaster's supposed to pass through the Dark Mirror tomorrow and go straight for the cottage." Ruggie noted.

Silver nodded. "Right. He's sure to notice we're missing, get suspicious, and then take care of matters somehow."

"I wonder. All these delicious-looking sardines packed into one place... Chomp!" Floyd makes an unusually realistic chomping sound, causing some members to flinch and whimper fearfully by his sharp white jaws.

He grinned at their reactions. "Might get devoured in one bite, y'know?"

Silver frowned. "...Even so, our chances will be better as a group."

"Hmm. Well, I'm not against it since it's fun." Floyd shrugged.

"H-Hey, Strix. We're gonna make it out of this okay, right...?" Grim peered up at her with round eyes while clinging to her leg.

"Hopefully we'll return safely..." Was what Strix muttered, unable to meet his eyes.

No one in the campsite dared to leave, much less sleep after learning of the dilemma. They huddled by the campfire in a circle as they anticipate the morning sun.

"...Hey, Epel. What time d'ya think it is?" Grim asked.

"It's already past midnight, so maybe around... two in the morning?" Replied the boy.

"Still a ways off from the headmaster's arrival, huh." Grim shivered. "Ugh... It's freezin' out here even with a fire. Ain't we got any jackets or blankets?!"

"It does get colder at night. There should be a few extra blankets in our tents..." Jamil muttered

"Just a few?! So first-come, first-served?! I'm gonna go grab 'em!" Grim was quick to bounce onto his feet.

"Wait a sec. It's dangerous to go alone. We've gotta move like a pack as much as possible." Ruggie warned.

"Okay, but, the tents are literally right there. I can't take it anymore! I'm gonna catch a cold if this keeps up! And it's not like you can talk, Jamil, when your teeth keep chattering like that!" Grim said pointedly, unnerved by the noise in the darkest hours of the night.

Jamil sighed in defeat. "Fine. We're going to get blankets. Who wants to come with us?

"I'll go." Strix volunteered.

"Oh, let me help. I want a blanket, too. And I'll get you one while I'm at it, Ruggie-san!" Epel stands up.

"I'm going, too! I'll grab a couple for our group." An equestrian club member spoke up.

"Thank you. That'd be great." Silver said.

"Me too!" A track member bounced over to join them.

"Guess there's nothing to worry about if this many people are raring to go." Was what Ruggie had said as the six people take their leave into the dark.

As the volunteers bravely ventured to the tents, the equestrian club member spoke, "You know, it's actually reassuring to have the Ramshackle prefect with us. With your magical beasts, I bet the dark silhouette will turn tail and run away."

"Sometimes I think being a beast tamer is so cool..." The track member voiced aloud, a little envious.

"It has its perks, what with cute beasts and all." Strix simply said.

The rustling of grass and shrubbery disturbs the night.

Everyone stopped in their tracks and stands alert for the source.

A dark, striped stubby tail sways. Emerging from the bush is...

Epel peers at the chubby creature curiously. "A raccoon?"

Yellow plus pupils stared unblinkingly into them.

Jamil's eyes narrowed, particularly focusing on its belly. "That heart symbol... What's the meaning of this...?"

He looks back to Strix until a dark ripple blinded his vision.

Wordlessly, the four young men and one monster cat blackout with a collective thud. Only the sole female of the group stood still, unflinching by their collapse before her feet.

Catanuki pads up to Strix and rubs their face against her leg affectionately.

Underneath the rim of her cap, a pair of azure blue moons beneath long lashes glowed eerily.

"You'd think Jamil-senpai would have learned his lesson after that incident..." She kneels beside the boy and examined his expression. Fortunately there are no signs of stress from the sleep magic. The same applies for the others.

A mysterious smile formed.

"Beware: owls hunt silently."

She reaches for the unconscious bodies...

...

Dark almond shaped eyes roused awake to the rays of sunlight marking the beginning of a new day in Mt. Dwarf.

Jamil winced until he blinked to adjust to the brightness that he realized his position.

"Why am I tied to a tree?"

A rope bounded his torso to the base while he remained sitting on the ground. Upon looking around his environment, he noticed a number of other students in the same fashion as him tied at other trees. Some began to awake while others were still unconscious.

The crunch of grass from behind draws his attention.

A familiar girl's voice mumbled, "How does he have so many ropes prepared? I didn't sign any waivers for this damn camping trip..."

Jamil couldn't look behind the thick tree trunk to see her but he knew who it was from the voice nonetheless. "Strix?"

"Good morning, Jamil-senpai." The female yawned as she was untying the rope.

"What's going on here?"

The rise in panic may have slipped through his voice when Strix said, "Relax, you're not in danger. This is all part of the camping experience."

"What do you mean?" Asked Jamil. He spots the ghosts freeing the students from the restraints as well.

Once the ropes collapsed to the ground, Jamil stands up and rolled his arms somewhat stiff from being tied up to his sides. Noticing another presence hovering above, he glanced up.

Grim was suspended upright well above the ground with his entire body wrapped by the thick rope like a cocoon. He was at level with Strix's height.

Strix pokes Grim, causing the beast to rock slightly like a pendulum. "Grim, wake up. We're going to roast a plump little beastie for breakfast, you know."

He mumbles in his sleep, "...Roast? What're we roasting...? Is it fish...?"

"A Grim special coming right up." Strix impishly told him.

Aqua blue eyes shot open. "Fgna! What the-! Let me out! I don't taste good, ya know!"

Strix chuckled while watching her companion swing erratically for his life. "Just kidding~ Now stop moving around."

Jamil sweatdropped. He spoke up, "Strix, you said something about 'camping experience' before..."

Strix had released Grim and settled him to the safety of the ground. She looks over to see the rest of the "missing" students gathering around and familiar faces approaching her. "You'll find out soon enough."

Grim looks back. "Oh, hey, Ruggie and the rest of 'em are back!"

"Grim-kun! Strix-kun! And all the guys that vanished... Everybody's okay, right?!" Ruggie asked.

"I was tied to a tree when I came to..." Jamil said.

"Same here. Almost immediately after I had started feeling faint, I awoke and found myself in the forest... The ghosts freed us just moments ago." Riddle explained, having approached their circle.

"Where have you been, Ruggie-san...?" Epel glanced to Ruggie's disheveled state. "Or, um, what happened to you?"

"Sorry. I've honestly got no clue..." Ruggie replied tiredly.

"That's everybody, eh?" Vargas inquired.

"Vargas?!" Grim gaped at the man. He was wearing a dark antler suit, his mask in hand.

"Let me spell out the situation for those of you that are still confused. The final challenge scheduled for your last day at Vargas Camp has just ended!" Announced the PE teacher.

Mutters were exchanged among the students.

"And it was... 'combat'! You were calm in the face of an unknown crisis and surmounted it using both brains and brawn. In the middle of your friends going missing and your dependable instructor's disappearance... A mighty foe emerged! I wanted to determine how you'd handle these sorts of situations going forward. There. I've gotten you up to speed on our final challenge."

"Wh—But wait a minute!" Ruggie protested.

"Does that mean Ace's disappearance is your doing too...?" Jamil asked.

"That's right! I thought there'd be no point in having those slackers take on the last challenge, so... I provided them with some educational guidance! Wasting this valuable opportunity to develop your physique is just inexcusable. I had them doing nothing but squats in a shack out in the woods while the ghosts supervised." Explained Vargas.

"Are you for real? So Crabby did ditch us!" Floyd frowned.

"Leona-san... Talk about crying wolf." Disappointment was laced in Ruggie's voice.

"...Now, to announce the results of our final challenge. Which is... You all passed! You did well in lasting until morning, and in avoiding a total crushing defeat with me as your opponent."

Vargas looks over with a grin, "Especially, you lot: Ruggie Bucchi, Floyd Leech, Sebek Zigvolt, and Jack Howl. The four of you deserve some praise for that performance. You're well on your way to being as awesome as yours truly! Magnificent! Give these boys a round of applause!"

Ruggie was perplexed by the turn of events. "I'm feeling kinda mixed on this, but... Guess I ought to just celebrate for now. Woohoo!"

Everyone cheered. "We did it!"

Vargas watched them celebrate the end of Vargas Camp. "...Now. Just because we're finished doesn't mean you get to let your guard down. We've got cleaning up to do. Fold your tents and return any stray pickaxes or fishing poles to the ghosts. Got it? Two hours should be more than enough. Clubs that finish can gather before the cottage. Remember: you're at Vargas Camp until the headmaster arrives. If any of your members are late..."

"Then we've gotta disband, right? Yeah, yeah. We know." Ruggie said.

"Good! Never be late. Now, then... You're dismissed!"

"Thank goodness... We won't have to disband! We owe it all to you, Ruggie-san!" Epel beamed.

Ruggie sheepishly laughed, not meeting his eyes. "Ahahaha... Good thing we didn't make a break for it."

"Congrats on that final challenge. Sorry for hiding my involvement," Strix said. "I was assisting Vargas in rounding up anyone who were out of the picture for this one."

"What?! I never knew that!" Grim swerved to the girl.

"Sorry, but Vargas entrusted me to keep this plan a secret. You tend to have a big mouth..."

Grim grouches, "I won't forget this, ya hear me?"

The clubs clean up for the four boys who completed the challenge.

"I should have known Strix-kun had a hand in this. Always hiding your talons..." Ruggie slumped his shoulders defeatedly. "Birds are really something."

Strix grinned. "I take that as a compliment."

"But man, we were seriously no match for Coach Vargas. That's my only regret..." Jack frowned.

"True... As a member of Lord Malleus' guard, I can't be fully satisfied with how we managed the situation." Sebek frowned as well.

"It's not that big a deal, guys." Ruggie glanced to the two tall boys beating themselves up over it.

"Oh, yeah. I've got something to ask you, Remora." Floyd said to the hyena.

"What's up? I'm feeling generous. Hit me with anything!" Ruggie placed his hands on his hips and stood straighter.

"You used unique magic to drag Coach Lobster into the swamp, right?"

Ruggie jolted as though a deer caught in headlights.

"As I recall, he did! And without a gem no less? Despite advising me... You were in the most danger!" Sebek squinted at the second year.

"He's got a point!" Jack said. "You better let Coach Vargas know so they can check you out to make sure nothing's wro-"

"Whoa, okay, stop! Don't make a scene!" Ruggie hushed them.

Jack and Sebek stared. "Huh?"

"...It's like when Jack-kun turned into a wolf. All I used were those shards we collected." Ruggie confessed.

"Hold it. Didn't you give Urchin all the gems we had on hand so he could do a one-time cast of his unique magic?" Floyd inquired.

Ruggie nervously laughed.

"...No way. You kept some on you?!" Jack exclaimed.

He looked away and poked his fingers together. "Well, y'see... Yeah, that's about the gist of it."

"You were being stingy in a time of crisis?!" Sebek cried out.

"I-I mean, come on! A buncha magic gems, finally in my grasp? I could sell those for a pretty penny if I carried 'em back! Wouldn't you wanna hold onto something that valuable? A goody-two shoes like you and a stubborn mule like Sebek-kun would've totally ratted me out to Coach Vargas... Even Floyd-kun's the type to be all, 'I changed my mind' and snitch on me no matter the deal!" Ruggie rants.

"He's not wrong." Was what Strix commented.

"No waaay~! So that's why you tried to persuade me! Aw, man... Remora totally played us..." Floyd pouted, kicking the dirt.

"I can't overlook this misconduct. I'll report this to our instructor later." Jack told him firmly.

"What a despicable character. And after the honorable way in which he confronted Coach Vargas..." Sebek regards Ruggie with withering eyes.

However, Ruggie was not bothered. "I'm not interested in being virtuous or whatever. What's important here is there's good money in those gems."

"Greedy as ever, huh, Ruggie."

"Long time no see, guys!"

"Leona-san, Ace-kun! Shishishi. Did all those squats pay off?" Ruggie grinned mirthfully.

"Tch... Shut your trap. So, about the necklace I dropped when that asshole Vargas jumped me... You wouldn't happen to know where to find it, would you?" Summer green eyes bored into Ruggie's very being.

He sweated. "U-Um... What're you asking me for?"

"I ran into a few of our boys before making it to camp. They gladly told me that, 'Ruggie-senpai's lookin' after it for you'. Might as well ask if you know, right? Besides, it's not like I'm trying to lose it."

"So you fleeced someone's necklace on top of that disgraceful gem incident?! I can't believe you!" Sebek boomed.

"Looking after, you mean!" Ruggie insistently corrected. "I planned on giving it back, okay?!"

He dug into his pockets and withdrew a gold lion head necklace. "...Here. Your necklace."

Leona takes it back and grumbled, "Bah. Wasting my time like that."

Meanwhile Floyd was approaching Ace. "Crabbyyyy..."

Ace forced a strained smile. "Wow... Floyd-senpaaai... Ahaha... I missed you so bad, like..."

Strix was shamelessly used as a human meat shield by Ace. She awkwardly stood wedged between Floyd's ominous smile and Ace's intimidated form.

Despite this, Floyd's height easily towered over them both. "So... You were playing hooky while I got down to work, huh? Y'know, it's almost like you want to get strangled... Am I right?"

The moray eel flashed his jagged jaws at the cowering crab.

"Eek! I-I'm sorry, like, for real! I did so many squats that my thighs are killing me! So, please!" Ace begged while clinging to Strix like a lifeline, much to her chagrin.

"You can have a niiice long talk with Sea Snake about it later." Floyd sang. Strix thought Jamil sounds like the mom of the basketball club now.

"Ahhh...! I never would've ditched if I knew this was gonna happen...!" Ace moaned, resting his forehead on Strix's shoulder. He sounds traumatized.

Not her problem, she thought as she shrugged him off her after Floyd seemed to have mercifully spared him of his squeezes.

Grim snickered. "That's what you get for trying to cheat! If you thought this was tough, then next time you better be kinder and gentler to..."

A voice abruptly shouts, "E-Excuse me...!"

"What's up, Jack-kun? Why the sudden shouting...?" Ruggie asked the wolf beastman.

"I'm getting deja vu over here. Like, last night, right? When Sea Snake and Guppy had something to say." Floyd glanced up thoughtfully.

"Oh, yeah... A real flustered Jack-kun rushed over to tell us that Deuce-kun hadn't returned yet, and then... Huh?" Ruggie blinked.

"Did Deuce-ku... ever make it back to camp?"

Ruggie's question caused Strix's blood to run cold. "Now that you mention it, usually this is where Deuce would scold Ace for slacking off, but..."

"Deuce is missing? Those ghosts and Leona-senpai and I were the only ones who got dragged up into that hut." Ace said.

"Then where do you think Deuce is?" Jack asked.

Ace shrugged his shoulders. "Beats me."

"...Vargas even muttered something. 'You and Trappola were the only complete imbeciles who dare to miss out on our beloved Vargas Camp!'" Leona stated.

Everyone's eyes dilated at the implication.

"...Which means Deuce-kun might actually be lost in the mines somewhere." Ruggie concluded dreadfully.

"Stuck in a place without food or water for almost an entire day... I wouldn't be able able to stand it!" Grim cried.

"We've got to report this to Coach Vargas right away...!"

Before Jack would dart off, Floyd spoke up, "Did you, like, already forget? 'Everyone's gotta assemble by the appointed time or it's disbandment for you'. By the time you report it, go searching, and then come back... It'll be way past assembly time and you'll miss out on the remaining activities."

Jack swerved to him. "What'd you say?! That doesn't matter right now...!"

"—So... All we've gotta do is look for him ourselves. The guy's just lost, right? So let's go find Mackerel." Is what Floyd then proposed.

"I'm all for it," Strix said without hesitation. "We have to bring back Deuce in one piece."

Ruggie squinted at the Octavinelle student dubiously. "Floyd-kun... You just want to have some fun, don't you?"

He tossed the hyena a lopsided smile. "Aha. Do I need a real reason? I said I'd help, right?"

Ace shrugged. "...Whelp, I better tag along, even if it's just to see Deuce scared witless. Plus, I don't want him to think I was too chicken to go when you're all going."

"I'm going too, all to make sure he totally owes me one!" Grim said.

Jack nodded. "No surprise that I'm going, too. I'll find him for the track field club's sake."

"...I'll accompany you as well. I've need to pass the details of my missing classmate onto the Young Master." Sebek tersely said.

"How about you, Remora, Sea Lion-senpai?" Floyd asked.

"Hell no." "No thanks."

"Might as well pass the message onto Coach Vargas if you think the situation's that bad." Ruggie told them.

Sebek's eyes narrowed. He crossed his arms. "...Listen well, human rabble. I'll expound upon the basics of survival that Master Lilia taught me."

"A human can go without food for about three weeks... However, the body will start to shut down after three days without water. Given how far he is, and how he hasn't come back on his own, even the slightest delay may be fatal."

The atmosphere became heavier upon his insight.

Ace stared with wide eyes. "...For real?"

Ruggie faltered. "But man... We got at least two hours left until it's time to meet up, right? We should call the instructor, and... There's no benefit to me helping out, so..."

Jack opens his mouth.

"...The magic gems."

Round hyena ears twitched. "Come again?"

"I forgot to mention it yesterday, but... The area Deuce vanished in was overflowing with a ton of huge gems. They'll make a fat stack of madol if you cash them in." Jack said.

One could see the madol currency sign rolling in the mind of Ruggie Bucchi as he mentally calculated prospective investments and stocks that could rival Azul's greedy tenacity.

"...Okay. Let's go look for Deuce-kun." Ruggie finally said.

"His opinion reverses the moment money is involved. What a disgraceful fellow." Sebek shook his head.

"Well, hey. Break a leg out there." Leona turns about face and begins to leave their circle.

"You aren't gonna go?" Ruggie asked.

He replies without glancing back, "Obviously."

"All right... I'm countin' on you to tidy up the rest of the tents and order the club around while I'm gone!" Ruggie waves farewell, a sly grin on his lips.

Leona paused. He stood in place pensively until he glanced back over his shoulder. "...Fine. I'll keep you company. You better appreciate this, herbivores."

"He totally just measured whether cleaning up or searching for Deuce was the bigger deal here!" Exclaimed Ace as Leona sauntered back to their group.

"Yeah, yeah. Anyway, the team's decided. Time to go, Mackerel Search Party." Floyd raised his fist to the air.

Strix was quick to lead the party. "Let's head out already!"

...

"The pickaxe was... just up ahead, in an area that wasn't part of our challenge. I figured Deuce wouldn't be here after he collected it, but... Maybe he hasn't found it yet, deep within the mines somewhere." Jack mused aloud.

"Whoa... Isn't this that one area? The one where we were attacked by a real ugly monster while searching for magic gems?" Ace asked Strix and Grim.

"The very one." Strix affirmed.

"Hey." Leona cocked his head to the direction, "Get over here. I found something a little exciting."

Ruggie perks up. "Magic gems?!"

"Nah. Something that's no doubt rarer in this place."

Sebek squints as his vision is accustomed to the darkness. "What? Is that... a cauldron?! What's a cauldron doing this far in the mines?"

A muffled voice arises from within. "That voice... Is that Sebek?"

Navy blue hair peeks out before bright peacock green eyes and a spade mark hovered above the rim. "I knew it! And Jack, Ace, and all my senpai... Grim and Strix, too! Why is everyone..."

"What do you mean, why? We came here looking for you." Jack told him.

"You're lookin' sharp! Why didn't ya come back?!" Grim snarked.

Ace couldn't believe this. "You mean you were playing hooky in a cauldron this whole time? Get outta here..."

"Don't make a sound!" Hushed Deuce.

Everyone was confused. "Huh?"

"You ungrateful... We came all this way just to rescue you!! And yet you're being awfully stuck-up for a mere human!!!" Sebek boomed.

Deuce winced. "S-Sebek! Can you keep it down? If you shout like that..."

The sound of something dragged across the ground is heard.

Color drains from the spade soldier's face. "Crap... Here it comes!"

The grating noise approaches closer.

Ruggie pinpointed the sources and points, "Something's coming from behind!"

A dreadful voice that doesn't sound human moans, "Mine... belong... me..."

Shivers crawled down Ruggie's spine."What... is that...?"

Grim couldn't utter a word. Moans leave him in its place.

Strix's eyes widen. "That's-!"

Emerald green lantern light swings into view. A faceless monster whose head bleeds with ink bears a striking semblance to its red counterpart. It moans, "Mine... stone..."

"A lantern... pickaxe, and ink dripping from its face... It's the monster Deuce was talking about!" Jack said.

"It's got a different color... I think we found its brother." Strix muttered dreadfully, face paling upon the realization that there could be five other of those monstrosities lurking in the Dwarfs' Mine.

"This ain't the time for chit-chat!" Grim squawked at the girl while Jack helped Deuce out of the cauldron.

"We didn't run into anything like this until now... Almost like it was hidden in a tunnel somewhere." Jack muttered.

Deuce frowned. "No good. It's totally blocking off our exit... We'll have to fight."

"Wh— Are you for real...?!" Ace gaped at his dorm mate in disbelief.

"Get that 'it's all over' look off your face. I've got some built-up resentment to unleash after all that annoying crap Vargas said." Leona grabbed a nearby pickaxe and rested it on his shoulder, scowling at the monster.

"Ahah. Same~! I'm in the mood to knock a strong guy flat after Remora duped us." Floyd whipped out his fishing rod.

"K-Knock it flat... Do you see how strong that thing is?!" Ace points exaggeratedly at the monster.

"This is nothing." Leona arrogantly told the boy.

A bead of sweat runs down Deuce's temple as he leaned onto Jack for support. "I'm still worn out from summoning that cauldron... Any further without a gem would be..."

"Don't overdo it." Strix assured him at his other free side.

Leona clicked his tongue. "...Tch. Damn herbivores. I told you, I've got your back. But if you're still worried... Hey, Ruggie."

"Hm?"

"Raise both arms and start jumping."

Cue blank deadpans from everyone.

Ruggie stared. "Uh, what's the matter, Leona-san? We're in an emergency, so why...?"

"Ruggie. I said jump."

Relenting to his glowering gaze, Ruggie hops in place. Tiny colorful shards flew out of his pockets and clink delicately on the ground around him.

"Hm? Somethin' just flew outta the pocket of Ruggie's jacket." Grim walks over to pick up the object from the ground. He squints at it. "This glittering rock is..."

Everyone's eyes dilated. "A magic gem?!"

"W-W-Why, youuuu...!! You still have gems up your sleeves at a time like this?!" The livid Sebek points at the hyena with a trembling finger.

Jack pinched a gem between his fingers. "Not only that, but they're way bigger than the one we used at the swamp..."

"Ugh... My precious magic gems! You're awful, Leona-san! The least you could do is keep quiet about it!" Ruggie swerved to the man who was not the least remorseful.

"Remora's so greedy... I'm, like, actually a little impressed. Enough to rival Azul, really." Floyd mused.

"He's like the hyena counterpart of Azul." Strix remarked duly.

The faceless green dwarf monster moans, "Stone... Stoooone..."

An irate Ruggie scowls at it. "Ugh. To hell with it! I'm gonna make you answer for the punishment of my gem nabbing crimes!"

"So you admit you knew it was a crime..." Strix deadpanned.

With magic gems to spare, Leona, Ruggie, and Floyd are enabled to attack with magic.

"...Our senpai are freakin' amazing." Was what Ace said after seeing the three in action.

Deuce nodded. "Yeah... And it's as strong as last time... No, maybe even stronger."

Jack watched as the monster becomes weaker. "They're pushing it back!"

"That all you got? Not very effective." Leona scoffed.

Meanwhile Ruggie was hunched over gasping for breath.

The brunet glanced over. "What's the matter, Ruggie? Can't catch your breath?"

Ruggie rubbed his nose. He boasts a grin. "I was just having a teensy bit of trouble is all. No sweat."

"Leona-senpai's magic is more breathtaking than the rest... Though Ruggie-senpai drew the monster's attack to himself and dodged it at the last minute. They're as awesome as I thought...!" Jack said excitedly.

The monster sways. "Won't give... belong... mineeee!!"

"Talk about persistent. I hate that. Ah, but no giving up. 'Cause if you do... It'll be boring as hell!" Floyd taunts.

"Floyd-senpai's just as brutal. Aiming for vital points over and over, and with huge magic to boot..." Ace winced internally just imagining being at Floyd's mercy.

"Are you three just going to stand there and surrender the leading role?! You cowards. If you've no will to fight, then stand back!" Sebek barked.

A fire ignited Ace's cherry red eyes. "...Now he's gone and done it."

"...Yeah. But we're not like we were before!" Deuce faced the monster with determination.

Floyd glanced behind to the first years. "They're getting a little worked up over there. Sea Lion-senpai, Remora. I'm fed up, so let's end this already."

"I'm down. I don't feel like picking on the weak any longer than this." Leona said.

Ruggie nodded. "...Then let's send this thing flying!"

"I'll act as support! Leave the healing to Catanuki!" Strix told the boys, Catanuki summoned beside her.

Upon hearing her voice reverberate in the narrow tunnel, the blot monster slowly turned to her direction.

"You... Youuu..."

Strix's blood ran cold. Despite not having eyes, its words seemed to pin her in place.

"Youu... Yooouuu!!!"

"Yes it's me, what about it?!" Cried an exasperated Strix. Just get to the point already!

The dwarf monster haphazardly swung its pickaxe in a rampage. Everyone covers their ears from the roar echoing throughout the whole mine.

Deuce peeked an eye open. "Did it realize we were the ones who defeated its friend?!"

"Whatever it is, we gotta get away! We're done for if we're caught in it!" Ace hollered.

It swings a mighty arc with its emerald lantern. The strong shockwave deterred the boys from getting close and striking back.

Strix loses her footing and is sent flying backwards. Yet when she was expecting her back to skid across stone, the sinking feeling in her stomach only deepened.

Just like the steep pit of imminent death awaiting beyond the edge of a cliff.

Resounding cries calling her name rang dully in her ears as the whistling wind sweeps them away.

Time appeared to slow as the center of gravity pulls her in.

A dark ceiling dotted with glittering rainbow gems. It was a dazzling sight, Strix thought.

She saw a scenery like this before. But when...? Where?

Unfamiliar images flash in her mind.

[A sparkling midnight sky canvas devoid of clouds.]

[A white round table for two situated underneath.]

[The back of a dark, anonymous silhouette's head gazing into the world above. The vision was too obscure to make out any distinctions of their appearance.]

"Shrimpy!"

Bright blue eyes reeled back to reality.

"Fin Fatale, Zero Gravity!"

A transparent black sphere encompassed the girl and suspends her from the laws of gravity.

Fin Fatale floats near its master who was slowly revolving within the magic sphere. Her heart was nearly about to leap out of her throat!

A purple octopus lure dangles into view. She looks up to meet a yellow glowing eye, the guiding light shining brightly than any other untouched gem in this abandoned site.

Floyd stood before the edge of the cliff with his fishing rod equipped. "Hold on!"

Without a second of hesitation, Strix grabbed the lure.

Floyd reels the human back to the surface easily thanks to the zero gravity spell casted on Strix. He catches her in his arms just as the gravity magic faded.

Strix clutched his jacket upon her weight being registered. After he remained still, she slowly looks up.

Floyd sported a grin. "I caught a Shrimpy~"

Strix couldn't help but crack a smile. "Nice catch, Floyd-senpai."

He sets her back to her feet and the two return to the fray when everyone else was fighting.

"Hey, Strix! Think the plan before will work on this guy, too?" Ace yelled before unleashing his wind magic.

"It's too cramped! We'll have to defeat it here some other way!" Strix yelled back. She quickly scanned her surroundings and conjured a plan right after. "And I got just the plan! Everyone shield your eyes!"

Once they do without question, she commands her raccoon Spirit, "Catanuki, Sparkra!"

Two rings of revolving light crystals manifest before the monster. The gems embedded everywhere in the tunnel react to the strong light magic spell and glow in response. The light show from both the magic and the stones was too intense for the mine dwelling creature who lurks close to their precious stones in the dark.

Colorful lights was constantly flashing in its vision. The faceless monster flailed in vain for the source until they roared in agony.

The dwarf blot incarnation melts into a black puddle before dissipating, leaving a sooty black smudge stain on the ground where it perished.

When Sparkra faded, everyone slowly looked up to find no monsters and a bright tunnel lit by empowered gemstones. It was a beautiful sight to behold.

Ruggie stared at the spot where the monster was destroyed. "...Is it over...?"

"Looks like it." Said Leona.

Ruggie released a long sigh. "I'm beat. I get the feeling I know the answer already, but everyone's alive, right?"

"As if I'd ever lose to some indeterminable creature." Said Sebek.

"Aw, man. I was hoping it'd hold out a little longer." Floyd slumped his shoulders, disappointed.

"Now, I can finally...leave this place..." Deuce mumbled barely above a whisper, exhaustion apparent. "That monster attacked when I went to retrieve the pickaxe I left behind. I hid in a cauldron I summoned after it drove me deeper into the mines. But I'm... ultimately at my... limit."

"Whoa, hey! Don't lean on me like that! You sure you're okay, Deuce?!" Ace glanced to his barely conscious dorm mate in concern.

"Are you saying you were trapped in there this whole time...? That'd wear a guy out for sure." Said Jack.

A growl rivaling a beast's fell on their ears.

They stared at Deuce.

Grim doubled over, cackling. "Was that your stomach? That was loud!"

"I thought that was Grim's for a split second..." Strix admitted.

Deuce flushed in embarrassment under their staring. "I-I haven't eaten since yesterday! It's not my fault!"

Ace rolled his eyes. "Man. Talk about anticlimactic... But at least he's okay, right?"

"Yeah. I'm glad we didn't just ditch him. I wouldn't be able to sleep if we did." Jack silently sighed in relief.

"...Thanks for coming to my rescue, guys." Deuce said.

"It's a good thing we went looking." Strix smiled.

"Hey. Are you through making a scene yet, or do you want to get disbanded? Let's mosey." Leona urged on.

Sebek gasped. "I completely forgot! Our efforts will all be for naught if we don't arrive back at the cottage in time. Let's make haste!"

Ruggie remained standing in place.

Floyd notices his silence. "...Hm? What's up, Remora? That's one serious frown. What, you don't wanna leave? Camp ending got you down?"

"I don't want to go back... I've come too far to go back without mining for any magic gems! Especially now that every little stone here is ripe for the picking thanks to Strix's raccoon friend! Not a chance!" Ruggie stubbornly said.

"They'll just dissolve your club if you're late, and besides, you won't get your reward. That okay with you?" Jack asked.

"...I figure I should give up on this one. But even if we're disbanded, if I sell enough of excavated magic gems... I'll make a pretty good killing!" Ruggie muttered to himself.

"This guy literally never stops thinking about how to make a madol..." Ace deadpanned.

"Throwing the Magift club under the bus like that... What a terrible guy." Deuce sent Ruggie a disproving look.

"How selfish can you be! Your greed is absurd. We're heading back. Now!" Sebek ordered.

Deuce raised a brow. "And leave behind someone who came to my rescue...?"

"...Man. Now I'm kinda irritated. We beat the monster, so there's no real point in being in this dark, narrow, and super boring place anymore." Floyd grouched.

He slowly glanced to Ruggie. "...Hey, Remora."

"Hm?"

"Time to use my 'one single favor'. I want to go back. Now. So drop the gem thing."

"Seriously?! N-N-No waaay..." Ruggie moaned in despair.

"You promised, right?" Floyd reminded.

Sebek laughs. "Not bad! Surely that'll fulfill the conditions of your bargain!"

The hyena groans loudly. "Fine. I'll throw in the towel this time. Until the day we come around to collect the gems, and so no one can find this place... We better hide the path heading into the mines with a boulder. You can at least help me with that!"

"You plan on coming back...?" Leona made a face at the second year.

Ruggie soon let out a defeated sigh. "Let's get out of here quick, before I start having any regrets."

Everyone leaves the mines, the goal-oriented of the group such as Sebek and Jack leading in the front while Ruggie trailed in the back with visible clouds of gloominess looming above his sunken stature. His hands were buried deep in his pockets and his steps were heavy.

Strix eventually matched her pace with the hyena.

He glanced to the girl before moodily sulking. "Are you gonna lecture me like those goody two shoes up front? Been there, done that."

She smiled sympathetically. "I'm not going to do that, that'd be rubbing it in your face. Come on, cheer up. Here, I'll even hold your hand to make you feel better."

"Why would I wanna..."

She shoved her fist into his pocket.

Ruggie gave a start. "Hey-!"

He fell silent.

Widened blue gray slowly acknowledged the girl beside him.

Strix innocently stared back. "See? Isn't it nice to hold hands?"

Tiny jagged fragments had grazed his hand and fallen to the pit of his pockets. There was enough for a handful.

A myriad of emotions swirled in the boy's mind yet none could filter any out his gaping mouth. He was at a loss for words that the look on his face is borderline comical.

Strix grinned mirthfully, vaguely reminiscent of Ruggie's. "Has the hyena become a catfish now?"

His ears wiggled, and if Strix had looked behind, his tail was also wagging animatedly. A happy blush was on his cheeks.

Just when her hand was about to slip away, Ruggie grabbed hold of it in his pocket.

Strix stifled a squeak from the warmth spreading from his palm. Ruggie was in his own little world now with a silly grin plastered shamelessly.

While following her role as a record keeper, she had collected any forsaken shards to bring back as souvenirs every time she visited the mines. It might be because of the magic in them that she thought the gems were prettier than any normal gem. She gathered too much in the end, and spared enough to put in a tiny vial for herself while giving the rest to Ruggie.

Strix mustered a smile. It's actually cute to see him so blissfully happy after everyone else had denied him of his gems. To be honest, she would have been a little depressed too if she was in his shoes, speaking as a broke adolescent youth with meager monthly allowances issued by an incompetent bird (meanwhile said bird sneezed elsewhere).

Not that she would be so greedy to throw everything and everyone else under the bus to satiate her desires, but it's hard to not not feel sympathetic for the hyena.

Leona glanced behind to see the sunshine and flowers around Ruggie and says nothing.

He rolled his eyes. Strix just loves to spoil the hyena rotten, doesn't she.

...

At the cottage, everyone else was waiting for their departure. Crowley had arrived earlier and was expecting every student to be present, yet...

"It's almost time, Coach Vargas."

"Right. Though not a lot of students have assembled yet, by the look of it. So where are they loafing around right about now...?"

Just then, the missing group of students run up to them.

"Sorry about the wait!!" Ruggie spoke up.

"Why, there you are. You just barely made it back in time." Crowley said.

"What took you all so long?" Vargas asked.

"Y'see... A monster showed up!" Ruggie told him.

The brunet man raised a brow. "Monster?"

"I swear!"

"We ventured into the mines some time ago to search for the missing Deuce, but... A creature unlike any I'd ever seen came for us." Sebek explained.

"And like, that thing was pretty stubborn, so... By the time we realized it, it was already this late." Floyd added.

"I see... So that's what went down, huh. You were late because you were fighting a monster..."

Vargas crossed his arms and pondered momentarily.

"Like I'd fall for that flimsy excuse!!"

Strix and company were stunned in silence; petrified, even.

"To think you tried to cover up your tardy behavior by deceiving me with such a petty lie... You bring me to tears! Your muscles are weeping with me!! Did you even learn anything at Vargas Camp?!"

Crowley gestured him to calm down with his staff. "Now, now, Coach Vargas. Never mind the lies they told... Take a good look at their eyes. They're keen, and attentive, as if they've recently gone through some life-threatening ordeal. Unsurprisingly, they grew a good deal during their stay at Vargas Camp. I'm looking forward to the next excursion."

Vargas laughed. "Jumping the gun, are we?" His sapphire blue eyes return to them. "All right, you lot. Scamper on back to your clubs. We'll be heading back to the academy shortly!"

Ruggie was astonished. "Whoa, whoa—why'd you just fast-forward that conversation?! If you've got a sec, Coach Vargas—"

"Let it go, Ruggie. There's no convincing that muscle-headed idiot when he didn't see it for himself." Leona told him.

"Y-Yeah, but!"

"Arguing with him's a waste of time. That was pretty much decided when we chose not to warn Vargas." Leon said as he returns to his Magift club.

Ruggie stared. "Seriously...?"

Everyone else in their respective clubs were doubtful of this monster they supposedly fought while absent. No one believed them, no matter how much the witnesses insisted on the monster's existence.

With the Ramshackle duo and the track club...

"Why's Vargas gotta be so difficult...?" Grim remarked after seeing his reaction.

"It's got to be tough to digest what we're telling him. I mean, we didn't even believe Deuce when he told us that story about the monster." Jack said.

"For real. Besides, it's crazy that we were attacked by a monster like that for a second time..." Deuce slumped his shoulders. To think they'd relive the trauma again...

"Let's hope we don't repeat this five times..." Strix muttered.

However, Jack heard her clear as day. "Don't you mean the third time?"

"Yeah, sure," She replied dismissively, sleepy at this point.

Her mind continues to return to the Dwarfs' Mine. That place has far more significance than she realized. Not just the mystery of those blot monsters, but the site also somehow... resonates with her. A compelling force just begging to be uncovered.

What really stuck with her was the monster's words.

"Youu... Yooouuu!!!"

For some reason, those words impacted her, despite being completely vague as hell. At first she thought it had suspected her to have "stolen" their precious gems even though she non-actively picked up shards scattered about at her leisure. She thought it was harmless to bring some back and store them in a bottle.

Their words were bleeding with fury... As if accusing her of committing a sin. She couldn't shake it off even now, because of how it applies to her in many ways that she didn't deny were true. For a second she had misheard someone else utter those words directly to her. Her chest was aching since then.

Was it also for killing the red monster? Or was there more to it that no one but the monster, who is no longer alive, knows? The answer may be found if she returns to the mines again.

She clutched her gold heart lock. Would she really want to know the secrets even if it shatters her world to a million pieces like the shards she individually picked up? Whatever the case, Mt. Dwarf continues to unnerve her.

Did she learn anything from Vargas Camp? Some basic survival skills for sure. Did she have fun? If you asked her after that freak incident, she would not want to come back to camping for a long while.

After all that, she can say one thing for sure...

Strix slowly inhaled before lifting her gaze to the sunny sky, raising a trembling fist at it.

"Camp was a mistake."

~~~~~~~

(1)- Since the theme for this event is using brand names, I used the official Night Ravens logo for inspiration. They have it on their website and on the poster featuring all the members. In no way do I own the logos.