The air, the sky clears. I head over to Leona with the rest. Grim's over his unconscious form, poking his face.

"Grim, c'mon…" I sigh, hefting him up a little, putting his head in my lap. If it's like Riddle, it's going to be a few minutes.

"Really? You're going to be nice?" Cater asks with some disbelief; but he's also immediately taking a picture afterward.

Ass.

I can't help threading my hand through his hair a little, getting out some sand that's in there. "...Well, Trey was holding Riddle—but I don't expect that from Ruggie or Jack."

"Definitely not." Ruggie huffs.

Jack just looks away awkwardly.

There's a lot of chatter going on, but honestly I'm still in the throes of Leona's thoughts and memories. I know it's that now, what I'm hearing around an Overblot, after Riddle.

I can't help the toll it takes on me either. It's just too much.

I need to sleep after that. Just to process everything that happened today.

Grim scoffs. "Hey! Wake up!"

Lilia arrives with the Headmaster, just after the good part.

The vampire (I think) just gives me this weird smile; like he knew.

Crowley sighs, looking over Leona. "Ah… another Overblot, I'm told… how could a second one happen?" The Crow laments.

Riddle sighs. "I can't imagine. It doesn't make sense…"

There's little talk that I'm paying attention to at this point.

"Heeey! Wake up!" Grim—really?

Ugh.

"Mhuh?" Leona's dark, emerald eyes slowly open. He looks so dazed and confused.

"Great! You're awake! I didn't know what we'd do if you didn't." Grim nods sagely… sure. This is all about the Tournament. "So hurry up and confess!"

The guy almost died. "Grim, he could've died. Chill."

Leona's eyes are wide and shocked. He looks so confused. "What are you talking about?" He's starting to sit up. I do my best to support and help.

"Easy does it."

"Kingscholar." Ugh, I do hate the Headmaster's serious tone.

"Headmaster…" He winces, though. I've got a good hold, though.

"Take it easy."

"You went into Overblot… your negative thoughts, your feelings consumed you completely." The Headmaster explains. "Do you not remember anything?"

I give Lilia fucking Vanrogue a LOOK.

"Me? Overblot? No, no way…" Leona has such a look of disbelief.

"That's my name, don't wear it out…" I murmur to myself, and myself only. It's fucking funny.

"Who CARES about that?! The Tournament's about to start!" GRIM.

"God fuck Grim." I murmur.

"If you don't confess I don't get to participate!" G R I M.

I can feel the looks he's getting too.

"Huh? What even?" Leona asks, he's dazed and confused.

"The Headmaster promised them they could participate in the Tournament if they found the culprit." Jack explains.

I really don't care—I can't participate—I have izero/i magic, and I don't mind if Grim has fun but like, wow, I need to teach him tact and manners so bad. HOW do I teach that, though?

"What?! All of this bullshit just for that?!" Ruggie, why are you surprised? You'd probably kill someone for a sandwich.

"And who are you to talk!? You went around and injured all those players to cheat in the Tournament! You even caused a stampede!" Okay, so Grim is right in this regard.

"I—I mean that's true, but…" There's Ruggie's confession at least. BINGO.

Leona's getting to his feet. "Hey, careful-" I try to stop him but he's quick and on his feet.

I sigh, and I'm surprised that he holds his hand out. Well, I take it, and he hauls me up with surprising strength.

"So then, you are the ones behind it all?" That's such a disappointed voice from Crowley, too.

"Yeah." Leona responds tiredly.

"...I understand. I hereby disqualify Savanaclaw from the Tournament." Well, that was—uh. Ouch, Mr. Crow Pimp. "And you will apologize to everyone injured. Do I make myself clear?"

"Whatever." Leona doesn't… care.

Ruggie and Jack look so… dejected.

"Headmaster—please, wait." Riddle has such a calm, reasonable voice right now, too.

I am so surprised to see Riddle with a bunch of the injured students, including the crutch-hobbling Trey and the Scarabia student we met earlier, Jamil. How did I not notice all of this happening?

"Headmaster, we, the victims, have a request." Trey starts. "Please allow Savanaclaw to participate in the Tournament."

Crowley seems confused. "What? What are you saying? Are you saying you'll forgive this?" He seems so confused but I know these students well enough already. It's not forgiveness: they want revenge.

"...What even…" Ruggie doesn't trust it.

"No." Jamil is stern. "We aren't forgiving them. We want an opportunity to see them trounced."

"We can't get revenge unless they compete." Trey is just as cold. I see this man in a new light. But he's still definitely husband material.

Ruggie and Jack are taken aback.

"Revenge?!" Jack just—oof. Poor guy. Wrong dorm.

"Spelldrive is a competitive sport, after all." Trey grins. This evil side of his. What even. I like it though, makes him more human. "It's a sport where you go against your opponents with all the magic you have, after all."

"Yeah—I won't feel better unless I get to hit them at least once!" Another Heartslabyul student calls out.

And the drama queen dorm has their say: "It's a duel! We cannot allow them to back out!"

This school is full of fucks that need therapy.

"Oh, but Savanaclaw does look pretty beat…" Jamil—I-that smirk on that man's face. I know he's a problem too, now. No trust for this guy. Wow.

"We know who did it, and now we want our revenge on the field." Trey.

He belongs here, at least.

"Remember, Leona? It's not against the rules to use your magic on the field, after all." Cater's a fucking sadist, I've called it.

"You okay to keep standing?" Leona looks unsteady, so of course I ask.

He gives me a weirded-out look. "Something's wrong with you, herbivore."

Yep, I get an arm around him, and he clearly doesn't have the wherewithal to shrug me off right now. "Just—take the help. Okay?"

That fucking iasshole/i. But… after getting all that bullshit in his head… I really can't… help helping.

"I wouldn't normally encouraging using traditional events as a method of revenge; however, Trey wants it no matter what—thus, I will let it go this once." Merciless Riddle is here—but it's sweet he'd let it slide for Trey, too.

"I understand your feelings." But DO you, Crowley?

"However, the Savanaclaw students look like they are in no condition to play now." He's still considering it though. What is with these people? "And Kingscholar… he's barely standing."

"Oh fuck off." Leona replies. Wow. The disrespect. He's even laughing! "Underestimating me is a mistake, Crowley." Wow. WOW. "I can devour them in my sleep." The ego on him.

I.

Why do I feel bad for him, again?

I no longer feel bad for him.

And the smirk on Jamil's face in response. "We'll see."

My intuition is also telling me that Jamil is dangerous and it's been pretty right so far—but technically because I don't have magic: EVERYONE is dangerous.

"I'm not apologizing to a single person here—you'll have to earn it with my defeat. Good luck." Well, I mean, while I know those inner thoughts it's this ego that's putting me off. Leona Kingscholar. Maybe… I'll try and talk to him later? He definitely needs someone to talk to despite how absolutely off-putting he is as a person.

"Well, what do you say, Headmaster, is that acceptable?" Trey, despite showing his dark side, is very reasonable.

"Oh, good grief—what a fool I am to think that you all would have a proper, heart-filled conversation to sort this out!" The Headmaster laments.

"How long have you been here to not know that? It's been like, what, two weeks? And iI/i know that. I'm not even from this WORLD and I know that!" I am so exasperated with Crowley right now.

He's giving me such a frown. "Very well! I will not oppose Savanaclaw's participation." He starts mumbling to himself, and I don't catch it. Weird ass Headmaster. He clears his throat and speaks up. "Very well! The audience is waiting for the players to arrive—let us hurry!"

"Alright, let us-" Leona flinches. "—that hurts."

I don't think Leona's in shape for this.

Ruggie scoffs a little at Leona. "I'm not forgiving you already or anything…"

"Yeah? That right?" Leona has that hand to his temple again.

"But… I just don't want you to make that sad face again. It was awful. Cocky attitude and cheeky smirks suit you better. Got it?" Ruggie is the most honest about his feelings here and that's not saying much. I am entirely and thoroughly disappointed with everyone at all times. About.

Grim is the most honest about his feelings but it's all terribly selfish.

SIGH.

"So you need to laugh with me!" And I watch Ruggie's Unique Magic in person, has he makes Leona smile and move.

"Ruggie!"

Ruggie's in a fit of snickering. "I've always wanted to use this on you!"

"Stop this shit!"

"What are you two even doing?" But there's a bit of a smile on Jack's lips. This is Mr. Dishonest with his Feelings Number One, too.

"I like that you're smiling, Jack." I'm teasing a little bit.

He immediately huffs, frowns, and looks put-off. "No—no I didn't."

What did I think? Yeah.

Tsun tsun.

"...Thanks for the help—thanks, but I can fight my battles on my own." Jack is so dishonest it kind of hurts a little.

"And as of now we are enemies on the field, Jack—I will not show you mercy." Riddle's smiling too as he says that and that just makes me uncomfortable with the high-level of viciousness here.

"I wouldn't want it any other way." Jack.

It is an all boys school. They are very competitive. It's a thing, and it's not a bad thing, but boy this is how I know I do not fit in at all. I would like to talk all of this out and share feelings right about now—but there's probably that Texan in me that wants to punch a couple people in the face too. It's a weird mix of emotions. I might be…

Oh boy I hope not.

I am not looking forward to that.

"HEY! Headmaster! We caught them! And YOU made US a promise to participate in the Tournament!" I almost forgot but I know Grim wouldn't.

"That IS right, isn't it?" I have zero interest, but Grim's little heart is set on being seen in this Tournament and why would I let Crowley crush his dreams when I want him to participate in classes? Yeah.

"Oh? Ah? Did… did I promise something? That? Really?" Oh he is playing dumb. "Ah—but I already announced the Tournament was starting… what can I even do? I didn't think you'd solve the case!" This. Asshole.

"Eh?! A scam!?" Grim—oh no.

I usually do not grab the sleeves of my professors' but I have one of his sleeves in hand. I give it a tug, looking up at him with the blankest expression I've ever possessed. "And we have ghost witnesses to that promise as well, iHeadmaster/i. You wouldn't want to be an educator that lies to students, would you?" Zero bullshit.

"I guess I just need to set your ass on fire!" Grim, no threats. I've got this.

Because I see the shocked look on the Headmaster's face. He's pretty surprised at me. GOOD.

"Ah? Were you holding onto wanting to participate too, No Wei?" Uh, no, Headmaster Problematic.

"I just want you to keep your promises to Grim. You want him to be a proper, productive student, and how can he be if he has no trust in professors and other administrators at this school?" If I were just sixteen and not sixteen again I would never be able to make clear, concise arguments like this. At all.

"Let's—let's not get too hasty! I will of course come up with a solution!" He's smiling, but he's also well aware he's trapped. "Oh! I've got it—why not we add you to the exhibition match to warm up the crowd while the teams prepare? It will be nice to get the crowd going with a participant match—and the excuse of the stampede is perfect to delay the proper start! What do you say, are you excited to play?" His arms are wide and welcoming—and I realize like I have zero strength because he literally just drags me along with no problem. UM. WHAT.

The fuck.

I let go. That smile bothers me.

"Really!?" Oh, Grim, he's all hopeful like a little kid.

"Yes!" Crowley is… hmm. Suspicious.

"Yes! As long as I'm center stage! Woo!" Grim, I have a feeling. "I want to be center stage!"

"Doesn't a team need seven players?" Um. I am the down on this parade, raining logic and causing problems.

"Oh—right… players and opponents…" Crowley. Why.

"Did you forget that too?!" Oh, Grim.

"You did say you'd handle the details too, Headmaster." I am so disappointed in this supposed role model.

"I mean, we can take care of that!" Oh, so that's where dumb one is.

And dumb two! "We'll play on your team!"

Riddle frowns at them. "And what are you doing? You're Heartslabyul students!" Oh, is that a twinge of betrayal?

"But there's no rules against joining other teams in the tournament…" Ace is quick-tongued sometimes and right. Good thinking.

Trey's laughing. "And he's right!"

"That sounds like fun! I want to join No's team!" Uh. Cater.

"Why… would I be playing?" I never wanted to play. I have no magic.

"You are already a proper member of iour/i team, Cater." Oh, Riddle's getting a little huffy! It's kind of cute.

"I'm not here to poach players, promise." I do not want teapot tyrant temper today.

"AH—right." Cater. Don't be dumb.

"It's boring to just sit and watch other people play—if we get the change, of course we want to join!" Ace is pretty hyped about this, too.

"I—I'm not like that." Deuce, there's no need to lie. "I just want to help my friend! No doesn't even have magic… it's pretty dangerous."

"Which is why I didn't want to participate and I shouldn't…?" I. I have a feeling I have no choice. Uh. UH.

I do not want to be on national TV in front of scores of people.

I may already be in my athletic gear, but that's because I do not have a proper fancy uniform and this is comfy.

Uh.

Fuck me what.

I do not appreciate tall Leona by my side either, he's got a hand on my shoulder and that feels like danger. "We'll take the role of opponent, Captain Wei." Uh. UH. He is giving me a look.

"...I need an adult…" I murmur.

"I am an adult." Leona replies.

"I mean a responsible adult." I snap back.

He just chuckles. "You're at the wrong school."

Fuck. He's got me there.

"Really?!" Grim looks excited.

"What, would you rather the teachers team instead?" Jack asks.

"Fuck no." I reply.

"No Wei! We don't use that language!" Oh, now Crowley's listening?

"But No's my name." I reply like I don't know what I said.

"I—what-!?" Hah. Eat it, Crowley.

"Hey~ You're really a nice guy, aren't you?" Ace teases Jack. He's right though.

"Don't you get the wrong idea! I'm just paying back a favor!" Oh, Jack gets so huffy when he's called out. That's so cute. So tsun tsun. "It's fine, right, Dorm Leader?"

Ruggie sighs. "We're already beat and you wanna give us more work? You're evil, Jack."

"Annoying… but maybe No Wei here needs to get put down a couple pegs." Leona. Why. What did I do.

I definitely take a step away from him. "I have no idea what you're going on about."

He gives me a smirk. "I know the ringleader when I see them."

"What?!" I am regretting all my nice thoughts effective immediately.

"Even if it's an exhibition match, we won't go easy on you." Leona. Why. "Be prepared."

"Oh good! Now I don't have to ask Professor Trein to make his speech longer by three hours! How lovely." Crowley, uh. "Well! You have four!" The fuck we have four. "If you find three more—you can play."

"You were supposed to arrange that." I remind.

Grim complains, "This should be enough! We even got people from other dorms! We're only two at Ramshackle!"

"Grim—what about the ghosts? Remember? We played with them earlier—and there's three I can think of right now that already know how to play Spelldrive." Chonk, Smol, and Stickbug.

All memes all the time.

"Oh—so anyone that exists in the dorm counts, right?!" Grim perks up.

"Ghosts…?" Ace asks.

"You want the ghosts…?" Crowley's so shocked. "Really?!"

"Why not?" I offer.

"One of them was a star player, too! He'll be great!" Stickbug! Grim remembers.

"Let's get 'em! Woo hoo! I'll be on TV soon!" Grim is so excited. And, we've got a full solution to our problem.

"Can the ghosts even make good opponents…?" Jack asks.

"It'll be fine—No's on the team and he doesn't even have magic to use!" THANKS ACE.

"I am an unwilling participant, I want everyone to remember." I really am.

"I'm a bit nervous… we're going to be on TV…" Deuce has the same idea as me. Yeah. This is ridiculous.

"Let's get going—but did anyone see a black jewel on the ground?" Why is Crowley asking about that…?

Everyone in ear shot looks around. "A black jewel?" Ace asks.

"Did you drop something, Headmaster?" Deuce asks.

Like… hm. Why does that conjure something up? Ah…

"Well—nevermind for now! Let's get to the Colosseum!" He sounds so perky too. Suspicious Crow man.

"No. Let's go." Jack gestures me along with a grin.

"Yeah." I am admittedly a little wobbly. He catches my elbow when I stumble with a bit of a frown on his face.

"Are you up for this?" He asks.

"I'm emotionally drained. I'll be fine by the time we get there." I grin. "Thanks, Jack."

"Sure. Whatever." Tsun tsun.