Chapter XI. Toto the Genie


In the Forfeiters' Tent

Last we checked, Jazz and Schneider became the first from the Misfit Class to have fallen from the Harvest Festival. Flabbergasted, Ameri asked what were they doing in the Forfeiters' Tent. Well, obviously eating some demon ramen for dinner.

"Now that we've had to forfeit, all we can do now is eat or place bets." Explained Jazz.

"You forfeited, did you? How long ago did that happen?" Asked Ameri.

"Are you willing to hear us out?" Asked Jazz, appearing to have something terrible behind his loss.

This even peeked interest from the rest of the Student Council. Whatever it was, it truly was a horror for Jazz and Schneider.


Flashback

During Day 2, Daylight

After a long haul of snooping and stealing, Jazz made a plan with his and Schneider's faces unveiled from their master plan. They wanted to switch from block to block while at their thievery.

They ran to a wall of roots with a total of 12,800 points, that would be divided into 6,400 points for both of them. If they want to be at the top, more points would be necessary - especially to not be humiliated by Sergeant Furfur again. Mentioning Furfur just irked Jazz to the core because he resembled his older brother, Rock M. Andro, comparable at their desire to not quit with pushing him down to be at their worst.

"Is this apparent filth you're related to... truly that awful?" Asked the lion-headed demon.

"He's the epitome of selfishness!" Ranted the ringed young man, "He's walking evil! In the end, he will inconvenience you in every possible way... and you'll die!"

"Ah, yes. Terrifying." Commented Schneider.

Geez, if you remember from Volume II of how Rock was a simply a horrible brother to Jazz, you'll definitely see why the latter loathes him so badly. Of course, there is one thing that has kept him from retaliating on his own brother. His younger sister: Sonata. Of course, being a good older brother to his younger sister and dealing criticism from his older brother has made Jazz conflicted internally. And those are not even the peak of it yet.

While Jazz seemed to have gotten dizzy from his vent, he suddenly saw his brother lying around in front of him on one of the roots along the pathway and his younger sister standing right beside the former. But, this wasn't possible. There was no way two outsiders could easily gain access to the festival's venue in one piece. If that wasn't bad enough, Rock seemed to have a lot more of... himself?! This was a complete mania of confusion and provocation. How was this even possible when clearly there was no explanation for this? Was this a strange effect from a plant? A hallucination, even? Calming down was made just as impossible, especially with his brother calling him a watered-down version of whose narcissism deemed supreme. And that was the last straw before a kick to the face was delivered. But this, along with the innocent face and voice of his sister ("I am disappointed in you, Jazz.") was where it was too late to realize, Jazz had been tricked by an illusion. Surrounded in green smoke was no other than the second-place achiever of the entrance examination, Coco Orobas, blocking Jazz's attack which is a violation of the Harvest Festival's only rule. Let's take a look at how this demon made it work.

The Orobas Clan's Bloodline Ability: Magical Lamp (Trauma)

Trauma by psychological definition is the deep distress or disturbance experienced by a sentient being. This usually bring severe psychological effects in the long run and may affect one's personality as they grow.

In the case of Coco, it is an illusionary ability that makes the target see a traumatic hallucination they would never want to see.

And just like that, Jazz was forced to the retirees' tent in a flash of this event. In a moment where wrath was evoked, Jazz let his guard down and his emotions took over his sense of consciousness in regards to knowing what is possible in the Netherworld.

End of Flashback


The recollection of that story once again forced grimace onto the fallen thief's head. Grave commented that Coco sounded like trouble while Western deduced Jazz was a victim of student hunting by an unlucky coincidence. However, Schneider disagreed because he remembered Coco had a book of the Misfits in his hands, with a plan to eliminate them all through the Festival. This meant the entire Misfit Class would be in grave danger if they end up in the same vicinity as him.

'Trauma... If he happened to use that ability... on Isabelle, Ryūko, and Iruma... will they emerge unscathed?' Worried Ameri as she looked at the festival on display.


Meanwhile

Iruma and Lied held the lyrics of the hymn given to their team while Isabelle, Acheron, and Ryūko took a glance at the riddle. They were attempting to decipher what it meant while in front of two stones with faces. Lied believed the "divorced wife" was the stone on the left with eyelashes. Ryūko added that the stones being set on a crossroad meant the Seeds of Beginnings and the Vases of Endings were on separate pathways based on the hymn. Lastly, Isabelle deduced a clue for the Legendary Leaf and the Shining Shrub should be right up ahead.

"But speaking of the lyrics, they're kinda long, aren't they? I mean they go on forever. Do you know how long it takes to check each place they mentioned? We have nowhere near that kind of time." Said Lied.

"Then... perhaps we should split up from here?" Suggested Ryūko, "I see that both ends of this hymn show the way to our acquirements without being disorganized. Iruma, please split the lyrics accordingly."

"Good idea, Sis!" Replied Iruma tearing the sheet in half, "That'll be faster for us to look around with."

"You two are pretty audacious sometimes, you know that?" Asked Lied in a slightly concerned smile.

"Okay, my sister and I will investigate the first half of the lyrics." Said Iruma.

"And I'll take the second half." Responded Lied.

"I shall accompany my housemates in finding the seeds." Isabelle chimed in.

"Lied, I will tag along with you in finding the vases and-" Acheron added before Lied interrupted him.

"Uh... maybe you should just accompany Iruma, Isa, and Ryūko." Said Lied.

"Are you sure? The path to the vases might be treacherous." Acheron concernedly replied.

"I can manage it on my own. I'll be fine." Lied reassured the young Silent Sniper heir.

"Okay. Suit yourself, man." Acheron shrugged in acceptance.

"Then, we shall meet here again when the seed and pot are in our hands." Finalized Ryūko before Lied went his way.

With the Suzuki twins back together, they, their housemate, and the Silent Sniper heir turned to the left fork by a hundred steps, finding the mother-in-law stone to circle around. A trapdoor was behind it, presumably an entrance to where the seed was hiding. As Iruma went down under, Ryūko closed the trapdoor behind them feeling uneasy.

"I have a feeling there's more than just studio cameras watching us down here." She whispered, "At least, I'm not under any sheets this time. Reficul, please do appear silently and be on my shoulder. Thy Prinzessin is not at mind's ease, but her familiar's presence shall alleviate the soul."

Her words spoke to her platinum Ring of Pride as the black phoenix emerged from it with warm greetings.

"This is quite unexpecting, Mein Fräulein." Said Reficul, "But as I have watched, you are feeling unwell. Fret not for I have arrived."

"Yes, please stay like this for the time, my dear companion." Sighed Ryūko as she went down with Iruma, Isabelle, and Acheron.

She soon stepped on a pressure plate on the stone ground of the cave that opened up the mouth of a lizard-like monument. Iruma had a fire at his fingertip to light their way into the dark stairway deeper below the surface. Alikred came out go Iruma's Ring of Gluttony excited about treasure hunting, bringing Reficul's flight to his fellow entity of Deadly Sin Rings.

"The legendary seed as stories told... Enjoying yourselves, Lil'Iru and Madame Ryūko?" Asked Alikred.

"Yeah, we are! It's really exciting looking for treasure underground." Answered Iruma.

"As for me, I've barely even recalled having any fun looking for things below the surface while I'm more concerned of snatching things and getting out of sight in one piece." Said Ryūko, sounding rather irritated with the thought.

"I must admit, though, I'm just gosh concerned." Said Alikred, "What are you gonna do if a magical beast attacks you, have you thought of that? Are you gonna be able to survive on your own? You've already lost mana because you got exhausted and daydreamy. A pleasant diversion, I'm sure but costly all the same. They're (Ameri, Bachiko, Isabelle, Ryūko) gonna be pissed when they find out! Especially since Madame Ryūko and your housemate Madame Isabelle wouldn't always be by your side!"

"Alikred of Gluttony has a point, Mein Herr." Agreed Reficul on Ryūko's behalf, "One's mana should be used wisely and those in possession of its strength must not neglect their righteous purpose, especially so in the battlefields."

"The deeper we go into this tunnel, the darker it's gonna get." Said Isabelle as her horns flare up for additional light.

"And we might wanna brave the pungent aroma here, too." Acheron added in as he shapeshifted into his small bat form to fan off the bad smell.

Alikred told Ryūko and Iruma to set their danger radars on high and remain calm in all situations as they walked before meeting the face of a hooded midget bound to the walls. They and Iruma screamed in fright before the latter backed away, noting that they were the source of the odd stench. The tiny demon spoke in an incoherent language of onomatopoeias.

"That cloak looks familiar." Acheron deduced, "And those teeth, too."

"Hold on a second, that's the silent Gimel (3) competitor others avoid." Said Ryūko before clearing her throat, "Good day of the Harvest Festival, Naphula the Silent. I see you, too, have descended in search for the Legendary Leaf and the Shining Shrub."

"It seems they're in a trap." Said Alikred, "Those are nigi-nigi greens. "

"It appears to have been set up so if one toiled with something in a way, water would pour down to the plant, causing their swift growth." Deduced Reficul.

And he was right, a tile of the floor showed an exploded water pipe which was the water source for the plant.

Nigi-nigi Greens

These climbing plants grow 30 meters up when in contact with even an single splash of water. Such would then cause the plants to grab onto whatever is nearby.

As soon as they got a victim, matter would be made worse if a hostile beast was in the vicinity for an attack.

Well, that's for most part. Naphula was an exception as their odor deterred predators from going near them. They may potentially forfeit at this rate, so Naphula certainly was not going to stay safe. Alikred suggested to leave them there to continue the journey, but Isabelle, Acheron, Ryūko, and Iruma quickly decided against it by attempting to release Naphula from their binds.

"What the heck are you two doin'?!" Questioned the Ring of Gluttony's entity, pulling the twins back, "They're after the Legendary Leaf and the Shining Shrub, too, right?! Why are you setting them free? They're an enemy!"

"Maybe. But look how terrified they are." Explained Iruma, "I don't think they're dangerous. Besides, I think they're actually asking for, well, help. And in our case, five heads are better than four... I'm pretty sure my sister's exhausted after yesterday, so it's good to have backup!"

"Ugh, fine, whatever!" Slouched Alikred in reluctance, "You know, you really are a softie. I thought Madame Ryūko was the tough one, but I suppose she had a rough trail, too, so she can slide from my yammering."

"I do advise not to speak of Mein Fräulein in such a manner." Said Reficul, "Her head isn't exactly at ease and is still wary of the ongoing matters."

After a while, the flour got Naphula out of the trap without tearing down the nigi-nigi greens. The latter enthusiastically hugged the four before Iruma asked to let go of them before it was decided to add them to the search party. Alikred was still suspicious about Naphula, Iruma still objected that opinion as he believed it was safer with five participants. Has Iruma not moved on from being a pushover, even to himself? They ventured deeper and deeper into the hidden labyrinth through various obstacles down the path before reaching what appeared to be an underground temple.

"It might have been the pungent odor, but at least we didn't run into any hostile animals." Said Isabelle to Naphula, "We would like to extend our thanks to you, Naphula. We're glad we came here together."

The latter was happy to hear that as they perhaps never felt so close to anyone else in their Babylus due to their scent.

Inside the temple was the Seeds of Beginnings in a radiant golden light. Iruma and Naphula ran to its stand while Ryūko, Isabelle, and Acheron caught a whiff of a guardian incoming as they readied their weapons (firearms for Isabelle and Acheron, katana for Ryūko). And they was right.

"Both of you, get back right now!" Ryūko shouted. Behind the Seeds of Beginnings, a glint of an entity's eye shone bright, catching Naphula, Isabelle, Acheron, and Ryūko's attention. The black-haired cambion lassoed her teammates with her webbings backward to where she stood before the guardian could lay a hand on them.

"You were able to get them out of that." Said the unidentified hand's owner, "You have impressive eyes."

The temple was at a sequence of collapse, Ryūko told Iruma and Naphula to run at her direction to the nearby ledges. Once they reached a peak, the guardian revealed themselves as a giant that resembled the Egyptian Great Sphinx, introduced as Toto - a genie and the protector of the seeds.

"Congratulations on reaching this point, challengers." Said Toto formally, "There are only two ways to obtain these treasures. First, defeat me and take it by force. And the second, even more demanding endeavor... is to tell me something new and interesting."

Something interesting? What could Toto have possibly referred to as interesting, as it's defined in many ways from person to person. Knowing this, Ryūko chose to speak up.

"O' Guardian of the Seeds, what is it thy pleasures crave?" She asked, "Such a vague word to define the many desires of seeking experiences for time and beyond? For what thou seekst may not be present towards the unspoken novelties, do pray tell I ask."

"Anything is fine as long as I've never heard it before." Explained Toto, "All the story needs to do is to move my heart and make me smile or just impress me. I'm fine with either. As the guardian of the Seeds of Beginnings, which can make the Legendary Leaf and the Shining Shrub bloom, I must find the two truly worthy of the seeds and it's tremendous power. Those who possess significant knowledge to meet my satisfaction has merits equivalent to the seeds themselves."

Keep in mind, Toto's knowledge is incredibly high, especially to the point where he recalls what stories have existed in the Netherworld for ages no matter the subject. Anything Iruma suggested from books to survival skills or answering riddles would not work. That last one was off-limits in this case, and Iruma's recently obtained fundamental knowledge of the Netherworld was unable to win anything. That was where Naphula decided to give a try by reciting a classic joke of death that can be found in Jokes of The Netherworld 666. But like most of us, Toto had recalled those jokes too many times that they no longer seem laughable. Whatever Naphula said, hopefully it really is worth a snicker because they were laughing hard on the ground with tears of hilarity while Ryūko, Isabelle, and Acheron stared at them with dry looks on their eyes. Perhaps she thought it wasn't that funny or she understood what they said but didn't feel like laughing. If he could encounter a new wind during the Harvest Festival, Toto though he could encounter new knowledge in the process. Was it truly possible that there was nothing left to learn in the Netherworld?

Isabelle and Ryūko looked at the latter's brother, giving looks that they didn't want to get in on acting the story back from its first chapter again. Iruma saw that they knew what he was thinking and nodded in understanding.

"Guardian Toto. Have you heard of First Love Memories?" Asled Ryūko.

"First... What is that? Is it a story?" Asked Toto.

"Yes. And it apparently is a fine piece of literary work. Clearly, you haven't heard about it before, haven't you, Toto?" Isabelle piped up.

Obviously, Toto's knowledge was only extensive through the Netherworld, so anything foreign from this realm would be something he doesn't know about. But this was an advantage for the team as Iruma called Naphula and an exhausted Alikred to help him out. Isabelle tells Acheron to play along even though he seems to be curious on what First Love Memories is about. Acheron summons his harp again while Ryūko made a digital piano appear along with a seat to add music and sound effects for the acts before Alikred set the stage for a play of events from First Love Memories, starring Iruma as Rin and Naphula as Kakeru and Isabelle as Sayo. The play went on like another anime and Toto watched with an unusual feeling, it was one he had not felt in many years.

By the end of the play, the acting team was exhausted and flopped to the ground. Toto certainly didn't expect to witness the power of foreign romance stories.

"That was magnificent!" He declared, "Kakeru and Rin's love... The sports! Battling against the evil organization pursuing Kakeru! I couldn't avert my eyes, even for a second! Not even my ears were blasted to smithereens upon the music supporting it all!"

"We're so glad to hear... we were able to share how fantastic First Love Memories is with you." Panted Iruma.

Toto perhaps became another fan of the manga and victory was theirs.

"Friendship blooms from the seed of shared knowledge." He said, "Thus, my beloved challengers, Isabelle, Acheron, Ryūko, and Iruma. As a token of my respect for your magnificent knowledge, I bequeathed to you the Seeds of Beginnings. And as for my index of brand new knowledge, I look forward to adding is this: "Isabelle, Acheron, Ryūko, and Iruma Win the Harvest Festival"."

"We can't thank you enough!" Said Iruma as his sister and housemate curtseyed and Acheron bowed in respect, "I'm so glad you enjoyed it as much as we do. Too bad I couldn't tell you the story up to the latest volume, though."

"You'll regret saying that..." Sighed Ryūko before Toto flinched at Iruma's comment.

It became a short back-and-forth of getting back the seed for the whole story, but we can't be certain for how long did that manga really go. Without the time to continue the story, Toto suggested exchanging contact numbers, with a hellphone of his own that's far smaller than his palm.

With their passionate stage play of First Love Memories, Isabelle, Acheron, Ryūko, and Iruma were able to successfully obtain the Seeds of Beginnings! Could their victory be a conquest assured? Or will they be the next hunted down by another? Only fate will decide, until the next chapter!


~Interval~

On the way out, Iruma commented on the chances of exchanging phone numbers with Toto. Ryūko sarcastically remarked the sheer size difference between a hellphone and Toto's hand just before she received a call from him. The genie simply requested for the rest of the story as she, Iruma and Naphula make their way up. The demoness sighed as Iruma swiftly continued the retelling while they both feared the caves potentially collapsing above them until the latter's hellphone's battery was drained. Geez, way to spend part of the day, Iruma...