Financier Cookie was in a very, very bad mood.

Despite the senior paladin's face retaining its usual indifferent and impassive expression, she was a type of furious inside that could only be rivaled by Madeleine Cookie getting his outfit dirty. For starters, her patrol through the Scovillia Quarters was abruptly interrupted by the two paladins she sent to guard the Champion's Quarters, as well as the two at the front, screaming in fear as they ran around the central area, chasing the raging, serpentine body of a hydra.

How in the Light's name a hydra had gotten there in the first place, she would never know.

She had leapt to their aid the moment those glittering scales caught her eyes, but the second she had struck the hydra's armored body with her sword, it promptly burst into a haze of prismatic-colored fog.

Which had parted to reveal two very surprised looking Scovillia students.

To make matters worse, while they were tearing up the interior décor in the scuffle, a flood of rampaging students (that THEY were supposed to be keeping in check!) burst out from the dormitory and started causing the mother of all ruckuses in the central area of the Quarters.

It got so bad that she had to call back the guards patrolling the perimeter to help corral the undisciplined students back to their rooms for the night.

And now, the square-cut paladin sighed as she turned her head to look at the two students before her. She had them seated on one of the relatively undestroyed couches (a much too soft piece of furniture for the trouble they caused her) in the central area, and they wasted no time giving her smug looks of victory as they sat there nonchalantly. "Explanations, n-" she was about to order, before one of her fellow paladins walked into the room and caught her attention.

"Ah, Paladin Financier Cookie, pardon my intrusion but I found this student face down on the floor" the Paladin Cadet explained, looking a tad apologetic at interrupting her, as he walked up, student in hand. He was exceptionally short and let out groans as his little body occasionally twitched. "I think it's a sugar crash" the cadet remarked.

The Hot Scovillia Student suddenly perked up at seeing the little Cookie, and her smug grin turning into a smile as she gave him a wave. "Lil Pepper Cookie, So THAT'S where you were! How did it go?" she asked, just as the Spicy Scovillia Student next to her gave the much bigger Cookie a smack on the head.

"Shut up!" he hissed, though it was too late.

"So this little one was part of it, too?" Financier thought to herself, eyes narrowing as she looked at the downed student in her peer's arms. "Put him with the rest" she ordered, biting back a sigh. If this was the rival Academy's attempt at a coup, they certainly had prior experience in the matter.

The cadet gingerly sat the twitching student down next to his classmates and backed up to stand beside Financier Cookie.

The two lucid students immediately started gawking at and prodding their downed friend, with the larger of the two picking up and shaking the tiny student, causing the half-pint's head to loll to and fro.

"What of the students?" she asked, arms folding as she scrutinized the three students' shenanigans before her.

"They're all in their rooms, thank the Divine. These Scovillians are akin to wild boars in regards to their aptitude for listening..." the cadet sighed, his demeanor showing signs of exhaustion. He looked over at the three students and gave them a sheepish look. "... No offense"

The Hot Scovillia Student paused the shaking of her peer and gave him a wide smile. "None taken!" she boasted as the Spicy Scovillia Student gave her an exasperated look and snatched Lil Pepper cookie from her grasp.

"...And the Champion?" she questioned, almond eyes shooting a glance down the hall to their side.

At that, the cadet seemed a little uneasy as he answered. "Ah, well... We were waiting for you to finish before conducting a check-in" he gulped, unsure as to whether or not they made the right call. "The other cadets and trainees are at the Champion's Quarters if you're ready to look"

Financier looked at him for a second, holding the cadet's nervous figure in her authoritative gaze before giving him a slight nod of approval. "Wise decision to wait for your superior, cadet" she said approvingly, causing the cadet to visibly relax. "Guard these three troublemakers, I'll decide what to do with them after I return"

The cadet gave an eager nod, but before senior and junior could part, the main entrance doors suddenly burst open.

Unfazed- unlike her junior, who visibly jumped at the intrusion. She decided to let it slide this time- by the sudden noise, the senior paladin turned to intercept the new arrival.

It was the Preceptor.

The normally stoic and radiant visage of the Crème Knight's Preceptor was disheveled and panting, and his usually expertly coiffed ponytail was frayed with stray strands sticking out as his arms held open both halves of the solid doors. The heavy, broad-plated armor that he usually dawned was discarded, revealing the newly dirtied undershirt he wore beneath.

She instinctively placed a hand to her sword as she rushed over to her superior. By the look of him, he was either battling a monster before arriving, or had been attacked by the Scovillia Headmaster. Either seemed equally plausible. "Preceptor, are you alright?" she asked, her usual impassive expression letting a little worry bleed through as she assed the Preceptor's condition.

"Was Kouign-Amann Cookie here!?" he gasped, ignoring Financier's question as he quickly stepped inside and let the doors swing shut. He ran a hand through his windswept hair in an attempt to calm the cowlicks and stray strands as he attempted to regain composure after sprinting a marathon through the mountains.

"Kouign-Amann? No. I didn't see her" she replied, eyes shooting a prompting look at the cadet beside her.

"I didn't either, Preceptor. The other cadets and trainees didn't mention anything about seeing the Champion here, either, sir" he answered after catching his senior's look.

The Preceptor suddenly halted in his tracks and gawked as the absolute chaos that enveloped the central area of the Quarters became apparent to him. Furniture was ripped and toppled over, paintings and wall ornaments were askew and barely hanging by their supports, and the luxurious rugs adorning the floors were scuffed and crooked. Not to mention the two sheepish-looking Scovillian students sitting on one of the only salvaged sofas with what looked like a bludgeoned toddler between them. It looked like an absolute riot had just gone down in here!

"Paladin Financier, what happened here?" the Preceptor half wondered, half ordered as he continued to take in the sight of the condition his friend's Quarters was in. Well, perhaps friend wasn't the right word at the moment... The older involuntarily sighed as he thought about Molten Magma Cookie half-burnt and still under his paladins' guard, but he quickly brushed the thought away in favor of more pressing matters.

"Just a little disobedience from the Scovillian's, sir. We've apprehended the three who orchestrated the plan and sent the students back to their dormitories for the night" she explained, hoping that the Academy Head wouldn't chastise her for the damages caused to the building.

The Preceptor suddenly gave her an odd look. "Paladin Financier, did you check on Capsaicin Cookie after the incident?" he questioned, urgency tinging his words as his eyes darted to the dormitory hall.

The seasoned paladin did not like where this was going.

"No, sir. I was about to conduct a check-in with the cadets and trainees, they're down guarding the room as we speak" she explained, carefully following her superior as he started to make his way down the darkened hall. She shot a glance towards the cadet she was with and, catching her look, nodded as he began guarding the three students.

As they continued down the hall, Financier Cookie contemplated whether to ask her superior for more details. He seemed... Perturbed, as he hurried his pace towards the Champion's Quarters. "Preceptor, forgive me if I am overstepping my boundaries, but did something happen with Kouign-Amann Cookie?" she asked tentatively as she continued to follow from behind.

The burly man ahead of her took a moment to reply, but his voice seemed strained as they reached the small group of paladins-in-training all huddled around the solid choco-wood door that held a monster given Cookie form.

It seemed ridiculous to the senior paladin that it was only her and a handful of rookies that were tasked with keeping that thing contained.

"That young lady's in trouble, Paladin Financier Cookie. Big trouble" the Preceptor glowered, regaining his usual authoritative tone as the paladins parted to allow him to grasp the doorknob.

The experienced paladin felt a sudden pang of pity for the young Champion.


"... The colosseum's still being repaired, so that's out of the question- plus it's exposed and barren" Prune Juice Cookie lectured tiredly to an equally exhausted Kouign-Amann Cookie who he followed in tow, the burly figure of the spicy Champion she carried obscuring the potionmaker from her form as they lumbered onward. The sniffles and sobs of Capsaicin punctuated his sentence like wet commas, as they did the previous time he opened his mouth to speak. He was sure they were going to be caught if this continued, and wouldn't be surprised if they were already surrounded in the near-pitch black.

They had been walking through the forest and darting across open areas nearing half an hour now, with their direction changing everytime Kouign-Amann or Prune Juice shot down an idea of where to rest; citing discomfort or 'too obvious a place to look' as reasons. They hadn't gotten a wink of sleep since the previous morning, and they still carried the exhaustion from taking down a berserk Spice Overlord and carrying out an infiltration mission.

To top it off, the mountains apparently got humid at night.

Prune Juice sighed audibly as he stepped over a barely visible log and brushed away clinging ferns from his dirtied robes. He mentally cursed himself for only bringing two bottles of his signature carrot-y brew, as navigating through the forest while relying on one's own natural night vision was akin to a cruel form of torture. Although it may have been for the best, as anymore weight in his now filthy potion sack would've made his arm fall off after having carried it for so long.

At least Kouign-Amann Cookie was fairing better than him, somehow. Perhaps super strength applied to her eyesight, as well?

Prune Juice halted sharply as she stopped ahead, causing him to almost step on the growing mass of debris clinging to Kouign's ballgown. An audible gasp and sigh of relief was his explanation as Kouign-Amann barely managed to sidestep a tree that had somehow sprung up on her.

All the while a rhythmic background noise of sniffles and sobs continued.

The inky Champion could feel his nerves fraying by the minute, and despite his track record for pulling all-nighters, he was at his wits end. "Alright, then what about-" Prune Juice was about to suggest, rubbing one drooping eye momentarily free of its sleep just as another one of Capsaicin's sobs interrupted him.

He could hear the snap of that camel's back.

"Capsaicin, could you PLEASE stop crying!? It's been almost HALF AN HOUR!" Prune Juice snapped, panting heavily after the words slipped out as the pent up frustration and exhaustion finally overflowed its reserves.

"PRUNE!" Kouign-Amann flared, whipping around to face the tired potionmaker. Her expression was a mix of utter exhaustion and anger as she stared down the inky Champion. Despite the darkness, Prune Juice could practically feel the wrath he had incurred. Capsaicin's face was still burrowed in her shoulder, still producing- yet now noticeably quieter- sniffles and sobs as he clung to her back like a lost bear cub.

Prune Juice involuntarily shrank, akin to the natural response of a rabbit in the presence of a cougar, as the pink Champion stared him down. She shifted her expression to one of softness and soothing as she turned her attention to the Cookie on her back and gave his still-burrowed head a nuzzle with her own. "It's okay, Capsaicin. Pruney's just tired and snappy. You cry as much as you like, okay, darling?" she said lovingly.

"Kouign's right, I'm... Sorry, Capsaicin. We've just been walking around in circles now and we're all exhausted" Prune sighed, internally cursing at himself for losing composure- especially against a Cookie who's in no shape to be treated like a punching bag. Jeez, he really was terrible, wasn't he?

He shook himself off; now was not the time to be self-deprecating.

Swatting a collection of burs from his leg, he once again began to ponder where to go. The undergrowth was getting thinner now, and the smell of ash hung in the muggy air like some novelty air freshener from Scovillia. "We're probably near the forest fire" Prune Juice mused aloud as Kouign-Amann took a breather, seating herself and Capsaicin on a fallen and mossy-covered log.

He took the liberty to gingerly set his own burden down, his potion sack making a soft clinking noise as it sat on the grassy ground underfoot. His arm felt like it had been stirring a brew for hours, and the inky potionmaker painfully stretched out his aching arm muscles as he sat down next to the duo- keeping slight distance from them, of course. He still felt awful about that comment...

"This might be the exhaustion talking, or the fact that I'm pretty sure I'm trailing a colony of burs and branches behind my dress, but..." Kouign-Amann Cookie yawned from her spot on the ground, resting one arm comfortingly across Capsaicin's back and drawing him into her shoulder once more. "... Why don't we rest in the burnt-out portion of the forest? It's a little exposed but -yawn- I'm sure nobody would look for us there"

As if to confirm her latter suspicions, the pink Champion reached one gloved hand back and ripped off the stowaways that had clung to her dress. An impressive mass of spiny burs and thin, twiggy branches tangled in lacy pink fabric was her catch as she threw them in the nearby obscured brush with a grimace. "You knew about this... Didn't you" Kouign said crossly to the inky Champion seated a few inches from her.

Prune Juice bit back a chuckle as Kouign-Amann continued to pick burs off her ballgown. He surely wasn't fairing any better in the wardrobe department, but it was still- oh, OH! The forest fire! That was a perfect place to lay low. True, as Kouign said, it was a little exposed- but people were terrified of going back there, and it was such an obviously bad place to hide that nobody would think to look there, either!

"Perfect. Let's go" Prune Juice Cookie stated, using the last of his strength to promise his future self that they were going to sleep within the next ten minutes. "Still got the strength to carry Capsaicin...?" he asked Kouign-Amann while getting to his aching feet and picking up his potion sack in his good arm.

The pink Champion gave him a weak smile, one burdened with exhaustion but still managing to be so upbeat and confident. "Of course, he's light as a feather!" she commented cheerily. "C'mere, Cap..."

Capsaicin's head was hung and face partially hidden by his drooping, messy hair as Kouign-Amann got up and tried to coax him forward. "J-just leave me h-here" Capsaicin said quietly, voice still wet as she went to hoist him up. His normally bright tangerine eyes were overshadowed, but the distinct trails of hardened basalt that ran from them and painted his cheeks in stripes were unmistakable of how he felt. "I don't want y-you guys to be in trouble..."

Prune Juice snorted a little at that attempt to dissuade them. "Capsaicin, no offense, but we basically ruined Scovillia's Quarters getting you out of there. We're in trouble no matter if we stick by you or not" he sighed while re-adjusting his wizard's hat. Now was NOT the time for them to be having this conversation, as he felt his legs were about to fall off and join his arm in sweet numbness.

The spicy Champion merely bowed his head lower at Prune Juice's attempt to keep things moving.

Kouign-Amann took a different approach, crouching down so that she could look at his face. He turned his head in an attempt to avert himself from her gaze, but the pink Champion was persistent; placing both of her gloved hands on his face and cupping his cheeks to hold his face in place. "Capsaicin, we're not leaving you. We're your friends" she said sternly, but her pink eyes shone with sympathy as she gently used a finger to brush away the solidified basalt on his face. "So, from here on out until you're feeling better... All of your opinions are rejected. Pruney and I are taking care of this" she finished bluntly.

Capsaicin's dulled eyes widened slightly and he grit his teeth as a fresh wave of tears came flooding through. "I-I don't deserve t-this..." he choked out as Kouign-Amann wrapped the burly Cookie in a hug and lifted him up.

She put one arm under his knees and the other supporting his back as she carried him bridal-style. "Of course you do, now let's go and get some rest, alright?" she said soothingly as the spicy Champion pressed one arm into his face to stifle his sobs.

A smile crept across Prune Juice's face as he looked at the ballgown-wearing Champion carrying a Cookie who was a good foot taller than her. If he weren't so sure he was going to fall asleep on his feet, he'd tease her about how hilarious it looked.

Switching gears, he gave both eyes a good rub as he changed his direction and set his tired sights on the ashen landscape that lay ahead of them through the obscurity. "If we're not asleep within twenty minutes, Kouign you're going to have to carry me as well" he sighed as he began picking his way through the undergrowth, Kouign-Amann with Capsaicin in tow.

The tired duo and sobbing solo continued forth through the darkness and steadily increasing ash.


A sword.

A large, broad, gilded sword inlaid with a diamond-shaped pink gem at its winged guard.

Discarded on the blackened floor before them.

"Kouign-Amann Cookie..." the Preceptor muttered under his breath, a mix of anger, worry, and absolute fury bubbling up inside the outwardly stoic man.

The room was empty, save for his missing Champion's sword and a big, gaping hole through the sugar glass stained window that once boasted artisan design. The paladins behind him fanned out, inspecting the destroyed room and every speck of ash in the hopes of garnering more answers than a simple 'Kouign-Amann did it'.

Chouquette Cookie put a hand to his face and dragged it up to sweep back his hair in exasperation, letting loose a frustrated sigh as he did so. He knew Kouign-Amann Cookie was headstrong, and he always admired the young paladin-in-training's moral compass and sense of justice. But this? He could never have imagined this happening.

Sure, he sensed that his Champion and Scovillia's own Capsaicin were on friendly terms despite them being rivals in the tournament (he mused that Kouign-Amann just had an ability to draw people in like that...), but he envisioned her confronting him head-on once she caught word of what happened to her friend, not go sneaking around behind her fellow paladins' backs!

He brought his arm down as he caught sight of his senior paladin, Financier Cookie, and another cadet inspecting the ruined window. Curious, he strode forward and accompanied them, passing several trainees on their knees inspecting footprints strewn in the ash. Stopping just short of his paladins, he looked puzzled at the sight before him.

The window wasn't shattered, nor was it meticulously cut. It was... Melted? No, it didn't show the telltale signs of stretching due to heat. It was as if it had simply dissolved, like a sugar cube in water.

Chouquette's eyebrow twitched as a tick mark appeared on his forehead. An ironic smile unwittingly spread itself across his face as the revelation hit him like Crème Fouettée's wizard staff was going to when he told her that Kouign-Amann didn't act alone.

Because this was an act of alchemy.

At least he wouldn't be the only one in hot water for this.

Financier Cookie turned her head to look at her Preceptor, a look of understanding crossing her face. "... Shall I alert the Parfaedian Principal, Preceptor?" she said matter-of-factly, clearly recognizing whose act it was that destroyed the window.

Regaining his usual composure (although with GREAT effort), he shook his head slightly. "No" he said sternly, professional exterior hiding the storm of curse words that he was just itching to let out. He turned to address the cadet by Financier's side and fixed him an authoritative look. "You, head to the Parfaedia Quarters and notify Crème Fouettée Cookie. Tell her to meet me at the Main Hall. Conference Room" he ordered, dismissing the cadet with a nod.

The cadet promptly saluted him and ran out of the room. "Yes Sir, Preceptor!" were the only words out of the young cadet's mouth as he sped out of view.

Turning his gaze onto the now attentive trainees, the Preceptor cleared his throat. "The rest of you, regain your posts and stay alert" he commanded while adding extra emphasis on that last bit before nodding his head to dismiss them. The young trainees and cadets all saluted their Preceptor as they marched to their assigned guard posts, with Financier Cookie bowing her head to him as she exited after them.

Now alone in the room, Chouquette Cookie hung his head and sighed. This was turning into a bigger deal that he had originally thought, and now he had to deal with three missing students and one even more enraged Molten Magma Cookie when he broke the news to him. The well-respected and stoic Preceptor shuddered at the thought of the Scovillian Headmaster's reaction when he told him that he had... Lost, his precious student and Champion. As if holding him under watch wasn't enough!

Never mind the thought of a potentially dangerous threat roaming the mountains, he was more worried about the dangerous threat he was about to face.

Hm, he'd have to have Molten Magma restrained, else he was certain that the injured man would absolutely lunge at him.

Shaking himself from his thoughts, he regained his usual composure as he walked out from the sooty room and marched down the hallway, nodding to the guards as he left. Pausing for a second, he slowly turned back and re-entered the room, bending down to pick up the discarded blade that belonged to Kouign-Amann Cookie. She was going to get an absolute earful when he saw her again, but he didn't like the thought of her being out there weapon-less.

At least now he'd have Crème Fouettée helping him sort out this mess, and he could definitely use her insight on how to track down the three missing-in-action Champions. He was spread thin as is, and while this was good experience for his paladins; he didn't want them working so hard during a period that was SUPPOSED to be one of relaxation and enjoyment.

Chouquette Cookie dusted his dirtied shirt off and lifted an arm to push open the large doors to the Quarters.

It was going to be a long night for him.

Well, at least he can blow off some steam while running back to the Main Hall.

...

That made the older Cookie feel a bit better.


Kouign-Amann Cookie yawned as she trudged forward. Despite her being revered for her strength, she was absolutely at her limit. Luckily, Prune Juice wasn't wrong when he said that they were near the forest fire; as it had only taken them around five minutes to arrive at the charred and sooty remains of what was once lush forestland.

"Mmmm, cozy" Prune Juice Cookie muttered groggily as he haphazardly dropped his potion sack to the ground, himself following shortly afterwards.

If it weren't for the darkness surrounding them, Kouign-Amann was sure she could've seen a plume of ash erupt from where the potionmaker fell. Prune Juice gave one last yawn as he adjusted his massive hat to cover his face and finally, after a long and arduous struggle, lost the battle to sleep. Kouign-Amann Cookie wished she could give the inky Champion a Crème Knights style salute, but as she was encumbered with one now sleeping Capsaicin Cookie, she settled on sending a prayer to the Light in his favor.

Gently, as if she were setting down the most fragile and brittle of sugar glass, she gingerly laid Capsaicin Cookie down next to the slumbering Prune Juice. Almost instinctively and pitifully, the fitfully sleeping spicy Champion curled into a ball, with his head resting beside a snoring Prune Juice Cookie's shoulder. Perhaps the inky potionmaker was having a dream of petting an exceptionally cute and fluffy dog, or was simply in a state of delirium from the exhaustion, but he groggily lifted his arm and laid it across Capsaicin's head, allowing the spicy Champion to snooze next to his chest.

Kouign-Amann smiled slightly despite the exhaustion pulling on her mind as she looked at the two. The sudden urge to join them in their peaceful slumber nearly made her knees buckle with exhaustion.

But, a pang struck Kouign-Amann's heart as she saw that Capsaicin was still quietly crying; even in slumber could her friend not escape his pain.

Her eyes drooped and she sighed as she looked at the two.

Kouign-Amann hated that feeling.

She hated the fact that despite being baked with such strength; blessed by the very Light itself, it did nothing in the face of an enemy she could not fight. She could not swing a blade at sadness and make it go away, nor could she grab Capsaicin and carry him to where it didn't hurt. All she could do was watch as her friend silently suffered.

Kouign-Amann tiredly lifted her head to gaze at the twinkling night sky. At least their one respite on this journey was that the air was warm and cool (albeit a little humid...), melding together into a pleasant night to sleep under the stars. Well, for her and Prune Juice. Capsaicin was still unnaturally cold (and the pink Champion still felt that lingering frost after having carried him for so long), and she just wished she had something- ANYTHING, to help keep him warm. Oh, the things she'd do for a blanket right about now...!

The pink Champion decided that a warm hug was the best she could offer, and with sleep closing in on her, she tore her eyes from the sky and crouched down, settling herself against Capsaicin's back. It felt like she had one side resting against an ice pack, but she resisted the urge to shy away as darkness crept at the edges of her vision. Turning onto her side, she snuggled into Capsaicin's fluffy, cool hair and wrapped an arm around his neck; joining Prune Juice in holding their friend so that, at the very least, he wouldn't feel alone.

"Goodnight, you two..." she breathed as her eyelids grew heavy and her breathing slowed, allowing her to finally rest after so long.


Crème Fouettée Cookie let loose an impromptu yawn as she made her way through the mountain to the Main Hall. This would be her second trip to the grand castle that day (or should she say, night?), which was heralded by one of Chouquette's students gasping for breath as he relayed a message to her.

That Prune Juice Cookie.

She didn't know whether to be proud, worried, or angry that her Champion ran off like that. When she had returned to her Quarters, she found a distraught Latte Cookie being comforted by an exhausted Eclair Cookie. From what she garnered from her professor's nearly incomprehensible words, they discovered that Prune Juice was missing around 20 minutes after she had left. Although, her first thought was that her Champion had simply gone for a walk, as he often preferred to conduct business alone. However, when the sputtering coffee-scented professor mentioned that the silky, ruffled, pink dress that was under his bed was missing... Well, she didn't have the heart to tell her dear professor that that was, in fact, the Crème Knight's Champion hiding under her dear Prune's bed.

And when Chouquette's cadet had told her to go meet him in the Conference Room... It didn't take the aged Cookie much to connect the dots.

Chouquette Cookie must be positively fuming at this moment.

She narrowed her goldenrod-colored eyes as she thought about where her Champion could be at this moment. Worry gnawed at her reserves like a lazy cakehound, but the experienced Academy Head learned, time and time again, to have faith in her students. And Prune Juice Cookie certainly had a way of surprising her; despite her decades of experience.

Perhaps it was not the unknown whereabouts of her Champion that wore on her psyche, but rather, who her Champion was with.

Crème Fouettée tightened her grasp on her wizard staff as she thought about it. The seasoned Cookie certainly trusted Molten Magma Cookie, but she knew what it was like to be blinded by love when she was the fiery Head's age. And even a freshly baked Cookie could see that the explosive man absolutely adored Capsaicin Cookie. But so much power in such a young Cookie's hands...

She mentally shook her head.

Sometimes, the wellbeing of others is more important than the wellbeing of one.

She had just made it a habit to be pragmatic, for the sake and safety of all Cookies. Under her care, or not.

The aged Cookie was pulled from her musings as she gazed up at the looming structure steadily coming into view. Silhouetted against the dazzling night sky, its elegant spires topped with softly billowing flags spilled into her vision as she approached its mighty doors.

Reaching one arm up, she applied a bit of force as she grasped the leftmost doorknob and turned it. The door gingerly creaked open, revealing its lit interior as she stepped inside. The foyer sprawled before her, which was unusually small for such a grand structure. However, the bulk of the pristine castle housed the massive Banquet Hall, while the rest was dedicated to storage rooms and kitchens. It was clear that the architect had splurged a little when designing the grand structure, as a large and intricately designed Conference Room occupied the rest of the interior.

And that was her destination.

The Parfaedia Principal strolled through the foyer, keen on taking her time as she had already realized that Chouquette Cookie was most certainly not in the building yet. Call it seasoned intuition, or the lack of swear words rattling the halls, but it was far too peaceful for him to be present.

A mischievous smile crossed her lips as she thought about the Crème Knight's Preceptor. Her dear friend, as well as an unusually hot-headed person for a Cookie baked with butter and nobility in his dough. If it weren't for his almandine eyes and rich, crispy dough, she would've easily mistaken him for a Scovillian the first time he let his mask slip. Chouquette was rather embarrassed of his temperament and did his absolute best to mask it for the sake of professionalism, but he was always himself when the three Academy Heads were alone together.

She reached the end of the foyer and stepped into the hallway which housed the storage room doors. At the end of it, the Conference Room door was in sight. A tad out of place amongst the rooms which housed decorations during the off years of the Tournament, but rightfully at home amongst the multitude of aged photographs in-between each chocowood door.

There was a photograph from Molten Magma's inauguration ceremony when he became Headmaster of Scovillia. It was set in a gilded frame decorated with an etched dragon pattern, and boasted a clear picture of the spicy Cookie wearing traditional garb and a ceremonial furred pelt. The generational axe was slung nonchalantly over one shoulder, and his signature skull mask sat on the side of his messy, maroon-haired head, revealing confident, golden eyes and a large smile.

Next to it was a photo of Chouquette Cookie being sworn in as the Preceptor of the Crème Knights. It was a little aged, with the colors already showing signs of fading, but the regal and sophisticated visage of the noble paladin did not lose its touch, nor his armor its glimmer as he gave the camera an authoritative look. Having been around the Crème Knight's Preceptor for so long, Crème Fouettée Cookie could easily tell from the image that Chouquette Cookie was having a very, very hard time keeping his face straight from the excitement.

As she passed it, she looked at her own photo beside the two. It was far too long ago to have had her picture taken when she became Principal of the Parfaedia Institution, so the Gelato Estate settled on posing her in the Institute's gardens and taking her picture there. Matter of fact, she didn't look all that different in the picture than she looked today. However, her hair was styled a bit differently now.

Crème Fouettée came to a stop in front of the ornate door to the Conference Room and tentatively took its knob in one hand. Turning it, the door silently opened and she was met with two paladins still flanking where Molten Magma sat. One of them had their back to her, whereas the other nodded their tired head at her presence.

"You are both excused" she said matter-of-factly to the two. "I certainly won't have you two standing here all night. Please, get some rest in the foyer" she added sympathetically as both guards turned to look at eachother uneasily. It was evident they weren't used to taking orders from a wizard, but their manners showed as they both gratefully bowed their heads at her and quietly left the room.

Now alone, she walked up beside where the spicy Headmaster sat, and discovered that the injured man was leaned back and asleep in his chair. His arms were crossed and his head slumped down as he continued to breathe steadily, occasionally mumbling indecipherable words as he slept.

Crème Fouettée looked at him empathetically and quietly unclasped the ruffed collar to her overcoat and took off the ultramarine-colored garment, revealing her pristine white robes. She delicately lifted the coat by its shoulders and draped it over the slumbering Headmaster's own while gingerly tugging the two open halves so that they covered his bandaged chest. The color clashed horribly with the Headmaster's dough, and she was sure that he wouldn't appreciate the gesture when he awoke, but the Parfaedia Principal simply wanted to provide her friend with some respite.

Even if he didn't consider her the same anymore.

Taking her focus off the sleeping Molten Magma, she quietly grabbed one of the chairs nearest him and sat in it, keen on waiting for Chouquette to make his entrance.


"... And this is my school!" Molten Magma boasted. A smile lit up his masked face as he looked at the flamin' haired kid next to him, relishing the look of absolute awe and wonder that Capsaicin gave as he gazed at the grounds before him.

"It's so..." Capsaicin said, trying to find a word in his vocabulary that would do this mesmerizing sight justice. "...Big" he finished simply, unable to find a better word. His bright tangerine eyes were wide as he was positively transfixed by looking at the massive structure before him, keen on simply standing there and looking at it.

Molten Magma chuckled and gave the kid a a head pat, roughly messing his hair in the process. "Well? We just 'gonna stand here or do you wanna go and take a look inside?" he asked in his gravely voice, bearing the heat from touching Capsaicin's fiery locks.

The look Capsaicin gave him was enough to melt an entire iceberg.

"R-REALLY!?" he yelled in excitement, clenching both fists and putting them to his chest as he practically radiated happiness. And heat- lots of it! "I can REALLY go inside, Mr. Headmaster?!"

Unfazed by the rise in temperature (he wouldn't be able to call himself Headmaster if THIS was enough to get him sweating!), Molten Magma gestured for the fiery boy to follow him as he took long strides towards the grounds. "Of course, kiddo!" he said happily as Capsaicin eagerly followed him. "And you can drop the 'Mr.', I'm not THAT fancy"

"Okay... Headmaster!" Capsaicin said while giving the older man a large, toothy smile.

They stopped in front of the two pairs of doors that lead into the large and imposing building that was the school. The actual building itself was empty, however, as it was currently spring break for his students. But, a Headmaster's work is never done, and he wanted to show Capsaicin the grounds, seeing as he was going to be enrolling after the break was over. "Ready to go in?" Molten Magma asked, already pulling the ring of keys from his pocket.

Finding the worn silver key amongst the slew of others, he stuck it in one of the door's locks and easily turned it. He opened the door and propped it so that it remained that way, and turned his head to give Capsaicin the all-clear.

"What's wrong?" Molten Magma questioned as he saw Capsaicin standing a few paces back from him. He looked sheepish, and had one hand gripping his shackled wrist as he averted his gaze. The boy didn't answer for a few moments as Molten Magma approached him, concerned. "You feeling okay?" he asked as he crouched down slightly to inspect him.

"U-um... Headmaster. A-are... Are you s-sure...?" he asked timidly, prior excitement replaced with unease as he spared a glance towards the open door.

Molten Magma put one hand comfortingly on Capsaicin's shoulder, while the other lifted his mask so that it rested on the side of his head, allowing Capsaicin to see his face. "I promise, bud" he said supportively as he gave him a smile.

Capsaicin nodded, but still looked unsure as the Headmaster straightened out and stood in front of him.

Molten Magma didn't know what caused the boy's sudden change in demeanor- after all, he was practically bouncing at the prospect of going inside before- but he was hellbent on making sure he felt comfortable and secure. He put one one hand to his chain as he closed his eyes and contemplated what to do. Then, an idea struck him.

"Do you want to hold my hand?" he asked while patting Capsaicin's hair. "That way, if you're scared, you just squeeze my hand and I'll lead you out"

"O-okay" Capsaicin stuttered, tentatively bringing one shackled hand forward.

The Scovillia Headmaster gingerly took it in his own rough hand, feeling the warmth engulf it as he carefully lead him towards the door. "'Atta boy. Trust me, you're 'gonna love this" he said in an upbeat tone of voice as they passed the threshold together.

Capsaicin's unease once again turned to wonder as he scanned the walls the closed in around him. He still held Molten Magma's hand tightly as the Academy Head lead him down the locker-lined hallways, with the older man periodically stopping in front of classrooms and showing the amazed boy their interiors.

As they toured the cafeteria, Molten Magma felt a tug on his hand. Turning to look at the boy on the other end, he saw Capsaicin standing in front of the trophy case which boasted a multitude of past victories and accomplishments by his students. "What's up, kiddo? Admiring our trophies?" he remarked, backpedaling slightly so he stood next to Capsaicin in front of the display.

"What are trophies?" Capsaicin inquired as his eyes trained the polished and gilded trinkets, cups, and ribbons.

"Ah, they show everybody how awesome we are!" he boasted happily. "See that one over there?" he said, pointing out a delectably red ribbon with a carolina reaper etched onto its center to Capsaicin. "That was won by Peppercorn Cookie a few years back for making the deadliest curry the likes of Scovillia has ever seen!" he laughed. It took him months to regain his sense of taste properly!

Capsaicin turned to look at the burly Academy Head, his eyes shining as he gave him a toothy grin. "Will I win one when I come here?" he asked.

Molten Magma gave the boy a large smile as he put an arm around his shoulders and gave him a rough shake, drawing him in. "You? No doubt about it! I know you're going to be an awesome student, Capsaicin" he said loudly as he used his free hand to give the fiery boy a noogie.

They stayed like that for a few moments, with Capsaicin pointing out different trophies and the Headmaster providing context. Both laughing at the stories behind each ribbon and medal.