Chapter 46

Vil stood before us in a threatening matter. I could not believe this was happening again. I stood off to the side to instruct Grim. I really hoped there were enough of us to defeat him in one go. At least everyone appeared determined and ready.

"Oh, Vil..." Rook said sadly. "This act is an offense against beauty. Please, cease this!"

"Yeah!" said Epel. "This ain't like you!"

"Once everyone is gone..." said Vil. "I will be the fairest one of all!"

"It's no use," I said. "He's not in his right mind. You have to knock him back into reality."

"We will!" Kalim said confidently. They all began attacking. As expected, Vil was a lot tougher than normal in this form.

"Agh... He's strong!" said Epel. "How's he so powerful?!"

"Do not give up, Epel," said Rook. "We must win back the fair Roi du Poison!"

"Silence!" Vil bellowed. "I'll grind you all into dust!" We kept it up in an intense battle. After awhile, he seemed to lose steam for a minute. "The fairest... one of all is..." Suddenly, he regained his energy. "Rrgh... You meddling spuds! If I must, then I shall drag all of you down with me!"

"Vil, please, you have to stop!" Kalim cried. "You're not going to survive if you keep this up!"

"Rgh! We're so close to breaking his blot form," Jamil said in frustration.

"I'm running dry on magic over here!" Ace said, breathing heavily.

"Yeah, I can't breathe another puff of fire!" said Grim.

"Stay on your feet, everyone," Rook ordered. "We need to at least get clear of the poison mist..." He started coughing.

"Everybody, get down!" Deuce shouted suddenly.

"Huh?!" said Grim.

"Ah... I get it!" said Epel. "Everybody, do what Deuce says, lickety-split!"

"Huh?!" everyone said. Although confused, we all got to the ground. I kept my wide eyes on Deuce.

"My brain doesn't work well under pressure," Deuce said. "I can't understand things unless I hammer them in repeatedly. But... If something is hammered into me enough, then I'm able to turn it into something worthwhile!"

"What's this?" said Rook. "An aura of power is rising up around Deuce!"

"Wait, what?!" Ace exclaimed. "Is that...?!"

"How...is that possible?" Vil roared. "How did you keep that much magic...in reserve?!"

"It's not my magic, Vil," Deuce said calmly, his expression hard. "It's the power you've hammered into me! And now it's a power that only I have! It's payback time! Get a load of this! DOUBLE DOWN!"

Vil stumbled back after the powerful blast. He cried out and then collapsed to the ground. No one stopped me from going to him and kneeling beside him. I took a deep breath and touched his arm. Just like with all the others, I felt a strange connection with him and could suddenly hear and see his thoughts and memories.

I saw Vil as a young kid, being cast as the villain in school plays. Then he moved onto TV shows and movies. He always wanted the role of the hero but never got it. Some kids even saw him as a villain himself because of his acting. Those in the film industry thought he was too perfect to play the hero.

"I would do anything to be beautiful," Vil said inside his mind. "The most rigorous training. The most tedious hair and skin care regimens. I would shy away from none of it. And yet... Why? Why is it never me?! All I want is to stay on stage until the end of the show."

After a moment of silence, I slowly speak back to him. "I don't know much about your world, but it does seem like actors get typecast into specific characters. It's not fair, but..." That was hardly helpful. There had to be more I could say. I thought about Neige and the attitude he gave off. Jamil thought he was hiding something, but I didn't believe it. Jade pretended to be kind and charming to win people over, though it had never worked with me. I liked him for a much different reason. The same reason people liked Neige. "Just... be yourself. Stop trying to be perfect. Embrace the beauty already within you. The beauty that Rook sees. Show everyone something real, and you'll get what you desire."

"Vil..." Rook said in the real world. "Oh, fair Vil. Please wake up..." I pulled back when I felt Vil stir. I looked at Rook beside me, but he did not even spare me a glance.

"Rgh... How am I...?" Vil groaned as he sat up.

"Vil! Oh, thank goodness. The light is back in your eyes."

"What a relief..." Kalim said before bursting out into sobs. "Viiil! I was so worried!"

Jamil gave him an odd look. "Why are YOU crying, Kalim?"

"Empathy," I replied for him. "Ever heard of it?"

"Phew..." Deuce said in relief. "I was afraid I'd hit you in the wrong place."

"I'm...sorry you had to see that undignified display," Vil said softly as he stood up. "Only third-rate people throw temper tantrums and take their problems out on others. My conduct was the most unbecoming of all..."

"You remember what happened?" I said, mildly surprised.

"Of course." The way Vil looked at me, though, I could tell he did not remember our mental connection.

"Yer right about that," said Epel. "Ah thought you said people grow outta temper tantrums by the time they're three?" I laughed despite everything.

"Yes... You're absolutely right, Epel." Vil lowered his head. "I'm no longer fit to be your leader."

"It would not do to flatter yourself, Roi du Poison," said Rook. "I'm afraid you'll find that none of us are lying prone."

Vil looked up at him in surprise. "What...?"

"Rook's right, Vil," Kalim said with a small smile. "You haven't actually hurt anyone. You haven't stepped over the brink yet."

"That's right," I said, smiling as well. "We saved you so you wouldn't go too far."

"Listen," said Jamil. "Neige LeBlanche is out there right now, dancing happily with the seven dwarfs."

"After the way you ran us through the wringer training us to get here, there's no way we're letting you pull out because of a few bruises!" Ace said.

"It's a stretch...but let's just say we got a little overly worked up in practice and got into a team brawl."

Vil stared at us in wonder. "All of you... You just want to pretend none of this happened?"

"I never said that. All I'm saying is that we can hold off on explaining this to the faculty until after the competition."

Vil smirked. "Heh... Jamil, you are truly wicked—urgh..." He bent over in pain.

"Vil!" Rook cried.

"Oh, stop. I just stumbled a bit. Spare me your plaintive cries."

"Your injuries are no small matter." Rook moved close to him. "Please, you mustn't strain yourself. Here, lean upon my shoulder." Vil stopped protesting and let him help him.

"Oh, by the way, Deuce," said Ace, "what was up with that blast of magic you hit Vil with at the end there?"

"That was one seriously powerful shot!" Grim said, sounding impressed. "When did you learn to pull off a spell like that, Deuce?"

"I wasn't the one who made it so strong," Deuce said. "Vil was."

"How so?" Kalim asked.

"That spell stores up all the damage I take from someone, then hits back with it all at once. So, it was only potent because Vil hit me with really potent magic to start with."

Ace's eyes grew wide. "What kinda spell is that?! So, it's just a way to get payback for when you get in fights?"

Deuce recoiled. "Don't make it sound so violent! The first time I pulled it off was when I took Epel to the beach and a gang attacked us. All I was doing was taking hits at the time, though. It just kind of slipped out..."

Jamil sighed. "You should really know better than to use magic against laypeople. That can get you suspended."

Deuce frowned. "Erk... S-sorry." He shook his head. "Anyway, I kept trying to do it again afterward, and it just wouldn't work. It only clicked for me when Vil was giving us a serious pounding."

"Aha ha! You see?" Kalim said with a grin. "That hard head of yours... That's your signature trait!"

"Signature? Oh, wait..." Deuce gasped. "You mean that's my...signature spell?!"

"You said the spell name and everything, remember?" I said.

"What? I called out a spell name?! I was so desperate that I don't even remember it! Tell me what it is later, Ona!"

I smiled at him. "Yeah, no problem. Great job, by the way." I gave him a quick side hug.

Deuce smiled back at me. "Thanks."

"Marvelous!" said Rook. "Merveilleux! You have broken out of your shell in spectacular fashion, Deuce Spade. Behold—Vil is awestruck and weak-kneed from the sheer splendor of your blow."

"No, I'm just beaten up head to toe," said Vil. "Credit where it's due, though—that last blow of yours struck soundly. Nicely done, Deuce."

"...Thank you, sir!" said Deuce.

"So, wait," said Jamil. "If you hadn't succeeded at pulling the spell off once, what possessed you to yell 'everybody, get down!' with so much confidence? It's all well and good that the spell worked, but what would you have done if it hadn't?"

"Psh, don't sweat it, Jamil!" said Kalim. "It worked, and in the end, isn't that what matters?"

Jamil shook his head. "Good grief. I will never understand the way you impulsive types think."

"D-Deuce mastered a signature spell before me?" Ace said in shock. "Are you serious?!"

"Yeah, I was never expectin' Deuce of all people to beat me to the punch at somethin'," said Grim.

Epel smiled. "Heh heh. Sounds like we've got some catching up to do!"

"Yeah, you all better get on it," I said.

"The question now is, what do we do about the stage?" Jamil said, looking around. "It's a complete wreck. We're fortunate that Vil's poison mist is covering the whole coliseum. It means we're the only witnesses to the scene. In that sense, it's actually a good thing for us that Vil's signature spell lasts so long. I'd prefer to fix the venue up, dispel the curse, and get out of here, but... It's not feasible for us to fix everything up the way it was with what power we have left." He groaned, clutching his head. "Argh... Every scenario I run through my head hits the same brick wall. I'm not sure there's any getting out of this mess."

"Mrooow..." Grim wailed.

"Oh, no," Epel said with a gasp. "Does that mean the SDC is...?"

"Well, well," said a familiar voice. "What have we here?" Everyone turned to face the newcomer, seeming surprised.

"You're—" Vil started.

"I thought I'd arrive a bit early, and what do I find but a stage laid to waste?"

"Oh, hi, Hornton!" I said happily, smiling at him.

"'HORNTON?!'" everyone exclaimed.

"Oh, hey!" Grim said brightly. "So, you're that Hornton guy who Ona. You really do have horns growin' outta your head! Myah hah hah—MRAH!"

Deuce grabbed Grim and covered his mouth. "Grim, are you nuts?! Y-you can't just talk to an upperclassman that way!"

"Ona!" Ace exclaimed, eyes widen. "You're really calling THIS guy Hornton? Do you have a death wish?!"

"If she didn't before, she does now," Jamil said, shaking his head.

"Don't ya know who this is?!" Epel said in alarm.

I bristled, feeling defensive. "Look, he wouldn't tell me his name, okay?"

"Roi des Dragons, how did you get into the coliseum?!" Rook said, seeming surprised.

"I was invited, by the child of man living in Ramshackle Dorm," Hornton said. "I have my invitation right here." He held up the ticket.

"That's not what I was asking... The entire venue is still enveloped in the cursed poison mist generated by Vil's signature spell. There's no way anyone coming into contact with that curse would come out of it unscathed."

Hornton appeared unbothered. "Oh yes, I suppose there was some sort of cantrip up when I came in. But no curse, no matter how powerful, will work on me."

"Hmph. I see you've taken advantage of Ona's ignorance to have a bit of sport," said Vil. He turned to me. "Housewarden of Diasomnia, the dorm based on the lofty spirit of the Thorn Fairy... Malleus Draconia!"

My eyes lit up in understanding. "So, that's what M.D. stood for!"

"Indeed," said Malleus. "I am Malleus Draconia, soon-to-be ruler of Briar Valley."

"Myah... You guys were talkin' about this crazy powerful guy at the Spelldrive tournament..." Grim said slowly. "You mean to tell me that was Hornton all along?!"

Malleus looked at me. "I trust you see what I meant now, when I said not knowing my name was for your own benefit."

I shrugged. "I guess so."

He turned to Vil. "By the way, Schoenheit. You seem to have had a bit of sport, yourself. However did you become such a mess? You're hardly living up to the Fairest Queen's spirit."

"You're not wrong..." Vil said quietly.

"What's the trouble? Tell me, children of man."

I hesitated and looked around. "Well, uh..." When no one seemed to object, I told him the story of Vil's overblot.

Malleus nodded in understanding. "Ah. Now I understand what happened. I must say, though. I'm most impressed. A magical reaction on the level of an overblot... And not a single one of the many mages on campus, myself included, took notice of it."

"What?!" Kalim said in shock. "You mean there's no panic outside?"

"No. The Royal Sword Academy students are singing near the gymnasium, a short ways off from here. They've attracted a considerable throng, but other than that..."

"This coliseum plays host to Spelldrive games, defensive magic exams, duels for the seat of housewarden, and more," Rook said. "I've heard from the faculty that it's imbued with a special field that makes it harder for damage to spill out."

"So, then, if we hadn't gotten Vil back to normal..." said Epel.

"...help wasn't even on the way?" Ace said, eyes wide. "Yikes."

"Mm," Malleus agreed. I suppose it's immaterial, at the end of the day." He smirked at Vil. "You owe me, Schoenheit."

"What?" said Vil. Suddenly, I felt the ground shaking and heard a rumble.

"Myah!" Grim exclaimed. "What's goin' on?! All my hairs are standin' on end!"

"Rgh... What incredible pressure!" said Jamil.

"Heh. Children of man— I shall bestow upon you a gift," said Malleus.

"What are you doing, Malleus?!" Vil said.

"This is even more trifling of a task than re- weaving unraveled fabric. Come! Return to your proper place! Revert to your proper shape!" The rumbling continued, and the stage was suddenly restored. I looked around in awe.

"Rgh...! W-wait... What just happened?" Epel cried. "No way! The whole coliseum is back the way it was before, in an instant!"

"You're right!" said Deuce.

"Amazing!" Kalim said with a grin. "Did you do that with magic, Malleus?! That is SO COOL!" I noticed he was the only one beside Grim and me to not look at Malleus with at least a little nervousness. This made me smile.

"Whoa..." said Ace. "I've known it since I saw him in the Spelldrive tournament, but boy, he's ludicrously beyond our league."

"Roi des Dragons, c'est magnifique!" Rook said enthusiastically. "Your magic never ceases to amaze!"

"With the stage restored, I can watch you perform now," Malleus said. "That's the extent of my interest in this matter."

"Thanks a bunch, Hornton!" I said with a grin.

He looked at me in amusement. "Heh... Hah hah hah! You know who I am now, and still you stick to that pet name?"

I blinked. "Should I not?"

Malleus smiled. "It's fine. I don't mind." He looked at Vil. "I've set the stage for you, Schoenheit. I trust you will keep me suitably entertained."

"Hmph. I hardly need your urging to put on the finest possible show," said Vil. "You'd best be ready for a standing ovation."

"I'd expect nothing less. If you'll excuse me, then. I look forward to the show."

"Bye Horton!" I said. Malleus nodded at me then made his exit. Jamil stared at me, so I gave him an innocent look. "What?"

"You can't talk to Malleus so casually like that," Jamil said.

It took me a moment to understand where he was coming from. "He doesn't care. I'm not going to abide by silly customs for no reason." His eyes narrowed slightly, but he did not say anything.

"Heh heh. I was hardly expecting the Roi des Dragons to give us his personal blessing," said Rook. "Lady Luck truly is on our side. Now is the time for us to show the NRC Tribe's unity."

"Yes," said Vil. "I'll take full responsibility for explaining this to the headmage and whatever follows. For now, we have a Song & Dance Championship to win!"

"Yeah!" the rest of us cheered. We scurried to get ready. Soon, everyone was back in the coliseum, and the show was about to begin.

"Ten minutes to showtime..." Jamil said as we waited.

"They'll be calling on us to stand by any moment now," said Vil. "Let's get backstage and—ngh!" He winced.

"Are you certain you're all right, Vil?" Rook said in concern.

"I've taken a painkiller potion and covered up my scratches with makeup. I'll be fine."

"Oui. If you say so."

"Vil!" Epel said. He hesitated before continuing. "Um... Please let me take the center spot!"

"What?!" everyone said.

"Epel, are you seriously dropping that on us at the last second?" said Ace.

"Ace is right," said Jamil. "Why would we change it up right before we go on?"

"Fillin' Vil's shoes ain't exactly easy," said Grim.

"But just look at Vil," Epel insisted. "He's barely vertical!" Vil had no response to this. "Vil, you said we had to win this, but what if you run out of stamina right on stage? I don't wanna see you embarrass yourself in front of an audience!"

"Monsieur Pommette..." Rook murmured.

"I've kept my agreement with you. I've grown way stronger and more charming than when I first enrolled. I'm not just cute and sweet. I'm a legit poison apple now. I'll take Neige down. So please...!"

Vil stared at him long and hard. Then he smiled. "Heh... You've grown bold. Worry not, though. As long as the spotlight shines on me... I wouldn't leave the stage even were I to be struck by an errant boulder. I'm going to keep struggling to the bitter end. I won't lose hope in my victory. That's what real villains do. So give this villain a chance to stay on stage to the very last."

Epel stared at him just as hard before dipping his head. "All right. If you're really set on it."

"Hmph. Do you even have room to worry about others, Epel? You tend to start making mistakes as soon as you feel eyes on you. Have you forgotten the way you flubbed the hook at the audition?"

Epel's eyes widened. "H-hey! You don't have to bring that up now!"

Vil smirked. "You asked me to give you the center role. I expect you to captivate the hearts of the audience, my poison apple."

"...Yes, sir!"

"Attention, Night Raven College entrants," one of the film crew members said to us. "It's almost time to go on. Please stand by!"

"Well, this is it," said Vil.

"Let's go bag ourselves a first place trophy, huh?" said Ace.

"Yeah!" said Deuce. "I worked myself up so much earlier, I'm actually relaxed now!"

"Aw right!" said Epel. "I'mma captivate those viewers' hearts!"

"Just do like we practiced," said Jamil. "Don't worry. We'll do just fine."

"You're right, Jamil," Kalim said with a grin. "Let's make the most of this and have fun with it!"

"Okay, you guys, listen up!" said Grim. "My tuna bonanza is restin' on your shoulders. You better win this! You hear me?!"

"Put on the fairest show of all!" I said.

"Come, NRC Tribe!" said Rook. "Let us away to the field of battle!" And with that, they all walked onto the stage and were met by cheers.

"It's the moment you've all been waiting for!" said the host. "Here, at the National Arcane Academy Culture Fair at Night Raven College! The Song & Dance Championship musical presentation is about to begin! Introducing our first performance! It's the entrants from the school hosting the culture fair, Night Raven College, performing... 'Absolutely Beautiful!'"

I took a deep breath as I watched. My friends performed the song flawlessly as far as I could see. They were beautiful. And the crowd loved it as well. I believed we had a shot at winning this. They had done the best they could at any rate.

"Wow!" the host exclaimed at the end. "A full-audience standing ovation, right from the first song! Those were the Night Raven College entrants, led by Vil Schoenheit... In an incredible opening performance!"

"Thank you, everyone," Vil said. "I'll see you all again!"

"Merci!" said Rook. "I hope you'll stick around and enjoy the rest of the acts!"

"Thank you for listening to our song, everybody!" Kalim said, waving. "That was a blast!" Everyone cheered once more as they walked off the stage. As soon as he approached, I noticed that Vil looked completely exhausted. He groaned and lumped against the wall.

"Someone, bring me a spray bottle and bandages!" Rook called out.

"On it!" said a staff member.

"I stayed standing on the stage to the very end, didn't I?" Vil said with a weak smile.

Rook smiled back at him. "Yes indeed. The whole team did."

"Vil, you really pulled it off..." Epel said in amazement.

"You didn't miss a single note or step," said Ace.

"You were great," I said.

"You've got some serious guts, Vil," said Deuce.

"Vil isn't the only one deserving of praise," said Rook. "That was the finest performance yet for each and every one of you. I'm proud to have shared the stage with you all."

"It's a little early to start patting ourselves on the back, don't you think?" said Jamil. "It's not over until we hear the results."

"But we've done all we could do," said Kalim. "I'm sure our power shone through to everybody watching!"

"Indeed," said Rook. "All we can do now is pray that Lady Luck smiles upon us."

Next up was Royal Sword Academy. Neige and the dwarfs performed flawlessly just like at practice. The cheering from the crowd was as loud as it was for us. The rest of the performances were pretty good, but I could tell the crowd favorites were the first two. That bode well for us.

"Coming to you live from the National Arcane Academy Culture Fair at Night Raven College..." the host said at the end of the show. "The Song & Dance Championship teams have all finished their performances! Let's have all our entrants step out on stage!" Everyone, including Grim and I, walked on stage while the crowd cheered. "The winning team is put up to a vote, and everyone in the coliseum gets to cast a ballot. Which team did the best job of expressing the world contained in their song through singing, dancing, and production? Every team put on an incredibly high-level performance... So, all of you choose which team you think shined the brightest! Use the QR codes you were given at the gate to vote on your smartphones! We have a real-time vote tabulation tool here... Brought to you by Olympos Inc., doing their part to support all our students."

I pulled out my phone and quickly voted. I noticed everyone around me doing the same. I felt nervous once I was done. Now all that was left to do was wait. Soon enough, voting time was up. I returned my attention to the host.

"We are now getting the final tally ...And the results are in! M-my goodness... Is this really possible?! Would you believe that the difference between first and second place is ONE vote?!"

"A one-vote difference?!" Grim exclaimed. "If we lose this by one lousy vote, I'm gonna riot!"

"That is pretty incredible," I said.

"These highly talented students have gathered here from all over the country," the host continued. "Each of them put on a performance that shone brighter than the most radiant jewels. I wish I could give every team here a winning trophy, but sadly, I only have one to give out. Who takes home the honor of being the world's greatest in this year's Song & Dance Championship? The winning school is..."

"Quit dragging it out for tension and get on with it!" I said in frustration.

"Royal Sword Academy!"

I let out the breath I had been holding. The audience erupted into cheers again. "Aw, really?"

"What a wholesome performance it was! The entire stadium was drawn into a world of fairy-tale fantasy! Second place goes to Night Raven College! They lost out on first place by just one vote, but their vocals and moves were a tour de force."

"MYAAAH?!" Grim cried. "Nooo! My tuna bonanzaaa!"

"Let's have a big round of applause for all of our competing schools and their amazing performances!" The audience cheered again. "Will the winning team please step forward?" Neige and the dwarfs stepped up to the front of the stage. "Here's your trophy. Congratulations!" The host handed Neige the trophy.

"Thank you..." said Neige, sounding sincerely grateful. "Thank you so much! I'm so happy!"

"Now, let's have an encore performance from our winning team! Take it away, Royal Sword Academy!" Everyone applauded.

"You're... kidding..." Deuce muttered.

"Just... one vote..." Ace groaned.

Epel started sniffling. "It ain't fair! IT JUST AIN'T FAAAIR!"

Kalim patted his back. "Now, Epel, don't cry. If you keep crying like that... it's gonna make me cry tooooo!" Tears formed in his eyes as well.

"WAAAH!" Epel and Kalim both wailed.

"Kalim!" Jamil scolded him. "Remember, you're supposed to be the Asim family heir. Have a little dignity. We don't need footage of you bawling your eyes out streamed live to the whole world."

"But it buuurns!" Kalim cried. "Aren't you upset about this, Jamil?!"

"Oh, absolutely. I'm so upset, I'm beyond words or tears. My mind is a blank."

"You're still on stage," Vil said. "Stop this pitiful display at once! Stand tall and don't forget to give our rivals a sporting round of applause."

"You're taking this in stride, Vil. Are you just used to this by now?"

"Calm? Used to this? Heh..." Vil's expression suddenly grew angry. "OF. COURSE. I'M. NOT. I want to walk over and kick all those Royal Sword boys right off the stage! Someone, knock me out before I unleash a tirade of verbal abuse that will mince them to shreds! Why, I'd love nothing more than to hex all the people who voted for them..."

"Oh, fair Vil," Rook said with a hint of sadness. "Our Roi du Poison. I must apologize, for my choice has brought you much anguish. But I simply couldn't lie to myself."

Vil looked at him in surprise. "...Huh? What are you talking about?"

"The one most deserving of your ire... is moi."

"What...? What do you mean, you're the one most deserving of my ire?"

"Well, you see... Here." Rook showed him his smartphone.

Vil's eyes grew wide in shock. "...n-no..." He began to sway.

"Whoa!" Kalim said. "Vil, hold it together!"

"Steady, sir!" said Deuce, moving right next to Vil. "Here, hold onto my shoulder."

Ace glanced at Rook's phone and gasped loudly. "Are you nuts, Rook?! Why did you vote for Royal Sword Academy?!"

"Huh?!" I said in surprise. That was what this was about?

"I don't believe you!" said Epel. "Why'd ya do somethin' so boneheaded?!"

"I told you: I simply couldn't lie to myself," Rook said with a sad smile. "Neige's group believed in themselves and each other when they danced and sang. When I saw them up there, they struck me as powerful... and as the fairest of all in that exact moment."

"This is just... I can't..." Vil said, still shocked.

"Vil. Nobody should believe in your beauty more than you yourself. It is most becoming, the way you maintain such rigid self restraint while polishing yourself to triumph over your rival. But as long as you lack conviction... No amount of validation from the rest of the world will ever leave you fulfilled. Even if you wind up old, emaciated, grimy, and stooped over... If you were to truly believe that you are the fairest of all despite that, even the Magic Mirror of legend wouldn't contest your claim. The strength and pride to believe in yourself is what marks the true fairest one of all. Roi du Poison. Fair Vil. I implore you to believe in yourself more than anyone else. Beauty is always with you. At this exact moment, you are the fairest one of all."

VIl started sniffling. Then someone ran towards us, shouting, "Viii!" It was Neige!