Chapter 3-5: A Burst of Fireworks
A little time has passed, and Idia is starting to feel tired while everyone else had a blast from the celebration.
"I can't keep this up... All this spinning is making me dizzy…" Idia says, tired.
Grim laughs, "Myahahah, everyone's totally dazzled by me! Let's crank this party UP!" Soon, Grim notices, "...Hey, wait. Where'd all the tambourine sparklies go?"
"Those tambourines are simple magical trinkets made specifically for this dance. I imagine the magic they were imbued with has run out," Trein answers.
Rollo huffs and mutters under breath, "It's finally over."
Then Rollo says to the group, "Well, everyone-what say we wrap up here and adjourn back to campus?"
But Grim refuses, "I don't wanna! I'm just gettin' started! Time to REALLY spice things up! MRAAAH!" and fires his magic into the air.
That makes fireworks and catches everyone's attention. Briar and the others are shocked to see the display.
"Grim!" Briar cries out.
Even Trinket tinks in shock.
Soon, one of the villagers notices, "Ooh, fireworks! Where are they coming from? They're so pretty and sparkly-way bigger than the ones from the tambourines!"
"Check it out, guys! Everyone's goin' gaga over my magic," Grim says, excited.
Deuce scolds him, "Grim! You should know better than to just fire off magic in the streets!"
"Deuce is right. What you did was really dangerous," Briar says.
'Heh heh. You're just jealous 'cause everyone's impressed with ME," Grim says.
Then Sebek says, "We are no such thing. Your antics risk my liege losing face!"
Soon, the clown calls out, "Okay, everybody, quiet down!It looks like some mischievous fledgling mage decided to gift us a little present… And hey, this festival only comes once a year! So let's forget all our cares and party down!"
Soon, one of the villagers says, "That was so cool! Do the fireworks again!"
"Come on, everyone, let's dance some more!" A dancer calls out.
"Looks like all the festival goers are happy. Good for you, Grim," Epel says. Then turns to the professor, "Now Professor Trein will let you off the hook for using magic."
Professor Trein remains silent, but he has his arms crossed with a frown.
"Uh oh," Sereia says, noticing it.
"Scratch that, he's totally peeved!" Epel says.
"Yeah. He looks really mad," Jasper says.
"I should think so. Someone as strict as Professor Trein wouldn't just let you get away with breaking the rules," Jamil says.
Deuce sighs, "Poor Grim. He's gonna get the lecture of a lifetime when we get back to Night Raven."
"Still, the festival goers enjoyed it. That was a fine way to energize the event. Perhaps I could put on the performance I had prepared as well…" Malleus says, and begins to charge up his magic.
"Um Tsunotaro, are you sure that's a good idea?" Briar asks, concerned.
"Tsunotaro?" Rollo questions, having heard Briar.
Azul quickly says, "Slow down, Malleus! You were planning to perform it at the ball, right? A special present has the most impact when offered at a special time. If you were to get carried away by the festivities and perform it now, you'd be spoiling half the fun."
"Would I?" Malleus questions.
"Yes, absolutely. Trust me. No one else at our school can turn maximum profit for minimal effort like I can," Azul says.
"Personally, I kinda wish you'd just forget the whole thing…" Idia says
But then Azul says, "This again? You really don't know when to let something go. You're just going to have to deal with it."
"Then I'll take your advice, Ashengrotto," Malleus says, "Instead, I'll offer a more modest blessing of fireworks," and launches fireworks magic in the air.
Azul and Briar sigh in relief to hear it, and glad to see the fireworks aren't too big.
Soon, Sebek says, "A gift from Malleus himself... You should prostrate yourselves in gratitude, humans!"
"Everyone's enjoying the festivities. This is wonderful. Allow me to help, Malleus," Silver says.
"A gift, huh? I don't really love just giving away stuff, even if it's not worth much…" Ruggie says, thinking about it," And says with a smile, "..But hey, a little magic's a small price to pay for a debt of gratitude. Here goes!" and cast fireworks magic as well.
Everyone in the festival is excited. That also catches Neige and Chenya's attention.
"Looks like the Night Raven boys are the ones sending up all these fireworks. What a purrfect time for me to join in with a little whimsical magic of my own! Check it out!" Che'nya says, and performs the same magic.
"Che'nya, you know better than that! "Neige says.
But then he says, "Then again, if it's making everyone happy, maybe I should do a little too… " And performs his magic, "Hyah!"
Soon, an Arcane Academy Student says, "Is this part of the social? Then let's help liven things up!"
Soon, many students begin to perform the magic fireworks.
"Regardless of how this happened, I wouldn't want Night Raven to be outdone," Jamil says.
"Agreed. Let's show 'em what we're made of!" Epel says.
Rook then says, "Ah, the crowd is so lively and full of smiles... Merveilleux! Allow me to contribute as well."
Then Professor Trein says, Hmph... I suppose after getting the locals' hopes up, it would be poor form to disappoint them," And then says, "Fine, I'll allow it as long as you remain on your best behavior."
"Certainly. I'll make sure to liven things up in an appropriate way," Riddle says.
"Housewarden! Let's send off a big burst of fireworks together!" Deuce says.
"Come on Tanz, let's join in," Jasper says.
"Okay," Tanzanite says.
Soon, the rest of the Night Raven group join in.
"Magic-addled fools, the lot of them... The sight of it all sickens me," Rollo mutters, sounding rather bitters watching the festivities.
Malleus asks, "What's the matter, Flamme? You should be enjoying the festivities as well."
"Malleus. You and many of your peers possess exceptional magical prowess," Rollo says, "As such, you should be circumspect in how you use it. I hardly think such power is meant for arbitrary spectacles that inflame the public."
"As you say, I am indeed powerful. So am I not free to use it and bestow gifts upon the people as I see fit?" Malleus says.
Rollo remains silent.
"The people enjoy seeing our magic. That's sufficient enough reason for me," Malleus says.
Then turns to Briar, "Come, Briar. Join us in the festivities. I'll be right over there."
"Okay," Briar replies.
With that, Malleus walks away, leaving Rollo and Briar on their own.
"...Magic is such a troublesome thing," Rollo says, and turns to Briar, "Wouldn't you agree, Briar? I can only imagine how arduous it must be to spend your days surrounded by a gaggle of rambunctious, foolhardy mages. The world would be much better off without magic and the chaos it brings. Surely, you must have had similar thoughts?"
"Well, I wouldn't really know too much about then," Briar says and sheepishly smiles, "To be honest, I'm pretty much used to the chaos by now."
That catches Rollo by surprise, "You're USED TO IT? Oh, you poor thing. I can't blame you for becoming numb to the absurdity after spending every day swimming in it."
"Well, I can understand how overwhelming it is. From what I've come to know while living here, people seem to use magic for fun, for work, and other needs. However, I'be come to learn that magic can be dangerous while used carelessly or misused," Briar says.
Rollo nods and says, "From what I've come to understand, you have your magic sealed away and have lived in a world that has no magic for many years. I can imagine it was difficult for you to keep your head high while re-experiencing magic and the mages that use them."
"I have to admit, it was, but I've been able to do magic. Even though I started to use magic, I don't really use them as often, especially after not using them for so long. But I've learned to adjust and balance my new lifestyle with my old one," Briar says.
"Hmm, seems to be that you've managed to use magic, but still choose not unless needed," Rollo says. He calmly sighs, "Mages use their magic to lead people astray and cloud the eyes of the virtuous public. It's sad state of affairs. But worry not—that state of affairs shan't last much longer."
"What?" Briar says, confused, "What do you mean by that?"
Suddenly, Grim calls out, catching Briar's attention, "Hey, Brar! You've got better things to do than stand around. Check THIS out! I call it, 'The Great Grim's Ultra-Deluxe Golden Megafire'!" and uses his magic on the fireworks.
And creates a big one, "Myahahah, it worked!"
Then a villager calls out, "What amazing fireworks! The festival this year is somethin' else!"
"Keep the fireworks coming, mages! And I want to see everybody dance!" A dancer says.
Briar sighs and says, "Sometimes I wish people like Grim should learn how to be more careful while showing off magical abilities," and walks to Grim and the others.
Soon, Briar ends up meeting with Grim, Malleus, and some of the others and joins the festivities. Rollo simply stares as Briar, Malleus, and the others take part in the festival.
"...Hmph," Rollo responds, and mutters under breath, "All these foolish mages…"