Night arrived and the Magician’s troupe can be seen gathered together inside their office discussing how they should tackle this new predicament handed to them. Now only that, the boys also were having a hard time figuring out exactly where they were going to cram their lessons with their master Grom-ilk. While there was no schedule for when they would meet, the two of them just feel like it would be disrespectful just not to show up after all that has happened. But unfortunately, this new assignment takes precedence over it all. 

“Okay, let’s try to get an idea on how we’re gonna tackle this. What topic should we be focusing on?” Sylvester started the meeting by addressing the most pressing matter at the moment. “Any of you got anything you’re quite interested in? I think research will be much less painful to go through if we can agree on something we all find rather interesting.” Raising a rather valid point, his words seemed to have struck a chord within all his friends as they were now in deep thought. 

“Something that we are all interested in huh?” Estelle said as she slumped over the table, her mind foggy and was really at a loss at the moment. “Oh man, I am coming up blank. Why don’t we just make a report on the stuff we read about Rossa?” She asked, immediately causing Rossa’s face to turn into an indignant scowl before letting out a sigh. 

“I don’t think those books we went through count as some sort of mage history related subject you know?” Rossa then began to explain. “They are much more technical really, and frankly I don’t think we can reach the adequate amount of pages with it.” 

“Ugh, you’re right. So do you have any idea what you want to look more into?” Estelle threw the question towards Rossa still to which she responded with a horizontal headshake. “Unfortunately no. My mind is currently preoccupied, I am having a hard time trying to come up with something.” She dejectedly declared. Although she openly declared that nothing was coming up, in truth the legend of King Arthur sparks a great curiosity in her. But knowing Artian’s disposition towards that man, she decided not to bring it up. She feels it would just cause an unnecessary rift and make the entire endeavor fall apart. 

“Huh, such a shame.” She thought to herself as she eyed Estelle and then Artian. “The least I can do is a bit tactful when it comes to these matters. And besides, I could just read the books in the library or I could ask him.” Her thoughts continued as her gaze moved towards the black-haired man sitting opposite her, who now looked very troubled and gloomy. 

“Damn, even you're drawing a blank huh?” Sylvester spoke in a defeated tone. “This is not going well at the moment. Yo Artian, you got any ideas?” To which, Artian looked Sylvester directly in the eye and spoke. “Dude, are you seriously asking me that right now?” Artian bemoaned as he planted his face into the table. 

“Oh boy, this is gonna be quite the doozy.” The leader declared as he slouched down on his chair while looking up at the white ceiling of their office. “Sitting here feels like I’m wasting time even though there is plenty of it.” He lamented as he continued to stare blankly upward. “I suggest we just talk about this another time.” Rossa suddenly cut in. “We still have quite a bit of time before the deadline. It’s more than a month away anyway.” 

“Yeah, I see your point. But it would be best if we had some sort of concrete plan early on. I just feel like things will start going out of hand if we don’t try to deal with this early.” Sylvester said as he started scratching his head. “Why did we have to agree on that stupid game of yours. We didn’t even bet on anything as a prize.” He then let out a weak unenthusiastic laugh. 

“Yup I think it’s high time we drop this whole petty I’m right and you’re wrong argument don’t you guys think?” Sylvester promptly declared with a bit of assertiveness. “We don’t even have a win condition so let’s just stop with the friendly hostilities if you will. If we didn’t have this extra baggage to deal with I would be more than happy to partake in this silliness.” 

“So, are you suggesting we just stop with our self imposed extracurricular activities as well?” Rossa asked. “No, not at all!” Sylvester promptly answered. “My father always told me that if an opportunity arises you should grab hold of it as hard as you can. You girls were given access for better books while we were given a very special teacher, to say the least.” Sylvester then paused as he stood from his seat and glanced at all three of his friends. 

“So instead of very pointless bragging rights, how about we do this instead. Once we have gone through an adequate amount of progress, how about we teach each other what we have learned? After all, being a teacher is the best way to learn. Or at least that was what my mother told me.” Sylvester suggested in a much more persuasive manner befitting of a leader. His three friends then looked at each other before giving a meaningful nod.

“Alright, fine. We’ll go with your suggestion dear leader.” Artian agreed with a little snide in his voice only for Estelle to butt in. “You’re still paying for our soda right?” Only to be met with a simultaneous “No.”

“Aww, Rossa! They are backing out on their word!” Estelle complained to the crimson eyed duchess but it seemed she was thinking about other topics. “Special teacher huh?” Rossa’s interest seemed to have been piqued by how Sylvester said those words. “I’m keeping that as a secret for now,” Sylvester said in a coy manner, much to Rossa’s dismay. “It is much more impactful if you meet him yourself but, we’ll ask him about it first.” He continued. “Dude, why are you acting like the headmaster now?” Artian let out a laugh as the group of four reached a new arrangement.

“Well, I guess that settles it huh?” Estelle cut in. “I think this concludes the meeting for today right? Let’s all go back to our respective dorms to get some rest.” She suggested. “Oh well,” Sylvester said in agreement. “With no one opposing this then I guess, the meeting is adjourned. See you, ladies, tomorrow.” The four then left their office and broke up into pairs upon entering the student dorm village. But it seems that the boys had some other things they had to discuss. 

“Yo dude, when are we going to meet up with Grom-ilk?” Artian asked as they slowly made their way back to the Really Teal dorm. “I honestly don’t know dude. Even if you ask me I’m kinda stumped.” Sylvester replied as he hung his shoulders low. “Also I’ve been meaning to ask, when exactly are you going to get a new sword?” 

“Uh. I don’t know. Soon I guess? My mentor is taking an awful time forging or finding a new one I dunno.” Artian replied, his uncertainty coursing out through his words. As the pair were about to enter the Really Teal dorm, a very stupid but frankly appealing idea popped inside their heads. 

“Hey, Artian.”

“Yes?”

“Didn’t the twins say there were no actual curfews in the dorms correct?” Sylvester asked as the two approached the ever-present twins who sat behind the desk at the front of the Really Teal dorm. “Hey, there miss Tinri and Nitri.” Sylvester greeted first. “Oh hello there Mr. Artian and Mr. Sylvester,” Nitri replied with glee followed up by Tinri. “How can we be of assistance today? She asked with her usual disinterested monotone.

“Uhm yeah.” Artian awkwardly cut in. “So uh, we were just wondering. Is it okay if we don’t stay at the dorm for some time? There is no curfew after all and we can always just return by morning.” He clumsily asked in a sheepish tone. 

“Oh, are you two going camping?” Nitri asked in an upbeat manner. “Well, there’s no rule saying you can’t.” She continued and as expected, Tinri followed up with her own words. “Just make sure you don’t forget your campus responsibilities. And do tell us whenever you will leave.” She explained. Almost immediately Artian and Sylvester’s faces lit up as they realized that there might just be a way for them to squeeze some time for training.

---

Inside a cave in the middle of a nondescript forest, a small green figure was basking in the moonlight seeping through the hole on the cave’s ceiling. The gentle and pale afterglow of the light gave the interior a stoic serenity mixed with a very small sense of mystery and mystique. In the middle of it, all was the being known as Master Grom-Ilk.

Unmoving, he sat above the flowing river that meets the rising waterfall to his side. Floating ever so slightly above the relatively strong torrent underneath while basking deep inside the pits of his mind in an ever-deepening state of meditation. 

Silently he pondered over many things; chief of which is how exactly he arrived where he was at. Look back towards his far distant youth, filled with animalistic instinct hell-bent on wreaking havoc wherever he pleased to his current state of calm and zen. He knew that his journey was far from over, but still, he wants to know why has this all happened to him and most pressing of it all, why was he brought here?

As his mind danced in introspection he was suddenly made aware of two disturbances quickly closing in on his location, however, he wasn’t surprised by their arrival. He would be disappointed if these two did not show up any time soon. Although this task was simply pushed towards him by his current and very eccentric benefactor, he had more reason to accept than to refuse. After all, the best way to learn is through teaching. 

With his bright yellow eyes opening once again, he stood atop the rushing water and walked out of the river looking towards the cave entrance as the two mana sources grew stronger and stronger. With a little stretching of his arms, he prepared himself for the night ahead. “Now then, it is only fair that I meet their determination with an equal amount of attention.” He said aloud to himself as the quiet and calm of his humble cave would soon be disturbed by youthful vigor.