In the infinite void of the Main Hall, Vega stood out like a glowing star in the night. The scene almost looked like a sky where all the stars had converged into a single point, and that point was Vega's sparkling dress.

She was grooming herself in front of a desk mirror, applying heavy makeup to her face, and occasionally tugging at her tight attire to emphasize her curves.

"Lola Vega! He’s here now!" Calla excitedly announced as she entered the Hall with Triggs.

“Oh! Thanks, Darling,” Vega responded - she was rolling her eyelashes now.

Calla and Triggs continued moving deeper into the Hall, stopping in front of Vega's desk.

While busy combing her hair, Vega spoke to Triggs, “I heard you were able to move water. Calla told me everything, but I still want to hear it from you.”

“Honestly… I’m still not sure about that,” Triggs replied. After that, he narrated everything to Vega in full detail. He also explained the reasons for his doubt.

“So, you were able to move the lake after uttering those Words, huh?” Vega uttered, as she tried different sets of accessories to match her outfit.

“Uhm… That’s basically it…”

“I see…” Vega murmured, facing left and right in front of the mirror, trying to see if her earrings blended with her vibe. “Actually, Panee already has Her statements about what happened to you at the lake.”

Both Triggs and Calla got excited with the news.

“WOOAAAH!!! You already talked with Ate Panee, Lola Vega?” Calla asked with glittering eyes of enthusiasm.

“Yes. She already gave her words,” Vega answered while wearing her glittery high-heeled sandals. Standing up from her seat, she questioned Triggs, “So, Young Lad, do you want to hear what she said?”

Without hesitation, Triggs answered, “O - Of course!”

“But first…” Vega uttered as she walked closer to Triggs. “...I have to say the information I'm about to tell you is confidential. So, we need to test your integrity.”

“Sure, Lola Vega! Whatever it is, I’m ready!” Triggs answered with confidence.

“Wow! Quite zealous, are we, Young Lad?” Vega praised Triggs. “Well then… First, squat a little bit...”

“Like this?” Triggs uttered while following the instruction.

“No, spread your legs a little bit and straighten ‘em.”

“Okay.” Triggs adjusted his stance.

“Stoop down and put your hands on your knees.”

“Stoop down, put my hands on my…” Triggs murmured while following the command. “...Done!”

“Now, bend your back and start popping your booty up and down, in and out.”

“Bend my back and… THE WHAT NOW!?” Triggs smelled something fishy. By then, he realized something. He returned to his normal posture and stared at Vega with suspecting eyes. “This is one of your pranks again, no?”

Vega didn’t answer. She just replied with a faint chuckle.

“The heck, Lola!?” Triggs muttered.

“I see… You’re learning now, Young Lad,” Vega uttered with a giggle.

“Are you seriously trying to trick me into doing a twerk??”

“Well, it’s hilarious though,” Vega humored.

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“No, it is not!!” Triggs replied. He looked beside him and saw Calla giggling as well. “Not you too?”

“Sorry, it’s just too funny,” Calla replied while giggling.

Triggs sighed. “So there’s really no test, huh?” Because of the prank, Triggs started to doubt Vega’s statements. “Wel – now – I'm not even sure if you really talked with Panee about it.”

“Oh, trust me, Young Lad, I did,” Vega assured. “But like always, she just visited here for a while, gave some vague statements, and left right away.”

“I see…”

Vega leaned closer to Triggs. “You see, Panee is one of the stingiest Giyas out there, so don’t expect clear explanations from her,” she whispered teasingly.

“Hey! I heard that!” Calla reacted. “That’s not true! Ate Panee is the best Giya of them all,” she argued with a pouty face.

“So, at the end of the day, I still don’t get clear answers about it, huh? This is just making me more confused, you know?” Triggs said.

“Well, at least I confirmed something from my 'short discussion' with Panee,” Vega stated as she walked back in front of the mirror.

“Wait… What do you mean? You confirmed something? What is it?”

“For now, celebrate the fact that it was indeed you who made that powerful water attack.”

Vega’s statement gave Triggs a burst of hope. “You’re not pranking me this time, are you?”

“I’m not,” she answered while spinning and turning in front of the mirror. “It’s confirmed. That powerful attack – you are the one who did it.”

A smile slowly formed on Triggs’ face. “Wow…” he whispered in excitement.

“YAY, TRIGGS!!” Calla happily congratulated him.

“So, does it mean I can really use a Word now?” Triggs asked.

Once again, Vega answered in a very incoherent way, “Maybe. Maybe not.”

“What does that even mean!? Can we please stop with the riddles now?”

Vega dodged the question with a smirk, grabbed her fancy-looking tote bag, and took one last look in the mirror. It seemed she was ready to depart now.

Walking away from the desk, she gave Triggs an objective. “I want you to practice. Keep using your magic until you finally figure out what it's really all about. Use the Words as much as you want; it's up to you how you’ll master it.”

“But how can I master it if I don’t even know how to use it properly?” Triggs pointed out. “I have no clue how it even works.”

“Well, Calla can help you with that,” Vega recommended.

“M - Me!?” Calla’s puzzled reaction.

“Yes, Darling. You’ll be Triggs’ ‘Word Mentor’.”

“Ehh!? But I don’t think I’ll be a good teacher,” Calla said. Clearly, she wasn’t ready for the task.

“I know you can do it, Darling. I trust you because you're the expert on Water Magic. It's time to show that 'Team Panee' really is the best!” Vega said it in such an uplifting way, but in reality, she was simply dodging the responsibility of mentoring Triggs and she was rushing to leave.

As expected, Calla was convinced by the flattery words. A spark of dedication burned in her eyes. “Okay! I’ll do it, Lola!”

“Thank you, Darling! Well then…. OPERBA!”

A Portal opened in the Hall.

Vega started walking towards the Portal. But just before she could enter, she remembered something, “Oh, I almost forgot! Here's a tip for you, Young Lad: if you want to truly master it, you must understand the very essence of water itself”

The statement left Triggs even more confused.

“Well, that’s it! See yah, Kiddos!”

Vega finally left the Hall, leaving Triggs deep in contemplation.

“I still don’t get it,” Triggs muttered.

“Don’t worry! With Ate Panee’s blessing, I’ll help you with that!” Calla said with a confident stance, head held high and arms crossed.

…

…

…

Moments later, Triggs and Calla returned to the Garden. Claire and Isha were still there.

Calla was about to start her mentoring session. Isha and Triggs sat on the grass, getting ready to listen to the lecture. Trying to act and look like a true teacher, Calla stood in front of her students. Claire, on the other hand, timidly observed from behind Calla.

Calla introduced herself in a very academic professor-like way, “Good afternoon, my dear students! I am Ms. Calla Paglaom, your ‘Word Mentor’ for today!” She pointed her finger to Triggs as she continued, “You!… may be asking yourself now: ‘What is this lesson all about?’…”

“Uhm… about ‘Words’?” Triggs answered with a confused and slightly incredulous facial expression.

“Wow! How did you know!? You must be a mind reader. I’ll give you points for that!” Calla announced.

“Eh???..” A full question mark formed on Triggs's face.

“You heard it! We are talking about Words. I, as your ‘Word Mentor’, will teach you about Words. So… Uhh……” Suddenly, Calla became fidgety, breaking her academic professor character.

She turned to Claire to ask for help. “Claaaairee!!! Halp meeeee! What should I say next?”

The timid lady was perplexed. “Uhm…… Maybe let them ask questions?” she suggested.

“Right!” Quickly, Calla faced her students again, returning to her professor character. “Well, do you have any questions, my dear students?”

Triggs raised his hand.

“Yes, Mr. Mind Reader Student? What is your question?”

“How can I use Words in general?”

The question made Calla think deeply. “Use… Words… in general? Uhm…” she murmured. After a few head scratches, “Ahh… Ehh… You can use Words by… Uhm… saying it?...” Obviously, she just blurted it out.

Her confidence dwindled. She rushed to her helper again, grabbing Claire's shoulder and rocking her petite body back and forth. “Claaaairee!!! Help pliiis! How do we use Words!?”

Getting dizzy with all the shaking, Claire responded, “Ate Callaaaaa, please stop! I can't help you! I don’t know how to use Words as well, remembeeeer?!!”

“Nooo!!! Plis!I need to answer him! I have to be a good mentor, or else Ate Panee’s name will be put to shaaaame.”

Suddenly, Isha started speaking, “KRAAAAA! Kraa-kra! Kra-kra-kra! Ka-kraaaaa!!”

It sounded like the turtle said something serious and motivating, stopping Calla from squashing Claire's body any further. She finally let go of the poor girl.

“Isha is right. Maybe you just need to explain it in your own way, with what you know. Please don’t feel pressured, Ate Calla,” Claire said in affirmation of what Isha stated.

Triggs also agreed. “Just tell me how you do it yourself, Calla. I’ll do my best to understand it. Hehe.”

Calla felt inspired again. “Okaaay… Thanks, my studen – I mean, Triggs…”

Afterward, the formal academic atmosphere dissipated, and the discussion took on a more casual tone.

“Uhm… How do I use Words?” Calla asked herself. “Hmm……”

Calla and Triggs continued their discussion.