Dayen was holding a lesson for those of her students who had chosen water as their second element. Lia, alongside a dozen others, listened to her explanation, took notes, and memorized Dayen's retellings of her experience. As someone who could cast magic from all elements, she commanded great respect from not just her students but from any mage in Meriath. During the summer break, Reyra once mentioned to her daughter that teachers like Dayen, even if they are not strong in battle, are warlocks and witches that she would even address respectfully when meeting.

"Now," Dayen looked at them, standing in the spacious classroom, "try circulating your mana through the specified energy points I mentioned! If you are doing it right, you will feel your mana slowly change its attribute from your original element to that of water! But don't rush it! Changing it must be done meticulously and with your fully devoted attention! Any mistake and you will hurt yourself!"

Lia couldn't help but sigh deep inside. She remembered how quickly Palvina was changing between fire and electricity. How her own mother could switch up light and darkness, looking as if she was wielding it simultaneously. Yet here she sat, unable to form one simple ball of water above her open palm. The rest were already trying their hands at more advanced spells and were learning how to speed up the change between elements. Even if it may take them hours now between switches, that could be whittled down to almost nothing later.

"Haaah…" She let out a soft breath, trying to circulate her mana bit instead of forming a sphere of water; her palm was simply turning sweaty.

Nobody was mocking her for it, especially not after what happened with Olivia. But Lia couldn't help but notice some weird gazes directed at her emblem, signaling her proficiency with fire… and to start questioning why was she even trying? It looked like a waste of time, and instead of bashing her head against one of the most complex challenges known to mages, she should try to pick another element as her second.

"You are forcing it," Dayen spoke, walking before Lia, kneeling down in front of her mat while the rest of her classmates were already immersed in their meditation.

"I am," Lia grumbled, wiping her wet hand into her uniform.

"That is not how water works." Dayen shook her head, "Water can be forceful, but you can't force it to flow in the opposite way!"

"We can build a dam and change-"

"Stop." Dayen raised a finger, silencing her, forming a small smile, and looking into her mismatched eyes. "Don't try finding excuses, child. We are talking about the fundamentals. About the nature of our world. Don't force it, and it will work! You are too focused on succeeding! That is why you are failing! You have to relax!"

"Relax…?" Lia asked, tilting her head slightly confused.

"Yes. Take your mind off from magic for a moment. From casting spells, combining elements, even forget about meditating!"

"But…"

"Go," Dayen said, standing back up and pulling Lia to her feet. "Until you have taken a relaxing few days off and can conjure a simple water ball, don't come to my classes."

"Wait! Are… are you kicking me out?!" Lia asked, her voice going an octave thinner, turning pale, and for the first time, she certainly panicked.

"Ahahaha~" Dayen laughed, her shaking body making the many small bells chime, decorating her dress and horns. "No! But you need a clear head because you are not really listening to what I am telling you. You will see it after it! I am sure of that! Rest, and come back when you feel relaxed! The difference will be tremendous! Believe me!"

…

…..

……

"What's happened to her?" Koa asked Keily, looking out of the window, watching Lia sit on the steps of their tower, lost in her thoughts.

"Teacher Dayen said she shouldn't come to class until she managed to cast a water spell," Keily answered, munching on a carrot, walking next to Koa, also watching Lia with worried eyes.

"Ouch." She grimaced, taking in a sharp breath. "No wonder she isn't responding to anything. "Well, I know a few things that could console her!"

"I don't think Aurora would approve."

"She doesn't need to know! Or are you trying to snitch on me?" She grinned, pinching his rabbit ears.

"Owie! No!" Keily answered, turning red very quickly, "Don't pinch it; they are sensitive!"

"Are they? Mmmm?" She started caressing it and couldn't help but grin, watching his body tremble and shake while his face displayed some fascinating expressions. "Cute~!" Koa giggled, finally letting him go. "I am going to scout out some fun places in the city and take her out for a girls-only day!"

"That wouldn't be a bad idea." A message pinged on their bracelets as Aurora walked down from upstairs, "I received a letter; Jarrut, Lorin's father, will arrive the day after tomorrow! We have to entertain him a little in exchange for those fire seeds he is bringing along!"

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"Should I sleep with him?" Koa asked, unperturbed, mostly asking because of a joke, but then she was stumped by Aurora's answer.

"You could try. If you can manage it, I will pay you handsomely."

"Wait! Really?" She gasped and couldn't believe her ears.

"Oh yes~!" Aurora nodded, flashing her white teeth as, besides Lia, few knew the particular preference of their arriving guest. "I am willing to pay you 5000 CP! Anyway, with Lia's plans on our hands, we don't have much time to spare. So you, Lia, Keily, and Shishi will accompany Mr. Jarrut while he is here. I already worked out his permit with the school. He can stay exactly 24 hours on the Island! So keep track of time; any longer than that, and we have to pay CP as a penalty! Every extra hour deducts 100 CP from the Misfits!"

"Okay, okay! It shouldn't be that hard!" Koa giggled, "It sounds like a good, fun, relaxing party day! Ahahaha~! Nice!"

"Shouldn't someone else come along too?" Keily asked, finishing his carrot.

"The others are busy, and Raufon is out with Ceiline, gathering resources. Sion is busy testing the new members and choosing people for his task. I am focusing on duels, getting ready to challenge others, and setting up challenges for my subordinates. Everyone is busy!"

"Yeah, even my poor boys are exhausted!" Koa sighed, "They all are overseeing our operations… I am a bit glad I chose capable guys! They rarely come to me to solve their problems!"

"I was just asking!" He shrugged, wiping his mouth, heading out to cheer up Lia, sitting down next to her, "Boss! Cheer up! If I could learn to make fire spells so quickly, you are going to get through it too!"

"Ah! Keily!" She flinched and jolted out of her strange trance. "Sorry, I was thinking! Or… well, I was trying not to think!"

"Huh?" He asked, surprised, blinking his eyes confusedly.

"Teacher said, I need to relax. To empty my mind! I was trying to do that and not thinking or forcing my thoughts! But it is hard… I can't not think… I tried it the same way when I meditate, but it… it is not the same, and… Eh, it is hard! Maybe I should hit my head? Try kicking it so I go unconscious!" She said, clearly meaning it, looking into his eyes.

"Ugh… Boss, I think you are taking this in the completely wrong direction!" Keily patted her shoulders, twitching his mouth. "We just spoke with Aurora, and soon, Lorin's father, Jarrut, will arrive!"

"Oh, yeah! I need to come up with some things to entertain him! It shouldn't be hard; maybe I will introduce him to Raufon!" She grinned suddenly.

"Hm?" Keily asked wordlessly, tilting his head, and when Lia explained, he couldn't help but be shocked but then chuckled… before his face went ashen. "Wait! This is not good!"

"Why?" Now it was Lia's turn to be surprised and listen to Keily's explanation.

"Ahaha! So you are going to be the only boy coming? Hah! Then dress up nicely! Wear some cute clothes!"

"Booooossss!!! Don't throw me at the wolves, please! I beg of you!"

"Well… we could dress you up in my old clothes… We are at the same height! I already have some that started to feel small…." She whispered, grabbing at her chest, murmuring under her breath with expectations glinting in her eyes.

"Wait, Boss! Waaaait!" Keily moaned, waving his hand around like a windmill, going red from head to toe.

"Nobody would know! Koa is experienced with makeup and everything! We could turn you into a girl so Mr. Jarrut won't try to woo you! But I wouldn't mind if you could dress up in a manly way and make him happy! We have to be a good host and entertain an esteemed guest!"

"You just enjoying making me nervous!" He cried out, on the verge of tears.

"Eh?! No!" Lia moaned, puffing up her cheeks, masking the fact he was right.

"I only heard half of that!" Arrived Koa, her eyes twinkling, watching Keily like a tiger would eye its prey before pouncing on it from the bushes. "I can turn you into a cute girl in a jiffy! Believe me! All the boys would turn after you while we walked down the main street! I may even molest you by the end of the day!"

"Koa, Koa, KOA!" Lia jumped up, already back in an energetic, happy mood, jumping up and down, unlike Keily. "Dress me up nicely too! You are the pro! I want to turn heads too!"

"Ahaha! Sure!" She grinned, grabbing both of their hands to drag them up to her room.

"I… I… I am good! No… Really! I… I have other tasks… Boss! I have a different mission… yes? Tell her… BOSS!" Keily cried, trying to get free and run away, but he was powerless against the two. As they passed Aurora, going up the spiral stairs, she only signed a few words that Lia translated to her cousin.

"Just don't make her look like a cheap whore."

"Worry not!" She winked back at her, "She will look like an expensive one!"

…

….

……

When the day came to welcome Jarrut to the Island, the Misfits were standing at Dock-14, waiting for his ship to arrive. Lia and Koa were dressed similarly in a frilly, one-piece dress. Lia's was light blue, just like her mixed fire, while Koa's was deep blue, like the ocean at the shores of the Amarins' territory. Both of their hair was tied into a ponytail, and they were wearing makeup in a really subtle way, outlining their natural beauty. Next to Koa stood Shishi, wearing short jeans and a loose t-shirt, not really bothering to dress up for the occasion, her brown hair held up in a bun by a butterfly pin.

"Huh…" She murmured, leaning a bit forward, checking Lia's chest before looking down at her pretty flat one. "She has a pair that is already as big as me? How?" She murmured, sighing, thinking about the same thing as Koa.

"She is growing… if she keeps this up, she is going to outgrow me in a year!" Koa thought, also watching Lia, who was grinning in place, enjoying her pretty look and her new dress, swinging her hips in place. She was clearly a fan of how her dress's skirt was swirling around her fair legs.

"You are sweaty!" Lia commented with a laugh, holding Keily's hand, feeling it soak her palm.

Keily narrowly escaped the fate of being dressed up in girly clothes. He was dressed in multiple skirts and blouses by the two, but seeing his teary eyes when they made him wear Lia's panties and Koa started taking some pictures with her bracelet, they decided it was enough teasing for the day. Now, he was wearing jeans and a shirt, dressed simply and comfortably. The reason why he was so nervous was that Koa came up with the idea that Lia and Keily should act as a couple. That way, Mr. Jarrut wouldn't try flirting with him. Nobody dared to court an Amarin's chosen pair.

"S-sorry…" He answered, stuttering a little.

"Ahaha! Reeeelaaaaax, deeeaaaaar!” Lia giggled, grabbing Keily's arm and hugging him close, making him flinch and squeal a little, making Koa and Shishi look at each other, simultaneously saying the exact words.

"This is going to be more fun than I thought!"