While Albert was in kitchen waiting for Adeline's breakfast, Shen and Atem exited the bathroom along with a dozen ladies. They escorted them to the door with a lot of flirting before going nonchalantly towards the dining hall where they met Adeline. As they expected.

Shen: So, I guess you made a decision?

Adeline: Yes. I did. I want to stay with you guys. I want to learn more about Magic and become stronger.

Shen: Even though we are 'heretics'?

Adeline: I know that it's dangerous but...I feel like if I were to walk away today, I would regret it the rest of my life.

Shen: That's for sure, breakfast here is damn tasty.

They all laughed. Shen and Atem sat down with her.

Atem: So, did you work on variation yesterday? Or would you like to have the morning?

Adeline: I did work. But i only finished four variations.

Shen: That's already worthy of compliments. For a first time.

Atem: No spiling my student, leader! However, it is true that you had distracting thoughts as well...Take the morning to finish the fifth one. Maybe polish the other four if you find time.

While he was starting his lecture, the door opened and a dazzling Tempest entered and sat down on a free seat. Atem did not even pause in his lecture.

Tempest: ...No one going to ask what I was doing?

Shen: We don't care. Just tell us if you created us problems.

Tempest: I did not.

Shen: Then it's all good.

Soon, the breakfast was served.

Once they finished eating, Tempest and Adeline both left first, leaving Shen and Atem alone together.

Atem: Master, what should we do about the device behind the third painting?

Shen: Hm...How about cursing it after we make it useless?

Atem: Oh? I love the idea! What kind of curse should we put on you~ On you~

Shen: Let's do something fun... How about something like "whenever someone looks at you, you will get excited?" ?

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Atem: Ahahah, this does sound exciting indeed! May I have the honor?

Shen: Go for it. Anyways, today, I plan to go back to the library and-

"DING!" "DUNG!" "DONG!"

Shen: What was that?

Atem: A ringing sound of some kind? I don't feel any Magic...We should remain on guard.

Shen: Could it be an ennemy attack? No...I don't detect any projectiles or spells...

At that moment, a maid entered the room and was welcomed with paralysing spells. The duo quickly retracted them and apologized.

Shen: What is it?

Maid ???: A messenger from the house of Lemington has arrived and requested an audience, Masters.

Atem: Ginny, could you tell me what the previous sound we heard was?

Maid Ginny: Do you mean the doorbell, Master Atem? Would you perhaps like the tone to be changed?

Atem: A doorbell? What is it used for? This is very intriguing. Would you mind showing me this doorbell, Ginny, please?

Maid Ginny: Yes, of course, Master Atem...But, what about the messenger?

Shen: I will take care of that, you lead Atem, Ginny. ...And Atem, you know what to do.

Atem: Of course, leader! I shall personnaly investigate the doorbell!

Shen nodded while the incredulous maid was going to have to present what a doorbell was to a very studious and overzealous Magus.

In a deskroom, Shen was receiving the guest.

Shen: So, what do you want?

The guest coughed a few times, seemingly unnacustommed to such language. Regardless, he was a professionnal and as such knew how to remain courteous and go on with his work. And boy did he have work right now.

Messenger ???: Sir Shen, I come here on behalf on House Lemington to bring you the approval of the duel. It should be done tomorrow at noon at the third public arena.My duty finished, I shall refrain from taking mroe of your time. Here is the official document, Sir. I bid you farewell.

Shen opened the document as the messenger left. After reading it, he tore it in rage and screamed a name. The scream was so powerful that legends tell that it was heard throughout the whole capital. A single name it was : "TEMPEST".

After the scream, Atem, Adeline and all the servants of the Mansion rushed to the deskroom to see that everything inside had been burnt to sharcoal. Atem was the first to enter while shielding everyone else.

Atem: Please, calm yourself, leader.

Shen: No! Bring me this moron! Right now!

Atem: Leader!

Shen: ... * breathes deeply*...*breathes even more deeply*...Fine. I am calm now. Sorry.

Atem: What happened, leader?

Shen: This!

As Shen pushed his fist towards Atem, he noticed that there was nothing left of the torn document. He embarrassingly coughed a few times before he started speaking once more.

Shen: Tempest got me into a duel to the death at noon tomorrow.

Atem: ...Wait, what?

Adeline: What?!

Shen: It seems that he offended some Lemington fly somewhere and they ended up agreeing to settle it with a duel. A duel to the death where they picked a representative and the fucker picked me!!!

Atem couldn't help but start to madly laugh while Adeline was incredibly anxious. This was house Lemington! A house with hundreds of years of history and a Duchy of the Kingdom! And Shen was going to fight to the death with their representative?!

Trying to contain his laughter, Atem asked:

Atem: And what is being bet?

Shen: His life. Tempest bet his life as collateral.

Atem straightened at once and became very serious.

Atem: Should we hand him over to them?

Adeline: Sir Atem!

Atem: My bad, apologies, Miss Adeline.

Shen: ...Let's wait until tonight. I am not fighting for his ass without reason.

Atem: I am very curious what this dumb dog might have done to warrant this...

Shen: Don't bother. He will tell us as soon as he comes back.

Then, Shen turned to the servants and told them:

Shen: You guys, if you see Tempest, you tell him my words "Stay the fuck at home, Dumb Dog" signed me.