"Okay, we've finished the introductions, so I'll ask you all to please head inside the reception hall, the dining hall, or wherever you'd like while we set up outside. I will have to ask everyone to please leave the courtyard, but you are free to wander in the front of the dorms. If you'd like to talk to your children beforehand, you'll have five minutes before we begin in earnest. We'll be starting the viewing in an hour, so please be sure to be here for the unveiling."

The Headmaster smiled and walked off the decorated stage. Where once it had a simple white-stone base, it now housed quartz roses, red-clay pillars, and even obsidian spears.

The crowd talked amongst themselves as they dispersed.

Mathers left with the company heads, as did Alexander with his wives and aid.

Mathers' wife remained and pulled Jasmine to the side, away from everyone's view.

The girl's face paled for a moment and she opened her mouth to speak. She was slapped. Gentle enough to not leave a mark, but enough to jolt Jasmine.

She nodded her head.

"..." Her mother silently walked away, not even the faintest flicker of light in her dark eyes.

Or they escaped from almost all eyes.

Eldrich's body leaned against the stone podium. He stood up and walked away, face masked in a timid smile as he pulled all the information in his mind together.

Meanwhile, Lisanna and Mathias were walking towards the departing crowd. Until they were stopped. "Mathias Vandiese, Lisanna O'Clare," a third-year student said. "I am here to inscribe the plate for your sculpture and we'll be able to do basic terrain modification if it is deemed necessary. Afterwards, we'll be covering them once they are to your satisfaction."

Mathias nodded and lifted up his prepared note.

"..."

The student read it.

"Understood. Lisanna?"

"Ah, uhm... I don't know how to describe it well. Its name is just 'The Warrior' though."

"With the other being fine as 'The Dancer', correct?" He confirmed with Mathias. The boy nodded. "Okay. I'll do a basic plate with the titles together, the general description, and have his answered questions on another beside it. You'll be there to answer other questions, I trust?"

"I will!"

She looked at Mathias and nodded quickly.

"Then so be it."

The third-year student was guided to their chosen spot and the two quickly set up their statues once all the people were cleared from the courtyard.

It seemed that there were refreshments in the lobby so it wasn't as if the guests were being mistreated.

"... Hmm..."

The student looked at the tall shrubs behind it, essentially cordening off the view from the other placements of Ayla, Erik, and Wendi, and nodded.

He formed a bulge in the earth to mask the otherwise floating statues' base and the stasis stone was buried a little to give it a more natural appearance.

It still accepted commands from the owner so it worked out well.

"Is there is anything else you'd like to add or change?"

"No, it'll be fine, right?"

Mathias nodded and sighed.

"Okay. Then please move aside."

They obliged the order and the student pulled out a clear spike from his breast pocket, no larger than a pen, and stabbed it into the ground in front of Lisanna's first - and then another in front of Mathias'.

Two black barriers formed around the two statues.

They were already 'closed' and no one had any time to alter their sculptures.

"Okay. You all may wander around our return to the lobby. There will be coffee, tea, and other such refreshments."

"Okay!"

Lisanna watched and waited for the student to leave before turning to Mathias. "Uh... was that okay? I mean on the stage...?"

He nodded and wrote, 'it's fine for me.'

"But... mine-"

He raised a hand.

'It's fine. At the very least, there is nothing they can do to you in here.'

"I-it isn't about that... I-I am s-scared, but more so f-for y-you...!"

"Oh, if it isn't Mathias!"

Jasmine appeared and quickly hugged the perplexed boy. Her bulging chest pressed into his arm as she quickly released.

"I just wanted to thank you for treating Mina and Lina last night. When I saw their dresses, I was blown away. And your mother was even kind enough to get me something quite gorgeous to wear. Unfortunately, I am predisposed during the banquet, but I'd like to ask you if you could at least spare a dance for me?"

"What are you doing?!" Lisanna pushed away Jasmine who was latching onto Mathias' arm and leaning her chest in with a sultry smile.

Jasmine gave a wounded look. "I see, I apologize for interrupting but I couldn't help myself. I am very grateful for what he did, after all. There aren't words to properly express it, so I wanted to at least make his night a little more fun, given how constrained his options are for talking and the like."

"What does it matter?! It'll be fine. Just get away from him."

Lisanna glared at Jasmine as flames flickered involuntarily around her palm.

Jasmine raised her own calm palms. "Ah, I would suggest you stop. Mr. Shields specifically forbade conflicts between us, did he not?"

Lisanna clenched her teeth hatefully whereas Jasmine just sighed as she rubbed her shoulder where she was pushed.

"Mathias, I'll leave the two of you for a moment, but I'd love to share a dance, please do think of me," she said with a small bow and polite smile.

Jasmine was quick to ascertain Mathias was not the type to baited by such tactics so she kept calm and was thankful for his personality. While unenthused and largely annoyed, he reacted as per her expectations so it was a good-enough re-introduction after seemingly so long.

Jasmine walked away towards were Kira was waiting nervously.

She had her head turned from the scene, but she caught it all.

She did not mention it as the two walked back to the lobby.

"... That bitch..." Lisanna growled and then turned to Mathias. "You think so, too, right?"

He shrugged - inciting Lisanna's ire.

"What?! You told me before that you didn't like her."

He nodded.

"Then what?!"

He wrote a note.

'I don't like her. I just haven't been slighted by her so I can't really call her that.'

"Th-.. you better... not after... not after that! You better not betray me, okay?!"

Lisanna said angrily as tears formed in the pit of her eyes.

He splashed water on her face.

"Hey?!"

'Have I done anything to anyone to piss them off directly? And I definitely haven't done anything to you.'

"That... I get it! You're still mad about the furs! I'll make it up to you - so don't go with her!"

Lisanna, too, grabbed his arm - apparently having her mind churn faster on more important thoughts than having water thrown at her. It dried and her hair wasn't ruined at all - no evidence was to be found.

She stayed that way with her holding onto his arm.

"...?"

"Even if you promise to not go with her, she'll find a way. I'm not letting go."

"... Hah..."

Mathias sighed.

'At least leave me be normally until you see her.'

"That... that... fine. I-I trust you, o-okay?"

"...?"

She finally released his arm.

But was very close.

Mathias grumbled as he saw her scanning furiously left-and-right.

She was blind-sided by Jasmine, whom she thought she could just avoid indefinitely, given the current shift to effectively zero contact. However, since she finally acted, Lisanna did not know what to do. In all honesty, she never managed to stand up to her in a manner that did not involve outright screaming or fighting.

Which earned her a reputation. A reputation that somehow been dismantled in the past week. And it was an alteration she wanted to keep.

"Yo, you guys done?"

Erik said as he turned. He was walking with several others, including Ayla, Jennifer, Wendi, Hunter, and James. Eldrich, normally at either Erik's or Hunter's side, was not seen.

"Y-yeah."

Lisanna said, growing a little more conscious of the distance between the two. She stepped to her normal distance, but it just didn't feel safe.

Even as she saw Jasmine turn around and smile at her.

"...!"

"Woah. You okay, Lisanna?" Erik muttered, looking over.

Ayla followed the gaze, blinked, and then grabbed Lisanna's arm directly. "Huh? Oh! Lisanna! You are both coming for drinks, right?!"

"Y-yeah," Lisanna dulled the sharpness in her eyes and lowered her head. "Yeah, we're going."

Once they walked into the reception hall, Lisanna froze.

"Oh? Hey!" Claude shouted at the group as he was talking with Alexander. "Alexander was just telling me a little bit about you. Is it true that you won three-straight competitions in your previous school?! That's amazing!"

"Y-yes... it, it is."

"Those schools are typically full of pretentious twits, too, so I am amazed you managed to come out normal."

Alexander laughed. "Hey, hey. I came from one of those very schools. And it was because of that I had formed a contact with your father. If it wasn't for your family, I wouldn't be where I am today."

"Is that so? That old man was too busy with nonsense so I just left when I was fourteen. Thirteen? Don't remember. I visit him now-and-again, but he hasn't stopped shouting, 'cabbage this! Cabbage that!' He is quite obsessed. At least he was bearable with wheat and barley."

"Well, it is good to have a hobby. Particularly one where you can make a living off of. You helped with the business so I'm sure you know enough. Anyways, Lisanna, Claude; Claude, Lisanna."

"Ah, we've already met. My wife is smitten by her and Wendi! And I believe you mentioned you've already met Mathias! He's better than the bastard was when he was his age with a spear - even though he only brought blades just to piss me off!"

"Ah, that man is still a high-ranking man, I wouldn't speak too ill of him here. Furthermore, even you and I both have base-levels of contact with them. Anyways, perhaps it is best to leave the students to talk amongst themselves or meet some of the others. Lain, my dear, let's go."

Lisanna's mother nodded and went to the side, with a weak smile as he motioned Claude away. Almer remained with Alyssa and Irina, with the latter-most just glancing at the trailing women with a shifting expression of disgust. Her business-like smile was gone.

"... Lisanna, I do expect you to be a little more assertive than your mother."

"Uh... y-yes..." Lisanna looked down.

Irina just placed her hand on the top of her head.

"No matter. It's too early for this nonsense. Wendi, please show Ali and Erin to the dining hall with the rest, okay?"

"Y-yeah... I-Irina..."

Irina smiled and grabbed the retreating figure's shoulder and pulled her in tightly for a hug from behind. She knocked against Lisanna a little, but both were unbothered by it. With an arm around Wendi, she pushed her off again, patting her shoulder, adding, "ah, everyone else, too."

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

Mathias waited for everyone else to pass and he looked at his mother questioningly.

"What? It's natural to help cute girls, right? Sometimes for money, sometimes just because they're cute, and sometimes because they're really, really cute. I could never spoil Erin like this, anyways."

Mathias pursed his lips and nodded. It was true.

Lisanna finally looked up. "W-wait, what...? Why are you doing this?"

"Because I want to?" She yawned. "Plus, it's amusing. You are hereby ordered to come over sometime next week and tell me all the gossip, okay?"

"Uh... s-sure...?"

"Then it's fine. Not many wounds are too deep to heal; not yours nor the one you inflicted on him. It is troublesome so please keep that in mind for next time."

"O... Okay..." Lisanna lowered her red-face towards the ground, shaking a little.

"Awe, too cute." Irina pulled Lisanna into a hug.

Despite Lisanna being taller than Irina, she had no power to resist.

Mathias sighed as he looked at his parents once again made a new bond so easily. He was nowhere near as sociable as they were. 'I wonder if they've made more friends in my class than I did...?'

A sigh was released and Lisanna was pushed towards him. "Okay, you two kids have fun now. Mathias, be sure to take care of Wendi, too, alright? But you can only pick one. Both are still family, though."

"...?"

He tilted his head questioningly.

Had he done something? He did not know. Rather, he knew the implication but felt it was a significant misunderstanding. He hoped it wasn't a harbinger to come.

Supporting Lisanna's back, he wondered what his Mother's deal was. However, she just walked away, scurrying after the departing group.

"Lisanna O'Clare and Mathias Vandiese, right?" A stern-faced scarred woman appeared, with Hana running behind her to catch up.

He quirked his head, but Lisanna's relaxed back tensed and she nodded. "Y-yes, that's us? Who might you be?"

"Shiro Kanata. I sensed your magic signature from my daughter's body and wanted to ask how you were able to do it so effectively? There is-"

"Hold on! Hold on! Wait for a damn-minute there, Shiro!" Another woman appeared with a similarly hardened face. "Nevaeh Tucker, pleased to meet you, Mathias Vandiese. I have seen typical cases of parlour magic, but that seems to combine multiple types, does it not? Removal, restoration, rejuvenation, and rehydration, correct?"

"Neveah! I was talking to him first!"

"Mom! Stop fighting! Stop it!" Hana shouted as she pulled on Shiro's white sleeve.

Alfred appeared, heaving heavy breaths. "Mother... please, please stop...!"

""We're not fighting!""

Shiro snorted first and turned Mathias around, manhandling his chin. "I see. Recent recovery work on your own neck. It matches the report of a burnt scar on your neck. There are no-"

Mathias rapidly shook his head.

Neveah stepped up. "Fine. If that's the condition, so be it. Parlour magic is a relatively minor branch in recovery magic, but it is incredibly difficult to replicate in normal spells. I can roughly sense the spell formations you've used, but they-"

Shiro cut back in. "I wasn't finished. It's obvious, isn't it Neveah? Whatever. From what I've gathered on Hana's body, it is clear-"

"That the spell formations-"

"Are not made typically-"

"So they require-"

"Individual attune-"

"-ment and-"

The two's sights turned on another. Even as they had the exact same train-of-thought, but lashed out at one another. "I swear to God, Shiro, I was the one who figured this out first - even without a patient!"

"Hmph! Even if you call my daughter a patient, at least she's still normal!"

Neveah growled as she batted away Alfred's hand, "do you not realize the difficulty of those treatments?! Of course, you don't! Personality disorders are a common side-effect - and whose child was responsible for inflicting those injuries!?"

"And whose child started the fight that led to those injuries!"

"Hah!? It's-"

Mathias was guiding Lisanna back as their two classmates were trying their damndest to keep the two from going up in arms.

Mathias' retreat was noticed by both.

""Stop!""

"!?"

He was pulled from the crowd that was beginning to gather by both arms as Lisanna tried to stop them.

Neither woman paid the slightest attention as they walked fearlessly into the women's bath, dragging him before he could resist.

"Here will do!"

"I was the one who guided him here first, idiot!"

"Mom, what are you doing?!"

Shiro was grabbing Mathias' jaw shifting it up, down, left, and right to get a better look at his neck. "It's obvious because his treatment is more recent -"

"-and there is no conflicting mana signature-"

"-that his wounds would hold-"

"-more information."

Neveah shoved Shiro off and did the same. And the first woman grabbed Hana's shoulders and cross-referenced it - as Neveah was doing before.

"Pl-please... s-stop fi-fighting!" Alfred tried, steeling the courage to move after he hurriedly, unwittingly followed his mother inside the girls' changing room.

Neveah said, "we're not fighting, Alfred. Keep that girl still for a moment."

Neveah abandoned Mathias as Shiro howled, "who are you calling 'that girl'?!"

Shiro still pushed aside Lisanna and was face-to-face with a petrified Mathias - his limbs immediately numbed.

"... Was the medicine too strong?" Shiro said as she exposed a syringe from her sleeve.

Lisanna took the opportunity to drag Mathias out of the room as Shiro noticed the scene.

Mathias' legs were hardly-functional, but Neveah shoved her to the side.

The two ran out and into a crowd as Shiro, Neveah, Hana, and Alfred were all running out, too - with each pair running for different reasons.

Mathias managed to filter some of the liquid injected into his body, but he was already exhausted. Lisanna helped him into a crowd and the two teens managed to distract the pair long enough for Mathias and Lisanna to get away.

He collapsed against a wall.

"Oh my, isn't it Lisanna O'Clare? Oh, I misspoke," Mathers said with a smile. "Lisanna, I have been meaning to meet you, you know?"

Mathias dragged himself to his feet and stood in front of Lisanna, head spinning and limbs swaying.

"Oh, I apologize if you think I come with bad intentions. I just wanted to introduce myself to the one I've heard a lot of good things about. Lisanna, I was wondering if you'd be willing-"

Lisanna, distracted for a moment, didn't notice as Jasmine snuck in front of her father.

"Father, I told you about him, too, didn't I? He is very brave and courageous and he's helped us out a lot," Jasmine said as she grabbed Mathias' arm.

"Ara, ara. I apologize. I see many faces and hear many names, but at my age, it's hard to connect them all. I do recall my daughter speaking of you quite excitedly. I am glad the misunderstandings in the past have been cleared up as well," Mathers said with a smile as Mathias was unable to feel enough of his body to properly fight back.

Lisanna pulled him again, trying to avoid a direct scene - and then a brilliant laugh appeared behind Mathers and Jasmine.

"Oh! Isn't it my good friend Mathers, it's been quite a while, hasn't it?"

Alexander appeared, tapping the man's shoulder good-naturedly as the two exchanged a smile.

"It is so! I was just waiting until you'd be not quite so preoccupied," Mathers laughed. "You've even brought one of the greatest swordsmen from the country here!"

"Ha-ha! Don't worry about it too much. I was just bored," Claude laughed happily. "Right-"

"Claude, you bastard, it's been a while."

A man in dress-plate appeared with just the slightest rise of his lips on an otherwise blank face.

"Oh! If it isn't Salam, you bastard, how are you doing?"

"Claude, you bastard, I was just a little parched. I was wondering if you wanted to go for a drink sometime? They aren't serving wine here, but I brought some wine."

"Ah, that usual horse-piss? I'll have a swig," Claude fearlessly took the offered skin and Salam took a sip himself as soon as he snatched it back.

"I don't know your hobbies, but you seem to like horse-piss enough. Or maybe you're just used to it when that's all you got out there."

Claude laughed as the two men squared off against each other, passing the skin back with insults as their hands tapped their sheathed blades threateningly.

Even Alexander and Mathers were good-naturedly chatting as fiery sparks were born from one's expressive hand, and ice from the other. Each punctuating the otherwise polite discussion.

"My, oh my. I haven't seen you all gathered in so long!" A new face appeared, stepping in front of Mathias, Lisanna, and Jasmine - with a hand pulling them back into the opening he made.

"Raul! I thought you'd be much too busy to come," Alexander said.

"It's a pleasure to meet you again. It's been a while since we last had some drinks, right?" Mathers added.

"Huh? Raul? You were just my father's farm-hand! Woah! It's been a long, long time! Here's some bastard's horse-piss!"

"Farm-hand?" Salam snatched the skin back, took a swig, and offered it to Raul. "I recall you were a squire for my father."

"Guilty on both accounts! I left a few years after Claude, then went to the North, and then made enough, studied enough, and here I am. I did make a special request so they'll be opening a bar if you all are interested in joining me?"

Mathias, Lisanna, and Jasmine were all out of the men's cross-hairs at this point with the inclusion of the Finance Minister who took their spot. Since it seemed to be dealt with, Lisanna pushed Mathias - and by extension Jasmine - out of the front as they noticed Mr. Shields.

"It's been dealt with. You're lucky."

He was just standing at the edge and watched the scene irritably.

"O-okay..."

Once they broke through, to open space, Mathias collapsed for obvious reasons, Lisanna sunk beside him, and Jasmine was dragged down.

"...?"

He was in the middle.

"... Jasmine, let go."

"I-It's fine, isn't it?"

Her voice cracked for a moment before reverting to a calm, sultry tone.

"Clearly he doesn't like it. So just let go."

Jasmine looked to the side and lowered her head. "I can't."

A woman was standing outside the entrance.

"Hmph. He doesn't like you, right Mathias?"

Mathias could at least nod to that.

"T-that doesn't matter. I like him so it's fine."

"That's clearly one directional - if it is even true, to begin with. So it's creepy! So stop it!"

Mathias poked Lisanna. She snapped at him at first and then grumbled as she fished out the extra paper. He already ran out.

'And unconvincing. Write it down,' his note was written in increasingly less intelligible scribbles as his hands resisted any call to deterity.

"Write what down?" Jasmine said, pushing into him so close that he could feel her breath on his ear. "If it's my room-number, you know that much already."

'Not interested.'

Lisanna thankfully didn't hear that as she stomped, not knowing how to deal with Jasmine without rousing Mr. Shields at the other end of the door.

"Is that so? I'm willing to do a lot?"

He pointed at his previous words.

Jasmine pouted and loosened her grip, relaxing a little. She stared at Lisanna, asking, "what is it? I haven't done anything yet."

"That... you've done plenty!"

"To you or to him? And on whose behalf are you getting angry for? Jealousy is unbecoming of a woman - particularly of a woman of the O'Clares."

Jasmine's tone was flat and her smile ever-present.

"... Th-!?"

Mathias splashed water on both of their faces.

""Hey?!""

He pointed at a new note.

'The woman left. Talk.'

"M-my interests are on-"

He pointed at the note again.

"L-like I sa-"

He pointed at it again.

"A-as I was s-"

Again.

And.

Again.

Jasmine's smile began to fracture and Lisanna was finally able to bear with the scene of seeing Jasmine's mask fall off.

"... Who do you think you are? You're nothing but a worm compared to the Thatchers. Even if Lisanna is incompetent and vile, she has decent enough breeding."

He started writing. His hand was cramping.

'A worm? Lisanna was treated poorly by her father. And I'm guessing the same applies to you and your parents. Their eyes say it all. So if I am a worm to the Thatchers, are you not the same? Otherwise, you'd be treated far better than being terrified of a broken woman.'

"... Broken?" Jasmine laughed ruefully - yet, almost knowingly. "She's my mother, you know? There are many things I can disregard, but that? You are disgusting."

'So let go of me.'

Lisanna, at this point, was crossing her arms. Mr. Shields was at the doorway with the re-emerged woman.

"... Th-that... I can't."

"Seriously?! He doesn't like you! So! Stop!"

Mr. Shields was walking.

"This and that are unrelated."

The woman retreated at Mr. Shields' turning his head back to glare.

"Thatcher. Release him. You have a half-hour until the exhibition. I should not have to babysit you three while all seven have gathered together."

Mr. Shields rubbed his throbbing temples. The only saving grace was that the Finance Minister Raul Poniac was keeping things civil with the councilmen at his side.

If nothing else, the six were not about to anger the man who could call an investigation and had the full support of the council. There was something, somewhere that was something they had done that was bound to be against the law and its repercussions were far, far more significant now than when they were younger, without a care.

Their families were even here.

"That man is the only reason I did not outright dismiss this entire event. Be grateful. We're going. Now."

Jasmine nodded tiredly and Lisanna victoriously pushed Mathias forward.

"Edward, an antidote," a young woman said tossing a vial forward. Mr. Shields caught it without looking but questioned her with a gaze soon after. She shrugged. "When I was double-checking my make-up, Shiro and Neveah kidnapped that boy, drugged him, and I finally picked it out of her pocket."

"Are you sure its an antidote?"

"Neither are stupid enough to not bring one with them and it was the only one on Shiro's person."

"So be it. Vandiese."

He opened a small vial, pried open Mathias' mouth, and poured it down.

"Now. You three. Go."

Mr. Shields left no room for negotiation. All three immediately ran back, even as Jasmine and Lisanna traded curses at one another. One could not keep up and the two had long-since left him as he stumbling on numb feet - their attention was focused so completely on the other that they forgot about the source of their target's ire.

"Geez. It's such a pain. Boy, grab my hand," Mitras said as she helped the stumbling boy to his feet. "Edward this your job, you know?"

"I did not sign up for any of this," he gruffed.

The young woman rolled her eyes and brought Mathias' back into the lobby. "Vandiese, right? Your son."

Irina looked at the half-conscious boy curiously before she heard two steps race towards him.

"Shiro! You idiot! Why'd you use that?!"

"Shut up, Neveah, it was an impulse!"

"Don't use anesthesia on someone you're not treating! It affects the results, you know?!"

"Hah, like you even know how to treat someone!"

Irina slowly turned as she looked at the two circling around her semi-conscious, semi-comatose son. "... Are you the ones who did this to him?"

Neveah huffed, "it was that idiot's fault - she was the one who stuck him!"

"Huh!? What does it matter?! He'll be fine in a minute!"

Irina slapped Shiro.

And the reverberating slap was in clear view of everyone in the room. The worst part? All the water in her skin tore out of her pore and scattered against the walls beside Edward. Rather, it left a perfect silhoutte of the man on impact before the water started running.

Shiro lay there gasping as her body was siphoned from nearly all the water content in her skin and floundered as Neveah snorted derisively.

"Move."

Neveah did, but not before snorting, "she's pathetic anywa-"

She, too, fell in a heap on top of Shiro.

Both looked like wizened old women as they each gasped weakly.

The sound of the slap finally stopped and Irina dusted off her hands. She looked at Mr. Shields and smiled weakly. "I apologize for my behaviour. I dealt with the two that had harmed my son under your Academy's protection. I trust there is no issue?"

"... How long will they be out?"

"They require minor medical assistance, but it stems from severe dehydration. With skilled enough healers, I suppose they'll be back up in twenty minutes?"

"I see. I was hoping longer. Thank you for dealing with that, Miss Vandiese."

"It is my pleasure. I do entrust my son's safety to the school after all, but I am not averse to acting myself. I will be taking him to ensure the compound is sufficiently neutralized."

"You have a half-hour. And please take those two with you. I haven't the time nor energy to deal with them."

"It'll be my pleasure. Lisanna and... Jasmine, is it? Shall we?" Irina reached down, grabbed another vial from Shiro's robe, and stared at it for a moment.

It was the same one Mitras gave Mr. Shields - but she crushed and grabbed another, a different base colour entirely, and began looking towards the baths.

"... Oops."

Mitras shrugged and laughed.

Mr. Shields rubbed his temples as he realized there was genuinely no one whom he knew that would reduce the migraine that was throbbing in his skull. He accepted Shiro and Neveah's punishment being dealt with - and it was done without lasting harm.

Incredibly dramatic, but without harm.

Even Alfred's hurried attempts to revitalize his mother, Neveah, were actually fast enough to bring that swallow skin back into view and light into her eyes.

She was mumbling something.

Alfred timidly pressed, "w-what... are you saying...?"

"Sim-... ul-... taneous... dis-... persement... of-"

"... Water... molecules... in the...-"

"Epidermus... interesting...!"

Shiro woke up too and both were taking notes in their head about how the effects were on their body. They quickened the recovery time to five minutes with their own magic if struggling and draining offered water by the galleons.

They were at the forefront of medical research in the country. Even if they could not quite uncover the more advanced aspects of parlour magic with their busy schedules, they could replicate some of the simple aspects. Like rehydration.

Mr. Shields wished they would stay down longer as they shared notes. However, no one who graduated this academy was so fragile as to be done in by an attack like that. Granted, it was an attack that Irina held back significantly. It was more difficult to disperse just the water in their skin - and not command the water to drag off their entire skin with its departure.

"Still... she held back a lot... interesting," began Neveah.

"Parlour magic... more than meets the eyes..."

Both began laughing as the scene righted itself once more.

Mr. Shields was unfortunately standing guard after learning he could not trust the female teacher for it. Well, considering their history, it was somewhat expected, but it was trying.

"Hello! May we please-"

"No."

"Pretty plea-"

Mr. Shields maintained the barrier in front of the woman's bath - the recovery spot Mathias' mother opted to take him. Since he was unconscious, it was probably fine, but still. It was unsightly for him to be acting as he was.

And he even had both Shiro and Neveah acting good-naturedly as they tried to get in.

"Please? I have to go to the washroom."

"Me too! It'll only take a minute."

"No."

"Ehhh? That's not very proper, Edward. A man should at least let a woman do that much."

"Yeah, my husband wouldn't approve of you trying to force me to hold it. It's unbecoming of a lady!"

"No."

He kept rejecting them simply as Irina appeared with Mathias, Lisanna, and Jasmine.

Since ten minutes had gone by and there were only fifteen minutes left, he just shifted the barrier suddenly.

It crashed into the two and knocked them both out the front door.

"I suggest you leave now."

"Thank you. I appreciate your assistance."

"..."

Mr. Shields only stayed because he accidentally poisoned his student. However, he wouldn't say those words aloud - ever. It was also for that reason he did not have the slightest sense of guilt as he knocked the two women away.

Shiro was carrying at least three doses of anesthesia - into a school exhibition. He'd rather see swords since no one knew what she was planning on using in conjunction with it.

It was almost as if she was scouting to find an experimental subject.

"See?" Mitras said with a laugh. "Now you're acting like a teacher."

"... And whose fault is that?"

"Mine? I guess," she smirked and walked away with both hands behind her back.

Since everyone expected the two would fight, it was a small issue. No one was really talking about it since most assumed they just did it to themselves.

Eldrich saw the scene and recorded it all. It was evidence pertaining to Jasmine so he spared no effort in obtaining the information. He even used a source on the inside of the bath to detail their encounters.

After paying off the informant, he left to go back to start the exhibition.