Since the three students with the pair had already seen the work, they were more interested in the audience's reactions. Erik had even leaned on Mathias' shoulder since he was given a whispered command to keep him upright.

Mathias' clouded eyes which finally getting a little clearer.

Natalie took the first turn to speak. "I'll admit, I was brought as a layman's opinion, but... isn't this amazing? Were it not for the ground signally their elements - their weaknesses - it would be hard to tell if it was fire or ice."

"... And the colours blend in exquisitely. I'm sure it must have been rough on Lisanna to pull from a pallet with flames, due to their temperament, in order to give them proper shading."

"... With the exception of some of the internal structure - which I suspect is an aesthetic thing - it is all made of their manifested element. It doesn't lack power either. If these were detonated with each other, the entire courtyard would shatter."

The Headmaster laughed, "Edward, you can think such things, but please do not say them allowed - there's children in the audience."

"Pretty!" Alexi shouted, pointing to dancer.

"...!" Ali was toddling over to the warrior.

Alyssa gently grabbed her daughter and the two watched the scene with great interest.

"...?"

Mathias shook his head.

He almost fell over and Lisanna hurried over.

Irina kept him up as he looked at her with questions in his mind. His head ached.

"... You okay?" Erik whispered.

Mathias nodded and plopped himself down on the ground. Irina joined him and some of the others in the front row seemed to think it was expected of them. Then the second row got a better look.

The silence reigned for quite a while, but Lisanna, Ayla, and Wendi ran from the other way around and slipped in.

"... May I ask the inspiration behind this?"

Jore asked as he walked towards the front, turning his gaze from Mathias and Lisanna.

"Uh...? I-I was saved by a harpy in the citadel by him... so this is how I remember him - well, with some changes to his weapon, but yeah. He also helped a lot in the water part so his blade reflects the naga that he dealt with when he was fighting underwater."

"And you?"

Mathias fished through his pocket.

'Inspiration: a fire demon grabbed my throat, she saved me, and then she was moving like that. It didn't seem right to use her sabre, given the constraints the class gave me, so I did it like that.'

"I see. So another memory of sorts. It is quite interesting that you both have the same soul colour..." Jore laughed, "but that's a superstition so don't mind me. I'm impressed. I look forward to seeing it again."

Jore left and Natalie snuck in a smile. "I thought you two would be fighting non-stop from the moment I had to come over that day. I'm glad you two worked it out. The sculpture is very nice too, both of them. I'm more partial to the male, I admit."

"Really? I quite like the girl," Mitras said with a laugh. "I have no complaints with you in the technical realm. Only complaints about my class now. I do hope you continue give them a kick in the behind every now and again."

The two walked away and Mr. Shields appeared closely as he crouched down in front of Mathias. "Is it gone?"

Irina nodded. "As much as I can. It's hard to do proper treatment without attracting too much attention. I can just be an overbearing mother, but it shouldn't pose a problem."

"I see. Thank you for treating him. It is the Academy's fault that such things happened. But regarding the statue, I'm somewhat bothered by the shift from the fire on the ground of the male to the ice in the air; is that intention? I do not know these things."

Lisanna nodded. "I did it... and then he changed his... and then I changed mine, and eventually it worked out to look something like that."

"The expressions also bother me-" Mr. Shields continued before being interrupted.

Jore tapped Mr. Shields' shoulder lightly and said, "if you're interested, I'll tell you more. Including the things you missed on the other statues. Let's take a walk and leave them be."

"I see."

Mr. Shields pursed his lips before nodding.

The Headmaster took it as a cue to address everyone. "Okay! The statues have been unveiled and you'll have... two hours to wander around before we transport the statues into the banquet hall at five. There will be a viewing area there so please be sure to drop in if you failed to see the one's you're interested in.

"Of course, we'll be auctioning these all off as well for those that interested. Please be sure to remember the name of the statue in question and check the official auction list that will be passed out later. As it stands, you're all free to go."

With the Headmaster dismissing the crowd, many in the back left to go see other statues, either on the perimeter or the inside, but quite a few remained to get a closer look at Mathias and Lisanna's works, if for no other reason than already being there.

"May I ask the theme behind it?" A second-year student asked as she pushed up her glasses.

"It's... uh, this?"

Mathias passed a note to Lisanna that he prepared in advance and the student took it, looked at various points in the statue, passed it back, and stepped to the side. "Thank you. It's very well done, both of you."

Another asked the same since it seemed that it answered all the girl's questions. Consequently, the note was passed around a lot and Lisanna generally only dealt with questions like, "what was the inspiration behind the male?" or "do you like the portrayal of you with it differing from the normal course?"

Most of the students had at least heard of the rumours concerning the classes rapid advancement so they looked into the others as well. They found out that it was not the way either usually fought, but it was made to look more aesthetically pleasing. Some were bothered by the problematic gender stereotypes, but since it was a fictional work, it should not be treated with such concern. Some agreed, some didn't; most opted to go check out the others in the limited time. Not everyone could get tickets to the banquet portion so, at present, it was approaching a thousand people at in the gallery.

It was chaotic.

Even if they wanted to take a break, as they were promised, the change in schedule made it such that individual unveils were done to hide the fact that a student was drugged. There was a need for time to be given to the student.

Even so, no matter whose statues, even those like Jennifer's abstract piece with spheres in all sorts of states of compression were given careful attention.

On closer inspection, the spheres actually were made to create a tree, under which a figure lay sleeping in the shade. Another was standing, struggling with the remanents of an explosion of water in the air as a wavering orb appeared in the bubble figures palms.

Fara's depicted a frozen hellscape with abandoned weapons all upon a mountainous battlefield.

Synthy's depicted an angelic looking, gold-plated woman smiling serenely as she smashed her fist into the face of a guard, whose broken breastplate already had the imprint of the woman's feet. The woman even had golden wings.

Synthy's fans were smitten by the scene being immortalized in a piece and they buzzed around her area.

Jasmine's was a depiction of watery birds flying all around the space, each seemingly freezing and fracturing as they approached the stasis field's barrier.

Kira's was a scene out a run-down shack, with a broken wall showing a family of five girls hiding as men approached, pounding on the door.

Mina's was simply a perfect replica of Synthy - another fan favourite of Synthy's cohort.

Lina's involved a girl, not unlike herself, but with loose, longer hair to her waist, laying down seductively, taunting the audience as the girl threatened to pull off her top.

Mina was certainly not a fan - but the guards prevented its destruction and Lina pacified her with flowery words. "It definitely isn't you," Lina said, pointing at the much more abundant chest. "See?"

Mina puffed out her cheeks, forgetting the statue's name was, in fact, 'Mina'.

James' was somewhat more abstract. It was half-veiled by a white-wall with a straight white-column that curled to the sides. It was the point-of-view from him as he stared down a naga as it began its full charge. Once the viewers got close, it was almost as if they could experience the memory that was evidently burned into James' mind.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Jack's was a jagged mountain of red clay, with two figures falling. A male was falling first, blood scattering from his forehead in the shape of a crown, and another came tumbling down after.

The others were done very well also.

So while there were on occasion large groups at one sculpture, they soon left to another, and another. In all this time, the judges were quiet this time, making their rounds as they began to grade things according to how they saw it.

Each judge was allowed to give points over three areas: composition, form, and artistic value.

While there were disparate levels of skills in judging the three areas, since there were five judges, the values were weighted according to their specialties. Furthermore, Mr. Shields, Chef, Natalie, the Headmaster, and Mitras were all permitted to give honourable mentions to their favourite pieces that did not quite make the final rankings.

They also discussed the values if they thought the others did not notice, countered it, or brought up different points that they thought to be more significant.

Some stood out technically, in composition or artistic form, but others were more conceptionally interesting, in the same categories. As such, it was hard to determine a baseline, but they all discussed a general range they thought the 'average' score to be in.

The students, all the while, were kept on their toes as the crowds around them were constantly in flux.

"Uh... uh, t-thanks... I-I-"

"No personal questions," Church said to a middle-aged man complimenting her work before asking about the history behind it.

It was named 'Memories', after all.

"Hello, hello! Step right on up! Look at my wonderful thing! It'll be easier if you get closer so don't be shy!"

"Come here! Look the rendition of Claude Fellstone! It's been vetted by the man himself - it's a true embodiment of the Fellstone Way!"

Truthfully, Church was interested when he saw Erik's statue, thinking of the possibilities, but he had to admit his first-impulses were to draw his blade for making a mockery out of his Master. Or his Master's father, the Leader of the Fellstone Band and originator of the Fellstone Way. Those that he invited from the mercenaries were generally splitting time between the two sculptures and the rest. Usually, in that proportion.

It was good for Church and Wendi as he did not have to deflect many troublesome questions that would make his sister depressed.

"Y-yes! I'll be right there! O-okay! Just give me a minute!"

Lisanna was running back and forth as Mathias sluggishly got to passing around notes he hastily scrawled. Many of his explanations were being lost in the crowds as they passed and forgot to be given back - or they outright stole it - so he had to request a new supply.

It came in minutes.

If nothing else, the academy was well prepared for most emergencies. There were many diligent staff members even if the Headmaster did not come off as such. And many were allotted to the task.

And unlike how it opened, it unceremoniously came to a close. There was not even the smallest incident in the showing itself.

"Everyone! We have finished our viewing round. The banquet will open at 5:00 so please begin to make your way there. Snacks and drinks are being prepared and dinner will after that. We'll be transporting the sculptures there as well so please do bear with any inconvenience as we began to move locations.

"There will be student guides to show you the way and those of you who need to get dressed, please do so soon. We'll be waiting there."

"Ah, damn. I wanted to see more..."

"I mean, hey, it isn't bad for a free show though, hey?"

Two students laughed. They didn't buy tickets, but still dressed up for the occasion.

"Hey, good job everyone!" The first shouted and added, "a round of applause for their hard work!"

The second laughed and clapped and soon the other joined in as well. As it was almost a thousand people, with their sights set on various staff, student, or just the backs of another's head, the scene was chaotic.

The same student who inscribed the plate appeared with a guard in front of Mathias and Lisanna's work. "I'll be transporting it so please be at ease. You have half-an-hour to prepare yourselves, so please do hurry. It is not too much time."

Mathias nodded and stepped from the sculpture.

A white-stone floor appeared underneath the stasis stone embedded it into the ground, and the sculpture was one of the first to be uprooted. Then the others were slowly picked up by others, escorted by half the security, as the other half kept to the students.

"Please make way," one said. "We have little time before the banquet."

Lisanna, Mathias, Erik, Ayla, Wendi, and several others were in this round of the Scylla class being escorted into the reception room, up to the first floor, and then the security remained at the stairwell.

"You are to report here in twenty minutes, please. At that point, we'll be leaving back to the banquet."

"... I feel so important," Erik grinned, curiously looking around.

"It's weird, isn't it? But not bad! Okay, let's go get changed!"

"You two! Wait up," Irina said, flashing a visitor pass. The guard nodded, having been the one stationed at Mathias' exhibit. "May I come to help?"

Irina asked curiously and Lisanna and Wendi and exchanged a glance.

'She'll do it anyway,' Mathias' note said as he turned to motion his mother to his room.

Since Wendi's things were in their room anyway, it didn't really matter. Lisanna thought of it and explained the situation to Irina who merely smiled gently.

"That's fine. Ah, right, he is touchy about some things so please refrain from touching that lynx fur."

"... Even to you?"

"Especially to me. I stole it once for a nap and he never got over it. Anyways, I imagine you're looking to do your hair up again, Lisanna, I can help you with that since it took you a while before. Wendi, you did not straighten your hair like I had sketched, so I'll help you there too. Mathias, please make sure to wash you face before you go, okay?"

He turned back and nodded and unlocked the door.

Irina quirked her head as she stepped in.

"Hmm, you're spoiled. It's larger than the main floor of my house. No matter. Mathias, get their things."

He nodded and grabbed the carefully put away dresses from the closest, passed it back, and grabbed his own suit. He stood on the other side of the divider as he changed and Irina looked at the two.

"... Hmm... okay! You take out your braids and then I'll treat it in a moment. I'll deal with your hair first, Wendi."

Wendi was gripped and had no escape as Irina began treating Wendi's hair to straighten it. She ensured it was healthy the day before, but the sheer fluffiness her hair got from a single day of being left alone was abnormal. It took a few minutes, but it was straightened, curled a little, and styled to give it a little volume without expanding exponentially like before.

Magic was convenient.

"Okay Wendi, you change now. I'll touch it up afterwards. Lisanna, please sit down."

"Y-yes, Irina..."

"If you're not used to it, it might hurt a bit. Stay still."

Taking the hair-pins she brought for the occasion, Irina deftly put Lisanna's hair up as Wendi finished dressing.

"Okay Lisanna, you too! We're down to five minutes. Mathias, are you done?"

He grunted.

"How uncouth. Anyways, whatever. I'll take that as a yes, since it is more for their benefit than ours." Irina walked around the divider, straightened Mathias' collar, jacket, and pants, before nodding to herself.

"It's okay now. Wendi?"

She popped her head around the corner, still half-staring at the mirror as she played with her hair.

"Is it strange?"

"Not at all. It's quite beautiful. You're less adorable but more mature. I do hope your brother can handle that."

"... Mature, huh? I don't know about that, but... so be it," Wendi murmured nervously, playing with a long strand of hair that refused to be tucked behind her ear.

Irina placed a hand on her shoulder and shook her head and Wendi let the strand of hair follow its own way. "You look the part," Irina smiled and patted her shoulder. "That's all that matters. Lisanna, you're done but why are you waiting?"

"... It feels tight around the chest."

"Hmm, I don't think the material would shrink... give me a moment,"

Mathias ignored the screams from Lisanna as his mother was merciless in resetting her bust in the position required for the dress. In fact, she took that into account when she was designing it so it would be comfortable after the initial pain of trying to put it on. Lisanna hadn't committed to that step quite yet. Even with her inherited (and well-trained) skills, there were trade-offs one had to contend with.

Irina was glad she decided to come.

"Alright, you two. Let's go, shall we?" Irina said patting the two on the head - before adding, "oh, Mathias, you too," as if in an after-thought.

He sighed, glanced at the mirror, and walked out. He didn't need anything, he thought, but he did ensure his paper and pen were transferred over to his new pockets, along with his keys and ID card.

Lisanna locked the door before quirking her head.

"Uh, where do I put this?" She said, holding up the key, face still red from her ordeal being heard.

"Two places: either in your bra or Mathias' pockets. You are free to choose which."

"...?"

Mathias' pockets had another key in addition to his own added. There was even her ID card and he saw Wendi looking at him uncomfortably.

'You too?' He asked with his eyes.

She looked away but still presented him with her key and card.

"All done? You'll miss the banquet, you know?"

Lisanna exchanged a taut smile with Mathias and Wendi and the three went back to security guard who stood with a slack jaw - that hadn't even managed to right itself once as the first wave of first-years were dressed in completely different attire, and the girls?

His heart was fluttering at the sight of his juniors.

But, of course, more girls and boys appeared so he never could fixate on a single one long enough.

The second, however, his clock struct 5:25, he counted everyone up, wore a straight face, and guided them back. Everyone from his group was here, but there were stragglers in the second, originally led by another currently shell-shocked guard.

"I'll take the first group. You escort the rest when they all come," he told the second.

"Understood," the third-year shifted his sunglasses tighter against his face as he tried to keep his expression cool.

Another girl appeared from one of the dorms with deep cut in her dress, exposing her cleavage and thigh.

He sent her to the departing group at the base of the stairs as they left his field of view. The rest would have until 5:35, unless they all gathered earlier, before he would leave, as per his orders.

Eldrich and James appeared from one wing of the dorms as Jasmine and Kira appeared on the other wing. Both saw the guard and were told to wait. The silence was palpable.

Meanwhile, Lisanna was finally exposed to the lusty stares she felt thankful she was able to avoid earlier. However, she was not the only one. Even Ayla was complaining, "I thought this dress was too plain, but I guess it might even be a bit much."

"It suits you," Jennifer said with a smile. "You look cute."

"But I looked cute before! I wanted to look mature! Look at you! Your body is making my mouth water! And Wendi has a totally different feel after Mama Vandiese did her hair, right?!"

'... Mama Vandiese?' Mathias thought with a start. 'I hope that doesn't become a-.'

"Yeah! Mama Vandiese is amazing, just look at how cool Synthy looks! She is still bad-ass even in a skirt - almost like a warrior princess!"

"... Thanks?"

Synthy looked away, unsure of what to make of Mina's comment.

Lina leaned into Mina's ear to whisper something, but all that could be heard was, "I didn't say Synthy's boobs look small! And look at you! Huh...? Ah! Synthy! I'm soooooorry! Lina is being mean again!"

Seeing the other grovel for forgiveness, Synthy just waved Mina's comment aside. She only looked to the side, hearing her name. She preferred her body type in that regard since it was more suited for combat. She couldn't care less about the other meaningless implications.

"Well, I don't think we look too bad either," Erik said with a laugh. "Mama Vandiese is helping a lot."

'... Again with the Mama Vandiese? Even him?'

Tanner and Stacy and Jack and Jill both smiled as they looked at one another. They were clearly already together as a couple, but the warm atmosphere shifted even the most jealous boys' and girls' opinions to the side.

"Right!" Ayla proclaimed. "No flirting with the ones the guests brought, Erik."

"I wouldn't dream of it - I heard Mr. Shields' speech before," Erik said with a laugh while adding 'overtly' in his mind.

There are some things men must do even at risk of their safety, Erik proclaimed such in the baths this morning. As such, all the boys knew the hidden meaning behind his words - and many of the girls caught on too. It did not matter too much, since the punishment was said to be individual, but even they were interested in seeing who was brought forward by the guests.

Even if the scions of the great families were brought, and much appreciated in the eyes of both sexes, their presence was masked by the crowds that demanded their attention. Few interjected their thoughts and comments about the statues during the showing.

Passing from chaotic reception hall in the dorms, they found a path was made for them through the back courtyard. And while most of the guests were there, some were just outside the banquet hall, smoking pipes or drinking wine while appreciating the beautiful weather.

"..."

They were more than taken aback.