Amethyst, Jules, and Tanya made an appearance in the group, as did many of the scions that the boys and girls were introduced to. Of course, Tanner and Stacy and Jack and Jill were together as couples, but the rest were free agents and the students enjoyed some of the new faces.
Mathias was just copying Lisanna and Ayla and Erik for the most part as he saw the others becoming bolder. Some were reaching up beyond their partners' ribs or below their waist; there were many caught up in the atmosphere as some accepted it. Some did not. But no major scene was produced in that regard. Some of the students even opted to try out new moves, taking center-stage, as when it worked, the group cheered, and when it did not, they laughed - and encouraged them to do it again jokingly.
It was very lively and Jasmine was passively accepting Eldrich being around the outskirts of her, Mina, and Lina. Synthy and Hana were dancing and Alfred's clumsy attempts usually resulted in him being pushed away. More aggressive treatment would have occurred had Mr. Shields' warning not been introduced prior.
However, it worked since the one that was pushed was often at the edge of an open-circle in the center and forced to take the stage.
Mathias was careful not to be thrown in.
So careful in fact, Lisanna grumbled, "pay attention, don't just stare at everyone."
Mathias turned his head for a moment - and Erik saw the opportunity.
He pulled Mathias and Ayla grabbed Lisanna. Both were forced into the middle as the group hollered cheerfully.
'I warned you,' his eyes said as he froze.
"Just do the flip thing you did with me! It's fun, Lisanna!"
Mathias grumbled and Lisanna looked at Ayla who quickly waved it off. "Mathias'll do it, I taught him well!"
"A flip?" Lisanna reached towards the short cut of the dress, but Ayla laughed it off. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It'll be fine! Mathias... now!"
Mathias groaned and repeated the steps in his head. Lisanna was led for the first time by Mathias and she found herself rocking forward, back, before rolling her over his shoulder and being caught from underneath. He made sure she was set down carefully, but all he heard was, "w-what was that?!"
"...!" Mathias pointed at Ayla who just laughed.
"It's fun, right! Now the same setup, but - but! - you have to carry her up in the air!"
"N-no! You do it!" Lisanna exclaimed as she pressed her back to Mathias and held down her dress with a scarlet face
"Hmm... fine! Erik!" Ayla snickered as she jumped inside the circle voluntarily.
"Hah? I don't want to," Erik shook his head, maintaining his spot outside with Freya.
"... What...? Fine! Mathias! I'm going to show you a new move!"
Mathias hurriedly took the opporunity she was confused to escape the circle and Ayla was left inside by herself. She figured something out and then was replaced by Synthy who was knocked in by another accidentally.
"...?"
"Dance!"
Synthy awkwardly shuffled and Ayla clapped. "Now do the flop!"
Synthy released a small grunt and crossed her arms. But she still leaned over forward, allowed herself to fall, and expertly arced her back, and cushioned her landing. She managed two iterations of before tucking her head in - and summer-sauntering out of the dancing circle.
Whereupon she simply dusted herself off in the safety of non-obligatory dancing zones.
"Bravo! Now... I want to Stacy and Jill!"
Both were pulled from their spot and pushed into the middle. Everyone who wasn't forced into it by chance was done so by design. However, after their turns were done, most were laughing and enjoying themselves.
The front-man on the stage took a mic. "It's been a pleasure playing for you all, but this one here will be our last song. I hope you all enjoy it."
"Ah! The dreaded slow-song! Hmm, hmm!" Ayla ran around, looking for a partner, but most were options were filling up. "Jam- hah? Weird. Eld- weird?! Hmm, hmm, Wendi! Save me!"
Ayla pried Church away and stole Wendi for herself. "It's not appropriate for a brother and sister!" she used as justification.
Some of the boys stepped out, but a few lucky ones found a couple of girls hesitant to partner with one another. The three planning to attend later helped fill out the ranks so there was a majority of the class - and many parents - dancing to the final slow song of the night. Well, two of the three anyway with Hunter and one of the water mage boys.
Lisanna, once again, draped her arms around Mathias' neck and he held onto her waist now. He did not forget the lessons he had been taught. While he wasn't interested in it, it seemed important enough to ensure he wouldn't be forced to reset his counter. For tonight at least.
"...Hey," Lisanna said quietly. "I'm glad you were there for me today."
"... It's fine," he whispered.
"Just so you know..." Lisanna turned her head and glanced at him from the side, "we're not done... Tonight, you're going to let me touch that fur."
"...!"
Mathias grumbled and his hands tensed around Lisanna's waist. She relaxed as he held onto her tighter and lowered her head. His thoughts were scattered right now. Just the one comment put him on edge, despite his impulse in offering it, and soon the music trailed off. The two were operating in two very different head-spaces as one took in the moment in simple enjoyment and the other was shaken inside.
"... And that will be all. The Headmaster Justatin Rudolf will now say a few words," the front-man said, passing the mic to the middle-aged man.
Lisanna still rested on him, just turning her head as she looked to the stage.
"We'll be starting the announcements of the results here in just a few minutes. Students, parents, and all guests are invited to come to the front right now. The viewing room will be temporarily closed off as we transport the statues to the stage."
The Headmaster took a breath and looked at the gathering crowds.
"We'll be having refreshments coming around, so please be sure to grab something."
The five judges appeared walking up the stage.
"I'd first like to introduce the five judges for this event. You've certainly seen them around, I'm sure, but we've yet to formally introduce ourselves. I, as you know, am the Headmaster of Majin Academy, Justatin Rudolf. While my knowledge with magic may be sizeable, my knowledge surrounding other aspects covered today is less than satisfactory. As such, I have requested some advice from my colleagues in regards to certain aspects, but I am one that revels in oddities and wonder. As such, in lieu of more experienced critics, I have stepped up form one of the members of the judging committee.
"The next member is Edward Shields, a good friend of mine and the teacher of the students you've seen today." Mr. Shields stepped forward.
"I have accepted their proposal for this event for a specific reason: I wanted to see the techniques taught in class to be demonstrated. While I prefer the practical aspects, it is admittedly easier to judge creations such as these. For that reason, I have been focusing on the technical aspects demonstrated by the students."
"And there you have it," the Headmaster said with a laugh as he saw Mr. Shields step back. "The judge we'll be introducing was actually the first invited to the position: Natalie Porter, the first-year coordinator."
Natalie stepped up and lowered her head a little. "It is my great honour and pleasure to be here today. When I first approved the use of the courtyard, I can honestly say I did not expect the event to turn out as large as it has. Even so, it has exceeded my expectation. That being said, I fully admit I am a layman in terms of art in general, and my knowledge of technical skills in manifestation is dwarfed by the other judges. I am largely representing those that, like me, appreciate the sight of it all even if it remains beyond their grasp to verbalize."
The Headmaster laughed. "Natalie is being quite modest. She was the top-ranking student in her graduating year and has many achievements that are not reflected in her title or words. Even so, I'd like to introduce another: Jore Gena!"
The Chef stood to the front and nodded courteously. "I am Jore and I've been at Majin Academy in some capacity for many years now. I, myself, have been working with a canvas in some form or another for two decades or so. I am not the best, and I agreed to find inspiration for several of my pieces, but I do know enough to judge the works aesthetic appeal fairly - well, as fairly as is possible," he said with a laugh.
A few other more experienced art critics laughed; it was in the eye of the beholder so it would be difficult to ever get an objective comparison with one. Especially when the students were all almost uniformly equally novices in the artistic end of technical skills that appeared less with the manifestation of the element, which was the present judging definition of the term, but insofar as how the standards of sculpting methods were done.
The Headmaster nodded. "I've been thinking some setting another exhibition up just for his works, but he always refuses me. Anyways, to the last judge. We have Mitras Lan, the teacher of the Lamia first-year class, a class-mate of Edward Shields in his time in Majin Academy."
Mitras laughed. "Yes, yes. I am she. I do dislike that Edward beat my class to this sort of thing, but I do promise to judge the works fairly. I found several that are particularly interesting, but, like Edward, my specialty lays in the technical aspects of the pieces that I will be judging."
Mitras left it at that and stepped back.
The Headmaster glanced at the crowd and laughed. "As you can tell, this is as much a first for us as it is for the Academy. However, we cooperated and with what we thought others may have missed, we instructed each other. In the end, we deliberated but gave individual values. And the top three are those that have the greatest allocation of the points we had set up. But first,"
The Headmaster waved his hands and the walls on either side of the stage collapsed into the ground - expanding the stage's area greatly.
"We'll be doing the honourable mentions, the five statues that have caught our attention, but failed to reach the top with the criteria we had laid out. I suppose it'll be only natural for me to start with my personal favourite so I'd like to call a name to the stage, when you hear it, please do come on up."
The Headmaster verified that all the students had gathered and said, "James Klein, please come to the stage."
At the same time, the statue of the perspective of a man facing down a monster appeared.
There was a round of applause as James walked to the stage calmly and he shook the Headmaster's hand.
Placing a hand on James' shoulder, the Headmaster said, "I was quite impressed by the use of a point-of-view here, a different way of looking at things than any other student in this exhibition had tried. It was an extremely well-made and thought-provoking piece once you stand in the man's shoes. It may not be much, but please accept this medal."
A small silver medallion appeared in the air beside the headmaster. He grabbed it, pressed it against James' chest, and James thanked the man.
After James took his cue to leave the stage, the Headmaster said, "and now I'll be leaving you all in Edward's hands for the next honourable mention."
Mr. Shields appeared and scanned over the crowd impassively before locking eyes on one in particular. "Miss Rettih, please come to the stage."
Synthy nodded and, by habit, rushed up there through the short applause. The statue of an angelic, golden-winged woman smashing a man's face with a punch appeared on the stage, shifting James' statue to the side, behind the headmaster.
Mr. Shields nodded as he, too, pulled out a medallion.
"From a technical standpoint, your work had left nothing to be desired given what we expect your abilities. Jore mentioned the inherent differences in quality between both figures are an aesthetic approach, but even in the scarlet figure, the composition is without error. You've done a good job."
"... Thank you."
A round of applause broke out and Synthy stood straight.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
He sent the medallion to her chest and sent her off. "For the next judge, we'll be having Natalie Porter discuss her pick."
Natalie came up next and her medallion appeared hovering as she laughed. "I don't think I was the only smitten by it when I saw it, so I think my pick will be appreciated by a few if nothing else. I'd like to call Jennifer Ghast to the stage."
Jennifer gasped and looked around in disbelief. Ayla nudged her with her elbow, "I told you it was cute! Now get up there!"
"Y-yes!"
Jennifer ran up there and Natalie laughed as she saw Jennifer nervously sweating. "As your friend said, it was very cute. But more than that, it was well-done. There were a lot of smaller features that most failed to recognize even if you only use variations of a single shape, right?"
Jennifer nodded weakly as she saw the bubble-statue come into full view behind the two of them. Smaller indents in the ground, various details made of discs and other compressed orbs appeared, but it ultimately made the scene appear more soothing to look at. The simplistic geometry of it all just simply worked.
"I knew it. And... it was cute, I am guilty of liking such things. Anyways, congratulations on your job well-done. You've earned this."
Natalie attacked the medallion onto Jennifer's chest and Jennifer ran off - as if afraid someone will take the medal away.
"And now, we have our resident artist, Jore Gena." Natalie stepped to the side and Jennifer's statue followed behind her.
"As introduced, I am Jore. My selection for this honourable mention is a pick that we spent quite some time deliberating one. It just barely missed out qualifying due to the size not being used fully, limiting some point allocation, but the aesthetic quality and thematic content are very impressive. Ayla Argentine, please come to the stage."
Applause rang out and Ayla excitedly hopped to the stage. "So it wasn't bad! Ah, ah... I was still worried!" She laughed and Jore joined in with her.
The golden light from the wind appeared behind her. As Jore mentioned, it only made use of a small portion of the space allotted, but what was done was done well.
"No, no. On the contrary, it was very good. I have been inspired by the ideas inside to finish at least one of the pieces I was dissatisfied with. As I mentioned, it was a very tough decision, but your accomplishment was not forgotten today. Please accept this."
Jore presented the medallion and Ayla proudly stuck her chest out. He laughed and sent it towards her chest.
"And now, moving onto the last honourable mention, we'll be having Mitras Lan take the stage."
Ayla returned and poked Erik's chest. "Ha, look at this!"
Erik grumbled, "it isn't over yet!"
Mitras smirked as she stood on the stage as she was glancing at the Scylla class. Ayla ran to congratulate Jennifer, Synthy, and James again - just with a winner's badge of honour this time.
"Lina Kakarot, please come to the stage."
"NOOOOO!" Mina cried as she moaned.
The applause was blocked by her outburst as everyone saw the long-haired girl laying on the ground provocatively with a sultry smile and scantily clad figure in white-flames. It's title? Mina. Of course, the chest differed from Mina's own, but it was just a small detail.
Mitras laughed as Lina calmly took the stage, intentionally playing with her short hair - and looking at the audience innocently.
"I found your work to be technically astounding. I was wondering about the name of the work, 'Mina', does it perchance have something do with your sister?"
"Ah, there are similarities in personality and face structure, but it has a different form. You can call it an inspired art-piece."
"Personality, too," Mitras said, looking at the audience as if to ensure they were aware.
"LINA!"
"Please accept with the medal for your great work."
"With pleasure."
Lina accepted the medallion and Ayla grinned at an irate Erik. The field was shrinking.
"Now we'll be announcing the top-three finalists we've selected. Edward, as this is your class, perhaps you'd like to do the honour?"
Mr. Shields sighed and nodded. The five statues were shifted back and a blank space appeared once more.
"Mr. Huntis, please come to the stage."
Erik ran up to the stage before he knew what he was doing. Then he stopped at the top of the stairwell and froze.
"Uh, wait, what?"
The Headmaster laughed and spoke out, "Edward, you must build a little suspense for these parts. It is true. Third-place goes to Erik Huntis with his 'Claude Fellstone' Statue!"
The demon appeared at the stage and there was another series of muffled laughter and curses.
The Headmaster ignored the two men's outbursts and explained, "the statue is an excellent example of well-executed technique and creativity. The capacity and strength of mind that one is expected to have when undergoing Claude's Fellstone Way is clearly expressed here. Furthermore, the variation in transparency, translucency, and opaque features is quite nice. You've done well, Erik."
A silver medallion with three black stripes appeared and moved to his chest.
"... It meant that?" Erik and Claude muttered, but the Headmaster pinned the medallion to Erik's chest and shook his hand. "Thanks!"
"A round of applause for Erik Huntis, please!"
Erik basked in the attention for a lot longer than the other previous mentions. He shook hands with each judge, said his thanks as they gave his works compliments pertaining to their individual areas of expertise. After a few minutes on stage, Erik stood at attention, bowed thankfully, and regally left the stage.
The Headmaster smiled and took the stage again. "I will be taking over once more, if I may be so bold, Edward."
Mr. Shields nodded thankfully as he stepped back in-line with the other judges.
Erik laughed victorious as he poked Ayla's chest. Right atop the medal - a lesser medal. Ayla turned her head to the side in a huff, realizing the comment made about her near-win was in comparison to Erik's victory. The others surrounded him and congratulated him as the Headmaster gave them a moment.
"For the next project, I'd first like to say myself and the rest of us were very impressed with the details, the meaning that becomes all the more clear with the passing night," the Headmaster laughed and winked at the crowd, "and many more aspects that simply can not be expressed by my own words. Individually, it is remarkable, but together it stands as a great testament to the students' own blossoming prowess in respects we had never dared prior, their pursuit of the Majin's Academy's core values and goals, and the valour each rightfully earned in their journey of bettering themselves;
"Naturally, I'm referring to the twin statues, 'The Warrior' and the 'The Dancer', who were judged together as it seemed the only way to do it justice. Lisanna and Mathias, I'd love the honour to welcome you both to the stage."
Mathias sighed, but Lisanna excitedly stood up and pulled him up.
'... This'll be a pain... I don't want to deal with those people,' he thought tiredly, already being a target for abuse for reasons unrelated to the statues.
However, he was already half-way up the stage as the crowd began hollering.
"Ha-ha, you bastard! First a statue of me and then my son's! What'dya got?!"
"You bastard, you know you haven't done anything!"
"I helped! I was modelling, you know!"
Claude took the time to jab Salam in the chest who ground his teeth in dismay. His daughter had already been named so it was not possible for her to take the crown.
The Headmaster first grabbed the two silver medallions with two black-stripes on each. "This is oddly appropriate," he chuckled as he saw the stripes of the medallions and two bodies. He guided them to each of their chests and looked behind him. The two azure-and-white sculptures appeared behind him, both back-to-back. "I am quite glad I had the opportunity to see these. It is quite fascinating, all said."
He turned them both to the crowd.
Mathias saw Irina and Claude grinning at him - and even Erin came back to nod as if it were a matter-of-course.
Lisanna saw that Ayla, Wendi, and the others were cheering excitedly in the crowd - and she even saw an intoxicated Alexander and Lain smile slightly.
"You two did a very good job - and you do look cute together," Mitras whispered first as she clasped Lisanna's shoulder.
Lisanna blushed, but Jore appeared at her side as Mitras slipped off.
"I do not want to be a bother, but I would like to ask you some questions revolving around the sculptures later. Would that be okay?"
"Uh, y-yes!"
"Great. I'm looking forward to it," Jore said with a laugh.
"O'Clair, you've done well," Mr. Shields said simply and left.
"Th-thank you..."
Natalie smiled and clasped Lisanna's hands. "I am glad I made it. This first week is always a nightmare to deal with, but it is the first one that has ended well in a long-time. Yours was excellent and you look really cute in his portrayal."
"I-I appreciate it. Thank you..."
Natalie laughed and moved towards Mathias.
He heard similar things, but since he could not respond he just nodded with each comment and restrained the sigh that was building in his throat.
'Would people use this as an excuse to try to talk to me here?' He thought but decided that it was an unequivocal yes.
He did not want to think about it.
The Headmaster was the last in line as he looked at the two, complimented them once again, and said, "and now we'll be moving on, but first, I'd like to confirm your suspicions: these two will be sold together at the coming auction. I know many of you are interested in them, so I'd like to give you a head's up."
Mathias and Lisanna walked off the stage and both were grabbed by their fellow classmates.
"Mathias! Good job, man!" Erik said as he grabbed Mathias' shoulder and laughed happily. "I didn't think I'd get up there, but damn... we both beat Ayla! Ha, ha. I'm excited for the final one, but I think we all know who it'll be."
"Mathias, congratulations," James said nodding slightly and offering a small smile.
Kira lowered her head and turned away from him. "G-good... j-job..."
Tanner and Jack appeared. "I'm glad we rescued you from those she-wolves to make it here," Jack laughed.
"If not, I'm sure they'd make you look a little less presentable up there," Tanner added.
Others joined in, turning their attention to Lisanna, but Ayla, Wendi, and Jennifer were already there.
"Congrats! You beat that idiot so that's all that matters! We girls have to stick together for these things! Now, now! We've got to get ready!"
Jennifer hugged Lisanna. "I'm glad you placed! It was only because of you two that I managed to not embarrass myself! I can't think of a better person to take that spot!"
Wendi bit her lip at the weight of the expectations placed on her but still smiled at Lisanna. "I'm really happy for you. I had lots of fun sleeping over and working on them with you two!"
"Hey, hey!" Ayla shouted, "he's about to start!"
The Headmaster chuckled as he could clearly be seen giving them a moment to congratulate each other. Once he was given a formal opportunity, however, he started once more: "That I am! I'll be announcing the last individual - the one who, by far, impressed us the most in all categories were looking for.
"The work in question is the culmination of countless techniques that have been incorporated into a single, cohesive whole. It tells a story far more than any others individually and even on closer inspection, the details inside continue to amaze us. From the thematic core, the technical prowess, and the raw emotions behind it, I present to you all none other than, 'Memories', by Wendi Aliel."
The sculpture appeared taking center-stage as Wendi's anxiety was washed away. She looked at it longingly for a moment, trading glances back in the crowd of students and guests alike before a hand was taken into hers.
Church gently guided Wendi by to the stage silently as seven bodies moved forward.
The Headmaster grabbed her shaking hand and pulled it into a loose hand-shake before patting her back and directing her to the crowd.
"I will now present you this medal, proof that you are the undisputed winner of Majin's First Art Exhibition."
The other four judges nodded in-sync and the Headmaster gently sent the single-stripped, first-place medallion to her chest.
"We are all very excited to see your growth from here on as an artist, Wendi Aliel, as well as you realizing the potential that is only just coming to the surface into this medium - and any all others that you might be inclined to try."
The Headmaster stepped back and faced the crowd with a bright smile and Jore was the first to approach herfrom the judges' ranks. "I'm endlessly grateful that you have opened up the Academy to the joy of creating work that touches the soul. It has been my principle pursuit for the past two decades to attain higher and higher levels and I would love to welcome you to the annals of Majin Academy as one who is bringing new traditions in place. A tradition, once more common in our world, that has been erased by the ceaseless pursuit of pragmatism. I do hope that you continue to grow and mature as both a person and as an artist. I'm excited to see how the future will unfold for you."
Once Jore stepped back to give the others space, Mitras snuck in ahead of Mr. Shields. "I'm am somewhat bothered by your ability. It seems like my class will have to work a lot harder to catch up. Even so, putting aside petty differences, I was astounded when I saw it. I could feel the work's heart as a layperson. And the heart that was all-too-human, seemingly opening up only after a long time of soaking it all in - but immediately seeing its importance. You've earned this."
Wendi was silent for both compliments but tears started to form in the pit of her eyes.
"Wendi Aliel," they - the tears - were stifled by the call. "I was hesitant when you all first approached me over the matter. However, from just barely being able to form a crystal shard, you have been able to replicate what took me many long months in a matter of days. Your dedication is commendable. And it was because of you that the class, as a whole, was pushed more than I could have expected. I can see the merit in hindsight and revoke my comments about the use of stasis stones for beginners. It seems they do have very interesting applications in all stages of development. You've done well."
"... Th-thank yo-"
Natalie hugged Wendi the moment Mr. Shields left and Wendi was stammering.
"It was so beautiful, the scene. I spent a lot of time just reminiscing about my past just from a single glance. I am sad to say that I don't think I had enough time to appreciate and learn more about it than I was given. If there is anything you need in my capacity, I'll be sure to try to accommodate you in any way I can once the first-week rush ends. We can talk more later, if only about the other things going on, too."
"I-I-"
"Wendi," the Headmaster laughed once she saw Wendi's gaze was turned to the departing Natalie. "I don't have many things that interest me in my day-to-day, but you've shown me new pursuits which seem to have boundless possibilities. I may have stepped into the leadership of this event somewhat selfishly, but I'm glad I did. I don't think a smaller venue would have been able to do your work justice. You have an immense amount of potential and I know everyone around you, past and present, are infinitely proud of your accomplishments here today."
Wendi finally couldn't handle it and tears fell from her eyes.
Church was the first to step into the spot-light and hold her as the Headmaster nodded with a light smile. He guided her down the stairs and Irina and Alyssa grabbed her arms and began whispering to her.
Church let Wendi go and she dove into their chests as the class let her be.
"Now, now. We have discovered the top-performers in this exhibition, but I'd like to ask for a round of applause for all that participated in this Exhibition - and a special round of applause for the first champion of the event, Wendi Aliel!"
The applause was thunderous.
Ayla and Erik led the students in excited shouts and cheers, Claude joined in and soon all those of his mercenary band in attendance drowned out the students - before the others managed to out-do even them.
Even those expecting formality to a 't' were cheering at the atmosphere.
"... It's a good thing you didn't need make-up," Irina laughed, squeezing Wendi close to her. "I'll wipe away the tears in just a second."
"N-no... yo, you don't have to... I-Irina..."
"Call me Mama Vandiese," Irina said with a smile. "Everyone else seems to."
"Ma... ma...?"
"'Mama Vandiese.'"
"Mama... Van... Vandiese...?"
"Yeah. And Alyssa here is just as happy to have you around as I am, you know?"
"Yes...! T-tank...? Thank you," Alyssa tried and looked for Irina for confirmation.
"Perfect. Right, we have some treats at the table now so come join us. Your friends are welcome, too."
"Happy! Alexi, Ali, happy!" Alexi shouted as he wrapped his arms around Wendi's waist.
"I-is... is that so...?"
"Yeah! Eat! Cake!"
"... C-cake!" Ali offered while held in Almer's arms.
"A-Ali..!?"
"Wendi, let's go," Church said with a toothy smile. "It's time to celebrate."
Ayla was at the base of the group and relayed the message. "Celebration at Mama Vandiese's table! Let's go, everyone!"
"Yeah!"
"Mhmm."
"Well, I won't say no to that," Jack said.
Tanner laughed and pressed his arms on Stacy's back to keep her from interjecting between the group and moved them through the crowd.
Jack took Jill's hand and the two made a path back as the others were shouting out their praise towards Wendi. The crowd was kind enough to give them room to depart and almost the entire class was in attendance.
Almost.
Jasmine was pulled to the side as a woman dug her nails into the scars on Jasmine's arm. "... Why didn't you make a showing? Again. You failed against the O'Clairs again?"
"... M-my apologizes... Mother. I-I-"
"Do not call me that. Pathetic. You're pathetic. And you failed to move on Mathias as instructed. You're a failure."
Jasmine's mother's claws retracted and her face remained expressionless as she pulled Jasmine forward into a mechanical hug.
Eldrich approached.
"Hey, Jazz, we're going to the Vandiese table to celebrate. May I steal her for a moment, Mrs. Thatcher?"
"Of course, Eldrich. You are most welcome to," Jasmine's mother said as she gently guided Jasmine forward. She smiled easily as she added: "It would be a shame for her to miss the class celebration."
"That's what I thought," Eldrich said timidly, keeping his head half-cocked to the table in question to keep his sight away. "Jazz, let's go."
"Understood," she said, still looking into her mother's eyes. The comment was not for Eldrich, but she still kept a smile through the entire event, stiffening only at the pain in her arms. "Let's go."