"Cheers!"

The class lifted the champaign glasses they were given by a trio of waiters. The parents of the students crowded around the table as well, and the bodies were pressing against each other as they were talking.

"Erik! Mathias! Congratulation!"

Both were tapped from behind.

"Thomas! Long-time no-see!" Erik shouted, lifting his glass. Thomas extended his own and the two clinked glasses. "I didn't know you were here. How'd you like the show?"

Erik lied without a sign on his face.

Thomas, too, laughed. "We just got here not too long ago. Someone gave us tickets as they were heading out for other commitments. But, I'm really impressed! The two of your guys' statues were amazing!"

"Yeah, it's all thanks to Wendi and the Master!"

"Right, right. I heard from someone else, Mathias, I guess you're Fellstone's son. Is that right?"

Mathias nodded and Thomas beamed a smile. "I wouldn't have guessed! It makes the place a lot more lively. But I'm more surprised by what you're wearing! How'd you get those clothes!"

"It's a class-secret! We'll protect our sources to the end of time!"

"Ah, man. I'm jealous, but I feel you. Miss Lan found us not too long ago. It seems like we're under a lot of pressure. Anyways, more importantly, how long did it take you to make those?!"

"Hmm, a day and a half, I guess? Technically two days, but the first part didn't really count since we were playing around with it without knowing much, if anything, about it."

Erik saw that Vanessa was talking with Ayla, Midori and Akia with Synthy, and Justin and Kahn with some of the other boys.

It seemed like they saw it as the last opportunity to gather intel since the alcohol might make them loose-lipped. And since the auction was starting in a half-hour, it was a fair assessment. Afterwards, once their statues were sold, they would be allowed to leave.

Many were tired from the long day so there would be quite a few that were tempted to just depart after they were done.

Erik carefully held his tongue for some of the more important sources (ie, Mathias' mother who was in ear-shot and would probably be upset if they snitched on her and gave her troublesome requests).

There were others, but it was the one Thomas explicitly asked about.

As Erik and Thomas were talking, Mathias felt a pull on his back.

"...?"

He turned around. Lisanna, beside him protectively, looked back to see Jasmine's lips land on his cheeks.

"Congratulations, you two!" Jasmine said as she quickly parted from Mathias. "I didn't get the chance to say it before, but I'm glad you were recognized for your hard work!"

"Jas-!"

Lisanna's exclamation fell on deaf ears as Jasmine retreated back through the crowd.

"Woah!" Ayla shouted and asked Vanessa. "Did that just happen?"

"I believe so. I didn't think she was so bold...?"

"... Mathias?"

He gave her a look that said 'I didn't do anything'.

She saw his displeasure on his face, but she was still agitated - rather, a dull, smouldering fire was burning in her eyes. Which grew to an inferno as her chest started to heave as she processed what just happened.

"Mathias, come with me," she spoke through clenched teeth with the cadence of a low, rumbling growl as her breathes quickened.

"Woah," Ayla shouted. "Lisanna! Wait!"

Lisanna was already pulling Mathias through the crowd. However, partway through, he pulled back. As much as he wanted to away from the crowding bodies, to have some space to breathe, he grumbled and rejected her guiding hand. He was not so stupid as to see what may happen.

"What!? What the hell?!"

Mathias grunted, pulled her again, and forced her to take a seat at the table.

"What are you doing!? I was just going to confront that bitch!"

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"..."

He was silent as he penned a note.

'It's not worth it. If she's baiting you through me are you really going to just go along with it?'

"So you're saying you're fine with it?!"

'I'm not. I don't like these crowds. And I don't like that. More importantly, I also don't like the idea that is in your mind. It's not worth it.'

"So... so-!"

'What you stand to lose is a lot greater than you think. Just stop and think about it.'

Lisanna's fiery glare was matched only by Alexander's who was at the table. His clutching hand snapped the stem of the wine-glass quietly, but even he held his tongue. Normally, his expression wouldn't even flutter, but the champaign was downed in a single gulp.

There were a lot of people staring at her right now as the chatter ceased.

'Is... is that how I got a bad reputation...' Lisanna's mind back-tracked slowly - rage delaying the thoughts of anything aside from her hatred.

Lisanna ground her teeth as the anger flooded her eyes. Mathias splashed water on her face.

"Wha-!?"

He did it again. Twice. In front of many onlookers this time.

"Stop!"

He dried her off and turned away.

'Better for you to be angry at me than her.'

"Hmph! Stupid idiot!"

Mathias signed as the note burst into flames.

Lisanna stomped through the crowd - a different direction as Jasmine - and Wendi ran to her side with Jennifer and Ayla close at her heels.

"... Sorry," Eldrich said timidly. "I was trying to keep an eye on her."

"..."

Erik sighed. "It's fine. Whatever. As long as they don't start a fight, we can deal with the rest later."

"Mathers... that bastard is whoring out his own daughter...!" Alexander seethed.

"Nah, Alex. Just leave it at that. We shouldn't get involved in the kids' problems if we don't have to," Claude chimed in after looking at Irina.

"Claude! Come with me! Imma break that guy's tiny neck!"

Claude restrained him by the arm and said, "stop. It's not-"

"You're going to do what?"

"Claude, I thought you'd hold your wife - not another man."

"Salam, you bastard..." Claude twitched as his hold loosened. "You are not that much of an idiot. Wait. I forgot. You got beat in front of your own troops by your lovely wife, didn't you? Isn't that why Synthia refuses to wield a blade - because of how pathetic you are?"

"You... you bastard!" Salam gripped his sword and Claude grabbed the greatsword's handle.

"Alexander... drinking to such excess... I wonder if your father would be happy? I heard that's how he got started with his wonderful returns on his estate."

"Mathers...! At least my father didn't knock up a whore and decide to start playing the big-man in a tiny-pond. You're no different than a common street thug."

"My mother...! She's...! She's- You fucking bastard! I'll rip out your tongue!"

"With what? The ball-gags your mother loved when she was fucked by all the guys in town? Wait, who was your father again? Do you even know if it's really him? I guess you're raising your daughter to be like your mother, hey?"

"Say another word- I dare you!"

Ice condensed on Mathers' throbbing fists and azure flames burst from Alexander's palms.

"Awe, they've gone and done it now," Raul spoke tiredly.

Lisanna and Jasmine were nowhere to be seen, but Mathias and Synthy were racing to deal with their parents.

"...!" Mathias stood in front of Claude, but the man's eyes were clearly locked on Salam's. The greatsword's blade was growing darker and darker as the metal started to condense into damascus veins.

Synthy, too, was in front of Salam as his plate armour burst into scarlet veins before a golden flame covered the entirety of his dress-armour and cloak.

Raul stepped in between both who were seconds away from springing forward. "As much as I enjoy seeing your magic, there is a time and place. I have good confidence in your abilities which is what is troubling. You have three-seconds to stand-down or I will open an investigation into the actions and financing of the Sumerian conflict. Claude Fellstone will be investigated for desertion and the dereliction of duty; Salam Rettih for the release of magic that killed non-combatants and those surrendering during the events of the final crush. Mathers Thatcher will be investigated in the disappearance of several prisoners-of-war; Alexander O'Clair will be investigated in regards to his cross-border business during the arms, armour, magic, and commodity embargo we had in place.

"May I ask if you still wish to continue?"

Claude snapped first. "Those are baseless charges - I stayed on the field!"

Salam snorted, "there was no way of knowing when the Sumerians just put armour over the civilians!"

Raul shrugged. "The matter of your sudden shift in combat style from Fellstone's and your aggression previous to purely defensive is demonstrative of some level of guilt. And Claude, you agreed to the command structure."

Alexander snorted, "as if I would betray the country. I have cut ties with the Sumerian businesses I had after that."

"But during it, contracts may have been finished, as all in business are sure to protect their legitimacy - a practice that is very much frowned upon in times of war. Mathers?"

"Baseless slander. I refuse to deal with the implications of black market activities if that is what you imply."

"Even so, there are many avenues," Raul said with a sigh. "We have opted to ignore misdoings for your contribution in the war. We have little need to penalize actions which saved thousands of our countrymen - of which each and every one of you is honoured for a reason. But there is the letter of law. And while actions may be justified, our system is one which we all here appreciate, as it ensures each man, woman, and child has a chance to grow to their potential with the strength of their will and perseverance. A sentiment all in attendance will agree to, I'm sure."

Claude and Salam released the handles of their weapons first. Alexander and Mathers were still fuming, but the clashing heat and chill ceased around them.

"... Make sure that whore's son stays out of my sight."

"Disgusting drunkard, lose away another fortune will you." Mathers stalked away from the scene.

Salam dispersed the flames and the man, too, stomped away.

Claude's blade fell into a simple grey as the blade turned and punctured the floor.

"Well, isn't this fun?" Raul laughed tiredly. "Oh well. It looks like things are back to normal."

Claude grabbed the bottle and drank. Alexander snatched it from him soon-after and the two commiserated silently.

"... And now that is all over, we'll be commencing the auction shortly. You all have fifteen minutes!" The Headmaster said with slight disappointment.

"..."

Everyone was silent as they figured it was the worst possible timing. However, time waited for no man. And confrontations were not dissimilar to socialization - just heated and liable to cause immense property, bodily, reputational, and other damages.

But it didn't come to it.

Which was simultaneously good and bad for the Headmaster.

He wanted to see a fight between the belligerents and felt the paper-work and meetings would justify seeing such a sight.