Talia sat with her friends in the common area of Professor Iakopo's School. The room was abuzz with talks about Principal Kaimana's announcement.

"I can't believe we'll only have two months of classes," Fiora said. She fidgeted with the sleeve of her uniform.

“It must be really bad,” Takai nodded thoughtfully. “I wonder why the Abyssal Creatures are so agitated. Could it be another test? Maybe the Principal’s exaggerating.”

"My family has connections across the Four Seas. They've been hearing rumors of increased Abyssal activity for months now. They’ve also witnessed an increased presence of monsters and spillage from Dungeons around Tempest City."

Talia tried not to react to the mention of Nami's family after what Professor Iakopo had told her.

She had yet to understand how her mother could have swayed so many men back then. Not only Professor Iakopo had apparently been used by her mother in order to get to the Dark Water Well, which she had ultimately used on her father, Maui, but Yalena had also apparently sunk her claws into Rongo Moana, the current patriarch of the Moana Family, one of the strongest Great Families in the Four Seas.

"What kind of missions do you think they'll give us?" Keanu asked. He stood slightly behind Talia's chair, ever vigilant.

"Probably low-level Dungeon clearing," Fiora speculated. "Nothing too dangerous for second years."

Honestly, Talia wasn’t so sure that they wouldn’t get something easy.

If the Water Riders were truly short-staffed, all bets were off.

Anyway, she would have to consult Professor Iakopo about this. She hadn’t really heard much from the man about Principal Kaimana’s announcement, which made her wonder if he had heard anything before this moment.

“Well, if I had to bet,” Nami said, “I think that they’re going to send us off immediately after the Water Ball.”

Everyone turned toward Nami with a confused face.

“The Water Ball?” Takai asked. “A ball of water? A big one?”

Everyone was as confused as him.

“Not a water ball,” Nami face-palmed. “A Water Ball.”

“Oh, that’s so much clearer,” Talia snorted.

Nami groaned, putting two fingers on her forehead and keeping her eyes closed, trying to explain herself. “I’m talking about dancing, celebrations. A dance. That’s what a Water Ball is. It’s a ball, and the theme is water. It’s held in the Spire.”

“Oh,” everyone collectively went.

“I have never heard of that,” Talia said.

“It’s the most important event in the 2nd year and one of the most important events in the academy,” Nami explained. “The 1st year is very fickle. So, considering how many people can get thrown out of the academy during that period of time, not many seek permanent alliances or connections. Most just have to survive. The 2nd year, however, is when politics really starts taking over among the students. Especially if you’re a noble, you’re required to use the Water Ball as a way of solidifying your alliances.”

“So it’s a dance where nobles get chummy with each other,” Talia frowned. “Why is that important?”

“You really don’t understand,” Fiora raised her hands. “I bet there are 2nd-year students that are gonna be the patriarchs of their families, of course. But don’t alliances change over the years? Like, is a 2nd year event this important?”

“See,” Nami started explaining, “alliances do not change that much. Alliances take time to solidify, of course, but they don’t change. They stay mostly the same, more than you would even imagine they would.”

“Really?” Talia said, surprised.

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“Nobles have to trust each other, but these alliances are usually made with the approval of one’s family. And some of these alliances are, well, you know...”

“I know?” Talia asked, confused.

“Romantic,” Fiora interjected. “It’s a ball.”

“Oh,” Talia said. “Right.” She frowned a moment later. “So how—”

“Doesn’t matter for those like us who aren’t nobles. I don’t know about the others, Talia, but you are the Kraken Slayer’s daughter,” Nami said with a poignant look. “You will be asked out,” Nami stated matter-of-factly.

“I don’t really talk to that many people,” Talia said, frowning.

“They will come talk to you, idiot,” Fiora groaned. “Just because they have never talked to you, it won’t stop guys from asking you out. You are a great asset.”

Nami nodded. “If I was a man, my family would literally force me to ask you out for the Water Ball.”

“Really?”

“You should really stop underestimating your position,” Nami said. “Your naivete could damage you, Talia.”

Talia had never felt naive, to be honest. In fact, she had figured out quite a few big problems, especially considering that—not to brag, but she had been the one who had saved Professor Iakopo’s life and prevented the Placid City catastrophe from happening twice. But she guessed that Nami did have a point. Etiquette among nobles wasn’t something she was very well versed in, and she probably needed to know more.

“Nami, would you mind giving me a couple of lessons about nobility? Keanu doesn’t really talk much about it, and I think you might have a point here. I do need to know more, given my position.”

Nami smiled at her. “I would love to.”

“So, since the Water Ball is so important, will Lilo be back by then?” Talia asked, wondering about the younger Moana sister. Lilo had not come back yet because she was still training with her father, Rongo.

“She will have to,” Nami nodded pensively. “But she might come straight for the ball, skipping the other lessons. Father is running her through hardcore training to prepare her. Lilo is not allowed to fail ever again if she wants to stay the chosen.”

Nami's serious expression suddenly morphed into a mischievous grin. "You know, Talia, the Water Ball isn't just about political alliances. It's also a chance for romance to bloom."

Talia felt her cheeks warm slightly. "Romance? I don't think—"

"Oh, come on," Nami teased, her eyes twinkling. "Don't tell me you've never thought about it. With all those handsome Water Riders in training, there must be someone who's caught your eye."

Fiora chimed in, barely suppressing a laugh as she took the chance to poke some fun at Talia.

"Maybe our fearless Kraken Slayer's daughter has a secret crush she's not telling us about?"

Talia shook her head vigorously, her face now fully flushed. "No! I’m busy with training!”

“Everyone is,” Fiora smirked.

"Well, the Water Ball might change that," Nami said with a wink. "Who knows? You might walk in focused on alliances and walk out with your heart flooded. It happens more often than you'd think."

"I doubt it," Talia vehemently denied it.

Before they could continue teasing Talia, Professor Iakopo materialized in their midst, startling them.

“Good morning everyone. Talia, we have to talk.”

* * *

Talia was extremely glad that the man had come to save her from the teasing. In fact, if there was one quality she really liked about Professor Iakopo, it was the fact that the man didn’t really joke around. He was very serious, sometimes boring, but always straight to the point. However, as they entered his studio, Talia couldn’t help but notice a slight smirk on the man’s face.

“Professor?” Talia asked.

“Mhmm.” Iakopo turned toward her.

“Why are you smiling?”

“I’m not one to meddle in the affairs of my students, but I couldn’t help overhear what you were talking about.”

Talia groaned and put her hands to her face.

“Just know that they’re not fully wrong. You might find someone you like. There’s nothing wrong with that. And if you do, just don’t follow them into a dungeon that will cause a catastrophe that will destroy an entire city.”

Talia suddenly looked at Professor Iakopo with raised eyebrows. The man was giving her a shrug and a thin smile. This was the first time she had heard him joke about what happened 20 years ago. The man had been still devastated by it the last time they had been in the dungeon; she thought he would never move past it. But if he was finally joking about it, maybe Professor Iakopo had finally moved on.

“So,” Talia said, “what do we need to talk about?”

“How would you like to explore a Siren’s Passage by yourself?” Professor Iakopo smiled. “It’s ironic because it is a place where romance often blooms. You know?”

Talia looked at the man with a straight face. “I don’t care. Sure. But this might be somewhat important, no?”

“Yalena used to be there alone a lot. So I’m going to give you the key to reach it and send you there on your own. There is no danger in it. And while several students and professors have access to it, no one usually goes there, but I think you might enjoy it. And if you happen to meet someone you like, you might want to bring them there.”

“I won’t,” Talia snapped. “What’s the place?”

“It’s called the Star Field.”