Erik received the freshly mended uniform from just as Mathias was stirring. Since it was getting to about time, he was forced to drag Mathias out of the bath after a half-hour.

"Uh... I... I'm tired... where am I?" Mathias groaned as was set down a bench. All he saw was a tiled floor.

He reached towards his back and displaced some of the ice to rub it. Some of the bruising went down, but he could still definitely feel it.

"You're in the bath. I brought you here since I figured it would help with your back... except how isn't that melting?"

Erik was curious since he saw the brace for the past thirty minutes in hot water. A fire mage even warmed it back up even it was getting a little too cold around Mathias - and, consequently, the group.

"... Dunno... where's my bed...?"

He rubbed his eyes. He was pretty sure he felt a bed when he crashed. At least a fur, anyways.

"Get dressed and we'll go, okay?" To the meeting, Erik meant, but it was easier this way.

Mathias' help with Lisanna, Jennifer, and minimizing Ayla's outbursts towards Erik would be well-rewarded in the annals of the Brotherhood's records. In group dynamics, women generally prefer strength in numbers and men tend towards divide and conquer. Of course, even those that fit the stereotypes could be strong women or weak men, despite their inclinations towards social systems of beings.

"'Kay..."

Mathias wore the third outfit, a long-sleeved shirt and plain pants, he brought from home. He was wondering where it came from, but since he was in a strange place, he did not think it to be unreasonable to dress first. Then he could go to his own bed, he thought.

However, he reached into his pocket. '... A card... and money...? Huh...?'

He shook the existence of the objects out of his head. Mathias thought he saw Lisanna take something, run upstairs, and return shortly thereafter, but he was dreadfully tired.

Uniform safely tucked away, Lisanna appeared back at his side. "Hi... can I go to bed now?"

He asked hopefully, but even though her expression softened, she shook her head. "Not now, okay? In a bit, though."

She felt guilty about waking him up so early. It was not early to her, but if he did not get enough sleep, then the day would have been too much for him, regardless of how much 'rest' he got. She was just going to bring him to the cafe, let him sleep there, and then take him back home as soon as she could.

Jennifer came to her side as Erik went off to put away his gear and get ready. "Is... he okay?"

"Yeah, should be," Lisanna said with a forced smile.

Jennifer didn't press, but added, "sorry about changing plans like that... it's just..."

She became teary-eyed.

"Uh, it's fine! It's fine! Everyone has things they're bad at!"

"S-so... so I am that bad...!"

"N-no, well, maybe? I don't know! You have to show me next time and then maybe I can help...?"

"You... will?" Jennifer looked up, unsure.

"Yes, I'm not the best, but I can maybe, probably help?"

"Th-thanks...!"

Jennifer grabbed Lisanna's free hand that was not supporting Mathias. She clasped it tightly and nodded eagerly as if to reaffirm her thoughts to herself. "You're a good person, you know?"

"I-I hope so...?"

"You are!" Jennifer wiped away some of the tears and smiled brilliantly.

Even Lisanna was stunned by the beautiful smile on the gentle face.

Ayla broke the touching moment.

"Okay! I confirmed the place is open until at least ten, but since it was empty, I just asked the reserve the entire place - I already told the owners that we're going to be spending at least twenty-five gold so they okay with it! They're starting to make lots of fresh cakes for us now too!"

It translated to another ten slices of cake; a little more than a full, lavish party-cake per person.

"... Eh...? Cake...? I... want...sl...-"

Su, su.

His head fell onto her shoulder.

Lisanna sighed and lowered both of them against the wall. There were only ten or so people in the common room, so many were still getting ready. Feeling bad about the morning, she let him rest his head on her shoulder as Jennifer quirked her head.

"Are you...?"

"No!" Lisanna hurriedly rejected with a whisper.

Jennifer smiled. "It's okay either way... I'll support you."

She rubbed more of the tears from her eyes to look a little more confident, but Lisanna tried to reject it over-and-over again.

Jennifer was not convinced.

Jennifer sighed, lowered her head, and sat down beside Lisanna. It made the other look a little less out-of-place. Even Erik stopped when he entered the room to stare at the three. Lisanna felt like he smiled a little more than usual too, but was too far to make any comment to correct his line-of-thinking without attracting more attention.

He was just surprised how quickly his assumption came into effect. And the temporary rule of Lisanna's 'off-limits' status became an unwritten rule that stated: hitting on Lisanna for information gathering purposes is expressly forbidden by all Scylla boys; if one had the courage and conviction to still try, they best be prepared to an arduous battle against the scarred, feminine-looking boy who could more than contend with the (rumoured) three-strongest first-year girls. Not to mention, he was seen training James, a first-year student who admitted to never holding a sword before he came here, who beat five opponents in a row with his sword (and shield).

Rumours were powerful things.

People like Erik knew just who powerful they are and sought to maintain a steady supply of such information such that they can systemize it for events like today.

"Hello."

Lisanna raised her head to see Fara standing there... with a gaudy spear in her hands. "Isn't that...?"

"Yeah. I was told to come so I will. I prefer researching this, however."

Fara was carrying a large bag. While a few remembered the original purpose of the meeting was akin to secondary training, it was only Fara thus far that brought so much.

"Sorry," Fara added, nodding at the cut on Lisanna's face and sat down beside Jennifer, opening a notebook and began scribbling notes while turning her attention from paper to pen to polearm and back again.

Lisanna pursed her lips. She righted the expression, still discontent, but accepted the result. Their match was close-fought, but it ended in her loss.

'To think... she didn't even care about the result...' Lisanna tried to push away the thoughts.

It lingered.

Since Fara appeared, she felt like she was getting further from her goal. It was fine to tie to Mathias, she felt, but to lose? It stung. And Fara hardly even registered Jennifer, giving non-committal grunts, despite the girl's pleads to have her help with her issues.

And she was even pretty.

'... Is this the cost?'

Another voice broke her out of her mental retreat.

"Okay! We're all here!" Ayla shouted as two large groups appeared, one male and the other female. She verified the numbers with a head-count and proclaimed, "we're going! Now! Cake awaits!"

Since Mathias was surprisingly easy to coax into sleep-walking, Lisanna only struggled with the first few steps. Jennifer and Fara were on her side, with the former looking into the distance anxiously as the latter was reading her notebook in one hand and carried the spear in the other.

Lisanna's attention was half-stolen by her task so she only recognized the class was beginning to mix as they passed the gates. Several of the boys who stood out today joined into the conversations of the girls; some, like Tanner, were already reasonably well-liked, if the words of the chatter in the girls' bath could be trusted. Others were disregarded prior, and many still.

Eldrich was talking to Wendi who, while courteous and cheerful to the boy, was sent away as Hana appeared on her side. Some smaller groups formed, but it was fairly intermixed. Erik and Ayla were leading the two groups, with a cluster of people around them, and Lisanna tiredly accepted their position.

"... They're better at that, after all..."

"What?" Jennifer asked, just barely catching the murmur.

"Socializing. Does it bother you?" Fara said, not looking up.

"No, no. It's just... strange."

"Is that so? No matter."

Jennifer looked at two on either side of her and asked again, "what's the matter? Isn't it already to be expected? Plus, we're here."

"That... well, whatever. It's nothing."

Fara said nothing and left it at that.

Jennifer was dissatisfied with the answer. "Won't you tell me?"

Lisanna closed her mouth, unsure of whether or not to speak. She reiterated she was alright and that there was nothing wrong. If nothing else, she just did not feel comfortable confiding in them yet.

She looked at the face of the boy beside her.

"... I'll tell you later."

"You better, but... uhm, i-is... is that it...?"

Jennifer's anxiety surged as she saw the meeting-place. While the area the Majin Academy stood on was on the outskirts of the city, due to the landmass needed, it was still a rather affluent neighbourhood. Which was why the run-down, ramshackle building stood out immensely.

There was an outdoor patio, but all the furniture was stripped from the elements. Flakes of white paint dotted the metallic chairs; and it was protected by a rusted, ornate three-foot tall metal fence that curled in intricate patterns. The front door was little more than a cracked wooden slab with painted lettering of 'cafe' on it.

There were numerous, large windows fixed into the walls, but each was covered by a wobbly shutter that threatened to collapse in the gentle breeze. Some were hanging by a single hinge.

Where it once could have been a great building, it was quite neglected. Even if the other cafes closer to the city center were taking some of the business, it should not have been to the degree that was seen on the exterior.

Ayla was still pleased by the selection, if only since it was a rarity for cafes in this city to be open beyond the morning and afternoon.

"Okay! We're here! We can set up either inside or on the patio! Let's go!"

She ran inside first. The others soon followed after, veiling their questioning gazes. Some were used to more run-down homes or buildings in the neighbourhood, but it was not often businesses themselves.

Lisanna, Jennifer, Fara, and (a sleep-walking) Mathias entered after the others.

The interior was clean. Wooden stools surrounded small, circular tables in the middle, and several long, rectangular tables were pressed against the walls for larger groups. Unfortunately, it looked like it only served some ten, fifteen people at most in it's normal arrangement. More could fit if they stood or shifted things around, but there was not enough designated room inside.

A middle-aged couple were busily working in the back, not bothering to look towards them.

A small boy appeared with a bright smile. "Hullo! Sit! Sit! An'were!" He was missing a few baby teeth, but be beamed brightly. A toddler looked at the group nervously from underneath the folding counter-top.

She reeled back when she noticed their stares.

The boy valiantly stepped forward in front of his sister. "P'ates! P'ates! Ma!"

The woman appeared, brown sugar and fruit-juice wiped on her weathered apron.

She began speaking to the boy in a strange tongue. It seemed that they came from another country, but the family was working earnestly. The woman brought up a rather plain, frosted cake to the counter, and soon grabbed a stack of small, clean plates with forks on another.

"Come! Come! Eat!" He shouted excitedly before paling and looking around to see if his mother would chide him. She was busy so she did not, but he still added, "uh, moni!"

Ayla nodded and both her and Erik passed the boy twenty-gold in an extra purse. He crouched on the ground, poured the purse on the ground and exclaimed, "Gol! Pretty! Lot!"

Then he started counting it one-by-one slowly.

"Ma! Lot!"

He lost track after about ten, more distracted than inept, but dutifully brought it back to the counter.

She nodded, spoke to him, and he returned to the front. "Eat! An'were!"

Ayla was slightly disappointed since the cakes were seemed plain. However, since there would be little reason to have cake-meetings without cake, it would have to do.

"Okay! We're allowed to sit anywhere! Since the inside is a little small, we might just be able to all fit outside. But it's self-serve! Make sure to bring your plate back too for seconds!"

"Woo!"

"Yeah!"

"Mhmm!"

"Hoo-rah!"

"We'll be commencing the plan to beat Mr. Shields' stupid tests too - but after cake! We'll set up someplace later, but until then... let's eat!"

Ayla, Jill, and Stacy were the first to head towards the stack of plates. Since more varieties of cake appeared as they appeared, Ayla took the executive decision to start cutting up the cakes with the offered knife.

It allowed her to scout out the selection that were being finished by the middle-aged man in the back. All the while, the toddler was spying the group, the cake, and her busy mother; she remained quiet and well-behaved, but Ayla cut a small piece and set it on the plate.

"Want it?"

The child ran forward, abandoning the sanctuary of the counter and stole the plate away. She froze once she saw attention turned to her and scurried back to hide under the counter.

"Here!"

Ayla brought over a fork.

The child froze, timidly accepted it, and scooched further towards the far counter, turning her back to the group.

"You! Eat!"

The boy reprimanded Ayla - who happily obliged. Though he looked at his sister chastizingly, he let out a wry smile and let the cooing girls spoil her. Erik brought some for him too.

"No, no! Yo-"

"Just take it! It's a gift." Erik turned back and the boy looked ill at ease.

However, since his task was done, he set the cake down, saw Erik help another to a bench with Lisanna, and the boy sprung into action.

"Hur'?! Here!"

The young boy ran to the back and brought his own pillow and blanket for Mathias to use as he was lowered on the bench by Erik. Then he sat across the boy guardingly and cheerfully ate his cake.

Lisanna took a seat beside Mathias.

"Here," Jennifer said, sitting across from Lisanna, unsure about the inclusion of the boy at their table. "I got two different kinds for you..."

Fara sat beside the young boy, closest to the wall, leaned down her spear, and absentmindedly picked at the cake as she looked at her notes.

"Coo'!"

Fara glanced over, saw the boy was playing with the ice spear and nodded approvingly. "... Water mage, huh?"

On occasion, she would extend her hand to grab it back, but the child sat cross-legged on the bench playing with it otherwise. Since it was too heavy for him to carry, he just poked and prodded the outside, feeling the spikes, and continuing his exploration.

Given that he didn't complain about its chill, he was clearly of their element - and leaned towards ice magic, itself.

His mother looked at Fara who seemed indifferent, spoke to him, and he became a little more reserved. He still played with the strange weapon as a toddler crawled forward with frosting on her mouth.

Lisanna was watching the scene with Jennifer. Both were smiling at the antics of the children, and the warm atmosphere was pleasant for both who were anxious about coming in the first place. Lisanna did not know how to deal with groups of people; Jennifer was trying her best to forget the meaning behind the meeting.

"Woah... isn't this really good?" Jennifer said.

"Yeah." Fara commented, mechanically picking at the cake.

"It really is..." Lisanna said, quirking her head. "It's almost as good as the other cafe. Actually," she took a second bite. "It's less sweet, but its so moist! I didn't expect this!"

"It's strange that Ayla said this place was empty! It's so good!"

The boy looked on with pride, puffing his chest out. "Ma', Da', me, Ali, come las' win'er! Ma' and Da' best!"

"So it's because it's so new..."

"Ma, Da happy! Come again, they say!" The boy added as he grinned towards his parents who took a momentary breather to check on the kids.

"Cake," Fara said simply and pushed her plate towards the host.

The boy grabbed her plate, ran off and got her two different types. "Best!" He exclaimed.

Fara cut them both in half with her fork and passed it over to the boy. She did not look up from her notebook in the entire exchange.

"Thank you."

"Yay!"

Meanwhile, Ayla was outside, sitting on the patio with a blissful expression. "Yep, we're coming here again!"

Wendi was beside her, nestling her cheek in her hands, eyes closed in bliss. "Ah, all the stress is just melting away."

"I know! No sand, no monsters, and good company all around!"

Synthy was with Mina and Lina across from the two. She seemed to be uninterested in the cake but dutifully ate it. "So how are you planning to help those that are struggling?"

"If Synthy helps, it'll all work out!" Mina said.

"Ah, I think Synthy wants a chocolate one. It looks like she was saving it for last."

"Really?! I'll be right back!"

Mina ran off to get the cake.

"... You know I don't like chocolate, don't you?"

"Is that so? My apologies if I overstepped," Lina said, head lowered ever-so-slightly.

"Don't worry, I'll eat it!" Ayla patted her expanding belly. "We'll work off tomorrow anyways! Anyways, regarding the plan, it'll be something like this: we'll enjoy cake, enjoy it some more, get some seconds or thirds, and then - then! - we'll split into groups! Since there is only some five of us that didn't get called out, we'll need to work hard!"

"... Wasn't there six?"

"One's out of commission," Ayla said with a snicker to Synthy's question. "Speaking of which, I didn't know you used weapons!? Why didn't you pull it out earlier in the fight with James - you totally would've won!"

"... I saw no need. Even if I won, it'd be meaningless to do so with a weapon."

"Then what about that match?"

"It was just... he reminded me of someone. I can't stand that style. I just wanted to cut him down where he stood."

Synthy muttered darkly. Ayla reacted by pushing her plate forward and swapping a cake Synthy would eat with the chocolate one she would not.

It was a small gesture, but Synthy accepted it.

Mina returned. "Y-you ate it already?! Woah! I'm glad I got extras!"

She piled three more pieces of chocolate cake onto Synthy's plate. Synthy's eye twitched. She did not reject the kindness, however mistaken it was.

Lina snickered beside her.

And Ayla left to get more for herself as she suddenly grew very cognizant of her lack of food in front of her. One slice was passable - but incomparable to four. The cake was already in her belly. She vowed to return to help Synthy, but was side-tracked by another group.

She exchanged words with Stacy, Jill, Jack, and Tanner, saw Wendi follow her, and welcomed her along. Once Ayla departed, Synthy's fans came to take their seats by their idol. Wendi, while also somewhat smitten by Synthy's reputation, was not powerful enough to deal with the more aggressive ones like Hana who silently exerted pressure. There were only so many seats at the table, after all.

"Did you want some more too?" Ayla gave her an out. She left for the same reason, just a little earlier.

"Y-yeah. Where are you going now?"

"To see Lisanna and Fara!"

"Right, but...?"

Wendi cutely quirked her head to the side. Ayla powerful strides were heading to the counter. The chocolate cake was all gone. Mina seemed to want to monopolize it for Synthy; however, Ayla was undeterred. She grabbed a few pieces of short-cake, a fruit sponge cake, and even a freshly-prepared, chilled cheese-cake.

"Good," the woman said, pointing to the cheese-cake proudly.

Her husband turned and nodded.

"A specialty? Okay! Wendi, you too!"

Both loaded up on their selections as a boy raced past them. He recruited his sister to follow him as he saw the cake brought out. Both wiped away their drool and dutifully brought them over to the table. He carried two plates, set them in front of Fara and Jennifer, whereas the girl toddled over towards Lisanna.

"... S-so... so cute..." Wendi said, voice rising higher and higher. "W-was s-she here the whole time...?!"

Lisanna patted the girl's head who clambered up onto the bench, then Lisanna's lap, and nestled herself in to eat the one her brother brought over for her.

It probably was a rare occasion for the two to be eating so many sweets, but the parents seemed finished with their work.

The children's mother walked forward towards Ayla and lowered her head. She looked towards her son and asked him a question. No one at the table understood the language, but he translated, "Is... okay?" while motioning to his sister.

"Yeah, it's fine," Lisanna said.

Wendi ran over.

"Hi! My name is Wendi, what's yours?"

"A-A-A..." The toddler froze and buried her head into Lisanna's chest.

Wendi squealed excitedly. She turned to her next tactic: "Hey, don't you want some? It's really good!"

There was a slight turn of the head, and the toddler, Ali, looked her way. Wendi brought her fork loaded with a small bite close to Ali's lips.

She accepted it.

And hid her head back towards Lisanna.

"A... a-adorable... I-I... L-Lisanna, can you move over a little?"

"There isn't much room, but okay?" Lisanna felt Mathias' knees press into her thigh, but seeing the near-rabid stare of Wendi, she fearfully shifted and gave her a little room.

Ayla snickered and walked around the scene. Since Mathias was laying down with his feet on either side of the bench, she opted to lift him up.

"No! Hur'!"

She was stopped.

Ayla explained, "this way he wakes up sooner and can have some cake, right?"

The boy looked at her suspiciously, but then recalled she gave his sister cake. He allowed it. "Lil' only!"

"Okay!"

Ayla moved the pillow to his back, angled him upwards, and said, "Lisanna, you want the inside?"

She was planning on getting seconds after seeing the kid's reactions.

"Y-yeah, sure?"

Wendi was creeping ever-closer so Lisanna took the opportunity to create some distance.

"More."

"'Kay!"

The boy ran off at Fara's command.

"He's learned to just bring two, hasn't he?" Jennifer commented with a wry smile the moment he came back.

Fara just pushed the second piece onto his plate and he began to attack it.

Ayla snickered and talked with the group for a while.

She was happy that the cake-meeting was a success. At least, the most significant portion of it. As three of the six people she was looking for were here, she opted to start the next phase of her plan.

She would introduce tonight's leader that people were already aware of. It was a formality, but she wanted to confirm with them first. "Lisanna and Fara, do you two mind helping some us train our control? I know he's going to ask us to do it again tomorrow!"

"In a minute." Fara went to summarize her notes and pass the spear to the boy. Since he was well-acquainted with it, he set it against the wall until he'd be called on again. "Okay. I'm ready."

"Lisanna?"

"I can try, but I don't know how much help I'll be..."

"Great! Lisanna, I'm leaving you in charge of Jennifer! Ah, uhm - don't cry, Jen! It'll be better after today! Fara, do you mind helping some of the other girls with me? We'll leave Hana and Synthy to take of their friends, and Erik can sort out the boys' side!"

There was clear favouritism, but no one at the table really cared that much. On the guys' side, it was only Eldrich that was struggling, but the rest were capable enough to help him, even if they weren't ideal teachers.

Lisanna looked across to a suddenly teary-eyed Jennifer who pressed her head to the table to hide her face. "Uh, it'll be okay..."

"I-I'll do my best, b-but...!"

Lisanna reached out a hand to awkward pat her shoulder.

"...!?"

Ali squirmed from Lisanna's lap, crawled under the table, and climbed up onto the seat. She patted Jennifer's head.

Wendi's head was spinning, "t-too c-cute...!"

"Hmm, well, okay!" Ayla rewarded her task being done with the first bite of the specialty cake. Everyone else's was already gone so she was restraining herself. And hers disappeared before she knew it. Even as her fork kept hitting the porcelain - demanding more to go into her belly. "Wha-?!" She saw there was still a single piece left.

The boy locked eyes with her. They both ran to the counter. Since he was closer, he had the advantage; Ayla's legs were longer, however.

Both fought valiantly, but since she could not do anything to a child, she relented and let the boy take the slice of cake.

"... Even though we're paying for it...!" She muttered grumpily, but she stopped herself when the boy pulled himself up to the bench and gave the cake to Jennifer.

Wendi squealed in delight and Jennifer sniffled her thanks. She went to make quick work of it, soothing her sorrows deep down with each blissful bite. Fara patted his head.

She approved of his insurrection.

Of course, Ayla was not coming back empty-handed, but of the fifteen-odd cakes made, the store-keepers took liberties on the rest. She did not talk in terms of the cost of custom-made items; rather, she told their price-point, said they wanted a lot (with at least a few specific flavours), and told them to make whatever else they thought was good. This included pastries, snacks, and even cookies that were just being pulled from the oven.

There were numerous slices left, but most had slowed down eating. Until they saw the new entrants. "We'll, we'll... deal with the meeting portion later!"

"Yeah!"

"Mhmm!"