Lisanna awoke with a strange longing. The sky was just shifting in a dull violet, still an hour from day-break, as she reached out weakly towards the other bed.

No, it was not the boy nor the blankets; rather, it was the speckled white fur that lay underneath him. She glanced dully at the four limbs of the beast trapped by way of bindings to the bedposts and felt an inexplicable urge to free it.

From its suffering under another. She felt it was better underneath her.

'What... what am I thinking...?'

She saw her outstretched hand and shook the thoughts from her head.

"Right, I can just buy him another one as a thank-you present for my hair... and, and... if he shows me where...!"

Mathias did not move around a lot when he slept, but he did instinctively cling to the white fur as if unconsciously hearing her plan.

She quickly stopped talking. As per usual, the room was cold in the morning, but she forgave him when she saw the icy ring around his neck and the braces peeking out from his back.

'Well, I'll be fine in a second.'

She released her usual morning flame. As it danced on her palm, the orange she had come to expect, was speckled with azure tips. And looking more closely, the spherical core was a solid core that did not move much.

'... I practised that one too much, didn't I?' She sighed.

However, she quickly changed into a fresh pair of clothes. She slept in the same ones as last night so she was a little embarrassed at her failure at being hygienic; however, after triple-checking, he was still asleep, she hid behind the divider and quickly changed.

Rather, she planned to.

Once she took off her bra, she stared at herself in the mirror. "Uh... what?"

Her skin was a shade lighter. Considering she was planning on going for a run in the morning, it wasn't like she was unaccustomed to the sun; however, it was too clear. She ran her finger down from the corner of her collar-bone to her chest.

It blended well, but there were still some tan-lines to her natural skin-tone.

"... I guess he didn't do anything too weird, but... did I fall asleep? I don't remember going to my bed... and... and that fur...! Hah..."

She spent more than ten minutes looking at her body. While she could still clearly see the scars on her upper torso and legs, they were seemingly reduced a fair bit. And her face was glowing.

"... Y-yeah... I definitely have to get him something... bu-but a present for a boy...? Isn't that... a bit... suggestive?"

She stopped when she heard a noise. A hurried knock on the door with several loud, panicked exclamations.

"Uh, uh?! Wh-what is it?!"

She was topless and reaching quickly for the bra she set out before.

"It's me! Ayla! It's an emergency! Hurry up and open the door!"

Lisanna ensured that she was at least somewhat modestly covered as she hurried to the door. If it was that important, the rest could wait. "I-Is there anyone else?"

"Nope!"

She opened the door, somewhat stiffened when she heard the emergency part. Ayla sputtered, gulped, and looked at Lisanna for a few long seconds in silence.

"Wh-what is it..?!" Lisanna said, covering herself with her arms.

"No! It's fine! Great! Where is that bastard?! Why didn't he-"

"Shh!"

She did not want to wake him this early, endangering the goodwill they had inadvertently obtained due to the training earlier.

"Ugh, fine...!" Ayla huffed and pushed Lisanna into her own room and closed the door behind her.

Ayla saw the well-organized desk, accompanied by a polished sabre, the statis stone, several neatly piled notebooks, and the textbook. Incidently, the one across from it was barren. They were still waiting on the two new desks to come in, but with the happenings, Lisanna was forced to make do with the damaged one.

"That's so like you, but - but! - more importantly, we're having an emergence meeting! We just realized we still have no leads on a judge for the aesthetic aspect of the competition! Natalie volunteered to be a layman judge, as a back-up, but Wendi was too adamant about having someone proper!"

"... I-I see, but isn't this a little too early for some people...?"

The light finally crested over the horizon. She bit her lip and retreated behind the divider to rapidly finish getting changed.

"... Hey, what are you doing?"

Lisanna pulled Ayla shoulder's back. She was creeping towards the soundlessly sleeping Mathias.

Ayla froze for a moment. "You're so lucky! My roommate is so, so, so much more boring. She just spends all day reading and studying! I really like her, but... ugh. Not the same!"

"... Can we talk outside, if nothing else?"

"Yeah, that's fine! It's an emergency after all!"

Ayla raced outside, leaving Lisanna to saunter out.

Saunter.

"... You...!"

Ayla looked at the bruises on her legs that had yet to heal, threatening each step with dull throbs of pain. She fell into her over-excited habits, but there was an ever-present discomfort for the past half-an-hour she spent rousing everyone else awake.

Well, all except the water mages.

Even she did not want her goals to die on that hill.

Lisanna quirked her head as she locked the door behind her. She had left her school supplies back there on account of needing to return to wake him up, but it was a small inconvenience only.

Lisanna only made it a few paces beyond the door before Ayla stepped behind her, crouched, ran to the side, and loosed a baited breath.

"I shouldn't have pushed him that day - I knew it was a mistake! Damn it, Erik!"

"I have no idea what you're talking about, but can you keep it down? Even if you're the one yelling... I'd prefer not to get in trouble."

Lisanna sighed. She felt that it wouldn't be a big deal, either way; the walls were sturdy enough to block out a fair portion of the noise. If it was in the dead of the night, perhaps others could pick it up; however, with the birds chirping, rain falling, and no small amount of muffled steps across the floors, it was a fair bet that most were up.

'I-I stood there too long,' Lisanna said, covering her chest nervously - before hiding the action from Ayla's watchful eye.

"... Don't tell me they got bigger again, too?! If you do, I will seriously be angry! Mostly at him, but still!"

"N-Not as far as I know... Uhm, where are we meeting though?"

"In the dining hall - err, later though! We girls are going to the baths first then deal with it. We should have maybe two hours before class?"

"And this is an emergency?"

"Yes! A big one! Very, very big! We need to find someone to judge my sculpture's greatness! I spent three hours last night working on it!"

"So you didn't sleep much, huh?"

"Eh?! D-does is it show?!" Ayla was still bouncing around with energy so the only discernable marks were a slightly dark ring around her eyes. "Ah, I don't like that face that's saying, 'Ayla's cuteness is being cut in half by the chronic, school-sanctioned violence that validates Ayla's amazingness and adds self-afflicted sleep deprivation!'"

"Err, it isn't that bad, but it's noticeable. Why not nap? I'm sure Wendi has someone in mind, right?" Lisanna said as she bent down to put on her shoes. "Right?"

Ayla puffed out her chest. "I don't need to! Also, I highly recommend you create a cover-story about your body. Say, 'I gave him money', and that he regrets it because it's annoying or something. Otherwise, you can be sure there will be talk - you gotta stay on top of these things!"

"Uh, sure?" Lisanna said, adding in her mind, 'is that really what he thought? I-I... feel bad...'

Since his scars were still present from the small gap in the sheets she saw first-thing, she doubted he had the energy to do much more. Of course, boys also did not care as much about scars, she thought. He even came to the school with plenty that he conceivably could have dealt with. It was just hard to place him, a boy yet also a parlour mage. What his true feelings were on the matter, she did not know.

'I'll ask him,' she thought determinedly. 'Then I'll get him to tell me where that Ewyer... thing is he mentioned at dinner - err, I'll buy him another fur... or three.'

Ayla poked the stationary Lisanna from the side. "What's going on in that head of yours? Devising some grand master-plan or reliving your glorious night?"

"I-it w-wasn't l-like that!"

"Yes, yes, but if he is half as good as his mother, then it wouldn't be bad! He was just being lazy - being basically unconscious and all that! Tsk, tsk, excuses, I say! - on me and Erik and I still almost fainted!"

"... You both already did before so you were probably on the verge of it... again," Lisanna said, reminding Ayla who neglected that detail.

And the detail - though not privy to - that the effort on them by Irina was a fraction of her ability that even Mathias could not compare to. Of course, he put in more effort, but in terms of maximal possible output, he would lose hand-over-fist.

"Well, whatever! I'm still jealous! But more importantly, show it to me!"

Ayla said as she forced Lisanna into the baths, seeing many of the Scylla girls waiting in the change-room.

"Finally we can start," Wendi said with a sigh before narrowing her eyes on Lisanna. "Lisanna...?"

She looked at Ayla who nodded. As she was told, she said: "I paid him. He probably thinks it's too troublesome now since when I woke up, he didn't deal with any his own wounds, from what I could see."

"... Which only makes it more suspicious!"

Lisanna had no escape from the group; even Mina, Lina, and Synthy, whom she rarely talked to, were questioning her; one directly, one baitingly, and the other silently.

Of course, after a fruitless thirty-minute interrogation, they received only the dull truth. No word on his capabilities, but how she was told to lay down, he dealt with the scars, it felt nice, and she went to sleep after in her own bed. Lisanna was not good at lying.

There was a small white-lie in the mix that she managed to tell with a straight face, but it satisfied them enough (though not completely) to move to the 'emergency' they were assembled for.

"So! We can still keep Natalie as the normal judge, but we need someone else! Wendi, did you think of anyone?"

"I know of a few, but I haven't met them... I was more interested in literature and poetry before so, yeah. I can't really speak too much about physical works. I know the basics, especially where it overlaps, but that's it."

"Hmm, do any work here? Or attend here?"

"Uh, no, I know only the famous craftsmen, but I haven't really heard of anyone from Majin."

"Lame! Oh well. I have nothing either. Anyone else?"

No one else considered art before; higher-class students were busy learning politics and business before, and commoner students were typically more motivated to survive and attempt to prosper in a concentrated pursuit. Art rarely came up for any here aside from that which was put on walls as status-symbols.

Judging it was an entirely different matter than collecting it for social clout.

"Mhmm, we can ask Mr. Shields and Jenna, since they're staff. Maybe the boys'll know in the mean-time?" Stacy offered.

"Ugh, I guess we'll be relying on them, after all," Ayla gruffed.

A few nodded, too; they were seemingly infected with the spirit of a male-female competitive divide.

"... I guess, more importantly, since we've come to a conclusion about that... Lisanna?"

They all turned their hungry eyes on her. Each had no less than a dozen scars born from the week's training, some even on the face, neck, and hands. Since there was difficulty in finding a parlour that would accept offering such treatments, it was not rare for those in the second- or third-year to simply give up. At the very least, there was no parlour in the city that advertised as such. And fewer still that would even agree - however quietly - to help in that regard.

And the few that turned their research to parlour magic jealously guarded their discoveries and the business was extremely fruitful in this environment. Even if their self-taught discoveries were fixated on that one dimension alone.

"Lina! You looked into it, right?" Mina said.

"Yeah? You're talking about 'that', right?" Lina said curiously, emphasizing 'that' to rouse the girls' attention.

"Uh? Yeah!" Mina didn't notice. "Either way! Since we did some digging, it's time to share!"

"Ah, is that fair, though? We're still missing a few of the girls... I wouldn't want to let them miss out on 'that'..."

"Huh? It's no big deal! Just hurry up and spell it out or I will!"

"Ah, you see, Lisanna's really special, you know?" Lina said with a tired smile. "I am really jealous, but I won't go into the details of 'that' too much..."

"No! Details! Now!"

Even Ayla was brought in Lina's pace.

"Well, I can't really sell out my informants... but... it seems that 'that' is only given to a few girls... there is no Sisterhood or ties that bind that really help..."

"More!"

"It's just that... 'that', is something reserved for the top-performers, it seems. Of what, I dare not say..."

Everyone looked at Lisanna who hurriedly raised her hands.

Mina finally caught on and splashed water into Lina's face. "Ugh, that's not right! They're are only three second-years capable of parlour magic as apprentices, and two three-third years as full mages! Those ones don't do it to anyone. It's just annoying or something they can't do. But it's only the two if they're short on cash, they'll do it sometimes, but less so because for the most part the school discourages its use because-"

"If done poorly, the damage is irreversible and can lead to long-term complications." Lina stole Mina's dramatic finish, sensing the rise in her voice.

"Hey!"

"What? I thought you wanted me to describe it?"

"I did - until you screwed it up!"

"Did I?" She glanced at Lisanna suspiciously.

Lisanna released a sharp breath. "I have not - nor will - do the things you're implying with him."

Lina smiled. "So you're saying you would not mind if I went after him?"

"W-what?!"

"Oh, it is but an example, of course. Of course."

"... I hate you, you know?"

Lina let her poker-face drop and snickered. "It's fun so deal with it."

"... Again, I hate you."

Lina slipped through the crowd, whispered into Lisanna's ear, and then stood up as the other was blushing furiously.

"I'm feeling peckish. Anyone care to accompany me to breakfast?"

"Lisanna?" Ayla asked.

"Yeah! Fine, whatever. You!"

She charged out of the pool and pulled Lina forward as the two began speaking in hushed voices.

---

Knowing the futility of encouraging the water mages up this early, the group met up with boys in the dining hall. Erik was given the message first, on account of his responsibility of relaying the messages downwards; consequently, they were all assembled in the dining hall after their daily morning meeting.

Few needed to be awoken, having gotten used to it already. Naturally, he also left the male water mages like Alfred and Mathias alone.

"Oh, hey!" Erik said while waving the group of girls over. "Did you think of anyone?"

Wendi shook her head since the question was largely posed to her. "No, no one. If it was writing, maybe, but...? Hah..."

"No worries, no worries," Erik said easily, trying to reduce the anxiety Wendi was facing since she originated and was spearheading the project. "It might not be the best, but there was a guy that was talking about that art-kinda-thing earlier. Chef!"

The girls gave him odd glances. It was quite rude to call one of the busy staff just to their table for seemingly no reason. Alexi could be said to be different since he was treated well in their group.

However, a man that they vaguely recognized stood up and walked over from behind the counter. "Is this about that?"

Lina elbowed Lisanna in the ribs who only spat whispered curses at her. The short girl just whistled and looked away.

"Yeah, something about the aesthetic thing you said you were concentrating on after school, right?"

The man nodded, standing firmly at the edge of the table as he looked over both groups. "Another interesting project of yours. I'm intrigued. My capabilities are limited, but I have some experience in looking at art."

"... Is that so?" Wendi asked curiously. She was responsible for it, so she did not want any issues. "When what would you say of this?"

A small stone appeared, expanded with a single command, and the man stepped forward to take a better look.

They were quartz roses, scattered in a pile in the middle of the stasis field; however, the man furrowed his brow a little.

"There are a few missing petals; if it was included in the surroundings, it could be accepted. Furthermore, the use of a stasis field should not be limited to that which can be depicted in two-dimensions. It would be more interesting to see the dimensions of a rose bush, wild and free, and see the effective use of light in highlighting sections like the flowers - or perhaps the thorns which you so carefully crafted. All that can be done in different scales so as to capture a suitable depth to showcase what you're aiming towards."

Since it was still little more than the size of a fist, his eye could at least be called discerning.

"... You pass! Welcome aboard! Is Sunday okay with you?"

"That boy, Erik, mentioned I would be able to see the works of the entire class. I question whether or not your class with be able to cohesively weave a scene together, as is this stones' strength, but it is a source of potential inspiration. I would be happy to."

"Okay! But more importantly!"

Wendi began asking for describing her intent to the man, only at the end asking for his thoughts.

"... If I am to judge impartially, I will not give any advice beyond the technical aspects. It seems that man has been included so I am more interested in seeing how you'll balance both aspects, the technique and the aesthetic. For reference on your end, using that material will invite you to much more criticism than the others, due to his familiarity with it."

"I-I understand, but... it's so pretty!"

Wendi was infatuated with it from the beginning and her eagerness to master it did not cease. Even after the hellish training she underwent.

"More pressing matters are this:" Chef started, "the location you picked was the dorms, was it not? It is fine for normal students and staff, but you'll have to request visitor passes directly from the Head Master if you intend to bring a large outside audience in. I doubt he'll have an issue with it, but there are formalities that must be completed."

"... Oh," Erik muttered and turned the group. "Definitely did not think of that. Hey, did anyone invite outside friends or family yet?"

Three-quarters of those in attendance looked away. Even Wendi, but hers was well known in the class due to her brother's outbursts.

Lina pointed at Mina and said, "she was the one, not me."

"I-?! I did, but it was your idea!"

"... I don't recall saying that, though."

"You definitely, definitely did!"

"Really?"

"Yes!"

Mina bickered with Lina who deflected blame seamlessly. Conversely, the others were quiet.

Erik sighed and Ayla shouted, "it's fine! We'll talk to him later today, too! After that, we should be fine!" She turned to Chef. "Right?"

"At least insofar as I know, yes."

"Okay! Hold off on anymore invites and we'll deal with it right away! Erik, James, Wendi, Lisanna, Mina and Lina - can you all come with me?" Ayla shouted.

"Eh? Me too? And not Synthy!? Why?!"

Lina leaned forward, hot breath tickling Mina's ear, "... Maybe she thinks you're cute and wants to take a nibble?"

For good measure, she pressed right on the girl's neck - sending shivers down Mina's spine.

"... What?! Ayla?!" Mina yelped, stood up, and retreated from Mina who wore a completely straight, unaffected face as she turned to look over at a nearby conversation.

Ayla saw the exchange and retorted, "I have no idea what she said, but it's probably wrong! Let's go!"

"Probably?!"

Mina stared at the brilliant pearly whites of Ayla nervously while Lina was already walking forward. At least one understood the reason why the pair was called.

Lina assumed (correctly) that she would be responsible for making sure the conversation was headed in their favour, Mina would come anyways. Erik and Ayla were obvious choices, but James was called to bolster the boys' representation with someone respectable, should he question intent or uniformity of opinions. Lisanna was brought to be given either mercy from the other girls' questions or to be further interrogated.

Lina hoped it was the latter.

If it wasn't, she would find some way. Her reactions were amusing and a nice change of pace from Mina's predictable ones.