Lisanna, Ayla, Wendi, and Jennifer were outside during the outburst.

"... Lisanna, it doesn't mean anything, okay?"

"..."

"It's fine! I'm sure it is! There isn't any reason to distrust him, right?"

Lisanna was more worried about the damage she might have caused. He explicitly said it was too early; before, too, she was worried about rebuilding the trust.

'I-I just don't want to ruin things again...'

"Lisanna!" Ayla shouted, shaking her shoulders. "Come to me! Awaken!"

"Wha... what?!"

Ayla grumbled as he poked Lisanna repeatedly. It got to the point where Lisanna was trying to bat away the attack, but Ayla was merciless.

She was poking the medallion.

"Look on your chest!" Ayla finally said. "You won second-place with him. And it's been, what, a week? We still have a lot - a lot! - of time left. If you're worried about her, then you have a lot of time - a lot of time! - to deal with it calmly. And if it's something else, remember: it's only been a week! You two were fighting a lot - a lot! - in the beginning, right? What does it matter if it's a little tense for a day or two?!"

Wendi nodded. "There will be a lot-" she stopped herself as she was about to follow Ayla's lead and repeated 'a lot' twice. "There will be a lot of time like Ayla says. And isn't it more important to enjoy the night? I mean, you worked really hard on it. I was there so I saw how much effort you put in!"

Jennifer nodded and crouched down to Lisanna as she sat in the grass. "It's fine to be upset, it really is. But are you going to fall into her provocations?"

"... I don't... I don't want to... but, but it's so hard! Time and again, she's always doing this! I hate her!"

"And that's fine," Jennifer said, squeezing Lisanna's arm. "It really is. No one is telling you that you need to be friends with her."

"Except... except...! Why is that I-I always try so hard... always am better than her... and yet... and yet she's the one who is always getting the spotlight!"

"You've got the spotlight today so she's probably just jealous. She's just doing this to get under your skin so you can ruin it. Are you really going to waste all the work you did over the past two days, all the trouble of today, just to scream at her?"

"... I-I don't know... I don't know what else to do! There's... there's never been any other way!"

Jennifer sighed. "You can rely on us. Like how I relied on you before. It's fine, isn't it? To at least give us the benefit of the doubt? I promise no one here - myself, Wendi, or Ayla - will break that trust. Right?"

"Definitely not! But that means you actually have to tell us things! I haven't heard anything about your history with her except in rumours so I want to hear your side of the story - later! Not right now, it'll ruin the night. Right, Wendi?"

"Yeah, I appreciate what you've done for me - I won't forget it. Just those two days helped me a lot, you know? Hey, hey. Why don't we all sleep-over? I'll tell Mathias to stay out for a couple of hours after," Wendi said.

"Hmm? Okay!" Ayla agreed easily. "My roommates boring, and the room's small, so it'll be easier to have it in yours, Lisanna, what do you say?"

Lisanna looked up tiredly and then looked away. "... Whatever."

"What's the harm?" Jennifer asked with a wry smile. "We can just change, head over, and then it'll be fine, right?"

Wendi nodded. "Even though I'm thankful, I'll still kick Mathias out for a bit. He can sleep there later, but -"

Ayla perked her head up. "Right! We can send him over to Erik's place! So long as he takes those furs, it'll be fine, right Lisanna?"

"Uh...I-I don't know...?" She didn't want to ask of any favours from him right now.

Ayla snickered. "Don't worry, I'll be the selfish one and ask for him to do it! I'll make Erik help me too! Just give me a minute!

It was at this time that the fiasco was calming down, but Ayla ignored it, passed Eldrich and James walking out of the door, and saw Erik's dark blazer.

"Erik! Erik! I need a favour!"

Ayla saw that the four big guests were walking away from one-another and Mathias' father and Alexander began to drink.

"Did you see-" Erik started, slightly pale.

"Not important!" Ayla dismissed Erik's question. "I need to ask a really, really, really, really - really! - important favour!"

"That- but, -" Erik was pointing at the scene, but Ayla scoffed.

"Not nearly as important. I need your help-" she saw Mathias was close by so she dragged Erik to the door and spoke again, "I need your help to convince Mathias to stay out of his room tonight. You and your roommate are obsessed with Fellstone, right? So it shouldn't be a problem to have Mathias there for a night. Me and Jen and Wendi are going to sleep over there and imperative you that help me convince Mathias that's it's okay. We'll bring books and his furs or whatever, but we want his room so we can talk with Lisanna!"

"... I mean, I get that there's a lot going on there, too. But to kick him out? Isn't that a bit much? Why not do it in one of your rooms?"

"My roommate is boring and she'll get mad, Wendi's is a bit... well, she wouldn't be impressed I think from what Wendi was saying, and I don't think Jen's is that better - actually, Jen's is nice but too serious! Plus, their room is bigger. And the only thing he cares about there are his furs, right?"

"... Uh, I think so?"

"And then you can wake him up, you two can go back in the morning, and it'll be fine! Get it? Got it?! Good!"

Ayla dragged Erik back to the table before he had a chance to respond. He did not particularly think his roommate would mind, but the issue was Mathias.

"Mathias!" Ayla said as she grabbed him as he was looking at his father. "I have a really, really, really - really! - important favour to ask! Hear me out! Please!"

Mathias, too, was dragged to the door and Erik was forced to come with them both.

It was an exceedingly unnecessary action, but it seemed like a good idea at the time in Ayla's mind.

"...?"

Mathias said nothing, only sighing loudly.

Ayla snickered. "I'm here to ask you a selfish favour! I want to sleep-over at your place tonight with Wendi, Jennifer, and obviously Lisanna! Is that okay?"

Seeing Mathias shrug, Ayla grinned.

"Okay, but the big, big favour is this: I want you to stay with Erik so that-"

He firmly shook his head as he thought of the black fur.

Ayla groaned. "I'm not going to steal anything! We'll help you carry all your furs there and back!"

His eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"I'm not going to steal them!"

"...?"

It loosened a little before being only somewhat distrustful.

"Hmm, okay, but yeah, you can obviously get what you need for there: books, clothes, or whatever. And change and the like. But, but! I want to have girl-talk with them so is it okay?"

He pursed his brows. He wanted to sleep in his own bed, but even he understood that there were issues that had to be dealt with now.

'Better them than me,' Mathias thought tiredly, if only since it wasn't healthy to not have someone you were comfortable to vent to - or just one that might not be there all the time.

He sighed.

"Is that a yes?!"

Mathias looked at Erik.

"It's okay with me, man. I mean, I'll be at the bathes for a bit afterwards, but I don't think you'd have a problem with that. Otherwise, I can just keep my roommate busy since you can't talk. We obviously don't have an extra bed, but there is enough floor-space."

He thought about it. He'd have to lay a blanket over top the floor so he wouldn't ruin his furs. However, since he had plenty of them now, he was sure he could arrange them to be as comfortable - or more - than a normal bed.

It was only a slight inconvenience.

Mathias nodded.

"Okay! Okay! Thanks! I'm going to go tell them right now!"

Ayla cheered and ran off. How she could do that in heels, neither boy knew; yet, Erik was the first to grin awkwardly. "I have no idea what's going on there, but it'll be easier on you with me. Ah, right." He shouted at the door. "Ayla! The auction's starting soon!"

Ayla stopped and peeked her head back in the door. "Got it!" And ran out again.

"Okay, Mathias! Let's go. It seems like that mess has been dealt with and Mr. Shields was just glaring. Nothing too, too serious."

A teenage girl ran up to Mathias.

She had Kira's black hair carefully curled up in tight circles. "Y-you won't... ri-right?"

She asked.

He quirked his head and nodded.

She relaxed, too.

"T-thank y-you... f-for K-Kira...!"

She turned and ran.

"Kira? Know her?"

Mathias thought a moment and shook his head. Erik rolled his eyes and nodded along with it. "I got it. Anyways, let's go back to the table."

"Wait a moment, if you'll please." Silan walked forward holding his girthy belly. "I wanted to congratulate you both on your works. I know I spoke to you both prior, but I would like to reiterate my offer: if you create anything else, please do not hesitate to take to my shop. I will be sure to give you a very reasonable price."

"Uh, okay?"

Silan laughed.

"Just keep it in mind. I will not hold you. Enjoy your night, Erik Huntis, Mathias Vandiese."

Silan left and the two saw others were looking at them, gauging their opportunity to speak. Mathias just grabbed Erik who seemed confused and pulled him back to the table.

He did not want to expose himself to that crowd - particularly with that commotion. Namely, the crowd that was the onlookers and other guests who seemed to be awaiting some explanation and willing to speak to him. Even if it was not 'with' him.

"You two are back?" Irina asked as he eyes turned to the door Ayla escaped to. "What was that about?"

"Oh, Ayla wanted a girl's night so she asked if I would take in Mathias," Erik laughed.

"Ah, okay. I take that you accepted, Mathias?"

Mathias nodded and Irina smiled.

"Perfect. If you didn't, I would've told you to do it regardless of your feelings on the matter."

Mathias tiredly nodded. That was half the reason. Of course, he'd disobey his mother if his furs were endangered, however. Good intentions only went so far if a significant sacrifice was on the table.

"Erik, take Mathias and my husband with you to meet your parents. I thought I saw them around here."

"... I don't wanna...!" Claude grumbled irritably. "Right, Alex?"

"Yeah... that whore-son...!"

"It's a shame, but you have no choice in the matter, dear," Irina said sternly. "Now. Shoo, shoo."

"Fine... I guess I can go," Claude stood up tiredly before powerful legs propelled him back to the two. He grabbed the greatsword that was still pinned into the dark oak and marble floor, sheathed it on his back and looked at Erik. He grabbed the bottle on the table to take with him. "Where to?"

"Ah... uhm, i-is it... is it really okay?"

Erik was nervous. He did not think his parents were all that interesting, but Claude scanned Erik's face one more time before looking into the crowd. Claude spared no time as he did not even need to rely on Erik's confirmation; he just walked towards the man he spied out in the crowd.

"Ah, you're... you're Mr. Huntis... you look familiar. You ever fight in your youth?"

The man reeled back. "Cl-Claude... F-Fellstone... it's an honour...!"

"Nah, not really. I ain't that special. But moving on, I think I saw you before. You were one of the guys that stayed with me when that coward ran away, right? Back in the battle of the Forests of Draner?"

"I-I was but a soldier told by the commanding officer... I-I didn't want to let the bastards take another step... but..."

"Right!" Claude's eyes cleared. "You drank yourself stupid with me and a couple of the boys in the band afterwards! I think you said that a commanding officer came around to screech at ya, but didn't you end up getting some medal or something?"

Erik's father nodded. "I-I brought it since I heard you were coming. It is nothing much, but you're the reason me and my brothers made it back-"

"Nah! I remember now! George, right? You had a solid back-swing. Looks like the arm's not great now, but it worked then."

Erik stood at attention as Claude and his father talked about war stories. Erik knew his father was a big fan of Claude Fellstone, but he always minimized his role as a soldier. His father fought side-by-side with him in the most defining battle in the war. Wounds sustained in the conflict may have forced him into different pursuits, but his excitement for Fellstone's tales was one of the reasons Erik fell into it.

It was just that Erik never heard of his father's role in those stories.

"Yeah! You ended up filling in for one of my boys when he got shot down. Ain't never seen soldier-boy lead mercenaries like us so well since."

"Dad...?"

"Erik, Claude is exaggerating. I wasn't that-"

"Lies. I would've lost half my troop were it not for you. Ah, maybe a third? It was before I cared too much to bring other guys up properly. Then that bastard wouldn't have even had a chance against those that were sent running into their trap."

"Y-you spea-"

Claude laughed and ruffled Erik's hair. "He looks just like you; a pretty boy who doesn't seem the soldier at first glance, but has got a good arm and a good heart in 'em. Hey, we got a bit of time, boys, get your glasses, we're drinking!"

"Y-yes!"

"...?"

Erik nodded excitedly and Mathias' own glass was brought before he could respond. Alexander groaned and held his head from behind him once he heard the word 'drink'. He still obliged making the normally unexpressive Lain look at him worriedly.

Since there wasn't much time left, the two boys were just given a single glass of wine as Claude passed the whole bottle to Erik's father who bashfully took it. They were only talking for some ten minutes, but Erik's head was alight with questions he wanted to ask his father after.

"If I may have your attention please!" The Headmaster's voice rang out clearly. "We'll be starting the auction portion. For lot number one, we have Eldrich Etaitini's work, 'The Pilgram!' The starting bid... how about one-hundred gold!"

"One-hundred!" A man shouted as he ran over.

"One-ten!"

"One-twenty!"

"One-fifty!"

"Two-hundred!"

The bets stalled for a moment, but Silan shouted, "Two-ten."

"Two-fifty!" The last bidder shouted again.

Silan scowled, recalled the value, and pushed it a little more.

"Three-hundred."

"Three-fifty!" The bidder seemed to want it very, very bad. However, half the game was strategic.

"Three-sixty."

"Four-hundred!" The bidder shouted, undeterred, but his voice cracked a little.

Silan thought for a moment as the Headmaster waited.

"Four-ten."

He would not make money on it, due to the accompanying costs of transport and maintenance, but it was worth-while as the first item of a batch since he knew the order of the batch numbers. Or it could be at least.

The last bidder gnashed his teeth. He would burn through his wallet, but he still managed, "Four-hundred and fifteen!"

Silan smiled and let it go. A merchant's life would be destroyed by greed. The retail value was still five-hundred gold, but it was not enough to excite him.

"... Going once, going twice... going thrice! And it is sold to bidder number 76!"

The sculpture was rolled off the stage as a guard led the bidder through to the side of the crowd in a blocked-off passage. After writing a cheque, signing it, and having it verified the sculpture was contracted and passed to the man. A folder was passed over, carrying both proofs of purchase to the bidder and the certificate of authenticity. However, the man did not seem to care much about those.

The Headmaster smiled. "And for our next lot, 'Perspective', by James Klein, we'll be asking the student to come to the stage. James, are you there?"

James nodded and took the same route that the previous buyer did, escorted by a guard, and James appeared on the stage next to his statue and the Headmaster.

"I'm pleased to introduce James once more. As you are well aware, he is the recipient of the first of the honourable mentions, chosen for their exceptional quality, and my chosen favourite. I'd like James to say a few words about his statue, the inspiration, and the story behind it."

James scanned the crowd and repeated what he told others at the showing itself. It was well-practised at this point, but the reminder was enough to create a small stir in the air.

"Thank you, James. I'd like to ask you to remain on the stage as we commence the bidding," the Headmaster looked at the crowd and smiled. "How about we keep it fair, anyone willing to talk it for one-hundred gold?"

"Two-hundred!"

"..."

"Two-hundred and fifty!"

"Three-hundred!"

"Three-hundred and fifty!"

Silan sighed. It was over-priced, even with his addition of the certificates. However, there was always the individual background that might push it over the edge. He still would be profitable until five-hundred.

"Three-sixty."

"Four-hundred!"

"Four-ten."

"Four-twenty!"

Silan was growing annoyed. He chanced it. "Four-fifty."

"..."

"Any others?"

"Five-hundred!"

"Five-fifty!"

Two new bidders joined the fray and pushed it ever higher.

"Six-hundred!"

"Six-fifty!"

"...!"

The second of the two scowled and gave up.

"Six-ten."

Silan scowled, slightly annoyed at himself as he saw the other panic before looking into his purse. He ran out of money. But Silan was only human - he was caught up in it.

"Going once, going twice, going thrice! Sold! Bidder number 76! Please verify the purchase as we introduce our next lot."

Mathias and Erik looked at each other. "... Aren't we pretty much dead-last then?"

Mathias sighed and nodded.

"Hey, hey! You're Mathias and Erik, right?! I remember you from the dance-floor!"

A trio of girls appeared. And behind them, others flocked closer. There were many with scars.

They got too far from the group, but two more ran into the mix.

"Sorry, Mathias' dad! We're stealing them! Ah, sorry, Amethyst! Bye!"

Ayla grabbed Erik and Lisanna grabbed Mathias.

"... Sorry," he heard Lisanna mutter, but Mathias was just thankful for being pulled out of there.

Irina accepted the new joiners at their table as they watched from it. Since there was open space with Almer taking Alexi around to see the statues once more, Ali and Alyssa sharing a seat, and two of Alexander's wives outside to deal with a crying heir, there was plenty of room.

Even Erin was wandering around after getting bored.

"Is your father doing okay?" Irina asked.

Mathias nodded.

"Yea-!"

"Yeah!" Ayla cut in over Erik. "Hey, hey. You think we're going to be here for a while, Mama Vandiese?"

Irina quirked her head. "I'm not entirely sure. Why do you ask?"

Erik cut back in. "Because of the order of unveiling matches it. Well, he did screw up the order of our names a few times, like putting Ayla before Wendi, but still."

"I see. I don't have an issue with it, but those two might," Irina said as she explained the situation to Alyssa.

Alyssa looked at Ali. "-----?"

"That's a shame. Well, stay as long as you can."

"I... w'll...?"

"'I will'," Irina laughed and Alyssa repeated it.

Ali did the same, too, but her eyes were very sleepy.

Wendi saw staring transfixed on the yawning Ali. "... So, so... cute...!"

"Yeah, she is, isn't she?" Irina agreed.

Erik turned to look at the stage. "Woah! Jack's went for seven-hundred! Isn't that... oh, God. I hope I get that much."

Ayla stuck out her tongue. "Just because you added a little more! Ugh, whatever! More importantly, it seems like its actually going pretty quickly. And... looks like Mina's is up!"

"I'd like to ask Mina Kakarot to the stage for the next lot."

"Woah, I thought it was just for those that placed! Interesting!"

Erik exchanged a glance with Mathias. Both knew the reason, but Ayla was pulling them forward. Lisanna tagged along silently, still feeling honour-bound to ensure that there were no complications.

"Wendi, Jenn? You coming?!"

Ayla shouted and the two stopped staring at Ali and ran forward.

"Wah! It's a little Kira! Jen! Jen, come with me!" Wendi abandoned the four and chased after the sight of the little girl who was hanging out with Alexi before.

Even so, several others watched the statue of Synthy being put on the stage. "Come on! Isn't Synthy worth more to you?!" Mina shouted in dismay.

"Three-hundred seems to the final bid. Bidder number 51 please go the side to finalize the transaction."

Mina grumbled and just as she was leaving, "and for the next lot, we have 'Mina'! This honourable mention received Mitras' own vote and we'll be starting at-"

"Three-hundred!"

"Already?!"

"Three-fifty!"

"Nooooo! I-I gotta destroy it!"

Mina wailed as she tried to break the statue, but she was pulled back by two guards. She was later restrained in an opaque orb, but the sounds of her screaming seemed to spur the audience forward.

"Seven-hundred going once, going twice, and going thrice! Sold to bidder... the bidder in the lovely coat. Please go to the side to verify your purchase!"

Silan nodded and took the statue. It was actually remarkably well-done and statues involving that subject matter was often very, very valuable to some more 'niche' buyers.

He would make a tidy sum on it alone.

And once it was safely stowed in his 'lovely coat', the man returned back to the crowd as Mina howled, "who got it?! Who got it?! Why didn't they say a number?!"

She was running around fervently, outpacing several of the guards, but she never saw the bidder in a lovely coat. Since all the men were blazers or robes, Mina ran outside to see if he escaped.

Silan just remained in the crowd.

Lina was happy that her statue went to a good home once she saw the lustful expression as the man looked into his pocket. Quite happy.

And there was the fact she earned more than twice as much as Mina, despite both doing a statue of a female with the same type of magic.

"Huh, weird... why wasn't Lina called to the stage?" Ayla asked.

"For her safety, I guess?" Erik offered.

"Is that so?" Ayla murmured before shrugging it off.

Lisanna just sighed and kept her head down.

Mathias kept quiet from stealthfully splashed water on Lisanna's face.

"...?"

Mathias did it again as her head shot up.

"...?!"

He did it again.

"Hey!"

After drying her off, he pushed her towards Ayla.

"Oh! Lisanna, you're awake! Come, come! Let's go find Wendi and Jennifer - you two come as well!"

Lisanna glared at Mathias for a moment, but at least she was looking at him in the eye.

It was an improvement from her sullen expression earlier.

"... Yeah, definitely better for you to stay with me tonight," Erik chirped in Mathias' ear.

The boy agreed whole-heartedly.