The sky was cloudy, stagnant as time itself.

Jafar held the lamp in his hands. The Genie became a giant, his hands materialized over the palace.

"Genie, no!" Aladdin screamed.

"Sorry, Kid. I got a new master." Was all he said forlorn.

"I am now sultan of Agrabah! And the most powerful sorcerer of all time!" Jafar stood above Jasmine and the Sultan. "A taste of humiliation!" With a zap from his staff, the two were forced to their knees, bowing against their will.

Aladdin's identity was revealed before Jasmine. "Say hello To your precious prince Ali!"

With a shove, Aladdin was locked in one of the towers, and sent far off to the ends of the earth.

"So long, ex-prince Ali!"

I already had a bad feeling about this....

————————

"Charlotte, Grim, it's time to awaken."

I heard Jade's voice call out. I sat up in my bed, seeing the three standing by the door.

"Ngh....another March to the oasis..?" Grim said groggily.

"We woke you up this early to avoid that. It's time." Azul stepped forward.

I nodded. It's time to begin.

—————————

I stood to the side Kalim's room patiently, as the others decided to awake him.

As much as I had to help the others, that riddle needed to be looked at. I avoided it for a while and I need to know what's up.

So I didn't wear my Octavinelle outfit, and stuck with the red blouse, Jean shorts and sneakers when I first arrived.

"Good morning, Kalim." I heard.

Kalim stirred from the covers and opened his eyes. "Hm...? Jamil? Morning..."

"Actually, it's jade. But our names do have a certain familiarity." He humored.

"Huh?" Now he was wide awake. "What are you guys doing here?"

"We've taken the opportunity to prepare tea and a new set of clothes for the day."

"H-huh?!"

"We're more than capable of handling this." Azul reassured.

Two knocks were heard and the door opened. "Kalim, its time to-" Jamil halted as soon as he saw us. "Azul? Jade? Why are you here? And with Charlotte and Grim?"

"Morning, Jamil." Azul Smirks. "We'll take up the workload so you don't have to stress about it. Well watch over Kalim for you every day till the break is over."

"What?!"

"After our talk last night, it made me realize: out of everyone here, you're always breaking your back 24/7."

"And since were staying free of charge, we'll be repaying the favor."

"Just call us your support team!!" Grim grins.

"You know that isn't necessary." He tried to brush off.

"Oh! That's a great idea!" Kalim threw off the covers and ran forward excitedly. "I've been meaning to find a way to lessen your workload!"

"You are his persona? If only you could follow his lead, Azul~."

"Jade, you don't know when to keep that mouth of yours in check, do you?" He teased back. "With that, leave it all to us."

"Yea, let them! It'll be fine!" Kalim smiles.

"It's all right." And with that, the door was shut on him.

"What just happened...?" He looked at the ground. "Well...I can't stand still. I need breakfast up and running." Jamil runs towards the lounge.

———————-

Everything was completely insane in the lounge.

"I didn't put the finishing touches. Don't carry that off just yet." Floyd stopped.

"Oh! Sorry!"

"Vegetables are done!" Someone yelled.

"And they're already seasoned. Go ahead and take them out." Floyd nods.

As soon as the vice walked in, he was even more confused. "What the-?! Floyd, is this you're doing?"

"That's right, Sea Snake! I've got this covered." The other Leech reassured. "And Azul said we should at least return the favor."

"I-I can't let you do this! You're guests."

"Technically, we aren't guests...we're training camp partners..." Floyd corrects.

"He won't eat anything unless I prepare. We're just that worried over poison..."

"Huh? You're saying you don't trust me? I'd never do something like that...you can test to see if you're sure! If it's got your approval, Otter-Chan will be sure."

"....I....guess you're right."

"Are the grilled vegetables okay?!"

"The soup turned out well...what say you?"

"Hang on, give me a second. Also...don't we usually march at this time? We eat once we return..."

"I've found a solution that solves the problem!" All heads turned at Azul. "Kalim and I discussed it just a minute ago! Instead of a long treacherous walk, moderate exercise is better at improving stamina and strength. The desert has extreme weather conditions, which equals high risk of a heat stroke."

"Plus, you've got a fountain up front, right? Swimming's also a great option~!" Floyd added.

"I agree. It's better than walking, in my experience."

"So...we don't have to march again?"

"That's awesome!" A few students cheered.

"Morning everyone! Ah! The food's done?" Kalim asked.

"Lookin' good!" Grim smiles.

"It's all tested from poison. G'head!" Floyd nods.

"Itadakimasu!" And the feast began.

———————-

"First, let's work on memorization of ancient incantations." Azul offered.

"It may not help me...I'll likely pass out." Kalim admitted.

"Not to worry. I've the best method for studying: try and walk around while reading the words.

"It's a better method for anyone who can't concentrate for a long time period." Jade adds.

"Yea, even I can do that!" Grim brags.

"Okay...lets go!"

———————

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

During the study session, Charlie had snuck off, and started wandering the halls. Leaving her bag in her room was the best option, and concealed it with her jacket for extra measure. Having grabbed a sheet of scratch paper and scribbled the Riddle messily, she tried her best to figure it out.

"Like a burning comet in the sky, the sun with the wind is where you must fly...

Tricks of the eye, what wrong and what's right, can make you question your senses and sight.

The sands of time are slipping fast, but think before you start to act:

The Desert Moon can implicate me, a shadow of nightmares....no one can see..."

With her pen in hand, she started note taking.

"The burning comet.....sun with the wind...to fly....." she looks up and nods. "It's gotta be the sun." She noted. "Tricks of the eye...." She noted down her thoughts as well next to the lines. " 'Think before you start to act'... 'Shadow of nightmares...no one can see...' that's the part that confuses me....I get the rest, but those last two lines....what do they mean exactly....?" She pondered.

She'll have to figure it out later. She'll be needed for something eventually.

She stopped. That voice was back.

"That's it. Enough is enough!" She growled and stomped off in the direction of the voice.

---------------------

"I feel like I memorized a lot more than ever!" Kalim smiles.

———

"A few minutes of exercise helps you concentrate better. But exerting yourself can turn negative quite fast."

"Stimulation battles are best to relieve that stress."

"Yea! Someone fight me~! But not Koebi-Chan! She's too aggressive!"

"Okay! Teams of five! Let's move!"

———

"Great work! It's already paying off!"

———

After heading to the cafeteria, the others head back.

"Azul, you really know what you're doing...all I've done was push my residents to the their limits....we may be second years...but I'm still a novice at this..."

"Everyone's not perfect. Yet we're halfway through the break. You have time to redeem for what's lacking."

"If vacation's like this, I don't mind spending the rest in school!"

"Yea! If only it was like this while classes were in session..."

"That March felt like a bad dream..."

"You know, there's many people here great at reading incantations and can study astrology..."

"Cause much like the Sand Sorcerer, many can read the future and it's easy for students who harbor that quality to be placed in here. Even if I don't have it..."

"I heard he was able to invent a device that used energy to see into the future...that's why astrology was established faster than other kinds of magic because of his forward thinking..."

Azul looked at the clock. "It's nearly three. Study for a while and then stop. I'll handle the tea since I've made more progress."

"Let me lend you a hand." Jamil offered.

——————

"The students have really made an improvement since Yesterday. Impressive. I heard from Lotte that Kalim has been emotionally unstable as of late, but now he's more tame after we arrived. It's wonderful to know that he's getting the resident's trust back." Azul commented.

"....But that's bad."

"Hm?" Azul looked at Jamil, only to see his eyes cold as stone, much like a doll's.

"Sorry, but I can't allow you to stay here anymore. It's time you head back to the bottom of the sea."

—————

"I know you're here...I'm not giving up until you've stopped!" Charlie muttered, scampering down the halls.

She focused on her hearing at This point in order to find where the voice was coming from.

But then, her heartbeat sounded louder in her ears.

She gasped, clutching her chest in pain. Slowly, she sank to her knees. The pain started to course her veins and bounce around in her head....

"You have the soul of a survivor...You'll never give up..."

Her eyes flashed white light....

——————

I launched myself forwards, sword held in the air above my head, and slashed down. Only to be met with another blade of steel.

The sword beneath mine clashed, sending sparks shooting in different directions. Until it moved up, knocking the sword from my grasp.

I felt the bottom of a boot kick my stomach, and I fell back onto the ground. I lifted my head only to be met with the sword tip at my throat. I gasped to choke back a scream.

"Know what is hidden." I followed the edge of the blade up until I was met with eyes, as bright yet stern like mine. "Always ask: what is it that you are not seeing?"

With her sword, she used the tip to tilt my chin towards the crystal globe floating above us. The glass shimmered until it cast a reflection of a figure shrouded in a black cloak, concealing his face and body. But if someone squints hard enough, they could see a white-toothed smile, deadly as a shark's. Eyes filled with insanity and power, strong enough to shake even the strongest of barbarians to their cores.

The Dark Lord....

"Acheron...." I whispered faintly.

"He is the dragon who must be slain." My teacher told me. The image wavered and left with the wind.

She leaned forward and held out a hand for me to take. I clutched it in hers. "Again!" She claims, pulling me back to my feet.

—————————

When she opened her eyes, she was no longer in the hallway, on the floor, struggling to breathe. But rather, someone was carrying her. Their arms locked around her, and he was running like his life depended on it.

"....ebi-Chan......all right! Hang in...."

"F....Floyd...." she whispered before darkness engulfed her vision.

——————————

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Azul was taken aback by the sudden comment. "Jamil? Is something wrong? Was it something I said?"

"You're that oblivious? Even after seeing how crushed I am?" He frowned. But that frown was transformed into a smirk. "You fool. You looked into my eyes."

Suddenly, Azul felt his mind growing numb. "Huh?! Agh! My head!..." he clutched it as a response.

"The more you resist, the more it takes ahold of you. You can't fight it. Just surrender!" Jamil taunted.

Azul grimaced, fighting it off. But the spell worked like poison and quickly made use of him as his eyes shut.

"Now, then, who is your master?"

"It's....its....you." Grey eyes became dull red, exactly like Kalim's.

Jamil smiles as he chuckled darkly. "You really thought letting your guard down against a 'mediocre' wizard like me was your best option? Not so smart now, are we? But for real...." he scowled. "The plan I had been forging towards all along is just thrown out the window because of you. And those two from the Ramshackle Dorm were almost close in helping me get the others to rebel and overthrow Kalim. To take away his title as the Dorm leader while getting off scot free, I had to pull so many strings for this to work..." he starts muttering to himself. "Maybe I'll just let Azul force the twins back to the Coral Sea....or, rather..." he stares at his slave. "Azul," he called. "Were all the abilities you've sealed in the contracts returned to whom they belong to?"

"That is true." He answered.

Jamil clicked his tongue in defeat. "Guess that means I can't use him like a proper genie of the lamp. His ability may be strong, but keeping him under control for a long time will be damaging..."

"But I do remember everything the contracts obtained." At this, Jamil was now interested. "All those who had signed, all their darkest flaws...it's sealed into my memory."

"Then I guess it was good on my part not to be allies with you. However, from that list, you've anything about Dire Crowley? The Headmaster? Or even...Charlotte Luchessi herself?"

"Yes. I've secrets that he'd never want known. And Charlotte...she hides something herself...something that not even the girl herself is aware..."

"Yes...yes! That's exactly what's needed! It's all falling into place! Looks like he really is a genie of the lamp."

"Master, do you want to know what the headmaster and Charlotte are hiding?" Azul asked.

"Yes....if I play my cards right, I'll finally get what's deserved! Kalim will be gone and I'll be the one on top! And with Charlotte in my trap...HE will be satisfied!"

"I think we've heard all we need to know." Jamil halted and looked from around the wall. It was Jade.

———————

Water splashed onto her face.

Charlie woke up with a gasp.

"What the-!" But she was shushed by a hand on her mouth. Her eyes turned up to see Floyd, a finger against his lips, signaling her to keep quiet.

She gave him a confused look and he mouthed, 'We caught him! Stay quiet!'

She nods and gets up carefully, staying behind Floyd as a precaution.

"You finally revealed your true self! You played us like a harp!" Grim sneers.

"When were you-?!"

"Since the start of this whole thing. Ever since you stepped foot out of the lounge. Azul was live streaming your entire conversation this whole time on his phone. Over 5000 people are watching this as we speak. It seems that 'mysterious events happening at a magic school' is rising in popularity. And your residents are watching this as well, seeing you make a fool out of yourself." Jade explained.

"Jamil, is all this true?"

"You we're pulling the strings this whole time?"

"And you thought you'd get off Scot-free! Fucking liar!" Grim cursed.

"Th-that's a lie! I'd never-" Jamil tried recovering.

"Shut the hell up." Charlie cut him off. She had regained her strength back and after hearing it all, being used by him, she had every right to be livid at him. "What you did to Azul just now only adds to your guilt! And NO ONE uses me and gets away with it!"

"She's right." Jade stood beside her. "You were the one who controlled Kalim all this time, forced Charlotte here against her will, and tried to start an uproar in Scarabia."

Jamil pursed his lips onto a thin line. He was trapped in a corner. "I didn't want to have to do this...but you leave me no choice." He snapped his head to Azul. "Azul, kick them out of here!"

"Yes, master." Azul said in an empty tone.

"No, Azul! Fight back! Break his control!" Jade persuaded.

"It's useless! He's under my spell as of now." Jamil taunts.

"It's true....'Jamil is my master'...." but then Azul's eyes went back to their usual grey. "As if I'd even say something like that." He spat.

"The hell?!" Jamil shrieked.

"To quote something you said to me earlier, 'You really thought letting your guard down against a 'mediocre' wizard like me was your best option? Not so smart now, are we'." Azul strode over till he stood by Charlotte and Jade.

"No....that's impossible! You looked into my eyes!"

"Unfortunately for you, I'm someone who's always a step ahead of their game. Right, Floyd?"

"Too quick to lose your shield, huh, Sea Snake?" Floyd spoke, but not in a way that was like his usual childish tone.

"Fgnna?! What's with your voice?! It's so weird!"

"I signed a deal with Azul to get it. Whatcha think?"

"It sounds like he sucked on something that's the opposite of helium...." Charlie grimaced.

"In exchange, I lent him my magic." Floyd shrugged.

"His 'Bind the Heart' repels opponent's magic and throws it off course." Azul reminded.

"It's the same thing he used back in the Coral Sea." Charlie remembered. "Jack was the only one who managed to catch wind of it when we were fighting them. And I assume you used it this one time just to throw off the mind control?"

"Smart analysis, Lotte." Azul tapped his nose. "I only used it this once as collateral to avoid being his slave. Then feigned ignorance in order for you to spill your lies....and it worked like a charm."

"Damn, Azul, you're a wicked guy!" Grim shook.

"I prefer the term 'resourceful' thank you. Yet the only person I can deduce that's powerful enough to affect the efficiency of Jade's power on Kalim was the guilty party. As due to that theory, we concocted a plan."

"Jamil?" A voice spoke up. The others looked behind to reveal Kalim, with a distraught look in his eyes. "What...what is this?"

"Kalim-"

"Please say this isn't true...you'd never do something like this..." Kalim's voice started to shake, like he was on the verge of crying. "I thought at those times, it was just me feeling out of it...losing track of time...was it because of my sleep paralysis? I'd just fall asleep anywhere, and you'd just lecture me after...." He tried to deny that his only companion turned against him. "Please...that's the truth??"

Jamil was only silent as a response.