Time until Azul's contract expires: two days

Lunch break

During Lunch, the 1st years decided to meet up in the hallway as they had a new plan.

"Finding a way to tear up an unbreakable contract? Sweet! It's def underhanded, but hey" Ace said.

"That approach does seem like it would have a far better prospect of working." Deuce agreed with a nod. "I have to agree with Ace here, though"

"Aw, Shaddup! If we stick to our morals, we'll be stuck with morays" Grim explained.

"That, and Azul's group cast the first stone" Jack pointed out. "They told us to get a photo from under the sea, fully intending to thwart us at every turn," Jack said.

Y/n nodded. "Kitty may play dirty, but he's a brilliant playmaker. I think his idea's worth a shot" she said.

Yuuna nodded in agreement.

"Can we maybe not say the same thing over and over?" Deuce muttered.

"Brr. Just remembering those twins chasin' us around in the water gives me the shivers!" Grim stuttered, shivering from fear in Yuuna's arms.

"Rgh. If only blastcycles worked underwater. Then they would've been eating my dust" Deuce whined a bit.

"uh-huh. Suuure, Loosey-Deucey." Ace huffed. "So...mermen, huh. The Leech brothers are morays; I get that part. Is Azul like them when he's under the sea?" he asked.

"I remember Leona referring to him as a 'cephalo-punk,' for what that's worth" Jack mentioned.

"As in, cephalopod? So is he, like, an octo-merman?" asked Deuce.

"Yep. A cute little sashimi kekeke" Y/n chuckled darkly.

"And there goes [nickname] thinking about food again..." Yuuna mumbled.

"Myah! If he got a bunch of legs in the water, he'd be even more dangerous than the morays!" Grim jumped.

"No kiddin'. Which is why we're trying to brainstorm an approach that doesn't involve fighting them on their own turf" Jack suggested.

"Where does Azul keep the contract scrolls?" Yuuna asked.

"That vault in the VIP room did stand out like a sore thumb..." Jack stated.

"Indeed. It does seem likely" Y/n added.

"Great! There's our angle." Grim smiled. "Let's sneak into Octavinelle right now!" he cheered.

"Nobody should be there on lunch break before the lounge opens," Deuce says. "Let's go"

"The coast is clear," Grim said, scouting around the area to see that no one was indeed nowhere to be seen. "Okay, guys, follow me!"

Jack looked around as the group entered the VIP room. "Looks like you were right. There's not a soul in sight"

"The vault's double-locked," Deuce said, looking at the safe. "It needs a passcode and a key"

Y/n and Jack's eyes widened in shock at the sound of footsteps as Y/n knew exactly who it was based on their scent

"Crap!" Y/n cursed in a whisper. "Someone's coming!" Jack whispered-yelled.

"Ah, crud. Quick, hide!" Ace paled when he heard footsteps getting closer.

Everyone went to hide under a nearby table, which was able to fit all 5 of them and 1 raccoon. But it was not comfortable in the slightest.

"So...cramped...Jack, why you gotta be so big?!" Ace whispered harshly, trying to push against anyone so he can fit.

"Wanna say that again?" Jack muttered, trying to move as well.

"ow, you stepped on my tail, Deuce!" Y/n whispered as well.

"S-sorry!" squeaked Deuce.

"Jack, y-you breathing on my neck" Yuuna whispered, trying to move away.

"Hey, don't move!" Ace whispered-yelled as he tried to push Deuce or Jack, but his hand landed on something soft, which made a certain human girl let out a squeak.

"h-huh?" questioned Ace as squeezed again to make sure that it wasn't what he thought he was touching.

"Ace! Stop groping Yuuna!" Y/n whispered in an angry tone. Lol, she can see the whole chaos since she can see in the dark.

"S-sorry!" Ace flushed, ignoring the sudden will to squeeze Yuuna's boob again. Suddenly, the group froze, holding their breath as someone came inside of the room. It was the Housewarden of Octavinelle.

"Now, then..." Azul muttered, his voice resonating throughout the VIP room, making his way to his vault. The sounds of keys and the vault opening, revealing the many contracts.

"Hey...Those are the contracts we signed!" Deuce said in a whisper.

"So he's been keeping 'em in the vault after all" Ace replied.

"Shut up" Y/n ordered.

"One, two, three...Heh heh heh" Azul chuckled darkly as he counted the contracts one by one.

"He's counting those contracts like they're a wad of bills! Look at that smirk on his face" Grim whispered.

"What a twisted pastime..." Jack mumbled.

"Ahh. That's that. I'd better be getting back now" Azul shut the vault and locked it before he left the room.

When the sound of Azul's footsteps disappeared, the group took this chance to untangle themselves from under the table and crawled out. "Phew!" everyone breathed out.

"We were THIS close to gettin' noticed," Grim said, sighing in relief.

"Wait, look!" Jack called for their attention. "He left a contract out on the table" he pointed to the golden contract.

Ace's eyes lit up as he took a glance at the table. "For real?! Lucky us! Let's swipe it and see if we can tear it up"

"Who knew Azul was so sloppy with his stuff?" Grim chuckled and hopped on the table.

"This seems way too easy..." Yuuna mumbled.

"Let's see what we go here..." Grim muttered.

Y/n eyes widen. "Grim! Don't touch the contract! It's a-" too late. Grim grabbed the contract, but were immediately electrocuted, along with the others.

BZZZZZT

AGHAGHAGHAGHAGH!!!" everyone screamed as Y/n gritted her teeth.

"PBBTABABABA!" shrieked Deuce.

Y/n remembered something about Lightning that her father taught her. 'right! I-I must redirect it, but where?' Y/n turned her head to see a window in the room. 'there!' Y/n moved her left hand on Yuuna to gather to electricity from everyone, and moved her right hand over her stomach and extended her arm towards the window, with many bolts of electricity flying out of her fingers and out the window, redirecting it.

"MRAAAH! My whole body's paralyzed! H-how did you do that, Y/n?" screamed Grim. The group collapsed on the floor, unable to move, as Y/n was the only one standing.

"I just redirected the lightning" Y/n said.

"C-c-c-can't...move" stuttered Yuuna.

"Bwaaahahahaha!" Floyd laughter echoed throughout the room, as the Octvinelle trio came out of their hiding spots.

"Dear me. You're twitching like you got attacked by an electric catfish. You look positively silly" Azul chuckled before taking a glance of Y/n. "And such marvelous power of redirecting lightning. It sure came in handy, angelfish"

"You were onto us the whole time?!" Jack growled.

Azul let out a smirk. "Of course I was. Your fluffy tail and Y/n's tail were perfectly visible under the desk" he chuckled. "It would appear you were trying to steal the contracts...and involved my angelfish in your shenanigans." he glared at the 1st years who were struggling to stand up straight. "Unfortunately for you, they're rigged to jolt anyone who touches them aside from myself, unless you find a way to redirect the lightning, like Y/n, here"

"So the whole thing as a setup?!" questioned Ace.

"I told you that my contracts are completely unbreakable" Azul smirked.

"Aha ha ha! What a bunch of schmucks!" Floyd laughed. "Why would you even try when you know how this is gonna go?" he asked, causing Y/n to clench her fist.

Jade snickered as well. "Floyd, don't laugh at the poor things. That's just mean. They're wracking their little peabrains. This is simply the best they could come up with. heh heh heh"

"Trying to steal someone else's valuables merits a proper punishment, wouldn't you say?" Azul adjusted his glasses. "Especially how you dare let Y/n get involved..."

"Indeed. They need to be taught a firm lesson so that they never think of doing it again" Jade agreed, having a smirk.

"I'm gonna squeeze you all, ooone byyy ooone" Floyd gleamed.

"Rgh...Watch out, guys! Incoming!" Jack exclaims as they got ready.

"While they are dealing with them, I shall deal with you myself, angelfish" Azul said, turning his attention to Y/n. "You see, angelfish, you keep on violating the terms of the contract. Remember? You were supposed to stay with me until Yuuna brings the photo"

Y/n blinked and tilted her head in confusion. "I'm not some bird you can cage!"

"Fufufu, but that's where you're wrong" Azul smirked, walking closer to Y/n, managing to corner her. "You are MINE, you belong to ME. You are required to be with ME just how Amaryllis is in my hands temporary" Azul lifted her chin.

"And, you also injured Floyd. You're gonna have to pay the price" Azul grinned, leaning closer to Y/n, getting ahold of her horns, making her flinch. "You wouldn't mind paying me...with your bo- agh!" Azul gritted his teeth as Yuuna used Micheal to summon golden chains to pull Azul back.

"S-stay away from her!" she shouted.

"Tch..." Azul stepped back as the group stepped in front of Y/n to keep him away from Y/n.

Suddenly, his eyes widened at a sudden memory...

"Stay away from her! You Monster! Blanche should never have married you!" a voice shouted, in a protective stance in front of a beautiful woman who looked at Azul in pure shock

Azul gritted his teeth as he ordered the brothers to continue attacking. After a few minutes of casting spells, the 1st years were tired, except for Y/n who cast a shield.

"Argh..." Jack panted. "I never knew housewardens were this powerful!"

"Let that be a lesson to you. NEVER try to steal my contracts again" Azul states, gritting his teeth. He was so close to having Y/n to himself.

"Shouldn't you guys be hustling over to the Atlantica Memorial Museum?" asked Floyd

"Your deadline is sunset tomorrow." Jade reminded them. "The clock is ticking, you know"

"Then again, after we're done workin' you over, you'll be spending the rest of that time passed out in the nurse's office!" Floyd laughed.

"They're about to attack again!" Deuce warned as Y/n gritted her teeth, preparing to fire more attacks. She was holding back, after all, she was way too powerful and she didn't want to cause a butterfly effect if she didn't let the 1st years fight. After all, it helps them grow.

"Crud! Summoning magic ain't my strongest suit, but..." Ace scowled before pointing his magic pen at them. "I summon thee, cauldron!"

"Hey!" Deuce snapped. "Don't crib my magic!" he yelled, glaring at the heart boy.

"Didn't we go over this yesterday?" Floyd asked, staring at the boys with an annoyed look in his eyes. "You'll never touch me with that! !" he cast his unique magic as the cauldron that Ace summoned was redirected to the vault, hitting its doors, which caused Azul to go into a state of panic.

"Floyd!" Azul shouted. "Watch where you're directing that spell! You've aimed right for the vault, you fool!" he snapped.

"Whoopsie-daisy. Sorry about that" Floyd apologized, laughing it off as he seemed unbothered by Azul's anger towards him. Azul immediately went to the vault to examine it.

"No..." Azul mumbled, looking shocked. "The door's damaged! The dial and hinges aren't shot, are they?!" he shouted before sighing in relief. "Phew. Okay, good"

Azul then turned his attention back to Floyd, narrowing his eyes. "How many times have I told you not to use your signature spell so carelessly?! What will it take to get it through your head?!"

"I said I was sorry, okay?" Floyd pouted. "You don't gotta get all bent outta shape over one little ding"

Y/n had a dumbfounded stare at the two boys fighting as the group were puzzled. "Hey, this is our chance to run. Go!" she whispered, pushing the 1st years to run.

"You'd have me save my protestations for when it's completely demolished, then?!" Azul angrily questioned.

"Okay, you two, settle down. Otherwise...they'll get away" Jade interrupted, pointing to the open door, and seeing the group running away.

"huh?!" Azul and Floyd both turned their attention to the others.

"Myahah! So long, suckers!" Grim yelled as he was on Yuuna's shoulder.

"Hey, wait!" Azul called out. "Jade! Floyd! After them!" he hissed.

"Gettin' yelled at kinda harshed my vibe" Floyd complained, having a frown on his face.

"Is that really relevant right now? How can you let moods dictate your behavior so much?!" Azul criticized him.

"What about you, Azul?" Floyd shot back. "What're you gettin' all snappy for? So what if the vault gets busted? The contract scrolls are unbreakable, right?" he questioned.

"Do you expect me to walk around carrying a whole bunch of contracts everywhere I go?!" Azul yells before calming down. He let out a sigh, "Oh dear. That was careless of me. I let Floyd derail me entirely again...and in front of my angelfish. Gracious." he turned his attention to Jade. "Jade, continue keeping an eye on them...and look after Floyd, while you're at it" he ordered.

"Understood, sir" Jade nodded.

"Maan, this stinks. I think I'ma cut class this afternoon and catch a nap somewhere" Floyd says, still a bit moody after the fight with Azul.

Jade let out a sigh. "Here we go again..."

The group managed to get out safely. "Phew. I was scared stiff there" Deuce sighed.

"We wouldn't be in this mess if you weren't such a huge target, Jack" Ace complained, pinning the blame on Jack.

"Wh-hey!" Jack snarled. "I just work out more than you guys! What's wrong with that?!" he questioned. "Besides, wolves are naturally large creatures"

"Well, we can't tear the contracts up. We can't even touch them as things stand..." Deuce trailed off.

"I think we'd better call it day" Jack suggested.

"I agree. It's best to get some rest" Y/n agreed with Jack.

"We wasted a whole day, and for what? Nothin'." Grim crossed his arms, irritated.

"Is there really a way to shred those dumb things?" questioned Ace.

"Wait a minute...Something's nagging at me" Yuuna.

Heartslabyul Dorm- Lounge

"What did YOU SAY?!" Riddle shouts echoed through the halls. Ace and Deuce had to explain why they've been so busy and skipping classes, including the contract. The part that angered Riddle the most was that Y/n was gonna be taken away from him if they complete the terms of the contract.

Ace and Deuce looked down on the floor with a desolated looked. "You....You...." Riddle began to tear up. "H-how could you...MY ROSE is gonna be taken away...all because you two idiots signed the contract with Azul!"

"W-we're sorry, Housewarden" Deuce apologized as Ace looked down in shame. After all, Yuuna was suffering as well from the same guilt they were having.

"Poor, Frosty. She must be really upset when she heard of this" Cater said. Trey was staring out the window, into the distance, worrying for the Frost Empress.

Riddle gritted his teeth before dashing outside to the rose garden. "DAMN IT!" he screamed, accidentally freezing the area around him. Oh, you don't know how much he wanted to overblot again to have the power to destroy Yuuna's contract with Azul.

"Riddle!" Trey shouted, running towards the red-hair student. "Did you do this?" he asked when he saw the rose bushes frozen from Riddle's outburst.

"I don't know how...I think it must have been..." Riddle placed a hand over his chest, where a cryo gem was absorbed into him when he was in an unconscious state.

"I should've warned Ace and Deuce to not sign any contracts with Azul...then Yuu wouldn't have signed the contract" Riddle hugged himself, clutching onto his shoulders. "If I did that..then Y/n wouldn't have been put up as collateral!" he cried out.

He sobbed into Trey's chest as the ice began to thaw. "I don't want to lose her...she said that we're supposed to share since she has more soulmates...curse Azul...curse HIM! They better make a plan to destroy the contracts or I'll go there myself and destroy them myself!"

"I walked back to Amaryllis dorm out of pure habit..." Yuuna mumbled. "One more day until we lose the dorm and...Y/n..." she sniffled a bit before looking around the area. "huh? What are all these yellow-green lights?" she mumbled.

"Hm? You're..." a voice called out. Yuuna turned around to see Malleus Draconia.

"Ah! You're Tsunotaro!" Yuuna gasped.

"Tsunotaro? Who is what?" Malleus questioned. He looked around to see if anyone was there, but there wasn't. "Are you...referring to me?" he pointed to himself.

Yuuna nodded. "Grim and I picked out that name for you instead of uh...Horny, as Y/n suggested"

Malleus then had an irk mark appear on his forehead as he smiled at Yuuna. "So Y/n suggested to call me...Horny?"

"Yep! It was because of your horns, but I convinced her that it was a horrible nickname, which is why I'm going to call you Tsunotaro. After all, you said I could call you a name of my choosing" Yuuna explained.

Malleus let out a sigh before chuckling, "Heh...Hmhm. Ha ha ha!" he burst into laughter. "Me, being called 'Tsunotaro'! You really are fearless, it seems. Just as my darling said. No matter. It was I who told you to use a name of your choosing" he smiled.

"I'll indulge this liberty and permit you to refer to me by your...curious nickname, instead of y/n suggested nickname...By the way, I've noticed that this dorm has seemed rowdier as of late. Is Y/n taking in more students?" he asked.

"Actually...you see...the dorm was taken as collateral, along with...." Yuuna began to explain everything in the best of her ability.

When Malleus, or uh, Tsunotaro, heard that Y/n was also collateral, he reduced a nearby wisteria tree with lightning, turning it to ash from anger. "What?!" he was angry.

Malleus then took a deep breath since he noticed how Yuuna flinched in surprise. "You made a deal with Ashengrotto? Well...I supposed that does explain Y/n absence. Then once the sun sets tomorrow, Y/n will belong to Ashengrotto...and the palace dorm will belong to him as well and become a hotspot for noisy students" he looked over to Yuuna and smirked.

"Heh. You look like you also take issue with my statement. You don't like me speaking as though your loss is a given?" Malleus asked before he grew quiet once again.

"...Incidentally, the walls of the palace have some rather impressive gargoyle sculptures," Malleus said, changing the subject.

"Gargoyles?" Yuuna questioned.

"At first glance, these gargoyles appear to be imposing, dangerous monsters...But it reality they are a kind of drainage spout built to keep rainwater from sullying the walls until I found out that they are just more than drainage. They also protect their home from evil spirits with their frightening look" Malleus recalled a memory of Y/n telling him this. "They look frightful, and yet they are beings devoted to the preservation and safety of their home"

"There's a stark contrast between what they do and how they look, huh?" questioned Yuuna. "W-wait! H-how is this gonna help me safe [nickname]?!"