Mathias woke up with a start.

He had a dream that a villainous grey wolf was trying to claw his guardian, a majestic black wolf, so he flailed and attacked the beast with numb limbs.

He heard a crash - the grey wolf was cast aside and he cheered victoriously in his mind.

And then a divine hand plucked him off his majestic guardian, throwing him to the ground with the jealous wolf, as she commiserated in their sorrows of being torn away from the fickle guardian that kept moving further and further away.

And he felt the cold floor.

And light punched into his eyes.

And the hard knock on his head.

And, and, and so many unpleasant morning things that he couldn't keep track.

Lisanna crouched down and poked him curiously. "You seem fine, right? Okay. Let's go for breakfast. It'll be a long day, you know?"

Mathias curled up defiantly. And kicked something.

'A bag?'

He ignored it. Lisanna still dragged him to his feet - he struggled, but he was no match for her so early in the morning.

It was only seven-thirty, the normal time he got up for school. However, for a weekend? It was too much. Lisanna did not think so as she threw his original formal uniform towards him.

"Put it on and then we'll go, okay? Eh...? What are you doing?! Don't look!"

Wendi, too, was rubbing her blurry eyes as she turned herself around and looked over the foot of the bed. Lisanna made a few extremely minor changes, but she could not think of anything else for the statue. She mostly studied quietly, basking in the simple joy having a half-decent desk to work with.

He was confused but since he wasn't looking anyways, he just kept changing.

Lisanna blocked the view as Wendi was slowly regaining consciousness too; however, she had to stop Mathias from creeping over back to his bed once she saw the uniform was hastily put on.

She grabbed both by the scruff of their necks. "Come on! It isn't that early. Let's go, okay?"

Wendi was already dressed but she had the same plan as Mathias. Or it could be said his mind registered the opportunity made by Wendi and his body acted on it. Thankfully, the material did not show any wrinkles.

"...?"

"I mean, you'll get to see all the statues finished, right Wendi?"

"Yea... yeah... oh, right! I forgot!" Wendi grew wide-eyed again. "Ugh, my hair..."

She was staring at the mirror.

Lisanna passed a comb and brush and helped Wendi - while keeping a hand on Mathias' arm.

"Unless you want to help, just give me a minute, please?"

"..."

He did not want to. Wendi was tearing up as her fluffy hair was not exactly comb-friendly - it was much too thick despite the airy appearance.

Lisanna, all the while, was wearing a tight black skirt, a silver blouse, and a black-and-silver jacket. Aside from the skirt being replaced for pants, Mathias' was essentially the same, down to the diagonal silver stripe on the pants at its side.

Wendi was wearing the normal gown, of similar colours, that had a silver-and-black shawl. Both outfits were much more conservative than the others they were instructed to order by Mathias' mother. However, since it was coming from a woman who wore nothing by a thin night-gown on (unless she was going out somewhere important; note: that'd require a dress that was little different night-gown in many respects), it was well on the modest side.

'... I knew it'd feel weird...' He grumbled as he ran his hands across his sleeves. He even shivered. 'I... I like training clothes better...'

He looked longings at the (repaired) training clothes which were much more comfortable.

However, Lisanna ended up getting Wendi's hair to an acceptable state and the three were brought out of the room.

"Woah... isn't this... weird?"

It was still their first week here so they did not know the norms on Sunday. His own personal tradition dictated that more would sleep in, even considering yesterday; however, the dining hall was packed.

And many were in their formal uniforms.

"Oh? You two? I think your doing the exhibition, right? Good luck!" A second-year girl that recognized them and said.

"Ha, look. It's Scylla, come on! Let's go!"

Many of the first-years were there, too.

Since they expected there would be the same showing for them during their turn, the students from Satyr and Centaur merged and began talking to Lisanna, Wendi, and Mathias.

Having no visible scar to point to, he poked Lisanna for help. The icy river on his neck solidified into a malleable cast.

"Sorry! He was grabbed by the neck by a fire demon and his throat was burnt. The scars are gone, but there is still damage."

"A-a f-fire demon?! Damn! We're still on the Gauntlet! So Citadel means exhibition.... okay, come Monday and Tuesday we'll be ready for an exhibition!"

The other students cheered, opting to ignore the part of a fire demon crushing one's throat, but focused on the brighter things. Optimists had renowned abilities to bypass reality. It seemed like the showing was open to all the students and staff where outsiders still needed tickets, but the banquet was the part that needed the passes.

Answering some questions, deflecting others, and managing to ignore others still as they were washed out by other voices, the three managed to order food. "I knew it," Chef said with a smile. "I'll be leaving soon, but I'll give you all a larger portion. You probably won't have time for lunch."

Mathias shook his head but the man did it anyways.

He sighed and took the plate.

Many would probably be surprised later that the man causally serving their lunches was accomplished enough to be an art critic for a magic university.

Their normal table was even roped off by two sun-glass wearing third-years.

"Scylla?"

They nodded.

After confirming their appearance, they determined, "Wendy Aliel, Lisanna O'Clair, and Mathias Vandiese?"

""Yes.""

At least two of the three agreed, but they were briefed on Mathias' condition. That, in-and-of-itself, was a clear enough sign.

"You may sit."

They moved aside and let the three into one of the few untouched tables in the dining hall. They attracted a lot of attention.

Wendi was biting her lip as she looked at the scene. "Uhm... are they all... do you think...?"

"... It's the beginning of the year so maybe they don't have anything better to do?"

"... Maybe, but...? It's strange...-" Her train-of-thought stopped.

"Hello! Hello! I'm Ayla of the first-year Scylla class, nice to meet you all! I'm glad you all could come!"

Since they would not be wearing their formal uniforms otherwise, the students nodded at the chipper Ayla who was guiding ten or so students. Among them, even water mages like Jasmine, Kira, Fara, Hana, and Jennifer were present - if largely unaware.

"And I'm Erik of the Scylla class as well! There wasn't a lot of time, but hopefully what we made will be interesting enough!"

Erik guided the rest: the boys.

While there was a clear divide in their entrance, once they were permitted to sit at the table, they all merged cohesively as they ate their breakfasts.

Most of the water mages just barely picked at it, but some food did go in their bellies.

There was a lot of chatter as many tried to talk to them from the edge, but the third-year security interjected and stopped them.

Those that spoke were largely first-years anyways; beyond that, there were second-years; and only a few were third-years that were somewhat indifferent to the underclassmen. Most were already busy, but a few, like the security, had no other assignments at present.

"... I can't believe this!" Erik laughed, "it's like we're celebrities!"

"Yeah, hopefully, everything'll go well, or else I don't want to be pissing everyone off," Hunter muttered.

"It'll be fine, man. Stop worrying. James, you finished yours, right?"

"I did. I don't know if it'll be satisfactory, but I did my best."

"Okay!" Ayla shouted. "We had scouted out spots before, but how are we going to organize them? I don't think it's a good idea to just do first-come, first-serve; I think we should plan this!"

"Here."

One of the security guards said, passing a map of the grounds outside.

"Thanks!" She took it as if it was normal to have a ready-and-willing aid's assistance and laid it out on the table.

It showed four zones that scenically placed areas where the contestants could set them up. The exterior points were roughly divided into a circle, with five points in each zone and five in the center where they overlapped.

Wendi immediately recalled the area of the map. She pointed to the center. "Three of those spots will be covered in shrubs, but two will be exposed. I think Lisanna and Mathias' should be there... you can put Erik's here, Ayla's there, I want this spot, I think Mina's and Lina's could go here and here... and-"

She based it on her memory and the students took her suggestions. No student aside from her had a particular spot that they wanted so if it all worked out, then all the better.

"Hmm... Sure? I didn't want to be in the middle... but sure! Okay! Does anyone have any specific spots they want or is that okay?"

No one complained.

"... I guess any last-minute adjustments have to be done back in our rooms," Jennifer muttered, hand reaching for her stasis stone.

"It'll be fine! I think yours is cute!"

"C-cute...? I don't know about that..."

Jennifer looked down, almost too tired to be nervous - almost.

Lisanna nodded. "I think so too! It was adorable. I don't think anyone will think it's bad."

"... But... compared to...!"

"Well, compared to you, we have no mana at all. So we all have strengths and weaknesses," Erik said with a laugh. "Don't worry, it'll be fine. I'm more worried about them."

Erik motioned to the water mages who had their head downs. Jennifer, Jasmine, and Kira were the only once remained upright; Fara, Mathias, and Hana were sleeping and the other three were very close too.

"... Vandiese, Yhir, Kanata. Get up." Heavy footsteps appeared as Mr. Shields parted the crowd of onlookers. "I'm glad you're all here. It saves me the effort of gathering you. In half an hour, be in the classroom and we'll discuss how you'll conduct yourself today."

His voice well-entrenched in their nightmares at this point so they snapped their eyes open. Their bodies may have been slow to respond, but they registered their names and the subsequent words.

"Understood?" He repeated.

"Y-yes!" Hana half-shouted - looking to see she was the only one who actually spoke.

"Perfect. You have a half-hour. Don't be late."

Mr. Shields walked away through the crowd that gave him plenty of room to navigate.

Erik looked around and sighed. "Okay, everyone, finish eating and let's go. We still have a few hours before it all starts, but... let's not make it our last few hours..."

Everyone nodded seriously. None wanted to press Mr. Shields on this day. And many, many gazes fell on Alfred and, by extension, Hana who, when she noticed, glared at the boy as well.

"Why are you sitting beside me?! Idiot!"

She smacked him. She had fallen asleep just as she hit the table so she didn't notice the joiner at her side. Alfred smiled weakly and took the abuse as he looked off into the distance - away from everyone's stares.

"Mathias?" Lisanna said.

"Fara?" Jennifer probed.

The two were coaxed up as creases from their arms appeared on their faces. They lowered their heads the second Mr. Shields left - thinking him more akin to phantom or figment.

They quickly finished, returned their empty (or picked at) trays, and ran off to the classroom.

Just after they left the dorms, a face breathed raggedly as he looked around the room. "Wendi?! Where are you?!"

The target of his guard duty was not in her room - for two days in a row. One he could deal with since she was a maturing girl with friends; two was problematic since she was a maturing girl with friends - of both genders; yet, since he heard talk that she was fine, the main issue was that today was the day he had the honour of protecting his sister, fully sanctioned by the school.

He did not want to waste a single moment so he was waiting at her room since five in the morning, thinking that she'd have to return for her clothes. She did not.

"Wendi?!"

"They just left," the security guard told him. "What's your relation?"

"I'm Church Aliel - Wendi's brother and guard, idiot!"

"I'd like to see your ticket, your ID, and the letter detailing your security placement, Church Aliel."

"What are you saying?! Obviously, I'm her brother! We're in the same class - you know me!"

Church raged as the other student stood impassively.

"It's protocol."

"That, that doesn't matter now! Where is she?!"

"Follow the protocol and I will disclose that information."

The others had obviously heard the declaration by Mr. Shields, but since Church was so enraged, he did not pick up on any of the whispers that would have pointed him their way. After five minutes of fruitless fighting, he threw the requisite documents at the security guard - his classmate whom he knew for years.

And who had full knowledge of their relation. Perhaps more knowledge than he wanted to ever get over the years.

The third-year scanned through the documents thoroughly, spending two minutes ascertaining the responsibilities, limitations, and the privileges Church possessed and passed them back.

"You are granted access. They left for the first-year, Scylla classroom with their teacher, Edward Shields.

"Finally! I swear to God, you're not getting away with this!"

"It's protocol," the third-year said simply, to which Church might respect in different circumstances.

Except there were hundreds of people that were now exposed to his Wendi's irresistible charm, among many important figures, so he had no time to waste securing Wendi's safety and honour, Church thought.

He ran full-speed through the crowd, down the path to the academy, as his customized, formal guard attire flapped in the wind.

And then he slammed open the door.

"Wendi! I'm here!"

There was no one there.

He double-checked the name-plate: it was definitely the first-year, Scylla classroom.