"Hoo boy. Yuu, you really go for the jugular sometimes," Grim sweat dropped. He seemed taken aback by Yuu's direct approach in the conversation, indicating an intensity in the interaction that caught his attention.
"I'm with Little Shrimpy on this one. Sea Otter, you're, like... TOO nice. It's kinda grating," Floyd asserted to Kalim. He expressed his opinion on Kalim's demeanor, suggesting that being overly nice could sometimes be perceived as off-putting by others.
"Huh? Is it?" Kalim snapped, shocked to hear the male's comment. He reacted with surprise and confusion at the remarks made towards him, displaying a sense of disbelief at the criticism.
"Yes. If I were betrayed by someone the way you were... I'd lash out with a torrent of unmitigated verbal abuse to break them down mentally, then bind them and drag them beneath the waves. The way you blame yourself and try to excuse his behavior is, quite frankly, a tad galling," Jade agreed with his twin and derided Kalim, criticized Kalim for his response to betrayal, highlighting a contrasting approach he would have taken if in a similar situation, indicating a difference in handling such circumstances.
"Galling? Really?" Kalim expressed surprise. "But, I mean... Jamil would never betray me, ever," he defended his perception and his trust in Jamil, showcasing a strong belief in their bond despite the accusations made against his friend.
"Uh, news flash: he did. In fact, he was gonna make you out to be the bad guy and get you expelled. He's an enormous dirt bag!" Floyd remarked, revealed crucial information about Jamil's intentions, painting a negative picture of his character to highlight the severity of the situation.
"When it comes to underhanded ploys, Azul at his worst still couldn't hold a candle to that. That's quite a feat, you know. It's okay to hold your head high and denounce him for the traitor that he is," Jade sneered, comparing Jamil's actions to Azul's, emphasizing the gravity of the betrayal and urging Kalim to take a stand against his former friend.
Listening to the twins threatened the white-haired male to accept the reality, Enma sweat dropped. "That's...not much of a compliment. Why would he hold his head high...?" he said to the twins, questioned the twins' approach, expressing confusion at the perceived motivation for Kalim to maintain a positive outlook amid the revelations.
"You carry yourself like a goody-two-shoes laughing off conflict with a flippant word or two. To twisted individuals like myself and Jamil... Ah, I mean, to calculating individuals, those remarks are like barbs digging under our skin. I'd say you've been pushing Jamil ever since your formative years. It's not your fault in the least, of course. You were born into a very high social class. As showered as you were with affection from your family and everyone around you, you grew up with honesty and integrity. An upbringing like that would make anyone take certain things for granted," Azul remarked, delved into Kalim's upbringing and societal background, providing insight into potential factors influencing his behavior and interactions with others.
"I would argue that in Kalim's case, it might simply be a case of naturally innocent disposition," Jade avowed and offered an alternative perspective on Kalim's character, suggesting that his innocence might be inherent rather than influenced by external factors.
After listening to the males, Kalim expressed a straight face. "Oh... So Jamil is...bad?" he questioned with pauses, processed the information presented to him, showing signs of realization and contemplation about Jamil's true nature.
"Extremely," Enma replied.
"In that case, I'd better get back fast! I must punch him and yell, 'Traitor!'. I owe him that much," Kalim frowned, expressing
a sense of determination to confront Jamil and address the betrayal, highlighting a need for closure in the situation.
"One punch ain't enough! You oughta also make him march to the oasis and back ten times!" Grim jeered and emphasized the severity of the situation, suggesting a physical punishment for Jamil to atone for his actions.
"That, and we need to bring him to his senses fast. If we don't, his life will be in danger. We have to get back before his magic reserves run dry. Plus, we need to save Tokaku from his grip," Azul announced. He laid out a plan of action, highlighting the urgency of the situation and the need to intervene to prevent further harm to Jamil and others involved.
"That puts us right back where this conversation started. How do we get back? Walking really fast?" Floyd questioned the male, bringing attention to the practicalities of returning to their destination, raising a question about the logistics of their journey back.
"My nose is gonna freeze over if we stay out here much longer!" Grim exclaimed, expressing concern about the environmental conditions, pointing out the discomfort caused by the cold weather.
"If there was a river, we could swim back. Sadly, the rivers around here are all dried out," Jade said, introduced a potential solution to their transportation dilemma while acknowledging the lack of viable options due to the dry riverbeds in the vicinity.
"So, a lack of water is the problem?" Kalim guessed, attempting to pinpoint the core issue affecting their return, displaying a critical thinking approach to problem-solving.
"Yes. Floyd and Jade can easily outpace brooms when they're in their true forms. But we can't exactly restore a dry river," Azul replied to the male. He elaborated on the challenge they faced, highlighting the limitations of their abilities in addressing the current situation.
"Maybe you can't, but I can," Kalim said to the male. Kalim stepped forward with a solution, surprising his companions with his confidence and initiative in resolving the water scarcity issue.
"Oh yeah, your signature spell! You did that at the oasis!" Enma recalled Kalim's past use of magic, connecting it to the current predicament and acknowledging his unique abilities.
"My signature spell, Oasis Maker, can produce an enormous volume of water with just a smidgen of magical power. If I make you a river, you can get us back to the dorm, right?" Kalim detailed the capabilities of his magical spell, outlining how it could effectively solve their transportation problem, showcasing his resourcefulness.
"Y-you mean to tell me THAT'S your signature spell?! That's insane!" Azul reacted with astonishment to the revelation of Kalim's powerful magical ability, expressing amazement at the extent of its effectiveness.
"Aha ha! It's pretty useless when we've already got running water," Kalim downplayed the significance of his magic in the current situation, acknowledging the redundancy of creating water where it already exists.
"Don't 'aha ha' me! Some countries don't HAVE that sort of infrastructure. Your power would make you nothing short of a hero to those people! That's... That's... ABSURDLY marketable!" Azul highlighted the potential impact of Kalim's magic in different contexts, emphasizing the valuable role it could play in communities without access to vital resources.
In a trice, Jade cleared his throat soundly to cut Azul's ridiculous astonishment. "I think we can leave Azul to his get-rich-quick fantasies for a bit. Kalim, if you would oblige us? He redirected the conversation, steering away from Azul's musings and focusing on the task at hand, seeking Kalim's assistance in resolving their predicament.
"You just need a river, right? Okay! I'm on it," Kalim noted. Later, he casted his signature spell, Oasis Maker, then a rain showered on a dried river, filling it until it flowed with water.
"Holy mackerel... The river's fillin' up with water right before our eyes!" Grim marveled at the spectacle unfolding before him, expressing a sense of wonder at the miraculous transformation of the once dry river.
At the moment, the Leech brothers changed into their merfolk forms. "Let's get moving before the water freezes over, Floyd," Jade said to his twin. Then, he asked Azul and Grim to hop on his back. Jade initiated their departure, recognizing the urgency of the situation and guiding his companions to move swiftly to avoid complications.
"Little Shrimpy and Sea Otter, you're with me!" Floyd ordered Enma and Kalim.
"Wait, but I thought Azul was a merman. Can't he swim himself?" Grim interrupted.
"Azul isn't a fast swimmer, even in his mer form," Jade provided insight into Azul's swimming capabilities, explaining the limitations of his speed despite his transformation into a merman.
"Yes, well, not all of us have tailfins like yours. Now, off we go to Scarabia!" Azul protested then ordered the twins to swim, transporting them along the river. "Tokaku, we're coming for you," Jade thought, wishing that Tokaku will be fine.
( New Reign Cut Short)
At the Scarabia House, the lounge was meticulously prepared for a "king" to reside. Bring on the feast! Bring on the beverages! Today, we commemorate the overthrow of the former useless king, and the ascension of a much worthier successor! Ahhh, I'm at the pinnacle of the world. I possess all the magic I could ever desire at my disposal. "The arrogant Jamil declared.
" You're so conceited." Tokaku retorted, leaning against a ceramic pillar with her arms crossed. She was bound to the post by chains on her wrists and legs.
Jamil glared at the blue-haired girl and scoffed while rattling a cup of pomegranate juice in his hand. "You should be worshiping me, for I am the reigning king here now," he asserted before sipping his crimson drink.
"Praising you? I'd rather be your mind-controlled slave." The girl taunted the arrogant male. Jamil shot her a piercing look.
" So, what are you keeping me around for?" Tokaku inquired.
Jamil sneered. "You're a venomous serpent, my dear. I can utilize you to eliminate those who oppose me."
Tokaku scoffed. "Huh! It's painfully obvious what your intentions are. How am I not privy to this? Right. Because you're nothing like Azul or the Leech brothers." She mocked.
" Hmph. Sometimes it's beneficial to switch allegiances. " The arrogant Jamil proclaimed.
" It's not as easy as you think. You'll never succeed in making me serve under your command. And you never will." Tokaku objected adamantly.
" Excuse me, what do you mean?" The arrogant male questioned. "Has Azul not informed you that I follow his commands due to a prior agreement?"
"No, he never bothered to mention it. But now that you've disclosed that information, I have devised a plan to sever your ties with Azul and make you my top servant. Discovering and destroying your contract parchment in the Mostro Lounge is all it takes to gain control over you." The male stated.
"You're a fool. My bond with Azul is not dependent on a piece of parchment." Tokaku retorted.
"Then what is it?" Jamil inquired. "The contracts I have with Azul and the Leech brothers are not written agreements, but rather a connection tied to them as well as Jade and Floyd. It is unbreakable until my dying day. So, I will never betray them to serve a cowardly sorcerer like you, Jamil!... My apologies, I meant to say "Jamil the Cowardly Sorcerer." Tokaku seethed, then proceeded to ridicule him.
Enraged by the girl's insult, Jamil approached her and delivered a swift slap to her face. "How dare you! I am NOT a cowardly sorcerer! I am the most formidable presence here! I possess unmatched power both within this school and beyond! I could showcase my true strength to all if Kalim weren't a hindrance!" He bellowed at the girl.
"Hmph. Blaming others for your own shortcomings? My assessment of you as a cowardly sorcerer stands." Tokaku sneered at the male, rubbing her cheek where he had struck her.
"Ridiculous!" Jamil shouted, turning to the hypnotized students. "Tell me, what is your opinion of me?"
" You are powerful and the most intelligent of all."
" You think you're all that and more, don't you? Well, guess what? You're nothing but a pompous fool."
" Long live Master Jamil!" The brainwashed students mindlessly praised the inflated male.
Jamil let out a sinister laugh. "That's right, keep showering me with praise like the mindless drones you are."
" I never realized what a gallant figure you cut..." Azul suddenly popped up, showering Jamil with undeserved compliments.
"Is that so?" Jamil sneered.
"You belong on a throne..." Grim interjected.
" And?" Jamil egged them on.
" Your intelligence knows no bounds..." Jade chimed in.
" Keep going," Jamil demanded.
" There's royalty, and then there's You..." Floyd added.
" You look so strong and powerful!" Kalim praised.
" Jamil, Jamil, he's our man! I bow down before you," Enma continued to flatter.
"Ha, you really think you can butter me up like that?" Jamil scoffed before his eyes widened in surprise as he noticed the males in front of him. "Wait, it's YOU?!"
"Azul! Jade! Floyd!" Tokaku called out to the Octavinelle trio, relieved to find them alive and unscathed.
"Tokaku?!" Jade exclaimed in disbelief.
" I thought I banished you to the ends of this dimension! How did you return so quickly?" Jamil interrogated the males.
" We found a way back, and it wasn't easy," Kalim glared at the bloated male.
" It was a real struggle, I can tell you that much!" Floyd grumbled.
" What?! Tch... I see now. You utilized Kalim's spell. I underestimated its potential," Jamil mocked Kalim.
" You never appreciate Kalim's true power," Azul remarked with a glare.
Kalim remained silent for a moment before speaking up. "Jamil, you're nothing but a coward and a traitor!"
"Ha! You and this girl by your side share a comical view of me," Jamil sneered.
"Speaking of this girl... Jamil, how dare you chain my beloved companion while I was away!" Azul interrupted.
Jamil smirked. "I'm taking her for my benefit. Don't worry, she won't be harmed – just enslaved," he chuckled evilly.
"Don't you dare lay a hand on what belongs to me," Azul challenged.
"We'll see about that," Jamil mocked confidently.
"Jamil, face me in battle. I will reclaim the position you stole from me," Kalim demanded.
"You accuse me of stealing, when in fact, it is YOU who have taken everything from ME! Prepare to witness my true power!" Jamil roared, summoning a genie from his shadow.
Grim screamed in terror. "That thing is terrifying!"
"I'll knock some sense into him," Kalim vowed.
Meanwhile, Azul turned to Enma. "Yuu, since you can't fight with magic, do me a favor. Consider it repayment for a debt."
Enma nodded in agreement. "Tell me what you need, and it will be done."
After whispering his instructions to Enma, Azul nodded and the male retreated from the battlefield, leaving the others and Grim to face Jamil alone.