Spoiler alert ⚠: There will be some detail from the archon quest in Sumeru, if you already play through it or you don't care about spoilers then you can continue. If not then STOP reading, go play then come back. My story won't go anywhere, and for some non-Genshin players, I'll explain everything at the end of the chapter. Let's begin the chapter.
Conversation:
- A is Ace
- D is Deuce
- G is Grim
- Cy is Cyno
- T is Trey
- C is Cater
- R is Riddle
🌑🌒🌓🌔🌕 ~ Dream world ~ 🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑
'Another dream?' This time he saw the girl standing at a trial table opposing the Queen. "And as for you, Your Majesty... 'Your Majesty,' indeed! Why, you're not a queen. You're just a fat, pompous, bad-tempered old ty... tyrant..."
'That doesn't seem like a wise decision. It reminds me of the Akademiya sages who tried to create a new god when Lesser Lord Kusanali failed to meet their expectations. They locked her up and collected people's dreams for their cause, which was pathetic. I could relate to her since I too wanted to stand up against the sages, but it wasn't possible until I met Alhaitham and the Traveller. Alhaitham came up with a bold plan that allowed us to save our god and restore the nation. I was able to regain my position as General Mahamatra, while Alhaitham became the Acting Grand Sage. Although some opposed him at first, the Akademiya needed a strong leader like him. As for the girl, I admire her bravery, but without a plan or support, she's vulnerable to failure.'
"Mmhmmhmmhmmhmm... What were you saying, my dear?" The Queen of Hearts asks the girl. Suddenly a cat appears on her head with a big creepy smile and repeats: "Well, she simply said that you're a fat, pompous, bad-tempered old tyrant! Hahahaha!" The queen was furious: "OOOOOOOOFF with her head!" All the cards in the room fall on the girl surrounding her: "Ooooooh!" While the King of Hearts added more oil to the fire: "You heard what Her Majesty said! Off with her head!"
~ Back to reality ~
Grim woke Cyno up from his dream by tapping his paw on his face. "Cyno-sama! You're up," he exclaimed. Cyno noticed Ace and Deuce in their dorm uniform still wearing their collars. However, Grim's collar had been broken by Cyno the previous night when they returned to the Ramshackle Dorm. Cyno had not broken Ace and Deuce's collars as they were not his dorm students, and he had refused their requests to break them. "Today's the big duel! Let's DO this thing," exclaimed Ace with determination. Cyno decided to wear his usual outfit to attend the duel.
*drip* *drip* 'Ugh it's happening again. What is going on?! I'll figure it out later but today is the day.' The group starts heading to the Heartslabyul's Dorm for their battle. Cyno feels like something big will happen and it won't be pretty.
~ At Heartslabyul's Dorm Rose Maze ~
"Oi, did you hear? They say someone's challenged Housewarden Rosehearts to a duel!" One Heartslabyul says. "Riddle Rosehearts? Seriously!? Whoever it is has gotta be outta his mind. Riddle will have his head off in five seconds flat." Another student comments. "Still, it's the first challenge since Rosehearts took power. I'm pumped!"
C: "You're saying Ace-chan and Deuce-chan are challenging Riddle for the housewarden's seat!? Please tell me your kidding."
T: "I tried to stop 'em."
C: "Of all the stupid ideas... I just hope this doesn't make everything worse"
T: "You and me both."
Finally, the moment is here, everyone gathering around waiting for the duel to get started by Crowley: "We are about to commence two challenges for the housewarden position at Heartslabyul House. The first challenger is Ace Trappola. The second challenger is Deuce Spade. The current housewarden they have challenged is Riddle Rosehearts. Now, by the duel rules, please remove the magic-sealing collars as they would provide an unfair disadvantage." Crowley removes Ace and Deuce's collars they sigh in relief: "Ah! FINALLY, the dumb collar is off!" Ace says. Riddle just smirked at them: "Enjoy your moment of freedom. The collar will be back on soon enough. I could hardly believe it when I heard you two intended to duel me. Is this a joke?"
A: "Do I look like I'm joking?"
D: "I'd never propose a duel as a joke."
R: "Hmph. Have it your way. Let us get this over with."
C: "Uh, Riddle-kun, what do want to do about today's afternoon tea?"
R: "A foolish question. You know that the rules stipulate I take my tea every day at 4 p.m. sharp."
C: "It's just that it's already past 3:30..."
R: "And you fear that I will be late? All the more reason to end this promptly. It appears I have little time to waste. Rather than facing my opponents in succession, I will take on both at once."
"Go get 'em, Housewarden! You've got this!" The other students cheer for Riddle as he prepares for his duel. Cyno watches him closely, and Riddle can't help but feel a bit nervous. However, he's determined to impress his crush and show off his power. Despite being upset with Cyno for his actions at the Unbirthday Party, Riddle decides to let it go. He can't stay mad at someone he cares about. After the duel, he plans to invite Cyno to his tea party and continue pursuing him romantically.
D: "Cowards."
G: "Myah. I got a bad feelin' about this."
A: "Hey, at least we got a plan!"
R: "Headmage, please give us the signal."
Cyno doesn't know what their plan is because this is not his fight so won't interfere with anything. Crowley then pulls out a small mirror and announces: "When the mirror I've thrown shatters upon the ground, that is your signal to begin. Ready... Fight!" Crowley let go of the mirror shattered and the battle began. Within the second, Riddle casts his unique magic 'Off With Your Heads!' making both Ace and Deuce not have time to react to two collars and sending them flying on their back. As Cyno predicted, the battle is over in just a second, the power gap is too big.
A: "Urrrgh... Not again. I didn't even have time to finish my spell!"
D: "He shut us down like it was nothing..."
'As expected, the scale of power was not balanced. But I feel like this won't end here so easily. Better stay vigilant.'
"Visualization is key to spell casting. The better you are at accurately visualizing your magic's effects, the stronger and more precise it will be. It would appear Mr. Rosehearts has finely honed his magic." Crowley explains. The battle is already over, if they can't use magic they lose.
R: "Hmph. You didn't even last five seconds. That was all you had, and still, you thought to challenge me? You must be utterly humiliated. I guess my mother was right. A man who cannot follow rules is a man who cannot achieve anything.
D: "Tch... We agree that rules should be followed. But forcing others to follow nonsensical rules like the ones you've enacted is tyranny!"
R: "Then you agree that breaking rules is wrong. And in this dorm, I AM the rules. Therefore, those who cannot abide by my decisions deserve not the heads they use to complain! Cyno-san, you've been quiet. You said you were a rule follower so tell me am I right?"
Cy: "All due respect, my answer will still be the same. I will not interfere with every dorm business only giving advice. Riddle-senpai, I already gave you my advice, now, it's up to you to make your 'judgment' Housewarden Riddle Rosehearts."
R: "I am the one who decides what is wrong and right! What sort of pitiful education have you received, that you cannot follow such simple rules? You were born to parents with no great magical capability. And as a result... You lack even the basic education necessary to attend a school such as this. It's quite sad."
Riddle couldn't believe himself and just said that in front of his crush but has betrayed him so he has nothing to lose. After hearing that Cyno summons his weapon and then slams it hard into the ground, lightning strikes underneath the ground he is standing. Trying to calm himself down so he wouldn't kill Riddle in front of everyone. "You shut your spoiled little mouth!" Unexpected by everyone, Ace gives Riddile a good punch in his face. They were all surprised at what Ace had done. "He just punched the housewarden!?"
D: "A-ACE!?"
A: "That's all I can take. Forget Riddle. Forget the duel. I'm done."
R: "That hurt! You... p-punched me!?"
A: "Kids aren't trophies for their parents to flaunt. And the accomplishments of a child aren't determined by the worth of their parents. It's not your parents' fault you became a tyrant -or anyone else's. You've been here a year and haven't even made a friend who will tell you you're outta line. And that's on you."
R: "What are you even talking about?"
A: "Yeah, maybe you had some rigid upbringing from a relentless helicopter mom. Is that all you are? An extension of her? Can't you think for yourself? You call yourself the 'red sovereign'? You're just a baby who's good at magic. Not to mention you insult the General in front of everyone without knowing anything about him. What have you done besides being a housewarden in NRC while Cyno has become the General of a whole nation?"
R: "Baby...? Did you just call me a 'baby'!? You don't know anything about me! You don't know anything about anything! And what about Cyno-san? I don't believe that his a General. No one can be a General at this age!"
A: "Nope, sure don't. And I don't need to. I also don't care if believe it or not he's a General but hate to break your bubble it was true. You just haven't seen his power yet. As for you, your attitude tells me all I need to know -that you're nothing but a spoiled brat!"
R: "Shut up, shut up, shut UP! My mother was right! And that means I'm right too!"
T: "Riddle, calm down. The duel is already over."
Trey tries to calm Riddle down, key word 'try'. "Mr. Clover is correct. The challenger has been disqualified due to physical violence. If you do not cease your conflict now, I'll have you written up for breaking school rules!" Crowley also tries to calm Riddle down, and again the keyword 'try'. Suddenly a student couldn't stand it anymore: "Ace is right, though! I've had enough of Riddle!" Then he throws an egg at him. "An egg?" Trey ask. This is a humiliation, he Riddle Rosehearts is wrong!? Impossible! "Who did that? Who threw that egg!?" No one answered.
"Heh heh... Ah ha ha ha! You say YOU'RE fed up!? I'm the one who's fed up with all of YOU! No matter how strict I am, no matter how many heads I remove, you keep breaking the rules! All any of you care about is doing what YOU want to do! If the guilty party won't come forward, then I'll pass judgment on all of you! None of you value your heads! OFF WITH YOUR HEADS!" Almost all of the students have been collared. '*tsk* Riddle has lost his mind. This is bad, we need to evacuate everybody now!' Cyno's thoughts then draws out his weapon ready for battle, he looks at Crowley: "Oi, crow evacuate everybody now. The situation is getting worse." Crowley was confused but before he could do anything Riddle let out his maniac laugh: "Ah ha ha ha! How do you like that, hm? Now no one can do a thing to me! Do you see it now? My strict adherence to the rules was the correct path!"
"Cease this improper behavior now, Mr. Rosehearts. I expect better from you!" What is that crow doing!? He tells him to evacuate everybody not add oil to fire!
C: "*whisper* Trey, if he keeps using his spell... This could get ugly, fast!"
T: "Riddle, stop this!"
A: "Wow, way to prove me wrong here, pal! I call you a baby, and you immediately throw a temper tantrum!"
Right now, Cyno wants to punch Ace in the face. If he's not helping then stop making Riddle angrier. His turns red, literally, from his anger: "Retract your comment immediately, or I shall skewer you where you stand!"
A: "No way. I ain't retracin' squat."
R: "UGIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII"
C: "This is bad! You've G-2-G, now!"
Suddenly the atmosphere changes and the sky starts to get darker, all the rose trees start to come out of the ground. "Mighty roses, tear this brute to pieces!" Riddle command, all the rose trees start to come down for Ace. "Doodle Suit" The rose trees suddenly turn into cards, and removing the trio collars, everyone is surprised at Trey's action because he has made his final 'judgment'. Cyno couldn't help but let out a small sigh of relief and then quickly go back to Riddle: 'This is bad. We need to evacuate everyone out of here. Riddle has lost control of his magic, I might catch a glance at Riddle's magestone. It's getting blacker, this must be the limitation that every student here must not cross. I always want to know what happens if the stone is completely black. *tsk* Looks like I'm about to find out.'
A/N: I want to apologize first for not updating for a long time but I'm back. Thank you so much for ya all your support and patience. The next chapter will be the first overblot in the series, aren't you guys excited? Until then, I'll see you in the next chapter.