Banging comes from your door, causing you to jump from your spot on the couch. Before you could even move to open the door, Floyd storms into the foyer and wraps you into a tight hug.
"Morning, Little Shrimpy, Baby Seal! We're here to get you. It's time to go!"
Grim arches his back as his fur stands on end. "Whenever I see you two, I'm always worried you're schemin' something. Makes my heart skip a beat."
"Please." Jade stands next to you and Floyd. "We would never dream of getting rough with those who aren't in breach of contract. The weather's quite clear today, perfect for an outing." Jade grins. "On that note..."
With an arm still wrapped around you, Floyd points excitedly to the door. "Off we go to the Atlantica Memorial Museum!"
"Azul's arranged it so that we'll have the whole museum booked for ourselves." Jade explains. "He's already gone ahead and is waiting for us on-site."
Your eyes widen. "Whoa, how did he do that?"
Floyd waves you off. "What does it matter? C'mon, let's move. Time's a-wastin'!"
You walk into the museum, this time to explore instead of swiping a picture. You stare in wonder at all the amazing sights that you missed the last time you were here.
Ace lets out a low whistle. "Duuude! WILD. So this is what it's like inside."
"There's a statue of a legendary Sea King." Deuce tilts his head. "Huh. I guess there're more famous figures around these parts than just the Sea Witch."
Jack folds his arms, smiling at the statue. "Wow. That king's pretty ripped."
"Welcome, everyone, to the Atlantica Memorial Museum." Azul steps to the middle of your group. "The Mostro Lounge will be holding a study tour today. Or at least, that's the purpose of our visit on paper. Regardless, I bid you take your time and enjoy yourselves."
"There you are, octo-tentacle Azul!" Grim tilts his head curiously. "Only... you're not. Are you just stayin' in human form?"
Azul pushes his glasses into place. "Yes. Betentacled mermen like myself aren't common around these parts. I wouldn't want to draw any undue attention to myself when our job is to return a photo on the sly."
Jade swims around Azul in his mer form. "I see no reason to be concerned. No one would see the cute chubby little merman in the picture and connect that it's you."
Floyd swims next to you, floating upside down and arms folded behind his head. "It wouldn't hurt you any to swim around in your real form on a trip home! Why limit yourself to two legs when you can have eight?"
Azul folds his arms and huffs. "Just drop it, please. I'm going to slip the photo back in its spot. The rest of you, feel free to explore the museum."
Floyd lights up with excitement. "Hey, check it out. There's a display for the mermaid princess's silver hair comb."
Everyone swims over to look at the display. Ace leans in to get a closer look. "I saw a picture of that in the pamphlet before. That's clearly a fork, not a comb, right?"
Jade chuckles. "Maybe that's how it looks to you land-dwellers."
You laugh as Azul swims to stand next to you. "You're not joining them?"
You shake your head. "I thought I'd check in with you. I wanted to make sure you were alright."
Azul was taken aback by your answer. He looks down at the picture. "I thought that if I could erase every photo of my past... I could erase my past itself, my youth spent mocked as a slow, dimwitted octo-twerp. The Sea Witch never hid her past misdeeds."
Azul runs a hand along the frame before placing it back on the wall. "She worked to restore her reputation, and earned the people's respect that way. I kept saying I wanted to be like her... But in the end, I couldn't accept my own past. I kept rejecting it."
You take Azul's hand in yours. He looks to you in surprise. "You're already amazing as you are, even without stealing anyone else's powers. You've got a far greater power than magic, you know."
Azul quirks an eye. "And what's that?"
"Diligence is way harder to master than magic. In fact, your incredible diligence is so rare it left the headmage at a loss."
"You... You really think?" Azul stares into your eyes. He smiles at you. "You needn't try so hard to butter me up. All I wanted to do was get back at the kids who made fun of me."
You wrap your arms around him in a hug. "Well you don't need to worry about those bullies anymore."
Azul lets out a small laugh and hugs you back. "I guess you're right."
You hug Azul a little more until Grim shouts at you. "Hey, Y/N! You wouldn't believe the size of the dinosaur bones they had back there!"
Grim pulls you over to a fossil of a giant creature. Jade swims over to you. "That wasn't a dinosaur. It was a sea dragon, a type of undersea monster. The Sea Witch's cave entrance was built out of sea dragon bones... or so the tales claim."
Floyd swims upside down to your other side. "They've got a replica of the Sea Witch's cauldron, too."
Deuce perks up. "Really? They have cauldrons under the sea, too?"
Ace scratches his head. "How do you heat things up in the water, anyway?"
"Uhhh..." Floyd shrugs. "Beats me. Azul, you tell 'em!"
Azul steps closer and stands next to you. "Very well. Fair warning, though," Azul grins. "I charge a steep price for playing tour guide."
After you were finished exploring the museum, you all stand in the Mirror Chamber. Grim takes a deep breath of air.
"Oxygen, how I've missed you!"
Deuce smiles. "Visiting the Atlantica Memorial Museum was pretty fun."
Floyd, now in his human form, rubs his shoulder. "I think I was bored to tears last time I went, but I had a good time visiting it again after all these years."
Jade nods. "Once you get a feel for the world up here, it's funny to see how much of it merfolk misinterpreted in the old days."
"That fork-I mean, silver hair comb, was hilarious." Ace grins.
Azul smiles. "I'm glad you enjoyed the trip. I'm sure you must be tired after spending so long in a strange environment. It's just about opening time for the Mostro Lounge. Would you care to drop by for some tea?"
Grim excitedly nods. "You bet I would! I was just gettin' hungry."
You laugh. "When are you not hungry?"
Upon entering the Mostro Lounge, your group finds that it's very busy. Students from different dorms sit at the various tables and chairs, all ordering food or drinks.
"One house special, please and thanks!"
"I'll have the drink set with the limited snack!"
"Coming right up!"
"Whoa!" Ace's eyes widen. "Why's it so crowded in here?"
Jade smiles. "Ah, I see the promotion is paying off already."
Jack flicks an ear. "What promotion?"
"After everything that went down, the headmage chewed us out and said not to take anybody's powers again, even under contract." Floyd explains. "So Azul devised a point card system!"
Ace tilts his head. "Yeah? How's it work?"
"You get one point for ordering a six thaumark drink special." Azul smiles as he explains. "And you get three points for ordering something off the fifteenth thaumark limited menu. When you build up fifty points, you earn the privilege of one free consultation with the manager, namely myself."
Grim's ears perk up. "When you say consultation, do you mean, like, for ANYTHING?"
Deuce puts a hand to his chin. "Let's say I needed help with my studies."
Azul pushes his glasses into place, grinning. "That would absolutely fall within my purview."
"What's more," Jade continues. "when you fill three point cards, you'll unlock even more perks."
Azul pulls out a pamphlet from his coat pocket. "If you want to know more about these offers, please feel free to peruse this pamphlet or browse our website."
Grim rubs his paws together. "Myah! In that case, gimme a special drink! And make it extra drink-y!"
Ace smiles. "Same!"
"I'll have the snack set." Deuce adds.
Azul grins. "We appreciate your prompt orders."
Jack shakes his head. "You guys..."
You sigh. "Nobody's learned anything from this."
Ace and Deuce run to an empty table with Grim trailing after them. You turn to Jack. "Want to sit down with us?"
Jack smiles at you. "I'll sit next to you if that's okay."
You smile back. "Of course!"
You take Jack's hand and rush after the three. Azul turns to the twins. "Come, Jade. Floyd. It's time for us to make some money."
The twins nod.
"Yes, sir."
"You got it, boss."
In the Scaribia lounge, a boy with crimson eyes stands on the balcony. He looks down to the ground below, a scowl on his face.
"First there was the Spelldrive tournament. Now, even in the final exams, our dorm's position remains stagnant... This is a grave matter indeed." He turns around to the lounge inside. "Jamil! Jamil, are you there?"
Jamil steps out from the shadows. "Present, sir."
"Gather all of Scarabia's students on the double." Kalim orders. "If those layabouts think they're in for a relaxing holiday, they are sorely mistaken."
Jamil nods. "Understood, sir. All will be as my housewarden wishes."
Kalim walks away and Jamil watches him go. Once he leaves, Jamil walks to the balcony and looks to the desert surrounding the dorm. Jamil laughs as his plan is falling into place.