Epel sighs. "An' that's the long an' short of it."
"You picked a fight with a housewarden on your first day at school?" Deuce asks in disbelief.
"Ah didn't know how crazy strong the housewardens were, okay?" Epel quirks an eye. "Didn't you an' Ace pick a fight with yer housewarden right after orientation, too?"
Deuce rubs the back of his neck. "That wasn't intentional."
"Back home, the only way anybody ever saw you as powerful was if you were big an' buff an' strong." Epel rubs his arm. "So Ah've always been a soft target fer teasin'. Lookin' back now, Ah don't think Vil meant nothin' by what he said, but still..."
Deuce nods in understanding. "Now I get what you guys meant when you were talking about 'the usual' during practice. Rook was right when he said it wasn't a fight. It was more than that to you guys."
"Vil says Ah can act however Ah like if Ah kin take him in a fight. But it just ain't happenin'. Ah wanna be stronger..."
Deuce grows quiet and looks out to the ocean. "You know, before I left campus, Kalim and Rook told me something. They said that we have a 'power' all our own, and that we should make the most of it. So I thought about it, and I figured something out. I think my strength might be this hard head of mine."
Epel looks to Deuce curiously.
"I'm not smart enough to think about a lot of things at the same time." Deuce explains. "But that also means that once I put my mind to something, I can make a beeline for the goal without stopping. I think that's a power I can call my own. My weakness can be my strength."
Epel shakes his head. "That's all well an' good fer you, but it don't mean much fer me. In mah case, it's mah looks, right? Ah look all dainty and effeminate. How's that s'posed ta be a strength?"
A phone rings, interrupting their conversation. Epel looks to his pocket. "Oh, that's mah phone. It's... mah ma?" He holds the phone to his ear. "Hello?"
"Epel!"
Epel cringes. The voice on the other end was so loud that even Deuce could hear it.
"What in tarnation did ya do with that juice we sent ya?"
"Huh? The apple juice?" Epel scratches his head. "Ya said ta give it ta mah friends, so that's what Ah did. Why?"
"We're gettin' slammed with orders from all over the world!"
"Yer WHAT?" Now it was Epel's turn to be loud.
"Ah was wonderin' what the deal was. So Ah asked one o' the customers callin' in: Where'd ya hear about our juice? And y'know what they said? They said they saw it on Vil Schoenheit's camera or somethin'! Ain't Vil the leader of yer dorm?"
"Vil's camera...? Wait, you mean Magicam? Hold on a sec!"
Epel pulls up the most recent post from Vil. He's in the ballroom and holds one of the apple juice bottles sent from Epel's family. He's captioned the photo: My routine! #PostLessonHydration #HarvestTownAppleJuice #NaturalFlavor #GoodForTheSkin
Deuce stares wide eyed at his own phone. "Wow, you're right. Vil posted a picture of your apple juice on his Magicam account!"
"The phones are ringin' off the hook!" Epel's mother shouts. "It's total chaos over here! Ah'mma hafta call the co-op head an' get help from the neighbors just ta keep up with the shippin'! An' here Ah was wonderin' what ta do with all our leftover stock. Now the whole village is overjoyed! You done pulled through for us, Epel! You tell Vil the same, y'hear?"
Epel can hear other phones ringing in the background.
"Welp, these phones ain't gonna answer 'emselves. Gotta go! Ah'll send more juice along later."
"Maw, wait-" Epel looks to his phone. "ah, she hung up."
"This is amazing." Deuce scrolls through his phone. "I'm seeing a whole flood of comments on the Magicam post saying they ordered the juice."
Epel's eyes light up when things finally start to click. "Is this the power of beauty Vil was talkin' about?"
"Now that you mention it..." Deuce brings a hand to his chin. "The only reason this worked at all was because Vil was so focused on that. Magical might or brute strength alone never would've accomplished that."
"Ah wonder-" Epel clears his throat. "I mean, I wonder: was this the point Vil was tryin' to make about power? That my charm is a power only I have, and I should weaponize it?"
"Maybe." Deuce shrugs. "Neither of us are super smart or buff. But I bet nobody in this school has you beat in the cuteness department!"
Epel rubs the back of his neck. "Not sure how I should feel about that. But it's true that I'm not gonna look this way forever. Just think, this time next year, I might be taller, or more muscular. Or I could have a mustache!"
"I dunno about that one, buddy."
"Vil says my charm is my power." Epel thinks out loud. "If I can put that power to good use in this year's SDC... Maybe I could give the town a way bigger boost than just sellin' a bunch of juice crates."
"Yeah. If there's power to be found in the things we've spent our whole lives being ashamed of." Deuce grins. "Then let's play to our strengths and prove we can break out of our shells! If that's what it takes to beat our rivals, then who am I to say no? I'll double down!"
Epel chuckles. "Yeah, I hear ya!"
"Epel, you know what I think we should do? We should win this year's SDC and prove ourselves to Ace and Vil!" Deuce cheers.
Epel fist pumps the air. "That's what Ah'm talkin' about! Ah'll be cute an' powerful as kin be!"
They both high five one another. They both stop when the sound of footsteps approach. They glance at the group of adults approaching the blastcycle.
"Hoo-wee! Look at this tricked-out blastcycle!"
"I've never seen a model like this. The wheel and cowl are both totally modded."
"If a blastcycle nut like you hasn't seen it, then who in the world owns this beaut?"
One of the men turns to the other. "Can you drive a blastcycle without magic?"
"You can't do as much with it, but yeah, you can ride it. It's got a technomantic battery as backup. How do you not know that, anyway? That's Blastcycle 101!" He laughs.
Epel narrows his eyes at the men. "There's a whole mess o' folks eyeballin' our ride. Whaddaya reckon they want?"
"I had to beg an Ignihyde student to let me borrow that against his better judgment. If I let it get damaged, I'm in serious trouble." Deuce races to the blastcycle. "Hey, guys! That's my ride there."
The men look at Deuce skeptically. "Seriously? You're just some kid. Wait a minute, I recognize that outfit. You go to Night Raven College!"
"Hey, kiddo. You don't mind if I take this baby out for a little spin, right?"
Deuce folds his arms. "I'm sorry, but it's not mine to loan out. I can't risk letting it get damaged."
One of the men scoffs. "Excuse me? Are you sayin' I'm a bad driver? I resent that!"
"Yeah! He knows a little magic. He can handle it no prob."
"Wait, really?" The man laughs. "I didn't know you knew magic."
"Just a touch. I'm no fancy Night Raven mage, but I've got more than enough for blastcyclin'."
The other rolls his eyes. "Whatever, man. I know you couldn't keep up in class and dropped outta magic school."
"Shaddup!"
"I really think this machine is too dangerous for a beginner to ride, sir." Deuce tries to reason.
The men whirl on him. "Who're you callin' a beginner?"
"Is that how you talk to your elders? I don't like your attitude, kiddo."
"Look, you can't borrow it, okay? End of story!" Deuce waves to Epel. "Let's go, Epel."
Epel glances at the men. "Um, right."
"Hey, hold up. We're not through here yet."
The mam grabs Epel's arm roughly, causing him to flinch.
"Ow!" Epel cries out.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Deuce shoves the man to no avail. "Get your hands off Epel!"
The man doesn't acknowledge Deuce and only stares at Epel. "Hey, ain't you a gal? I thought Night Raven was an all-boys' school."
"Huh?" Epel tilts his head.
"Whoa, you're not kiddin'! She's a real looker, too! Since when has that place gone co-ed?"
"Guys, please! Can you just lay off?" Deuce pleads. "We're only trying to-"
"You..." Epel looks up at the man through his eyelashes. "You're hurting me. Please, let go?"
The men stare at Epel. "Wow. I think my heart just skipped a beat."
"O-okay, guys, we should probably lay off." One of them says. "We wouldn't want the poor delicate thing getting seriously hurt."
"You want hurt?" Epel grins wildly. "AH'LL GIVE YA HURT!"
Without warning, Epel slams his head into the man that's holding him. The man backs up and holds his jaw.
Epel starts laughing. "Mah charm really does work like a charm! Y'all just made fools outta yerselves! Who do y'all think yer callin' dainty an' petite?"
They wave their hands frantically. "Nobody called you any of that!"
"Wait a minute! You've got a boy's voice!"
"Why d'you sound so surprised!" Epel smirks. "Maybe ya'll need to get your eyes checked!"
"Epel!" Deuce places a hand to the boy's shoulder. "I don't think your cuteness is supposed to be used for fighting! It's gonna be real bad if we get into a scrap when we're already off campus without permission. I mean, not that fights are good to begin with!"
Epel's eyes widen. "Yer right."
One of the men scoffs. "We try to be nice, and this is what happens."
"Y'know, I've never liked mages anyway. They think they're so great, just 'cause they know a few little parlor tricks." Wind magic swirls around him.
Epel takes a shocked step back. "Is he about to use magic against us?"
Deuce gets into a fighting stance. "Epel, I'll handle these guys. Get out of here and call the school."
"What?" Epel shakes his head. "Ah ain't gonna skedaddle without you, y'hear?"
Deuce stands defensively in front of Epel. "I don't want you getting hurt, and I really don't want you getting forced to use magic. I brought you out here. I'm ready to own up!"
Even though Deuce is an experienced fighter, he's overwhelmed by the group of adults. Deuce starts to struggle as he blocks each attack.
"What's the matter? Where's your precious magic, huh? All you're doin' is blockin'!"
"So much for your fancy-schmancy schooling!"
"Have you learned not to mouth off yet, you preppie wimp? No? Here, have another lesson!"
One of the men swings a hit and knocks Deuce to the ground.
"Deuce!" Epel cries out. "I can't stand watching this!"
Deuce holds out a hand to stop Epel. "No! Don't use your magic against them!"
"But-"
Deuce racks his brain for a solution. We can't use magic against the general public. But it's all I can do to defend against this. I have to do something... But what?
"You're finished now!" The men laughs. "Try this on for size!"
Just before the man could lay a hit on Deuce, a bright light shimmers from Epel. It grows and engulfs Deuce.
"What...? What's this?" Deuce looks to his hands. "Magic is welling up inside me."
The magic hits the men and they all collapse to the floor. Deuce looks to them in shock.
"What just happened? Why did they all fall over?"
Epel stares wide eyed. "Was that... what I think it was?"
Deuce and Epel trudge back to Pomefiore dorm. Vil stands at the gates with folded arms. You nervously stand next to him with the other dance members. Vil takes a menacing step toward.
"You think you can just waltz back here?" Vil scoffs. "Not only did you skip your rehearsal, but you left campus without permission AND got in a fight? You're lucky it was written off as self-defense. But what if you'd gotten barred from competing in the SDC because of it? Does your irresponsibility know no bounds?"
Deuce steps in front of Epel. "Vil, I am so, SO sorry! I was the one who took Epel off campus without permission. I accept whatever punishment you deem fit, sir!"
"No, I was the one who ran out in the middle of rehearsal," Epel sighs. "and I started the fight. This is my fault! And, if I may add one other thing?" Epel smiles as he steps forward. "I learned something today. I finally understand what you mean when you talk about power."
Vil's eyes widen slightly.
"Deep down, I've always looked down on people who care about being cute or charming." Epel continues. "But you endorsed my hometown's apple juice, and everyone in town is happier for it. I think your concept of power finally clicked for me. And now I want to have power like yours, Vil."
Vil quirks an eye and chuckles. "Let me tell you something, Epel. I like making people prostrate themselves before me. There is one form of power that can bring people to their knees. It's more overwhelming than violence; more eloquent than words."
Vil examines his nails. "I speak, of course, of beauty. That is why I devote myself utterly to the art of aesthetics, so that no one can outshine me. So that I can be the fairest in the land. You were fortunate enough to be born with the weapon called 'charm.' Whether you sharpen that weapon into something useful or let it rust away is up to you. I suggest you remember that."
Epel nods his head. "Yes, sir. I'm going to keep getting more powerful. Powerful enough to beat Neige AND you!"
"At least you're ambitious." Vil smirks.
Rook laughs and throws an arm around Epel. "I see the baby birds have learned a valuable lesson. What would you say to letting them off the hook this time, Roi du Poison?"
Vil sighs and rubs his eyes. "I suppose the point has been made. There's no sense in belaboring it. I'm giving you both a second chance. There will not be a third. Is that clear?"
Both Deuce and Epel nod. "Yes, sir!"
"Don't take that peppy tone with me." Vil narrows his eyes. "You both clearly have an excess of energy. Your punishment is to run thirty laps around the dorm!"
The two both salute Vil and take off running, grinning all the while. Vil stares at them before he rolls his eyes and walks into the dorm.
Kalim watches them go. "It sounds like they got into some trouble, but at least they're feeling better! They look like they both had a moment of catharsis."
"A moment that could have thrown the whole show into jeopardy, you mean." Jamil sighs. "What a mess."
"No kidding." Ace folds his arms. "And Vil ran the rest of us through the wringer while they were out. Have some pity for the rest of us, man."
Deuce runs over to Ace. "Oh, by the way, Ace."
Ace rolls his eyes. "Yeah? You'd better not be expecting an apology."
"Hey, don't put words in my mouth." Deuce takes a calming breath. "You were right, okay? I'm not as smart or as slick as you are. But even then... I'm not letting you outshine me, okay? That's all I wanted to say." Deuce waves and waves. "Later!"
Deuce runs back to catch up with Epel. Ace stares at him in shock. "Wait, what? Did he just declare war on me? Is he nuts? That knucklehead wouldn't outshine me in a million years. Y/N, Grim, you two agree, right?"
"Uhhh..." You trail off.
"From where I'm standin', any competition between you two is a race to the bottom." Grim rolls his eyes.
"What was that, you little furball?" Ace angrily chases the cat.
You laugh as you watch the two run around the courtyard.
"I can't wait to see how practice goes now."