"He wants you to WHAT?!" Jack had asked Hazel.
"For three days, I have to do some part-time work in the lounge for him as a singer and receive complements from 100 people, starting tomorrow, otherwise he's gonna find a way to transfer me to Octavinelle, and I'm pretty sure that's what he'll blackmail with the Headmaster if I don't meet the end of the deal. It sounds easier said than done since I have to do it after school. At least tomorrow is Friday, and the lounge is still open Sunday and Saturday. Rather than power, it seems he wants me in general."
"I get that all the other guys on campus would want you to themselves, but it seems he's taking it to a new level." Jack said. "There's probably a reason he's targeting you. But why?"
"That I don't know, but I accepted the challenge." Hazel said earning concern from her classmates.
"But aren't you worried?" Grim asked.
"A little to be honest, but I think there's one thing he doesn't know about me. I had to help my community with mystic business people to recover after the war for a while. And during that time, I learned how to find loopholes in contracts. I'll be able to handle it myself." Hazel grinned.
"Well, if Haze was able to find a way to destroy the dark lord, that octopus should be child's play for her. There's no doubt in my mind." Ace said.
"Well, if it means enduring this pain for a little longer, I'll support you Hazel." Deuce agreed.
"Yay! We'll be free soon!" Grim cheered.
Jack looked like he gained a thoughtful look, as if he knew that Azul would do anything to win, and decided on something.
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The next day after school, Hazel left for Mostro Lounge to get ready.
"Ah~Hello there lionfish. You got here early." Floyd said as they were just getting ready to open up the lounge.
"Well, I had to be early back in my previous school. Not to mention it was easy for newcomers to get lost on some of the floors, since the staircases randomly change." Hazel said as she went to her dressing room.
Coming out in the same dress as last time, the audience was packed. She half-way expected for only a couple of people to come, but rumor probably spread that she was singing in the lounge, and she already got around 59 complements on her singing after her shift was over.
Azul was pleased that business was bustling, but was also worried at the same time. 59 complements on her singing already and it may increase further by the next day. He began to figure he should limit the number of guests that could enter the lounge. But right now...
"Jade, Floyd. Have Hazel meet me in the V.I.P. room."
"Gotit."
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Hazel found herself back in the V.I.P. room, wondering what he could possibly want now.
"Why did you summon me Azul?"
"What's wrong with just wanting to chat my dear?" Azul said as he patted the seat right next to him with a 'seductive' smile. Hazel was suspiciuous at this but sat down anyway.
"Though to be honest, I wanted to ask you more about that song you sang the other day. The one passed in your family?"
"......Well, some people consider it as a legend, but few belive it really happened.
Besides, You think we just make up these stories on the spot? The one who started this story was Ignotius' son after he received the cloak and family title. Since then, the story and the cloak have been passed on for generations, and we've always died of old age. Though an average Mystic's life span is 3 times that of a muggles'." Hazel said.
"Muggle?" Azul asked.
"A term my people used for non-mystics." Hazel said, earning a nod from the second-year.
"You also mentioned about a family title with him. Was Ignotius' family rich?" Floyd asked curious.
"You could say that. In fact, in it's prime, the Peverell Family was the most influential mystic family. Although Cadimus did die, before hand, he was in an arranged marriage and had a kid prior to meeting the maiden who had her untimely death. His own son liked the maiden too in comparison to his cold mother, who only cared about status. Some people even think she may have arranged the death of the woman who seduced Cadimus away from her. Cadimus may have found out about it, and probably divorced her but he was unable to claim custody of his son. And you know the rest of his story from there." Hazel explained.
"Ah, as they say, 'hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.'" Jade mused.
"Afterwards, his kid did inherit the Stone, and he eventually succumbed to a similar fate; suicide. In fact those of Cadimus' line usually died because of the Stone's ability to not only show the dead, but because it caused despair and hopeless longing, and they would be lucky to live long enough to have a least more than one kid if any." Hazel said.
"Pity." Jade shook his head along with Floyd.
"Wait, what about the oldest brother? Anitoch? Did he have any family?" Azul asked.
"I searched the family tree myself, but he didn't. He never had a wife or kids, so he died alone. He wanted not only the power to show his 'invincibility' but apparently he wanted to secure his 'rightful place' as head of the family and sought the power to do it. But the Elder Wand was known as 'The Cursed Wand' or 'The Tainted Wand' for a reason. Centuries worth of bloodshed was caused over that wand. So, in short, The Elder Wand provokes death and triggers conflict, the Stone shows the dead but causes despair, and the Cloak evades death and provides safety until the owner willingly gives the cloak to their child and walk into Death's arms." Hazel said as she drew the mark of the Hallows on a piece of paper. "Together, they form the Deathly Hallows; items that once belonged to Death. It's also said if a mystic gains true possession of all of them, they make one Master of Death."
"Master of Death? You mean they can make that person immortal?!" Floyd asked surprised.
Hazel smiled and shook her head. "A lot of people assume the same thing, but no. It's more of a title than anything, but from what my ancestors believed, the Master of Death truly acknowledges and accepts that Death is another part of life, nothing can truly evade it, and there are other things worse than dying."
That made Azul pause in his thinking. A fate worse than death...
Then he spotted a peculiar ring on one of Hazel's fingers. With a familiar marking.
"Ah, I'm afraid I have other business to attend to my dear. I'll see you again tomorrow." Azul said as he kissed Hazel's knuckle and silently smirked as he saw a wand hidden among her books.
As he watched her leave he thought quietly to himself with a smirk.
'Oh, Hazel you are definitely filled with surprises. And there's no doubt that cloak you wear is in fact Death's Cloak of Invisability.
Little Master of Death. You will be in my grasp.'
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On Saturday, even though Azul had made sure to limit the number of students in the lounge at a time, different people still kept coming, and Hazel was still receiving complements. And he became alarmed when the number hit 74, and still climbing.
He gritted his teeth as he called Floyd and Jade on the phone.
"What is it, Azul?....?! You want us to what?!.....Alright then."
Before anyone knew it, a fire had started in the lounge and everyone had to evacuate. But the fire wasn't really a fire at all, and Azul had Floyd and Jade do that to stop the complements.
Meanwhile back at the V.I.P. room...
"89 complements...That was a close one. Too close! She's better than I thought." Azul said to himself as he paced in the room, looking nervous and angry. He checked over the contract he had Hazel sign and found that she wasn't doing anything to cheat to his frustration. And Floyd and Jade confirmed that she didn't even ask for help to get more people to come to the lounge.
"At this rate, she'll get those anemones free long before the third day ends for sure! Well, it's time I took matters into my own hands." He thought as he took out an old book of potions and flipped to a certain page with a dark smile on his face, eye filled with want.
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Here's the next part! Ooh, things are getting intense!
Look foward to the next part tomarrow everyone!
Plz comment and stay safe!