I dropped the book onto the floor as I back away from it in shock, I just couldn't believe it. My mom, my actual mother is a warden of "The Elite 7" which means someone should know that the warden is my mom. But who? I didn't know for how long I stood there staring at that book until someone knocked on my door and spooked me, I jumped but held a scream, I grab the book and hid it in my bag as I took my bag and walked up to the door to open it for Jade. He told me that we all need to meet in Mae's guest bedroom so I followed and we arrived, Azul was in deep thoughts while Floyd chill on Mae's bed and Mae stood there looking confused about something.
Jade: I brought her
Mae: Good, we can discuss about what we know, as of right now Kalim is being his cheerful self and- Huh? Roxana, you feeling okay? You look as if you have seen a ghost
Roxana: Oh, it's nothing... I guess since I couldn't sleep without Grim it's been difficult to sleep very well
Grim: At least someone appreciates me so much, unlike Ace and Deuce. But today we had happy Kalim
Azul: Yes, that was the Kalim that I know
Roxana: Same here
Grim: When he switches into scary Kalim his eyes get this look in them like he's looking down on you and his whole manner turns scary
Jade: Could that be just normal mood swings like Mae Senpai
Mae: What do you mean "like Mae Senpai" I do not have mood swings
Floyd: You get mad so easily like the time I only visited the Ramshackle Dorm to deliver some food to Angelfish
Mae: Who asked you!?
Floyd: See
Roxana: Jade, what do you mean by mood swings?
Jade: Kalim doesn't strike me as a guy like Floyd whose moods are up and down like a rollercoaster but... There is probably something else at work here
Roxana: [looks away]... I... I guess
Azul: Roxie, is there something bothering you? It's okay to tell us, we are your Best Sea Friends after all
Roxana: Well... Call me crazy, but I have a hunch someone is putting Kalim under their magic
Azul: [gasp] Who?
Roxana: I want to say but... I feel like if we go after that person... We might just cause an Overblot
Grim: Jamil was saying that it's because of how Scarabia did in Magift and Finals
Floyd: Eh? Does Baby Otter care about that stuff?
Grim: Baby Otter?
Jade: He's talking about Kalim. Floyd likes to give people nicknames based on sea creatures to show affection
Roxana: Oh! Like Riddle's nickname is Goldfish
Jade: Exactly. For you, based on your adorable, plump silhouette he calls you "Seally"
Grim: What is this "Plump" business!?
Floyd: I picked Baby Otter 'cause he's always grinning while he plays the drums, just like an otter
Roxana: Well that does make sense
Jade: For Mae Draconia, based on her powerful defense, adorable pouty cheeks he calls Mae Senpai Pufferfish
Mae: [glares] [pouts] I do not pout my cheeks!! Gosh!!
Jade: And for Roxana Love, based on her Sweet personality, however because of this new found magic that has made her territorial to keep her friends safe he calls Roxana Love
Floyd: Angelfish~ and besides, I like a feisty girl
Roxana: [blush] Now I rather stay in my room and hide
Azul: Yes, he really isn't the type to become emotionally unstable due to low grades, I think it's very possible there is another reason for it. We need to learn more about Kalim if we are to solve this problem. Jade. Could you go and have "a talk" with him?
Jade: As you wish. Jamil will probably be difficult but, Kalim should have no problem having an honest "talk" with me
Floyd: Then while you're doing that, I'll have Sea Snake hang out with me
Azul: That sounds wonderful. May I also take part in that?
Azul/Jade/Floyd: Fufufu~
Grim: These guys, their smiles don't reach their eyes, y'know
[Ding, Ding]
Mae: Hm? It's a text from Jay, he wants to talk to me outside of Scarabia, Oh! I should go put wood in the fireplace too, wouldn't want the school to be a frozen popsicles
Azul: While you're with Jay, please inform him that we might need reinforcements if necessary
Mae: Got it! I'll get going
Roxana: U-U-Umm Mae Senpai I-
It was already too late, Mae already left and I was stuck with my friends and Grim. Grim hopped on top of my head and looked at me, making full eye contact with me.
Grim: Roxie, what's wrong?
Roxana: I just... I just... I just wanted to know something
Azul: Oh?
Roxana: I... Promise you won't tell anyone
Azul: I will always promise to you Roxie
Roxana: a "Love" promise?
Azul stood there but he carefully pulled Grim off of my head and placed him on the desk for him to stay, the next thing I knew I was pulled into a hug while Azul kissed my forehead while Jade took my hand and Floyd took my other hand and kissed the back of my hands.
Azul/Jade/Floyd: A "Love" promise
Azul: Tell us, what is it that's bothering you?
Roxana: It's about the Elite 7... Are they keeping something from me about my mother? Because if they lie to me, I have proof that my mother is the Warden of the Elite 7
Azul: [gasp]
Jade/Floyd: What?
Grim: Ffgna!! Your mother is a- Mmph!!
Azul: [cover Grim's mouth] Keep it down, do you want the entire Scarabia Residents finding out!? Continue Roxie
Roxana: I found this book and she left a message saying that someone wants to prove the world that he's stronger and that I should not trust anyone [tear up] and the person who wrote that was my own mother... Who I have no clue where she is still [sobs] [sobs]
I was crying right in front of them, while Grim hopped onto my shoulders and just licked my tears away, Jade got a handkerchief and wiped my tears while I try to relax.
Azul: I see, so your mother is the Warden of the Elite 7
Roxana: At least that's what I think, I'm not sure if it could be true or not, I need proof to see if it's true. But Mae doesn't bring me with her to the Elite 7 HQ, have you seen the building?
Azul: No, none of the dorm leaders have ever been to the Elite 7 HQ, So I have no clue as to if your mother may be there. But once we fix this problem, I'll send Jade and Floyd to look for some clues
Roxana: Thank you
We then left Mae's room and walked to Jamil's room while Jade left to go "talk" to Kalim, as we wandered to his room, Azul knocked on his door and Jamil opened it for us.
Azul: Good evening, Jamil
Floyd: E~ve~ning~
Grim: We're coming in
Roxana: Sorry for coming so late
Jamil: !! What do you want?
Azul: I saw a never before seen board game earlier when Kalim gave us a tour of the treasure vault. Kalim tried explaining the rules but I just couldn't grasp them
Floyd: How do you play this game with a wooden board filled with holes and some gems?
Jamil: Aaah, mancala... It's a popular game in the Land of Hot Sands
Azul: Roxana and I have to know about this as members of the board game club. Would you care to go a few rounds with me?
Floyd: Me too, me too~ I wanna play with Sea Snake. Ah hah
Grim: I, the Great Grim, will never back down from a challenge, y'know
Jamil:... Kalim's asleep so I guess it's fine. Got it, let's go to the lounge so we all have room
Roxana: I can't wait to show Idia how to play mancala on MagiCam
We all walked to the Lounge while Jamil and Azul went to go get the board game, once they arrived, I brought us some snacks. I was eating some delicious macarons that I saved for later, while I filmed how mancala is played.
Floyd: Hooray~~~ I win! That makes it my third!
Jamil: You make a good opponent when you can actually focus
Roxana: Wow Jamil, this game is so cool! Idia Senpai will love this [giggles]
Grim: Ffgya! I lost again! You don't hold back do you!
Azul: This makes 5 wins and 0 losses for me but as a member of the board game club I have a reputation to uphold
Jamil: Roxie, will you play with me?
Roxana: [fluster] Oh, nonono, I rather not, I'm not good at keeping my temper cool when it comes to strategy games, I lose it every easily
Azul: Plus she slips a swear word a few time
Roxana: [blush] [pout] I do not!
Azul: Your ratio was 3 losses to 2 wins, yes?
Jamil: Hm?... It's been a while so I guess I'm rusty. Kalim use to make me play with him for hours on end until he finally won... I can help you Roxie, if you want
Roxana: W-W-Well... Okay
I sat next to Jamil as I play with Floyd, but the way to play it was very confusing until Jamil pulled me into his lap and guided my hand on how to play. However, I could've sworn I saw Floyd and Azul's eyes show a hint of jealousy. So I put my focus on the game, Jamil guided me so well until finally I won a game of mancala against Floyd.
Floyd: [frown] Awwwww~ I lost
Roxana: Yes! Thank you so much Jamil! You're so cool
Jamil: Thank you, but you however got the hang of it and won, I only guided you on how to play the game
Roxana: Even so, you were awesome [kiss his cheeks] thank you
Jamil: [blush] Not a problem. Even though, I'm not very good
Azul: I see. Ffmm. So that's it
Jamil: You see? You're a weird guy
Azul: Oh no, I'm just talking to myself. You and Kalim grew up together, is that correct?
Roxana: Yeah, you guys must be very close if your family works for his family
Jamil: Yeah, as long as I can remember... That's right, aren't the three of you childhood friends too?
Floyd: Seems that way~ but Angelfish is our very first human friend~ so it makes all four of us, Best Sea Friends For Life~
Jamil:!! Is that true, Roxie?
Roxana: Yeah, when I was 5 years old my mother and father took me to a beach, and from there I met Azul, he and I made a "Love" promise that when he grows up, we can be Best Sea Friends For Life
Grim: Seems that way? That's an odd way to put it, y'know
Floyd: Apparently we've been in the same class since elementary school but, the first time I noticed him was right before middle school. So, like, we don't really have any "childhood friends" memories
Roxana: You didn't notice your classmates until graduation, wow...
Azul: I was a calm and respectable student so I didn't really stand out
Grim: Yeah, you probably stood out for a different reason, like how wide... Mmmhhgggg!!!
I quickly grabbed Grim and held him close while he struggled in breaking free from my grasp while I try to keep a smile on my face, Azul however looked upset when Grim was about to reveal something about Azul's past.
Azul: Grim, I have told you time and time again to keep that to yourself...!!
Jamil: And now you're the dorm head? You guys have a strange relationship
Floyd: Really? I only listen to what Azul says 'cause it's so much fun
Azul: Neither Jade or Floyd have any intention of being obedient to me. It's more like we're "playing the part"
Jamil: Playing the parts of master and servant? I don't really get that
Azul: If the day ever comes that I make a mistake as leader... Or chose the "boring" option... Then the two of them would turn on me to take the seat of dorm head for themselves. Although, I have no intention of losing if that time comes
Floyd: I'm not gonna challenge you, for now. Ah hah
Jamil: So you're all on equal terms
Floyd: We stay together 'cause it's fun and if it gets boring, then, bye-bye. Besides, Vice dorm head ain't some retainer. This is normal
Jamil: It's normal, huh. I've been a servant of the Asim family since I was born so that's just something I can't wrap my mind around. The master is the master and the servant is the servant. Until death
Roxana: [frowns] [whispers] Jamil
I heard footsteps and looked back to see Jade with Kalim, they both smiled and I realized I was still in Jamil's lap. So I got off and sat a few feet away while blushing like a strawberry.
Kalim: Oh, what's up guys. You're still up?
Jamil: Eh!?
Kalim: Hm? Oh, mancala! I haven't played that in forever but Jamil and I used to go at it for hours
Jamil: Weren't you already asleep!? Why... Aren't I always telling you not to wander around on your own? What if you get kidnapped again...
Kalim: You're such a worrywart. I'm fine, Jade was with me
Jamil: Huh? Jade?
Jade: Yes, I was with him the whole time. Kalim is truly a kind person. He took the time to explain so much for me...
Jamil: The hell d'you do to him?
Jade: What... Did I do? Why all we did was enjoy a nice long talk. Right, Kalim
Kalim: Yup. I was showing him around the treasure vault. Oh yeah, Jamil, do you know Jay happened to that blue and silver carpet? I know we brought one with us but I couldn't find it just now
Jamil: Let's go, Kalim
Kalim: Eh? What's wrong?
Jamil: Just go back to your room!
Kalim: Waah!? Fine, I get it, you don't have to yank on me! Sorry, Jade. I'll find it for you later!
I watch as Jamil drags Kalim away while I sat there dumbfound as to what the hell happened, I mean Jamil didn't behave like that before so why now? But I was carried to my room by Floyd while I held Grim close. As soon as we got to my room, Jade contacted Mae and Jay though a video chat as he set his phone on my nightstand so that Mae and Jay can get a good view of all of us.
Azul: Thank you for your hard work, Jade. Did you have a good "talk" with Kalim?
Jade: Yes, both yours and Roxana's hunch was correct. It's highly likely that Kalim is been brainwashed and controlled by magic
Grim: Brainwashed!?
Mae/Jay [Phone]: And controlled...?
Grim: Is that even possible?
Jade: This is different from Ruggie's magic and send to be more along the lines of hypnotism. However, it is a much higher level technique that requires a lot of magic to use so there are exceedingly few wizards that can use it...
Floyd: You gotta be on Azul's level or it's not happening
Azul: I would probably even find it difficult to control sentient creatures, like humans
Grim: But I don't think there's anyone as good as Azul in Scarabia. Kalim can only create a bit of water with his unique magic and Jamil said he only ever hits the average in terms of grades
Azul: I wonder about that. They say a smart cat hides it's claws
Floyd: So by who and what for is Baby Otter being brainwashed exactly?
Jade: Unfortunately, I could not get him to say
Floyd: Even with your unique magic?
Grim: His unique magic?
Roxana: You know, I never did learned about your unique magics
Grim: Now that you mention it, we haven't seen your unique magic at all. What's it like?
Jade:... Floyd. Aren't I always telling you that I can't approve of you disclosing everything about our unique magic to others?
Azul: It's probably not a terrible thing if it's disclosed to Roxana
Jade: [sigh] I guess it's fine. Those who know how my unique magic works almost always then take precautions against it. So I really don't like divulging it... My unique magic, Shock the Heart... Allows me to make another person speak the truth one time
Grim: Kyah! So you can't lie at all!?
Roxana: Which would explain how Mae Senpai spoke only the truth when you interrogated her about why she attacked me
Jade: That's true but I can only use it once per person. Once I used it I can never use it on that person again
Mae [Phone]: If you can only use it once, was the second!! You made me spill the beans the second time without using your unique magic!!
Jade: [chuckles] The look on your face was very priceless if I do say so myself
Mae [Phone]: You asshole!! When I get back to Scarabia I'll shove my foot at your rear end!!!
Jade: It's also ineffective against those who have high magical resistance or are extremely wary, like Azul. So I save it for times the other person has their guard down or they don't have it up in the first place. It's a unique magic with many restrictions on it
Roxana: Just like Riddle and Leona's unique magic
Mae [Phone]: Whenever Riddle used his magic on someone who has their guard up, they can defect it
Jay [Phone]: Or how Leona can make everything he touches into sand but it depends on what he touches or everything within his range
Floyd: It works really well on peeps that are scared outta their minds or sobbing their eye out
Jade: Fufufu, that is true
Grim: That smile of yours terrifies me...
Roxana: [nods agreeable] Mh hmm
Jade: Anyways, Kalim has always been an open and friendly person so he practically cast it on himself, however...
Jade: That's what happened
Azul: Hahahah! Fascinating. So this means your unique magic was defeated by Kalim's humanity
Jade: It frustrates me to no end but, yes, that's correct
Floyd: Baby Otter seems like he's got a big mouth too
Jade: That shows just how much he treasures that promise
Azul: Fufu... Although, that stubbornness may have gone and revealed the truth of everything happening in Scarabia. Let's bring this to an end and catch the tail hiding in the sand. I'm sure you know who it is, Roxana
Roxana: Well, I have one person in mind
Jade: It's okay if you're uncomfortable telling us who it is, we'll understand
Roxana: No, I have to, for the sakes of Kalim, I cannot allow him to suffer like this
Azul: Not to worry, I have a plan, First...
While I told everyone who I think it is, Mae, Jay, and Grim were in shock as to who it was. Azul explained to us what his plan will be and we all listen in, after that we all went to sleep but I stayed awake. I just couldn't believe that someone like Jamil would do something like this, I mean he's a really nice guy and he was so generous and kind. I kept looking off at the distance and sat on the balcony and sang something to get off my chest.
[Song: Speechless, Pt. 1 by Naomi Scott]
Here comes a wave
Meant to wash me away
A tide that is taking me under
Broken again
Left with nothing to say
My voice drowned out in the thunder
But I can't cry
And I can't start to crumble
Whenever they try
To shut me or cut me down
I can't stay silent
Though they wanna keep me quiet
And I tremble when they try it
All I know is I won't go speechless