All of them grew serious.

"What do you mean everything?"

"Why am I doing everything? At least, for what I can. Once I do, you'll put the pieces in place for later. In fact, you won't even need that video. Well," nonchalant, "unless revenge is all you want."

She walked away, ignoring Lorena's questions for clarity. "Thanks for the cake. As thanks, I'll do my best to hide your enrollment from the others, but work on your firepower," blowing a kiss before flying off.

"How annoying. And you," turning him to her, "tell us next time. I get your trust issues, but we're a team, aren't we? Trust your Inner Circle more."

"Sorry," before she wrapped her arms around his hands, carrying him back to the dorm until they were sitting together.

"You're upset you lost another woman who showed you a bit of human decency after working so hard to net a win. We'll avenge the losses, but celebrate a job well done," handing him a fork of cat to slip into his mouth. He swallowed it with glee.

"Thanks." He took a fork and asked her to close her eyes. She prepared to replicate it, only to receive a quick peck on her lips that left her stunned. When she opened them, he slipped her cake inside. "And sorry. Forgive me?"

She took a second to take it down. "My lack of experience says yes, my brains says to make sure my client respect me more."

"I do. How did you even get the footage?"

"Looked up the intel from multiple sources, searched up the registry of attendants, borrow a wig from Yessenia," putting it on briefly, "offer a fan meet, and voila."

"I owe your family big time. So what should we do?"

"Use it as leverage. You'll have to reveal yourself at the Mightatholon. Professor Delta might help you make up your assignments, but you'll need the grades from Professor Tychonis or Scaldwave to earn enough Starlight to get back."

"I'll go to Scaldwave. I think I can trust him."

Cree plopped down next to them. "As long as there's no funny business, at least that means we can prepare for a fair fight. We just have to get you up to snuff."

"And each other."

"Guys, I beat all three of them on my own." All three of his allies raised a finger.

"Ainsley wasn't fully themselves."

"You sorta had help with Taylor."

"Rigal cheated, but you could've won the first time with more experience."

He sulked. "Way to downplay my efforts guys, but," sucking his teeth. "Beating them all at once is gonna be a challenge."

"We got this," they said in unison, putting their fists together until he joined them.

That night, Sehki went to the bathroom, coming back to see them all asleep. He took out his old phone, typing in his journal.

If I stay, I'll never find Flint, but they can help me save this world. If I go, I might find Flint, but their lives could be in jeopardy. They're okay with it: but I'm not.

Sunday morning he went out early to scour food for them. As he was about to head back into the woods, he spotted Professor Scaldwave heading to his office early on.

Said stout administrator was grading works in his paper when Sehki dived from the desk's shadow, flying out near in front of him in his Shadow person, dropping his papers in surprise.

"Good morning. Wait, that outfit? Is that you, Prince Sehki?"

"Huh? HUH? YOU KNOW!?"

"It was just a hunch after Rigal suggested it, but you were gone for so long I had suspected the worst. Most people don't go missing unless they're trying to hide from something, or someone."

He'd figured I was hiding? Well there's only one thing to do.

He sent a text, turned his back, calling Lorena with his new phone. If he is Cluster, then he'll attack me.

Nothing happened for several minutes.

"Prince Sehki, is there something you're waiting for?"

"Hold on, you're not Cluster? Usually the villain's the teacher who's supposedly nice. Uh, sorry professor," trying to catch him up to speed.

"So that's why you were gone. Xia and Calypsa never said anything. I'll let principal-"

"Wait, don't," telling him his plan. "I only need two favors from you. One, I kinda...need every assignment I missed. And two, and I hope this isn't intrusive...could you," grunting his teeth, "train me to beat or counter Xia," getting a mixed response. "For the Mightathlon!"

"Oh, that's what you meant. But I noticed your magic doesn't seem as potent."

"Well," showing him the limits of each element. "I can't go farther than that unless I use my shadow powers. So I'll use every technique I can," making a snake out of fire covered by his shadow.

"And outwit all my ops, er, rivals."

"I'll have to find some time in the morning."

"Just for a few minutes. I'll even help you with grading."

"You've been gone for so long," laughing.

"My um, girlfri, my friends are gonna help me through that. Please."

"Well, okay then."

"Perfect, thank you! Oh um, Luan Benjin says hi."

"You met Madam?"

"Yeah, she helped me train and everything! If you help me, I'll invite you to the afterparty we're going to host there....if I win."

"Well, it'd be nice to visit an old friend. I never got to train you like the others. I just wish I had more time, or talked with your parents."

"I don't think they're responsible. I want to find out who organized the evidence against them. But I need to leave and find someone first. The only way I can do so is to win and find out from the Planetary Presidents themselves."

"They never had a proper trial. When I pass, I want to be able to tell them you defended their legacy."

"Then let's take that first step for answers."