[LOCATION: Ramshackle Dorm – Lounge]

JACK: So, those guys with anemones on their heads made a contract with Azul so they could get a good score on the test.
 But then they were deceived... That's practically how it goes, right?
 It looks like being in the top 50 was the condition for their contract, but with that number of students, it would be impossible for more than half of them to be in the top 50. Azul knew that would happen, huh.

"I agree. Those in the top 50 probably had magic that Azul wasn't interested in." Chernette added.

JACK: Geez, there's no point if you get good grades because of someone else, you know!
 They just wanted to compete and show off that they could score higher. How idiotic.
CROWLEY: It's sort of annoying that all the students here don't have Howl's initiative...
 If they were all so serious, I wouldn't be having trouble~
JACK: Wha–!? Headmaster!? You startled me...!
CROWLEY: (sighs) I couldn't manage to stop Ashengrotto's "business" again this year.

"Business? What do you mean?" Chernette asked.

CROWLEY: Azul Ashengrotto. He's a 2nd year who has since been Octavinelle Dorm's Prefect.
 Just like Rosehearts, he is a very exceptional 2nd year and a very good Prefect, however...
 He's a little—No, he is very problematic.
JACK: Problematic? You mean that little scam of his? Why don't you just order him to stop what he's doing then?
CROWLEY: That's... It is because I am a teacher that I cannot prohibit what he's doing.
JACK: What do you mean?
CROWLEY: It's related to the test notes that Ashengrotto tempts the students with...
He does not actually do anything as illegal as steal any of those answers and solutions from the teachers here.
 He thoroughly researches all of the past exam questions that Night Raven College has given for the past 100 years and makes notes based off them.
They are basically "crib notes" that he has refined by himself with thorough research.

'All the exam questions from the last century!? Is that even possible?!' Chernette thought.

JACK: That guy's pretty awesome for being able to do all that with his own powers.
Hm? Wait... Is it because it's not actually cheating that makes it troublesome...?
CROWLEY: Precisely, Howl.
From a teacher's standpoint, we cannot exactly prohibit notes that a student has put tremendous amounts of effort in, especially since it's done under legal means.
CROWLEY: And since he was "simply being kind" and helping his friends with studying so—
JACK: So if you ban it, it's basically like telling the students "Don't study." or "Don't ask your friends for help." (growls) This is annoying...
CROWLEY: Exactly.

Chernette: He sounds like the type of person you don't want to make an enemy out of.
JACK: Headmaster, you mentioned not being able to stop his business again, didn't you?
 Did the same thing happen last year, too?
CROWLEY: Indeed. Though, it wasn't as bad last time.
 I thought it wouldn't turn into quite the problem this year, but...
I heard that a rumor saying that if students wanted to get a high score, they should come to the Mostro Lounge was spreading around the school.
JACK: But no one had warned them about what would happen if they violate the contract?
CROWLEY: It seems like it. As a result, students that Ashengrotto has made contracts with started appearing one after the other.
And now, all students in all year levels scored an average of 90 in all subjects...!
It is, of course, desirable compared to having all the students fail, but...!

"In other words, almost all of the students cheated..." Chernette said

JACK: So, does that mean that the guys who lost to him last year still don't have their magic today?
CROWLEY: Well... He went to negotiate with me about managing the operations for Mostro Lounge in exchange for giving the students back their magic.
JACK: What!?

[Flashback Sequence]

AZUL: Night Raven College is a prestigious school known for producing very great magicians.
So, it would be very much a problem if your school is full of people who can't currently use their magic. Don't you think so, Headmaster?
 And so, I have a little proposal. Rest assured, it will not cost you much.

[Flashback Sequence – END]

CROWLEY: That's how it went...

The Savanaclaw and the Ramshackle students were shocked by this news.
JACK: Wh-what a guy... To think that he'd manage to get the Headmaster to sign a contract. What Leona-senpai did pales in comparison to him...

"Indeed, heck if I had to choose a lab partner, it'd rather be Leona." Chernette agreed.
CROWLEY: And then he promised that the school will be getting 10% of the sales as a win-win situation. It was all so...
JACK: Wha—You fell for a good bargain, didn't you!?
CROWLEY started to lament; "Ah, I wonder what he will demand from me this year...?
 Will I once again fall into his traps in order to save those stupi—those poor, unfortunate students?
Oh, how kind of me.
Ashengrotto does very well with studying, and from others' standpoint, he was just being compassionate to teach those students...
 I simply cannot stop it as a teacher.
 Why is it that this school has a lot of slightly problematic students!? (fakes crying)

"Annnnd here it comes..." Chernette said with a frown earning Jack's confused look.

CROWLEY: And so, Chernette-chan.
Can you please convince Ashengrotto to stop what he is doing?

"I knew it. I'll do what I can. If he crosses a line, I'm calling all the shots."

CROWLEY: Is that so? You will take on my request? As expected from a Prefect I chose myself!
Now, I am a busy man, so I shall excuse myself here. I will be counting on you.

JACK: The Headmaster really pops up at weird times, huh. So, what do you plan to do?
Just like you said, he doesn't seem like the kinda guy who'll stop just 'cause you told him to.

"I was once told that an observation of the target is the best first step." Chernettesaid crossing her arms.

JACK: Yeah, we need to start knowing who we're up against first. You've got some good sense.
 Plus, it'll do Ace and the others good to have some time to repent for what they did.

------------------------------

[LOCATION: Exterior Hallway 2F]

JACK: Okay, we came here to observe Azul, but...

"We'll be skipping class, huh, though I have a feeling the Headmaster will have informed the teachers and told them not to act suspicious of it.  I didn't think you'd actually come with though." Chernette said.

JACK: It's an order from the Headmaster. I'm sure he'll overlook our skipping classes.
 Plus, I don't like losing all the time.
I just really want to find out the reason behind Azul's strength, too. That's it.

[LOCATION: Lecture Hall]
[1st Period: Music]

AZUL: Lalalalala~♪

JACK: That guy's a surprisingly good singer...!

Chernette felt a tingle up her spine though.

[LOCATION: Classroom]
[2nd Period: Animal Language Class]

AZUL: (meowing)
LUCIUS: (meowing)
AZUL: Oh, yes. I see.
AZUL: Sir Lucius is saying that the last time you gave him treats was three hours ago.
TREIN: I'd expect nothing less from Ashengrotto. That is correct.

JACK: He not only understands animal language, but he can speak it as well, huh...

'False' the voice in Chernette's head said.

LOCATION: Alchemy Workshop]
[3rd Period: Magical Alchemy]

AZUL: A beluga whale's tooth, a sturgeon's eggs, scales of an aurora moth, mermaid's tears...
AZUL: And then if you blend 120 seeds from medicinal herbs and then extract them...

(BOOM!)

AZUL: I have completed it! If you drink this potion, it will be possible for you to momentarily change into a different animal.
CREWEL: Good boy! This is an experiment that shows up on 3rd year-level exams.
CREWEL: The other puppies should learn from Ashengrotto's example.

JACK: He can perfect a potion of that difficulty, huh...

'False' the voice said again.

[LOCATION: Cafeteria]

AZUL: Maybe I'll have some squid ink pasta for today's lunch? Oh, I must not forget to have some vegetables, too.
AZUL: Having only carbohydrates will not be nutritious at all...
AZUL: It will ruin my figure, too.

JACK: Azul's a picture-perfect honor student through and through, huh. Chernette? You look like your in deep thought.

"Well, the whole time we've been watching him, I've been hearing a voice in my head. It was also the same voice that helped me face Riddle and Leona when they were in overblot. It's telling me something is wrong with that kind of image of his. Like it's fake." Chernette said earning a confusing look from Jack. He was about to question why when a certain idiot trio popped up and sat with them.

GRIM: (groans) I'm already so tired of being Azul's lackey, yanno?
ACE: He's made us clean Octavinelle's dorm, made us wait tables in the Lounge, and he even made us buy stuff from the store...
DEUCE: I was called at 6 in the morning today, you know?
ACE: And we'll be helping at Mostro Lounge today, too...
DEUCE: And Prefect Rosehearts even said: "You signed a contract with Azul? You're better off without your head!"
DEUCE: He lectured us and then made us write a reflection paper...
GRIM: And this anemone on my head makes me look so lame, yanno...
ALL: (sigh)

JACK: Hmph, you reap what you sow.

"Well, what did you expect?" Chernette said making them groan again.

But then a certain pair of twins popped up.

JADE: Oh, my what is wrong? You're making such long faces.
FLOYD: Ahaha~ If it isn't a school of anemones~
GRIM: You again, you shady twins!

JADE: It seems to me like you are deeply troubled by something...
ACE: Oh, yeah we are~ After being used as servants by a certain someone.
FLOYD: Aha~ The anemone that violated the contract's saying something~
You're not in any position to complain. Keep quiet.
GRIM: (shrieks) Am I gonna get wringed again...?
JADE: We weren't talking to the anemones, but with her.
 Ramshackle Dorm's Prefect, Chernette-san.

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cliffhanger! plz comment