Chernette found herself looking at Leona's memories and seeing how things were always against him, even when he actually tried to do his best, and how he was always overshadowed by his older brother who became king of their homeland.

'Why did I have to go through all of that just because I was born a few years younger?

No matter how hard I studied, no matter how much I perfected my magic...

From the day I was born until the day I die, my brother will always be looked up to, and I can never be king.

Why was I born second? Why can I never become number one...?

Why? Why? Why?!

—Life is unfair.'

Then he heard Celeste's voice.

"Leona. You're not alone. You don't have to compete with others. Instead, why don't you carve out your own path. Just because you can't be a leader of your homeland doesn't mean you can't be a leader to others who don't need your brother. Isn't that why those of Savanaclaw look up to you? I can even help you learn how."

Silently, Leona took her hand.

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

GRIM: Hey, wake up!

LEONA: Huh?

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[LOCATION: Savanaclaw Dorm – Magift Stadium]

"Finally, he's awake!

We didn't know what to do if you stayed unconscious, yanno?" The flaming cat said.

LEONA: "Huh...? What'd you say?" Leona said as he got his bearings.

CROWLEY: Kingscholar. You went into Overblot after all those negative feelings consumed you.

Do you not remember?

LEONA: I went berserk... Overblot? You've gotta be kidding me...

"Yeah, but Miss Duskstone was able to rescue you before anything else could happen." Crowley explained.

Though Leona was reprehended for his actions, Crowley let him off because of Chernette.

So, Chernette and Grim had to leave to their seats with the refs.

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

The whole Magift Tournament was exciting to say for the most part. But Diasomnia won like last time. Right now, those of Heartslabyul and Savanaclaw were in the Infirmary room on campus and Chernette was tending to their injuries. But at least Savanaclaw was at second...

LEONA: Tch... Those guys seriously aimed for us and not the disc.

RUGGIE: Thanks to that, we were all worn out before we even went against Diasomnia. They won in the end.

JACK: Leona-senpai, Ruggie-senpai! I didn't realize you were awake, too!

LEONA: Tch... To think that I'd use the clinic's bed aside from my naps.

RUGGIE: It's sorta irritating to think that there's no one from Diasomnia here at all.

ACE: I heard the rumors, but Diasomnia's Prefect is no joke at all!

DEUCE: Yeah... He was amazing.

ACE: I totally understand why no one thinks they can win against him...

JACK: Hmph. You really won't win if you think that before you fight him. I'll show you that I can win against Diasomnia without cheating!

LEONA: Being a cheater can also work to your advantage, you know?

"You totally haven't reflected on this at all..." Chernette bluntly stated.

LEONA: Why? Is there a need for that?

I gave my all in the tournament this year. And next year, I'll just have to do the same.

RUGGIE: Shishishi! That's our Leona-san! That's what we like to hear~!

JACK: Geez. I thought we'd all learned...

GRIM: We'll definitely be in the tournament next year for sure!

DEUCE: We'll have to do our best so we can be chosen, too.

ACE: Yeah. I don't wanna embarrass myself in front of all those people either.

Then Jack turned to Chernette with a look on his face. "Duskstone. How is it that you summoned a different form of yourself? I thought your unique magic was that strange colorful fire."

"I was wondering about that too." Ruggie said.

"....That was a power i gained from my father. To be honest, i never knew about him till a few days after i became a student here. But, he's the being known as Chernabog." Chernette confessed.

"!?!?!?!?!?" 

"No way!!!! You're the Black God's kid?!" Ruggie remarked.

"........That would explain a few things. You did smell half-human after all." Leona smirked.

"It would also explain your strength as well." Jack added with a grin.

Chernette was surprised that they gave good comments on her power an all. "Y-you guys aren't scared?"

"Heck no! In fact we're amazed. The Black God's hailed as a linchpin of villainy, a king in fact. In that view it would make you a princess, right?" Ruggie stated.

Chernette smiled, happy at least to have gained praise like that.

Then the group heard little footsteps running toward them, and the door opened to reveal a small red-haired kid with lion ears like Leona.

RED-HAIRED KID: I finally found you, Uncle!

GRIM: Who the heck's that kid?

RED-HAIRED KID: Uncle Leona~!

LEONA: Ah, damn it... The annoying one's here.

JACK: Uncle... Leona...?

Leona sighed as he explained "This little furball's Cheka, my brother's son. ................ And my nephew."

ALL: NEPHEW~~~~~~!?

RUGGIE: That means... The one who's next in line for the throne is...

CHEKA: Your match was so cool, Uncle! Teach me how to play next time~!

LEONA: I get it already, so don't shout in my ear! Where are your bodyguards? They might be searching for you.

CHEKA: I wanted to see you so badly so I left them~ Hehe~

JACK: Um... The root of all evil for Leona-san is...

'This wittle cutie...?' Chernette thought with a smile.

GRIM: He's really attached to you, yanno?

LEONA: Shut it. Stop staring!

"Hey, hey, Uncle! When are you coming home? Next week? The week after that? Ah! Did you read my letters?" The little prince said in excitement, jumping around.

LEONA: Yeah, I told you already. I'll go back home on the holida—Ow, don't sit on my stomach!

JACK: H-he's just sitting on Leona-san's stomach so casually...!?

RUGGIE: Hahaha! This is awesome! So this is the reason why Leona-san never wants to go home.

CHEKA: Are you all Uncle's friends?

ACE: (laughing) Yup, we're his friends~ Right, Uncle Leona~?

RUGGIE: Uncle... Ahahaha! Ow, ow... Laughing hurts so much...

LEONA: Stop laughing, you bastards! You better remember this...!

Then the energetic kid looked at Chernette and his eyes lit up.

" You're Chernette Duskstone!" Cheka squealed in joy as he ran to Chernette, hugging her legs. "I heard you're attending this school too, and I really wanted to meet you! I saw you in the pre-match against Uncle Leona and you looked like a warrior like the women of the Afterglow Savanna!" Cheka chatted away happily.

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[LOCATION: Octavinelle Dorm – Lounge]

AZUL: The sales for this year's tournament went up by 12% compared to last year's, correct? What a favorable result.

FLOYD: But y'know~ It would've been faster if we didn't end up in the bottom for this year's tournament.

AZUL: That does not matter.

In the end, the Magical Shift Tournament is but a simple game where people run around chasing after a disc.

The field where we from Octavinelle truly shine is... Yes.

The written exams!

JADE: Azul, the client has contacted us. They will be meeting with us directly in the Lounge tonight.

AZUL: Understood. Then, shall we prepare a special welcome for our guest?

Now then, what kind of wish will they make? How truly exciting. Fufufu... 

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Octavinelle is next! They are my favs!

Stay safe!