The brunch was simple but satisfying. Everyone was pretty grateful for the team that afternoon. The fact that they still had some little energy left to feed them was probably the best thing so far. Fasulia (green bean and beef stew) with an option of lamb burgers or lebanese rice, cauliflower hummus with pita bread, shish taouk (chicken kebobs), and a glass of ice coffee. Many groups had quickly finished their meal and now left chatting around.

Jonah, however, for some reason, wasn't that hungry. Aimlessly stirring the bowl of hummus with his pita bread, he was staring at Kalim who happily munched his lamb burger, smiling as the sauce dripped from the corner of his lips. Jonah wanted to huff. Kalim had return back to normal. He didn't shout at all during the march back to the dorm, giving them encouraging cheers, even allowing them to take a break sometimes. Again, what's wrong with him? Deep down, Jonah knew that the real Kalim is this sunny boy. The magic carpet ride was undeniable proof that was the real Kalim, not the unexpected tyrant. So what triggers him to change into a storm?

Kalim then perked up. Swallowing the food in his mouth he reached for the plate of blue cheese and crackers that he prepared himself earlier. "Oh yeah, Grim! Have you tried the blue cheese?" he picked a cracker and added blue cheese to it. "It's made from sheep's milk."

Grim, with crumbs around his cheeks, turned to him. "Eh... No thanks..."

"Aw, come on~ Don't be shy! Ahaha!" Kalim shoved the crackers and cheese into Grim's mouth despite the cat's apparent squirming.

"AJFAKLNLA!!???!?!?"

"Don't force him to eat one thing after another," Viper sighed. "Grim's gonna choke, you know?"

"Ah! Sorry, sorry!" Kalim sheepishly chuckled, patting Grim's back as the cat gulped the food in his mouth. "How about some dessert instead? We have plenty of ice cream. I can serve it Kalim-style."

"What's that?" Jonah asked.

"You put all the flavors in one single line and then use a big spoon to get one giant scoop!" Kalim stood up from his seat. "I'll bring some, so wait here~"

Viper's eyes widened slightly and he quickly got up, strode to block Kalim's way. "Wait, Kalim. I'll go prepare it, so sit down."

"It's fine!" Kalim waved his hand casually. "I just have to get it from the fridge, right?"

Viper sighed again. "Idiot, what kind of servant makes his master wait on him?"

That seemed to strike Kalim in the heart. His smile slipped a little and his brow slightly furrowed. Jamil seemed to not notice this as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. "I wish you'd be more mindful of the fact that you're the Asim Family's heir," he said. To that Kalim bit his inside cheeks. "If they find out that I made you do something like that, our fathers will lecture me."

"But it's just ice cream, Jamil." Kalim shifted in his spot, fingers playing with his vest. "Just this once, okay? I want to try to prep it on my own." He gave him a sheepish smile. "Maybe you can just teach me?"

Viper stared at him for a second, before sighing in defeat. "Fine."

The sparks in Kalim's eyes returned. He jumped in his spot, cheering, "Yay!" He grabbed Viper's wrist, much for the vice prefect's surprise. Kalim glanced to Jonah and Grim for a second and said, "We'll back in a second." Before he ran out of the lounge, dragging Viper with him.

Jonah watched the pair left and then sighed. "What's the trigger?" he mumbled, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Grim drank the last drop of his coffee, erasing the taste of dry crackers and blue cheese from his mouth. "Haah... I wanna hurry and get away from this prison, dammit." He looked at the boy still in deep thought. "Jonah, do we have a signal now?"

Jonah turned to him, rather startled, but proceeded to tap his arm, turning on the screen. Still no bar. He sighed. "We've been training non-stop. They probably don't have enough time to fix the connection."

Grim groaned. "Then, we have to figure out our own way to get out from here!"

"Like what? I doubt they'll let us pass the mirror."

"Then we sneak out." Grim grabbed a spoon from the table and held it between their face, grinning widely as if he was a mad scientist. "Using mainly spoons, we dig a tunnel under this dorm, and then we'll be back at our dorm!"

Jonah just gave him a black stare. "Spoon."

A tick mark appeared on Grim's temple. "Well, excuse me, Captain! I don't see you suggesting something."

"Hey, I'm just as confused as you!" He let out a grunt, massaging his temple line he just had a heavy headache. "I'm telling you, Grim. There has to be something more than just sudden mood swings. That man with the parrot-"

"How long do you plan on loitering here!?"

The shouting took everyone's attention. Oh shit. The tyrannical Kalim was back, eyes shining bright and dangerous with his trembling fist curled beside him and gritted teeth. "Clean this up immediately! We'll start training right after until late at night! To the garden now!"

Panic fell upon them and everyone scattered around. Kalim walked toward Jonah as Grim hid behind him. "I will not let you two sit this one out either."

Jonah opened his mouth but no sound came out. Kalim is too unstable. He couldn't make this worse unknowingly. He ducked his head as his hand reached behind him to pat Grim's head. "Yes, prefect."

Kalim nodded emotionlessly. Jonah glanced behind Kalim where Jamil stood, still staying in the shadowy hall.

Wait...

But... What if...

-----

"He still hasn't answered?"

Vil shook his head as he lowered his phone to his ear the sound of ['Sorry, The current number you are calling is out of reach of service'] still beeping from it. Crowley let out a worried sigh as he started to pace around in front of the mirror with Lilia's face on it. "Who could've done this?" the headmaster mumbled, "Why nobody told me sooner?"

"Well, knowing the young lad is 'i Scarabia, thou should'st wot whom's behind this," Lilia said and Crowley stopped his track, an unknown-language curse slipped out from his lips.

"He can't do that." He shook his head, hand covered his mouth. He started to pace around again, more frantic than before that Vil was worried he would rip the carpet with his heels. "Not when I'm not around. I need to go there-"

"Dire, it'll take a long time to get there," Lilia interrupted. "You canst not apparate 'i Sage Island. And with thy condition-"

"Are you suggesting I do nothing again?" Crowley's voice rose, stopping his track to face the mirror. "He's supposed to be relaxing, not facing another potential overblot! And if this gets leaked-"

Vil placed his phone onto the table. "Are you that worried about the school's reputation?"

Crowley swiftly turned around, cape fluttering behind him, the yellow shines in the eyes were blazing in anger. Vil let out a silent gasp. He had never seen Crowley this angry before. "This is more than just the school, Mister Schoenheit," the headmaster growled. "And both of you know damn well that I'm the only one who can do this."

"I wot, Dire." Lilia's voice meanwhile was softer, as if he was trying to calm Crowley down. Vil had guessed that Crowley and Lilia had known each other before Lilia entered NRC, but he never knew how long ago. "My guesses, would he very cut all connection, technology and magic-wise, there is most little we doth if we do lack to keep the words from spreading. Dire, I shall hast to inform both Malleus and Her Majesty about this and get thou hither as anon as possible to try thy job."

That seemed to win Crowley over. He let out a tired sigh. "Thank you, Sir Vanrouge."

It seemed like both of them had reached an unspoken conclusion because Lilia cut the connection immediately after. Crowley sighed again, wiping his eyes under his mask. He knew that he had to move now unless he wanted things to get out of control. He spun around and walked toward the door.

"You're risking too much here." Crowley paused from reaching the door handle. He glanced to Vil who stood in front of the mirror, watching him from his reflection. "Worried parents, isolated students. There's too much potential for failure."

"Even so," Crowley said. "Those who follow their heart will get their happy ending, don't they?"

Vil pressed his palm onto the mirror. "That's not reserved for us."

"But we're doing great so far. Even just for one cycle, all of you deserve a happy ending."

Vil didn't respond, thus Crowley took it his cue to leave. Vil sighed, looking back at himself in the mirror, imagining someone else staring back at him. Someone beautiful and majestic...

"What is a happy ending?" he whispered, hoping that reflection would answer.

But the only thing he could see was lightning and falling rocks.