The cafeteria was not as full as it usually was. Students usually prefer to eat outside the campus with their friends on Sunday. This made Epel's job easier to find his acquaintances. There was a tall, pale skin, sturdy-looking young boy with spiky green hair and sharp green eyes sitting at one of the cafeteria tables. He was staring seriously at the apple in his hand. He brought his knife closer but hesitate once again.

Epel clenched his fist in his pocket and finally decided to enter the cafeteria. He needs to do this. Jonah is counting on him.

"Sebek," he decided to call as he walked toward the table. The grenette looked up.

"Good morning, Epel Felmier," he greeted with his booming voice.

"What are you doing?" Epel sat in front of him. He noticed the various apple cuts in different shapes and sizes. "You seem busy."

"I'm making a dragon apple craving for the Young Master," he claimed proudly, but then he deflated. "But it seemed like I had some trouble."

Epel hummed. "Well, I can suggest if you used two more table knife as a spacer and guider so you don't just chop the apple off."

"You can do that?!" Sebek screamed, staring at his apple cuts as if it just turned green. He nodded enthusiastically. "I see. I see! Thank you, Epel!" He suddenly stood up. "I must retrieve some knives right now. Excuse me!"

"Wait!" Epel immediately grabbed onto the greenette's sleeve. "I-I need something else."

"What is it?" Sebek sat down again. Epel glanced around, making sure no one from Octavinelle or the anemones were there. Sebek stared at him confusedly. Epel let go of Sebek's hand and took out his handy Swiss-army knife.

"Here." Epel picked up one of the apples. "I'll help you craft as we talk."

Sebek frowned. "I'm not interested in doing dirty dealing. It will taint the Young Master name!"

Epel quickly shook his head. "N-No. This is not a shady business!" Wincing from his sudden raised voice, Epel cleared his throat again. "My friends are in trouble and I need someone's help."

Sebek relaxed for a moment. "What kind of trouble?"

Epel picked up an apple and started cutting some small pieces. "Well, it's kind of a secret." He kept his head down, trying to be as casual as possible. "But I really need someone who is an expert in curses."

Sebek perked up at this. "Young Master is a master in curses."

"Is that so?"

Sebek puffed out his chest and his eyes twinkled with pride. "Of course! The Young Master is the grandson of the Witch of Thorn herself!" he said. "He knows every curse ever existed in the world!"

"Can he conjure them?"

Sebek leaned forward, eyes squinting. "Are you underestimating the Young Master's power?"

"N-No. Not at all." Epel leaned back, gulping for the sudden lack of personal space. "I-I was just wondering... Maybe 'Young Master' can help with this."

Sebek hummed, still looking at Epel suspiciously but decided to back down. Epel sighed and continued. "My friend here is under a really bad curse and we're hoping someone from Diasomnia can help him break it. Maybe your Young Master or any other..."

Sebek hummed again, tapping his chin as he thought. "I have no doubt that Young Master can break curses. Master Lilia can do it as well. How long does this curse last?"

Epel shrugged. "We don't know. It's pretty cryptic. But we need this to be broken as soon as possible."

Sebek nodded. "I see. I see." He gave one more firm nod. "Alright. I'll consult this to the Young Master and Master Lilia."

Epel smiled at him. "Thank you so much. Please, if you do find them, we are waiting at the tallest room in the Teacher Rower. We're counting on you."

He could've sworn there was a light blush of embarrassment on Sebek's cheeks. He grinned widely and nodded firmly again. "You can count on me, Epel!"

-----

"Forgive me if I'm not the one thou are waiting for," the short boy with fangs said when the door to Jonah's room was opened by Epel. "But it appears that we couldn't find Malleus anon enough so I came 'i his place."

Jonah, once he was sure it was none of the Octavinelle Squad or the trio, turned around from the window. He nodded at the senior. "It's fine, Senior Vanrouge. Any Diasomnia member is fine really."

Lilia nodded back as he stepped in with Epel closing the door behind him. He smiled a bit, knowing that he did a good job convincing Sebek to agree to help them and grateful that Sebek did his part. He should make him that poison apple craving once this is all done, maybe even gave him small tutoring.

"Hmm..." Lilia leaned forward and grabbed Jonah's chin, staring straight into his eye as if he was searching for something. Lilia squinted his magenta eyes. "How interesting... Whom cast this?"

"Ashengrotto," Jonah mumbled.

"The Octavinelle Prefect?" Lilia frowned to which Jonah nodded. "How strange. Knowing him, he wouldn't doth something as reckless as casting an unfinished beshrew."

"Unfinished? Senior Leona only mentioned that it was sloppy. And it was cast in an instant."

"Which is why 'twere unfinished." Lilia let go of Jonah's chin and stepped back. "Beshrew, and to an extend, cures, while seems to be the most basic thing, are quite complex 'i one way. I'm sure you've known about the Witch of Thorn's Sleeping Curse?"

Epel and Jonah exchanged a glance before turning back to Lilia and nodded. "That's an example of a firm-set completed beshrew. Thou find the beshrew mere if when the caster and the beshrew can stand on their own without depending on each other. E'en the caster can't lift the beshrew once 'twere cast and locked with a chant. For example, the Sleeping Curse. E'en after the Witch of Thorn's demise, the beshrew is still on-going. And yet, an incomplete beshrew, like Little Star hither, is most dependent towards the well-being of the caster, the Octavinelle Prefect. If for any reason something happens to the prefect, like being sick or dead, the beshrew shall be weakened or e'en broken. "

"Are you saying that to break my curse I have to kill Ashengrotto?" Jonah whispered.

"It's either that or he lift it by himself," Lilia hummed. Epel turned to Jonah who looked down at his shoes. There's no way he would kill Azul, right? This fight might be their worse one, but... Killing is not their last resort, right?

The purplenette turned back to Lilia. "Is there any other way to alter it? Didn't the Good Fairies alter the Sleeping Curse so it wouldn't kill Sleeping Beauty?"

Lilia hummed, tapping his chin. "We could." Jonah lifted his head in surprise. "However, like the unfinished beshrew, the counter beshrew had been unstable and temporary, e'en with the strongest one."

Jonah nodded. "Please. Anything is appreciated."

Lilia nodded, taking out his magical pen. "May I asked what the beshrew is? Sebek ne'r explain it."

"You know about the whole anemone situation?"

"Yes. It appears some of Diasomnia students also hath those strange plants on their pate."

Epel nearly gasped. Azul even has some effects on Diasomnia too? Just how convincing is he?

"Basically, if I see any anemones or even go through the Octavinelle mirror, it feels like I'm drowning."

"I see..." Lilia sighed. "At least thou didn't turn into sea foam." Lilia tapped the gem on his pen. "Alright. Close thy eyes."

Jonah nodded and slipped his eye shut. Epel stepped back as a magic circle appeared beneath Lilia and Jonah. The senior was chanting a complex verse that was unfamiliar for Epel as green smoke started to appear from Jonah's circle. The smoke circled upward around the captain until it reached on top of his agohe. It became thicker, engulfing Jonah's whole body. Lila was making some movement with his pen, glyph appeared in front of him as he chanted. With one final stroke, the smoke around Jonah disappeared. He looked fine actually, nothing change. When he opened his eyes though, instead of the usual black eye, his iris was now green, similar to Lilia's magic spell, and somewhat glossed over, like he was blind.

"That should'st doth it," Lilia said as the magic circle beneath the two of them disappeared. "Now. This counter beshrew can only work 'twixt sunrise and sunset. It'll help thou able to breathe again whe'r thou are around Octavinelle's territory or thy curser. And yet, I might not but warn thou, this doesn't mean thou are free to run around thy foe territory. You're unable to see the anemones or any association to the Azul Ashengrotto, like those twins, yet they until and can attack thou."

Jonah frowned. "So, I can only see and attack Ashengrotto?"

Lilia nodded. "Indeed. Alas, I can't doth much, knowing that I can't break an incomplete beshrew without killing the caster."

Jonah nodded as he walked back and sat on his window. "Understandable. Thank you for your help, Senior Vanrouge."

Lilia was silent for a while before walking up to Jonah. The boy didn't look up as if he was deep in thought. Lilia lifted his hand but paused before he could even touch the ahoge. Curling up his fingers he let his hand fell to his side. "I may not wot what thou are experiencing right now, Little Star." At that nickname, Jonah finally looked up. For once, Lilia looked very serious, unlike his usual mischievous façade. "But I might not but warn thou not to dip thy feet into the dangerous water 'lest thou wot what thou are doing."

Jonah bit his lip before sighing. "My friends are trapped in that dangerous water. There is no way I can just leave them there."

Lilia sighed through his nose. "I can only hope the meetest of luck for thou."

Jonah nodded. "Thank you, Senior Vanrouge."

He glanced at the orange sky behind him. The sun was setting. It's time for phase two.

-----

"Are you sure you're going to be fine?" Trey asked as he watched Riddle fixed his crown. "You know I can go instead of you."

"Cater is probably already in his position, I can't turn my back to the plan." Riddle looked at himself one more time at his reflection on the mirror, nodding to himself when he looks perfect. He turned around and looked at Trey. "Can you do me a favor?"

The Vice Prefect nodded. "Anything."

"Can you make sure Jonah doesn't leave his room?" Riddle said. Trey noticed the way the redhead gripped his cape a bit too tight. "I don't know if this plan will work or not, but until sunrise or until Cater call, you just can't let him interfere."

Trey nodded. "Alright." He walked toward Riddle and put a hand on his shoulder, bending his knees a bit so they can see eye-to-eye at an equal level. "While I have no doubt you can take care of yourself, but please be careful."

Riddle nodded. "I will. I promise."

Trey nodded, giving Riddle one last pat on the shoulder before opening the door for him. Riddle didn't even look back. He looked so focus and determined as he stepped out of the dorm and through the Heartslabyul Mirror. Looking up, he saw Jack, also in his Savanaclaw Dorm Uniform, leaning against the pillar near the Octavinelle Mirror.

"Evening, Jack," Riddle greeted at the wolf-boy.

"Good evening, Riddle," he said as he nodded. "Are you ready? We're in our enemies' territory, so we can't let our guard down."

"Understandable," Riddle answered with a nod. Stepping into the mirror, Riddle felt like he was falling into the water and bubbles tickled his face. Unconsciously, he let out a sigh, reminding himself that this is breathable water. He and Jack landed on the platform with ease. Entering the Octavinelle Dorm, they followed the crowd to the café. Mostro Lounge was not as crowded as when Jack, Epel, and Jonah was there, but it was still filled with people, all dressed in their best clothes.

"Oh, it's Goldfish~" Riddle winched. Glancing to the side, he saw Floyd walking toward him and Jack with the usual smile on his face. "Welcome! I see the Sea Urchin is with you, too~"

"I said I'm not a sea urchin!" Jack was snarling behind Riddle, but Floyd didn't seem to be scared. Jade, who once stood at the entrance podium, walked toward him.

"Welcome to Mostro Lounge," he said with a hand on his chest and bowed slightly to them. "How may we serve you?"

Riddle nodded. From his pocket, he took out a piece of paper. "I have made a reservation for tonight's event. Did you write that down?"

"Ah, yes." Jade took that paper and Floyd peeked from over Jade's shoulder. It was a receipt, an order to be exact, under Riddle's name. "Table for two for Riddle Rosehearts. Yes, you are on the list, dearest customers." Jade walked toward the podium again as the other three followed him.

"I'm quite surprised that he's your partner though," he said, putting the receipt in the podium drawer.

"Are you expecting someone else?" Riddle asked with a raised eyebrow. He was trying to be cool, but he inwardly flinched at the way Jade closed the drawer with a bit of force.

"I'm actually quite surprised you know about this event." Riddle noticed the way Jade's eye twitched in annoyance. The eel then cleared his throat, calming himself down. "Since this is your first time visiting, I shall explain some precautions and disclaimers before we proceed with our business today."

He stepped aside from the podium and gestured to the whole café area. "Mostro Lounge is a gentleman's social facility. Please refrain from having arguments with people from other dorms. Here, everyone from the other dorms shall adhere to Octavinelle's rules. Please remember these rules and enjoy the Lounge to your heart's content. Now then, shall we take you to your table?" He turned slightly and clapped his hand.

It was then Riddle noticed Ace and Deuce. It was weird to see them in other's Dorm Uniform beside Heartslabyul. The two students' eyes widened when they noticed their prefect.

"Prefect Rosehearts?" Deuce exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"

Jade tut-ted the blunette. "Is that how you treat the customers? Anemones, please escort our special guests."

Ace clicked his tongue in annoyance, balancing the glasses on a tray on each hand. "We're kinda busy here. Can't you do it on your own?"

Jade frowned slightly. "You sure have quite a rude disposition for someone in your current situation." He reached for his magical pen in his breast pocket and squeezed the violet crystal.

All of a sudden, both Ace and Deuce started screaming. Deuce dropped the menus, his hand immediately reached for his head. "Owowowowow!"

"Stop pulling the anemones!" Ace cried, stopping his track before he could spill the drinks.

"Hey! What are you doing?!" Riddle shouted.

"Azul left me in charge of training the newcomers," Jade said without even glancing at Riddle. Floyd rested his elbow on his brother's shoulder, giggling at the anemones in pain. "Newcomers who do not follow my rules shall be punished."

"Owowowow!" At this point, even someone as tough as Deuce had fallen to the ground. "I get it, I get it already!"

"Hey! Drop that pen, right now!" Riddle stepped forward, flipping his cape making sure the Leech Twins got the sight sparking magical pen. "They may be under Azul's deal, but they are still Heartslabyul students. As their prefect, I can't take this type of abuse."

None of the twins look offended. "Oh, my. This won't do, dearest customers," Jade hummed as Floyd stepped away. "I believe that I already said you are to follow our rules while in the Lounge."

Before Riddle could even respond, he felt a hand on his neck. "We have all the right to wring the necks of problem children who won't listen to us~" Floyd giggled right next to Riddle's ear, fingers drumming on the skin of his neck, threatening to squeeze him-

The hand was immediately gone and Riddle let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Looking back, he was Jack pulled Floyd away from him. "Stay away from him!" Jack growl between his gritted teeth. "Watching you guys picking on newbies leaves a bad taste in my mouth."

Floyd, completely unafraid, tilted his head to the side. "Then why don't you help out in the shop in their place?"

There was silence between them. Ace and Deuce were looking at them, almost pleadingly. Jack looked between the Heartslabyul students on the ground and to the Leech Twins with their sadistic smiles. He had seen their strength even if it was just a glimpse, both in physical and magic. Even if he and Riddle combined strength, with all these people, they might cause more trouble than they already had.

"Jack, you don't have to do this," Riddle whispered, shaking his head. "This is not part of the plan."

"It's probably the only way for us to stay in this place?" Jack whispered back. "I'll be fine, it'll be just a small work. You carry out the plan."

Riddle bit inside his cheek, weighing his options. In the end, he nodded and pulled his hand away from his magical pen. He could hear Jade hummed in satisfaction, along with Floyd giggle. Jack stepped forward. "Fine. I'll help them."

"Yay~!" Floyd took out his magical pen and pointed at Jack. Before any of them could react, he shouted, "[Multicorfors]!" A magic circle appeared underneath the wolf-boy's shoes, slowly ascending to their upper body and disappeared when it passed their heads, changeling his Savanaclaw Dorm Uniform into Octavinelle's. "Alright, Sea Urchin! Take the order for table number 3~" Floyd ran behind Jack and pushed him away from Riddle and Jade. Floyd just gave Ace and Deuce one dangerous glance, signaling them to get back to work. The two Heartslabyul students could only squeak. Sending an apologetic look to their prefect, they resumed their job.

Riddle glance at Jade. "Are you satisfied?"

Jade smiled at him. "I'm glad we've reached a compromise. I'll show you your table."

Riddle sighed through his nose and followed the taller student. He was led to an empty table in front of the stage. Jade pulled the chair slightly, giving space for Riddle. The Heartslabyul Prefect stepped in and sat down once Jade pushed his chair again. The taller boy bowed again. "Please, enjoy the show."

Riddle gave him a small nod just for formalities. As much as he hated his position, he had to admit Jade would make a perfect butler. Looking straight onto the stage, he watched Jade stepped up, standing behind the mic. He tapped it several times, gaining everyone's attention there. "Gentlemen," he said. "Welcome to our Sunday Supreme. Without further delay, may I present to you..."

"What do you mean you'll 'use his own game against him'?" Riddle remembered asking Jonah that yesterday.

"Remember back when I challenged Senior Leona to a magishift rematch and I basically forced Floyd to teach Ace?" The Heartslabyul students nodded, while Epel, Leona, and Jack just paid attention.

Jonah nodded before start explaining, "There's an event in Mostro Lounge called the 'Sunday Supreme'. It happens on the first Sunday of each month. Basically, it's an after-sunset party for only 100 people who made a reservation. In that Sunday Supreme, a member of the staff will perform and choose one lucky person to join in their acts. That lucky person will receive a thing called 'Golden Ticket' which can be used to grant any wishes without a contract. If one of us can get the performance's attention, we can get the Golden Ticket. But..."

He frowned, fingers on his chin. "What's wrong?" Riddle asked again.

Jonah looked up to him. "If I'm not mistaken, the one who will be performing is..."

"Azul Ashengrotto."

The room was filled with applause as the red curtain behind Jade was lifted once he stepped off the stage. The Octavinelle Prefect stepped forward the mic as the piano started to play. Riddle could've sworn Azul was looking directly at him and his lips curled up.

"We need to make sure Azul picks you and give you the Golden Ticket," Jonah said. "This is a gamble. But I'm willing to take the risk."

Right. May lady luck be on their side...