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| Chapter 9 | Book 5 • Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 |
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Gymnasium
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Ah, excellent. There you are, Jamil. |
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What do YOU want, Azul? |
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Why, what EVER could I have done to earn your ire? And here I thought we were the closest of classmates! More to the point: you're on class duty, correct? Our afternoon Magic History period is going to be a study hall today. Professor Trein wants you to come and get the classwork printouts from the faculty office. |
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Fine. I'll be right there. |
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Say, didn't Azul stream Jamil's whole diabolical plan to the world? |
| How did that go over? | Is...Jamil okay? |
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Please. It's like you've never heard of a bluff before. That was obviously a ploy to convince him there was no talking his way out of it. |
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Mrah?! |
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I can't believe you thought that I, the very soul of benevolence, would willingly destroy a classmate's reputation and social standing! |
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...You absolutely would. |
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A real nice guy wouldn't tell such a nasty lie in the first place. |
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Heh heh heh. All I did that day was put my smartphone on a speaker call with Jade. Unlike Leona, I don't torment others for sport. I never do more than what is strictly necessary. I obtained some perfectly good intel from the experience. I would never dream of devaluing my own assets! |
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FLASHBACK START
Scarabia Dorm - Lounge
Scarabia Student A |
Housewarden Kalim, I don't understand! Why aren't you replacing Jamil as vice housewarden? |
Scarabia Student B |
He's been deceiving us all for ages, yourself included! |
Scarabia Student C |
He might still be plotting something. He needs to be dismissed! |
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Wow, you're all so worried about me! Thanks. That's really nice of you. Here's the thing, though... He's not the only one at fault for this mess. I share some of the blame. Besides, I would bet there isn't a single person in Scarabia who hasn't gotten help from Jamil at some point. Am I right? |
Scarabia Student A |
W-well... |
Scarabia Student B |
I guess he's given me advice before... |
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See? There you go. He's been a model vice housewarden. In fact, he's put me to shame. He let dark thoughts get the better of him for a brief time. Other than that, he's a perfectly capable guy. It's true that he used you all to try and kick me out... But Jamil never once hurt me before the holiday incident. And believe me, he could have. He's had every possible opportunity to do far worse things. But he never did. Not once in seventeen years. I know I can't exactly call him a good guy, but still. |
Scarabia Student C |
Housewarden... |
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It's frustrating not being able to explain myself better, but...could you give us just a little more time to sort this out? |
Scarabia Student C |
If that's what you want...then I guess so. |
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...... |
FLASHBACK END
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We've been more or less treading water ever since. Scarabia emphasizes mindfulness and forethought. Our students are trying to avoid jumping to conclusions. They're watching and waiting to see who's more beneficial to side with. Myself and Kalim included. |
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Heh. Classic Scarabia. Astoundingly shameless, one and all. I'm impressed the two of you would even dance together after everything that transpired. |
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Hmph. Say what you will. In my case, the overblot incident has caused my reputation at school to plummet. It makes sense for me to fall in line with Kalim for a while, in the interest of improving my position both within Scarabia and without. |
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Heh. The students must be circling you like sharks, waiting for the first sign of blood so they can challenge you for your seat. If not for your clashing idiosyncrasies, it would be hard to imagine a more appealing person to serve than Kalim. He's eventually going to inherit an entire trove of treasure. In our modern society, that wealth represents a power magnitudes greater than any magic. Why, it borders on omnipotence. |
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Look. My holiday plot was a once-in-a-lifetime gambit. I thought that if I failed, my life would effectively be over. But in the end, things aren't all that different now... Thankfully. As long as Kalim doesn't dismiss me, I'll continue to be his aid. I'll continue to prove myself to those around me. That includes Kalim, my dormmates, my parents, the Asim family...and all of you. |
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Man, Jamil. You've gone from one person before the holidays to a whole other person after 'em. It's nuts. |
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Heh. I much prefer it this way. If Kalim ever does sack you, Octavinelle's doors are always open to you. We would gladly welcome someone with your pedigree. |
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Thank you, but not in a million years. Octavinelle is the last dorm I would ever transfer to. |
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Hey, guys! We're gonna be late to class if we don't hustle! |
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Look at Kalim keeping US on track, instead of the other way around! Heh. I never thought I'd see the day. He's right, of course. |
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I shouldn't have stood around chatting with you anyway. I'd better go get those printouts. |
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Gah! Our next period is in the west building! That's a long walk. |
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C'mon, [MC]! Grim! Let's beat feet! |
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Myah! Wait for meee! |
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| Chapter 9 | Book 5 • Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 |
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