Brynn stumbles as he tries to sit upright again, all the while dreading the backlash of his classmates.

And with good reason, as after a few moments of stunned silence, there is a cacophony of disapproving sounds from all over the hall.

"Sir, that's irresponsible!" One adamantly cries, louder than the rest. "Are you really pairing royalty with that low-born thug? I see this as treason!"

"Yeah! it'll probably take credit for all his highness' work, most likely!" Another echoes. “If anything, his highness should partner with me, as I’m from a Grand Duke’s household!” The voice adds.

Multiple people spread across the room begin agreeing with the latter voice.

Then another chimes in. “No, the prince should go with me! I’m the most qualified as I’ve already met with his highness and have been called a friend!”

All in front of Brynn is utter chaos as the students desperately argue against both Professor Mallow’s decision and themselves.

‘Please, just agree with any one of them.’ Brynn pleads in his mind, hoping, somehow, that the professor can hear his thoughts. ‘I don’t want this much attention either.’

Professor Mallow sighs, holding one hand up to his temple. As the flurry of voices shout over each other, he raises his other hand, the one holding his cane, as the gem begins to glow a faint light. Suddenly, the onslaught of voices come to a halt, as each and every one of the students actively arguing among themselves have their mouth shut through magical means.

For a few moments, there is the sounds of muffled voices as the students only start to realize what had happened. As the class begins to quiet down, Professor Mallow looks sternly at the students.

“Are you all quite done?” He asks. There is silence as most of the class looks cautiously at him.

Hearing no reply, the professor continues. “I’ve chosen these pairings by looking at the performances each of you have demonstrated during your time here. That is to say, I am unimpressed. The only one who was able to keep up with the prince on equal terms was that Mr. Brynn.” He looks over at Brynn with an approving look and nods over to him.

Brynn looks back, surprised at the affirmation. The other students look at him with shock and denial in their eyes as well. He wasn’t actively speaking at the time so he was unaffected by the spell, but he was speechless at this nonetheless.

The professor then turns back to the rest of the class. “That is to say, any other one of you being paired up with the prince would have been to his highness’ detriment. You would’ve been a hindrance at best, dead weight at worst.”

“As unsavory as it may seem to you--” Professor Mallow casually states while adjusting the furls on his robe. “--a commoner has you nobles beat in terms of talent.”

The looks of shock, anger, and a lot of humiliation are plastered all across the hall at this remark. Brynn swears he saw murder in the eyes of one of the people sitting close to him. He scoots a bit further into the corner.

“Ah, right.” Remembering something, the professor adds. “Touch a hair on the commoner’s head and be prepared to be tried for treason for hurting a citizen of the kingdom actively serving royalty.”

To this, the color drains out of the faces of some of the students considering more nefarious means.

Brynn looks, in disbelief over what’s happening. He’s always been the last to consider. The one whose problems others didn’t notice or chose not to notice. But here, in front of him, the professor is actively steering the class away from potentially disturbing him. He was thankful, but also understood that he would be walking a tightrope, which he would rather not go through the trouble of doing.

Debating it in his mind, he realized that being the prince’s partner was probably more trouble than it was worth. And so, mustering up all his courage, which was not a lot by any means, Brynn raises his hand.

The professor sees this and squints his eyes at him. “Hmm, very well then, Mr. Brynn. What have you to say?”

Brynn gulps. “Uhm, Professor Mallow, I don’t think it would be appropriate of me to be his highness’ partner, so I would like to respectfully decline...”

There are some muffled sounds of relief as the class hears this.

“So you would rather have his highness struggle on his own than offer to help?”

“N-no, sir, I’m just saying that... Um...”

Professor Mallow sighs. “Then that would be dereliction of duty, specifically of a service to a royal. Of which the punishment for is forced labor in the mines. Would you rather that than cooperate with his highness?”

“A-ah, no, sir.” The professor looks at Brynn, pressure emanating from him. Brynn slowly sits down, his body feeling like it had run a marathon at that small exchange. It seems his attempt to escape the situation hasn’t exactly gained the favor of Professor Mallow.

Then the professor looks back at the class. “Let me be clear. This arrangement is also not to my liking. It is simply the most efficient way for everyone involved. However, should the prince approach me to choose a different partner later on, then I will allow it. I hope at least that is clear.”

The eyes of the various students shift from one to another. They seem to be collectively agreeing on something. Brynn also guesses that this matter may be resolved sooner than he expected after hearing this. He hoped that the day Prince Val shows up will also be the day he chooses another partner. No doubt that was also on his classmates’ minds.

Seeing no more dirty looks from his class, Professor Mallow nods – “That is all.” -- and proceeds to gather up his belongings into a satchel.

Walking towards the door, he then stops and turns back to the hall. “I almost forgot, but do not worry. This is a temporary hex. A basic one at that. It should last until after your next class. Do not make a racket during my time again or I may choose to make it permanent.”

He then continues on his way out the door, leaving the room dead silent.