"Oh by the Twins—save me." Rhea practically threw herself into the open chair beside Thirtyx. She tossed her blonde hair like a curtain beside her face as if to hide behind it. "They actually think I care about the exact shade of red Marina's family repainted their grotto this summer. Maybe they won't follow me if they see me hanging out with you."

Thirtyx chuckled. "Charmed to be your shield of unpopularity, as always." It seemed to be working. At least two of the Selkies she'd been sitting with were eyeing her on the way back from dumping their trays, but they weren't approaching.

"My family didn't repaint any grottos, but we did get part of our grounds certified as a historic area." Seerla flashed a sharp-toothed smile that highlighted her draconic heritage. "I could tell you all about that process, if you want."

"Yes, yes, nice to see you too, Seerla." In Benn and Thirtyx's heads, Rhea added, She's kidding, right? I don't remember her being that out of touch.

She's kidding, Thirtyx confirmed, but the moment Rhea spent wondering satisfied him like a cherry on top of a massive sundae.

Benn shifted to face Seerla more fully. "I am a little curious, actually. What happened there that qualified it as historic?"

"I wouldn't answer that unless you want to witness fratricide," Thirtyx snorted.

Benn held up his hands in defense. "I'm a history minor. I'm just getting warmed up for class!" He met Rhea’s glare with a valiant attempt at a straight face, but his laughter won out in the end.

Right as a hush fell over the crowd.

Headmistress Azirenne had appeared at the door, flanked by her two vice-heads. Her stature was impressive for a Devil, her sleek, black horns nearly cresting the top of the Dragonfolk language arts professor to her left. She gazed down her purple-tinted nose at the assembled students and lashed her whiplike tail. Thirtyx got the impression that she thought her toothy smile would make them feel at-ease, but it came off more like a grimace that drove Thirtyx’s gaze to the floor.

"Pleasant morning, students. Glory to Grimmary and praise to the Twins."

"Glory to Grimmary and praise to the Twins," the students echoed. There had been a time, many years ago, when Thirtyx had to do some hefty mental gymnastics to say the customary morning greeting. The Verith council had coached him well. You do want to bring him glory. What better glory than for him to die a martyr for his cause? Fortunately, he now had no issue wishing Grimmary glory in the more conventional sense.

"I know you're all eager to continue catching up, so I'll keep this brief," the headmistress continued. "As a reminder, class starts at 9th bar, and tardiness will not be tolerated. Students in first through fourth years, teachers are waiting outside to escort you to your homeroom, a service we will provide for the first week while you all adjust. All transfer students fifth year and older have been assigned a buddy to help show them around. If you were missed, please let a teacher know immediately. All students sixth year and older, please be advised that we’re hosting a club and activities fair in the courtyard after class, at 34th bar."

Oh Pfah, Rhea's voice hissed through Thirtyx's brain. I forgot all about that.

Benn's mouth twitched like he was trying to suppress a smile. Aren't you in charge of three different clubs?

And when exactly was I supposed to plan something during break, Benn? Was it before I single-handedly solved one of the biggest land disputes of the decade or after I learned three years of foundational Pfah magic in one season?

Calm down. I can help you organize, Thirtyx said. We can plot and plan during our free period.

How do you know we'll have our free period together? Rhea asked, but Thirtyx was a step ahead, bringing forth his memories of evenings spent studying the class list, working and reworking the probabilities that he wouldn't have to weather any classes alone. It would be impossible, given the limited offerings of the highest level courses, but he could expect anywhere from one to three blocks by himself.

Was the pity echoing off of his friends' thoughts because of that or because poring over schedules was how he'd entertained himself during break?