Uh. Water.

Hello.

Hello? I know you can hear me!

Y- Good Powers, don’t jump at me like that!

Linette gritted her teeth and clenched her fists.

Where are you going...hello?

Why are you not listening to me again?

Wh- Don't look at me! The professor said I had to take-

You are looking at me, right? That’s what... that’s what this is?

What, why... why are you scared?

No, you’re not scared? Then what is...

“That’s enough.”

Ladd looked away from the Water and focused on the classroom. Linette was glaring at him.

“I take it you lost?” Ladd spun his head around and saw the professor moving towards Linette. She got up off her knees before he reached her, though. “It’s okay. Keep practicing. And you,” Professor Calfenowe turned to Ladd. “Mister Korr. You should practice, too. I’ll sign you up for the Tournament.”

Kyle choked on his surprise and grabbed Yzac’s blazer for support. Ciel stroked his back to soothe him and his own concern.

“I- I'm a first-year, Professor...”
“You are a Level 2 Water mage, and you are able to stand your own against the current top contender. You’ll need a better reason than what number year you are if you want to drop out-”

“No!” Ladd ran up to the professor. “I don’t... I want to! I want to be in it!”

“Then, be in it.” The professor smiled at him.

Kyle wiped his hands of Yzac’s uniform. “Um.”

Everyone in the room turned to him.

“Does that mean Ladd will be getting private lessons?” Kyle fidgeted.

“... I don’t think so. He can practice on his own, as long as he doesn’t try anything dangerous.” Stewart Calfenowe narrowed his eyes at the child in question.

“It’s not like I’m doing anything on purpose!” Ladd forced his tone lower when he noticed it rising.

“Of course. I tell you what, study with a partner for a while. If it looks like you’re keeping yourself safe, I won’t worry anymore.” Stewart waited until Ladd met his eyes. “You’ll be able to practice freely, as much as you want, if you can manage it. Does that sound good to you?”

“Yeah, sure.” Ladd ruffled his hair.

“Then you should also agree that if I hear about any mishaps, I’ll have you removed from the Tournament altogether.” Stewart watched as Ladd bit back any protest and patted his head when he nodded. “Good.”

The professor turned to Kyle again, thinking the conversation was closed, but the kid’s face was as open a book as always.

“What is it?”

“Ah- I... well,” Kyle shuffled his feet. “You know, um, about the... transfer?” Stewart raised an eyebrow, so Kyle added, “My transfer.”

“Yes, I approved it.” Stewart tilted his head. He never expected the boy to bring it up in front of his friends.

“Right, so...uh. The thing is. I asked the Director if I could keep studying magic, and she said I had to ask for you or Professor Yamada to supervise.”

Stewart folded his arms over each other. “The Director said that?”

“Yeah.”

“Hm.” Stewart wondered what Margaret was thinking, telling a student he could continue when the Sovereign has disallowed it. Was this within her authority? And why, was he a special case, too?

It’s not as if the kid would be lying about it. He hoped.

“Well,” he finally replied. “I won’t have time to watch over all of you. I’ll put in a good word with Dori, for you, okay?” That would give Stewart at least another day to check in with Margaret first.

Ciel poked Kyle’s shoulder. “‘Transfer?’”

Kyle nodded, both at the professor and his schoolmate.

“He’s a math major,” Yzac provided. Ciel glanced between them, clearly amused.

“Kids, I’m going.” The professor strode towards the door. “Don’t hang out too late.” He waved at Susan and Grace before walking away.

“See you tomorrow!” Susan Iquethes called after him, which turned the heads of the three first-years towards hers. “...What.”

Yzac finally noticed her uniform. “Oh!” Then, a moment later. “What level are you?”

“Two.”

“Still?” Kyle jabbed Ladd’s side with a fist. “Ow!” Yzac was nodding, though. Susan laughed.

“We’ll see if I can break through to three this year. Who knows...” she draped an arm around Grace. “...if my little sister won’t do it before me.”

Grace shrugged.

“Oh, that’s right.” Ciel scooted closer to the edge of the desk he was sitting on. “Are you joining this year? The Tourney.”

“Yeah, why?” Grace glanced over her shoulder at him.

He grinned. “I want a rematch.”

“Yeah? Well...” Grace pulled away from the desks. “Good luck.” She reached for her older sister’s hand and pulled. “Come on, I’m sure you’ve got homework.”

“Ugh.” Susan let herself be dragged anyway. As she passed Yzac, she asked. “What’s your name?”

“Zack. Uh-” He started to put his hand out, but she was already out of reach.

“Snack Zack, got it. I’ll try to bring more next time.” She smiled as she waved goodbye. He beamed. Linette placed a hand on his back. When he faced her, he flinched.

“You are absolutely not using my classroom as a meetup spot.”

Yzac frowned, a sorry attempt at puppy eyes. Ita grimaced. Beverly, seated on Ita’s lap, patted Ita’s cheek. Ita gave her a small smile.

“Find her on your own.” Linette scowled. “And you,” she shoved a fingertip at Ladd’s forehead.

His puppy eyes were much more effective, somehow, despite his eerie condition.

“...Come to the seventh-year labs tomorrow.”