After leaving Diane's class, Adam walked behind the Common Hall.

Verdant grass caressed his pants, and the familiar plain thickened the air with sweet nectar that eased the worry pressing on his shoulders. Yet as soon as the shadow of the hovering platform obscured the afternoon sun, it crashed back on his shoulders at full force when he saw Desmond's head snapping toward him.

The teenager waved, grinning until his cheeks grew taut and the corners of his eyes curved upwards. Mischief erupted in his violet eyes like fireworks. "Over here!" he shouted, his voice unnaturally vibrant for someone who had lost his sleep after yesterday's disaster.

"Is there anything you're happy about with the trouble we're in?" He walked to Desmond, followed by the other students' sharp gazes and murmurs.

"The two leeches are up to something." Someone didn't bother to whisper.

"That Adam is even worse. Desmond loses points because he's stupid, but that bastard!"

An older student huffed without finishing his sentence before his friend did it for him.

"Be careful, guys. I'm sure he's plotting to shame us so the rector deducts our hard-earned points."

Unfazed by the growing restlessness, Adam patted Desmond's shoulder. A flicker of hope flashed in his eyes. "Tell me your energy comes from a great finding."

"Hmm?" Desmond scratched his hair, a brow raised. "And was that supposed to happen during Astride's lesson, or do you believe only you have classes? Nah." He chuckled. "If Teacher Haldris refuses to answer, I thought we would be screwed. But guess what? Your words this morning—they were an immense relief. I feel much lighter knowing I can count on you with the golem weakness."

Jaw clenched, Adam glared at Desmond. "Count on my help, sure. But think I'll do everything alone? Don't you dare say yes." He clenched and unclenched his fist, feigning hesitation before nodding at his palm. "Some say we can't slap a smiling face. I'm sure I can make an exception just for you, ridiculous stalk of lavender."

"Hey! I thought we used these insults to fool teacher Louis, you blue bastard!" Desmond snorted, yet his gaze lingered a second too long on Adam's palm. Then, his smile gave way to a solemn pout. "Of course, I asked around. Teachers Magna, Astride, and Lilia gave me the same answer and a boring lecture about why Brineheart halted its production of golems."

"Same story from Teacher Diane," Adam begrudgingly nodded.

"It only leaves us Haldris." Desmond shrugged. "Instead of worrying, I'd rather believe he won't answer and that you'll somehow find a solution. Of course, I'm here to help if you need anything."

"Guess that's our master plan."

As Adam sighed, the plain vanished between one blink and the next. When he reopened his eyes, he was already atop the platform with the eighty other students. Like last time, no sensation, no warning. He was there when he had been dozens of meters below a moment before, pupils constricted, and eyes darting to the culprit as colder winds ruffled his sky-blue hair and loose necktie.

Leaning against the massive stone table, Haldris' gaze lingered on him before sweeping across the other students fluidly. "Welcome to our second class," he said, clapping his hands to silence their gasps.

Everyone stood straight-faced before the rector. But not Desmond. He leaned beside Adam, whispering in his ear. "When do we ask?"

"After class. Let me handle it." Adam pushed Desmond's forehead with a finger, then placed it over his lips. "Don't give him reasons to refuse."

In the eager silence, Haldris waved his hand. From a square leather pouch at his belt, parchments flew out to find their owners. The Oozebloom Abomination hovered in front of Desmond, while Adam saw bronze strips glisten on the silver fur of his Bronthil.

"Last lesson, you all sealed souls into your talismans. That was the easy part. Now the real training begins," Haldris said before his golden eye locked on a student shorter than the others.

Adam followed Haldris' gaze, his breathing catching when he saw her. She was tucked between her friends, a furry ball perched on her shoulder. Her ribbon, mirroring the color of her pink eyes, rustled with her blond hair in the wind.

Quintella and Bao?!

He suppressed the call about to burst out of his tight windpipe. Instead, he pinched the bridge of his nose and slowly moved to her.

Desmond noticed, too, and leaned to ask. "Why's the pipsqueak here?"

"That's what I want to know." Without another word, Adam pushed through the students.

But Haldris' gaze, sharp like a blade drawn at his neck, froze him mid-step.

"Curious about why your sister joined us, Adam?" Haldris smiled, his voice more amused than stern. "Thanks to your efforts, she's the only student in history without any classes on her schedule. We can't let that happen, can we?" His voice softened as he nodded at Quintella and Bao, who clung to her cheek. "Your Pandarok seems to have adapted to the college already, but even if among the weakest, it's a magical beast—a living being—that requires proper nurturing. I'll teach you a thing or two later and monitor its progress."

"Of course, teacher," Quintella answered politely before she patted Bao's head tenderly. "You hear that? He'll teach us how to grow you properly."

She giggled when the baby panda raised its paws in delight.

Torn between good news, bad news, and vigilance, Adam stilled and eventually nodded. The knowledge would make Quintella happy, and Haldris would gain nothing by sharing it. Well, Haldris could keep an eye on her, but that hardly counted. Adam knew nothing could escape Haldris' focus—except perhaps the golem hidden in the mysterious room, though even that he wasn't entirely sure about.

With Quintella's presence settled, he listened to Haldris' explanations.

"You'll condense the soul sealed in your talisman today." He stood behind the massive stone table, brushing his thick hand on its smooth surface. "Not like I've shown you, but through mana replicas."

He placed a talisman in a groove in the table. Straight lines streaked across the stones, pulsing a hazy gray, and Adam's eyes widened. Was this?

It was!

The prototype Duel Desk he had used during the Battle Monster Tournament years ago! However, here it wasn't a tool for games, but a training device from which a replica of a horned rabbit had emerged.

Wait... a horned rabbit from someone like Haldris? Where was the aggressive demon from last time?

The other students shared his perplexed frown as whispers spread across the crowd.