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The day went the same as it’d always gone. Jamil woke him up, helped him get ready– And then they had breakfast with the other Scarabia students, before moving onto the morning march.
The only anomaly? Kalim had done this all before.
Had been complacent in disbelief and denial. Had simply reinforced his own incompetence as an excuse. It was pathetic how he’d let them walk all over him. How he’d let them turn on him.
And for what? Jamil must’ve known it was a stupid plan. Kick him out of his Housewarden role legitimately. Then what? Become Housewarden? Pff, as if. His family would’ve had a fit. What did he expect? That Kalim would lose his role? Maybe even his heirship? Or maybe they’d bribe the Headmaster even more to keep him in that role no matter how much the other students tried to fight against it.
‘Spoiled brat,’ they’d think.
‘Don’t you think I’ve TRIED to get them to stop!? To refuse? But ‘I’ don’t know anything. ‘I’ should just leave it to the adults.’ He’d respond then.
The curse of being rich was that you never truly did get what you wished for.
Except, he never did know what happened. Things happened, things changed, except the one thing Kalim never got to see was how it ended.
In a way, it was a mercy.
(If he messed up, he didn’t have to see Jamil’s sister’s crying face.)
Because Jamil hated him, everything else happened. (Kalim wondered what would’ve happened if they’d never met. But maybe he’d get exploited for his UM, or maybe he wouldn’t manifest the same one. Maybe he wouldn’t be ‘Jamil’ anymore.)
(At one point, Kalim had tried to talk to Jamil. But then Jamil moved a little too fast and he flinched, memories of a hostile one too close to his thoughts.
A dark look appeared in Jamil’s eyes. “Oh. So that’s how it is. Suddenly everything we’ve done together means nothing? You think– ..Haha.. I thought you were different.”
He knew the other was trying to guilt him but–!)
And Kalim couldn’t argue, but he didn’t quite have as much power as everyone else thought. That was one thing he’d never told Jamil. Out of shame, maybe.
(Once, Kalim had asked for Jamil’s freedom. Because friends weren’t better than one or the other, they were equals.)
He frowned at his plate,
Everyone knew. Except the person in question. People used that to get him to do what they wanted, because they knew he couldn't do anything to retaliate. That they’d just take it out on jamil, and nobody would bat an eye. Because he couldn’t keep an eye over Jamil forever. He couldn’t prioritize Jamil, even though he wanted to, and they all knew that.
Again, again, again—
There was no one but Scarabia at first. Then there was Yuu and Grim.
(His ‘reset’ point was randomized. Sometimes he was back at the start of winter break. Sometimes he was there for Octavinelle’s visit. It was a lot similar to his ‘blanking out’ from Jamil’s UM.)
And then there was Azul, Floyd, and Jade.
Kalim felt like it went a lot worse with the Octavinelle trio, with them provoking Jamil. Except, it was out of character if he protested. ..And going out of character..
Maybe it was his fault. For acting like an idiot back then. Especially in front of Jamil. ..But the people close to his family knew what it really was. It tricked newer business partners, but Kalim just.. Didn’t want to face reality.
(“Oh, don’t mind Kalim. He’s still new. Very green, so he might make some not so smart comments. He’ll learn.”
Kalim was only the heir because his parents were aware of his intelligence. Back then, he was naive, thinking that providing accurate research and persuading them would let them set Jamil and his family free from their binds. He thought talking things through would help. ..Kalim underestimated how greedy and lazy people truly were.
In the end, he showed one too many cards, and now they had a deal. He could act as idiotic as he wished, until he came of age, in which he’d have to properly fit into his role as the heir. It was more, ‘you are our best candidate, but that doesn’t mean we’ll hesitate to deal with you if you become a nuisance. One foot out of line, and you forfeit your servant’s life.’
Kalim might as well have been as free as Jamil. His life, forced into whatever whim his parents have, of the people in their circle.. No doubt that if a good deal came along, they’d shove him off to be married in some far away land, never to see the Scalding Sands again. And going against it…
He wondered how Jamil would’ve reacted, seeing himself then. Seeing him so utterly exhausted. Hopeless. Would he be worried? Would he only use it to fuel his hatred more, believing that he was stressed out over nothing, in comparison to him, with so many responsibilities?)
…
Kalim had a hopeful feeling in his chest (his own plans never worked out) . Scared but oh so wishing it was true– He tried to be helpful, having long since learned of Octavinelle’s plans, and maybe it could push Jamil to be his true self– (Jamil always hated it when Kalim tried to say something about it. Jamil always acted differently around him..)
The stream wasn’t real. There was a time he just
broke
and —----
without Jade… ███—
Hopeless, so useless, what an idiot!
They just needed to get talking, to show all of their feelings— .And then it would all be okay!
But deep down inside, Kalim knew the truth.
He panted slightly, having gone into a word vomit, trying to express all his feelings the best way he could, ignoring the crowd around them. (Kalim felt bad, but it had been awhile since he’d last actually cared for his students. But he just couldn’t think straight when it came to Jamil.)
There was silence.
Jamil burst out laughing, and his heart sank.
“Friends? You heard what I said, and you still think we can be friends ? That we can make it all up , and you can go back to playing pretend like none of this ever happened!?”
“That’s not–”
“NO! I’m done listening to you! To all of you! Everyone’s so insufferable and I hate it ! What, you think the power of friendship will come to save the day? Save you from the big bad villain who you can ‘redeem’? We’re not kids, Kalim. ..And you heard them. Streamed. My life is over… EHhahha..ah.. Your family will kill me. ”
But Kalim didn’t hear any of that, white noise filling his ears as he could only stare blankly at Jamil’s angry face, yelling at him with words he didn’t dare decipher.
..How did he make Jamil happy? Going along with his whims made him angry. Trying to do what was best with him made him angry. Pushing him away made him angry. Trying to make up with him made him angry.
And.. just..
“..I want to die,“ he spoke thoughtlessly.
Jamil flinched, before he snapped out. “What?” (‘How dare you make this about you.’)
Selfish, what a selfish act! Coward, self-centered spoiled brat— Leaving others to clean up your mess. You die, and it’s on Jamil. You’re really going to do that, just to do it all over again? Mess up trying to create your perfect little timeline?
“I’m.. so tired…” His face felt sticky and gross.
What if you’re leaving all these timelines just for them to suffer? What if every time you die, Jamil gets punished. Those timelines go on even after you’re gone and you doom them to a life of pain?
Who's to say that there even is an end? That Jamil can even be saved? He doesn’t want anything to do with you.
His legs collapsed underneath him, and he felt a dripping land on him. It reminded him of Oasis Maker, and he stared numbly at the blot that was starting to cover him whole.
“..Nothing I do.. Means anything..”
(It was funny. The truth was that Kalim didn’t have anything close to enough magical reserves to even hit the blot limit. The only thing that changed in each loop was him , because he remembered– And apparently the blot he accumulated stayed with him, even if his body believed he still had more magic. It was conflicting. No wonder he felt so drained. ..To be fair he did still have as much magic as he did when the loop first started, but Kalim truly couldn’t rest a day away to make the blot go away.)
(It was a single thought that bloomed to life inside of his mind. An idiot belief rooted in denial that if he just kept Jamil here, that he wouldn’t die. Wouldn’t be executed for his betrayal and whatnot. But another part warred with him, knowing that it was hopeless, and begging for death– …But it was also so selfish at the same time to wish for such…)
“I can’t–
Please kill me…
No!
I don’t wanna die!
…Useless…
No matter what…
I can’t save him..
..I can’t..
Die yet…!
All just a bad dream!
Jamil–
…This can’t be the end…!
..Need to..
Keep going..
Or else…”
The unfortunate truth was that Kalim had the same magical reserves as he had any other day (Not like Jamil, who was the real powerful one) . Which meant the strain of an overblot, of his monster consuming his magic like it was candy, tricking his body into believing it had an infinite source, that is, blot as his magic, to keep resisting… He used it up so much faster.
It took a few loops before he regained awareness. (He knew it’d been more than just one because he had various memories. Of Jamil calling to him, getting worried when he wouldn’t wake up. Of Jade.. Of—)
Kalim wished it was permanent. But he felt shame at the same time, because Jamil surely would’ve suffered in his place. Blamed, whatever lie they could make up for losing them such an ‘asset’.
Eventually, it ended, with everyone safe and okay (the successful run was where the time loop ended). ..Kalim just. Wanted to not exist, for a moment or two.
So he faded in and out of his cheerful mask, pretending like everything was fine– Because if he didn’t acknowledge it, then it didn’t exist.
█ ████ ████.
Kalim grimaced in the dark.
“I can’t move.. What’s happening..!?” He heard Riddle say.
Azul huffed, “Calm yourself, Riddle. It’d be preferred if you could stay still, considering how little space there is in here.”
“..Is that you, Azul?”
“It is.”
“How long have I been out? Where are we?” The Heartslabyul Housewarden immediately questioned.
“Unfortunately, none of us know,” Vil responded.
Jamil made a frustrated noise, “We were shoved in here three hours ago. ..No way to see outside, so I can’t tell how fast we’re going, or the direction..”
“..So they took both you and Vil?”
“..And me,” Kalim hesitantly replied.
“Hm. Since Jamil isn’t a housewarden, it’d seem we were taken for another reason, yet..”
There was this whole thing with Riddle realizing he’d been laying on Leona’s lap, and then frantic movements to get off, except with how cramped it was..
Azul continued, composed as ever, “Now that we’re all awake, how about we review the situation? For my part, soldiers with technomantic gear stormed into my club room and whisked me away. However, they seemed acquainted with Idia.”
Leona spoke up, “Unsure about the connection there, but I have an idea of who took us. I’ve seen ‘em a few times over the years. They’re members of Charon, Styx’s muscle. Their job is to nab overblotted magicians and ship ‘em off to the island of Woe.” He paused. “The only question is why Kalim is here, as the odd one out.”
Ahaha… He really thought that he could ignore any consequences that came from the time loop. Ignore them all except what had happened in the time loop that succeeded, but–.. Was it a little naive of him to hope like it was fine, even after he’d overblotted once? Nothing ever got affected, after all. Nothing was permanent.
It was like it never even happened!
…And that time he happened to be horribly ill afterwards but that had nothing to do with what happened!
“I.. don’t know either..”
“You should know that I can tell when you’re lying. You do know.”
He stilled.
“Let me guess, you overblotted, correct?”
“What?! When..!?” ..That was Jamil.
(A part of him felt giddy at the realization that he could spill the truth, and Leona would be able to tell. Wouldn’t be able to accuse him of being a liar. Well he still could, if he thought he was delusional, but…)
Well, it was game over anyway. “I did.” He answered, pulling on the blankness and apathetic state that had helped him be logical when he was too emotional. That had helped him make the tough decisions.
(That one was a cruel run. Where he tried, he really did. He stopped letting his heart make decisions, and–)
“Kalim..!?”
“If it was earlier, then you would’ve already been taken, assuming that they’re taking us because we overblotted, despite my initial thought that they only took those who’ve passed the point of no return. Except we’re here. So. Then you wouldn’t have been here. And in all honesty, you likely would have died, since you don’t have as much capacity for magic as us. So it happened at NRC.”
Kalim listened to his deduction.
“Maybe I’m wrong, but I really can’t imagine much triggering an overblot in you. It’d have to be more focused on negative emotions, because even if you hit your magic limit, it wouldn’t produce enough blot to go over.”
..Heh.. Kalim had an idea of what caused it. Every loop, his magic ‘reset’, but it still ached, like he was scraping at the bottom of a barrel. (Theoretically, then, he’d have enough magic to over blot, to produce enough blot to go over) It was in hindsight, but he recognized the feeling of the blot accumulating– ..And it’d probably stayed with every loop that had gone.
And then wiped clean once he’d wrung himself dry and ███ (sometimes he still felt a phantom sensation of blot on his skin, stuck there like a dirty stain) . ..Except, that probably wasn’t the case, if whatever they were using to notice overblots had caught onto him. Haha whoops…
In any other situation, he wouldn’t have overblotted. That was the truth. And anything could’ve happened to Jamil, then. Kidnapped, and him unable to help.
“I’m wrong, then? Partially. So you hit your magic limit, but you somehow produced enough blot to overflow. Which is weird considering your limit isn’t anywhere near close to ours, and also why overblots aren’t particularly common.”
He felt a little bad for Jamil. How must he feel, hearing this? Something about him that he’d never heard before? Hadn’t even known what happened when he was meant to know everything? ..Well, Jamil wasn’t watching over him anymore, but.. Habits die hard, don’t they?
“And the only thing I can think of that would’ve caused enough negative emotion in you would be..”
Azul interrupted, “Jamil’s betrayal. ..Except I have no recollection of you overblotting during that time.”
“..What..?”
“Tell me, Kalim, how did you survive? Everyone else here has had the Prefect save them one way or another, but..”
“I didn’t.” He startled. “I did. And I didn’t..” His voice went a little hysterical, “I did and I didn’t. I did and I. didn’t .”
He ███, and he didn’t. ..The heir never truly let himself think about that.
“Kalim–”
“You’re not lying,” Leona sounded puzzled. “Or maybe it’s something you believe, but isn’t true. Except generally people have at least an inkling of otherwise but are in denial, but that’ll still seep through. So you wholeheartedly believe it. With every fiber of your being.”
Kalim giggled a little to himself. (He was never truly ‘okay’ after what happened. It wasn’t like ████ a bunch of times was really surprising to come with consequences…)
Vil intervened before they could get too off-topic, “We’re no longer overblotting, though. We were given proper counseling and treatment, monitored over a period of time for any issues.. So how come they would appear out of nowhere, and take us by force?”
Leona scoffed, “How should I know?”
[...]
Leona put his hands on his hips, “So, what horrific experiments does the acting director have in store for us?”
“He he he.. I’m glad you asked! To start with… I’m gonna strap you all to chairs to restrict your movement, and examine you with a bunch ‘a probes. That way, I can score some sweet sweet data on the correlation between stress and blot accumulation!”
“Do you think you can get away with such outrageous behavior?!” Riddle yelled.
Idia recoiled, “Uh. No? I was doing a bit. Sheesh . It’s like you’ve never heard a joke before.”
Kalim often tended to miss the point half the time but even he was aware this wasn’t the time for jokes.
Riddle turned red in anger.
Having seen many sides of Azul’s personality, Kalim could safely deduce that Azul was getting irritated, but trying to hide it by acting composed. “Oh well.. Really, it wasn’t funny at all.”
(Once, one of the twins ███–)
Vil frowned, “You’ve taken our clothes and magic away. We’re completely at your mercy.”
Ortho floated closer, “Come on, Idia! They’re already upset since we brought them out here against their wills. Scaring them will only make it worse!”
“Awe thanks, Ortho!” Kalim beamed.
“Besides, subjecting them to excessive levels of stress won’t yield accurate results.”
He subsequently drooped.
“Continuing on, we brought you here because we’d like you to help us collect data. You’re all highly-valuable specimens since you overblotted but weren’t consumed by Phantoms.”
Oh– That..
“What are Phantoms?” Vil questioned.
Ortho gave Kalim a glance.
Idia clarified, “When you overblot, all the blot you can’t hold spills out, and takes on a giant form. You guys saw the faceless monsters that appeared behind you, right?”
He winced.
“We call them Phantoms. You weren’t exactly yourselves , so I’m not sure how much you registered.. However, when you overblotted, you were able to use magic way beyond your normal reserves. Do you know why?”
Kalim frowned. Remembered going crazy, ████ ██ █ ███ ██ ██ ██. █ █. ..███ █ █ █, ██ ███ ███, ██ █ ███ █ █ ██ ███. █ █ █ ███. ██ █ █ ██ █████ █ █████? █ ███ ██ ███, █ ██ █ ██ █ ██..
█ █ █, █ █ ██ █ ██ █ ███ █ ██ █. █ ██ ███ ██ ███ █ █ ██ ██ ████.
“It was because of them. Phantoms feed on blot that’s filled with the practitioner’s darkest emotions. It’s their energy source. Blot’s toxic matter that’s generated when you use magic. Normally , it’s nothing but a debuff. However, when you’re in overblot mode, that debuff turns into a buff. That’s why overblotted mages blow through their reserves and keep generating blot. The Phantoms then suck it all up and get a bigger and bigger power-up bonus. ..And once the mage exhausts the last of their reserves.. Their job as an incubator is finished.”
Riddle startled, “..An.. incubator..?”
“Mhm. It’s like you’re an energy drink. Once they’ve gotten the last drop, the empty can gets thrown into the trash. Then the caster is gone, leaving only a monster that’s driven by hunger and negative emotions. They wander the land, refusing to let go and spewing hexes all over the place. Hence, the name Phantom. ..At that point, either the Arcane Response Unit steps in and slays them… Or they’re captured and brought here for research. Although I’ve heard of ultra-rare cases where they manage to blend in with direbeast and other wildlife, and hide in the mountains.”
“I was aware that if someone overblotted, and spent all their magic reserves, they would die..” Jamil started.
“But the monster living on after that? A bit hard to believe,” Azul continued.
They never experienced it. Being eaten ████ –
Kalim shuddered, feeling himself grow pale.
███ ██ ██ █ ██ █ ██. █ █ █. █ █ ████, ████ ██ █ ███ █ ██ ███, █ ██ █ █ ██ █ ██– ..█ █ ███ █ ████ █ ██, ████ █ █ ██…
Idia shrugged, “There aren’t many cases that escalate to the point of creating Phantoms. The thing about overblotting is that you have to be as capable mage with a pretty big magic pool for it to happen at all.”
His gaze turned to Kalim for a moment, and he could tell he was puzzled.
“So it’s about as rare as rolling four SSRs on a single 10-pull in a gacha game with stingy draw rates. Plus, most competent mages tend to be more careful and show some self-control. ..Yet there was a whole slew of overblots in the past few months, and all at the same school!”
“You have a gift for rubbing people the wrong way,” Leona drawled.
Azul did his thinking pose, “So we were brought in for research. Were you the one who issued that order, Idia?”
“That is..”
Ortho piped up, “Styx personnel are prohibited from disclosing such information to outside parties. Let’s just say that in addition to the agents Styx deploys worldwide.. We have a global network of informants.”
Ah.. A network that could notice him? Maybe that was a bit egotistical, but.. In the first place, how did people track who overblotted, and would it be with a method that meant it could easily notice him as well? Or was it some sort of extremely accurate system?
“As we’ve just established, Styx has conducted much research on blot over the years. One of our primary focuses is studying ways to safely and effectively use blot. Additionally, it’d be important for you to learn more about the properties of your own magic and blot, don’t you think? You wouldn’t want to overblot again, would you? Styx HQ has the most advanced research labs in the world. That means the most advanced treatment for overblotters, as well.”
“And if we don’t participate, you won’t let us go back to school?” Vil guessed.
Idia waved a hand, “Yeah yeah, so let’s get the paperwork outta the way first. Take a look at the tablets at your seats.”
Azul. “What’s all this?”
“An NDA–a non-disclosure agreement. Just sign it once you’ve read everything, m’kay?”
Did NDAs still apply if he signed them and then ended up back before he signed it? ..Probably not.
“We’ll even email you a link where you can download a copy if you fill out your email address.”
Vil. “Pardon me? You drag us here against our wills, and now you expect us to sign an NDA ?! There’s an armed guard here, we’re clearly signing under duress.”
The acting director scowled, “Ugh. I bet you’re the type that never reads the manual, and then yells at the tech support about how it’s not working. Could you save the aggression after you’ve read it? This contract’s meant to protect you too, you know. Like I said. You don’t hurt us, we don’t hurt you. Agreeing to cooperate, you’ll receive all the latest blot treatments. The examinations take about 24 hours. That’s it. You just need to give us 24 hours of your time, and then boom. Done. We can wrap up everything in a neat little bow, and everyone goes back home happy.”
He folded his arms, “I didn’t want this job, y’know. I could be grinding out an event with my favorite character right now. You wanna get out of here fast? Read it. Sign it. Bam, done.”
Leona growled, “Radish Sprout’s actin’ all high and mighty now that he thinks we’re defenseless. If it wasn’t for this stupid collar, I’d turn all his hair to sand.”
Would that be possible, actually? How did Idia’s hair work, even?
Vil. “Why, Leona, for once we agree on something.”
[...]
“Whew.. Now that you’ve got it signed, let’s get these examinations going.”
Ortho made a hand motion, “The battle simulator and observation console are all set up.”
“KK. Split the subjects into two teams. We’ll do the first test with Subjects A, C, and E. Then the next with Subjects B, D, and F. Ortho, show A, C, and E to the sim room.”
“You got it! Riddle Rosehearts. Azul Ashengrotto. Kalim Al-Asim. Come on and follow me!”
Idia. “The rest of you can chill in this room. Imma step out. If you need anything, you can use the intercom by the door to call the staff.”
[...]
“Commencing dive, start up!”
Azul recoiled, “What is this place?!”
Ortho happily answered, “A virtual space created with technomantic VR. We cut off your magic in the facility, but you can use it all you want here!”
So that’s how they’re measuring it, then.
“No need to hold back, then.”
“Wasn’t planning on it.”
[...]
“Subject A, C, and E’s vital signs are all normal. Blot accumulation is within the standard range– Except for E. Subject E produces less blot than the others.”
Idia tilted his head, “..About what I expected. Time to see if the numbers differ in the next one.”
In any case, Kalim is even more of an anomaly than the others. His body registers itself as having once overblotted, but it was also like he hadn’t. Except there wasn’t a way to trick the body into thinking it overblotted unless one overblotted itself– It was strange, there wasn’t quite as much information on the incident of Kalim’s overblot.
“Simulator has synched with the Lachesis System. We’re all set for the second test.”
“Okay, phase transition time. Ortho, take it away.”
[...]
Kalim blinked, startling. He was.. In the cafeteria now?
“What!?” Azul frowned.
“What was I doing..?” Riddle sounded confused.
Jamil walked toward him, along with Jade and Trey, “There you are, Kalim.”
That’s.. Not right..
Trey. “Oh good, you’re here too, Riddle. The Housewarden meeting’s about to start.”
Jade. “Azul, I’ve brought the documents for the topic you wanted to discuss.”
…
“Is something wrong?”
“Do we all have something on our faces?” Trey joked.
“..Right, let’s–” Riddle started.
It was unusual for the Vices to be together. It was unusual for Riddle and Azul to even stay in the same room as one another if they didn’t have to, too! Also, Riddle late to something? Or almost?
..And maybe it was ‘blanking out’ and appearing ‘somewhere else’ that put him on edge.
His brain wanted to believe that they were really here, but.. It felt too good to be true. And that meant it probably was.
(Ever since he’d paid the price for denial, he’d considered more options than simply ‘playing along’.
…But he’s still in denial…?
)
In any case, he felt an odd dissociative feeling– Like.. he was an outsider. So it hadn’t really affected him. ..A consequence of the time loops? His body conflicting with his.. Well.. ‘soul’, perhaps? Maybe? He wasn’t sure.
And then the Vices started attacking them.
“Jade!?”
“Trey? What is this!?”
“Every student has the right to challenge the Housewardens for their seat.”
“We’ve already filed the paperwork for this with the Headmage.”
Kalim stared blankly, “What are you thinking, ‘Jamil’?”
Jamil scoffed at him, “I can hardly accept someone who doesn’t even qualify as Scarabia’s Housewarden.”
Was this from his memories? No, of this body’s memories. ..Woah, that was a weird detachment to make. Because so much of what he learned to understand Jamil better, that happened not so much in this run. The successful run..
“I see..”
[...]
“Ooh, look at the difference in their blot gain rates!”
“Totally. …”
“Kalim’s stats are pretty low, in any case. Not particularly outstanding in any one area, but at least trained in self-defense, and athletic enough with the stamina to back up a more movement-based fighting style. He’s strategic in some places, but lacking in others, where he fumbles. But at least familiar enough with Jamil’s fighting style that he can last a bit. Probably experienced in gymnastics, since it shows he’s pretty flexible. Also reckless and impulsive, without the strength to fully back it up. Not afraid to fight dirty, in any case, but relies on a lot more than just magic. Under more stress in test two, although it seems that Jamil himself is stressful to Kalim. ..But it’s weird. He doesn’t produce more blot than average, nor is his blot tolerance lower. So how was he able to overblot?”
Idia took a moment to think, “Maybe he could be something like an aggro splitter. Someone who draws attention to them by the enemy, so the rest of the party can form a plan. At the most risk.”
[...]
Kalim startled at the power going out.
..And there was a crash..!?
A clicking noise came from his collar, and then it fell to the ground. Then there was a red light flashing through the room for a moment. ..An alarm?
What was going on..!?
Vil ended up opening the doors to his and everyone else’s rooms, thank the sevens..
He had a really bad feeling.
[...]
Vil put his hands on his hips, “Since we’re both juniors and Housewardens, I believe it would be best for Leona and I to lead separate teams. I’ll take Tower 1. Leona can take Tower 2. That leaves Tower 3…”
“I’ll lead the third team,” Riddle spoke.
“Very well.”
Rook spoke up, “Epel, Yuu and I shall go with Vil. It’s easier to support someone you’ve spent more time with, after all.”
“That leaves Azul, Jamil, and Kalim.”
Kalim raised a hand, “Since Riddle and Azul are going to face the magma titan, it’d probably be best if I joined them, since my signature spell can create a lot of water, fast. It could probably work to stall it too if we need to, since it’d be cold, right?”
So.
Tower 1 - Vil, Rook, Epel, and Yuu.
Tower 2 - Leona and Jamil
Tower 3 - Riddle, Azul, and Kalim.
Deep breaths.
[...]
..Honestly, after things got messy, and led to Kalim’s unfortunate demise, he realized something.
He was stuck in a time loop again.
Oh.
So, what was the best way to make sure everyone survived? Give them a cheat sheet. Okay, well–
What he did was join in each team for three separate loops. (It was a bit harder to join Team 1 considering how many people were with them, but he managed.)
Was he a cheating cheater? Yes. Did he care? No. Because this was a very serious thing, and if he had the ability to do something , then he should. Simple as that.
And because he didn’t know how long the loop would last, or what would end it quite yet, so it was generally better to aim for the best ending.
..Ignoring the fact that he could die and not come back .
[...]
“One second! I have something really important to tell all of you guys, okay?”
“Kalim..” Jamil sighed.
“It’s not what you think, just trust me. Okay?”
He hated dying . He hated that people could actually notice him deteriorate, because in one moment he’d be perfectly fine, in another he’s shaking and disoriented from the last–
It was a shame that Tartarus was a particularly riskful place, even if he did everything ‘right’.
(It was staring at the Underworld that gave him a horrible feeling. That if he died from
that
, then he wouldn’t come back at all.)