Book 4 - Schemer of the Scalding Sands: Chapter 18; A Family's Fate

The screen turns on as the next chapter title plays "Chapter - 18; A Family's Fate".

Grim's face turns to one of surprise before offense as he tells Jamil "Seriously? Why even ask for advice if you're gonna immediately reject it?!"

Grim then turns curious as he puts his paws in a way that you would put your hands on your hips and asks "What's your issue with my suggestion, anyway?"

Jamil crosses his arms as he explains "The Viper family has assisted the Asim family for generations. How could I betray our history like that? It would be beyond pale. Not to mention the lecture I would get from my parents…" Jamil shakes his head as he finishes with a slightly annoyed look "I'm sorry, but it just wouldn't be right."

Yuu feels something is off about all of this but couldn't put her finger on it, as such she says "I guess you make a good point. You just can't win no matter what, can you?" Jamil just shrugs at that before crossing his arms and saying "It is what it is."

Grim then speaks up again "Okay, I get why you can't challenge Kalim to a duel. But if the housewarden keeps actin' like this, he's gonna make life totally miserable for everybody in the dorm!"

Grim then turns a side-eye and seems almost pouty as he says "Riddle was bad enough, but this hot and cold thing Kalim's doin' is making it way worse."

One of the students then shouts out "Yeah! He's not acting like a housewarden at all!" As another adds "he's not even meeting the job requirements. This goes against our Scarabian spirit!"

This greatly confuses Yuu as she asks "What do you mean, 'Scarabian spirit'?"

Jamil answers "A sense of keen mindfulness – a quality attributed to the Sorcerer of the Sands." before going further adding and explaining "-And to be a housewarden of one of Night Raven College's seven dorms, you must be the most befitting of the dorm's spirit. Anything less, and you are unqualified to be housewarden. Dueling is essentially an easy way to determine this. The seven dorms each have their own different spirits, and their own ways of determining who befits it."

The Fairest Queen's statue is seen in front of the Pomefiore dorm castle as it's way of determining it's housewarden is stated "For example, tradition in Pomefiore states that the housewarden is whoever can make the most potent poison."

Then going back to the Scarabia dorm lounge with everyone, Grim exclaims "Gah! That's nightmare fuel!" A couple of the unaware students nod as well, while some whisper to each-other as well.

Grim is then shown confused as he realizes something, and asks "So how'd Kalim get picked to be the head honcho of Scarabia?"

Jamil explains "He was nominated by the previous housewarden. Through his prior work and virtues, he cultivated a reputation as the most befitting in the dorm. I'll never forget how proud I was at his nomination." Although there was a certain glint that passed through his eyes as he said that last part.

A Scarabia student then complains "But he wouldn't have half that record if you hadn't been helping him! Everybody in the dorm knows it." Another student annoyed at the situation exclaims "Why didn't the last housewarden choose you instead?!"

Jamil then scolds the student, although with a hint of satisfaction in his eyes which was quickly hidden, due to the students outburst, "Don't blame him. For a relative of the Asim family to choose me over the main house's heir would be… Ah!"

Jamil's face then shifts to one of panic as he seems to be surprised about what he let slip out.

Grim then gets annoyed as he complains again "Seriously?! AGAIN with this Asim family stuff?!" One of the students then says "So that's what was going on. I had no idea! That sounds like blatant nepotism!" Another student exclaims "Man, the Asim family plays way too dirty!"

Jamil then 'pleads' "Please, I implore you. Forget what you just heard." although his face is rather emotionless as he says this.

None of the students seem to notice as another says "Night Raven College is known as a big-name university precisely because it's a meritocracy. Getting special privileges because of your parents is something that shouldn't fly here!" Another shouts "He's right, Vice Housewarden! We won't stand for this!" As another also shouts "Social status and wealth aren't supposed to matter here on campus. We're all supposed to be equals!"

Jamil then seems like he has a difficult time answering them, saying "But, ah…"

Another then says "Scarabia is a dorm built around the Sorcerer of the Sands' spirit of mindfulness." Before admitting "I've always felt that someone thoughtful like Jamil deserves the seat of house leader way more than Kalim."

Jamil then tells the student "Slow down! I'm not special or superior to anyone else. My grades are dead average. On a scale of one to ten, mine are fives across the board. I'm not fit to be housewarden."

The same student then says "Magical talent isn't what decides who befits the dorm's spirit." Another student then shouts out, asking the others "What do you guys think? Who's the most suitable housewarden out of everyone here?"

One shouts their answer " Oh, it's Jamil, no question!" As another agrees "Yeah! Jamil is way more fit to be Scarabia housewarden than Kalim!" A student then shouts "We can't just accept an incompetent housewarden because he was born into a rich family!" The another students then shouts their version of agreement "That's right! Scarabia's got no use for a leader who can't lead!"

As they all then shout together "Scarabia won't suffer an incompetent housewarden!"

Only for footsteps to then be heard before Kalim with red-pupils to pop up asking them all "What are all of you doing, gathered together at this hour?"

This surprises everyone there.

Grim then shouts "GAH! BUSTED!"

Jamil then says "K-Kalim…" while putting his hands up and trying to take a cautious step towards Kalim, as if he's a wild animal.

Kalim then crosses his arms as he states "Morning training clearly wasn't enough for you, if you still have energy to burn."

He then turns to Jamil and tells him "Jamil! Take the students out to the courtyard this instant!" Jamil then asks "The courtyard, sir?" as if confused.

Kalim then kinda explains, saying "We'll do magic training until their bodies give out."

A student nearby Yuu quietly shouts "That's ridiculous!" Grim then looks like he's about to cry as he shouts "I dunno about you, but I'm already way past my limit!"

Kalim then looks annoyed as he shouts at all the students "Do I need to repeat myself?! Hurry up!"

Jamil looks bothered as he says "...Fine." before telling all the students "Come on, everyone. Out." As they then force the student to undergo magic training.

The screen fades to black before "To be continued" plays and it fully turns off.