Book 4 - Schemer of the Scalding Sands: Chapter 30; A Puppet-Like State

The screen turns on as the next chapter title plays "Chapter 30; A Puppet-Like State".

Jamil had stopped in the middle of the hallway, now decently away from the other students, and glared at Azul as he told him "No offense, but I can't let you people stay in Scarabia any longer. It's time you went back under the sea." Azul seems to have a sweat drop at this as he asks Jamil "Pardon? Where did this come from, Jamil? Have I done something to offend you?"

Jamil had closed his eyes at this point, but then asks Azul "You really don't get it? Does the sad look on my face mean nothing to you?" Azul takes a closer look at Jamil's face as he asks confused "What…?"

But then Jamil suddenly opens his eyes and says "...You made eye contact with me. Fool."

He then starts to use a spell "The one you behold is your master. When I ask a question, you will answer. When I give you a command, you will assent. Snake Whisper."

Azul made a pained noise and put a hand to his head after that he then said "What?! Gh… My head! Rgh…"

Jamil continued to use the magic and stated with a smirk "The pain will last as long as you resist. The sooner you give in and submit, the easier it will be for you. Go on, I'm waiting."

Azul continued to struggle and made some more pained noises along the way, only to suddenly stop as he closed his eyes and put his head down.

Jamil then asked him "Azul, who is your master?" Azul seems to still be struggling a bit as he says "My master is…"

He pauses for a second before looking up as he answers while slowly opening his eyes "...you, O' mighty Jamil." showing that his pupils have now turned red, similarly to how Kalim's were when he was acting differently. Azul then tells Jamil "I await your command, Master." while bowing slightly.

Jamil then starts to laugh, at first it was more of a chuckle only for it to turn into insane laughter after a little bit. He then also takes on an insane look with one of his eyes wide open and the other much more squinted while wearing a massive smile. Jamil's arms are crossed as he slightly brags "You thought I was a mediocre magician, but you were sorely mistaken – an embarrassing misjudgment for the housewarden of Octavinelle."

His insane look then tunes down at least, as he frowns and complains "But really… Because of you, all my carefully laid plans have gone up in smoke. All I needed was a little more nudging from the Ramshackle visitors, and the students would have kicked Kalim out. It was my way of getting Kalim ejected from his position without getting my own hands dirty. Do you have any idea how much painstaking effort I put into laying the groundwork for that?"

He then starts a command "First, you're going to take the twins and go home to the Coral Sea…" only to pause for a second "Wait, hold on."

He then asked Azul "Azul. You returned all your contractually stolen powers back to their original owners recently, right?" Azul nods and answers "Yes, Master."

Jamil then clicks his tongue with a tch and complains "So much for using you as my own personal genie of the Lamp." Jamil then starts to think and mumbles "Your signature spell is quite a valuable asset… But it would be hard to keep you controlled long-term."

Azul then speaks up and tells Jamil "Sir. I remember the contents of the contracts." This surprises Jamil so he asks "What?" Azul then further explains "I remember all the secrets of the people I made contracts with. Their troubles. Their weaknesses. Their desires."

Jamil then smirks and says "What a twisted collection. I can see I made the right call now making friends with you."

Jamil then seems to think of something and he asks "Does this intellectual cache of yours include Headmage Dire Crowley's secrets?" Azul answers "Of course, Master. I know one thing he would never want others to learn."

Jamil then starts to crazily laugh again as he insanely exclaims "That's it! THAT'S IT! It's all going to work out!"

He then regains a little bit more self-control and says "You really are my genie of the Lamp, Azul!"

Azul then asks him "Do you wish to know the headmage's secret?" Jamil answers "Oh, absolutely. Once I have the headmage's weakness in my grasp, I'll finally be free."

He then goes on a bit of an insane spout towards what he'll do afterwards as well "I'll kick Kalim out of school and become housewarden myself!"

Only for there to suddenly be some footsteps before Jade walks out and states "And there we have it."

Jamil turns to where Jade is standing and before becoming guarded.

The screen then fades to black as "To be continued" plays before fully turning off.