Hearing this, Azul's face scrunched a little in dismay. If anything, he has learned not to poke around with this guy carelessly or he could be taken advantage of again. He had already figured out that no matter how far he'd tighten the collar around her neck, she would always slip away with ease and turn around to bewitch him instead. With this in mind, Azul breathed a sigh in defeat and muttered, "Nevermind. I apologize for my rudeness from earlier. I shouldn't have doubted you either. since you've given me the information from your own free will. I'll also check up on Gabriel when the winter break is over."
"That's a relief." Lotus smiled.
Though she wore a friendly smile and a calm voice, Azul could feel a shiver run down his spine as he wondered if it was an actual blessing or a curse that he came across this demon. Having seen that Willow wasn't even a little shaken had made him shaken instead and, though he knew that she wouldn't do any harm, he knew that she may be even more shrewd than him! With this in mind, he readily backed away first seeing that she also has her own source of intel network, which he was already almost finished establishing to its top condition. However, he didn't expect a first-year to have finished it before him!
Seeing that everything was settled, Lotus continued to listen Ren play the piano for them as the music soothed her, which was rather interesting as she rarely ever find musicians with talent comparable to the people she personally knew. When Azul played the piano, she noticed that his music was very lively which was surprising with how calm the underwater cities were. The music was indeed interesting and much more lively than the music she's heard in Scalding Sands that beats to the heart. However, when it came to preference, she liked listening to Ren's piano instead which soothed the soul and is filled with emotions. It wasn't long before evening came around that she noticed that it was time to leave.
.....
After seeing her take her leave with Ren, Azul breathed faintly before collapsing into his seat by the bar.
"It seems that Lotus actually gave you some trouble in the end..." Jade looked to the two curiously as it was rare to see Azul this tired after having dealt with the two guests.
"Even though he wasn't running a business, it's clear that he has already made a proper intel network and connection." Azul grumbled as he took a glass of water, "He could already figure out what one of our students was going through without having to understand the words explicitly."
"But, did that weak guy really think that Angler is much stronger than us?" Floyd questioned in confusion.
Jade already recalled the guy they mentioned and hummed curiously, "It's very unlikely for Gabriel to have given away information intentionally and he knows that Lotus has no magic to fight against us. Perhaps, his intel is more than just connections with other dorm members."
"His intel isn't limited to connections?" Azul frowned, "Then, that could also mean he's also capable of reading his surroundings... However, if that is true... Then, he is truly a monster."
To their knowledge, they made sure that nobody speak of this incident in their dorm. However, that didn't mean that the other dorms have to follow this procedure either. Yet, with so many students around, he could easily organize the rumors going around the school.
Thinking this, Azul knew that Ramshackle dorm has enrolled a monster into their dorm.
Jade thought to himself in all seriousness as well as he noted, "He also quickly took up piano when you and Ren taught him how to play the piano..."
Azul nodded his head with a frown, "He was also able to tune the piano with an ancient instrument..."
"Azul..." Jade warned him carefully with a frown.
"I know." Azul sighed in disappointment, "I believe this is what the man said comparison could kill..."
"Angler fish has always been this weird too." Floyd frowned, "But, this time, he's really weird."
As Azul heard this, he frowned, "If he is as talented as the dorm leaders... If others say the dorm leaders are geniuses, then he is a monster..."
.....
After having feeling much better and seeing that Grim and Yuu would be returning to the dorm that day, Lotus was having tea with Silver and Sebek when Silver seemed to have dozed off in the middle of the tea party. Seeing the opportunity, Zhang Li hesitated as she really didn't like the way he continues to refer to humans as some minor beings, but she knew that, not only was she in the wrong, but it would also greatly trouble her lady. At the same time, Sebek had been unusually silent and the silence had also made the tea party strangely awkward, which was probably the reason that Silver ended up falling asleep. At the same time, Sebek wasn't certain since he knew that he should also be apologizing since he was the one who made her snap knowing she was ill. Their tea had already gone cold on the table. One because he was too nervous to take in the tea and the other just found the tea too sweet for her taste. With a dry mouth, Sebek was hesitant and strangely nervous as he was also a little reluctant to apologize. The only time he's ever apologized, it would usually be to the young master or Lilia. However, here was about to apologize to this human. Despite knowing this, he didn't want to disappoint Malleus and with great reluctance, he finally spoke up, "I-!"
"I sincerely apologize..."
"Huh?" Sebek looked to her in surprise as she continued.
"That day, I was out of it, so I don't recall the entire conversation, but I've heard about the argument we had from Lilia-senpai." Zhang Li explained as she tried to match up with her master's words when referring to the other students, "Even though I don't remember the full extent of our conversation, I do remember that I was being rude... So... I sincerely apologize for my outburst and threats... And for forgetting our argument since I believe it must've caused problems for you as well."
According to Lotus, Sebek works as a bodyguard for Malleus, the dorm leader of this dorm and the future ruler of their home country. Although they came to school for the chance to experience the life of a regular teenager, her words have truly sparked trouble for Sebek and his friends that day both personally and socially. Knowing this, Zhang Li understood that she had really crossed the line this time and had to make a sincere apology even if she felt that it was still his fault for not taking her condition into consideration.
Sebek was surprised to hear this, but he did recall Lilia telling him that Lotus's fever was so bad that she didn't couldn't recall the argument they had. He didn't believe it thinking that she was using this incident to her advantage and pinning the blame on him, but he didn't think that she would be the first to apologize! Feeling rather embarrassed, he cleared his throat wondering if she was actually genuinely apologetic to him regarding that incident. However, it was important to still apologize for the incident as this was also an order from Lilia and Malleus.
"AHEM!" He cleared his throat nervously before he started to stammer, "I-I-I SINCERELY APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCIDENT THAT DAY TOO!"
Zhang Li was surprised by his loud voice, but, since her head didn't hurt anymore, the voice was just annoying but not enough to rip her eardrums out of her head like before. He suddenly recalled the reason for their argument and cleared his voice once more with a perplexed expression but quieter, "Ahem... I'm sorry... My voice."
"It's all right. Really..." Zhang Li said awkwardly since she knew that he had only messed up his apology, "My headache has stopped, so it doesn't hurt my head anymore."
"I-I see..." Sebek sighed in relief before continuing reluctantly, "However... that day, I didn't take your condition into consideration... So, I did hurt you hu-... I-I mean, so I did hurt you..."
"I won't lie. It was painful and I accept your apology. However, despite the circumstances, it was wrong of me to spout threats at you that day. Those words should not have been used towards others trying to help. So, I also need to apologize to you for that day as well."
Her words actually made sense to Sebek now that he thought of it, so he nodded his head only relieved that he had accomplished his task and continued though still reluctant, "I see... I'll let it slide."
"Thank you." Zhang Li inwardly breathed a sigh of relief as well and recalled the gift which she brought out from her pocket, "I wanted to gift this to you as part of my apology."
The bracelet was a pretty green jade wrapped by a wooden carving and polished. The most stood out trait would be the zigzag lightning opening revealing the green jade making it look like a green lightning symbol.
"I'm not the best at carving so I asked a friend to help me carve the wood so I can use it to wrap the jade. I remember everyone mentioned that you work as a bodyguard for your dormleader outside of school. So, I wanted to gift you this, since it maybe more useful than a regular ornament." Zhang Li explained as she recited the backstory of the bracelet Lotus told her to use instead, "I don't know what's good or bad for Faes, so I guessed that something created by the fairies would be better. The jade was something I made a long time ago with an old friend who was a fairy. However, because I don't have magic, it's useless for me. So, please accept this. If you accept it, it's also doing me a favor by giving this bracelet a purpose. I don't know the exact abilities but that it is a protective charm. I won't be in such a difficult position since I don't get into fights, but it might be more useful in your hands. I just don't want to see it be put up in some antique store and rot away. It'd pain me if that were to happen to it."
Seeing this, Sebek was hesitant as he listened to her words. He knew that humans can be weak and all that, but he didn't think that one was able to befriend a fairy and create this magical object. However, was this to say that she wants something to happen to him or that he's too weak?