Lotus had been so calm and there was such a pleasant air around her that even quelled whatever incident he had with Vil during the party. However, when she met with them today and even shared the little secret with them, Rook could tell how disturbed she was with the current situation and her action was rather unusual. He wasn't always the one to scheme, but he knows something is too weird when he sees one. The current Lotus wasn't the one before who was mischievous when left with nothing to do and firm when trouble arises while the prefect was clear-headed and calm. Now with the prefect left in confusion from such incidents, Lotus was the calm one capable of telling them what to do and knows how to piece everything back together in one motion, cleaning up all the mess that had been spilled by the prefect!
Not everyone can solve the dilemma and predict future problems with just one move. Lotus must've already thought of all of this with each step she took, making her more clear-headed than the prefect himself!
Recalling the previous incidents he had heard in the past, he could draw the points now on why everyone continues to think that she's the better match for the title of prefect. With one move, she erased the problems that plagued the school. However, that didn't mean that the current prefect wasn't as bold as her. If anything, Yuu was very direct when pinpointing the problems of the Great Seven proving that, without caring for their status, he is not afraid to point out the flaws of others, just as she was not afraid in beating others for their flaws. Perhaps the real mother of Ramshackle dorm was Yuu rather than Lotus!
He bet that she was just too lazy to take on that role! By asking him to take on these roles during the next incident, he would naturally be able to quell whatever trouble would be brewing. However, from the way she was talking, it was as if the trouble had already began from the moment Grim was taken away from them!
Thinking of all this, perhaps the most lenient and sympathetic one was also her because she wanted him to do this, not just for Grim, but also for the dormleader of Ignihyde. After all, who doesn't know that the dormleader doesn't have a vice-dormleader. Since Lotus was one of the few of them who could come and go as she pleases, then wasn't it natural for her to care about what goes on to her friends?
In the end, he could only assume things and not verify them...
.....
Having returned to the dorms, Jamil made a beeline past the gossiping students and to Kalim's room.
"Oh, Jamil! You're back!" Kalim smiled wide once he noticed Jamil walking in and sat up, "How was Lotus?"
"He's fine." Jamil responded bluntly, "He's recovered well enough to move around without any problems. I passed by Rook along the way. Vil also seems to be recovering well under Lotus's care."
"Lotus? Is the Nurse busy?" Kalim wondered in confusion.
"There was a staff meeting."
"A staff meeting at this time?" Kalim looked to Jamil in surprise.
Seeing this, Jamil nodded, "That's right. Is there something amiss, Kalim?"
Kalim hesitated before shaking his head, "No, not really. I just find it strange. Could they be planning for our next classes? Well, it's not like Vil's overblot was made public."
Hearing this, Jamil was surprised to find Kalim contemplating over something so small. Did something hit his head or was it something he ate?
He recalled what Lotus said and frowned as he could feel a sense of unease wash over him. Would nothing really happen during his absence?
.....
As the next few days passed by, Lotus continued to monitor the situation and practice arrays and armaments. As the last day of the Cultural festival drew closer, Xiao Li appeared nervously with the others as he called out, "Master, about that man..."
"I know." Lotus heaved a heavy sigh as she placed her book down softly next to her, "I thought I've seen that mark somewhere before..."
"You've seen it before?" Xiao Li looked to her in bewilderment.
Lotus nodded, "A long time ago... The fact that it appears again in this form isn't a good thing."
That crest was that of a black bird on his hand. Lotus had seen that tattoo many years ago. Rather, it wasn't a tattoo but a birthmark imprinted on one of the bird clans in her sister's kingdom. They served as the empress's secret forces many years back before Mo Li discovered that they were planning to harm the royal family and their sister. With the proof Mo Li went out to gather, the clan was exiled and sent to the lower regions of their world as punishment. She remembered when one of them tried to harm Mo Li before her and she managed to stop the attacker. When she attacked the culprit, his clothe torn to the point she only see the chest that bore the birthmark of his family.
Now, here she was again facing the same family but in this manner.
"However, that guy is clearly human!" Little Jun blurted out in confusion after hearing this, "How could a bird clan suddenly become a human clan?!"
"It's not that hard if the bird clan took on a human form and passed on their blood. As long as the blood runs through the veins of their descendant, they would naturally inherit the markings and the ability." Lotus sighed, "However, I was fortunate that day. The attacker didn't seem to have fully inherited the blood of his ancestors to unlock the full capabilities of the bird clan and my body is resistant to most poisons. If he had, I would've already perished along with everyone just by entering the dorm."
"I've heard it was powerful, but it was that powerful?" Ying Hui muttered in horror when she heard this.
"I personally witnessed it myself all those years ago." Lotus frowned, "He can't even be considered a slave to their clan's strength. However, right now, I'm unable to do much against him. He clearly knows how to utilize his ability. I'm just lucky he hasn't figured out how to do so to its full use. Otherwise, he would've already long massacred Ignihyde by now without getting caught."
"What will you do?" Xiao Li frowned, "You've been studying armament and arrays all day. How will you fight back against his poison attacks with just this?"
"I wasn't poisoned before." Lotus shook her head and sighed, "That person, not only knows poison, but the art of acupuncture. He managed to get me stunned during the attack..."
"What will you do?" Little Jun questioned curiously.
"He's a master of poison... But so am I." Lotus responded with some thoughts, "This time, if not for the poison in my body, I would've already died... Just leave this to me. Later I will need your help, Crystal, Ying Hui."
"What about me?!" Little Jun asked eagerly.
"You stay back and wait." Lotus said firmly, "I may require your assistance later against their leader. However, be prepared. If all things become bad, I will require your help."
"Okay!"
As Crystal left to do her part, Lotus picked up the silver armlet in her hands and examined them carefully before Little Jun asked her curiously, "Big sister, didn't you make these armlets for the big brothers? Why are you making another one?"
"They're additional ones." Lotus responded, "The current one wouldn't be strong enough to protect them from harm. However, these are just prototypes and aren't ready for use. Not to mention, these are failures. It wouldn't be able to protect them from the current level of cultivators. So, they still need improvements."
"Oh..." Little Jun hesitated, "Will you really be going to the exhibition tomorrow too, then?"
"That's right." Lotus nodded after some thoughts, "I'm also curious as to what is going on. However, the guest list didn't show there to be anyone of greater importance or secret connections... I find it unusual, so I'll be going this time."
"Okay..." Little Jun relented with a grumble as Lotus patted his head softly.
"Be good and listen well, Little Jun." Lotus wore a bright smile on her face.
.....
The next day was bright as the stadium was filled with people half of which were students from Heartslabyul.
"There's so many students from Heartslabyul..." Yuu muttered in bewilderment.
"Well, that's because we managed to get past the quiz without any problems." Deuce responded with a bright smile, "Every freshman in our dorm can come out to see the exhibition today! Who would've expected that it would be every freshman in our dorm though..."
"Yeah." Ace sighed, "Thanks to that we ended up having to go in groups to see the exhibition today..."
Yuu looked to Cater and his clones who was leading each group around the exhibition. Yuu couldn't help but fee a little pity for Cater and Trey that had to organize the entire situation just to fulfil the promise.