It was the day of the camp as Lilia and Lotus dragged pried a confused Malleus away from a half crocodile fae with separation anxiety. Lotus sighed as she nudged her shoulder trying to get Malleus to put a firmer command over the guy. Malleus looked on with a raised brow and confusion as he responded, "It will only be for a short while. Sebek, Silver, stay here and watch the dorm until Lilia and I return."
With that, the three left for the Magic Mirror. As soon as they walked out of the Hall of Mirrors, Lotus opened her porcelain bottle and opened her hand, "Give me your hands."
Seeing this, Malleus pouted miserably, "Now?"
"Will you be stuck around me during the next five hours?" Lotus huffed in dismay.
"Certainly not, but…" Malleus hesitated, "Now?"
"I'd hand it to Lilia but you are grouped with my club this time. So, now."
"What are you two talking about?" Lilia popped out between them with a curious look across his face.
"I'm trying to give Malleus his medication… But he doesn't want to take it." Lotus responded with a frown. It's not even oral medications."
"I can use magic once we reach the Dwarves' Mines." Malleus reasoned.
"There are fairies there too." Lotus stated bluntly, "If it was self-defense, then sure. But now? Sounds like laziness to me."
"Hah! You actually dare to criticize us being lazy." Malleus smirked as he scoffed this.
"Aren't I just saying how it is? It's not even medicine you have to drink nor is it man-made medicine with chemicals. Yet, you shirk from it every time you need to take it." Lotus sighed with a troubled expression, "Since it was my equipment you touched, I made the medicine by hand and everything for you but you keep running off every time I find you to put it on."
Malleus glared at her but Lotus hardly flinched under the pressure. Lilia, having pieced the pieces of the conversation together, wore a troublesome expression as he frowned, "Come now. It's just some ointment, isn't it? Lotus went through the effort of making it for you. Why not put it on?"
"Lilia…" Malleus glanced over to him with a troubled expression.
"Hm? What's wrong? Is there something you want to tell me?"
Malleus hesitated with a greatly troubled expression before he finally relented, "I'll consent to it… But have someone else put it on for me."
"That could've been accomplished easily had you not just told me this instead of making it difficult for me all this time." Lotus huffed and handed the bottle of ointment to Lilia instead, "Sorry for bothering you with this, Lilia. Can you please put this on his hands for me?"
"Sure!" Lilia squeezed out a chuckle and pulled Malleus aside before whispering in confusion, "You got hurt?"
"A little…" Malleus hesitated, "It was one of the princess's inventions. Lotus was making some final touches on it and I touched one without thinking."
Opening Malleus's palms, Lilia was surprised to see the pale white yet pinkish layer of skin on his palms and the fingers of one hand. He could hardly imagine the burn the prince had received back then! He frowned with narrowed eyes and scowled, "How did you get burns to this degree? Did it not hurt?"
"Lotus said it was an accessory made encompassing a type of powerful flames called Nirvana Fire from the phoenix. A very powerful type of fire that cannot be put out ordinarily. It set my fingers on fire at first. The princess appeared and put it out with her bare hands. However, she burnt her palms during the process. It was painful for the both of us at first."
"So, you transferred her injury onto yourself instead. That's very reckless of you." Lilia frowned.
"I understand… It also made the princess displeased as well." Malleus stated in confusion, "Since then, she and Lotus has tasked themselves with creating the ointment to treating the burns. They forbade me from using my powers due the the presence of other fairies around and saying that I'd be taking a shortcut instead of healing naturally."
"How long ago was this?" Lilia questioned, "It looks like it started a month ago."
"It was three days ago. After the meeting."
"That soon?!" Lilia looked up with a bewildered expression before pouring out the contents of the medicine, "But the burns are already partially recovered. Her medicine was so effective?"
Malleus nodded, "Lotus said that I would feel a little numbness so I should best use it when I'm not casting magic or using my hands."
"If it's so effective, why are you trying to avoid him?"
"This…" Malleus hesitated nervously.
He wasn't sure why either. However, it felt really awkward whenever Peony came to treat his burns. At first, it was not so awkward feeling. However, it began to change a bit since yesterday. He could hardly explain the reasoning behind it.
"I… I'm not certain of the reason…" Malleus responded after some thoughts.
"Hm… Is that so?" Lilia frowned in some deep thoughts, "Does Peony come by to treat your injury or was it always Lotus?"
"At first, it was Peony. But after that, it has always been Lotus." Malleus responded shaking his head.
"Huh… Really now…" Lilia muttered curiously. Having raised Malleus from a young age, Lilia could naturally tell that this child is hiding something from him. However, he could also tell that he was telling the truth.
As Lila put on the medicine, Lilia continued, "That accessory. What kind was it?"
"She said it was an armband that protects the wearer from other cultivators or powerful wild magic beasts. However, the power of the fire magic needs to be better restrained. So it was sent to Lotus. I got curious because the design was so breathtaking…"
"Breathtaking?" Lilia pondered curiously, "I guess I will have to take a look at them later on before it sets more students in danger."
"It may be dangerous…"
"Then it gives me more reason to check it out for myself." Lilia stated firmly as he finishes applying the medicine, "For now, try not to touch objects like that again. You're old enough to know what to do if that were to happen. Notify me right away should something happen."
"Right..." Malleus muttered in annoyance.
"Now's not the time to pout, Malleus."
This time, Malleus didn't say anything as the two returned to Lotus and went ahead to the magic mirror room. Along the way, Lotus could feel eyes on her back as she continued forward as though she had not felt it.
.....
Upon arrival, Coach Vargas and Crowley confiscated all of the electronics and pens. Aside from books and regular pens, they were allowed much else unless provided for, really. After Crowley left, Vargas led them to the bright sunny spot that they had used for the last camping trip.
"We've arrived." Vargas smiled and began to explain to them, "This is the campsite where you guys will stay for three days. Before we jump to the tasks, I'll need you guys to set up the tent first. We prepared a lot of tents that's for one to two people, so just take the amount you need for your club and set up the tent."
As he said this, the ghost of the mines brought in the tent kits as the others looked on with a slightly complex expression across their faces. A few others were hardly affected as even Vil spoke up in an approving tone, "We have to do it from ourselves from there? This camp is more proper than I thought."
"The time limit is 60 minutes." Vargas continued seeing that there was no conflict at the moment, "Anyone who feels like it's a long time should be careful. In order to protect yourselves and rest your overworked muscles, the environment you will stay in is more important than anything else. Considering the sunlight and ventilation, you can set it under a tree shade, or you can look for a flat ground for your sleeping comfort."
"You guys can discuss with your club members. I've also prepared a tool box, take it if you need it." Vargas said this as he point over to a tool box from afar under a tree, "Also, to those who perform excellent in putting up the tents, I'll give them special items that will be useful for future tasks."
He beamed a smile and said with a bright smile, "We hardly ever had this kind of service so do your best!"
"Perform excellent, huh?" Azul pondered curiously, "I wonder what the materials are."
"Whatever…" Idia grumbled as he continued to sulk since having his electronics all confiscated from him by Crowley, "I bet it's just going to be a dumbbell for working out."
Across from the group, the Science club began to converse as well.
"If it's something useful for future tasks, then it might be a tool that could let us proceed the tasks either advantage." Trey noted to himself with a hint of curiosity as well and an optimistic smile.
"Oh, you seem interested in it." Rook pointed out, "Are you aiming for the top spot?"
"No, I'll pass." Trey replied with a dry smile, "Being an excellent person is not suitable for me."
"It's great to have someone to talk to since I'm all alone." Jade chimed in with them despite being from a different club.
"Lotus." Vargas called over to her.
Lotus lifted her head as he gestured over to her to stand next to him as he continued, "For the challenges in these three days, Lotus here will act as a guide to those who are lost. However, each club is only allowed to ask one question per challenge. So use it wisely. Likewise, this will also mean that he will not be taking part in these challenges with his designated club members and will act as a staff and a first aid responder."
"What?!"