In the Diasomnia Dorm lounge...

Sebek is sobbing in despair, "Oh, woe... Oh, grief! OH, MISERYYY! WHY? WHY MUST THE FATES TEST ME SO CRUELLY?!"

"Keep it down, Sebek. Plenty of students have already gone to bed," Silver says.

Sebek glares at Silver, "What would you know of the anguish that torments me, Silver?!"

Soon, Lilia makes himself known, "Ahem. What's all the hullabaloo, boys?"

Malleus follows in soon after, and says, "I'm as lost as you. All I said was that I was on the farmer team, and Sebek prostrated himself on the floor and started sobbing inconsolably."

Sebek cries out, "Our lord, the most lofty and noble personage in the entire world, is to be hounded by others by the sole virtue of RANDOM CHANCE?! No campus event rules could begin to justify such effrontery! I say we lodge a complaint with the school immediately!"

Silver turns to Lilia, "Please pretend you didn't hear that, Father. Sebek's throwing a tantrum because he didn't get on Malleus's team."

Sebek shouts at Silver, "How DARE you! Don't get cocky just because you made it onto the same team as Malleus!"

Lilia thinks a minute and says, " Hm. I suppose that means it's Malleus and Silver on the farmer team, and myself and Sebek on the monster team. Am I not a good enough teammate for you, Sebek?"

This shocked Sebek, "Wh—sir! I would never dream of implying that... I am greatly honored to have the privilege of following a warrior as renowned as yourself into battle, of course. But even then... Malleus, well..."

"What is it? It's not like you to stumble over your words. Speak freely," Malleus replies.

"Seniors at Night Raven College spend most of their school year off-campus getting outside education..." Sebek says, "And you are a junior this year. Ergo, this will be the last year you take part in our school's Beanfest event. This was my one and only chance to team up with you..."

"You're supposed to be Malleus's attendant. Who are you to trouble him with your personal desires?" Silver questions.

Sebek says, frustrated, "Rgh... I sincerely apologize for stepping out of line."

You have nothing to apologize for. I asked you to speak, and you obliged," Malleus says.

Lilia snickers, "Khee hee hee. We have precious few chances indeed to turn a blade upon a king in our lifetimes. Consider it training and enjoy it for what it is."

"Yes, sir! But I swear on my life that I would never turn a blade upon my lord!" Sebek says.

Then Lilia turns to Silver, "As for you, Silver, this should make for fine royal guardsman training. Give it your fullest effort."

"Yes, sir. Nothing will happen to our lord on my watch," Silver says.

Lilia snickers again, "Khee hee hee... Look at you boys, all gung-ho over a simple game of tag. It's so silly, it's almost 'ridic.' Then says, "Ahem. Anyway... Just for the record, I plan to go after Malleus quite aggressively. I'll show you why they used to call me the Phantom Commander back in Briar Valley."

Heh... Then I'll have to be quick on my feet to avoid getting apprehended right at the start. This will be the only year that all four of us can participate together. Let us make the most of it," Malleus says.

"Yes, sir!" Everyone responds.

In the Ramshackle Dorm Lounge...

Briar and the others are walking about the Beanfest Games tomorrow.

Ï'm really excited about tomorrow," Jasper says.

Ï'm kind of nervous," Sereia says.

"Ït's okay, Sereia. I'm sure we'll have a lot of fun," Briar says.

Ï think so too. I'm not really an athlete, but it will be exciting to play the games," Tanzanite says.

Ït's too bad that we'll be on opposite teams, though," Sereia says.

"Don't worry Sereia, Briar and I are on your team," Grim says.

"Grim's right. We'll be there to help you," Briar says.

Then Jasper says, "Änd even though we'll be on different teams, we'll be able to support you."

"Don't forget, we're also going to be there to have fun," Tanzanite says.

Sereia smiles, "Right."

Even Trinket nods her head in reply.

Grim grins, "Don't forget guys, just because we're friends and roommates, that doesn't mean we're going to go easy on you."

"Same can be said about you, Grim," Jasper says.

"Yes. We won't go down easily," Tanzanite says.

Briar giggles, "Alright everyone, I think it's time for all of us to be heading to bed. We'll need a lot of rest for Beanfest tomorrow. And remember to give it your all.

"Okay!" Everyone replies.