Time has passed from the Defense exercises, and everyone is exhausted.

Kalim informs everyone, "That will be all for today. Tomorrow morning, we march to the eastern oasis, where I will put you through your paces!"

Everyone is relieved, and exhausted from the training as Kalim takes his leave.

Tired one student says, "My arms and legs feel like noodles..."

"Water... Need water..." the second Scarabia student says, feeling drained.

The third student complains, "And we have another day of melting in the desert heat ahead of us tomorrow. Uuugh."

Another student asks, "What's come over the housewarden? He never used to be like this."

Jamil remains silent to see everyone heading back to their dorms in exhaustion. Then has his eyes on Briar and the Ramshackle group, who are also tired.

Grim pants and says, "Finally, it's over. He was all smiles and sunshine before. What's the deal with the sudden one-eighty?"

"Yeah. Kalim was cheerful a while ago," Tanzanite says.

"And suddenly change his attitude completely," Jasper adds.

Jamil walks over and says, "I imagine when we placed last in the Spelldrive interdorms, and then Scarabia collectively scored at the bottom of exams... He must have felt personally responsible. He's had terrible mood swings ever since.

"That ain't a mood swing. It's like he's a totally different person!" Grim complains.

Then Jamil explains, "I've known him a long time, but that volatile temper has left me stumped as to how to approach him. He'll say one thing, then do something else the next minute. The way he goes on these power trips without warning is out of control. The whole dorm used to look up to our housewarden, but this odd behavior has us all scratching our heads. He's been making unreasonable demands, as you just saw... I fear it's only a matter of time before the students reach the end of their rope. I've done what I can to smooth things over, but this has gone beyond my ability to handle alone."

"Yeesh. Between you and Trey over in Heartslabyul, you vice housewardens have it rough," Grim replies.

"I remember. It was crazy having to deal with Riddle's tyrant-like personality back then," Jasper says.

"It didn't end well when things escalated," Sereia says.

Suddenly, Jamil has an idea, "Ah! Of course. You all are diamonds in the rough!"

"Huh? What're you talkin' about?" Grim asks.

Then Jamil says, "Heartslabyul, Savanaclaw, and even Octavinelle...Rumor has it that you six are outstanding students who have solved problems with multiple other dorms.

Grim giggles and says with pride, "Heh heh, we sure have. Be grateful, peons, for the omnipotent sorcerer Grim walks among you!"

"Yeah right. Briar is the one who really helped solve the problems and does it because she wants to help the other students," Jasper says.

"And she was a big help for those in need, especially for Riddle, Leona, and Azul," Tanzanite says.

"I say Briar deserves a lot of credit. Sure we helped, but Briar is the one who really pulled through," Sereia says.

Trinket nods her head.

Suddenly, Jamil says, "I bow before you, sir. Please, I must ask: could you find it in your heart to help Scarabia as well?"

"Uhhh..." Grim replies, dumbfounded.

"Our chance encounter in the cafeteria must have been guided by the hand of fate. Surely you all can find us a solution using your sparkling intellect!" Jamil says.

Briar and the others are confused about Jamil's plea for help.

"Yeaaah, I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you. Sure I'm a big deal, but that ain't got nothin' to do with what we're talkin' about!" Grim says, skeptical.

Then Grim says to Briar, "Hey, Briar. Let's pass on this and keep our noses outta other dorm's business. I've still got a headache from the LAST time we meddled."

"You mean the time you got a sea anemone on your head?" Sereia asks.

Grim groans, "Don't remind me. It was still a headache remembering it."

"Let's Bria decide what we should do," Tanzanite says.

"Well..." Briar says, sounding very unsure.

Suddenly, Jamil walks close to Briar and looks directly towards her eyes.

With a calm smile, Jamil asks, "You...will aid us, won't you?"

Briar stares at Jamil and suddenly, she begins to feel dazed.

Briar nods her head and says, "Yes. I will help in any way I can."

Grim and the others are shocked.

Grim exclaims, "MYAH! Are you serious?! You're agreein', just like that?!

"You will? Oh, thank you," Jamil says, relieved. "With that matter settled, why don't you stay in Scarabia as our guests of honor?"

Then Jamil claps his hands.

Soon, some of the Scarabia students rush over.

One of them asks, "You called, Vice Housewarden?"

"Show our guests to their quarters," Jamil says.

"Yes, sir!" The Scarabia students answer.

Moments later, Briar and the others are escorted to a large vacant room. They were two large beds with a wardrobe and small furniture with lamps. The Ramshackle Dorm students are in the room.

A Scarabia student says, "Have a pleasant evening."

Then slams the door.

Grim whines and complains, "Maaaan, I TOLD you not to fall for Jamil's ploy! You know this is gonna be a whole debacle, Briar. Why'd you have to sign us both up for it?!"

"Come on Grim, don't be like that," Sereai says.

"Yeah. Briar just wants to help them," Tanzanite says.

"But this is Scarabia's problem. They can take care of their own business," Grim says with a frown.

"I have to agree. It's not like the last fiascos we had," Jasper says.

Suddenly, they hear Trinket tink and notice that Briar is rubbing her head.

"What's wrong, Briar?" Sereia asks.

"I... I'm not sure. I don't know why, but I found myself agreeing before I could think better of it..." Briar says.

"Sheesh. You can't say no to anything! You're a real sap sometimes, you know that? Then again, when you bare your teeth it's no joke..." Grim says.

Then Sereia angrily says, "That's mean!"

"Yeah. It's not Briar's fault," Jasper says.

"Anyway, I've had enough of gettin' dragged into shenanigans. Let's give 'em the slip while we can and head back to Ramshackle Dorm!" Grim says.

"I agree," Jasper says.

"I suppose so," Briar says, as she reaches her hand to the collar of his shirt, "Lets..."

Briar stops speaking to feel something off. She touches her neck, and soon starts to panic.

"You okay there?" Grim asks.

"What's wrong?" Tanzanite aks.

Briar quickly rushes toward the mirror and looks around her neck and on her shirt and tie to notice something is missing.

"Oh no! It's gone!" Brim cries out.

"What's gone?!" The gang asks.

"My medallion! It's... It's gone..." Briar says.

"What?! It's not like you to lose stuff like this!" Grim says, shocked.

"Where was the last time you had it?" Jasper asks.

"I remember putting this morning before we left for the cafeteria! I don't remember taking it off or anything!" Briar panics.

"Do you think it fell off somewhere?" Sereia asks.

"I... I'm not sure! The chain I'm wearing doesn't break easily and I wouldn't have noticed it falling off and hitting the floor!" Briar says, upset.

"All the more reason to leave and head back to the dorm," Grim says.

"Maybe it fell when we were in the cafeteria or the kitchen?" Tanzanite suggests

"Either way, we better go find it. And hope your medallion didn't end up getting lost in Scarabia's dorm," Jasper says.

Agreeing to head back to Ramshackle and find Briar's medallion, the group begins their stealth mode back to the dorm. Briar slowly opens the door and Grim and Jasper peek out.

Jasper says, "The coast is clear."

Soon enough, the Ramshackle Dorm group begins to sneak out of the room and begin to sneak down the hall.

"Okay, first we gotta get to the mirror connected to the school..." Grim whispers.

Suddenly, they hear a 'FWEEET!'

"Wh-wha?! What's that noise?!" Grim yelps.

"It sounds like a whistle or something," Tanzanite suspects.

Soon, they hear the sound of rapid footsteps. The group turns to find a group of Scarabia students appearing before them.

One of them calls out, "Hey! You think you can just leave the dorm?!"

Then another student says, "For the duration of winter break, nobody leaves the dorm for any reason unless they've got the housewarden's permission. Period."

One of the students calls out, "Seize them!

"After them! Hold it right there!" The Scarabia students shouts and rushes towards them.

Grim screams, "Oh, for cryin' out loud!"

Briar and the others are in a panic to see the Scarabia students charging towards them and haven't had enough time to do a single thing.