Soon, Azul, Briar, and the others reach the lounge with Jamil and the two Scarabia students. They see Kalim with some of the other students. Kalim soon notices Azul, Briar, and the others.

Kalim happily says, "Oh, hey, Azul. What brings you to our dorm?"

"Hello there. It's nice to see you, Kalim," Azul says with a smile, "Goodness me! Scarabia never fails to impress every time I 's a veritable winter wonderland outside, yet in here, the sun's so hot that it might as well be would have vacationers coming in droves if you opened up a resort here. It's an ideal location."

"You don't say? I don't really have the savvy for business stuff, but thanks for the kind words!" Kalim replies.

"At any rate, I'm here today because I caught your magic carpet. I'd like to return it to you," Azul says, and presents the carpet to Kalim.

Kalim says in surprise, "Really? It ran off again? I'm sorry you had to deal with that.

"Oh, it's no bother at all," Azul replies.

Then asks, "By the way, is Scarabia having holidays in the dorm this year?"

Yes, that's right. Is Octavinelle doing the same?" Kalim answers.

"Why, yes! Fancy that!" Azul answers.

Then says, "In fact, what say we take this opportunity to improve relations between our dorms?"

"Wha...?!" Jamil questions, stunned.

Then Azul says, "It seems there are many things to be learned from Scarabia's unique studying style that was apparently adopted this winter."

"That's right! I would be positively honored to host Octavinelle's housewarden here in our dorm," Kalim happily says.

But Jamil says, "...Kalim, I recommend against this."

"Aw, why?" Kalim asks.

The whole point of our current training regimen is to catch up to the other dorms. If we invite the housewarden of one of those other dorms to join us, we're showing the enemy our hand," Jamil explains.

But Kalim says, "Oh, please. He's hardly an enemy. Besides, didn't you invite the Ramshackle residents?"

"Well, er... Yes..." Jamil replies.

And turns to Azul, "Look, Azul. I'm saying this for your own good."

You're absolutely right, Jamil. Other dorms are always going to be, on some level, our rivals in the grade standings. I'm afraid we'd best take our leave, boys. Kalim, Jamil, best of luck with your training," Azul says.

Soon, the three begin to take their leave with Briar and the others.

He sighs and says, "Back to spending yet another holiday stuck indoors in the dead of winter, just the three of us. It's unavoidable, I suppose..."

"And after we worked so hard to capture that magic carpet and bring it back..." Jade says.

Then Floyd says, "And it made a huge mess outta the Mostro Lounge in the process..."

Soon, Azul and the twins sigh, and say, "Alas..."

Grim whispers to Briar, "Layin' on the guilt trip a little thick there, don't ya think?!"

"I have to agree about that," Briar whispers.

Sereia whispers, "Do you think it will work?"

"I'm not sure," Tanzanite answers.

Trinket shrugs her shoulders in reply.

"Like Kalim is going to fall for something like..." Jasper says.

But Kalim calls out, "Not so fast!"

"Here we go..." Jamil says to himself, rolling his eyes.

Kalim says with a smile, "Azul is one of the top magicians in our whole school. I think Scarabia would benefit greatly from having him over! Besides, turning away esteemed guests out of hand would bring shame upon the Asim family name."

"Why, Kalim! What a kind and generous soul you are! Naturally, I would be more than happy to share any insights I have with you," Azul says, very pleased.

"The two of us will be happy to assist with cooking and cleaning," Jade says.

Floyd adds, "Yeah! We do it at the lounge anyway, so we're pretty good at it."

"That would be great! And it would ease Jamil's workload," Kalim says with a grin.

"I don't NEED any help..." Jamil says.

But decides to brush this off, "Ugh, forget it. You're not listening to a word I say."

Then Kalim says, "All right, let's get ourselves ready for some special training! It's your dorm versus ours. Put your things away and come to the courtyard."

"Certainly. Do go easy on me, Scarabia gentlemen. Heh heh heh..." Azul says with a chuckle.

And soon the Octavinelle Dorm and the Scarabia dorm students are taking part in a training session at the courtyard.