"Hm. While I may not speak for everyone here, I believe it was only the natural course of action. There is no need to feel indebted, Ms. Steeler." It was normal to be concerned, but to be this oddly invested meant there had to be more than worry. Did Steeler have a phobia of death? While it was natural to fear for one or another's safety, to be driven to tears by a classmate known for less than half a week. It was an enigma to Chunji, but one that wouldn't bother treading on.

"If it's the duty of nobility or weight of consciousness, I will begin compiling a list. I'll inform you by the end of the week of what my potential demands are." With the delivery of a brick wall, Chunji replied in earnest to Steeler. However, he quickly went to her side as a flash of pain painted her expression. He helped her over to the bed and laid her comfortably in it. It seemed her symptoms were worsening past the minute.

"Understood. I, too, have questions that I desire to be answered." With a nod, Chunji began to leave the room. Just before he opened the door, he spoke up. "Regarding your illness... If you have any troubles with it, you may request my assistance. While I may not be a licensed doctor like the Overseer or Dr Kann, I'll try to provide aid in any capacity I am capable of." With that, he left the room. Steeler provided that same concern to Davil, so the natural action was to show the same to her.

With that obligation now fulfilled, rest was now required. Taking a seat inside the busied clinic, Chunji contemplated. Without his Ethos, there was no way to tell what was happening outside the clinic, and he wasn't in a condition to leave it either. If there was a possible interrogation for the Academy's staff, he would have to prepare a proper response as well. He could, however, fulfill one duty while waiting in recovery.

"Davil and Steeler are currently in the clinic being treated. Everyone else in our Compact is here as well. May I inquire about your location as of right now?"

Sent. Dayin disappeared as Chunji rested against the chair. Who knows where Rio was in all this? Chunji, as a classmate, did his job of informing him about the circumstances. He closed his eyes and tuned out the hectic noise of the clinic to recover from his ordeal.

---

Wingram Clinic
_@Nanaya

---

Her head buzzed. A whine in her ears sent ripples through her body. Still, despite the drugs still in her system, Ciara tried her best to listen.

”Should it not awaken by first light tomorrow, I'll end its life; though its true controller likely won't mourn it, wherever they are.”

Ciara's eyes bugged, before they squeezed shut. Her excitement sent her head reeling a million miles a minute. ‘It’... ‘end’... The shadow imp. It had to be. The imp, the-

Her eyes snapped wide open again, her breath catching. She was going to kill it! What- what time was it now-

Her mind reeled again, and Ciara groaned into her pillow. If she had the strength or the means to punch Otis, she would. Though, she was still the idiot that would accept anything from the dark one. Being betrayed was in her nature, she supposed.

It was then another voice floated through the room, and Ciara listened from her bed behind the curtain.

"I will simply acquire a new one, later. Efficiency requires sacrifice.”

Ciara's brows furrowed, struggling to think. The voice seemed familiar, but for the life of her, she couldn't think why. Something about a page…?

Wait-

Ciara's eyes squinted up at the curtain. From the sounds of it, the voices unhurried, it sounded like a crisis had been averted. Did that mean Davil was alright?

A shaky breath released from her.

Her mistake, as it must have alerted the principal. Instantly, a phantasmal hand threw aside the curtain. Light shone in, and Ciara stared down the glowing hot tip of an active staff. If she could move, she would have flinched or recoiled. Instead, she settled for tightening her eyes anxiously, her lips drawing back in an uncertain grimace.

"Don't run. I know that's what your cult does best, but do not try to flee. An attempt to run now will seal your fate - I will find you, catch you, and kill you.”

Ciara sweated, staring down the staff leveled at her. She couldn't bring herself to speak, desperately trying to think through the buzzing euphoria that drowned her bones and her flesh.

She saw flashes of angry mobs with torches in hand against a backdrop of white snow, but quickly pushed that down. Not need to dwell on one more thing that made her uncomfortable. Instead, she tried to listen more carefully to the principal's anxiety-inducing pass of judgement.

"You will be dealt judgment by the Star Court and High Bishop Verne on the 6th of March, 9:00 AM sharp, in the Grand Cathedral of Nero. You may request an aide to take your side, though they must be faculty or attendees of Wingram itself.”

Ciara's lips parted in shock. The High Bishop Verne? The one who issued the invitations to Wingram? He was the true leader of it? The administration?

Gah- Ciara's ears and body buzzed at a terrifyingly high level, anxiety being torn apart by euphoria. Her insides felt hallow.

She seemed to almost deflate on her bed, in shock and bitter remorse in her judgment, and in her grace period. So she would be a prisoner in principle for the next… Well, it was March 2nd today, wasn't it? The fated day of the duel… So, four days.

Four days of grace before the hammer would be brought down upon her, for better or worse…

”I… want Michael. As an aide.” Was all she managed to croak out.

"All students of Compact 3 will also be required to attend.”

Seeing the faces of those whom she betrayed, and those who betrayed her as she potentially walked to the guillotine. It was almost poetic, if it didn't make her blood run cold, causing all kinds of weird sensations to mix with the drugs holding her in its grip.

”What sort of punishment… can I except… if I walk willingly to this…?”

She didn't want to know. But it had to be said. She had to know if she was truly walking to her death.

“Efficiency requires sacrifice,” Otis echoed. He decided that he quite liked Doctor Sylv, even if their areas of expertise weren’t necessarily aligned. Using poison as panacea was a well-documented medical practice, but to go for such extremes, such extremes that, through training, could perhaps be replicated by any amount of doctors and practitioners? That was the mark of someone interesting. He’d have to find the time to talk with her sometime. Maybe see what it takes to create such a serum. See if he could replicate it for his own means.

Busy, busy, busy. The days were becoming shorter, even as they seemed to extend infinitely. The Strigidae could probably shut himself in his room for a whole day and not be done with the sheer amount of things he had to puzzle over. Wingram Academy, for all its heroes and villains, was proving to be a powder keg of rare occurrences.

But he couldn’t shut himself in his room. He’d have to settle, instead, for remaining outside for a while longer, as Raja had seen it suitable to set the date for the trial in such circumstances. He glanced over at Iraleth, then towards Ciara. Michael…the only human janitor in the Academy?

Hm.

“I’m a witness,” he said, keeping his thoughts to himself. “I’ll be there. Are we otherwise dismissed for the night? Is it expected that we’ll go to class as normal tomorrow? Or will the school’s regular activities be suspended for Compact 3 for the next few days?”

Four days. And with the High Bishop himself in attendance? It hadn't been that long since Iraleth had seen High Bishop Verne last, but still. This was deathly serious, if he was in attendance. Still, there wasn't any other decision she would make in this moment.

"Of course I will attend." Iraleth nodded dutifully to Raja, taking a brief note of Otis's reaction. In all honesty, she'd expected him to try to somehow weasel his way out of this. "It will be good to finally have a conclusion to this madness, regardless of whatever judgment is dealt."

Astra, what a headache this situation had turned out to be. If they hadn't fought to a farce of a draw, Iraleth would have had no compunction against slaying her in open battle. But summary execution of a prisoner? Without so much as a trial? No matter how much Iraleth would have liked to after seeing what Ciara was capable of, it was still wrong.

@Estylwen@ERode@Psyker Landshark

WINGRAM CLINIC, ROOM 106

"Apart from Ventura, the rest of Compact 3 is free to go for the night. If you wish not to remain in the clinic and feel recovered enough to move about, you'll be escorted back to your dorm rooms by security mannekin, and that is where you'll stay until tomorrow morning. Mannekin will patrol the halls of the dormitories, the perimeter, and naturally the school grounds as well. Two will additionally remain on standby within each of your rooms," Raja would explain, removing her right hand from her staff and allowing it to simply float in place.

With her now free hand, she would reach into a pocket of her robes and withdraw what appeared to be a ring box, but far wider. As she held it out towards the students, she would look them over; the latch on the box would release, springing it open to reveal a series of wooden rings. "All of Compact 3 will be required to wear one of these rings until the end of Ventura's judgment. They each bear a curse of nullification, entirely halting one's capability to manipulate essence or cast spells for up to seven days, or sooner should the enchanter consent to an early dispel. Naturally, this includes Ethos use. They also can't be removed until either of those conditions have been met, once slid on the finger. As I said a second ago, the bigwigs. If we weren't at least this decisive, it wouldn't have been long before Mirris got wind of 'Umbralist terrorism' and sent one of their Stalwara here. So, please just put the things on to make it easier on us, okay?"

After speaking so casually to Otis and Iraleth and handing them their rings should they agree, the principal then turned towards Ciara with no attempt to hide the smoldering spite. "You can expect a life of repentance in the underground dungeons of Wund Tower, perhaps. Surrounded by the greatest guard dogs of the Union, and made to cough up all details of your life and ties to the Dark God, by the finest talents of our nation. Or maybe, in the Court's mercy, they'll elect to skip the repentance, extract what they can, and execute you. The best thing you can do, in this moment, is accept your punishment and die. If the janitor is who you wish to bring with you, then so be it - so long as you're satisfied with him being the last supporter you'll ever have. You and Compact 3 will be led to the gates of the school at 7:00 AM sharp tomorrow, and begin your journey to Vaal Nero by guarded carriage ride."

Raja spat the words with so much hostility, so much bile, that Sylv would begin to walk over to the principal's side. With the same neutral expression, she would put her hand on Raja's shoulder. "Perhaps the messenger has too great a bias in this task. Understandable. Allow me to make this simple."

Sylv would remove one of the rings from the box and move closer to Ciara's bedside, slowly extending it towards her while looking her in the eye with little regard, positive or negative. "She speaks the truth, yet also lies. Eternal imprisonment or death are possible, but a better future is not out of grasp. It would be suboptimal to idealize a bloody outcome."

A scoff would escape the principal, turning away, her eyes softening for a moment in reflection. "A better future, huh?"

The tension left Raja as she exhaled it out, beginning to recompose. Yet at the same time, all that was required for what would happen next would be that she had finally relaxed for the first time that night. From the time of the start of the duel until now, she had been vigilant. All it took was a half-second in which her grip had loosened on the imp in her left hand.

Thwunk.

It was fast. Faster than a blink as a result of desperation, losing out on on power and potency for the sake of speed, seeing the one path it had to making it out alive. A thin tether of a tar-like strand shot out of the imp's mouth, landing squarely on the face of the idling gargoyle on the other side of the room. The imp ripped itself out of Raja's grip in that same moment, propelling forward with the connection of the tether and smashing against the stone frame of the gargoyle with a sickening wet splat, sinking through its cracks. The imp's laughter could be heard echoing from underneath the rock as the gargoyle struggled and stumbled about, its shrieks of panic mixing with the imp's cackling. After all of this, a full second had finally passed, and Raja reached for her staff on instinct to aim towards the creature. All the while, the imp's voice rang out from inside the stone sentry.

"Jackpot! You losers ain't able to follow where I'M going in this thing, ya won't! Once I get it under control, anyway... STOP MOVING SO MUCH, YOU FUCKIN'-"

A flame would return to Raja's eyes, clearly preparing to blast this entire room of the clinic down if she had to.

---

@AThousandCurses

WINGRAM CLINIC, HALLS

The last thing that Chunji would see before leaving Chloe's room is her faint smile of appreciation, which she would hold just long enough for the boy to close the door. While the interaction may have lightened tension for the half-elf's situation, Chunji would perhaps not derive any joy from the lack of response from Rio. The message had indeed been sent successfully, but as minutes passed in this hour in which consistent contact was crucial, the status and location of the final student of Compact 3 remained unknown. Was he ignoring the messages sent, or in some manner of danger himself? Such things wouldn't be immediately apparent at the moment, at least.

A tip-tapping of shoes echoed from further down the hall, and soon, turned the corner towards Chunji. He would see Dr. Kann move closer, hurriedly typing away on the Adapa at his side, stopping near the boy. He would type one final sentence, click his tongue in frustration, and then look downwards towards the seated student. "Your classmate - Steeler, was it? Unusual case, that one," he'd grumble, scratching his head. "She's apparently an anomaly, as far as essence is concerned. Normally, she can live her life without issue, but it was a case of unfortunate timing today. She won't tell you as much, though, seeing as she denied treatment to lessen the pain. In hindsight, treating her wounds from earlier deeefinitely hastened the process."

With slow blink, and then a faster one, Kann would realize what he'd done with a panicked expression. "And I guess I broke the patient confidentiality agreement to tell you that. My bad! Please keep this between us, alright?! I just..."

After dismissing his Adapa with a shrug, he'd lean against the wall next to Chunji, looking up at the fluorescent lighting of the hallway.

"All you kids take care of each other. Steeler's not strong, even if she thinks she is. I get what Wingram's goal is, but it's just not feasible for a lot of the students. If an Umbralist, of all things, is the norm? I can't see most of the kids here making it to graduation without some serious self-reflection."

The look of concern shot Chunji's way was made apparent; this was worry, first and foremost. As the doctor walked past Chunji and towards Chloe's door, he would look back one last time.

"But that's just my opinion, and I'm not out to be a hero. Us here in the clinic, we'll do our part to keep you guys from dying, but we can't keep you guys from dying, know what I mean?"

Kann would enter Chloe's room after one last look, the audible click of a lock a second after the door was closed.

"For all the protectiveness, you don't even show up at your friend's side." There was bitterness in his words. It was as if somebody had told him an obvious solution to a complex equation. All the evidence from this point suggested that Rio and Steeler held a close bond with each other. Why was he not here when she needed him the most? It only leads him to two conclusions. The first was that Rio only cared about himself. That conclusion wasn't surprising considering the track record of the Compact 3. The second was that it was entirely for Steeler, which didn't make sense to him either.

It didn't make sense for Rio to suddenly walk up to the fountain and teleport himself to who knows where.

Teleporting himself to an unknown location...

Chunji's eyes narrowed in suspicion. The last time he saw his peer was a little before orientation, and then he sucked himself inside the fountain with that strange coin. This happened during Steeler's incident, during which he didn't show up to her aid. Then, after or during orientation, Davil got into an altercation and was taken into the domain. During this time slot, everyone was gathered to spectate the duel, but Chunji decided to check on the status of both Steeler and Davil.

This timing...

"Dayin-" Before Chunji could issue a command, as a voice interrupted his thoughts. His head was a blur as Dr Kann appeared out of nowhere. "Yes?" Chunji couldn't mask his surprise as the dwarf came up to him. The aspiring doctor nodded at Dr Kann's informative yet blundering reveal of Steeler's information. "I understand; I will ensure this information will not be divulged to anyone else." Admittedly, it was a little obvious judging by what he knew about Steeler and her current state.

Chunji thought that would be the end of it. Of course, much like everything that happened today, Dr Kann continued talking. The lack of context and information that Dr Kann had for the situation was as apparent as the expression on his face. How could care be given when one person within the compact was going to be potentially sentenced to death? "Of course, I understand. I will keep it in mind for future cases." Watching as Dr Kann disappeared back into Steeler's room, Chunji brought back his original chain of thought.

From what Chunji understood, someone must have manipulated the leylines.

Based on what he knew about leylines, the set locations were often places that held an abundance of people and the concentration of the land's essence. Furthermore, someone could overcharge the leyline and take control of it.

But there was a problem. The location that Davil was in lacked the first two requirements. Not to mention that the leyline stretched out of its range to reach the alley. An Ethos, while capable, seemed too unlikely as his investigation didn't divulge that information. Something else must have facilitated its change and acted as an intermediate.

Something like the coin that Rio used at the fountain?

There was a pause before Chunji shook his head. It was a coincidence, but he'd have to confirm it later when he next saw Rio. Chunji wasn't familiar with teleportation, but Rio couldn't have been an expert. He needed more evidence before continuing this theory. There were still too many mysteries of today.

Though with Dayin reporting back of the whereabouts of Rio's Adapa, it seemd that was more or less a coincidence.

How did the Umbralist with the leyline network? Who was the third person in the alley that Davil attacked? Where did Rio go and his association with Steeler? Why did Otis and Iraleth ignore his initial message? What was Ciara's problem?

Regardless, he needed to inform someone of Rio's absence.

Hello, Professor Alto
Currently, the entire Compact 3 is under watch if you haven't heard of it already. All of us, except for Rio, are here, which brings me to the subject of this message. Can you locate where Rio is? He hasn't responded to my message. The last I saw him was at the Plaza, where the fountain was.

---

Wingram Clinic
_@Nanaya

---

"Apart from Ventura, the rest of Compact 3 is free to go for the night.”

Ah, figured. Not like she could really move from her bed, anyway. It was probably for the best. What on earth would she say to Iraleth in their room…? What on earth could she say…?

"All of Compact 3 will be required to wear one of these rings until the end of Ventura's judgment. They each bear a curse of nullification…”

Ciara eyed the rings from her bed. Jewelry?

”You're still high as ever. Those are obviously torture devices.” The Voices spoke lazily within her.

Ciara's brows furrowed. ”Noo, they just stop essence use. Hey, you think they'll shut ya up?”

”Oh shut uuup, little Hunger.” Came the lazy reply.

When the principal turned back to Ciara with venom dripping from her words, enumerating all the ways she could be punished, one of which being death, Ciara couldn't help the darkness and shame that sunk in her chest. Even the euphoria couldn't keep it at bay.

It was over, wasn't it? Her life?

Ciara's lips pressed. The least she could do was do this gracefully. If she was walking to her death, she would simply tell the High Bishop ‘I have come hither to die.’ And that would be that. She didn't want to die, no. She didn't want to suffer. But her entire life had been suffering up to this point.

She would hold her head high, and keep whatever dignity she had left. So as the principal continued to beat her with her words, Ciara simply laid there, her eyes tight, and was silent.

"She speaks the truth, yet also lies. Eternal imprisonment or death are possible, but a better future is not out of grasp. It would be suboptimal to idealize a bloody outcome.”

Ciara recognized her. How could she not. This was the doctor that healed her just recently with the page. And now, this was the doctor that was sending out a lifeline so she wouldn't drown in her despair. Was it fake? Was it idealistic to even entertain the possibility of not suffering or dying over this?

”...Thank you, doctor.” Ciara said softly, doing her best to concentrate. ”I'll fight for my case, and accept whatever the High Bishop decrees.

“Also, I uh- I can't move.”

And she was content with that. That was, at least, until the shadow imp decided to sink into the gargoyle. Ciara's eyes shot wide, and she opened her mouth-

Before shadowy hands in her mind reached out, and controlled her body, making her freeze.

”Let me talk! She's gonna kill the imp!” Ciara said, thrashing about in her mind.

”Silence, fool! Anything you say now will be used against you!” The Voices bit back.

And so Ciara was stuck in that frozen state on her bed, staring in fear and disbelief, at what could be the final moments of the shadow imp.

"Understood." Iraleth took the ring without complaint, putting it on her left hand without hesitation. The stipulation made sense, and it was likely better for her own health that she not engage in any strenuous Essence or Ethos use for some time. At least this way, the temptation was removed.

Her expression shifted slightly at the mention of returning to Vaal Nero. Back home for herself so soon? Iraleth didn't deny that she loved her adopted home, but it had barely been two days. Imagine if she'd arrived back before her letter to her father did.

She was torn from her thoughts, however, by the imp making a last-ditch attempt at escape. Raja was clearly willing to risk some collateral in order to prevent that, which Iraleth wasn't at all against. At the same time...

Iraleth turned to Otis, glancing down to his fingers.

"If you've not put the ring on already, I need a hammer. Like you did for Davil. Otherwise..." She glanced around the room, looking for anything sturdy and blunt enough to smash into stone. Obviously, her own sword wouldn't do in the absence of any Essence to enhance it.