Before dinner I had changed into more casual clothes.

"Do you own anything that isn't black?" Celica asked as she stood by the door to leave Dragon Tower.

"I'm not changing," I told her.

"So you do, you just don't wear it."

"There's some purple in this one," There was also grey and white. Maybe bringing my shirt of a spade filled in with the Asexual flag was silly. But I doubted anyone here would know what it meant.

Pride flags weren't a thing for folks here. Different culture and all.

But it was still a neat shirt regardless.

"You are a fashion disaster."

I shrugged at her, "At what point did I dress or act in any way that implied I was something less?"

Celica sighed at me. I don't think she was as amused as I was.

Her lack of comment proved that my stealth mode for this was in fact functional. If Celica didn't see anything worth commenting about, the chances of other people saying anything were next to zero.

I felt strangely giddy about it.

It was a bit like getting away with something, wasn't it?

Stealth mode engaged.

(*********)

Not that stealthy judging by the look on Russel's face.

I probably shouldn't be surprised that the only other person here who was raised by at least one human parent to have a passing knowledge of this sort of thing.

He was snickering into his glass of water. "I thought you were kidding about the cake thing."

"I don't joke about cake."

Russel laughed despite the bewildered faces of our companions.

It was then I noticed that Angelina was here.

"Two days and you already have an in-joke, I'm so proud of you!" She clapped.

"Sure. We'll go with that," I told her.

"Gregory Set mentioned you were the representative, congrats!" She reached across the table and grabbed my hands. She was all Pixie Tower smiles.

Definitely don't miss it.

"Blame that traitor," I freed one of my hands to point to Celica who was sitting next to her.

"Traitor? But it's such an honor!" Angelina looked proud.

Honor is a funny way to pronounce over-bearing burden and responsibility, but I suppose it's less of a mouthful.

"It's something. Pretty sure at least two of them hate me."

Angelina gasped. "Who could hate you?!"

I could think of several people but for these purposes, "Anubis, the Kraken rep and Kelpie didn't bother to introduce himself."

Her smile fell to an annoyed frown. "How rude of them!"

"That sounds about right for Horus," Fethris commented.

"Anubis is a raging bitch. You'll get used to it," Celica looked smug.

"Did you do this to me just so that you didn't have to deal with it?" I asked.

"No comment," Celica's tone was far too amused.

I knew it. "Traitor."

"I have done nothing wrong," She fluttered her eyelashes at me.

"Liar," I accused while laughing.

"Serafina!" Angelina looked and sounded mortified.

"What? She got in trouble for painting a mutilated Pegasus corpse over their door. I think that counts," I told her.

"That was you?!" She turned to Celica whose face had gone blank and neutral in a way that screamed forced.

"No. Comment."

"To be fair, that article was about as nice to the rest of you as it was to Serafina," Jarec grumbled.

"I didn't say it wasn't justified. I'm simply pointing out that Celica isn't exactly a pure innocent person. Granted I'm not perfect either," I shrugged.

Angelina slammed her hands on the table startling all of us. "More importantly, how are you all handling Dragon Tower?"

I blinked a few times and gave her a smile, "It's been nice actually."

"Though we are definitely not the only inhabitants," Jarec commented. "There are absolutely things in there. But they seem friendly."

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Angelina looked at me with concern on her face.

"It's been two nights and nothing dangerous has happened. Why don't you come by for a visit at some point whenever you're not busy?" I offered. Was she still worried about that vision she saw?

"And…the other thing?" She asked softly.

"Still cursed. Working on plans. It's going to take time," I said with a heavy sigh.

Jarec pointed at Angelina, "She knows?"

"She helped me notice it. She was trying to read my future when we noticed dark green mana sparking out of my wrist. It was easy to tell after that."

That sinister color couldn't be mistaken for a blend of Angelina's red magic or my pink magic. It had to be from somewhere else.

Someone else.

Someone I really hope I can know the identity of someday.

"Apparently removing curses isn't simple. Especially if we don't know who put them there," I rolled my eyes. "But what about you? Anything fun happening with you?"

"Not at the moment. Fortune Telling has been fun though. Tell me about the ghosts!"

I really wished I was hooked up into the telepathic network the others had. We should have probably gotten our stories all straight. But then again maybe having a few different stories around wouldn't be so bad.

Welp. The others are perfectly capable of making their own choices. Who needs a plan?

"The ghosts, for what it's worth, were a misidentification on my part. The gimmick of Dragon Tower seems to be playing what we're calling echoes of the past at random intervals. The echoes just happen to look like ghosts. In my defense, they are see-through and glowing."

"That's cool. Are they like past students?" Angelina asked as she leaned forward.

"It seems so. Just past Dragon Students doing whatever it was they did back then," I wasn't sure if I wanted to tell her about Red. That was still a big question mark. Also it could worry her more than I needed to.

"None of them can like touch you right?" She asked.

My point exactly. "None of the ones I've seen so far. It's mostly noise. Better than the spinning though."

"You can't even feel the spinning," She frowned.

"You can't. I did. It sucked."

"But I thought there was a spell that kept people from getting sick…" She drifted off.

"I'm sure it works wonders for those who aren't cursed," I mumbled.

Her eyes went wide. "The curse?"

"It keeps a lot of other things out. Why not that?" I took a sip of water.

Admittedly, that had some concerning implications. But hopefully I can get this whole curse thing resolved at some point.

"That's terrifying. I hope you never meet whoever did it," She shivered.

I didn't have the heart to tell her that finding that person would likely make breaking the curse easier.

Assuming of course that person was even still alive. Who knows how many generations ago this thing was placed?

Angelina may have a point of her own.

"I guess it all depends on what the Fates have in store for me."

(*********)

The Fates were really determined to not give me a break, were they?

I was walking with Fethris back to Dragon Tower. I had plans on getting some reading done about curses before going to bed. I had a bad feeling about tomorrow.

Or maybe I was just nervous about walking into all of my classes in a different uniform color. Theoretically nothing was different, but that didn't mean it wouldn't feel different.

But my thoughts were interrupted by finding Kraken Tower Representative Anubis standing next to the door and glaring at it.

Did she even know the password?

Be polite Serafina.

I paused and took a deep breath. "Tower Representative Anubis, is there something I can help you with?"

Please don't make this difficult. Whatever it is please be over quickly.

"Tower Representative Stewart. I was hoping to speak with your Tower Head about a concern I had. She seems to not be in her office."

"I'm sorry. I have no idea where Professor Hearth is. I'm sure she's just a busy woman." Simple. Polite. True.

Now please leave.

She crossed her arms over her chest. She was still in uniform.

What an odd person.

"I can't say I'm surprised you're useless. Convincing Professor Hearth that she made a mistake in letting you get chosen should be easy."

Wow.

I fought down the urge to let out a massive sigh.

This is why I don't do people.

"That's none of your concern," Fethris said.

Crap.

"Easy," I placed my hand on his shoulder.

"Is this what you had to put up with?" Fethris asked me.

I shrugged, "My social skills are limited. I managed though."

Please don't start a fight. Either of you. Please.

"Representative Anubis," I tried again. "We're just trying to get back to our tower for the evening. I don't know about you but it has been a long day for me and I would like to retire for the evening. Can we please pass?"

I even said please out loud.

But I guess it wasn't meant to be.

"I have a better idea actually," Anubis sneered.

Oh no.

"I challenge you to a Duel of Vis. If I win you have to step down as Tower Representative."

Gods damn it. There was a long list of problems with that.

"When? These things take time to set up." Yes, I was stalling. No, I didn't have a plan.

Fethris glared as his eyes darted between me and Anubis.

"This upcoming Saturday. At three."

Thank the gods! "I'm terribly sorry Representative Anubis, but I'm afraid I'm busy with plans that day." Thank you for the excuse to not do this.

Somehow she managed to glare harder at me.

Yikes.

"I should have known you'd be a coward."

Fuck. Right. Off.

The curse decided to act up again. The burning sensation was as unpleasant as ever despite the almost familiarity of it at this point.

"You have no idea what you're talking about," I told her.

I had kept the Dragon gloves on. This thing was best covered up.

Fethris stopped glaring, he looked worried. "Serafina?"

A terrible thought entered my mind. "Would you accept a second in my place? I am genuinely busy. Shocking I know that someone simply doesn't have time for you. But you're welcome to take the matter up with Professor Vivian Hearth tomorrow."

She huffed, "And who would be dumb enough to accept being your second?"

I looked at Fethris. The worry in his eyes shifted to relief which was then replaced by excitement.

Maybe I should have talked to someone before this, but to be fair it wasn't like I had warning about all of this. Hopefully Fethris won't mind.

Somehow I doubted it.

"Fethris Nightcall. He did receive the second highest amount of votes for this position. It only seems appropriate."

She turned to him, "Mister Nightcall."

"You heard her. She's telling the truth," Fethris sounded smug.

"I'll send the appropriate paperwork. You'll have it by tomorrow evening."

"We'll look forward to it," I informed her.

She huffed and then finally left.

Thank the gods.

I counted to five in my mind before turning on Fethris. "That sucked, you okay with this? I know I put you on the spot there."

"You put me on the spot? You're kidding, right? She's the one at fault here. Besides, I have no issues with humiliating an older student."

At least he was confident.

"Maybe we'll get lucky and the paperwork won't get approved by someone."

"I hope it does. What a bitch."

"Fethris!"

"What? It's true."

I sighed. My wrist stopped hurting at least. I rubbed the spot over the cloth of the glove.

"Was it bothering you?"

"About as much as it usually does with this kind of thing. I'm almost starting to get used to it at this point."

"That's…concerning."

"No but seriously you can handle a duel right?"

He scoffed, "My father insisted that I know how to handle myself before even entertaining the idea of letting me take the entrance exam."

"Oh good. I'm rooting for you. If only for your sake."

"What you don't want to stay representative and work with the lovely piece of works that are Horus and Anubis?"

"Oh hells no. But I want you to lose even less."

"Thanks," he laughed. Bastard.

"Next time think about this before you put someone in office. This is why I'm still mad at all of you for it."

"I have no regrets."

"I have several. But it's not my problem anymore. Can I trust you to keep the others updated on this situation? I'm done with the world today."

"But the night is still young."

"And I am out of cares to give!"

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