The academy was buzzing with energy the next morning as the preparations for the Magic Carnival officially began.
Everyone was doing something—though whether it was being done correctly was… another matter entirely.
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Scene 1: Total Chaos, Arcane Style
Chris had taken it upon himself to hammer some wooden boards together for the booths… using Stone Smash magic.
Chris: "You want a strong stall? I'll give you a stall built to withstand a hurricane!"
BOOM!
A whole booth exploded into splinters. He scratched his head awkwardly as Lily's flower cart flipped over in the background.
Lily: "Chris!! My marigold potion bombs were in there!"
---
Meanwhile, Drake and Hibiki were in charge of hanging up magical floating banners.
Drake (cool-headed): "Don't let them droop."
Hibiki (grinning): "Why not add some wind effects for style?"
One second later, half the banners were tangled around Professor Jespry like a cocoon.
---
Karen, naturally, was trying to "organize" the team… by creating a checklist with everyone's name on it and hearts next to Show's.
Karen: "Motivation is key, right? 💖"
Raelyn: "You added glitter to your checklist. Again."
Karen: "Correction—sparkle enhancement magic."
---
Akito was busy testing illusion spells for entertainment.
But instead of showing happy animals or glitter fireworks… a massive illusion of a roaring bear suddenly chased Cyrus and Lyra down the corridor.
Cyrus (yelling): "AKITO THIS IS NOT FUNNY—"
Akito (laughing): "Okay, but tell me it wasn't realistic!"
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Scene 2: Jespry's Quiet Glow-Up
Despite the chaos, Professor Jespry—our 200% shy, self-esteem-in-a-puddle in-charge—watched nervously from the shadows. Any time someone looked at him, he flinched like a cat that heard a vacuum cleaner.
When Presto asked him for directions, he almost fainted.
Presto: "Do you want the stalls aligned east to west or diagonal for aesthetic balance?"
Jespry: "...I-I uh...I think... maybe we don't do anything...???"
Show (smiling): "It's alright, we'll figure it out together, Professor."
Show patted his shoulder. Jespry jumped but... didn't flinch away. For the first time, a small smile crept across his face.
The others gradually followed Show's lead.
Soon, Lyra, Karen, and Lily brought him tea and decorated his planner with motivational flower sigils.
Jespry (eyes trembling): "I'm… included...?"
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Scene 3: Magic Unlocked
After an entire day of comedy, teamwork, and trial-by-magic, the preparations were finally complete.
Jespry walked toward the central crystal switch. His fingers trembled as he whispered the spell:
Jespry: "Unlockus Lumoria!"
Suddenly—
WHOOOOOOOSH!
Dozens of magical lanterns floated into the sky, illuminating the whole academy. Trails of golden sparkles danced in the air. The carnival booths glowed with enchanted lights. A flower path shimmered along the ground.
The students gasped in awe.
Raelyn (smiling faintly): "This… looks incredible."
Cyrus: "I gotta admit… the chubby guy pulled it off."
Jespry (blinking): "Did… did we really do this…?"
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Scene 4: Show & Presto's Trash Dash
Just as everyone began walking away—
Show: "Wait. Trash duty…"
Presto: "Crap. We were on cleanup!"
In pure panic, they zoomed through the carnival grounds grabbing every piece of garbage while dodging floating lamps and flying cards from Akito's leftover illusions.
As they reached the edge of the grounds to dump the trash—panting—they noticed something.
Professor Jespry was still sitting alone on a bench, under the warm lantern lights.
He was rubbing his eyes.
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Scene 5: The Heartwarming Truth
Show (concerned): "Professor? You okay?"
Jespry turned to them with reddened eyes, gently wiping his tears.
Jespry: "I… I just wanted to say… thank you."
Show and Presto looked at each other, confused.
Jespry (softly):
"All my life, I've been the failure.
The one people ignored. The one who got passed over, laughed at.
But this time… you all believed in me. You treated me like I mattered. Like… family."
He smiled through the tears.
Jespry: "Even if just for a little while… you helped me shine."
Show's usual sarcasm faded. He simply smiled and said:
Show: "You earned it, Jespry. And the Carnival hasn't even started yet."
They sat with him a little longer under the glowing lights.
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Scene 6: Shadows Above the Light
Unseen to all, above the highest tower of the academy, cloaked in shadows—
A figure stood, arms folded, a cold smile beneath a hood. Around them were four more shadowy silhouettes.
It was Team Plutrion—the division of the Dark Order led by Commander Seraph, master of Dark Poison Magic.
Seraph (quietly):
"Let the brats enjoy themselves for now…"
A twisted grin formed across his face.
Seraph:
"Because when the curtain falls… it's our showtime."
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TO BE CONTINUED...