Edward groans before opening his eyes again to look around the room, the pair still in the mirror room. The newly resurrected Topaz and Amythest were stretching their powers nearby, making constructs out of their respective gem colours. Their fun was interrupted when Diamond popped back into the room with a white flash.

"You two, we're falling back for now." Diamond states making the two look at each other before popping out of the room with their leader.

"What could have made them retreat for now..?" Edward ponders before hearing breaking wood upstairs.

Dusting herself off, Twilight has already gotten free of her bonds and untied Edward, sitting down beside him.

"Whatever is going on, it looks like they put a barrier on the exit made from earth-based magic. Also... I wanted to ask you about what I saw in the gym when you were asked to fight a few groups of students." Twilight prompts getting comfortable.

"Oh, you saw that, huh?" Edward rubs the back of his neck before sighing. "My family is one of... Specific talents and professions. Granted my mother is an astrologist and my father comes from a long line of Japanese blacksmiths. The rest of my family... It's kinda awkward to explain... Let's just say my dad's side of the family, might be one of the prominent Yakuza families in Japan, maybe... My mother's side isn't much different, in fact, there used to be four prominent Yakuza families in Japan. Then my mother and father married and combined two of them so now there is three." Edward smiles awkwardly.

Twilight stares at Edward for several moments processing what she's just been told but doesn't seem to blink.

"Oh... I didn't see that one coming. That explains the training you displayed and the proficiency for metal magic." Twilight still doesn't blink.

"Umm... You okay there? You seem to be having a difficult time processing this?" Edward comments rubbing his left arm.

Twilight finally blinks and makes many noises, struggling to think of a response to Edward family.

"I mean... I didn't expect it, to say the least... I mean, it's not that I think it's bad or anything, it just took me by surprise. From what I understand online it varies on how they are perceived." Twilight states seeming a little better.

"My family is fairly good when it comes to their reputation. Sometimes working with the police, able to do or find out things they can't because of their job restrictions. Between all the family members they own a wide variety of businesses, the majority of which are legit like my dad's blacksmithing shop." Edward explains standing up to examine the barrier on the hole in the wall.

Twilight stands up, joining Edward to inspect the barrier that stops them leaving.

"That Topaz used earth-based magic to form this barrier, so in theory, if we use a lightning based spell it should counter it." Twilight states running through the scenario in her head before nodding in confirmation.

Edward thought about it for a moment and nodded, agreeing with the Alicorn.

"Sounds about right, you've picked up on our various magic applications pretty quickly since coming here." Edward comments making Twilight blush slightly.

"W-well, I am the element of magic, it'd be a bit bad if I couldn't learn a new type of magic in decent time. I'm assuming using metal magic, your proficient schools of magic include earth and fire?" Edward nods at Twilight's observation before she continues, "Studying your magic I decided to dabble a little in each of the primal schools of magic... So, if I'm right..."

Twilight lights her horn and begins channelling electrical energy between her hands as she holds them in front of her. Smiling at the result she decides to gather a bit more before directing it in the form of a bolt towards the magical blockade. The resulting impact caused the barrier to whirl and spark sending out a wave of yellow coloured energy which pushes the pair back slightly.

"Mph! That didn't work... Interesting," Twilight steps closer to inspect the barrier, touching it lightly, humming to herself. "I shouldn't assume their capabilities... They appear to be adept at magic. I'll try this again, you might want to stand back."

Edward nods as he stands back a bit, Twilight gets into the same stance as before. This time she closes her eyes and begins channelling again, the gathered energy forming an electrical orb between her hands and begins to spark as energy is added to it. The mare's mane starts flowing and sparking slightly behind her, Twilight's horn sparking as well. Opening her eyes, the mare directs the intense electrical energy charge towards the barrier, striking and duelling with the sealing magic. The Alicorn struggles slightly, forcing more and more energy into the charge to increase its power. Eventually, the barrier gives and collapses on itself taking with it the electrical charge that Twilight releases, the mare wiping her brow as she catches her breath.

"You okay? That looked like a lot of magical energy you had to output in order to collapse the barrier." Edward states at Twilight's side to help her.

"It was, phew... We shouldn't underestimate these mirror gems, not when we know so little about them. However, this does make me wonder... If they are indeed so powerful, capable of erecting a barrier of this density, what made them retreat so readily?" Twilight ponders as her and Edward look down the tunnel.

"Alexander... Though, I didn't believe he was that powerful. Though... There are times I wonder if he holds back on purpose. Like, I've never heard him use our code for when he might get a little crazy nor have I seen him do any major wind manipulation outside of tornados and hurricanes every now and then. Could it have been Starlight?" Edward asks helping Twilight stand up properly.

Twilight ponders for a moment but shakes her head, "Starlight is on par if not more adept at magic than I when it comes to certain aspects... However, as much as I want to believe their retreat is down to my pupil, I don't think so... Diamond looked very scared, frightened even at what he thought he saw. That's not the impression Starlight gives off and makes me wonder if another had a hand in it or Alexander is more than he appears."

Edward thinks about it for a moment before shaking his head. Surely he of all their little group knew it all when it came to his own roommate... Right? Shoving his doubt aside, Edward helped Twilight through the tunnel till she felt able to walk properly, not used to channelling this worlds different magic yet. The mare having had little time to practice given her intense studies to get her and Starlight home. Entering the basement proper, the pair can see that the stairs are blocked by a jumbled pile of wood and rubble from the dorm above them.

"This will take me a few minutes to clear, shouldn't be too difficult. Just rest on one of these boxes while I get to work." Edward states as he starts the burn the wood using mildly controlled fire magic.

As the wood crackled and popped, the thought stayed in the back of his head that Edward might not know Alexander as well as he assumed. The idea his roommate and friend couldn't confide everything in him troubled Edward, gnawed at him even that Alexander might not trust him as much as he thought. No matter how hard Edward tried, he couldn't shake these thoughts and decided he'd confront Alexander at an appropriate time.

Author's Notes:

You'll have to apologise for the two chapter delayed, we've been dealing with distractions a lot lately but are determined to get back up to speed as soon as possible. As such the chapter release dates will get a little odd till we're caught up but we'll try our best to keep it on a Sunday after getting caught up. Thank you for your patience.