Diamond takes in a deep breath, looking out the Chancellor's balcony before turning around to see the man himself brewing some tea.

"You're a hard gem to get hold of, Diamond." The Chancellor finishes his preparations before sitting down in his chair, Diamond moving to the other side of the desk.

"That's the idea... I honestly didn't expect to hear from you after this long. You fleshy creatures aren't as... Eternal, as diamonds after all." Diamond smirks before sitting down.

"Only a few minutes in my office and you cannot help yourself before making a 'diamonds are forever' reference... We're just waiting for one other to arrive." The Chancellor sips his tea slowly before Shadowfright shifts into the room.

Diamond stands up suddenly, wearing a dark frown.

"Why is she here..?" Diamond asks, trying to retrain themselves.

"I was invited. Weren't you a woman last time we clashed? Didn't take you for the type to have a sex change." Shadowfright chuckles as she moves to her seat.

Rolling his eyes, Diamond sits back down, "Gems are above such base notions as 'gender'... Though, if we are being honest... Yes, I was a 'female' and I miss my true form a lot..." Diamond looks away, sulking.

"Fucking hell, you look like I just killed your dog for fuck sake." Shadowfright comments, crossing her legs.

The Chancellor puts down his tea before sighing deeply, "Ladies, please... I didn't call you both hear so you could assault each other vocally, although I greatly appreciate the restraint to not beat one another to death in my office." He puts his hands together and takes a deep breath, "I'm... Sorry."

"Da fuck?" Shadowfright and Diamond look sharply at the Chancellor.

"Over the countless years since the Trinty War, I've been left to reflect and contemplate the events that happened, those I lost and actions I am responsible for... I understand that I locked a lot of problems, or what I perceived as problems, away. It was my default solution to seal you and others away and figure out how to deal with or dispose of said problems... As I was always advised, it would solve nothing. Turns out she was more or less, right. You both sit before me, both having been sealed away by one mage or another and it progressed or solved nothing..." The Chancellor stands up and walks to the window.

"This feels like a trap..." Shadowfright mentions, looking around for sigils and boxes.

"No traps, no seals, no boxes. Just... Hopefully finding a solution." The Chancellor turns back around, walking to his desk and picking up his tea.

Shadowfright crosses her legs and leans back in her chair, "So, what do you suggest old man?"

"Siege games." The Chancellor states making both raise their eyebrows. "It's a random sports event we hold, normally against other invading academies at any given time. The students never know, normally, when a siege game will take place and it's arranged beforehand by the heads of the academies only. Then the invading academy loads up a ship and sails it to the rival island, where upon entering their border, the rune beneath the school will prevent any fatal injuries such as death. Any who are badly injured are transformed into adorable chibi versions of their house mascot. This way all three sides can have a no holes bared war to settle our centuries long differences and leave it in the past where it belongs." The Chancellor summons a contract and grabs his nearby quill.

Shadowfright and Diamond look at each other in doubt before looking back at the contract.

"Are you suggesting another Trinity War? As in, a proper Trinity War without that little brats meddling..?" Diamond asks, seeming tempted.

"Mhmm, least for the most part alliances with said individual are written in as grounds for nullification, resulting in an instant loss." The Chancellor lays his quill down at the bottom of the contract.

Shadowfright bites her lip before caving in and sighing at the bottom line where she was directed. "I better not regret this old man..."

Seeing Shadowfright sign made Diamond also give in as she does the same before sighing deeply.

"Thank you both. We can begin the siege game tomorrow, gives you both time to prepare." The Chancellor signs the final signature before dispelling the contract into magical dust.

Both nod before leaving the office in their own unique transport spells as Ignis comes out of the shadows.

"I know I've said it before, but..." He walks closer, looking concerned.

"I believe I know what I'm doing... I hope so anyway." The Chancellor stands up and looks out the balcony window, sighing deeply, "Merlin give us strength..."

Alexander groans as he leans back in his seat, sitting at a booth in the Iluminare Consortium as he fiddles with a diagram. Dotted on the table are a large number of cinder fruit punch bottles.

"Never mind the fucking portal being ready, the spell won't even be finished..." Alexander grumbles, picking up an empty bottle which makes him sigh, "Why is the fruit punch gone..." Rolling his eyes, he stands up and wobbles slightly, "That's why."

Alexander walks over to the bar, sitting down to order a couple more bottles which Belladonna serves him reluctantly. Meanwhile, beside him, a meek girl sits down to order a sparkling cherry juice, making him raise his eyebrow. She wears black slip-on shoes and a thigh length plain yellow dress with a black belt.

"Hi..." The girl states, brushing a stray strand of long pink hair behind her ears, constantly glancing at Alexander with her cyan coloured eyes.

"Hey..." Alexander sips hic cider slowly, seemingly cautious. "You okay there, Fae?"

She nods, taking a sip of her drink before biting her lip, "I-I noticed y-you were trying to make a spell to go to S-Spirita..."

Alexander raises an eyebrow, "How do you know what those scribbles mean on my paper?"

"W-well... Studying year 3 summoning magic, the subject broaches a lot about the familiar realm of Spirita, where all non-contracted magical creatures reside. I recognise many of the symbols your using, but not the language they are in. Y-you're also trying to mix in magical teleportation, which isn't my area but that part seems fine." Fae explains, making Alexander blink a little, "I-I could help you fix the summoning related part of your spell if you'd like?"

Alexander mentally frowns at Ventus, who shrugs slightly and grumbles, "I would like that a lot, Fae, thank you. I imagine you'd want something in return?"

Fae shakes her head, before nodding it a little faster, "J-Just one small thing really... I-It's tiny, I promise..." She fiddles with her drink, playing with it. "C-can I pet your Dragon while I work?"

Alexander spits out his cider, wiping his mouth with a napkin as he looks wide-eyed at Fae, who shrinks a little.

"How the fuck do you even know about the Dragon?!" He asks, making Fae cover her ears slightly in response, "Ah, bollocks... Sorry, I forgot."

"I-It's alright... I-I don't tell many people about it... M-My affinity is summoning, so... My familiar's mark gives me Spirit Sight, so I can see yours on your back..." Fae states meekly, blushing.

Alexander raises his eyebrow again, "Does this sight go through clothes?" She nods, "Skin?" She shakes her head, "Is it an on/off ability?" Fae nods again, blushing harder.

"I-I'm sorry! I-I didn't mean to peek that much..." She sips her drink more and blushes harder.

"You surprise me Fae. It's always the quiet ones, isn't it?" He smirks making her blush harder. "Come over tomorrow and I'll see what I can do."

Alexander stands up, going back over to his table as Fae practically breaks, steam rising from her head as she is beet red.

"Such a little freak~ Didn't even turn it off~" A small female voice states, making Fae even redder as a small adorable rabbit sits in front of her, smirking widely.

Author's Notes:

Albeit a little bit late, the poll we put up after the last chapter was released came in at 4 votes for yes. 0 for no. 0 for maybe. Taking this feedback into consideration, we shall endeavour to include optional clop chapters in the future. We thank those who did vote for their valuable feedback~