A Twisted Halloween: Terror is Trending

Chapter 13: You Stand Down

Back to Main Street, there's still one more group of students who have to visit their stamp tour station for any Magicam Monsters. The last ones are the Diasomnia dorm students, Malleus and Lilia.

Mallues says, "People are actually willing to make a mess of Night Raven College - a gathering point for mages - over mere photography. It's beyond the pale. Why are they so obsessed with taking pictures for their amusement?"

"It's hard to say. It has little to do with any intrinsic quality. It's more of a matter of personal values. It's never good to be a nuisance to others, but the fault doesn't lie with whatever it is that people value. The trouble is that what WE value differs from what the Magicam Monsters value. Hence, we come into conflict with one another," Lilia says.

"What we value, hm?" Malleus replies and thinks.

Then Lilia says, "Our priorities and the Magicam Monsters priorities are two radically different things. I imagine the Diasomnia Halloween exhibit is having its own fair share of trouble. We'd best get back quickly."

Soon, Malleus and Lilia head back to the Ramshackle Dorm, knowing that it's experiencing its own brand of trouble. And they're right, the Ramshackle Dorm is being swarmed by more Magicam Monsters.

Sebek burst out in rage, "YOU MISCREANTS! When you dishonor Diasomnia, you dishonor Malleus himself. AND I SHALL TOLERATE NO! MORE! OF! IT!"

Just then one of the visitors says, "Wow, you're loud! Enough to make the air shake."

Another guy says, "This guy's so cool and dignified, but so EXTRA. This'll go viral for sure."

Then another person says, "Lemme take your picture! Actually, this needs video as well to do it justice!"

And the Magicam Monsters begin to take pictures.

Which makes Sebek more angry, "HOW DARE YOU! I INSTRUCTED YOU QUITE CLEARLY TO PUT YOUR SMARTPHONE AWAY!"

Malleus and Lilia, who have witnessed this, expected all this to happen.

Lilia calmly smiles and says, "What did I tell you? Trouble."

Malleus then asks, "Sebek... do you take after your grandfather's hot-blooded nature?"

"M-Malleus, sir! And Lilia!" Sebek says, surprised to see them.

Silver, who is standing close to Sebek apologizes, "I am so sorry you two had to see that. I keep telling him that raising his voice doesn't solve anything..."

But Sebek says to Silver, "Bah, Silver, you're too soft on them. I'm just about to expel these miscreants. All I need is a few moments!"

However, Malleus says, "No. You stand down."

Sebek has no choice but to listen.

Then Malleus says, "And you there. Tourists."

"Hm? The men reply.

"Um, excuse me? HELLO?" One of the men asks, and is surprised, "Is that Malleus Draconia of Briar Valley?!"

Another man grows excited, "Dude... He looks just like he did on the Magcam Stream! He really is at Night Raven College!"

Silver and Sebek watch to see people in awed to see Malleus.

Sebek crosses his arms with a calm, but satisfied expression, "Hmph. So even these ingrant humans at least know Malleus' name."

Malleus says to the visitors, "Let's have a little talk, shall we?"

And with that Mellus explains, "Tell me - are you familiar with the concept of 'doing as the locals do? What you all believe and enjoy isn't wrong. It's entirely valid, and I won't criticize it. But the moment you set foot on this campus, you are expected to abide by our rules. They may be inconvenient. They may be all too easy to break. But nonetheless, isn't it common courtesy to follow the rules?"

Sebek is very pleased by Mallues' speech, "What incredible words of wisdom. Surely this will resonate with them!"

"Definitely. Malleus took the time to address them courteously and in person. He'll win them over. There's no doubt," Silver says.

However, Sebek notices something, "Hm? The humans are acting oddly."

The men begin whispering among themselves as Malleus waits for a response. The men continue to whisper among themselves and look at Malleus every so often. Just then, one of the men looks at Malleus.

Malleus questions, "Why are you staring at me? Are you that surprised to see a fae?"

After a few moments of silence, the man shouts in excitement, "YOLOOOOO!"

He runs up to Malleus and touches him by his arm without a second thought, and the Fae becomes shocked.

"What?!" Silver and Sebek exclaim in shock.

"Wh... What just...? Did that human just... run up and TOUCHED Malleus' arm?!" Silver says, shocked.

Malleus is completely stunned that a human touches his arm.

"Even HE'S gobsmacked," Silver says, shocked.

Sebek is just at a loss for words.

Silver notices, "Sebek's at a complete loss for words."

Then turns to Lilia, "Do you think they're trying to do him harm?"

"Please. These people couldn't scratch him if they tried," Lilia answers.

Then questions, "So what are they playing at?"

Suddenly, the man who touched Malleus shouts, "WOOO! GOTTEM! I completed the Draconia Challenge!"

"The what?!" Silver, Lilia, and Malleus question.

Sebek is still stunned and hasn't said a word.

Then one of his friends says, "Y'know, for Malleus Draconia! The guy so zetta powerful that everyone trembles at his name! Getting a picture of yourself touching him is a legendary feat."

Malleus remains silent.

Then the man who touched Malleus says, "It's the hardest of hardcore trails - the ultmate test of courage! And it's called the Draconia Challenge! I'm gonna go viral for SURE. Yeah BOOO!"

Malleus continues to stay quiet as he stares at the men.

Then the other man says, "Dang. I got the palps just watching that. My palms are all sweaty now."

The third man says, "Siiiick! Did the picture come out okay?"

Then the man who has done the challenge says, "I'm gonna treasure this pic forever." then turns to Malleus, "thanks, Malleus!"

Then the men cheer in excitement..

Malleus simply shows them a calm smile, "No, thank YOU. Because now I understand. I see what it is that you value. You prioritize fleeting thrills over your own lives. Very well. In that case, I shall give you..."

Then Malleus gives them an aggressive frown and says, "... a thrill you'll never forget!"

"Oh, dear. That's not good at all," Lilia says.

Then says to Malleus, "Malleus, your magic is too hot for the children of men to handle!"

Sebek stops his silence, "Malleus, are you going to strike those human fools down with your wrathful lightning? I, SEBEK, WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ASSIST."

But Silver stops him, "Sebek, no!"

But Sebek refuses to listen.

"Gah. He's too incensed. My words are going in one ear and out the other," Silver says, feeling frustrated.

"The humans are going to get hurt if we don't act quickly," Lilia says.

Then turns to Silver, "Silver. Let's use our magic to eject the Magicam Monster before Malleus strikes them with lightning!"

"Yes, sir!" Silver says.

Lilia and Silver quickly act fast to use their magic to eject the Magicam Monsters before Malleus uses his magic to give them the shock of their lives.