Twisted Wonderland Book 4: Schemer of the Scalding Sands

Chapter 18: A Family's Fate

Shocked by Jamil's rejection, Grim asks, "Seriously? Why even ask for advice if you're gonna immediately reject it?! What's your issue with my suggestion, anyway?"

"The Viper family has assisted the Asim family for generations. How could I betray our history like that? It would be beyond the pale. Not to mention the lecture I would get from my parents... I'm sorry, but it just wouldn't be right," Jamil explains.

"I guess you make a good point," Briar replies.

"It is what it is," Jamil says.

"Okay, I get why you can't challenge Kalim to a duel. But if the housewarden keeps actin' like this, he's gonna make life totally miserable for everybody in the dorm. Riddle was bad enough, but this hot and cold thing Kalim's doin' is making it way worse," Grim says.

"He's right though, since Jamil and his family have been serving Kalim's family for a long time, it's kind of hard to break this cycle," Briar says.

Trinket nods her head in reply.

Just then, one of the students says, "Yeah. He's not acting like a housewarden at all!

Another student says, "He's not even meeting the job requirements. This goes against our Scarabian spirit!"

"What requirements?" Jasper asks.

Then Tanzanite asks, "What do you mean, 'Scarabian spirit'?

Jamil explains, "To be housewarden of one of Night Raven College's seven dorms, you must be the most befitting of the dorm's spirit. A sense of keen mindfulness-a quality attributed to the Sorcerer of the Sands. And to be housewarden of one of Night Raven College's seven dorms, you must be the most befitting of the dorm's spirit. Anything less, and you are unqualified to be housewarden. Dueling is essentially an easy way to determine this. The seven dorms each have their own different spirits, and their own ways of determining who befits it."

Then Jamil says, "For example, tradition in Pomefiore states that the housewarden is whoever can make the most potent poison."

Grim yelps, "Gah, that's nightmare fuel! So how'd Kalim get picked to be the head honcho of Scarabia?"

"He was nominated by the previous housewarden. Through his prior work and virtues, he cultivated a reputation as the most befitting in the dorm. I'll never forget how proud I was at his nomination," Jamil answers.

Then a student says, "But he wouldn't have half that record if you hadn't been helping him! Everybody in the dorm knows it."

Another student says, "Why didn't the last housewarden choose you instead?!"

"Don't blame him. For a relative of the Asim family to choose me over the main house's heir would be... Ah!" Jamil says, and realizes his words slipped.

But Grim interrupts Jamil, "Seriously? AGAIN with this Asim family stuff?"

One of the students speaks up, "So that's what was going on. I had no idea. That sounds like blatant nepotism!"

"Man, the Asim family plays way too dirty!" Another student says.

Jamil quickly says, "Please, I implore you. Forget what you just heard."

But the students are not going to remain quiet.

One student even says, "Night Raven College is known as a big-name university precisely because it's a meritocracy. Getting special privileges because of your parents is something that shouldn't fly here!"

Another student says, "He's right, Vice Housewarden. We won't stand for this!"

Then another student says, "Social status and wealth aren't supposed to matter here on campus. We're all supposed to be equals!"

"But, ah..." Jamil says.

But another student says, "Scarabia is a dorm built around the Sorcerer of the Sands' spirit of mindfulness. I've always felt that someone thoughtful like Jamil deserves the seat of house leader way more than Kalim."

"Slow down. I'm not special or superior to anyone else. My grades are dead average. On a scale of one to ten, mine are fives across the board. I'm not fit to be housewarden," Jamil says.

And the student says, "Magical talent isn't what decides who befits the dorm's spirit."

Another student asks, "What do you guys think? Who's the most suitable housewarden out of everyone here?"

"Oh, it's Jamil, no question!" One student answers.

Then another student answers, "Yeah. Jamil is way more fit to be Scarabia housewarden than Kalim!"

Another student also says, "We can't just accept an incompetent housewarden because he was born into a rich family!"

"That's right. Scarabia's got no use for a leader who can't lead!" Another student adds.

Soon, all the Scarabia students say, "Scarabia won't suffer an incompetent housewarden!"

Suddenly, everyone begins to hear footsteps and Kalim steps into the room.

"What are all of you doing, gathered together at this hour?" Kalim questions.

Everyone flinches and turns to see the housewarden.

Grim flinches in fear, "Gah! Busted!"

"K-Kalim..." Jamil speaks up.

Just then, Kalim says, "Morning training clearly wasn't enough for you, if you still have energy to burn. Jamil! Take the students out to the courtyard this instant."

"The courtyard, sir?" Jamil questions.

"We'll do magic training until their bodies give out," Kalim says.

One of the students says, "That's ridiculous!"

"I dunno about you, but I'm already way past my limit!" Grim says.

"Do I need to repeat myself? Hurry up!" Kalim says in a harsh tone.

"...Fine," Jamil agrees, reluctantly.

Then turns to the students, "Come on, everyone. Out."

And soon enough, Scarabia and Ramshackle end up performing late night training sessions, under Kalim's orders. Even Briar and the others think that Kalim is going way overboard with it.