Later in the night, the Ramshackle Group and the Octavinelle group return to the vacant room to discuss the situation.
Azul says to Jade, "Good work, Jade. Did you have your 'talk' with Kalim?
"Yes, sir. It was just what you expected. It's likely that Kalim is being magically mind-controlled by someone who is making him do these things," Jade says.
"Mind control?!" Jasper and Tanzanite exclaim in shock.
"Someone's making him do it?" Sereia asks, shocked.
"Is that even possible?" Grim asks.
You know how Ruggie has magic that manipulates the body? There's also hypnosis magic that takes control of a target's mind. But it requires a far higher degree of skill and magical power than its bodily counterpart. Which means very few magicians are capable of using it," Jade explains.
"You gotta have skills and power on par with Azul for that," Floyd says.
But Azul says, "Even I would be hard-pressed to control living creatures with their own egos like humans.
But I don't think anybody in Scarabia is half as good as you, Azul. Even their own housewarden Kalim's big signature spell is just a glorified waterspout. And their vice housewarden Jamil was sayin' he got fives across the board outta the ten-level grading scale," Grim explains.
But Azul says, "I wouldn't be so sure. You know what they say—a clever hawk hides its talons,"
"So who's mind-controllin' Sea Otter, and why?" Floyd asks.
"I'm afraid I couldn't get any answers there," Jade answers.
Floyd replies, "You couldn't figure it out? Even with your signature spell?
"Wait wait wait," Grim speaks up and says, "Come to think of it, we've never seen Jade's signature spell. What's it do?"
"Floyd, what have I told you about blurting out the details about my signature spell in the presence of others?" Jade sternly questions.
"I don't see the harm in disclosing this to Briar and her group, actually. Knowing a signature spell's function wouldn't make a magic-bereft human any more susceptible to it than they already are," Azul says.
"So it's harmless 'cause WE'RE harmless. Great. That makes me feel waaay better. Tch..." Grim replies, unamused.
Then Briar asks, "If you don't mind me asking, what is your signature spell? We've already seen what Floyd and Azul's are, but what about you?"
Jade sighs and says, "Well, if I must. My unique power is one that would make most people guarded around me if they knew what it did. So I'm not a fan of revealing it, but... My signature spell is called Shock the Heart. It can be used once, and only once, on a target to make them tell the truth."
"Myah?! So they wouldn't be able to lie?!" Grim exclaims in shock.
Mind you, it can only be used once against a given target. Once I use it on someone, I can never use it on them again. And it often doesn't work at all on people highly resistant to magic, or wary types like Azul. It's only effective on those with loosely guarded minds, or people in a moment of mental vulnerability. Hence, my signature spell is very limited in scope," Jade explains.
"It works great on guys who're cowerin' in fear or bawlin' like babies, though," Floyd replies with a grin.
Jade chuckles, "Heh heh heh. So it does."
"The way they smile scares the daylights outta me," Grim says, shivering.
Anyway, Kalim has always been the type to open up to others. Thus, my spell worked on him flawlessly. Yet even so..." Jade explains.
YOU ARE READING
Twisted Wonderland Book 4: Schemer of the Scalding Sands
FanfictionWinter Break has arrived, and Briar and her friends are staying at campus for the time being. However, their break has cut short when Jamil from Scarabia Dorm ask for their help with their housewarden, Kalim. Upon arrived, they are forbidden to leav...
