An Earl in Night Raven College (Book three)

The Merchant of the Deep Sea: Part 16

*Third POV*

The group all make their way to the cafeteria after changing into their school uniform and putting away the brooms and disc. Ciel looked around to see some of the students with sea anemones looking very tired as they tried to eat their breakfast. He winces and hopes that Azul and the twins won't have those students work today. Ciel grabs a tray and looked at the selection of food to choose from. Grim was on Ciel's shoulder to look at the selection for what he wants to eat.

"Nothing beats a good breakfast after workin' up a sweat! Grim craves protein—bring on the MEAT!" Grim states as Ciel roll his eye as he grabbed their food.

"Grim, you really need to eat some vegetables." 

"So, like, what were you thinking, cuttin' a deal with that cephalo-punk? How stupid can you get? Now you're crampin' MY style as a result." Leona demands as they all make their way to a table.

"I'm sure you noticed the guys that got these sea anemones on their heads, right?" Ciel inquired to which Leona and Ruggie nods.

"Well, it's like this..."

Ciel proceeds to tell the two the events of what had happened prior to Ciel and Grim staying in the Savanaclaw dorm. He told how he saw the sea anemones appear on Grim, Ace, and Deuce heads just before Jack showed up. Then he brought up how both of them followed the infected students and saw what they were made to do by Azul. And the next day, the twins confronted the two and told Ciel about forming a contract, which made the trio beg him to make. Ciel then finishes by stating how he made a contract, forgot to mention the terms, and what he had to give in order for it to go through.

"Hah! You made a deal to free all the chumps who contracted with him to get ahead in their finals? BAH HA HA! That's rich. I shudder to imagine being that dumb." Leona laughs

"Tell that to Grim, Ace, and Deuce." Ciel said with a sigh as Grim glares at him.

"Rumor has it that Azul's study guide is the real deal, though. I kinda get why people would wanna get their hands on that." Ruggie states, remembering what he overheard from others.

"So you guys steered clear of Azul's scheme, huh? I figured you'd go for the easiest out you could get, Leona... Ah, no offense, of course." Jack stated as Leona groans a bit at his words.

"Are you kidding? Who in their right mind would voluntarily keep making deals with that swindler? I've made a few deals and paid the piper for 'em. There's always a steep catch."

"Yeah, he ain't the kinda guy you wanna turn to at your first resort. He's definitely a capable magician, though. He can grant some real tall orders just like that." Ruggie states in a nervous tone.

"The guy who wants something outta a deal is always the one at a disadvantage. That's Negotiating 101. When dimwitted herbivores sign contracts on a whim, they always end up getting suckered somehow." Leona informs the trio

"Now, I'm getting nervous, can I really win this bet...?" Ciel stated, nervous and wondering if he made a mistake.

"Y'know what? Let's hear it. What were your terms, exactly?" Leona asked, curious about the terms for Ciel.

Ciel thinks back to the terms that Azul had given him, once he remembered, he tells the two what they were. He also made sure to go into deep details so Leona and Ruggie can understand better. Once Ciel finished, Leona and Ruggie sat there in silent as the group ate, trying to process the information given to them. Ciel continued to eat his food as to not let it get cold as the two were processing the information. After a bit the two began to speak after processing the information.

"Before the sun sets on the third day after signing..." Leona trails off

"You have to sneak into the Atlantica Memorial Museum, steal a photo, and bring it back?" Ruggie finished as Ciel nods.

"Pretty much."

"......" The two were silent before Ruggie spoke up

"Boy... Stinks to be you."

"I would be lying if I said I didn't expect you to say that." Ciel stated with a deadpanned look.

"Hey, we ain't even gotten started yet! Don't go jinxin' us!" Grim states in an angry tone

"Isn't the Atlantica Memorial Museum underwater? How are you gonna get there, brainiac?" Ruggie questioned him.

"Don't worry, we got that covered." Ciel stated as he pulls out some potions that Azul gave him.

"They gave us water-breathin' potions." Grim informs the two

"No idea how well they work, though." Jack states nervously.

"Huh. If Azul gave 'em to you, they probably work just fine. He's got his pride. I doubt he'd ever give someone a wonky potion." Ruggie reassured Jack

"Hm... I'd get the ball rollin' now, if I were you. Time is money, as they say." Leona states with a smirk.

"Myah! Good idea! Hey, Ciel, let's hit up the Atlantica Memorial Museum right now!" Grim exclaims with a serious look.

"Good call. With only three days, we don't have any leeway here." Jack states in agreement

"I'm bringin' Ace and Deuce along, too. Let's mosey!" Grim said before him and Jack, with his empty tray, leaves from the table.

"I better go make sure Grim doesn't accidently gives them the wrong information." Ciel said while shaking his head with a sigh.

Ciel gets up with his empty tray and walks away to not only throw it away but to also follow after the two. While he knows that Jack won't cause him any trouble when it comes to relaying information or plans, which is good for him. He knows how Grim is when relaying information or plans to people and that leads to confusion as a result, which means people comes to Ciel for clarification. And that's something Ciel gets annoyed with after a while so he wants to avoid that. As he left, the wo were still watching as a smirk formed on their faces as they heard Ciel call out to Grim.

"Aaand they're gone. I gotta say, Leona—you're a real piece of work." Ruggie states as Leona smirks at him.

"Hah. I've got no idea what you're talkin' about."