An Earl in Night Raven College (Book three)

The Merchant of the Deep Sea: Part 30

*Third POV*

Leona, who looked bored, and Ruggie, who was smirking, were standing on the pathway leading to the entrance of the dorms. The two looked around to make sure no one followed them before looking down at something. In front of them was a pile of contracts, the pile was bigger than they both expected if they were being honest. They knew that they've been told the amount earlier but seeing it was another thing. They shake their heads since they had more important things to do as they look at each other.

"Shyeheehee! Managed to swipe 'em without a hitch, huh?" Ruggie asked while chuckling

"Y'know, your compulsive pickpocketing never ceases to amaze me." Leona states with a smirk.

"Hey, if you wanna keep somethin' safe, you gotta keep your pockets secured too. I'm still not over how many contract scrolls there are. I count around five to six hundred." Ruggie states as he looked at the pile.

"Hmph. He's probably been trapping people in contracts and stockpiling 'em since long before he enrolled. Now that we've got the contracts outside the VIP room, that just leaves one thing to do... 'I am the one who hungers. I am the one who thirsts. I am the one to rob you of your future—'" Leona was cut off by a panicked shout.

"Hold it!"

The two looks away from the contracts and to the source of the shout as they began to smirk at the sight. They saw Azul running up towards them with an panicked look on his face as he stops a few feet from them. Azul glares at the two while panting while they were smirking at him in amusement. They found Azul's panicked state to be something to laugh at as it's not everyday Azul looks like this. Though right now they don't have time to tease him as Leona motioned his hand towards contract as Azul tried to walk closer.

"Whoops. That was quick. Don't come any closer, or the contracts are toast." Leona threatens as his hand moved a bit closer to the contracts with his magic active.

"G-give them back... Give them back now, if you please!" Azul demands as Leona smirks.

"Hey now, at least try to sound composed. Have you decided to drop the cool act altogether Judging by the way you're panicking, they were right on the money."

"Wait... What?" Azul states in confusion as Leona began to explain.

*Flashback*

"So what you're saying is that the contracts could be breakable when they're stored in the vault?" Leona questions

"That's right." Ciel states

"Huh? 'Scuse me? What? How would that work?" Grim questions.

"Ooh, now that you mention it, yeah! Something doesn't quite add up right, huh? If Azul and his boys are right, and the contracts are totally unbreakable and jolt anyone who touches them...Why would they need to keep 'em locked up tight in a vault at all? They could just leave 'em around anywhere, like Leona does with his wallet." Ruggie explains

"What's with you and Leona's wallet?" Ciel inquires as Ruggie shrugs with a grin.

"Oh! Now that you mention the vault... Remember how freaked out he got when the Vault got a little dinged up?" Grim asked

"Yup it was hard to miss to be honest." Ciel says.

*Flashback 2*

"No... The door's damaged! The dial and hinges aren't shot, are they?! Phew. Okay, good. How many times have I told you not to use your signature spell so carelessly?! What will it take to get it through your head?!" Azul questions while inspecting the door.

"I said I was sorry, okay? You don't gotta get all bent outta shape over one little ding."  Floyd states with a pout.

"You'd have me save my protestations for when it's completely demolished, then?!" Azul counters as the two continued to argue.

*Flashback 2 end*

"Yeah, huh? It's just common sense to put valuables in a safe, so I didn't even question that part. Who knew our pampered prince's inability to tie his own shoes in the morning would be the key to solving this mystery?" Ruggie states as Leona growls at him.

"Tch. You always hafta get in a dig."

"Well, he wouldn't be Ruggie if he didn't." Ciel stated with a sweatdrop.

"Y'know, I'm startin' to think that whole bit about the contracts electrifying people was another bluff on their part." Ruggie states as he thought of that detail.

"Glad to see I wasn't the only one to notice." Ciel states, grateful he was not alone on that statement.

"What did mew say?!" Grim exclaims.

"He knew you froshes were watching them, so they conveniently 'forgot' a contract scroll and left it on the table. All they'd have to do at that point is wait for one of you to touch it, then use some lightning magic to jolt you. Maybe don't fall for such an obvious trap next time." Leona explains

"That's right, while Grim, Jack, Deuce, and Ace were fighting the three, I quietly touched the contract and felt no jolt at all. That's when I knew that they were lying about electrifying part." Ciel informs the three.

"Azul ain't just duplicitous! He's like, octaplicitous! We've been had again!" Grim growls

"Regardless, the quickest way to test your theory is to remove the contracts from the vault." Leona informs the two.

"And I have a plan, but I'll need you two's help to pull it off." Ciel states as he began to explain what his plan is as the three listens.

*Flashback end*

Azul was taken aback by the information that Leona given him, he never thought that someone like Ciel could come up with such a plan. One that was hidden that the twins and himself weren't aware of. Which made him furious as Ciel has proven to be quite the thorn in his side. He knew that the boy was smarter than he looked, but he was also very calculating and manipulative then he thought. He clutches his hands into a fist as the image of Ciel's devious smirk flashed into him mind.

"This was Ciel's idea?! Why? Why am I being hassled like this?! Ciel stands to gain nothing whatsoever from releasing the anemones! It's ridiculous!" Azul exclaims as Leona nods in agreement.

"Frankly, I couldn't agree more. So, Azul... How about you and I make a deal?"