An Earl in Night Raven College (Book three)

The Merchant of the Deep Sea: Part 38

*Ciel's POV*

I was sitting, with Grim on my shoulder, in my lounge while drinking some tea and reading a book, me and Grim woken up a while ago so we could get ready on time. After I got ready, I made me and Grim some breakfast since we won't have time to get some in the cafeteria. Grim was sad about that since he found out one of his favorite food was gonna be served today. Though he did cheer up after I had decided to make some curry for breakfast. Then, I hear some knocks at the door as I quickly got up and opens the door to see that it was the twins.

"Morning, Little Shrimpy, Baby Seal! We're here to get you. It's time to go!" Floyd asks, a little impatient.

"Morning you two, just give me a sec I need to get my shoes on, thankfully the bag is near the door." I said as I began to put my shoes on.

"Erk! Whenever I see you two, I'm always worried you're schemin' something. Makes my heart skip a beat." Grim states with a deadpan look.

"Please. We would never dream of getting rough with those who aren't in breach of contract. The weather's quite clear today— perfect for an outing. On that note..." Jade trails off as Floyd 
shouts in excitement.

"Off we go to the Atlantica Memorial Museum!"

"Azul's arranged it so that we'll have the whole museum booked for ourselves. He's already gone ahead and is waiting for us on-site." Jade explains

"That picture had better go back where it belongs." I stated as my eye narrows.

"You're takin' this so seriously, Little Shrimpy! We get it, don't worry. Now, time's a-wastin'!" Jade states as he turns around and walks away.

I roll my eye as I got up after putting on my shoes and grab the bag since I needed to give it to Azul since he had the altered photo while I had the real one. We made our way to the magic mirror chambers, where the others were waiting for us, before entering. It took us some time to get there since my friends had to swim after the twins, while I was on Jade's back. But we got there safely as we were now inside of the museum while I make sure the photo was secured. While the others looked around the place now that we had more time as Ace was left in awe at the sight before him.

"Duuude! WILD. SO this is what it's like inside." Ace exclaims in awe

"There's a statue of a legendary Sea King. Huh. I guess there're more famous figures around these parts than just the Sea Witch." Deuce states as we all look at the statue.

"Wow. That king's pretty ripped." Jack states

"That's the first thing that comes to mind?" I question as he shrugs.

I looked as the group continued to talk with one another about the statue as the twins explained to them about it. There was still no sight of Azul anywhere, which means he might be looking around the place. For what reason, I can't be sure since I don't know what's going on in his mind and I don't want to assume. We decided to wait as the twins told us a bit more about the museum and why it's here. Thankfully, we didn't have to wait long as Azul walks up to us while holding a photo.

"Welcome, everyone, to the Atlantica Memorial Museum. The Mostro Lounge will be holding a study tour today. Or at least, that's the purpose of our visit on paper. Regardless, I bid you take your time and enjoy yourselves." Azul greets us with a smile.

"There you are, octo-tentacle Azul! Only... you're not. Are you just stayin' in human form?" Grim asks in confusion.

"I'm sure he has his reasons for that." I stated as Azul nods, proving my point.

"Yes. Betentacled mermen like myself aren't common around these parts. I wouldn't want to draw any undue attention to myself when our job is to return a photo on the sly."

"I see no reason to be concerned. No one would see the cute chubby little merman in the picture and connect that it's you." Jade states as Floyd nods in agreement.

"It wouldn't hurt you any to swim around in your real form on a trip home! Why limit yourself to two legs when you can have eight?"

"Hmph. Just drop it, please. I'm going to slip the photo back in its spot. The rest of you, feel free to explore the museum." Azul tells us with an annoyed look.

The others proceeds to walk away so they can look around the place and see what this place has to offer. However, I decided to stay with Azul since I didn't feel like leaving him alone just in case he tries something. I proceed to watch as they look around as the twins accompany them and began to explain to them about each item.

"Hey, check it out. There's a display for the mermaid princess's silver hair comb." Floyd states as he pointed towards the fork.

"I saw a picture of that in the pamphlet before. That's clearly a fork, not a comb, right?" Ace states as Jade chuckles.

"Heh heh heh... Maybe that's how it looks to you land-dwellers." I chuckle at Jade's words as Azul looks at me in confusion.

"You're not joining them?" He asks as I shake my head

"I'm keeping an eye on you until the photo's back in place. And I'm a little worried about you." I respond, as I didn't want to leave Azul alone.

"You're so suspicious. I'll put it back right now." Azul states, to which I nod.

We both make our way to were the photos were located as I handed Azul the bag, to which he thanks me. I looked around the halls as Azul kindly told me what some of the items were to pass the time. After awhile of walking and learning, we finally made it to the photo section as the voices were faint. Azul looks down at the edited photo as places it in the original's place before taking out the original one. He looked at it with a frown as his hands were shaking a bit.

"I thought that if I could erase every photo of my past...I could erase my past itself—my youth spent mocked as a slow, dimwitted octo-twerp. The Sea Witch never hid her past misdeeds. She worked to restore her reputation, and earned the people's respect that way. I kept saying I wanted to be like her... But in the end, I couldn't accept my own past. I kept rejecting it." Azul explains while looking down.

"You're amazing as it is, even without stealing anyone else's powers. You've got a far greater power than magic you know." I tell him as he looks at me in shock.

"What...?"

"Your incredible diligence is so rare, it left the headmage at a loss. After all, Diligence is way harder to master than magic." I explain with a smile.

"You... You think? Heh. You needn't try so hard to butter me up. All I wanted to do was get back at the kids who made fun of me." Azul states but couldn't help but smile.

We both smile at each other as I began to have a better understanding of Azul, and it seems he feels the same way. We proceed to talk to each other to learn a bit more about each other, even though I know a bit more about him thanks to his memories. Azul felt bad that I have amnesia and state he can see if he can make a potion to help but I declined stating I wanted to learn on my own. After awhile of talking, Grim comes running up to us with a smile on his face and stars in his eyes. While the others follows while chuckling at Grim's actions and how excited he was.

"Hey, Ciel! You wouldn't believe the size of the dinosaur bones they had back there!" Grim exclaims as I chuckle.

"*Chuckle*I bet."

"That wasn't a dinosaur. It was a sea dragon— a type of undersea monster. The Sea Witch's cave entrance was built out of sea dragon bones...or so the tales claim." Jade explains to Grim, who's excitement grew more.

"They've got a replica of the Sea Witch's cauldron, too." Floyd states which makes Ace and Deuce perk up.

"Really? They have cauldrons under the sea, too?" Deuce questions, to which the twins nods.

"How do you heat things up in the water, anyway?" Ace asks as the twins and Azul freeze up.

'Oh boy...' I thought to myself with a sweatdrop.

"Uhhh... Beats me. Azul, you tell 'em!" Floyd exclaims, throwing Azul under the bus.

"Very well. Fair warning, though: I charge a steep price for playing tour guide." Azul informs us with a smile on his face.

"I'm sure it's a price we're willing to pay." I state as the others nods in agreement.

Azul proceeds to walk forward as we follow after him so the tour can begin, this made Azul smile as he looked at us. Then he begins to talk as he motions to either the artifacts that were on the walls or to each different areas. I saw that the others were listening to what Azul is saying and occasionally asking questions. I chuckle as Azul did his best to answer the questions as he begins to smile more genuine. I smile at the sight as I held onto Grim, who was asking the most questions, I'm happy that Azul is having fun and being himself a bit.

'I'm glad to see that you're feeling better, Azul.'