Twisted Wonderland - Beanfest: Bean or Be Beaned

Chapter 1: A Sweat-Stained Spectacle

In the woods behind the Night Raven College...

Floyd runs in the woods as he laughs, "Ha-HA! See, the thing is... I never cared about the stupid golden harp from the jump. Doesn't matter to me which side wins. So how's about we throw the rules out the window and just play until both of us are totally wrecked?"

Turns out, he's chasing Jamil.

Jamil grunts, "Rgh... I question which one of us is the real monster here."

"Run, monster, run! Gyah ha ha haaah!" Floyd says with laughter as he continues chasing Jamil.

The day before Beanfest...

In the headmage's office, the professors and headmage talk about this upcoming Beanfest.

Trein walks in and passes a paper to Vargas, "Coach Vargas, I'm here about tomorrow's Beanfest team compositions. Here are the assignments for my homeroom class."

"Thank you, Professor Trein," Vargas says and takes the paper.

He looks at the list and says, "Well, I'll be! There're some real gems in these match-ups."

"Let's have a look-see..." Crowley says and looks at the list. He sure is surprised, "Oho! So those boys wound up on separate teams, did they?"

All the other team assignments had me thinking the farmer team was pretty strongly favored to win. But now, all bets are off!" Vargas says.

"My, I can't help but wonder which team will take the prize," Crowley says, "The unpredictability is half the fun!"

Trien sighs, "Here we are, making a sweat-stained spectacle out of a time-honored tradition. Some prestigious academy we are. It's positively deplorable—all the moreso when the faculty is clearly excited about it."

"N-not at all, Professor!" Crowley says, "Why, that couldn't be further from the truth," then turns to Vargas, "Isn't that right, Coach Vargas?"

"Y-yes, absolutely!" Vargas says, "I'm simply excited at the prospect of the muscle development that comes from all-out competition."

Then Crewel walks into the office, I knew you were a stickler for traditional dress, but now I can see your whole mindset is the same way, Professor Trein."

"I beg your pardon?" Trein responds, feeling offended.

"Old customs are made to be iterated upon and updated to accommodate modern sensibilities. How can we adapt in the future if we let our minds moulder in the past?" Crewel says.

Trein scoffs, "Hmph. 'Update,' indeed. When was it that our school's Beanfest turned into this mockery of an event? Oh yes, that's right—it was during YOUR tenure as a student here, Professor Crewel."

"Now that you mention it..." Crowely says, "It's been, what, fifteen years since Beanfest took on a more competitive format at our school?"

"I will say it's much more manageable nowadays, now that magic has been banned from the event," Crewel says.

"I couldn't agree more!" Vargas says, "What's the point in a physically focused event that leaves you too injured to exercise? Besides, we've got a school full of troublemakers, so you've gotta account for that sorta thing. Wah hah hah!"

Trien lets out a sigh, "I fail to see the humor."

Then Crewel says, "Regardless, I'm not here to wax nostalgic over days gone by. Coach Vargas, here are the assignments for Class 1-A," And hands Vargas the assignment.

"Received. Thank you, "Vargas says and takes the paper.

He reads it, "Hmmm..." and is surprised, "My goodness!"

"Indeed. This year's competition is shaping up to be even more chaotic than last year's," Crewel says.

Vargas laughs, "Wah hah hah! That's the beauty of Night Raven College. I'm gonna have trouble sleeping tonight, I'll tell you that much!"