Osmanthus (TWST X F!Zhongli Mc)

05. Delinquents

I had been asked by Crowley to check on Ace and ensure that he does his job.

Currently, I was seated with Grim and Xiao in the cafeteria, where said punishment was meant to take place.

"I'm already exhausted from a full day of explorin'. I can't believe we can't just go home already..." Grim said as he laid face first on the bench.

"As much as I agree with you, I was asked to do this, and I agreed by way of verbal contract."

"What's with you and contracts anyway?" Grim asked.

I paused to think of how to explain it.

"Where I'm from, the place my brother and I rule over is known as Liyue, the land of Contracts. That's because it's the largest port city in the world and has been the center of trade for most of the seven nations." I said as Grim nodded.

"Contracts are important because that's how Liyue was founded. A long time ago, my brother and I decided to work together to keep our nation safe, so we signed a contract with the Adepti." I said, looking over at Xiao briefly.

"To this day, the Adepti protect Liyue and its people from any threats, while we give the people their currency and descend once a year to give advice to the people." I explained as Xiao nodded.

"If I recall correctly, you gave advice to those who sought help with their personal lives, while Morax gave advice on business." Xiao added as I nodded.

"Yes. Despite my brother's protests, I decided it best that we help the people in more ways than one." I said with a laugh.

Grim seemed bored with the current topic, so I decided to change it.

"So, how long do you suppose we'll have to wait here?" I asked.

"Who cares? Him making us wait on him at all after what he did makes me angry!" Grim yelled, not looking up.

"Considering his delinquent personality, I wouldn't be surprised if he ran off." Xiao said as I sighed.

"You're right. We should probably go find him before he gets to his dorm." I said as we both stood.

Lifting up a very tired Grim from the bench, I stifled a laugh at how he looked longer than he actually was as he went slack in my arms.

"Let's find him. We don't need to be here all day." Xiao said as I nodded.

Heading towards the classrooms, I watched as Grim finally woke up, his only motivation for doing so being pure spite towards Ace.

Entering one of the classrooms for first-years, Grim hopped out of my arms.

"Hey Ace! Get over here! Quit tryin' to hide from me, will ya!" He yelled.

"I don't sense any mortals nearby." Xiao said as I nodded.

"He likely ran off then." I said as Grim yelled.

"Then there's no one here?!" He yelled.

"Oh, I wouldn't say that. I'm here, after all."Said a voice from behind us.

Turning around, I was greeted by a painting of a man in old-fashioned semi-Fontanian clothing.

Grim took a moment to register this, but once he did, he screamed.

"Bwaah! That painting just talked!" He screeched as I covered my ears slightly.

"Yes, and...? Is a talking painting really such an oddity at this school? The lady in the portrait on that wall talks too, as does the gentleman on this one. As long as a painting has a mouth, why wouldn't it be able to talk? Is it really so strange?" The painting asked.