#phnx

A young lady with dark blue hair, tied in side ponytail with a feathered-crown, wearing a red, blue and yellow uniform was walking to the venue for rehearsals alongside another girl with short pinkish hair, she wore a ribbon with a crown on her head and wore a teal and dark green uniform. From around them, she kept hearing people gushing about who was going to win between Neige and Vil. With a frustrated sigh she looks at the colosseum with a look of mild annoyance.

Evonie: NRC and RSA really sure do love hogging the spotlight… I can barely remember the names of the other schools competing!

But I guess that’s just the reality of media… even though our school is a pro at these contests, people didn’t even mention DCA at all…

Allison: You sure are getting pumped up for the championship, aren’t yah Ev? Chill out, it’s not like it’s any different from our usual idol concerts at campus

It was an attempt at cooling down her dark-haired companion but it just made her more determined. As a student who was known for singing and dancing, it was expected for them to be kind of miffed if the people forget their school. But in Evonie’s case, being someone who held a seat as a top idol in DCA might have been a good reason.

The two reach the venue and shows a staff their stage pass, Allison can faintly hear the music from the person currently rehearsing. Everyone backstage was busy hyping themselves up for the competition, the sight alone sparks the Evonie’s competitive spirit.

She’ll make sure that the audience will know who the stage truly belongs to. When the person’s performance ended, a staff called their school, signaling that it was their turn to go on stage. Allison follows Evonie as they go towards the open stage onto an eager crowd.

Announcer: Next performer from Diamond Crown Academy, please enter the stage

Student A: Diamond Crown Academy?... That’s the all-girls school, right?

Student B: I know that school! That school is famous for the idol competitions on and off campus!

Student C: My sister was obsessed with one of the students of that school!

Student D: How could you not know DCA? They had a joint school festival for RSA and NRC! I was there!

The crowd was filled with murmurs and eventually they reached the ears of the NRC team. The first years held confused looks while their seniors were used to the murmuring around them, as if it was normal. From the looks of it, they seem to recognize one of the girls, Vil and Rook that is. Epel piped up and asked Rook what was the fuss all about.

Rook: DCA is an all-girls academy, although not as famous as RSA and NRC, they have an excellent reputation. The one thing that they’re famous for is their idol competitions… and it looks like we will be able to witness a spectacular show

I especially can’t wait to see how princess de pommes and lapin fougueux perform~ Her gaze carries an eternal fire, beaute!

Deuce: I haven’t heard of DCA… this is my first time hearing about them

Jamil: You freshmen only know about NRC and RSA… of course you wouldn’t know about that school…

Kalim: We know someone from that school! She’s a prin-

Jamil: You’re gonna start babbling, so shut it…

Ace: Are they really that good? Seems too good to be true, no one has said anything about DCA until now

Vil: Such uncultured potatoes, you don’t understand the standards of that academy… A variety of educational fields as well as the idol training is the hot topic amongst the girls back in Pyroxene. Although we are focused on taking down RSA’s representative, don’t underestimate them either

And the reason why we haven’t heard anything is because the audience was too busy talking about the battle between NRC and RSA, but there have been mentions of DCA in magicam.

Ace: I-Is that so?...

Rook: You’ll understand once you find out for yourself!

Vil isn’t one to give empty praises, they now know that DCA is something to consider. The first years decided to look to the stage, they will see what Vil meant when the students of DCA don’t joke around when it comes to contests like the VDC.

Announcer: Representative of Diamond Crown Academy will be performing an original song… Eternally Flickering Flame, please begin rehearsal!

The music started off with a loud blast of rock followed by a gothic symphony that captured everyone’s attention, Evonie sings the first lyrics with a loud yet harmonic tune, her movements are graceful with a hint of aggression.

When it was Allison’s turn to sing, she sang with so much energy and her dance, although not as graceful, was very cheerful and all over the place that made some of the people watching tap to the rhythm.

At the two of them were synchronized in their dance and their voices, although were a contrast, created a pleasing harmony. The first years were watching with wide-eyes, no wonder Vil said that they were not to be underestimated. They thought back to their strict training during the past weeks and they wondered how hard these girls trained to be able to give this performance.

It was already hard to sing and dance, but putting magic into the mix? That’s a new level of intensity.

Epel: I… can’t look away!

Deuce: They’re casting magic?! Usually, its at the end of the performance, but here they’re using it throughout the song!

Rook: You are yet to see the main event, mon ami~

At the climax of the song, Evonie and Allison’s rings glowed red and light blue as an orb of light went up the sky and a burst of magic created an illusion of a gloomy forest with black rabbits and flying bats around a silhouette of a crescent moon.

When a chime of a clock was heard, the illusion shatters the moon and it dissolves into the scenery to turn the dark colors of the forest into a red background of crystals and gemstones with black thorns growing from the ground.

They finish the song with a pose with the illusion around them creating an outstanding finish.

The crowd didn’t expect the use of magic to create effects, but it was mesmerizing to look at, all eyes were on them, faces in awe and mouths agape. When their performance ended and the illusion faded, a loud applause fills the venue as students cheered.

TV Staff: That performance gave me goosebumps!

Audience: Seems like DCA is going all out today, huh?

I thought the other performances were good but damn, DCA goes all out!

They’d win for sure!

Neige and Vil will be performing too, but I can’t help but admire DCA’s performance!

Evonie felt proud for some of the comments she hears as her and Allison exit the stage. As soon as every participant was done with rehearsals, the two decided to head to the food booth for a light snack before the performance. Evonie was quietly assessing the choices and thinking deeply on which would be better to eat and won’t make her feel like throwing up when she performs, while Allison was chewing on a chocolate bar.

Evonie was unaware of a small presence behind her until something grabbed her hand, she was startled by the sudden touch and looked to her side only to see one of the dwarves from the rehearsals. “Toby” was what his name was, looking at her with his goofy grin and asymmetric, purple hair.

Toby: Miss Evonie! Timmy is a huge fan of yours, and so am I! The flashy magic you put on stage was super cool!”

Timmy: T-Toby! Don’t rush at her like th-that! And why’d you have to tell her that I’m a fan?! So, embarrassing!!!!

Evonie was frozen, not in fear but in restraint. The dwarves were so cute and she was tempted to pick them up and hold them close to her like a plush. But that would be rude because they’re college students and they are NOT children even if they look like one. Allison was snickering and greeted the dwarves too.

Allison: Aww, Ev, you got a fan!

Evonie: I-I… uhh!

Toby still held her hand and was looking up at her with his doe eyes, it took almost all of her self-restraint to act professional with the dwarf.

Evonie: I-it’s an honor that you like my performances, I am thankful!

Toby: I’ve seen you in that one play about the six queens too! You looked so pretty! Do you wanna come with us to see our other friends? Dominic and the others saw your work too, oh but Gran is not into idols that much…

Timmy: T-Toby! We shouldn’t impose on her and besides, w-we need to stick together! M-Miss Evonie, it was nice meeting you but we need to leave!

Timmy grabs ahold of Toby who was pouting along the way as the two scampered off into the crowd, leaving Evonie behind. Evonie takes a deep breath while Allison looks at the crowd before facing her.

Allison: I don’t see any of my fans… boohoo, quit stealing all my potential fan members!

Evonie: If you had been taking the time to actually participate in SOME venues then you might have had one…

Allison: It isn’t my fault most of the performances they want is girly!

While they were bickering, they don’t notice a grim fight against an overblotted dorm leader was taking place in the colosseum.

Juliet was born with high-functioning autism and grew up with it. She has selective mutism and has a number of things to be sensitive to. Including musical numbers. Especially musical numbers(“Stop him(your name here), he’s going to start singing!”).

She’s also one of a pair, the other part being her older brother, Romeo. Juliet loves her big brother and always tries to stay by his side. But he goes to Royal Sword Academy and she’s here, so there’s some separation anxiety.

Her pet is a mourning dove named Ralphier. He’s always seemingly depressed because...actually, Juliet hasn’t figured that out yet.

She wants to be a detective for her city. On her free time, she’ll open up a book on the art of deduction or look up various articles related to it. She’s getting better at it, and sometimes uses it to figure people out.

Despite being an introvert, Juliet actually likes hanging out with people she knows and trusts. Even if it’s just for the ride, she’ll tag along so long as you don’t mind ‘the quiet one’.

‘Actually looks forward to the NRC and DCA festival because she wants to beat up befriend some of the NRC students.

You know that friend that, if you want to make a video of a stunt you’re about to do, you give them the phone to record it? But even if you think it’s a great idea, they’ll still silently judge you and either snicker or cheer depending on what you do? That’s Juliet. That’s the position Juliet usually ends up on.

You’d think that someone so stressed out on a daily basis would have overblotted by now. Fortunately, Juliet has an outlet in the form of her unique magic...

Juliet’s unique magic is called ‘Gargoyle’s Grin’. Simply put, it turns her into a living gargoyle; ‘rock-solid, ‘good at climbing, and way way more extroverted(seriously, in this form she’ll say things that she would never EVER say during a regular school day). Juliet becomes more bold and quirky in this form, ‘not afraid to speak her mind and dish out insults(and fists)if the situation calls for it.

And before you ask, no: it’s not a split personality. It’s an alter ego Juliet likes to use. In a way, it’s her real personality on display.

She actually prefers this form because she uses it to to ‘escape’ stressful situations(and has been since she was little). At night, she’ll take this form and crawl up the dorm building to take a ‘walk’. Sometimes she’ll try serenading(only when she knows she’s out of earshot). And she’ll bring Ralphier too.

Like any good vigilante, Juliet hides her connection to this form. But she’s heard rumors that some students are hiding their unique magic because they’re...afraid? This makes her curious...

How this will play out will be kin of tricky, but Lilia has technically visited a LOT of places. Let’s say he’s on his way to the Slumbering Willows when he sees a frazzled old lady holding a baby. He tries to go see the problem because he isn’t going to let the old woman be stressed, now would he?

Once the old lady finished explaining the situation he ponders for a moment and decides to take the child and raise her in the Valley of Thorns, he can handle human babies easier than fae babies. 

Briar’s last name is non-existent, she is just called Briar.

He never misses the opportunity to dress her up in cute baby clothes, and he probably will continue getting any frilly dress he got his hands on to put them on Briar.

Briar wasn’t a noisy baby, she sniffled when she had to cry and most of the time she is clingy. Lilia has to make sure she is asleep when he leaves the house. But he does relish in the fact that the baby is attached to him to this extent.

Not long after, he adopted Silver too. So, now there are two precious babies under Lilia’s care. The image of Briar clinging to a sleeping Silver is forever etched onto Lilia’s mind.

Silver calls her “Onee-san”. 

When both of them start to grow up and Silver takes up swordsmanship while Briar is practicing on honing her magic. While he already has plans on having Silver be introduced to Malleus as he will become his guard in the future, he does want to show off his daughter to him. He hasn’t exactly shown Malleus what his daughter looked like but he babbles on to the prince about how precious she is.

He says screw it and takes Briar along with Silver to the castle of the Draconia royalty. Silver is dressed in a rather plain dark suit while Briar was dressed in a pale pink dress covered in white lace patterned with thorns and white roses. Needless to say, everyone is focused on Briar first before realizing that it was Lilia who was holding her hand. 

The family of three stood before the prince and his parents, which the latter took notice of the golden-haired child beside Lilia. He didn’t miss a beat as he introduced her to the royal family. 

Briar was holding onto Silver as she was kind of nervous because there were a lot of strangers who held high authority. That just made her more adorable. So, whenever Silver has to train to be a guard, Briar sometimes comes along with Lilia which prompted her and Malleus to slowly become friendly acquaintances.

Along the way, they meet little Sebek (I have no idea how his backstory is supposed to be since I don’t play the game). Sebek is very flustered because Briar is very pretty and she and Silver stand out from the other children who live in the Valley of Thorns. 

Sebek can now go cry to Briar when Silver falls asleep after witnessing Lilia’s terrifying persona during Halloween. Briar is trying to convince herself that it was just a nightmare.

Briar grows up with somewhat the same gentle and motherly personality but less depressed and neglected. She is more open and social, fussing about those younger than her.

NRC Present Time:

She visits the Diasomnia quartet when she can. Because she is still chosen to go to Diamond Crown Academy. Lilia sends her photos of the boys in their robes and she sends a picture back of her school life.

When she visits, they have no idea that she is acquainted with Malleus and Lilia. When they do, they get the shock of their lifetime. 

Briar usually brings snacks (because she knows that Lilia’s cooking is a disaster waiting to happen), the boys are secretly celebrating because they don’t have to make excuses to Lilia why they weren’t hungry.

Silver still calls her “Onee-san” while Sebek calls her Lady Briar but still gets flustered whenever she dotes on him, it doesn’t help when Lilia enables her. Even Malleus finds it endearing, calling her a mother goose fussing over her goslings.

Silver and Sebek are overprotective of Briar during her visits, all those boys trying to get her attention when NONE of them are worthy to even talk to her, or so says Sebek.

Since she is also performing idol concerts in the academy, Lilia would stream it to the dorm to show them how talented his precious daughter is.

Lilia: “Look at her! She’s making me proud!”