I think I'm going to use this as a start to part 2 of Mika and Jack's story, but I'm unsure about that. However, we needed some Lilia here in this house, so let's get some teacher Lilia up in here.

Link to original post: https://old.reddit.com/r/TwistedWonderland/comments/xe5lzy/twstober_prompt/

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“So, class, can you tell me what you already know about the Musculi race?”

“Lilia, we’re the only ones here,” Grim said, looking about the room he and Mika have been staying in since summer vacation started.

Lilia wagged his pointer finger. “Ah, ah, ah, a class is defined by those who attend lessons. You should be the first to know, Mr. Grim.” Lilia chuckled as the cat thing growled in embarrassment. “Now, who can answer my question?”

Mika, the Musculus in question, said, “From what Malleus said, we’re a dead race who have fantastic tactician skills but are awful at keeping our Overblots in check.” Not that she wanted to make herself sound like a savage since everyone was in agreement that wasn’t true, but based on the events from Prom Night, she couldn’t help but see herself as more of a monster than a beastman or just as so as Grim.

“Surface level information…that answer was to be expected, but there is more the Musculi. I believe you’ve said that you were in contact with the Creator yourself a couple of times.”

She nodded. “In dreams, we do.”

Lilia snapped his fingers. His magic took a piece of chalk and drew what was supposed to be a dream bubble connected to an example person’s head. “That is how Musculi gain their knowledge. Musculi learn of events through dreams, whether it’s directly from the Creator or through visions he sends of stories he knows the truth about. Then, when a problem arises, they use those dreams to solve it.”

“So when he was communicating with me, he was trying to prevent history from repeating.”

“In regards to what we’ve been through for the past school year, I would definitely see it as so. You saved our College, Mika. That is a feat you should be proud of, regardless of how events went down.”

“I nearly got myself and my friends killed,” she replied, still in regret.

“You are not the one at fault. A Musculi village is in charge of teaching their children not only to control their transformations but to adapt to them, too. What you don’t know yet, Mika, is that Musculi don’t only transform as an Overblot reaction. They are shapeshifters like Beastmen, Merfolk, and Dragonfolk; however, unless the earlier three who only transform from one thing and back to normal, Musculi have a vast array of shifting types, which is why they are called the Masters of Illusion.”

“You know a lot about them for sure, Lilia,” said Grim.

“I suppose that’s what you get when you’re able to live centuries upon centuries. But really, I’ve known plenty of Musculi over the years. Sadly, that also comes with learning of the demise. However, Malleus and I are dedicated to fixing this problem. The first and very way to solve the misunderstanding of Musculi is education. We can’t educate others without educating ourselves first. That also means you two, since you’ll be together until graduation at NRC after all.”

Mika nodded once more. “So if my “village” was supposed to teach me how to adapt, how do I adapt now? All I’ve done is hide who I was since I was born.”

Lilia grinned. “Very good question. Unfortunately, we are still preventing the crisis of Mouse Rage from reforming, so if we were to find Musculi mentors for you, we are at risk of putting them and their people in more danger than it’s worth. As far as transformation training is concerned, Malleus will be the top candidate for the teaching job. I will assist you in interpreting your visions. You’ve already used your notebook for that, so reporting to me should not be an issue. As far as physical training goes, Silver and Sebek will be your coaches for the summer. When you return to Night Raven for your second year, you’ll be taking more and more flight classes for physical training.”

The tentative schedule didn’t seem so bad as far as Mika was concerned. She also knew that listening and learning by hearing is far different from learning by doing. She felt that she wasn’t ready for learning now, but if she didn’t do it now, she wouldn’t learn it at all.

“With that set,” Lilia explained, “the first thing you know now is why Musculi are who they are. Tacticians and powerful mages led by the Creator. The second thing you need to know is who your race is allied with. Believe it or not, it starts here in Briar Valley. Musculi and the royal family have been allies in battle for thousands upon thousands of years.”

Grim “whoa”ed and slid onto his comfy pillow seat in interest. “So you Briar Valley folk must’ve kept your kingdom at the top for a long time.”

“Briar Valley has been living in peace for quite a while. In fact, it is very rare that we go to war. In fact, it is not only in war tactics in which Musculi taught us. There are many forms of politics in which they get involved. Who to form an alliance, who to trade with, who would make the best ruler, who would fit the best in the royal court. It is not always black and white.”

“So I’m going to be training in your politics, too?” Mika questioned.

“Not at your age, absolutely not. Might I also add that the royal family of this kingdom has been extremely picky in regards to who to hire for this Musculus duty. Most who have allied with Briar Valley were the most experienced in their magic craft, so it was not uncommon to see older Musculi walking around the castle.

Mika was relieved to hear it.

“You will not be doing anything complex until we are able to perfect your vision interpretations. That wouldn’t be for a while in your current state, but there is nothing to worry about. Based on how well you completed your first year at a magical school not knowing of your magic, this should be easy for you.”

“I have a question, actually.”

“Go ahead.”

“You said that my kind has worked with many kingdoms and cultures ofTwisted Wonderland. I take it that my kind is educated on other cultures when they are in school?”

“That is correct.”

“I must’ve been educated on that at some point, Lilia.”

“Oh?”

“When Ace, Deuce, and I first met and went into the Dwarfs’ Mine, I happened to recall who the Dwarfs were. I couldn’t remember anything else but that at the time.”

“That’s right!” Grim exclaimed, waving his paw. “You went on this really weird educational banter on dwarfs out of nowhere. Sounded like you knew exactly what you were saying. Come to think of it, you did the same thing about Beastmen and Merfolk, too.”

Mika’s eyes beamed. “I did.”

Lilia tapped his chin. “So it seems that you were educated on some things, but why your family had you and other children in hiding of your magic is a very interesting choice. Well, that is less on my schedule for you this summer, also not including everything you were taught in year one.” He canceled his magic, returning the chalk piece to the box it came from. The whole board was covered in images that he thought up to draw. “I think that’s all I need from you, Mika darling. Are you getting hungry? I believe it’s time for tea.”

“Did someone say tea?” asked Grim, his ears perking to the highest they could go. “I’m up for that any time, any day.”