The Melon Derby was underway, with various students plotting and planning their schemes.

One of the most notorious participants was a sweet little girl in a wheelchair named Maura. While she might not have been the most intelligent student, she had a keen understanding of people. With this in mind, she hatched a scheme so dastardly it would surely go down in the record books. Maid Malena nodded in understanding as she received her master's instructions, the puppet running out of the door to deliver its message, followed shortly by the others. The team's plan was simple: spread, snatch, and gather the melons before others could even reach them. Maura collected the obvious melons but found herself at a severe disadvantage, especially when facing some of the bigger competition who saw her as an easy target.

On the other hand, Taleja took charge of the box's fate and opted for assertive negotiation. Approaching the base of Saint and Singers, she got stopped by the formidable team of Covenant, determined to defend their allied team's box. Deviating from the script, Taleja swiped the Ipte box from Maura. Upon delivery and exchange, she claimed her prize. Walking out, Covenant faced difficulties in claiming theirs. Not willing to take the risk, Taleja dropped a smoke vial, using it as cover for her escape from their potential retribution.

Ayla found herself in a predicament as their team captain disappeared without a trace, leaving the rest to decide their course. Opting for the Cathedral, she thought it would be the best place to go. However, she ended up in a battle with a Soul Sister and lost.

Jamboi, swinging from the ceiling beam during the planning, heard a tapping at the window. A bird, perhaps? Opening the hatch to listen to its sweet song, he spotted Maura from his angle and saw an opportunity to take advantage of the situation. Running by, he accidentally knocked into her, leaving a big grin on his face as he made off, leaving the girl befuddled about his intentions. Unfortunately, it was not the Banana derby, or he would have collected more points for his team.

Oksana tried to take a box too but failed.

[hr]

The Dragon is the second great trial of the games.

Maura did the thing she loved most—share the sound of her voice, and the Revidians actually loved her Segonian charm as well. With the delicious Pizza prosciutto e funghi in hand, the Nonnas were left satisfied.

The Plunge was hotly contested, with Ashon, Ayla, and Oksana all working hard to get through the challenge. Ashon dove into action, using his skills to take advantage of the terrain to grab the eggs required to complete the challenge. Oksana focused on getting boosts to try to keep up with the others, her kite-ear hat flapping to allow her access to the tethered baskets. As for Ayla, she focused on trying to support her partner to the finishing line, though didn't do a great job, as she got distracted by a pretty Pearlescent Egg.

Taleja, on the other hand, had other ideas. Let's say Invasion going off with a bang was an understatement. The locals had a front row to the first explosive symphony, as the forest was being shaken to its very core. The Threshers who tried to escape were soon picked up in the care of Sister Dominica and Sister Laska, the church girls readily accepting responsibility for them, with the latter taking the lead.

As for the Cherune boxes this round, it seemed like Maura’s tongue didn’t know how to rest, as it wrestled the prizes away from their owners, and leaving behind a smile.