Corners of the World

Gemstones
"...We're not going to school???" Saige asked. She and Team STRM looked to each other, a little more perplexed than usual. Here, they were standing in the headmaster's office, completely unaware of what they'd been called in for. None of them had goofed off in the last week, let alone started another food fight. So, there must've been only one solutio-

Macy opened her mouth and let out a big "WHOO!" as she threw her arms up into the air. "Vacation time! Finally~!"

Professor Wolfgang shook his head and grinned. "Nope. You're gonna be shadowing another team for the next week or so."

"...Eh?" The shorty stopped and lowered her arms, staring in question. "No vacation then...?" Tara sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to contain her discontent with the girl's ignorance.

"Macy..." Raine sighed, patting Tara's shoulder, "huntsmen and huntresses don't get vacations."

"...WHAAAA?!" Her hopes and dreams seemed to shatter before her very eyes, as big wet tears welled up at the corners of her eyes. Professor Wolfgang couldn't help but snicker at the sight, a girl reacting so emotionally to such a vague piece of information. He ruffled her hair and reached into his pocket, pulling out a lollipop and holding it out to her. The tears evaporated instantly, and she took the sweet, undoing the wrapper as she eagerly stuck it in her mouth.

"Don't worry, Macy," Saige reassured. "You will someday. It just depends on your career choice is all."

"She's right." Professor Wolfgang sat back in his office chair and folded his hands, puffing a cloud of smoke from the cigarette in his mouth. "After you guys graduate, you get to branch out and do whatever you want. So don't get so down, kid~." The grin never left his face as he spoke. A few seconds ticked by for the teenagers to grow only more anxious.

Saige clicked her tongue and broke the silence. "So, who are we shadowing?"

Ding! The five turned to look at the doors behind them, knowing just by the sound there was someone in the elevator. Professor Wolfgang pulled out the cigarette and stuffed it into the ashtray at the corner of his desk, covering the thing with a magazine as not to attract unwanted questions. "Come in." The door opened, and in walked four young adults.

"Hello, Professor Wolfgang~," the first spoke up. "Sorry we're late. Zephyr lost his weapon...again..."

He merely smirked and gestured for them to come closer. Team STRM stared with wide eyes. There, standing before them, were the four top students in Siren Academy.

"Holy crap..." Tara whispered, leaning over to Saige's earshot. "Do you know these guys?"

She nodded in response. "Team ALZN (alizarin)."

Raine leaned in next to them and lowered his voice as well. "Are we shadowing them, then?"

"It appears so..." Saige was dumbfounded. Since when did Team STRM qualify to follow behind scholars like baby ducks?!