Chapter 104

While classmates enjoy their break, Damian Desmond buries himself in history books at Berlint's national library, determined to defend his standing at Eden Academy and keep collecting Stella. Ewen Egeburg and Emile Elman tag along reluctantly, itching for something more exciting than shelves of texts. A librarian's story changes everything: treasure hunting boomed once the recent war ended, and one Eden student even received a Stella after unearthing a historic artifact on a dig. That single detail hooks Damian, and soon the three boys march toward ancient ruins with their family butlers in tow.

The expedition proves shakier than their enthusiasm. Their guidebook offers nothing useful, leaving them to wander the woods at random. Jeeves quietly signals the other butlers to humor the children, then springs into action when a snake threatens his young master. Rattled, Damian admits he never wanted this trip, yet he refuses to slink home empty-handed and disgrace the Desmond name. After a hearty meal the butlers prepare, Damian tries a new tactic, picturing himself as a ruler of antiquity to intuit where a lost capital might sit.

A tarantula landing on his shoulder shatters the act, sending him bolting through the trees in tears and swearing off Stella entirely. His tumble ends in front of an enormous bloom that Jeeves identifies as a Geschocran, nicknamed the Witch's Crib and among the largest flowers anywhere. It earns no award, but the boys happily photograph it for school. On the helicopter home, Jeeves needles Damian about dodging his family, brings up Melinda and Demetrius, and teases him over agonizing about his outfit for the dance with Anya, leaving the boy squirming in his seat.

Damian learns that an Eden Academy student once earned a Stella through an archaeological find, which inspires the trip. The three boys and their butlers explore forest ruins, with Jeeves protecting Damian from a snake and later from a tarantula scare. Rather than treasure, the group discovers a Geschocran, a rare giant flower also called the Witch's Crib, and documents it with a photo.

The chapter closes on the ride home, where Jeeves prods Damian about avoiding Melinda and Demetrius and teases him about the end-of-term dance with Anya. The Elman and Egeburg family butlers appear for the first time.

The chapter runs 16 pages, appears in Volume 15 during the Term Break Arc, and released on September 2, 2024. Damian, Ewen, and Emile share the cover.

Early English digital copies had Ewen calling the season autumn on page 4, while other language editions said winter. The Volume 15 English release settled the discrepancy in favor of winter.