Oh my gosh, yes, this is perfect. Kristen met Helio with doubt in her heart and she turned away towards the goddess of doubt. Buddy met Helio with conviction in his heart and turned away towards the goddess of conviction. *chef's kiss* love that.
[Image ID. Image with a purple to pink gradient background that is split into thirds by two jagged white lines. There is a purple 'VS' symbol in the centre of each line. On the left of the image is Marcy Wu from Amphibia. In the centre of the image is Marina from Splatoon. On the right of the image is Ayda Aguefort from Dimension 20: Fantasy High. End ID.]
With Kristen realizing that Lucy and Yolanda chose not to come back under Ankarna I think it is safe to say Buddy met Helio, and was not impressed. Which, honestly, fair.
My theory about the Rat Grinders: I don’t think they are a red herring, I do think they are the antagonists of this season in that their actions have started the main conflict. However, I think they see their intentions as good.
I think the Rat Grinders are trying to create an apocalyptic/dire situation so that they can save the day.
Why else would you be grinding in the forest everyday if not to show off your capabilities in a grand gesture? Why wouldn’t you want to be the heroes of the adventuring school? If you found a way to make the system work for you, why wouldn’t you take advantage of it?
Also from an outsider’s perspective, isn’t that what the Bad Kids did? Every thing that has happened since the Bad Kids’ Freshman Year has been “orchestrated” by them or has a consequence of their actions in some way. (Adaine stealing the book from the library on her first day was a pivotal moment for Kalvaxus’ return; their battle in the school gym created a distraction for the Nightmare King’s crown to be stolen; and more recently they released the Night Yorb.)
While we know as the audience this is not the case and that there were other things and people involved that created these catastrophic events to occur. But from the outside looking in from a distance, it doesn’t appear that way.
So I think the Rat Grinders are trying to be grand heroes but by cutting corners and creating the situation for them to shine in. Rather than true heroes who show up when it matters (like the Bad Kids).