𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥 [Tokyo Debunker X F!Reader]

by Kumon105

Summary:

『Various Tokyo Debunker X Twisted Wonderland! Fem! Reader』+『Various Twisted Wonderland X Fem! Reader』

╔══ ✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦ ═════╗
𝗟𝘆𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘀: Trapped in a Dream - RudyWade

"𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦, 𝐜𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞
𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐞
𝐈'𝐦 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝
𝐈'𝐦 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭, 𝐈'𝐦 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐜𝐤, 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝"

╚═════ ✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦ ══╝

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

死にたくない

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

"Will this really work..?"

I asked Headmage Crowley as I started at the Dark Mirror. "I'm absolutely sure." He smiled and pat my head. My friends started hugging me and bidding goodbye one by one. "You better text us for at least five minutes per day!" Grim yelled with teary eyes. "Aww~ Are you gonna miss you're favorite henchmen~?" I teased and giggled.

"*Sniff*...... Yes..."

I blinked twice and then pulled Grim into a tight hug. "Don't worry. The Dark Mirror should work so we can visit each other during summer or winter break" I smiled and pat his head as he cried. "P-Promise..?" Grim sniffled and rubbed his head into my stomach.

"I promise."

Notes:

Key's for the book:

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Insert - Narrative - And then she stared at her reflection in the mirror

[Insert] - Author speaking - [Eyyy there- wazzup readers]

"Insert" - Talking - "Hey there!" [But can also be air quotes]

'Insert' - Thinking - 'Dame he's cute...'

"Insert in italics" - Whispering - "I- I messed up..." [But can also be an emphasis on a word/phrase, or flashback]

(Insert) - Inner mind..? - (Deadass doesn't know how to explain it here)

*Insert in italics* - Action - *Sighs with their head down*

[INSERT IN BOLD] - Magic - [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!] or [IGGNAIM!]

Chapter 1

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

[Book 0] The Academy of Ghouls

[Chapter 0] From the Dark Mirror to a Train station

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

{Your POV}

~~~~~

 

"I was able to find a way... to bring you back home."

 

As soon as those words left Crowley's mouth, both me and Grim went wide eyed. "A... A way home?" I asked in shock. Crowley nodded and then Crewel pat my head. "We have already tested it, the portal won't disappear after one leaves. So basically we can visit you whenever we want, or vise versa." I blinked twice in shock and Grim jumped out of my arms and was yelling at Crewel, "MYAA! But what will happen with me?! Me and [Y/n] count as one student still! What will happen when she leaves?!"

 

Crowley chuckled. "Of course, you will count as a single student Grim." Grim went wide eyed and I bit my lip. 'I don't even remember much of what I did back home... and... all my friends here...' "Of course, you do not have to leave right now. " I gave a confused "Huh?" To Crowley who then approached me. "To be quite honest... I don't want you to go either... WHO WILL HELP ME TAKE CARE OF THESE RECKLESS KIDS?!?" Crowley complained and I sweat dropped while Crewel punched Crowley in the head.

 

"What he means- is that you don't have to choose instantly. This is a choice and if you wish to go back then you can." I just chuckled. "I'd.... I'd like to go back... but after I say goodbye to everyone." Crewel understood and dismissed me and Grim.

 

"Are you... really going back..?" Grim asked as he climbed onto my shoulder. I sighed and scratched the back of his ear. "I don't want to leave either Grim... But at the same time I'm worried about what happened in my world. My parents, my home, all of that. Besides, Crewel-Sama said that we could visit each other whenever we want. So if you get bored or too tired, or if you just miss me, then you can ask the Dark Mirror to visit me again." I giggled

 

Grim gave me an unsure hum. "Well, it's Saturday so we can spend the whole day together." Grim smiled slightly and nodded. "Yes please..." I giggled and then jogged to the mirror chamber. "Let's go to Heartslabyul first!" I exclaimed happily and ran.

 

Heartslabyul was shocked. Ace and Deuce were even in denial for a while

 

Savanaclaw was pouty and pissed. Well- Only Leona was pissed... I guess it's because I used to cook for him every now and then.

 

Octavinelle was annoyed and was complaining the whole time. Okay that was just Floyd but that's because he says that, "Waahhh! Shimpy! You can't leave because who else will be my comfort pillow!".... yeah...

 

Scarabia was whiny... I mean- I expected it from Kalim but from Jamil too? That was shocking.

 

Pomefiore tried to act calm but I saw that they were disappointed especially Rook. Vil even posted it to Magicam and everyone of Vil's followers who knew me were all bidding me goodbye and good luck.

 

Ignihyde was depressed. They all were upset that the only social interaction that they get was leaving. But after seeing Ortho's disappointed face I almost was about to say that I was never gonna leave.

 

Finally Diasomnia was gloomy... Esspecially Tsunotaro. He was so upset that he almost tried using [Fae of Maleficence] again. Thankfully I was able to stop him when I mentioned that he could visit whenever he liked.

 

But what shocked me was that even RSA came by my dorm when I started to pack. They actually held a thirty minute party and gave me a ton of stuff to remember them by.

 

Allison gave me one of his coats. I would normally wear his whenever I would visit so it was nice to have one for my own... It's so comfortable and stylish after all.

 

Che'nya gave me a big plush cat that looked like the pink and purple cat from my dreams. Thankfully he used magic on it so I can turn it into a keychain or the big plush whenever I wanted.

 

Neige gave me one of his limited time albums that had the other dwarves in the song. Complete with a USB to watch the live version.

 

Prince Rielle gave me a seashell hairclip that had the RSA insignia on the inside. The seashell was the same as the seashell he gave me when we first met.

 

Elliot also gave me a plush, but this one was a plushie of one of his mouse friends. It was cute with it's big ears.

 

Finally, Jasper gave me a photo album of all the photos that I've taken at RSA. It photos of all my friends at RSA, the teachers, events held at RSA, heh- even pictures of my favorite foods

 

The party was fun, and after they all left, my friends here at NRC threw a two hour party... Just like RSA, they gave me tons of gifts as well. Clothes, plushies, jewelry, magic items..... But the four that stood out the most was that Leona gave me a necklace with his family's crest on it, Vil placed a curse on all my stuff so that only me and the people I fully trust can touch my stuff, Idia gave me an entire new phone with the best of literally everything! The storage was over 900! But the one I loved the most was the one that Tsunotaro gave me.

 

He gave me my very own wand.

 

I was so excited. Malleus said that he and everyone else created the wand just for me and that they added all their magic together. I bursted into tears because of that. I thanked them profusely and they urged me to try and cast magic.

 

When I tried a simple spell I was shocked and absolutely ecstatic that I could cast spells like the others now. But what shocked me the most was that I could use all their unique magic. However, they weren't as shocked, they said it's because they already know because it's their magic. Grim was jealous that I was so powerful now but at the same time he looked so proud of me.

 

Another hour passed of me playing with my new wand and magic until finally all my stuff was packed. My friends all joined me to bid me goodbye. When we made it to the room with the Dark mirror, I also saw Headmage Crowley, Professor Crewel, Professor Trein, and Coach Vargas.

 

They all explain how proud of me they were, not only for surviving as the only female, but for helping them deal with the overblots as well. Then the four staff members gave me gifts as well.

 

Headmage Crowley gave me a Hat and cape similar to his own... But less feathery. He used magic so that it will grow too as I grow older.

 

Professor Crewel gave me a baton similar to his own and told me, "If any bad pups approach you then use this" Honestly, he said it with such annoyance that I almost said, "Thanks Dad!" right on the spot.

 

Now, Professor Trein's gift shocked me but awed me the most because he gave me a life sized plush of Lucius. AND IT WAS SO FLUFFY~~! I LOVED IT!

 

On the other hand... Coach Vargas gave me a whistle... kind of disappointed not going to lie... But I could use it if I'm in need of help so I', glad.

 

Crowley prepared the Dark Mirror and I bit my lip. "Will this really work..?" I asked him as I started at the Dark Mirror. "I'm absolutely sure." He smiled and pat my head. My friends started hugging me and bidding goodbye one by one for the fifth time. "You better call us for at least 10 minutes per day!" Grim yelled with teary eyes. "Aww~ Are you gonna miss you're favorite henchmen~?" I teased and giggled, patting his head softly as I crouched to his height.

 

"*Sniff*...... Yes..."

 

I blinked twice and then slowly pulled Grim into a tight hug. "Don't worry. The Dark Mirror should work so we can visit each other during summer or winter break" I smiled and pat his head as he cried. "P-Promise..?" Grim sniffled and rubbed his head into my stomach.

 

"I promise."

 

Grim panted and wiped his tears with his paws. "Okay... I... I'll miss you." I smiled and then looked up at Crowley. "Can we take a photo before I go?" I asked and waved the new phone Idia gave me. Everyone agreed and a ghost that was passing by took a photo for me while I posed with everyone, my friends, my teachers, my little brother figures, my father figures. "Okay! Done!" The ghost handed me my phone and my friends crowded me, asking me to send the photo to them all.

 

After I did so, we made a group chat of all of us before I bid everyone one last goodbye.

 

And I entered the the Portal of the Dark Mirror.

 

As I felt my body getting warm due to heat, I opened my eyes, excited to see where I am.

 

Only to find myself in front of a bathroom mirror...

 

"I- Huh..?" I questioned myself, confused.

Chapter 2: [ X | Info ]『🤍』

▮PLEASE DON'T SKIP THIS! THERE IS IMPORTANT INFORMATION!▮

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Before you can continue here are some trigger warnings.

 

▮Spoilers

▮Violence

▮Swearing

▮Manipulation

▮Blood Warnings

▮Google translate

▮Mentions of Death

▮ Incorrect Grammer

▮Slight Sexual themes

▮Incorrect Punctuation

▮AUTO-MOTHERFUCKING-CORRECT

▮Some characters might be OOC because I just don't really know how to write them ;w;

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Extra Notes:

 

▮I do not own anything except the plot and some drawings

▮Some people might be OOC because... Literally just because-

▮My punctuation and spelling are awful... please bare with me...

▮I don't double-check what I write so storylines can be confusing

▮ I copied and pasted everything from my Wattpad so this is a bit weird...

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Credits:

 

▮Disney Twisted-Wonderland: Aniplex and Walt Disney Japan

▮Tokyo Debunker: ZigZaGame Inc

▮Plot/Storyline: Mixed between Tokyo Debunker, Twisted Wonderland, and Your Author Kumon's own story

▮Art: 50% is from TWST or TD, 48% by people that I can't find and the last 2% is from me

▮Cover: Created By Your Author Kumon

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Key's for the book:

 

Insert - Narrative - And then she stared at her reflection in the mirror

[Insert] - Author speaking - [Eyyy there- wazzup readers]

"Insert" - Talking - "Hey there!" [But can also be air quotes]

'Insert' - Thinking - 'Dame he's cute...'

"Insert in italics" - Whispering - "I- I messed up..." [But can also be an emphasis on a word/phrase, or flashback]

(Insert) - Inner mind..? - (Deadass doesn't know how to explain it here)

*Insert in italics* - Action - *Sighs with their head down*

[INSERT IN BOLD] - Magic - [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!] or [IGGNAIM!]

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Daaaaaaaassssss It!

 

Enjoy the actual info!

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Appearance:

[Your appearance but you with the NRC uniform]

 

Name: [Y/n] [L/n]

Age: 16 [Will be older during the endings]

Birthday: 7/12 [Lol just used a random B-day]

Sex: Female

Height: 166cm [5'4 ft]

Weight: [Y/w] lb

Nationality: Japanese

Sexuality: Straight [To make things simple for my small brain]

Favourite Hobby: Eating cake, hanging out with friends

Specialty: She's a people person, she's able to understand people really easily.

 

Personality: Literally the average Female main character with a harem.

▮"What do you mean? He likes me as a friend" [Oblivious]

▮"I'll do this for my friend's sake!" [Determined]

▮"Don't say/do that! That's mean..." [Protective]

▮"Aww~ you're so cute~! Huh? You're turning red. Are you alright?" [Sweet]

▮"Uhh- I-I- Uhh... Ummm..." [Hesitant]

▮"Hey- Are you okay? What's wrong?" [Curious]

 

▮"I've only had [Y/n] for a day and a half but if anything happens to her I'd kill everyone in this school and then myself." - All our precious boys

▮Etc, Etc, Etc

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Magic: Twisted Wand + Sage's Ring

 

Description:

▮ Since the wand was a gift from all your TWST friends, you can use all their unique magic. [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD], [KING'S ROAR!], [It's a Deal!], etc, etc Y'know ;)

▮ The ring allows you to enhance someone's magic/stigma as long as you're holding someone.

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Drawbacks:

 

▮ Your wand requires a lot of concentration while your ring requires you to be in contact with someone.

 

▮ Both artifacts cost a lot of stamina. If you use it too much then you'll get a massive headache. If used WAY too much then you'll pass out.

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Extra [Y/n] notes:

 

▮[Y/n] is more into cats.

▮[Y/n] is kind of addicted to sweets and tea. That's Heartslabyul's fault

▮If you put up [Y/n] in a competition... She would lose. No questions... Now- if the rewards were a treat to cake and tea- Then it would be a different story~ But seriously... she would lose just because she wants to see her friends happy when they winning.

▮[Y/n] is a massive pushover to people she doesn't know.

▮If you make her friends cry, she would- and WILL use [I See You-] and [Fairest One of All] to make your life hell. Hell maybe even [KINGS ROAR!]

 

╔══ ✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦ ═════╗

Now that your information is out of the way.

I'll introduce you to the rest of the cast now

╚═════ ✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦ ══╝

 

╔══ ✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦ ═════╗

Notes:

- Question marks mean that I am uncertain

╚═════ ✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦ ══╝

 

▮💙♟️Frostheim👑🏹⚔️▮

▮💙♟️👑🏹⚔️▮Members▮

 

▮💙Tohma Ishibashi♟️▮

Grade: Third Year

Special Artifact: Halberd

"𝐈 𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐬𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝- 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥."

 

▮💙Jin Kamurai👑▮

Grade: Third Year

Special Artifact: Sword

"𝐀 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲? 𝐍𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬. 𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬"

 

▮💙Kaito Fuji🏹▮

Grade: Second Year

Special Artifact: Rogue Bow

"𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐧?"

 

▮💙Lucas Errant⚔️▮

Grade: Second Year

Special Artifact: Twin Swords

"𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐧?"

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

▮💛🔧Vagastrom🥪🛠️▮

▮💛🎧🛠️🥪▮Members▮

 

▮💛Leo Kurosagi🎧▮

Grade: First Year

Special Artifact: Chewing Gum

"𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐧'𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐬 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫?"

 

▮💛Alan Mido🛠️▮

Grade: Third Year

Special Artifact: Steel Pipe

"𝐈 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞."

 

▮💛Shohei Haizono🥪▮

Grade: First Year

Special Artifact: Motorbike

"𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬. 𝐈'𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮."

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

▮🧡🍀 Jabberwock🐰🎮▮

▮🧡🍀🐰🎮▮Members▮

 

▮🧡Towa Otonashi🍀▮

Grade: Second Year

Special Artifact: Bubble Wand

"~~🎵"

 

▮🧡Haru Sagara🐰▮

Grade: Third Year

Special Artifact: Deck Brush

"𝐘𝐨𝐮'𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 '𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬! 𝐈 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮!"

 

▮🧡Ren Shiranami🎮▮

Birthday: 7/25

Grade: First Year

Special Artifact: Swim Ring

"𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭. 𝐈𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭?"

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

▮❤️ ⚖️Sinostra🩸🔫▮

▮❤️⚖️🩸🔫▮Members▮

 

▮❤️Ritsu Shinjo⚖️▮

Grade: First Year

Special Artifact: Compendium of Laws

"𝐀𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲, 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞."

 

▮❤️Taiga Hoshibami🩸▮

Grade: Third Year

Special Artifact: Machine Gun

"𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐥?!"

 

▮❤️Romeo Scorpius Lucci🔫▮

Grade: Second Year (?)

Special Artifact: Sniper Rifle

"*𝐇𝐦𝐩𝐡* 𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐟!"

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

▮💜Hotarubi🎎🪈▮

▮💜🎎🪈▮Members▮

 

▮💜Zenji Kotodama🎎▮

Grade: Second Year (?)

Special Artifact: Doll

"𝐇𝐚𝐡𝐚. 𝐙𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐢 𝐊𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐚, 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐥, 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐦𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬!"

 

▮💜Subaru Kagami▮

Grade: Third Year (?)

Special Artifact: ???

"𝐎𝐡, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧... 𝐈'𝐦 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲."

 

▮💜Haku Kusanagi🪈▮

Grade: Third Year

Special Artifact: Flute

"𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟. 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐨𝐤𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐟-𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐟𝐟, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰."

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

▮🩷 Obscuary💀▮

▮🩷💀▮Members▮

 

▮🩷Rui Mizuki💀▮

Grade: Third Year (?)

Special Artifact: Scythe

"𝐇𝐞𝐲, 𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐞! 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐛 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬?"

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

▮🩵Mortkranken🥼💉▮

▮🩵🥼💉▮Members▮

 

▮🩵Yuri Isami🥼▮

Grade: Third Year (?)

Special Artifact: ???

"𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭."

 

▮🩵Jiro Kirisaki💉▮

Grade: Third Year (?)

Special Artifact: ???

"𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐬𝐨 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐲? 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠."

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Now then~

Allow me to welcome you to Darkwick Academy!

 

🇮 🇪🇽🇵🇪🇨🇹 🇾🇴🇺 🇹🇴 🇧🇪 🇨🇦🇷🇪🇫🇺🇱͠

🇹🇭🇮🇸 🇮🇸 🇾🇴🇺🇷 🇸🇪🇨🇴🇳🇩 🇹🇮🇲🇪 🇦🇫🇹🇪🇷 🇦🇱🇱͠

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Chapter 3: [ 1 | Red Train]『🩸』

Notes:

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Key's for the book:

 

Insert - Narrative - And then she stared at her reflection in the mirror

[Insert] - Author speaking - [Eyyy there- wazzup readers]

"Insert" - Talking - "Hey there!" [But can also be air quotes]

'Insert' - Thinking - 'Dame he's cute...'

"Insert in italics" - Whispering - "I- I messed up..." [But can also be an emphasis on a word/phrase, or flashback]

(Insert) - Inner mind..? - (Deadass doesn't know how to explain it here)

*Insert in italics* - Action - *Sighs with their head down*

[INSERT IN BOLD] - Magic - [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!] or [IGGNAIM!]

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

[Book 0] The Academy of Ghouls

[Chapter 1] All Aboard the Red Train

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

{Your POV}

~~~~~

 

I stared at myself in the mirror. "I still look 16." I chuckled to myself and pulled out my new phone. "Ah... It's night time." I sighed and then looked around. I was in a rather nice bathroom. Like ones you would see at airports. Since I can use magic now, I put all my bags into a storage space and exited the bathroom. "Hmm? I'm... at a train station."

 

I questioned myself as I approached the ticket gate. I downloaded an app, logged into my old account, and held my phone to the gate scanner. The gate opened and I walked closer to the rails. "Huh... I'm... actually not that far from home. Maybe I should pick up some sacks before I go, since I'm already out." I smiled and waited for the train. When the train finally came, I got into car 7 and took a seat right below a window so I can see Tokyo again. 'I missed riding this train.' I smiled as I watched the lit up city continue to shine.

 

Tokyo nights are loud and bright. The low hum of the train and scatter chatter of other passengers buzzed in my ears. I turned up my headphones and played Piece Of My World. 'I've really gotten attached to this song.' I thought as I leaned back into the train seat.

 

All of a sudden my phone buzzed. 'Huh? Who's texting me?'

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

[Friend's Name]

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

[Friend Name]

OMG! GIRLIE YOU'RE ALIVE!

 

[You]

[F/n]?

 

[Friend name]

GUUURRRLLLL I MISSED YOU OML!

 

[You]

Haha- Sorry, I had a lot of stuff to do. But I'm back on a train and I was just looking at Tokyo Tower.

 

[Friend name]

Really? Me too!

Are you crossing the Rainbow Bridge right now?

 

[You]

I am! how did you know?

 

[Friend name]

Because I am too! We might be on the same train!

Can I come talk to you face to face?

 

[You]

Hmmm- Actually I dunno...

 

[Friend]

Why not? It's been so long.

That's why I'm here...

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

I raised a brow. "What's with the last message? They're so weird." I sighed

 

"We will soon stop at Kisaragi Station."

 

I blinked twice in confusion. "Kisaragi...? That's not my stop..." I looked up from my phone and became even more confused. The world had somehow turned the color of burnt steel. "What..?" The train brakes screeched, and the train slowly ground to a halt. Heart thumping in confusion, I glanced around. I was completely alone. "Where... did the other passengers go? What's going on???"

 

*Bzz* I looked back at my phone after hearing it buzz. Someone was calling me.. but...

 

━━━━━━━━━━

[No Caller ID]

━━━━━━━━━━

 

I sighed and decided to answer it. But when I did, "We'll be together soon." I sweatdropped and hung up. 'That's weird...' I thought. But then my friend texted me again. She was asking why I hung up but that it didn't matter and how we were gonna be together soon. Followed by her asking what car I was in. Slowly she started counting from three and I got very anxious for some reason.

 

'What number is this car?' I thought and I looked at the door. 'It's number 7.' Then I heard the sounds of footsteps, followed by the sound of a door opening. Noises got louder and suddenly I heard a voice, "Guess who~?"

 

I flinched when someone grabbed my shoulder and when I turned around I saw a lady covered in flowers. I just stared at her in confusion but then an big eye bloomed from the flowers and I screamed in shock.

 

I ended up t over tripping my feet and the lady held her arms up, like she was going to pounce at me. 'W-What is that thing?! It's nothing like the phantoms back in Twisted Wonderland!' the lady approached me and I shivered. 'Get up! Run away! AT LEAST DRAW YOUR WAND!'

 

I slowly reached towards my wand but before I was able to grab it, someone else spoke, "GYAHAHA! Wait till I get my teeth into you!" I flinched in shock. When I looked behind me I saw someone with red hair, with a white shirt, red suspenders, IS THAT A GUN?! He was standing on a train seat and I just sat there in even more confusion.

 

'Who is that?' I thought as I tilted my head. The man jumped off the seat, stood right behind me and then smashed his head into the glass window. I yelped in shock and stood up to avoid the broken glass. The man's head was bleeding but what shocked me was that he grabbed the broken glass shards and muttered, "[Malab]. Be good and hold still now." The man then loaded the gun with the broken shards of glass and pointed it at the flower lady.

 

"You want me to take you out, don't you?" After that, the man started firing his gun, I tried to back away as far as I could but one of the stray glass shots ricocheted and sliced a big wound into my leg. I flinched at the sudden pain and ended up falling again.

 

"Fuck, I'm out. That's a buzzkill." I raised a brow at the red haired male before I placed a hand to my wand and pointed at my wound. "[Heal]" I whispered as my wound slowly started to heal. But it wasn't healing fast. 'There must be some small shards stuck in the wound...I'm bleeding more than I normally should.' I thought and bit my lip.

 

"Huh?" Just as the revelation of having glass stuck in my leg wore off, the stranger noticed me. He cocked his head and stared, then strode across the train to stand over me. A cold brutality permeated his piercing yellow gaze... But honestly it wasn't that bad. 'Floyd was much worse...' I thought and stared back at him. "You see that?" He asked me. I just nodded. "The bleeding, flower monster? Why yes. Yes, I do see it."

 

The man then smirked. "Whatever. I'll just chuck you out there." I blinked twice and pointed to the broken window. "There?" He smiled and nodded before he picked me up and threw me over his shoulder. "OI OI! WHAT?! WAIT!" he then headed for the broken window. He showed no sign of heading me. Reaching the window, he threw his leg up on the seat and peered outside. A strange acrid smell strung my nose. On the other side of the window, an alien landscape robed in red fog stretched out into oblivion.

 

'If he throws me out there, I'll-' "Wait! Wait! L-Let me go!" I tried to escape his grasp but his grip was like Jade's. "Quit strugglin'. I can't get a good angle." "Dude! Who ever are you?! Why are you gonna throw me out like this?" I asked in confusion. "Heh. Just your friendly neighborhood ghoul! Man, I have always wanted to say that!" I stopped struggling and stared at him with slight awe but much more confusion. "That was actually a pretty cool line... But What the heck's a Ghoul? You mean those ghost monster things from T.V?"

 

The man just laughed and smirked. "Gyahaha! Ciao~!" "WAIT! WAIT!" The stranger hefted me up and swung me back, preparing to throw. I grabbed my wand and was about to use Epel's Sleepy Kiss but then another voice spoke up, "Come on, man. Don't do that in front of me."

 

When I looked to the owner of the voice, I saw a taller man with school uniform quite similar to Pomefiore. The man had brown-ish green hair and from my angle, the man had light amber eyes. "The fuck you want?" The man who was about the throw me asked. "I'm just saying. I'll have to tell the academy, and no one wants that." ACADEMY?! 'T-There's another messed up weird supernatural school..? AND I'M GETTING INVOLVED WITH THEM?!' My mind was a mess as I thought back to Night Raven's College.

 

'I DON'T WANNNAAAA! I JUST WANNA GO HOOOMME!' I internally groaned and bit my lip. "Stay outta my way, asshole." The red haired male snarled at the newcomer. "!!!" The red head tossed me onto a seat like discarded luggage. 'Hahaaahhh... I'm still alive...' I sweatdropped and put my wand away. "Chill out, Taiga. I'm not trying to swipe your prey." I hummed in thought, 'He better be talking about the flower monster and not me! But also- Red head is Taiga... got it.'

 

"This civilian saw you, right? I'll take care of cleanup." The red head, who I now know as Taiga smiled. "Oh, for real? I'll go after that thing then." The guy that would fit into Pomefiore waved at him. "Yep, sure. Maybe try not to destroy anything?" Taiga punched a hole in another window "What did I just say..." The man asked himself as he held a hand to his head. Taiga picked up a handful of shattered glass, leapt through the window frame and went to follow the flower monster.

 

"All right. Let's get out of here for starters." The man whom I didn't know the name of yet looked at me with a calm smile. The then stretched, then knelt on the floor of the train, back straight. He pulled out a long flute, pressed it to his lips, and blew several notes into the air. 'What a beautiful sound... and it smells like-' before I finished my thought, a stream of bubbles flowed from my mouth. Somehow I was underwater. 'A-A sneak attack?!' I thought as I started to black out.

 

'I- I can't breath! Everything's going dark...

 

I... I just got back home...'

Chapter 4: [ 2 | Not Home]『🏠』

Notes:

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Key's for the book:

 

Insert - Narrative - And then she stared at her reflection in the mirror

[Insert] - Author speaking - [Eyyy there- wazzup readers]

"Insert" - Talking - "Hey there!" [But can also be air quotes]

'Insert' - Thinking - 'Dame he's cute...'

"Insert in italics" - Whispering - "I- I messed up..." [But can also be an emphasis on a word/phrase, or flashback]

(Insert) - Inner mind..? - (Deadass doesn't know how to explain it here)

*Insert in italics* - Action - *Sighs with their head down*

[INSERT IN BOLD] - Magic - [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!] or [IGGNAIM!]

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

[Book 0] The Academy of Ghouls

[Chapter 2] I'm Not Home...

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

{Your POV}

~~~~~

 

"...line"

 

"We will soon be arriving at the final stop, Shimbashi Station"

 

"Huh..?"

 

I was jolted back to consciousness by a familiar announcement. I was back in a normal train car. For some reason, daylight was streaming through the windows. "Still no other passengers... But everything else seems normal...?" I questioned aloud. "Sorry, but I'm still here." I screamed in shock and threw my hand at whatever was around me until I heard a loud slap.

 

"I-Itai!" The stranger groaned. "AH! I-I-I'M SO SORRY!" I yelled and raised my hand to his cheek. "You're not injured are you? I didn't hit you too hard?" I tried to stand up to help him but the world tilted as my leg buckled beneath me. "Ahah- Careful. I'm okay. You didn't hurt me. But you don't seem to be uninjured." I hummed and winced at the pain in my right leg.

 

"Oops... Looks like we got a civilian injured. I probably shouldn't mess around with that out here." He then looked up at me and smiled softly. "Sorry. I'll do something about your injury after... so let me clear out your head first." I raised a brow as the man suddenly lit up a match. I was about to ask why he lit it up but he spoke first, "Do you know what this is?"

 

I hummed as the white-ish blue flames flickered on the match. I was about to respond but suddenly the man blew out the match... 'Huh?????' I was very confused so I blinked twice. "A match..?" I answered unsure. "Hm? What's that?" He asked me as he tilted his head. "You... You asked me what I thought it was, didn't you..?" I became more confused. Was that match supposed to do something. "Huh? Did you have your eyes closed?" I bit my lip and he took another match out of the botter he was holding and lit it with the striker strip.

 

'Now that I got a closer look... the match and that bottle have a hit of magic aura around it...' I sucked in a breath and the man held the match to my eye height. "Could you look at this fire for me?" I nodded and stared at the fire. 'This is definitely magic. But how? My home never had magic before...' The man stared hard at me with a furrow in his brow as though he didn't like that response. "*Whew*" He blew out the match again.

 

'What is this supposed to do? Sure it has magical properties... but what are they supposed to do? I was curious now.' "Umm..." I stammered. "Yeah?" The man hummed as I watched a bead of sweat fall down his face. "That flower thing, uhh- Taiga... the man with red hair, the red outside, the fog, the train changing- What was all of that?"

 

The man suddenly gasped and took a step back. "The matches... They don't work on you..?"

 

I gave a confused hum. "Are you talking about the matches in that bottle?" I pointed at the bottle in his hands. He slumped his shoulder defeatedly and shook it. "Bingo. You're putting me in a tough spot, though... And you're injured. Guess we should go back to the academy." I giggled, thinking he was joking. "Haha! An academy? What? Do you have an academy that specializes in dealing with monsters like that flower lady?" But what shocked me was that the man just gave a hum.

 

'He's not serious... is he?' I thought as the smile disappeared from my face and I stared at him wide eyed. 'PELASE DON'T TELL ME IT'S LIKE NRC! I'VE ALREADY DELT WITH TOO MANY PROBLEMS!' A buzzer sounded in the train car, and the doors slid open. "Can you stand?" He asked me and I nodded. I slowly stood up. I leaned against his shoulder for balance, and we stepped through the door.

 

"I had a bad feeling when I heard Taiga was heading this one. Glad I cordoned everything off,." The stranger seemed like this happens everyday and pulled out his phone to make a call. "Here, lean against this wall while I make this call." I nodded and used the wall for support as the stranger made a call. "Hello? Yeah, slight emergency. No, not Taiga... well, kind of him, I suppose. We've got an injured civilian, but the matches aren't working. About the same age as me? Yeah. Female. Uh-huh. Right. One sec."

 

The stranger looked to me and smiled softly. "Sorry, What's your name?" I hummed and looked back at him. "My name?" The stranger nodded. "Yeah, they need it for paperwork. COuld you tell me your name?" I sighed and smiled back, thinking that he was calling a clinic. "My name is [Y/n] [L/n]. Feel free to call me [Y/n]." The stranger nodded and made an okay sign at me. "It's [Y/n]. Yep, yep... Got it. Thanks, sorry again about that. I'm Haku Kusanagi."

 

Haku put his phone away and turned back to me, sticking out his hand for a handshake. "Nice to meet you" I smiled back and shook his hand. "I'm really sorry, but I'm going to need you to come with me." I asked, "To a clinic..?" Haku shook his head. "No, I'm not taking you to a clinic."I gave a confused look and Haku scratched the back of his neck, looking sheepish.

 

"Sorry to throw this on you all of a sudden. Of course you're freaked out." I chuckled but internally I was laughing so hard. 'Freaked out?! From That?! Even RSA could be more scary than that!..... Which is not a good thing...'

 

"I wish I could explain everything to you now... but it'll all make sense once we get to the academy." I paled when he mentioned academy. "What academy..?" I asked. "Darkwick Academy." Haku mentioned while smiling.

 

I flinched. 'Darkwick Academy..? I've.... never heard that name before.' I check my phone, maps, calendar, all the apps that tell me the time, place, and other stuff. 'Darkwick Academy... these weird stuff that I've never delt with till now (besides at Twisted Wonderland.)'

 

No.... This... I thought.... 'This isn't home...' I thought. 'The... The dark mirror didn't send me back home...' I thought in panic before I took in deep breaths to calm myself. 'I've been in this situation before! I can handle it... I'll... I'll be fine...'

 

But Haku seemed to mistake my panic for something else. "I swear I'm not shady. Look." Haku pulled a card out of his jacket pocket and placed it in my palm. The front of the card blazed, revealing fold lettering and a photo of the man standing in front of me. "Haku Kusanagi, Hotarubi House, Third Year..." Haku smiled and nodded. "That's me. I'm a student there."

 

I then gasped a little. "What..? I-Is Taiga also a student there..?" Haku chuckled. "You catch on quick. Well, anyway... that's the deal. Let's get going before that cut gets any worse." It might have been my imagination, but the supportive hand on my back seemed to hurry me along.

 

But at the same time I felt as if my chance to find my actual way home has been sealed away from me...

Chapter 5: [ 3 | Stars]『⭐』

Notes:

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Key's for the book:

 

Insert - Narrative - And then she stared at her reflection in the mirror

[Insert] - Author speaking - [Eyyy there- wazzup readers]

"Insert" - Talking - "Hey there!" [But can also be air quotes]

'Insert' - Thinking - 'Dame he's cute...'

"Insert in italics" - Whispering - "I- I messed up..." [But can also be an emphasis on a word/phrase, or flashback]

(Insert) - Inner mind..? - (Deadass doesn't know how to explain it here)

*Insert in italics* - Action - *Sighs with their head down*

[INSERT IN BOLD] - Magic - [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!] or [IGGNAIM!]

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

[Book 0] The Academy of Ghouls

[Chapter 3] Galaxy Train, Riding On the Stars

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

{Your POV}

~~~~~

 

"Umm... Haku..?" He looked and me and hummed. "the... The train is about to leave.." I pointed at the train and Haku nodded. "Sure is." I watched as the train pulled away from the station. 'If he pulls me to some secret portal I might freak out.' I thought.

 

Haku was standing hands on his hips in front of an ice cream vending machine. I continued my interrogation. "Shouldn't we have gotten on it if we're headed for Tokyo Bay?" I shrugged, hoping that he wasn't going to say what I think he's gonna say. "This way's faster, actually." Okay- He didn't say the line but that's almost close...

 

Haku scanned his phone on the vending machine and... the vending machine let out a meow..? I smiled, finding that quite cute. But then... the vending machine slid open to reveal, "S-Space?!" I questioned in shock. "Don't let go of my hand." Haku suddenly grabbed my hand and he dragged me into the space door. "WHOA!" I yelped and kept a tight hold of the hairclip that Prince Rielle gave me.

 

"E-Eh..? We're... floating? Wait no... We're falling..." I hummed as I cleared my vision. "Haha! I like your energy. That's right. We're falling slowly." Haku pulled me closer to him and pointed to a bunch of stuff. "It's lost property." Haku explained. "Oop- Look out, we're about to speed up." I flinched and braced myself as we fell faster.

 

*Tmp*

 

"This is out stop. I stared in awe. "A train station in space?!" I took out my phone and took some photos and Haku laughed. "Don't worry. Unlike the last one, this train comes with a safety guarantee." I just hummed as I heard a train pull up. 'Yup... this is definitely magic...' I sweatdropped and hid my wand in my blazer pockets... Actually I kinda regret wearing my NRC uniform now... The pockets are too small...

 

"That's out ride." I looked to where the trail whistle was and gasped as I saw a train, riding on stars. "A steam train on stars? It's beautiful!" I awed. "That's the Galaxy Express. You've never seen one before?" Taking his question seriously, I shook my head. "Ahah! I meant in cartoons and comics~" Haku then walked forward to the train while I took more photos. "We're in the realm of non-fiction though. Go on, climb aboard."

 

I hummed and groaned. "Safety guaranteed, remember? Don't worry~ If anything happens, I'll protect you." Haku offered me a hand so I smiled as I felt a bit safer. "Okay" We walked into the train and I took more photos. 'It's beautiful!' I smiled.

 

Then I lowered myself into a seat. The soft velvet was so comfortable I relaxed just a little in spite of myself. The levers, switches, and dials peppered throughout the train car were reminiscent of an old age gone by. The warm wooden walls were lit by antique lamps hung from the ceiling. The starry sky outside was visible through the windows. "it's absolutely stunning." I awed more and took more photos. "Meow." I yelped at the sudden noise and looked around to find a white cat with a train conductors cap on. 'SO CUTE!' I thought and pulled Haku's sleeve out of reflex while I took photos of the cat.

 

"Heheh- Sorry to spring this one on you. Could you take us to the academy?" The cat walked pass us and I started taking a video. Then the cat turned around and meows happily. The swaying bottlebrush tail disappeared into the driver's compartment and I stopped the video. A beat later, the steam whistle blew, and the train chugged forward.

 

"That's the conductor. Don't worry- he doesn't bite." My jaw dropped. "That cat is the conductor..?" The train began to pick up speed, then entered a tunnel. 'I have to send this to Idia and Ortho!' I smiled. But before I clicked send I thought against it. 'Or... maybe later... they might ask if I got home. If tell them no then they'll probably tell Prof. Crewel... and Crewel will beat Crowley...

 

'I'll tell them later~' I thought and look a photo. "Ne ne~ Haku. Is it alright if I take a photo of you?" Haku chuckled and sweat dropped. "I expected you to be more nervous than awestruck. But that's kinda cute so why not?" Haku then shrugged and posed, he crossed his right leg over his left and held up a peace sign. I just hummed. "Why was 6 afraid of 7?" Haku became confused and I smirked. "Because 7 ate 9." Haku went wide eyed before he smiled while trying to suppress a chuckle. I took that moment to take a photo of his natural smile. "Aww~ Cute!" I giggled and showed him the photo.

 

"Whoa... That's really good..." Haku smiled as he stared at the photo. "You're really good at taking photos [Y/n]." I giggled and scratched the back of my neck. "Thanks. It's a hobby." The roar of the engine fought against the darkness, stirring awake some of the anxiety I'd try to lock away. "Most people'll never get to ride this train, you know. I'm glad that you're making the most of it. Oh look. We're nearly there." At Haku's encouragement, I shifted my gaze out the window.

 

We emerged from the tunnel, and the inky blackness was replaced by warm sunlight. An enormous building loomed outside the window. The gothic exterior stood solemn and elegant against the blue sky. I felt like I'd stumbled into a fantasy world... For the second time... 'NRC is much bigger but Darkwick seems to have a better budget...' I thought and smiled as I remembered all the teasing moments that Crowley would use the lack of money for stuff.

 

"We will soon stop of Darkwick Academy"

 

"This is us. Shall we?" I nodded to Haku and stood up. "I'm surprised that we're there already." The Galaxy Express shuddered to a halt, having reached its destination.

 

'Please don't be a weird, supernatural, all-boys, school' I pleaded

Chapter 6: [ 4 | Academy]『🖤』

Notes:

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Key's for the book:

 

Insert - Narrative - And then she stared at her reflection in the mirror

[Insert] - Author speaking - [Eyyy there- wazzup readers]

"Insert" - Talking - "Hey there!" [But can also be air quotes]

'Insert' - Thinking - 'Dame he's cute...'

"Insert in italics" - Whispering - "I- I messed up..." [But can also be an emphasis on a word/phrase, or flashback]

(Insert) - Inner mind..? - (Deadass doesn't know how to explain it here)

*Insert in italics* - Action - *Sighs with their head down*

[INSERT IN BOLD] - Magic - [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!] or [IGGNAIM!]

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

[Book 0] The Academy of Ghouls

[Chapter 4] Chaotic Academy Number 2

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

{Your POV}

~~~~~

 

We got off the train and when my feet hit the station's platform I gazed up at the academy. "This is Darkwick Academy?" I tilted my head. "We stepped through the gates of the Galaxy Express and were greeted by a warm fall breeze. The ground seemed to stretch for miles, and were surrounded all sides by think woods. Stone paths lines with colourful flower beds snaked across the lush grass. A glittering fountain stood in the center.

 

'Yeah... This is probably only half as big as Night Raven's.... and that's a bad thing... I WAS HOPING TO BE HOOMMMEEE!' I bit my lip to hold my thoughts in. "All right, let's get you patched up first. You okay to walk a little further?" I nodded because I actually used a healing spell on the train. I just couldn't heal it all the way because of the glass imbedded in my flesh.

 

"Meow!"

"Meow!"

 

As we crossed the grounds, cats in hats emblazoned with Darkwick's insignia darted busily around us. I awed and took three photos of each cat and giggled. "You like cats?" I nodded. "I have a lot of friends that are into cats. I got it from them." Haku chuckled. "Yeah, understandable. The chancellor's a big fan." I could tell by the cats' relaxed expressions and glossy coats they were well loved and cared for.

 

"Eh..? Why is there a lamppost on a bench..?" Not even next to it- It was ON the bench. Like- PURPOSEFULLY welded onto the bench... "Sure is. Wouldn't you get tired standing around all day?" I just hummed. "Yeah but if the post was on the side they people will have more space." I sweat dropped and scratched my cheek. Haku hummed. "I guess I can't argue with that logic..."

 

I didn't expect such a unique and peaceful atmosphere. I felt a knot in my stomach loosen slightly before it tightened even more. 'Looks can be deceiving... I leaned my lesson with Octavinelle... Scarabia too... and Pomefiore... Oh please be a somewhat normal school!'

 

We entered the main hall and I wowed. 'It's smaller than Night Raven's but it's as elegant as Royal Sword' I thought as I took more photos without Haku looking. A vast hallway lined with marble pillars stretched out under an ornately decorated ceiling. The embroidered carpet felt soft beneath my sneakers. "oh- Watch out for that shadow. It's a tickler" I looked down and saw a shadow rather close. "A wha-??? O-Okay?" I shrugged and stood by Haku's side so I didn't get lost.

 

We proceeded carefully down the hall. "Right. I think Professer Nicolas said he was in the counseling room. I followed Haku into a room. "Sir?" Haku called out. "Come in!" Is this Professer Nicolas? He looked like a normal doctor. I sighed in relief, thankful that they weren't wacky or wonky.

 

"Hello" I waved. Unsure of how to actually respond to my new environment. We entered a comfortable lounge with warm wooden walls. A fire crackled merrily in a fireplace in the center on the room, sending shadow dancing across the walls. 'So cozy!' I thought and smiled. "[Y/n], right? We've been expecting you." I hummed and nodded slowly. "I'm Nicolas, Professor of Anomalous Medicine. It's a pleasure to meet you, [Y/n]"

 

I almost felt my soul leave my body. 'ANOMALOUS MEDICENE?! AHH! IT'S PRACTICALLY NRC BUT LESS MAGICAL!' "N-Nice to meet you..." I stammered. "Professor Nicolas is a teacher here. The cut's on your right leg, right?" I nodded. "Could you show me?" I hummed and showed my injury. 'My socks got ripped too... I'll use magic later~' I thought as the professor examined my leg.

 

"You poor thing. This must be painful... Take a seat on the sofa. Could you breathe this in for me." He handed me a small, old-fashioned silver box. There was a bed of wooden chips inside. I leaned over it, and the sweet scent of apple pie tickled my nose. "Waahh~ Cinnamon? And is that willow bark and ginger?" I took another sniff and chuckled. "Will-o-wisp as well?" With these ingredients they must be making it so that I don't feel pain to whatever the professor was gonna do. But as I looked up, they both gave me shocked looks. "You already know what this is? I thought you were a normal civilian." I flinched. 'Oh sugar! I said too much!'

 

I chuckled. "F-From comics?" I tried to lie but Haku called me out. "You can't smell something from a comic." I sweat dropped and bit my lip. Thankfully, the professor stopped Haku. "Now now, it's quite alright. Maybe it was one of those scented books for kids?" I chuckled and shrugged. "Anyways, the effect should have taken hold by now. Let me know if this hurts." Professor Nicolas removed the lid from a small vial he was holding. He tipped some of the pink liquid within onto his fingertip, and gently smeared it on the cut on my ankle.

 

I bit my lip hard. "Yup- That hurts." I clutched the couch pillows hard. "Hmm... It shouldn't." The professor gave me a stern glance. "There's probably still glass stuck inside." I groaned. They gave me even more shocked stares. "Glass got stuck?!" They both yelled. I nodded. "Yeah, umm... Taiga?" I looked to Haku and he nodded. "Yeah, Taiga picked up a lot of glass and as his gun fired it, one of the pieces ricocheted and stuck itself in my leg. I was in slight panic so I just ripped it out of my leg but since it was broken... some shards might still be..."

 

The professor sighed. "Haku, could you grab Professor Hyde for me?" Haku nodded before leaving. "[Y/n]" the professor then looked at me. "Now, could you please tell me where you heard of Will-o-wisps before?" I bit my lip. "Sir, with all due respect I do not think you will believe me." The professor just laughed, not mockingly, but in an "I'm confident" way. "I do not think so. I work here after all." I giggled at his statement. "Haku won't be here for a few minutes right?" The professor nodded so I reached into my blazer for my wand. "Please do not tell ANYONE What I am about to show you."

 

The professor nodded and I took out my wand. He gave me a shocked look. "A-An anomoly?" I chuckled and shook my head. "I do not know what you mean by that. Because I'm from a different world." Professor Nicolas stared at me even more shocked. I hummed and decided to use a small spell to prove it. "[Laugh With Me!]" As I flicked my wand, the gem at the bottom of my wand glowed yellow before turning back to it's normal color. "What... happened.?" Professor Nicolas asked.

 

I smiled and then stood up, causing the professor to stand up too. I waved, the professor waved back. "I... I can't control my body." The professor exclaimed in more shock. "This is magic. Magic from... my old world" I reminisced about Twisted Wonderland. "Magic? It's nothing like a stigma... Impressive. But could you please let me go now?" I nodded and canceled the spell.

 

"So.. you're from another world. You have magic instead of stigmas..." I nodded and put my wand away. Just then, Haku arrived with a shady-looking man with a black blindfolded, who I assume it Professor Hyde. "Ah! There she is! The infamous witness!" He had a bright smile upon his lips as he swaggered into the room. He walked in a circle, as though inspecting me, before folding his long limbs onto the sofa across from mine. "Looks like a regular girl to me. It's probably a side effect of the anomaly."

 

I hummed. "I presume you're Professor Hyde?" Haku then stood behind me. "He looks like the kind of person you'd cross the street to avoid, right?" I giggled. "You're setting a bad example for you students, professor Hyde." Professor Nicolas and Professor Hyde are like Professor Crewel and Headmage Crowley... but in a less strict way.

 

"Ouch. Who'd cross the street to avoid a catch like me?" I laughed and covered my mouth. "See? The little lady gets it~" I covered my laughter more. "Buuut can't argue with Professor Nicolas, though..." The white haired professor then leaned forward with his hands in his pockets, meeting my eyeline. "Hyde, at your service. I teach Anomalous Biology and no one cares more about our precious students than your truly." I smiled and nodded. "Okay." 'He is like Crowley! This is pretty cute.'

 

But when I saw Haku and Professor Nicolas staring unsurely at Professor Hyde I thought, 'I'm not supposed to take him seriously am I..?' "Anyway... could you examine her leg? She has some glass shards in it and I've just finished extracting some medicines so I don't think it would be wide to check myself." Professor Hyde nodded and checked my leg. "This may hurt a bit so grab a pillow and hug it tight." I nodded and the white haired professor grabbed a tissue before gripping my leg tight.

 

I flinched. 'How does this help?!' I thought and hugged one of the pillows tight. "There we go. All done." I opened my eyes and saw my leg bleeding a lot, but the shards were on the tissue he was holding. 'Did.... did he just force my leg to start bleeding so that the glass shards would squeeze out..?' "Professor Hyde!" Nicolas stated as he grabbed a clean cloth and dapped it on my leg, cleaning the blood. "Hey~ It worked?" Professor Nicolas bonked Hyde on the head and then he grabbed the same pink liquid again. "Tell me if it hurts this time."

 

I nodded and he smeared it on my cut again. This time, the cut completely closed and I felt no pain. "There. Okay, I've finished treating [Y/n]. Are you going to hold the counseling session now?" Hyde nodded as he stood besides Professor Nicolas. "Bingo. Sooner we figure out why the matches don't work, the better." Professor Nicolas gave me a stare and I just nodded.

 

He hummed and gave a slow nod. 'Good, he'll keep it a secret' I thought. "So how about it, [Y/n]? Let's have a little D&M, just the two of us." I was a bit confused so I looked to Haku for assistance. "They want to do a psych eval before they take you to see the chancellor." "That's what I said, isn't it?" I lightly laughed at Professor Hyde's confused expression. "It's really not..." Both Haku and Prof. Nicolas said.

 

Then they both left, leaving me and Professor Hyde together.

Chapter 7: [ 5 | Quiz]『❓』

Notes:

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Key's for the book:

 

Insert - Narrative - And then she stared at her reflection in the mirror

[Insert] - Author speaking - [Eyyy there- wazzup readers]

"Insert" - Talking - "Hey there!" [But can also be air quotes]

'Insert' - Thinking - 'Dame he's cute...'

"Insert in italics" - Whispering - "I- I messed up..." [But can also be an emphasis on a word/phrase, or flashback]

(Insert) - Inner mind..? - (Deadass doesn't know how to explain it here)

*Insert in italics* - Action - *Sighs with their head down*

[INSERT IN BOLD] - Magic - [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!] or [IGGNAIM!]

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

[Book 0] The Academy of Ghouls

[Chapter 5] Time for the Dorm Quiz!

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

{Your POV}

~~~~~

 

After both Haku and professor Nicolas left, it was just me and professor Hyde. "Do you remember the anomaly you encountered on the train?" I tilted my head. "Anomaly..?" The professor gave me a surprised look. "Wait, no one gave you the brief yet? How'd you get here?" I hummed and explained. "Um... A monster attacked me on the train, then a a red haired boy... I believe his name was Taiga? Yeah, he showed up."

 

The professor nodded. "Right." Then I continued to explain, "Then he attacked me too for some reason, but Haku saved me..." Professor Hyde became even more surprised. "No way, Taiga did what? Sory, gonna have to pretend I didn't hear that part... So then you rode the Galexy Express all the way to our hallowed halls of learning without a clue, huh?" I nodded.

 

"Well, if you've seen that much, this won't take long. All the weird stuff you just described? They're all what we call anomalies." I asked more about what anomalies were. "There are things in this world that defy the rules society has deemed common sense. The kinds of things people call the occult or paranormal phenomena or cryptids. We're a global organization that searches out anomalies so we can study and regulate them. Darkwick Academy is our cover, as well as our training facility. In other words, we're the Japan branch of a heroic organization that defends world peace from the shadows."

 

I just blinked twice and nodded slowly. "Okay..." At least half of what Professor Hyde said went over my head... But having seen the anomalies he was describing with my own eyes, it was difficult for me to refute it. 'It's hard to believe but I guess this means that anomalies are the same as phantoms...'

 

"And not only am I a professor at Darkwick, I'm also one of the world's leading anomalous researchers~ I'm sure you've figured this out already, but I'm brilliant, so just lay back and spill all your secrets." 'I'd... rather not' I thought and sweatdropped. "Come on now, no need to be nervous! Let's get down to business." Professor Hyde sat back and called out merrily.

 

"Hodge! Podge! It's counseling time!" That's when two floating hands came in, holding a typewriter. 'Surprisingly... that's not the most shocking thing I've seen.' "I'm going to ask you some questions. All you have to do is answer truthfully. Don't overthink it." I nodded and the floating hands started typing.

 

"Your said you encountered an anomaly covered head to toe in flowering plants, correct?" I nodded, "Yes, I did." "Did you see it's eye?" "An.. eye..?" I thought back to when I met the flower monster. "Yeah... It had one big eye where its face should have been." "Did you make eye contact?" He asked to which I nodded again. "I see... That's a shame. Hodge, Podge, write "Confirmed""

 

The sound of the letters being inscribed into the paper echoed throughout the quiet room. I laughed nervously. "Hmm? Oh sorry, are they distracting you? They like to people watch. The right hand with the red ribbon is Hodge. The left hand with the black lace glove is Podge." I just nodded again. "Don't worry. We just want to understand what happened to you." The right hand with the ribbon waved and me and I waved back. Meanwhile, the left hand tapped its index finger on the table somewhat impatiently.

 

"All right, let's take a peek inside your noggin next, shall we? Hopefully it didn't mess around in there too much. Take a look at these questions and pick the answer that vibes with you most. Just go with your first instinct."

 

[This does not really affect the main story. But I'm getting you Frostheim because of Kaito and Luca. I personally got Jabberwock. How bout y'all?]

 

Some photos were shown: The Tokyo tower, gothic setting with candles among red roses, friends holding up champagne glasses, clear blue skies among free green grass, wisteria trees, an aurora over a lake, and an hourglass.

For this I chose: The Tokyo Tower

 

The next was asking my greatest fear: People thinking I'm boring, People thinking I'm ignorant, People thinking I'm a failure, People thinking I'm a bad person, Being surrounded by constant conflict, Being abandoned and alone, and Being powerless.

For this I chose: I'm a failure

 

Next, Which animal best represents you: An eagle, A lion, A tiger, A wolf, A cat, A bunny, and a snake

For this I chose: A lion

 

Which birthday gift would you want the most: Custom-made birthstone jewelry, Money, Tickets to my favorite museum, Handmade scrapbook of memories with friends, A plane ticket to my happy place, Luxury car, or something practical from my wish list.

For this I chose: Custom-made birthstone jewelry

 

How do you want people to remember you: Powerful, Open-minded, Trustworthy, Brave, Unique, intelligent, or successful.

For this I chose: Powerful

 

If you could have any superpower, what would it be: Shapeshifting, Never have to sleep, Time travel, Extreme luck, Make people follow my orders, Elemental powers, or Gravity control.

For this I chose: Shapeshifting

 

On a Saturday night you can be found...: Writing or drawing, Learning a new skill, Fundraising for a cause I'm passionate about, Boardgame night, Walking along the beach with a friend, Hosting a party with an exciting theme, or unwinding at a hip bar.

For this I chose: Learning a new skill

 

What is your greatest flaw: I'm a perfectionist, I'm obsessive, I'm manipulative, I'm a pessimist, I'm anxious, I'm self conscious, or I'm complacent.

For this I chose: I'm a perfectionist

 

What food makes you happy: Pizza, Steak, Wine and cheese, Cookies shaped as cats, Pancakes with cream and fruits, or dessert with tea.

For this I chose: Steak

 

"All done!" Professor Hyde said as he grabbed all the photos and notes. in one hand and peered at the typewriter on the table. He read the words rapidly appearing on the paper and whistled. "Interesting, so you value success, huh? You're self-confident and relentless in the pursuit of your goals. In my experience, you'd do well in Frostheim House." I blinked twice. "Frostheim..?"

 

"Oh, they're going to draw it for you now. Don't waste any time, these two............. Looks like they're done." Then, Hodge and Podge gave me a card. "That's a Frostheim Warding card. It's their gift to you! It's their gift to you!"

 

I awed at the beautiful scene on the card. "It's beautiful!" The picture was far more impressive than I had anticipated, considering how quickly it had been drawn. Hodge extended its palm toward me, as though requesting a handshake. Wanting to show my gratitude, I gripped the floating extended hand, and gently shook it.

 

We then got up and left. "Let's walk and talk. Wouldn't want to keep the chancellor waiting." I nodded as we walked out of the room. "I'm surprised that the cut on my leg is gone thanks to that medicine." I mentioned. "Hmm. Professor Nicolas knows his way around a mortar and pestle. Embarrassing in a fight though." I giggled. "Does he get in fights often?"

 

Professor Hyde shrugged. "You saw Taiga fighting that anomaly, didn't you?" I nodded. "It's pretty common for encounters with anomalies to result in a bit of a scuffle. The Warding Card Hodge and Podge made for you is handy in times like that." I hummed. "This card?" I asked and held up the blue card. "You got it. Each one has a different when you carry it with you. They give you certain advantages in combat. Not that you'll be fighting any anomalies, but FYI."

 

"What's this picture?" I asked as my finger traced over the stairs. "It's a painting of the house I said you'd do well in. All students here have to belong to a house. When they go on missions, they usually form teams with other students from the same house. *Tch* Not that any of them actually do what they're told."

 

'Yup- This practically is Night Raven's College...' I thought and sighed. "By missions... Is that where they go looking for anomalies, like you said earlier?" "Investigate, capture, manage, research... the whole bag" Professor Hyde explained. "Students do all that? Impressive." I awed.

 

"Ahaha! Being here might change you definition of elite" I chuckled internally, comparing Taiga and Haku to Tsunotaro and Lilia. "And here we are, the very place from which our mighty lord chancellor rules over it all." I bit my lip as we entered. "Your humble servant has returned, chancellor."

 

Over Professor Hyde's shoulder, I caught a glimpse of a winding spiral staircase and an opulent chandelier. The chancellor's office exuded an air of dignity that turned outsiders away at the door. 'It's much more beautiful than Headmage Crowley's office! Bigger too!' I awed and looked around the place. "I brought the witness. Come over here." I nodded and stood beside Professor Hyde. "Um.. Hello..." I greeted.

 

"You're late!" My jaw dropped as I saw a boy with a cat eared hat. 'THAT'S THE CHANCELLOR?!' "A-A-A kid?" I questioned in shock. We were almost the same height after all. The small boy with his hands on his hips and his cheeks puffed out stood glaring up at Professor Hyde. "I did a counseling session with her first. We won't get far without knowing the cause, will we?"

 

"But I'm the chancellor! You're supposed to consult me first!" I sweatdropped and almost gasped. 'He really is the chancellor?!' I took in a deep breath and continued to watch his and Professor Hyde converse.

 

"Right, right, my bad. Here's the results." "Not an inch of you thinks it's your bad, does it? Honestly, it's like you make my life difficult on purpose..." Muttering to himself, the boy took the papers from Professor Hyde and turned his back to us. "That's the chancellor of Darkwick Academy. Not what you expected, eh? He may look like he just graduated from diapers, but hes actually-" "I can hear you, Professor Hyde." "..... a very important person." I giggled at the professor's nervous remark.

 

"It's wonderful to meet you, [Y/n]! My name is Cornelius. Welcome to our humble Darkwick Academy!" I nodded and bowed a bit. "Nice to meet you. I must say, you're very young for a chancellor, aren't you?" The chancellor chuckled. "Aren't you sweet? I get that all the time!" I hummed and thought, 'I guess the staff at elite schools are just as unique as the students... At least he isn't like Headmage Crowley...'

 

"Meow! meow!" 'And this is a lot of cats...' "Hush, everyone! I have some important business with our guest." The chancellor smiled as he spoke to the cats. "Break time's over- back to your posts. Go on, off you trot!" "Meow! Meow!" Upon the chancellor's command, he cats dashed up the staircase and, one by one, leapt through the window. "All right, that's them dealt with. Please, take a seat." I nodded and sat down. "Thank you..."

 

"I'll head out too, then. The materials on the anomaly are over here, Chancellor." "All right, thank you!" The chancellor thanked professor Hyde. "He's a little long-winded, but hand in there. Bye-Bye!" Professor Hyde waved to me with his hands folded behind his head, then strode unhurriedly from the office. "Honestly, that man just does not know when to shut his mouth... Anyway, had a rough time of it, haven't you? Let's take a look at your counseling results... Wonderful! No psychological interference."

 

"Sorry... What exactly is this meeting for?" I asked, tilting my head. The lack of explanation was making me increasingly anxious. "Ahem... Well.... this is awfully difficult to say..." All of a sudden the chancellor stared at me with a serious expression.

 

"You've been cursed, and in one year's time, you will die."

Chapter 8: [ 6 | Cursed]『😈』

Notes:

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Key's for the book:

 

Insert - Narrative - And then she stared at her reflection in the mirror

[Insert] - Author speaking - [Eyyy there- wazzup readers]

"Insert" - Talking - "Hey there!" [But can also be air quotes]

'Insert' - Thinking - 'Dame he's cute...'

"Insert in italics" - Whispering - "I- I messed up..." [But can also be an emphasis on a word/phrase, or flashback]

(Insert) - Inner mind..? - (Deadass doesn't know how to explain it here)

*Insert in italics* - Action - *Sighs with their head down*

[INSERT IN BOLD] - Magic - [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!] or [IGGNAIM!]

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

[Book 0] The Academy of Ghouls

[Chapter 6] I've Really Been Cursed..?

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

{Your POV}

~~~~~

 

"I-In one year... I'm going to die?" I asked, shocked and not believing it. "At this rate, yes." The chancellor slumped his shoulders, then laid a pamphlet on the desk. Darkwick Academy is known as Japan's most elite educational institution. But that's just on the surface. This is our true form." He flipped the pamphlet over. "The Anomalous Investigation Institute...?" I read.

 

"Yes. This is an educational facility managed by the Anomalous Investigation Institute. For many years, we have nurtured extraordinary talents here to protect the world from the threat o anomalies." I bit my lip. "But no one knows about that... right?" The chancellor nodded. "Of course not. Only those associated with the Institute. If the public leaned of the existence of anomalies, society would descend into unnecessary chaos." I flipped through the pamphlet, mind racing.

 

"Our Mission... To face the unknown and the arcane without fear, and preserve world peace." 'Is this real..? I've really been cursed..?' I felt as though all the blood was draining from my body. I swallowed, but my throat was bone dry. I finally squeezed out a few words. "I was just taking the train home..." The chancellor gave me a sympathetic look. "Yes, terrible business, really. That anomaly is very troublesome... That's why we chose Hoshibami, one of the more aggressive ghouls, to handle it. But he failed to capture or even defeat it. What's the point of ghoul students if they can't do what's on the tin?"

 

"Ghouls..?" I questioned. "Yes, ghouls are not ordinary humans. They are physically tougher and possess certain special abilities. There's something in the pamphlet about them... ah yes, here!" The chancellor turned the Pamphlet and I read. "In addition to general admissions students, Darkwick has a special admissions program. Participants in this program must be ghouls to qualify..?" The chancellor explained, "Only ghouls can become special admissions students, so they're usually referred to as ghoul students."

 

"S-so they're not human..?" I asked unsure. "What defines a human is a hotly debated topic within the Institute.. There are many different viewpoints... Oh, don't get me started! We'll be here until the cows come home! Anyways, ghouls are kind of like the Darkwick special forces. Day and night, they risk their loves to preserve public peace... or they're supposed to, at least... It seems that this time, they were a little too late..." A wave of sympathy washed over the chancellor's face. It seemed my unfortunate incident was an exception. "Ordinarily, we would not be able to discuss these things with an outsider such as yourself. But the Mesmer Matches didn't on you, did they?"

 

The chancellor held out a small, familiar bottle. "Apparently not..." I responded. "Hmm... Perhaps the curse is canceling them out. If the matches worked, then she wouldn't be cursed anymore, after all." I sighed before taking in a deep breath again. "H-Have I... really been cursed..?" The chancellor didn't answer. "i-It's just a little hard to swallow."

 

The chancellor nodded. "It's true, I'm afraid." The chancellor smiled sadly at me, then reached forward and rang a little bell on his desk. Seconds later, a cat bounded down the spiral staircase adn rubbed itself against the chancellor's legs. "Ha ha, that tickles! Always after pats, aren't you?" The cat meowed and the chancellor asked the cat to get professor Nicolas.

 

'That can't be... Am I really going to die..? Just like that?' I thought before the chancellor spoke, "There's one more thing I must tell you." The chancellor's expression became suddenly grim. "We place all cursed persons under surveillance so we can observe the progression of the curse. This is to prevent more victims like you- and most importantly, it's for your own sake. We must study your curse in order to find a cure." I bit my lip, knowing what that means.

 

"By surveillance... do you mean..?" "Until your curse has been broken, you cannot leave this academy." Just then, Professor Nicolas came. "Chancellor? It's Nicolas." "Ah! There you are! Excellent timing! I was just explaining her curse and the detention process." I bit my lip harder, flinching at the word "detention". "Right... How are you doing, [Y/n]?" Professor Nicolas's voice was kind, but I couldn't bring myself to respond. Countless possibilities flashed through m mind, but trying to understand just made me more confused. "You're quite pale... Chancellor, do you mind if we stop by the treatment room before admitting her?"

 

The chancellor nodded. "That's fine. But Professor Nicolas... Please take care that she doesn't escape." ".....yes, I understand." "Ah, yes. We will need to check your belongings, so please leave everything here." I groaned and looked up at Professor Nicolas signaling to him that I wasn't going to hand over my wand. He just nodded and reluctantly I dropped everything else on the tray presented before me.

 

My phone, wallet, and my bag with Che'nya's keychain. What hurt me though is that some of my gifts from RSA were in my bag. "Let's go, shall we?" Professor Nicolas said. I nodded, stood up and started to follow him out. "Don't let yourself be too disheartened, [Y/n]. I hope you get some rest." I didn't answer him. Assisted by Professor Nicolas, I exited the room, still in confusion.

 

"Are you able to walk?" the professor asked me. I nodded. "I'm sorry. The treatment room is in Mortkranken, so it's a bit of a walk from here." "Umm... Professor Nicolas?" I called. "Yes?" I sucked in a breath. "The chancellor told me I was going to die in a year..." "Darkwick is on the cutting edge of anomalous research. Unfortunately, that means your diagnosis... is likely quite accurate." I sighed. "So it's true?" "We dedicate ourselves day and night to anomalous research to ensure that people everywhere can live in peace. That includes reserching ways to lift curses like the one affecting you. We will do our utmost to help you. Let's overcome this challenge together, okay?"

 

I narrowed by brow. "But why can't I leave exactly? I know curse research but can't it be like I stay home and inform you of new changes?" The professor sent me a sad look. "I'm sorry. This is Institute policy." I sighed and shoved my face into my hands. When suddenly, Professor Nicolas's phone rang. "Sorry, that's me. Could you hold on a moment? I need to take this." Professor Nicolas turned around, at that moment I thought of the worst.

 

'If I let Professor Nicolas take me wherever it is he's taking me, I won't be able to leave...' I took a slow step back. 'Now that I'm paying attention to my body, I can feel part of my magic being sealed. It's just a portion but still...' I then took another step back. 'If I stay here, I won't be able to find my actual way home.' I started taking more steps back, making sure that Professor Nicolas didn't hear me. When I got far enough, I started running. 'I refused to be a part of this!'

Chapter 9: [ 7 | Run]『🏃♀️』

Notes:

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Key's for the book:

 

Insert - Narrative - And then she stared at her reflection in the mirror

[Insert] - Author speaking - [Eyyy there- wazzup readers]

"Insert" - Talking - "Hey there!" [But can also be air quotes]

'Insert' - Thinking - 'Dame he's cute...'

"Insert in italics" - Whispering - "I- I messed up..." [But can also be an emphasis on a word/phrase, or flashback]

(Insert) - Inner mind..? - (Deadass doesn't know how to explain it here)

*Insert in italics* - Action - *Sighs with their head down*

[INSERT IN BOLD] - Magic - [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!] or [IGGNAIM!]

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

[Book 0] The Academy of Ghouls

[Chapter 7] Wanted Girl On the Run

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

{Your POV}

~~~~~

 

I took in faster breaths as I ran and ran through the halls of the academy. "Is this far enough" I asked myself as I made it to a staircase. After running for who knows how long through seemingly endless corridors, I finally found an outside window. I'd receive curious glances from the students I'd passed along the way, but thankfully, this corridor was deserted. "Professor Nicolas was really nice to me, so I feel kind of bad doing this... But that might have been my last chance to escape." I groaned and held my hand to my head. "If I had my phone I could've called Vil and ask him about my curse."

 

I looked aroundas I caught my breath, and noticed a poster on the wall of the corridor. "Wanted? Wait... that photo... That's me?!" My jaw dropped. "They already have a wanted posted of me???" As I stood staring in horror at the poster, I heard a yell from the other end of the corridor. I hurriedly crouched down, holding my breath. Their yells were far so I couldn't make out what they were saying. The only thing I caught, was "Hera's Snakes"

 

Once the voices were gone, I breathed a sigh of relief and stood up. I fixed my skirt, made sure my wand wouldn't fall and tiptoed around the corner. 'All these corridors are too long... Just like Night Ravens' I sighed as I remembered all the times I got lost with Grim. Suddenly.... "NoooOOOOooOOOO!!!" A piercing screech echoed through the corridor. "Gyaaah!! Gross, gross, gross! Gotta hide... He's really gonna kill me this time!!" The wailing and footsteps grew closer. I panicked and threw open the nearest door.

 

Luckily, it led to an empty closet. There were tall shelves lined with clothing and fabric, and a large, brass mirror loomed eerily in the dark. I gasped and was about to use my wand to pour my magic into the mirror so I could contact someone from Twisted Wonderland but then I heard the wailing voice outside the closet. "This'll do!" Just as I was hiding myself in the corner, I heard the doorknob turn. 'Shoot! Someone's coming in!' I thought. I hurriedly grabbed a nearby piece of black fabric, pulled it over my head, and held my breath.

 

"Crapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrapcrap... Whatever deity is out there listening, please get rid of Romeo!" When the door opened, I saw someone in a cloak rush in. It seemed that, like me, he also planned to weather some disaster in this closet. "Fuji... Come out, come out, wherever you are... Don't be scared... Come on, answer me..." I could hear a voice outside calling out in the tone of someone searching for a lost cat. "Eeek..!"

 

A door opened somewhere in the distance, and I jumped a little in spite of myself. "Huh..? Is someone... in here..?" 'Ah! He's going to find me... What do I do..?' I thought. "Just my imagination... right?" but then another door opened. "Eeek!" "I know you're hiding, Fuji...*Tch* Not here... in that closet, then?" "Urgh, that asshole! Does he have a sixth sense or something?!" Footsteps then got louder until they were outside the room. "Whatever higher power is out there, I am your humble servant!!" The other person whispered.

 

"Who is calling me right now?" The voice on the other side asked aloud. "Hello? I'm busy, what is it?..... What? One escaped? Sounds like our LB... Lucky break, obviously! DO I really need to explain that to you, moron?! Yes, good. I'll find the escapee before the academy does." I flinched. 'Is he talking about me..?' The footsteps quickly disappeared into the distance, and silence fell once more. "*Phew* He's gone..." The other person in the closet sighed in relief.

 

"Urgh... Well, I hated that. Something about dark places really chills my-" The other person opened a light switch and I yelped as we made eye contact in the light. "AAAARGGH?! MONSTER!!!" I sweatdropped. "I-It's okay! Please calm down!" "O-Okay! Wait... A girl!?" THe boy before me then sighed and smiled. "Oh! You're just wearing something on your head! Geez, don't scare me like that..." The boy removed his hood, revealing a relieved smile. 'I... probably shouldn't let him see my face...' I wasn't sure how many people had seen the poster in the corridor, so I was relieved to have a cover.

 

"So, what are you doing in a place like this? That uniform isn't one of ours... Are you a transfer student? Oh! Are you lost?! Do you need help?!" I hummed. "Umm...." I did need help, but my closet companion looked like a Darkwick student. 'If he finds out I'm trying to run away, he'll probably report me... I can't accept his help...' "Ah! Sorry! I'm coming on too strong, right?!" I shook my head. "No, it's not that... You just seem to be having a tough time. I don't want to put you out."

 

The male then went wide eyed. "Now way." "Huh..?" I questioned. "Are you..? Do you..?" 'He looks really shocked... Did he see the poster and recognize me?' I thought and held my hands together. "Come on, Kaito, get it together. It said in Q&G magazine that 93% of girls want the guy to do the asking out." Wait.... what..? I felt my face getting hotter. I was about to say something but then the boy who called himself Kaito held his hand up. "Stop. Say no more. Kaito Fuji, Frostheim second year. What's your name?" 'Should I answer? I don't think he recognized me...'

 

"Huh? um..." I flinched and stood straight. "Oh! I'm [Y/n] [L/n]." I was afraid he'd get suspicious if I kept stalling, so I reluctantly gave my name. "Nice to meet you, [Y/n]. You can call me Kaito. I nodded. "Nice to meet you, Kaito." 'I guess I'm in the clear? For now, anyway' I thought and smiled. "I'm the kinda guy who just can't walk by someone in need, you know? And I've kinda got my finger on the pulse here at Darkwick. I can show you around, if you like." I hummed. 'I kind of feel like I'm stringing him along... But this could be my last chance to get out of here.'

 

"In that case, could you please show me where the exit it?" Kaito tilted his head. "The exit..? Why?" I hesitated, unsure how to answer. Kaito hurriedly shook his head. "Sorry! Forget I asked! That was close... It said you're not supposed to ask too many questions at first either..." I just nodded and we exited the closet. People shot us glances as we walked through the campus. I guiltily lowered my head to hide my face. "I'm really sorry about this..." I told Kaito.

 

"Oh, it's nothing, really! But, um... I was kind of wondering why you're wearing that... it's a veild, right? Like for a wedding?" 'So I'm wearing a veil? He looks suspicious of me... What should I say? can't tell him I'm trying to escape from here so I don't want anyone to see my face...' "This is a keepsake from my mother..." I bit my lip as I lied. "Oh... I actually have something like that too!" I felt a pan of guilt at Kaito's flustered reaction. "Ah, that was a question too many, wasn't it?! I'm sorry, that was insensitive of me!"

 

"No, it's okay! I'm sorry too." 'When we get to the exit, I'm going to apologize properly and return this veil.' I thought. "She must think I'm really insensitive... Come on, moron, get it together!" The both of us continued to walk through... empty corridors. "Huh? It's usually super crowded around here... Where did everyone go?" Kaito asked. "What's going on? Maybe someone posted about it on WickHive. Urgh.... but if I turn my phone back on, that asshole's gonna ruin it flat with calls..." I sweatdropped. 'Darkwick students certainly swear more than NRC students...'

 

"Oh..." I asked him if anything was wrong. "So I'm kind of in the middle of a... situation, right now. Do you mind if we take the long way to the exit?" His request made me suspicious for a moment, but at his anxious expressed I recalled the incident in the closet. 'He seemed to be running away from whoever was outside... What was his name again.... Oh- Romeo!..... I mean... he's already helping me and there aren't really people in the corridors...' "[Y/n]? A-Are you mad?" I hummed and shook my head. "O-Of course not! I'm honestly so grateful to have your help that I feel a little guilty about it..."

 

Kaito then stopped in his tracked and stared at me. "You... You're..." I tilted my head. "YOU'RE SO NICE!!!!!" All of a sudden Kaito started crying. "I knew it... You really are a guardian angel!" I giggled at the compliment. "I'm really not-" "It's okay. My gram always told me to believe in destiny. Maybe I was born to protect you." I blinked twice as Kaito held his hand to his chest. Expressions seemed to roll over Kaito's face like thunderclouds so quickly that it made me dizzy.

 

'He's like... the opposite of Ace. Kaito was scared of me while Ace picked a fight, Kaito wants to protect me while Ace would tease and annoy, Kaito wears a blue dorm uniform and Ace wears Red. Haha! it would be funny if I met someone like or opposite of Deuce next!' I thought and smiled.

 

Then we made it outside. "No one here either? Weird...." I also nodded. "It is strange... There were a lot of cats running around here earlier..." But then I felt something wrap around my leg. I yelped and Kaito turned around, asking me what was wrong. I told him that something grabbed my leg and Kaito explained that it was a shadow Imp. "Don't worry! Ah- I mean... *Ahem* Never fear. You're safe with me." He posed like how Rook would do and I nodded slowly. "Right... Okay..."

 

Kaito then proceeded to pour cake sprinkles on the imps. "All right, we have a deal! They look creepy, but they actually have a major sweet tooth, hilarious right? I really wish they were less grabby... But they let you go if you get them their sugar fix." I smiled and nodded. "I see... Thank you." Kaito stood back up and waved his hand. "No need to thank me. These are the machinations of destiny, after all. And I am your knight in shining armor."

 

I giggled and just nodded. Kaito's dazzling smile and laid back personality alleviated some of the fea that had gripped me moment earlier. He hummed and skipped along in front of me and I followed. "We took a little detour, but look! We're nearly there! It's just around that corner! Come on [Y/n], I'll race you!" Kaito ran and I started to jog after him, when out of nowhere we ran into a student with dark brown hair and purple eyes. He didn't have a uniform like Kaito's.

 

When Kaito go closer, the brown haired male tripped him and threw his body onto the ground. I gasped in shock and then boy held a knife to Kaito's throat. "THE FUCK?!?!" Kaito yelled in shock. "GYAAAAH!!! NONONONONO DON'T KILL MEEEE!! I STILL HAVEN;T TAKEN A GIRL TO DIZZYLAND IN MATCHING FITS!! IS THIS REALLY HOW IT ENDS FOR ME????!!!" Kaito yelled in fear. "What? Are you human?" The other boy asked. "K-Kaito!" I called and ran over to them. In a flash, the mystery attacker sheathed his knife and stood up, glancing around with a puzzled face.

 

"Am I alive..? Did I survive that..?" I sighed and then the stranger seemed panicked. "Sorry! Are you hurt? Let me see." Though seconds ago he'd had a blade at Kaito's throat, the stranger was now kneeling to examine him for injuries. 'What on Earth just happen..?' I thought as I walked closer to them. "Sorry my ass! Of course I'm hurt! My butt and my back and my head and my spirit are killing me!" I giggled as Kaito's explanation. "My apologies... I saw you sneaking around in unusual clothing. I assumed you were anomalies, so I was waiting here to ambush you." He glanced at the veil on my head with a perplexed smile.

 

"This is all because of my veil... I'm sorry." I played with some parts of the veil and groaned. "Hey! You made her sad, asshole!" Kaito yelled. "How can you tell? Her face is hidden?" The other boy asked. "Well, sure, but you can hear it in her voice!! What the hell is wrong with you?!" Kaito's anger seemed to have sent a message. The stranger's eyes widened, and he swiftly lowered his head. "I've been very rude to you haven't I? I'm really sorry. It seem I've forgotten my manners."

 

The boy then held his hand to his chest and smiled, making him look... really handsome..... "My name is Lucas Errant. My close friends call me Luca. What are your names?" Lucas gazed kindly at me with eyes like midday violets and I chuckled in embarrassment. His extended hand and clear gaze spoke volumes about the unwavering sincerity of his character. "M-My name is [Y/n] [L/n]. You can just call me [Y/n]" I fixed the veil so it hid my now blushing face. "And this is Kaito. If I may ask, why exactly did you think we were anomalies?"

 

That's when Lucas told us that an anomaly escaped, which made me think back to the students who mention "Hera's Snakes". "What?! A dangerous anomaly escaped?!" "Yes. I saw some students panicking over it, so I jumped to conclusions." Kaito seemed to panic as well. "You're not kidding, right? That's a pinned post kind of disaster! I'm calling it- this day sucks! Ah! Is that why it's so deserted around here?! Did everyone but us evacuate?!" A chill ran up my spine when Kaito said "escaped" and I clamped my mouth shut.

 

"I have to ask. What are you two doing sneaking around during an emergency like this? I am sorry for hurting you, Kaito, but I do think most people would have made the same mistake." Then Kaito sweatdropped and pouted. "Most people don't carry knives in their pockets! Ugh, forget that for now. Come over here a second!" Both boys then walked over to a bus stop and I stood alone in confusion.

Chapter 10: [ 8 | Stalker]『👀』

Notes:

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Key's for the book:

 

Insert - Narrative - And then she stared at her reflection in the mirror

[Insert] - Author speaking - [Eyyy there- wazzup readers]

"Insert" - Talking - "Hey there!" [But can also be air quotes]

'Insert' - Thinking - 'Dame he's cute...'

"Insert in italics" - Whispering - "I- I messed up..." [But can also be an emphasis on a word/phrase, or flashback]

(Insert) - Inner mind..? - (Deadass doesn't know how to explain it here)

*Insert in italics* - Action - *Sighs with their head down*

[INSERT IN BOLD] - Magic - [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!] or [IGGNAIM!]

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

[Book 0] The Academy of Ghouls

[Chapter 8] The Jealous Stalker?

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

{Third POV}

~~~~~

 

Both males left, the girl in the veil and went to the bus stop a few meters away. "All right, listen up." Kaito pointed a finger at Lucas. "You can't repeat anything I'm about to say to you to her, capiche?" Lucas was confused and asked, "You want me to keep a secret? That's not my forte, but if it's necessary for us to have an agreeable relationship, I'll do my best." Kaito pouted and kept pointing. "Mysterious guys pull, you know? Anyway, I haven't told her about this!"

 

Kaito then faked a sad expression and posture. "The truth is, I'm terminal. I only have six months left to live... *Cough* *Cough*." Lucas gasped in shock. "What?!" he proclaimed. "This might be the last time we can see each other. But there's a problem..." Kaito then stared at Lucas in the eyes, ready to lie. "We're being harassed by a guy who's jealous of our love. That's why we're sneaking around. What other choice do we have?"

 

Lucas, believing Kaito's lie, held a solemn expression. "I see... I've made another incorrect assumption..." Immidietly, Lucas bowed. "I've done you a great disservice. I'm very sorry." "Geez, are you trying to do a front flip or something?! It's fine, you get it now! Quite bowing at me!" Lucas looked up slowly. "You'll forgive me?" Being thankful, Lucas stood up and smiled. "You're a very kind person, Kaito." On the other hand, the boy who lied sweatdropped, weirded out. "C-Cut it out... you're being weird, dude...Anyway! I can't ;et anyone else mess with us. *Cough* *Cough*"

 

Lucas nodded and placed his hand over his chest. "I understand. I won't mess with you, and I won't allow anyone else to either." Kaito, in return just nodded and waved. "What? Whatever, okay. As long as you get it. I can't keep her waiting." Then, both Lucas and Kaito walked back to the girl with the Veil.

 

{Your POV}

~~~~~

 

"Hey! Sorry about that! I explained everything and it's all cool now, so let's get going!" Kaito jogged up to me. I sighed in relief and nodded. "Okay. Thank you" 'I have no clue what they were talking about, but as long as I can get out of here-" "Hold on." "Hah?!" me and Kaito looked at Lucas in confusion. But then Lucas approached me and took a gently hold of the bottom of the veil. "This veil... you really ought to take it off." Lucas then started to pull up the veil, making me feel warmer because that's what a couple about to get married would do.

 

But not only that, but I wasn't sure if Lucas has seen the wanted poster of me yet. "S-Stop!" I cried and stepped back. Lucas also took a step back and Kaito went in front of me protectively. "Hey! What the hell is wrong with you?! She's wearing it for a reason!" Then Kaito looked back at me and fixed the veil. "Geez, man... Look, it's crooked now! Sorry, let me fix it for you! how's this?" I just nodded slowly. "Thanks, it's fine now," Then I looked up at Lucas. "I'm sorry for yelling like that..." lucas just shook his head. "No, I'm sorry." Lucas then turned to Kaito. "I was worried that if your girlfriend continued wearing that veil someone else might make the same mistake I did..."

 

I blushed a bit more. "G-Girlfriend..?" I asked and looked at Kaito for answers. "HEYY!!" Kaito yelled, also blushing. "Huh? *Points at you* You're Kaito's girlfriend aren't you?" I groaned in confusion and Kaito signaled to Lucas. "DUDE! SIDE BAR, TAKE TWO!"

 

{Third POV}

~~~~~

 

The two boys left again and Lucas spoke up, "What's ging on, Kaito? Our conversations really make my head spin." Kaito snapped back, "That's my line! Can't you read the room?! She's not officially my girlfriend yet. I'm gonna ask her out at the end of our date!" Lucas gasped at that. "...What?" "She wants to leave the academy. She probably forgot something at home. So I'm taking her to the Galaxy Express station. When we get there she's going to thank me, and I'm gonna be like "Hey today was fun, can I have your number?"" Kaito defended.

 

"That's odd." Lucas replied. "According to the rulebook, it shouldn't be so easy to leave this academy. Also, if she's a student here, why doesn't she know where the station is?" Kaito hummed. "It's because... um... she's new!" Lucas nodded. "I see. The entrance ceremony for the new first-years is tonight, isn't it? I suppose if she's a new general admissions student, it's still possible for her to leave campus temporarily."

 

Kaito then grabbed Lucas by the shoulders. "Hey, are we cool now?! If she rejects me after all this, it's on you, man!" Lucas, after regaining his composure nodded. "I'm sorry. Impulsivity is a failing of mine." Then Lucas looked pass Kaito and towards [Y/n]. "Let's go back. I'll apologize to her again." Kaito sighed and nodded as they both walked back. "Sure..."

 

{Your POV}

~~~~~

 

Kaito and Lucas came back again, but Lucas placed his hand over his chest and bowed his head slightly. "I've troubled you with my presumptuous behavior. I do hope you can forgive me." I chuckled nervously and waved my hands. "No need to apologize! I'm sorry too." "Kaito told me you're leaving the academy. Are you in a hurry?" Lucas asked me so I nodded. "Yes... I'd like to get home as soon as possible." I sighed and glanced over to where they'd just had their secret meeting, and asked a question without much hope.

 

"That's a bus stop, isn't it? Can I leave here by bus?" Kaito shook his head. "Ah... That bus stop's only for study camps. There's no regular service." I hummed. "You didn't have orientation, [Y/n]..?" Kaito asked with a tilt of his head. I sweatdropped, not knowing how to answer. "Ah, it's okay! Darkwick's super complex and confusing! I'm a second year and there's still tons of stuff I don't know, so don't worry- you'll be fine!" I internally sighed, thankful that Kaito didn't push for an answer.

 

"I am confident in my navigational abilities though. We're actually nearly there!" Kaito laughed somewhat overdramatically and strode vigorously away, turning the corner ahead. I gave a hesitant wave to Lucas, then hurried after Kaito.

 

We walked in silence. Honestly I expected Lucas to go on his way but he's actually following along with us... I didn't mind, but Kaito certainly did. "Hey, dude? This is really fucking awkward!" Lucas just smiled, as if this was normal. "Please don't mind me. I'm keeping watch from the rear." "That's what's making it awkward! Why are you all the way back there?!" Yeah... I would prefer that we walk side by side too...

 

"What I did to you both is inconsistent with my values as someone with the power to protect others. I can't say this will make up for my actions but I will keep you safe from your jealous pursuer." I blinked twice in confusion. "Nope! no thanks! We're fine! You really don't have to do that!!" "But you're in poor health, aren't you?" That worried me and I looked at Kaito in shock.. "You are?!"

 

"Eeerr.... *Cough* *Cough*." I bit my lip and held my hand up to pat his shoulder. "Are you okay..?" Kaito didn't respond to me and just looked to Lucas. "You..! I told you not to say anything!" Lucas just gave a worried glance. "I'm worried about you. And my name isn't "You" It's Lucas Errant. Please, call me Luca." Kaito then let out a deep sigh. "Fine... But if Ro- I mean, our pursuer- or that escaped anomaly shows up, you have to get rid of them, capiche?"

 

Luca nodded. "Yes, of course." Meanwhile, I thought to myself. 'Ro? Pursuer? Is he talking about the boy who Kaito was running from....Rooo.... Ro'meave? Roman?- No- It was Romeo wasn't it? Yeah, the one who uses a lot of abbreviations like Cay Cay.' I smiled to myself, happy that I was able to memorize that. "And quit sulking around behind us, you look like a stalker. Come over here." Kaito motioned Luca forward and he walked beside us. "Christ, you might as well be Romeo..." Kaito whispered and I laughed internally, 'It is Romeo! Can't believe I remembered that.'

 

"I see, so too far away is no good either... It's difficult to judge the appropriate distance in a friendship." Kaito then whispered in my ear, "Sorry [Y/n]... I made the call without asking you first. Is this okay?" I nodded. "Of course! I'm worried about you, too-" just as I was about to continue my sentence, Kaito shot up and walked straight, like a robot. "A-Anyway! Um... Right! Kind of a late question, but what's with the deal with your uniform? Both you and Luca?"

 

"Ah, I haven't explained that, have I? This uniform is from the British Campus." Both Kaito and I stared at Luca, impressed. "The British Campus?" "Yes, I'm a transfer student. I'm a second year at Darkwick from today." Kaito and Luca started talking. Which gave me some time to think about a lie about my uniform. But thankfully, they never asked, which made me relieved.

 

A little while of walking later, we made it to our destination. "We're here!" Kaito proclaimed happily. "And without any dangerous delays" Luca added optimistically. "Thank you so much. I can get home now" I smiled and thanked the both of them. Kaito just chuckled and placed his hands on his hips. "Man, I'm so jealous you can go home, [Y/n]." I tilted my head, confused. "Huh? You can't go home?" Kaito shook his head. "Yeah... No way. I know I don't look it, but I'm actually a ghoul." I blinked twice. "What?!" 'The ghouls... the ones the chancellor was talking about?' I wondered

 

"Kaito... You're a ghoul too?" I was even more shocked when Luca chimed in. "You too? I thought you probably were when you assaulted me back there." "Y-you're a ghoul too, Luca?!" I questioned in shock. "I thought ghouls would be more monstrous like phantoms or overblots..." I whispered to myself. "Sorry for not saying anything... It's creepy, right?" Kaito asked, scratching the back of his neck. I shook my head. "No, not at all! Sorry, I was just a little surprised."

 

"Really..? You're not creeped out?" I chuckled and shook my head. "No! If anything, my impression of ghouls has been changed for the better..." Kaito's eyes lit up. "Oh! Um! In that case, do you want to maybe...um-" just then, Luca cut of Kaito. "Please excuse me." But before he spoke. I sucked in a breath. "There's something I need to tell you both..."

 

"GET DOWN!!"

 

"Gyaaah?!" me and Kaito screamed as gunshots rang through the air. "A gunshot?!" I exclaimed in shock. "S-Smoke too???" I questioned even more where all this was suddenly coming from. "*COUGH* MY EYES!!" I heard Kaito cry out. "Who's there?!" Luca demanded. "I've got you now..."

 

I bit my lip as the stranger took off their glasses and dropped them on the ground. 'No... I was so close!' I thought and reached for my wand. "You're not getting away from me this time, Fuji!" I blinked twice and looked at Kaito. 'He's... not after me but Kaito?' I thought, and saw Kaito panicking. "Ugh! Don't you ever quit?!" "Excuse me?! You keep running off, so I went out of my way to come get you!" "Did I ask?!"

 

The smoke cleared up and I felt my breath hitch in my throat. 'That's Romeo..?' My brain went to a mix of Cater, Silver, and Azul. "I was going to overlook this, but you're getting a bit full of yourself. How about I shut that insolent mouth of yours?!" I sweatdropped. 'Actually maybe Sebek as well..."

 

Romeo lifted his rifle and pointed it at Kaito. Lucas was observing the exchange, stance lowered as though ready to move at ay sign of trouble. 'No one's looking over here. But as much as I want to escape... Kaito's being held at gunpoint! I can't just leave him there in that situation!' But then Luca whispered to me. "I'll distract him. You head for the Galaxy Express while he's not looking." I gasped in shock and confusion. "It's all right. I'll protect Kaito. Go on, hurry." I bit my lip in nervousness.

 

"Okay... be safe..." With Luca's kindness pulling at my heartstrings, I made a run for the Galaxy Express platform.

Chapter 11: [ 9 | Hera's Snakes]『🐍』

Notes:

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Key's for the book:

 

Insert - Narrative - And then she stared at her reflection in the mirror

[Insert] - Author speaking - [Eyyy there- wazzup readers]

"Insert" - Talking - "Hey there!" [But can also be air quotes]

'Insert' - Thinking - 'Dame he's cute...'

"Insert in italics" - Whispering - "I- I messed up..." [But can also be an emphasis on a word/phrase, or flashback]

(Insert) - Inner mind..? - (Deadass doesn't know how to explain it here)

*Insert in italics* - Action - *Sighs with their head down*

[INSERT IN BOLD] - Magic - [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!] or [IGGNAIM!]

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

[Book 0] The Academy of Ghouls

[Chapter 9] The Anomaly Known As Hera's Snakes.

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

{Third POV}

~~~~~

 

Hm? I don't recognize you. Who are you?" Romeo asked, still pointing his rifle at the pair. "So you're Kaito's jealous pursuer." Luca asked, still under the impression that Kaito actually did have a romantic rival. "Excuse me? What part of this mushroom head could I possible be jealous of?" Romeo asked sternly. "Mushroom Head? Is that your nickname, Kaito?" Luca asked innocently.

 

"Of course not, he's just being an asshole! Come on, get rid of him!" Luca hummed. "Let me confirm something first. This is your jealous pursuer, correct?" "Yes... I mean... Well..." In return to Kaito's bad lie, Romeo tisked. "That's the backstory you gave me? Is your financial situation so dire you can't come up with plausible lies?" Kaito flinched and stepped back. "What does he mean?" Luca asked.

 

"Do you really think I, Romeo Scorpius Lucci. Could be jealous of an off-brand man like him? *Hmph* This little toadstool is in my debt. I'm merely collecting what I'm rightfully owed." Romeo then took out a piece of paper and smirked. "Care to see the paperwork?" He mocked Kaito. In return, Kaito ran towards Romeo, desperate to grab the paper. "GIMME THAT!!" He exclaimed, only for Romeo to hold it higher than he can reach.

 

"Kaito, is this true?" Luca asked. Kaito sweat dropped and was about to answer, but then Romeo grabbed onto a pendent that Kaito was wearing. "How many times do I have to tell you? If you can't pay just hand over this pendant instead!!" "How many times have I gotta tell you, this is the one thing you'll never get from me!!" Kaito yelled before Luca decided to step in, "Let him go."

 

Romeo and Kaito turned to the transfer student. "Who the hell are you? Did you hear what I just said?" Then, Luca held up a large amount of cash. "Will this suffice?" He asked. Romeo smirked and let go of Kaito, in favor of the cash presented. "50 pound notes, hm? Interesting. They'd better not be counterfeit." Romeo took the money smirking and started counting. "one, two, three, four, five... twenty... the real deal." "Are you serious..?" Kaito asked, jaw wide open.

 

"You're quite a high-end man. He still owes another 2000 pounds of interest though. Sorry, but this won't buy his freedom." Romeo taunted and tilted Luca's chin up with his index finger. "WHAT?! You never said anything about interest!!" Kaito exclaimed. So Luca's gaze hardened and decided to challenge the claim. "All right. In that case... I'd like another look at that document."

 

Romeo's smirk fell and he tisked and glared at Luca. "There's nothing worse than a man with a brain..."

 

{Your POV}

~~~~~

 

"The ticket gate is closed???" I questioned aloud. I stopped short just before the Galaxy Express platform, unsure of how to get through the gate. A translucent wall with glowing letters blocked my path. "Tap Catsmo?" I read and groaned. "If I had to guess, it'd be an online TTC pass like Presto..." "Meow?!" I flinched and looked down, and screamed a little when a cat appeared out of nowhere. "Meow! meow!" The cat exclaimed and ran off. "Ah! Wait!" When I locked eyed with the cat, it meowed loudly and scampered off towards the main building."

 

"Oh sugar... Can these cats tell the chancellor where I am?!" Judging by what I'd seen them achieve so far, I could only assume they could... "I've already come this far... there's no turning back now!" I took out my wand and took in a deep breath. "White to red, and red to white. [Doodle Suit!]"

 

The gate turned into golden particles for a few seconds but as soon as I passed through I couldn't progress any further. "W-What?!" I tried to use doodle suit again but it didn't work. Then a shrill alarm sounded from the platform.

 

I heard footsteps approaching faster so I gasped and canceled doodle suit of the ticket gate and hid my wand. The alarm stopped and I sighed. "What are you doing?" I yelped and turned around to see Romeo there. Along with Kaito and Luca. "Are you all right?! Is the anomaly here?!" "Eeeeek... Oh god, please let it not be..." I held my hands up in surrender. "I'm sorry, I didn't know how to get onto the platform..."

 

Romeo glared at me and I reminisced the Savanaclaw situation all over again. "I knew it. What are you doing? Why are you wearing Hera's Snakes?" I blinked twice and calm down. "What..? Hera's Snakes?" 'The anomaly?' I couldn't make sense of that sentence, so I just stood there, dumbstruck. "Hera's Snakes..? That's the name of the rogue anomaly!" Luca pointed out and I nodded slowly. "Well, well, well," 'I don't like the smile on Romeo's face...' I thought and sweatdropped. "I didn't think it would come to me. I'll get a good price for this."

 

All of a sudden Romeo charged at me, rifle in hand. "You can pay back Fuji's interest WITH THIS!" I was about to pull out my wand to use Sleepy kiss but for some reason, the veil started attacking?!? "Eh?!" I cried out and stood still while Romeo dodged.

 

"GYAAAAAAHHH!!! WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?! ARE THOSE TENTACLES?! GROSS!!" Kaito exclaimed while Romeo pointed his rifle. "Did you... aim for my face?" I flinched and immidietly shook my head. "N-N-no! This veil just attacked on it's own I swe-" "SHUT YOUR MOUTH! I CAN'T STAND EXCUSES! SIH!!" Romeo aimed his rifle and this time I grabbed my wand. But as I was about to cast my spell, Luca interrupted, "[IGGNAIM!]" I gasped because Luca was standing in front of me, arms spread wide.

 

"What..? The trajectory was accurate, the bullet should have hit... Fine. There's more where that came from!" Another gunshot exploded in my ears but... "What..? Why are my bullets disappearing?!" I furrowed my brows and bit my lip. 'Luca... he's using his special skill." I awed. 'This was nothing like the spells in Twisted Wonderland. The only thing close was Floyd's Bind to the Heart.'

 

The bullet was clearly heading straight towards us. But the instant before it hit Luca, it vanished, as though swallowed by some invisible force. Luca then turned around and grabbed my shoulders harshly so I winced. "I'll ask you just once. Did you deceive us?" His sharp, crystal-clear gaze bore into me so I answered honestly. "I'm sorry... But I just picked this veil up by coincidence, I swear..."

 

'I should have been honest with them sooner... I can't keep wearing something this dangerous even if it means they find out who I am...' I thought and grabbed the veil with both hands and pulled. "... H-Huh?!" I started to panic as I pulled harder. "I-I can't get it off!" Luca gasped and back off. No matter how hard I pulled at it, the veil remained stuck fast to my head. "It's stuck... why won't it come off?!" I questioned myself as I pulled even harder.

 

"All right. Calm down. I believe you." I looked at Luca with wide eyes. "Luca..." "We need to move away from here first. Then we can do something about that veil." Luca reached out his hand to me, and I placed my trembling palm in his unwavering one. "Thank you." I smiled softly.

 

"Hey! Are you trying to run?! Hand over Hera's Snakes fi-" "LUCAAAAA!!! HEY!! Why are you holding hands with [Y/n]!?!" I bit my lip as Kaito pushed Romeo out of the way and ran over to us. "Don't you dare run off without me!!! I'M!! HER KNIGHT!! IN SHINING ARMOR!!!!" "Kaito?!" I exclaimed, blushing in embarrassment. "Kaito! I want to go somewhere we can regroup and discuss out next move. Could you lead us there?"

 

"I was going to! Don't order me around! Follow me, [Y/n]!" Kaito proclaimed and started running so we followed.

 

But while we ran I looked back at Romeo, feeling a bit bad. "Ouch... Hey!! You think you can escape me that easily?!" But then I turned back. Kaito grabbed my other hand, and the three of us ran back the way we'd come.

 

"Meow! Meow! Meow! Emergency, emergency. A-6622-1,code name "Hera's Snakes", has escaped containment during transportation. It resembles a black veil. It is aggressive, and can change it's size at will. Presumptive class B. If spotted, please alert a staff member or ghoul student immediately."

Chapter 12: [ 10 | A Ring?]『💍』

Notes:

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Key's for the book:

 

Insert - Narrative - And then she stared at her reflection in the mirror

[Insert] - Author speaking - [Eyyy there- wazzup readers]

"Insert" - Talking - "Hey there!" [But can also be air quotes]

'Insert' - Thinking - 'Dame he's cute...'

"Insert in italics" - Whispering - "I- I messed up..." [But can also be an emphasis on a word/phrase, or flashback]

(Insert) - Inner mind..? - (Deadass doesn't know how to explain it here)

*Insert in italics* - Action - *Sighs with their head down*

[INSERT IN BOLD] - Magic - [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!] or [IGGNAIM!]

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

[Book 0] The Academy of Ghouls

[Chapter 10] A Veil? A Ring? Congrats On Your Marriage~!

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

{Your POV}

~~~~~

 

The three of us then made it to a staircase. "*Huff* *Huff* *Phew*... That guy's pretty slow, so we should be safe from him here..." Kaito explained. "*Huff* *Huff*... I'm really sorry.. This is all my fault." I admitted and looked down. "You didn't know the veil was an anomaly. That part of this situation was out of your control. Also, it doesn't seem intending to harm us for now. Let's take a moment to catch our breath and reevaluate."

 

"Eeek! I was so pissed at Luca I forgot, but that thing's an anomaly, isn't it..? Oh my god..." Kaito complained, taking a step back. "If we don't figure out how to remove it though, it could become violent again." Luca explained and looked down at the veil I was wearing. "Is it even safe now?! You sure it's not gonna randomly go snake mode again?!" I shook my head. "I'm not sure... It does seem calm at the moment..."

 

Thankfully the only person it attacked was Romeo... "What's the matter? are you hurt?" Luca asked me. "No... I'm okay. I was just thinking... the moment before the veil started attacking, Romeo grabbed my arm harshly... May it was just reacting to that?" Kaito then joined in, "H-Hold on. If that's true, then why didn't it attack us? I kind of... clung to you back there... Sorry about that..." Then Luca also added, "And i was quite rough with you when I was questioning your intentions, though I didn't mean to be..."

 

I hummed. "But I never thought at any point that either of you were trying to hurt me." Kaito smiled. "O-Of course not! I'm not like Romeo! My gram always told me to treat women with more care than you would a hangnail!" I giggled. "I think this veil might have understood that. I don't think it's attacking people. I think it might be trying to protect me from people with malicious intentions."

 

"E-Even if you're right, you can't take it off, right?" I groaned and nodded. "I think we should ask the academy for help..." I sighed. "You're ri-" "Just a moment." I looked over to Luca in confusion. "When I first met you two, I touched the veil." I blinked twice. "When we first met..?" I made an "Oh!" sound as I remembered Luca lifting up the veil. "Both Kaito and I moved the veil when we touch it, didn't we?"

 

"You're right! Because I tried to see your- U-Umm... nevermind..." Kaito stopped himself so Luca spoke next, "But you've been saying you can't take it off. Why is that?" I shrugged. "Maybe it's the type you can't remove yourself?" Kaito asked. "The type you can't remove yourself..? What do you mean?" I asked what he meant. "I swear I've head about it in class before... Hmmmmm..." "As a rule, anomalies that provide great power instantly come with a great cost."

 

"Yeah! Something like that!" Kaito snapped his fingers and nodded. "Nice work, Kaito. So you do pay attention in class." "I listen! I just can't remember it all!" I laughed because Kaito really did remind me of Ace. then Luca approached me and lifted up the veil.

 

I felt my face getting even warmer as Luca and I made eye contact. I didn't even hear what Kaito was saying. Until he walked over to me. "Is that you..?" Kaito then pointed at a board and pinned in the center was my own face. "Wanted..? What?" "They said this anomaly escaped" Luca then furrowed his brows and glared at me. "Did you steal it?"

 

I waved my hands and shook my head. "I can explain! I just meant to borrow it, I didn't know it was an anomaly! I was hiding in the closet and I found it in there..." Kaito blinked and asked, "The closet? Where we first met?" I nodded but then Luca interrupted. "Then why are you wanted by the academy? Who are you?" There was hurt in their eyes as they both stared at me, awaiting my answer. I hung my head. "I...I'm not actually a student at Darkwick. I'm not a transfer student either..." I admitted, playing with the hem of my NRC uniform skirt.

 

"Then what are you doing here?" Luca asked, his glare a bit softer. "I don't really know all the detail, but the chancellor said I've been cursed..." Kaito then went from scared to panic. "Cursed?! Seriously?!" I nodded. "I was just trying to get home... I just got on a train... But I was attacked by an anomaly then brought here without a clue." Luca sighed. "I see... To break the curse, I assume." "Apparently" I said with a shrug.

 

"But... Then why are you trying to escape? If you stay here, they can help you, right?!" Kaito asked worriedly. "They said they don't know how to break it yet..." I admitted and looked off to the side. They both gasped so I continued, "And they told me I couldn't leave until it was broken..." "What...? But they just dragged you here out of the blue, didn't they?" Kaito asked, crossing his arms. "They can't just dump all that on you and expect you to do what they want..."

 

"That's how I felt... That's why I thought I'd just do home first, then decide what to do. I never thought all this would happen... I'm really sorry for not being honest with you." I apologized and looked down at my feet. "S-Stop, don't apologize! You didn't do anything wrong!" Kaito told me. "I understand the situation now. Please don't hang your head." Luca encouraged.

 

I slowly looked up, happy that they weren't mad at me. 'These two practically are the opposite of Ace and Deuce.' "Thank you... Both of you..." Having finally admitted the truth, I felt the clouds that had been gathering in my heart instantly dissipate. "You said you're not a student here, correct?" I hummed. "No, I'm not."

 

"Then please give me your contact details." I felt embarrassed at how sudden that was and said nothing. Kaito on the other hand, "What?! Who asks that at a time like this?! Read the room, dude!!" Luca just ignored Kaito and pulled out his phone. "Even if you're able to leave, you'll still be cursed. I'll serch for a way to break your curse. Please go back to your regular life, and wait for me to call." I bit my lip. 'He's so nice!' I thought and covered my mouth to not squeal.

 

"H-Hey... Are you sure that's okay? The sign says to report her..." I flinched at Kaito's words but Luca explained his reasonings, "She's a civilian, not a Darkwick student. We have a duty to protect her. We can make the report after we send her home." "Luca..." I awed. "R-Right! Yeah, let's do that! Just leave everything to us, [Y/n]." Kaito added, giving me a closed eye smile. "S-So, could you give me your number t-"

 

Before Kaito finished his sentenced the veil started glowing, which shocked and confused the three of us. The veil floated off my head. 'This glow. It's warm.' I thought as the veil shrunk and floated to my finger, making me gasp at how hot it was. But when the glow vanished I looked at my finger to see... A ring..?

 

"It... turned into a ring?" Luca asked. "What? Why? What is happening?" Kaito questioned. I just shrugged and then a gunshot rung out through the halls. "He- *Cough* HEY! Quit it with the smoke, you one trick pony!" When the smoke cleared a bit, I saw Romeo heading our way. "I only brought one type of bullet today! It's your fault for running away all the time! Just shut up and hand over Hera's-..... Huh? Hey! What did you do with Hera's Snakes!?" Romeo yelled, pointing at me.

 

"The anomaly you're looking for turned into a ring. It's on her finger." Luca told him. "What the fuck?! Quit blubbering half assed lies and tell me where you put it!" Romeo glared at us. "We really aren't lying this time." Kaito said firmly. "What..?" Romeo stated in confusion so I spoke up, "Sorry, but it's true" I held up my right hand to show him the ring, but that only seemed to make him angrier. "All right, fine! I'll have it with your finger still attached!"

 

Romeo pointed his rifle and me and I went to get my wand. "I'll handle him." Luca whispered to me and took my hand in his. "[Iggnaim]" Luca said.... But unlike last time where the bullet disappeared... A tentacle appeared and slapped the bullet away. 'Something's off' I thought and slowly turned around to see a big monster. My jaw dropped and the monster let out a scream.

 

"What..."

 

I turned to Luca, who now had a look of horror on his face.

 

"What did you just do..?"

Chapter 13: [ 11 | Ghouls]『👺』

Notes:

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Key's for the book:

 

Insert - Narrative - And then she stared at her reflection in the mirror

[Insert] - Author speaking - [Eyyy there- wazzup readers]

"Insert" - Talking - "Hey there!" [But can also be air quotes]

'Insert' - Thinking - 'Dame he's cute...'

"Insert in italics" - Whispering - "I- I messed up..." [But can also be an emphasis on a word/phrase, or flashback]

(Insert) - Inner mind..? - (Deadass doesn't know how to explain it here)

*Insert in italics* - Action - *Sighs with their head down*

[INSERT IN BOLD] - Magic - [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!] or [IGGNAIM!]

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

[Book 0] The Academy of Ghouls

[Chapter 11] Ghouls have pacts too

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

{Your POV}

~~~~~

 

I didn't know what to say as Luca stepped back away from me. Eventually I bit my lip. "Luca... I..." "STOOOOOP!" I yelped and turned around to see the chancellor frantically waving his hands at the four of us. "Grrr! Look at what you've done to the campus!!" The walls, floor, and even the ceiling and furnishings were covered in a layer of purple soot.

 

"I am not a part of this!" Kaito yelled and ran away, to which I pouted. "Fuji! Don't you dare!" "Mr. Lucci! I have a bone to pick with you over this and over your captain's recent behavior! Come to my office later!" The chancellor spoke to Romeo in which the latter tasked and looked away. "And [Y/n]." 'Uh-Oh...' I sweatdropped and swallowed the saliva in my mouth

 

"Yes...?" I questioned. The chancellor stood before me, looking me up and down. I nervously averted my gaze. "Honestly! We've been looking all over for you! You can't just run off like that, you know!" I bit my lip and nodded. "I-I'm sorry..." "I have something important to discuss with you. Follow me back to my office please!" I nodded again. "Okay..."

 

After everything, I found myself right back where I'd started. As I sat watching the chancellor pore over paperwork as cats darted busily around him, despair crept over me. In the end, my desperate escape attempt only ended up tightening the noose around my neck. 'I wonder what's going to happen now...' I thought as there was a knock at the door. "Come in!" The chancellor exclaimed.

 

"It's Nicolas. Sorry to disturb you." A tidal wave of guilt crashed over me the momet I saw Professor Nicolas. I hung my head. "You don't look very well... Do you have a fever?" I shook my head. "I-I'm okay" I said, avoiding eye contact. "All right. I'm glad you're safe. The chancellor and I were very worried about you" I apologized again. "Do you have the results?" The chancellor asked Professor Nicolas.

 

"Yes, right here. I brought the video too." "Thank you! Hmm...hmm... I see..." A stifling silence fell over the office. "[Y/n]..." I shivered and looked up. "Y-Yes..."

 

"Well done! A round of applause for you!"

 

"....ah?" I blinked twice and fully looked up to the chancellor in confusion. "Thank you so, so much for capturing that anomaly!" I tilted my head. "Sorry, what?" Professor Nicolas then smiled at me. "We have footage from the campus security cameras of you capturing Hera's snakes." He then pointed to my right hand and I lifted it up. 'It fits so well I totally forgot about it' I sweat dropped. "Yes, you really saved the day! It's had quite the change in appearance though, hasn't it? The lab can look into it more closely. Could you take it off and put it in this jar?" I nodded and gripped the ring and pulled.

 

I bit my lip hard. I was going to show my compliance and put it in but it's not coming off! 'Just like before' I thought. "I... can't get it off..." I admitted while trying to pull it off. "Whaaaat?!" The chancellor groaned. "I might not be able to remove it on my own..." "You're saying that's the ost of its power?" I gave a slow, unsure nod. "Um, yes... That's how it was when it was a veil, anyway..."

 

"Professor Nicolas! Please try removing the ring from her finger!" Chancellor Cornelius ordered. "W-What?! That's Hera's Snakes, right?" The professor asked. "Just be gentle and you'll be fine! Probably. Chop Chop, no time to lose!" "R-Right... Gently... Gently..." With a grimace and trembling hands, Professor Nicolas reached out and gently poked the ring. "*Phew* It seems okay. I'm going to take it off, all right?" I nodded.

 

The professor pulled but it seemed that even he struggled with it. "It... won't even budge..." He told the chancellor. "What? Why not? Show me." I agreed and showed Chancellor Cornelius. The chancellor leaned over the table and stared hard at the ring. "It couldn't be..." I raised a brow. "I'm sorry to be abrupt, [Y/n], but I need you to take a test." I went wide eyed. "What?" "It's something we usually do with ghouls."

 

"The stigma test, right?" Professor Nicolas asked. "Yes, but with some tweaks." The professor gave an unsure look. "If we do a stigma test now, I'm not sure we'll finish in time for the ceremony." "Make it happen, please. I'll let the examiner know the parameters." The professor nodded and told me that we needed to move to the exam room. Not knowing what else to do, I complied.

 

The last rays of sunset poured through the windows in the corridor. I shaded my eyes and peered outside. The evening star twinkled brightly in the pale purple sky. "I'm sorry I didn't notice how scared you were." "Huh?" I turned to Professor Nicolas, who looked apologetic. "You didn't think you'd ever see the light of day again, did you?" I hesitated and nodded slowly. "When I thought about that, I just panicked..." The professor hummed. "It's understandable. Of course you'd want to run. Please don't worry. I'll do my best to make sure you have as much freedom as possible." I smiled and thanked him.

 

But contrast to his words, as soon as we reached the exam room, I was blindfolded and made to sit in a chair in the center. "I'm sorry about this. The examiner will be here soon." I heard Professor Nicolas's voice. "The chair you're sitting in measures your pulse, brainwaves, and a few other things. Please try not to move as best you can." I nodded but I could hear my heart banging in my chest.

 

The door opened and the professor said that the exam will start now. Footsteps made by hard rubber soles echoed through the quiet room as they moved toward me. When they were inches away, they stopped, and a sweet smell like incense tickled my nose. "Don't worry. It won't hurt." I heard a low yet calming voice tell me. "Give me your hand" I bit my lip and slowly held my hand out in front of me. Then long, cool fingers closed around it. All I could hear in the silent room was the thumping of my own heart. 'When is it over..?' I thought.

 

But then, the fingers that closed around it suddenly loosened, and let go. "All done. Good job." 'Done?' I thought and sighed. After the bizarre test, I found myself yet again in the chancellor's office. 'What did they even test..?" I wondered. I just sighed and lowered myself onto the comfortable sofa. As I sunk into the cushions, I suddenly became aware of just how dizzyingly exhausted I was. 'I'm completely spent!' I internally groaned.

 

There was a light knock at the door, and Professor Hyde swaggered in, whistling a tune. "Hey there!" He greeted. In his hands was a small tray with a glass teapot and a cup, along with little bottles of milk and honey. The teapot was kept warm by a small candle, and a bright orange flower swayed serenely under the water. "This is for you. It's a favorite brew of mine."

 

Professor Hyde gave me a cup and I thanked him. The glass vessel of steaming tea was placed before me. When I inhaled the floral scent wafting from it, I suddenly felt strangely calm. I slowly raised the glass to my lips and took a sip. "..!!" My eyes shot open as I drank more of the tea. The sweetness of milk and honey and a hint of nutmeg filled my mouth, and warmth spread through my body. "What do you think? Pretty good right?"

 

I nodded immediately. "It's delicious! And this one taste that I'm catching... I've tasted it before... is it Epione's Flower?" I asked as I couldn't help my excitement at the taste. To that, Professor Hyde chuckled. "Bingo~ It's supposed to be good for nerves and anxiety. Finally seeing a smile like that on your face is more than worth the effort of making it for you" I giggled and rubbed the back of my neck. "Professor, you really didn't have to."

 

"What lies are you spreading, Professor Hyde? It was Professor Nicolas who made that, wasn't it." At the chancellors words, my smile dropped while Professor Hyde avoided eye contact with me. I pouted and lightly glared at the blindfolded professor. "Anyways... I have the results! It's as I expected." I sighed and turned my attention. The chancellor showed the professor and Professor Hyde absently scratched his head as he scanned the documents, adsorbed in what he found there. 'I don't know how he reads if blindfolded... Maybe some king of magic.' I asked myself as I gazed around the room, waiting for them to tell me what was on the paper.

 

"So... What do the results say?" I finally asked. "Please remain calm..." The chancellor started, making me nervous. "It seems that you.......... possess the ability to enhance ghoul's stigmas!" The chancellor did a cool pose and I just blinked twice. "Okay..?" I tilted my head. Sure enhancement is cool but Deuce's Bet the Limit is much cooler. "Not just "okay"! Do you have any idea how extraordinary that is?!" Then I remembered that this world was different from Twisted Wonderland.

 

Just as I was about to say something, Professor Hyde spoke fore me, "Chancellor, she's a civilian, remember? How about you start by explaining ghouls and stigmas?" "Of course, of course. Please excuse me. I'll start with ghouls. Do you recell the students you've encountered who possessed exceptional combat abilities?" I nodded. "Like Taiga and Luca?" The chancellor smiled. "Correct, Taiga Hoshibami and Lucas Errant. They aren't the only ones. Also Haku Kusanagi, Kaito Fuji, and Romeo Lucci."

 

I perked up. "Haku..? As in-" "Yep, the same Haku who brought you here. He's a ghoul too. They're not all fighters. I doubt that Kaito kid could even squash a cockroach." "Professor Hyde!" I yelped as the chancellor suddenly raised his voice. ""Ghouls transcend humans in both ability and aggression"! The evidence is irrefutable!" The professor responded with a yes sir and so the chancellor explained, "Anyways, our special admissions students, several of whom you've met already... have each devoured a demon. We call such humans "Ghouls"." I got curious. "Devoured a demon?" I asked.

 

"Since time immemorial, humans have sold their souls to demons in exchange for the granting of a wish. We call this a demonic pact. But the realization of a wish comes at a price. Usually the pact maker dies a gruesome death. Even if they manage to escape death, they eventually become a soulless husk. This is because the soul of the pact maker is devoured by their demon."

 

I bit the inside of my cheek. 'So it's like a permanent overblot... How scary...' "How scary!" I chuckled as the professor quite literally voiced my inner thoughts. "However!" The chancellor spoke up again, "Although they are extreamly rare, there are some individuals who survive their pact completely unharmed. Those one-in-a-million exceptions are the ghouls whom you met today." I gasped as I recalled everyone

 

'I've heard of demons before, obviously... But he's telling me that Kaito and Luca both made a deal with one? That's... quite a shocker for sure...' I thought and looked down at my feet. "We are still in the thick of our research, so there are many unknowns remaining, of course. But the leading theory is that they acquired inhuman power by devouring demons. That is the true nature of their exceptional combat abilities."

 

"The ghouls made pacts with demons..?" I repeated aloud. "Wild, right? There's still a lot of it I can't quite accept yet either." The chancellor then smiled softly at me. "Through our reserch, we may be able to get to the bottom of how they survived unharmed... and indeed, what the true identity of these entities we call demons is! I'm expecting great things from your passion for anomalous research, Professor Hyde." The professor agreed as he crossed his arms

 

"Sorry... But what do the ghouls have to do with me exactly?" I asked, getting the conversation back on why I was even here. "Right. Unlink humans, ghouls possess enduring physical strength. They also possess a special ability, gained through devouring a demon. Essentially they have a superpower. We call that power a stigma." I nodded along. 'I guess a stigma is like a unique magic then. What did Luca call his again..? Iggnaim?' I thought and crossed my legs.

 

"The presence of a stigma is how we determine whether someone is a ghoul. Lucas can use barriers. I think Kaito can see auras sometimes? We use the test you just took yourself to analyze the nature of a stigma." "I see..." I replied. "Another interesting thing about ghouls is their incantation. They seem to need it to trigger their stigma. Some have to say it aloud, whereas other can just say it in their heads."

 

"I believe Mr. Kamurai used to say it aloud when he was a first year, but after a while he stopped needing to." "I think it has to do with their level of proficiency using their stigma, and with their mental state." I sweatdropped and nodded slowly. 'I feel like if you leave these two along, things get technical very quickly. Probably like Professor Crewel and Professor Trein... They look young... and frivolous... but they must be really passionate about anomalous research.'

 

"*Ahem* So this brings us to our main agenda. In the test you just undertook, you enhanced the stigma of the ghoul you touched." I hummed. "That's why you had me hold someone's hand..?" I asked. The chancellor nodded and told me that the exam wasn't the first time. I was confused but then I snapped my finger as I remembered. "When Luca tried to protect me from Romeo."

 

"Ding Ding! that's right! What good memory you have." Professor Hyde complimented me. "Yup. When reviewing the security footage, the moment you touched Mr. Errant, he exhibited a stigma far more powerful than usual. And that ring on your finger... is most likely the Sage's Ring." I became confused all over again. "I've read about it before in some old manuscript. I didn't think it really existed... It said that it granted some kind of power to the wearer, but the writing was smudged." The chancellor nodded at Professor Hyde's words. "It was familiar to me too. There's no mistaking that insignia."

 

"I see. So it's likely the power of the Sage's Ring is what's affecting the stigmas." I groaned and asked, "Why is it now called Sage's Ring? Everyone was calling it Hera's Snakes before..." The chancellor nodded. "Exactly! Who would have thought that Sage's Ring was disguising itself as Hera's Snakes? We thought Hera's Snakes was a dangerous anomaly that caused the death of its wearer. And yet here you are. I think it's safe to assume that you've been chosen by the ring."

 

I paled and sat straight. "Chosen? Why?!" The chancellor sighed and shrugged. "I don't know... Here is what I do know. You have gained the power to enhance stigmas. While traveling on the train, you had the misfortune of encountering an anomaly that curses people. Anyone who sees its eye is cursed to die in one year's time. If you can forget the image of that eye, the curse will be immediately broken. Our Mesmer Matches can erase one day's worth of memories, but the curse is too powerful, so they don't work. Currently, we don't know of any other way to break the curse. That is your situation."

 

I sighed and slumped back into the chair. "In conclusion, you're a super valuable for Darkwick. To me too, of course, as someone on the cutting edge of anomalous research." I groaned. "I don't really feel like that's something I should be happy about..." Professor Hyde walked and then stood behind me. "Really? Think about it. You need this place too, right? We're the only ones who can figure out how to break your curse." I furrowed my brows. 'I'm sure Vil or Tsunotaro could help me just as well... If I could contact them.'

 

"So... what are you gonna do?" Professor Hyde asked. I bit my lip as I shut my eyes and remembered a piece of advice that was shared with me.

 

"...So you were the person that came to mind.... Senpai, what should I do?"

"*Sigh* Prefect... The only thing that I can offer you is that you never get what you want. You get what you negotiate. However... if you-"

*BAM!*

"Ah! Azul! Stop hogging Shrimpy all to yourself!"

"WHAT THE- F-Floyd?!? We were having an important-... IS THAT ANOTHER FIGHT GOING ON IN THE LOUNGE?!"

 

I smiled at the memory before I sighed and looked at the chancellor in the eyes. "Professor Hyde? May I have a few minutes along with the Chancellor Cornelius to discuss this?" The professor and the chancellor looked at each other and the chancellor nodded so Professor Hyde walked out. "What is it that you wish to say [Y/n]?" He smiled. "Chancellor... How certain are you that you will be able to break my curse within one year." The chancellor thought for a moment.

 

"To be quite honest I am neither certain nor uncertain." I sighed. "Chancellor. I will agree to stay here at the academy for research about my ring and curse. But I want your absolute word that what I am about to show you will never reach outside this room." The chancellor nodded and said that he promised. With that, I closed my eyes. 'Professor Hyde really is outside and not eavesdropping. Good.' I thought and opened my eyes and grabbed my wand. "Hmm? What's that? What are you going to do?" the chancellor asked as I got up from my seat.

 

"Chancellor. Would you believe me if I told you that I was from another world?" The chancellor blinked twice before he shook his head. Explaining how it was impossible even for anomalies. I asked him for my phone and a mirror to prove it to him and he gave me both items. "Please give me a moment." I said and dialed Headmage Crowley's number.

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

🐦‍⬛Headmage Crow 🐦‍⬛

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

🐦‍⬛Headmage Crow 🐦‍⬛

PREEEEFEEEECTTT!

 

[You]

Good afternoon Headmage. Are you busy?

 

🐦‍⬛Headmage Crow 🐦‍⬛

Eeehhh? [Y/n] you don't have to speak to me so formally.. But no, I'm not... Anyways! How's home~?

 

[You]

I'm not at home, Headmage.

 

🐦‍⬛Headmage Crow 🐦‍⬛

...

What..?

 

[You]

*Sigh* The Dark Mirror spat me out somewhere similar to my home but it's not the same. In fact, it's practically NRC but more my hometown style

 

🐦‍⬛Headmage Crow 🐦‍⬛

.......... I... I see.... Prefect, do you have a mirror close by? I shall check the Dark Mirror to see what kind of new place you're in!

 

[You]

*chuckles* I do. Put me on hold until you get the the Dark Mirror.

 

🐦‍⬛Headmage Crow 🐦‍⬛

Ahaha! Aren't I so generous~? Making sure you're all safe and sound~ BY THE WAY! CALL ME MORE OFTEN!

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

The Headmage put me on hold and I picked up the mirror. "[Y/n]? Who is it that you're speaking to?" The chancellor asked me as he sat straight. "Just someone who I think you'll be pleased or displeased to meet." I smiled and held up the mirror, using my magic to increase it's size. "Whoa!" The chancellor gasped and leaned back into his seat.

 

Just then my phone buzzed again. "PREFECT!" I sweatdropped at my phone and the chancellor raised a brow. "Prefect?" the chancellor repeated questioningly. I sighed and Headmage Crowely told me that the Dark mirror was ready. I sighed and took out my wand causing the chancellor to gasp and I could feel his gaze burning through my skull. "O magic mirror, thy wisdom I entreat... Reveal unto me the visage I seek.... Show me Twisted Wonderland." I demanded and waved my wand, shoving my magic into the mirror, causing it to ripple until I saw the image of Headmage Crowley.... "[YYYYYYYYY/NNNNNNNN]!!!!!"

 

'ACE?! DEUCE!? GRIM?! WHY THEM TOO?!?!?'

Chapter 14: [ 12 | Orientation]『🏫』

Notes:

Key's for the book:

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Insert - Narrative - And then she stared at her reflection in the mirror

[Insert] - Author speaking - [Eyyy there- wazzup readers]

"Insert" - Talking - "Hey there!" [But can also be air quotes]

'Insert' - Thinking - 'Dame he's cute...'

"Insert in italics" - Whispering - "I- I messed up..." [But can also be an emphasis on a word/phrase, or flashback]

(Insert) - Inner mind..? - (Deadass doesn't know how to explain it here)

*Insert in italics* - Action - *Sighs with their head down*

[INSERT IN BOLD] - Magic - [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!] or [IGGNAIM!]

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

[Book 0] The Academy of Ghouls

[Chapter 12] Ghouls School Orientation

⚠️I feel like I missed something... I don't remember what it is...⚠️

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

{Your POV}

~~~~~

 

I stammered over my words as Ace, Deuce, and Grim were all yelling at the mirror. "We've heard that you're not home!" "Prefect, are you doing okay?" "MYYYAAA! HENCHMAN DON'T DIE!" I took in a deep breath before I sighed and stepped to the side, showing Chancellor Cornelius. "[Y/n]? Who are these people?" The chancellor asked me while I saw Headmage Crowley push my friends out of the mirrors view so that he could see the chancellor. "HHHUUUHHHH?!? Who's that?!" The headmage asked eagerly. So I introduced them both. "Headmage Crowley. This is Chancellor Cornelius. Chancellor, this is Headmage Crowley he's from my previous world."

 

The Chancellor glanced hard at the Headmage and the Headmage glanced back. While they had their staring contest I looked over at my phone to see Ace and Deuce texting me. They were sending stuff like "Where have you been?! We told you to text us when you got there safe!" and "How is everything?" I responded to both, happy to talk with them. They told me how Riddle seemed more stoic again and I chuckled since Riddle and I would have tea almost every day at lunch.

 

They also said that Savanaclaw and Diasomnia were laying low in the shadows, Octavinelle receiving less business, Scarabia and Pomefiore acting distant with other students, and even RSA came to visit, bearing gifts for the dorm leaders. Of course, I felt bad so I send a message to each of them individually asking if they were doing well and that I was sorry I couldn't respond sooner because my phone battery died. Needless to say, the messages were immediate. Everyone was texting me back and it took a while to respond to everyone. Until I got a certain text.

 

"Hey look, the Headmage and that chancellor dude are done.🥺U gonna go now?" Deuce texted. I felt bad so I told the freshmen group chat that I would text them in half an hour. They said that they trusted me and to be back soon so I turned off my phone and was surprised to see the Headmage and the Chancellor talking as if they had been best friends for year. I was pretty confused too since they were giving a stare off a while ago.

 

"Prefect! We have come to an agreement!" Crowley stated. So I listened. "We will use this mirror to transport you between worlds weekly." Then the Chancellor picked off from the Headmage, "We'll allow you your freedom in your other world but instead of attending... Was is Night Ravens College, Headmage Crowley?" "That is correct, Chancellor Cornelius." The chancellor hummed and nodded before smiling at me. "Basically you can go back to your other world every Saturday or Sunday, Twisted Wonderland and instead of attending NRC, you will attend Darkwick. Having you in both worlds will not only increase the rate of coming up with your cure, but maybe you can also learn to control your new enhancing power"

 

The Headmage nodded through the mirror and I sighed deeply. "W-Well... I suppose if I can still help while having my freedom then... I guess?" I rubbed my arm unsurely. Both the Headmage and the Chancellor seemed very... bubbly after hearing my answer. They both exclaimed their glee and Headmage Crowley made Chancellor Cornelius promise to keep me safe... Well not really promised... more like threatened. I even saw Ace, Deuce, and Grim giving the Chancellor a glare.

 

'I'm so lucky to have friends like them' I smiled as I watched their overprotective glares. After a few more instructions, Crowley and my friends waved their goodbyes. I then closed the connection between mirror portals and I heard the Chancellor chuckle. "So... another world..." The chancellor said as he stared at his desk before breaking out into laughter. "Excellent, I'm so glad! Just what you'd expect of someone chosen by the Sage's Ring! Fate must really love you." I sweatdropped, remembering all the times I've thanked fate for helping me throughout Twisted Wonderland.

 

"Now then, Headmaster- Sorry- Headmage Crowley and I have come to the agreement that you'll become an inspector. That way you can help us with compiling mission reports." I straightened my posture. "An inspector? Are you sure I can do something like that?" "of course! Since the Mesmer Matches don't work on you, if anything you're the perfect candidate. Our students are quite creative with their interpretations of "reasonable use." Also, if you go on missions with the ghouls, it'll be easier for you to look for clues about your curse!"

 

I bit my lip. "You want me to go on missions with the ghouls?" The chancellor nodded. "The anomaly that cursed you is class B. Only ghouls can handle missions of that caliber. Besides, the quickest way to break your curse is to capture the anomaly that caused it." I groaned. "I'm not sure... Won't I just be in the way?" The chancellor chuckled. "Sir Crowley told me that you might say that! That's why we'll have you attend classes as a second year!" 'Just what did these two talk about while I was on my phone???' I thought in shock.

 

"You've bypassed the ordinary admissions procedures though, and you're from another world so you haven't taken the procedures for a supposed transfer, so we'll call you an honor student." I sighed. "I don't think I've really done anything to earn that title..." The chancellor then frowned. "But if we don't give you a name like that, the other students won't accept this arrangement. And if you're not a student, we can't give you housing either, which will make you travel through mirrors. If a student sees that then they'll surely ask about it. There's no other way."

 

I looked down. 'I wasn't even a proper student back in Twisted Wonderland. Now I'll have to be an Honor student..? This so all so sudden...' "You'll be an inspector though, so we need you to be impartial. I won't assign you to a house." I nodded. "As chancellor, I'll grant you a scholarship to cover your personal and educational expenses because I'm sure you don't have any yen on you?" The chancellor giggled while I sweatdropped at being called out for being poor.

 

The chancellor beamed at me as he reached across his desk to ring his bell. A cat meowed and the chancellor patted the cat happily. "Aren't you cute! We're going to do her admissions paperwork, so could you bring us the forms?" The cat meowed and scurried off. 'I'm supposed to go on mission with ghouls to look for anomalies. And I'm going to live here...' I thought and sighed. "This is practically Twisted Wonderland but more violent and deadly." I accidentally said aloud, which made the chancellor laugh. "So, [Y/n]. Does anyone else know about your... other world?"

 

I nodded. "Professor Nicolas knows because I accidentally fumbled with my information." The chancellor nodded in understanding and the cats came back with papers in their mouth. "Then I shall inform him to keep all of this a secret. Now then, please read these document and sign at the bottom. the entrance ceremony is about to begin, so the quicker, the better. The whole student body will attend the ceremony, so I'd like you to be there too, okay?" I nodded, taking the papers into my hands. Reading over every word over to see if there was a catch but nothing. So I took a nearby pen and signed my name. "I'll see you at orientation! You are dismissed, when you leave please tell Professor Hyde to come back in." I nodded and left, after informing Professor Hyde of going back in.

 

During my downtime I decided to prepare myself mentally, while also talking to my friends back in twisted Wonderland about everything that just happened. It was funny to watch their reactions.

 

『Timeskip - Orientation』

 

Unlike what I had experienced at Night Ravens, Darkwick's orientation looked more... I don't want to say high budget so I'll say that it looks more moody actually looks like an Academy. They had lots of chairs, a big stage, lighting that looked really good with the school interior. I was also given a robe a few minutes earlier. It was almost the same as my robe at Night Ravens. It was pretty comfortable. "It's kind of a downer, right? You should get a good seat. You'll get a great view of the stage from over there." I turned around to see Professor Hyde standing behind me.

 

"Right in the middle is a little too exposed for me... I'll just sit quietly over here." professor Hyde hummed. "You sure? It's a pretty interesting show." I shrugged and then I saw the chancellor waving at us. "Professor Hyde! There you are! Where's the kudan?!" "Oops, forgot about that. I've gotta get going. Have fun!" the professor waved and then disappeared behind the stage.

 

"[Y/N]!!" I heard a familiar voice behind me, and found myself turning around with a smile in spite of myself. "Thank god you're okay." I nodded. "Yup, thanks to you and Luca!" I noticed that Kaito and I were getting strange looks, and hastily lowered my voice. "Really, thank you so much for all your help." Everything had been so chaotic earlier that I'd left without saying goodbye, so I was glad for the reunion. "I'm the one who should be thanking you... But what are you still doing here?" I chuckled and rubbed the back of my neck.

 

"I'm actually going to be a student here now." Kaito's eyes went wide. "What..? S-seriously?" I nodded and Kaito raised both arms into the air. "That's awesome!! We're gonna be classmates!!" I awed and thanked him. "Oh, um, so... in that case, could I have your-" before Kaito finished his sentence, the chancellor spoke through his mic. "Congratulations to all our new students!" Suddenly, a single spotlight it up the stage. At the center of the circular light was the chancellor, beaming and waving at the audience.

 

"With no further ado, let's begin the Weighing of Souls for the special admissions students!" I hummed, thinking that the "Weighing of Souls" was probably similar to Orientation of the Dark Mirror, but just for the information I asked Kaito about it. "Oh, yeah. All the students here have to join a house, right? There's seven houses this year, and this ceremony is how they decide who goes where. The general students all do it during their orientation. But where the new ghouls go affects the power balance of the houses. It's kind of a big deal, so they usually do it at the entrance ceremony."

 

I smiled, not really knowing weather to feel awestruck or intimidated. "Ghouls really are important here, aren't they?" Kaito looked at me and I saw him smiling. "Y-You think? I mean, yeah! We're pretty rare, after all." I then remembered that Kaito was a ghoul as well. "Could all the new ghouls please come up to the stage?" Hushed whispers broke out around the auditorium at the chancellor's words. "Looks like there's four this year." Kaito whispered to me. Then I saw four first years walk up to the stage.

 

Hundreds of pains of eyes gather on the four students lined up in front of the stage, myself included. I was shocked. 'They're first years? THEY'RE SO TALL!.......... Just like Jack and Sebek...' I sweatdropped and pouted before looking at Kaito and noticed that he's practically around the same height as Ace... and Kaito's a second year. 'Maybe Twisted Wonderland height standards are too high.' But when I remembered how tall Epel and Riddle are, I backtracked and thought that it was impractical and that they were just tall.

 

The first one spoke, "*Ahem* My name is Ritsu Shinjo. I will be joining Darkwick Academy's special admissions program." The chancellor asked everyone to give him a round of applause so we did. The chancellor then told Ritsu to take the hand of the mannequin and envision his ambitions for his time here. Ritsu, with a proud posture placed his hand in that of the mannequin on the stage, and closed his eyes. Suddenly, the gaps in his robe glowed with multicoloured light, and the fabric fluttered gently around his legs.

 

The light quickly dissipated. He removed the robe and he had a red coat on, making him look like a lawyer and reminding me of Romeo. "Congratulations! You'll be in the Sinostra House!" A stir swept through the audience. 'The Weighing of Souls is much more flashy than the Dark Mirror.' I thought as I heard Ritsu ask aloud, "I'm not in Frostheim...? Has there been a mistake?" The chancellor told him that it wasn't a mistake and that there must have been a reason. "That poor first-year." Kaito whispered to me. "Imagine being in the same house as Romeo." I just hummed along. 'So red is Sinostra and blue is Frostheim. I wonder what other dorms there are.'

 

"Is Sinostra bad?" I whispered back. Kaito sighed. "Well- Romeo is the vice-captain and he's always squabbling with the captain. Sinostra runs a casino in their house, so it's probably over money." I turned to Kaito in disbelief. "They run a casino?!" Kaito nodded. "Yep. A lot of the houses have some kind of side hustle. Even the general admissions students in Sinostra are a shady crowd. The whole house has a bad rep. Especially the captain, Taiga Hoshibami. Don't go anywhere near him, got it?!" I bit my lip not wanting to tell him that I've already met Taiga.

 

"Doesn't look like either of them is here tonight. *Pfft* Judging by the state of the chancellor, I bet Sinostra's gonna get punished." I didn't respond because the chancellor spoke again, asking for the next student to come up. The student looked pretty cute, and he walked without taking his eyes off his phone, kind of like Cay Cay. I smiled. "Leo here. You can clap now-" "Just a moment! You have to introduce yourself properly first!" The dark gray haired boy groaned and rolled his eyes. "I'm Leo Kurosagi, and my ambition is world peace. You can clap now." Since no one else moved I decided to clap for him. Making Kaito sweatdrop at my actions and whispered at me to keep it down. "Wait, wait! That was too abrupt!" The chancellor stammered and tried to stop Leo but he already placed his hand on the manniquin's.

 

His clothes then changed to something more stylish in a bad boy style with his coat having yellow strips on his sleeves. "*Grrr*!! Congratulations! You're in the Vagastrom House!" The chancellor pouted. Leo just stared emotionlessly at the chancellor. "You're so loud..." Leo started to walk back but not before we made eye contact. I blinked twice and tilted my head but Leo just gave me a smirk and looked away. 'It was because I clapped wasn't it...?' I worried. "One for Vagastrom... The dissidents will be happy." Kaito whispered to me. Again, I asked about it, Kaito told me that Vagastrom was a delinquent stomping ground... and that I should stay away.

 

'Yellow is called Vagastrom. That's a pretty cool name. Also, delinquent stomping gronund sound awesome!' I thought and awed at my imagination. After all, Deuce used to be a delinquent and he was super fun once I got to know him. "Don't look so awestruck." Kaito whisper-yelled to me. "I heard their captain was arrested for theft or murder or something before he came to Darkwick." I bit my lip. "H-Hopefully just theft...That's pretty serious." Kaito nodded. "Right? And the Vagastrom hoodlems are always joyriding around campus on bikes with the mufflers removed..." I groaned. "I-I get the picture..." I looked away uncomfortably since I just remembered that not everyone can be nice.

 

The chancellor called up the next person. A dispirited-looking student stopped just outside the spotlight and heaved an exaggerated sigh. "Ren Shiranami..." "Mr. Shiranami! Please stand in the middle, and speak up!" "That's harassment, you know. You can't lecture me in front of an audience. What decade is this?' The chancellor gave a heavy goan. "A-A round of applause, everyone!" I clapped fast. 'Cute! He reminds me of Idia!' I giggled and took out my phone to check the time. After putting my phone back, Ren took the mannequin's hand and was suddenly dressed in a green jumpsuit.

 

"Congratulations! You'll be in the Jabberwock House!" The chancellor congratulated. however, Red didn't seem happy at all. "What the-" Kaito sucked in a breath through his teeth. "Oof- Jabberwock really pulled the house uniform short straw... I forgot how tragic theirs is..." I just smiled. "I think it's kind of cute. It kind of looks like something you would use to care care of animals with." I awed, making Kaito blinked twice and stared at Ren before smiling at me. "I guess it is pretty cute... And you're actually right. Jabberwock's in charge of looking after all the anomalous animals in Darkwick's custody. I heard they started a safari park there recently." I awed more, thinking about how the pets at Twisted Wonderland were... bland... (Sorry Lucius )

 

I just wondered in awe what kind anomalous animals could be there but Kaito pat my shoulder. "Apparently they're super persistent with hawking it though, so the staff are getting a lot of complaints." I let out a sad "oh". "Do they have trouble getting visitors?" Kaito shrugged. "Probably. The academy stopped general admissions for Jabberwock recently, so all the students are ghouls. They probably don't have anyone with common sense or business skills to call out their wacky ideas." I hummed, remembering how Azul would always sell food or drinks or other stuff when it came to big events where lots of people outside of NRC would be. 'I kind of want to ask Azul to help Jabberwock...' but then I stopped that thought as I remembered that Azul would probably ask me to sign a contract and ask for something big in exchange...

 

"All right, last but not least! Come on up!" The last ghoul was wearing a hairband and had piercing blue eyes. 'He reminds me of Silver...' He strutted to the center of the stage, scratching his neck, and looked irritably out at the audience. "Sho Haizono. Sup." "Mr. Kaizono! Please say your full name!" The chancellor demanded, causing Sho to glare at him. The chancellor gave a scared look and told us al to give him a round of applause. We all did so and Sho walked to the maniquin. "So I just have to fill my heart with wondrous ambition and give this thing a squeeze?" the chancellor nodded adn Sho's clothes turned into one that you would see a motorcyclist wear. 'He looks so cool!' I thought as I stared at the yellow on his jacket. 'Two for Vagastrom..."

 

"Wow, congratulations! That's two for Vagastrom this year!" the chancellor awed. The audience was clapping so I didn't hear it but Leo started talking to Sho about something. 'I guess they're friends' I hummed while Ren looked depressed, Ritsu on the other hand was just staring into the crowd, thinking.

 

With that, the Weighing of Souls for the new ghouls was complete.

Chapter 15: [ 13 | Student]『🎓』

Notes:

Key's for the book:

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Insert - Narrative - And then she stared at her reflection in the mirror

[Insert] - Author speaking - [Eyyy there- wazzup readers]

"Insert" - Talking - "Hey there!" [But can also be air quotes]

'Insert' - Thinking - 'Dame he's cute...'

"Insert in italics" - Whispering - "I- I messed up..." [But can also be an emphasis on a word/phrase, or flashback]

(Insert) - Inner mind..? - (Deadass doesn't know how to explain it here)

*Insert in italics* - Action - *Sighs with their head down*

[INSERT IN BOLD] - Magic - [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!] or [IGGNAIM!]

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

[Book 0] The Academy of Ghouls

[Chapter 13] The Honor Student: [Y/n] [L/n]

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

{Your POV}

~~~~~

 

"Two new ghouls for Vagastrom this year... That'll affect the power balance." Kaito sighed, crossing his arms. "Is the number of ghouls in each house that important..?" I asked, tilting my head. Kaito nodded. "It's more the strength than the number. Someone like me doesn't really count." I pout, telling him that I was sure that it wasn't true, making Kaito chuckle. "It's fine! I know I'm weak, even though I'm a ghoul. I wonder how everyone'll react to the Weighing? Gotta check the comments on WickHive on the way home." I hummed, thinking about all the apps I should download here to keep up on stuff. Like how I got Magicam from Twisted Wonderland.

 

"Quiet please, everyone! The Weighing isn't over yet." the chancellor called out to everyone. "This year we have two new second-year ghoul students joining us." I flinched and tensed up, knowing that the two students would be me and Luca. "Oh. Forgot about him" Kaito sweatdropped as he looked back at the stage. "Hehe~ Who? The chancellor or Luca?" Kaito chuckled nervously. "Both..."

 

I laughed and then quickly quieted down as I saw Luca appear on stage. "My name is Lucas Errant. I'm a transfer student from Emrys Academy in the UK. I'll be joining the second year. I look forward to studying with you." Judging by the commotion that broke out in the auditorium, I guessed that ghoul transfer students were rare. "A round of applause, everyone!" The chancellor exclaimed, so Kaito and I clapped loudly. "If you could concentrate on your ambition for you time here and take the mannequin's hand, Mr. Errant." "Yes sir."

 

Luca did as told and a multitude of colors flashed beneath Luca's robe. Until he was dressed in black and blue, like a royal knight. My eyes went wide, he looked like he could be a knight captain of a royal guard! "Wow, congratulations! You'll be in Frostheim!" "What?! Frostheim?!! With me?!" Kaito exclaimed, leaning back into his seat. "You'll be in the same house? How lucky..." I smiled happily since it really reminded me of Deuce and Ace since they're both in the same dorm and Ace was also shocked about the revelation.

 

"Huh? S-Sure, lucky... Haha..." Kaito trailed off. "So what's Frostheim like?" I asked since I was curious. "Hmm... the captain is the president's son, so people say we have the most sway of any of the houses." I blinked twice. "The president..?" Kaito nodded. "President of the Japan branch of the Institute. He's directly in charge of the Academy." My jaw dropped. 'S-So almost similar to Leona and how he's a prince of the Sunset Savana?... And how he donates a lot to NRC? Wow...'

 

"And branches... Are there a lot of them? I remember that Luca said that there was a United Kingdom one." "Yes, all around the world. The UK branch is in fact, one of them" I flinched and turned around, suddenly seeing Luca behind me. "Luca!" I smiled in awe at his uniform up close. "You! Quite stealing my thunder!" Kaito frowned. "Kaito, the chancellor, told me we'll be in the same house. I look forward to studying with you." Kaito sighed at Luca's positive attitude. "Since you're in Frostheim, you must be from a family of fat cats, right?"

 

"Fat cats..? My father does work out a lot, but if anything, he's on the thin side." I awed at Luca's interpretation of the meaning. "Luca, what Kaito is asking is if your family's-" I yelped as Kaito crossed across me and poked Luca, suddenly exclaimed, "THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEAN! Frostheim is full of rich assholes! They spend all day bragging about their parent's jobs and all night at fancy parties in the ballroom. I say party, but I bet they just stand around gloating about all the cruise ships and designer clothes they own." Kaito then sat back in his seat. "Sorry about that [Y/n]." I chuckled. "Oh it's fine. I'm just... shocked." 'It kind of sounds like Pomefiore...' I sweatdropped as I thought back to Pomefiore's lobby. "I see..."

 

Luca started, "It is true my family is wealthier than most." "*ARGH!!!* I knew it!!" Kaito groaned and gripped his hair in annoyance. "But you're in Frostheim too, aren't you?" I giggled at that but didn't say anything. "Let me stop you right there. I'm just one of the unwashed masses, got it? What I'm doing brushing elbows with the upper class is just as much a mystery to me! I don't understand their world at all... It's so awkward, and there's nothing for someone like me to do there..." "That's no problem. It's a given that everyone starts off with different values." Luca explained and I nodded along.

 

"I'm really looking forward to my new life here with you, Kaito." I awe even more. 'Luca is so sweet! He's such a good friend.' "C-Cut it out! I don't want to hear that line from a guy." I hummed and then pat Kaito's shoulder. "Well I'm really looking forward to my new life here with you too, Kaito!" Kaito gasped loudly and pulled his hood over his head. I gave Luca a confused look but Luca shrugged as well. "By the way, Kaito- How is your health? You must still be tired from earlier." I sweatdropped. "Oh yes, Kaito before you said that you had poor health."

 

"Huh? I'm fi- Ah!! Um! I'm all right for now!" I bit my lip and Luca asked him if he was sure. Also that he shouldn't push himself. "Crap... We're in the same house... I better come up with a miracle cure story ASAP..." I hummed as I heard Kaito mumble something under his breath. "Sorry? What was that, Kaito?" N-NOTHING OF IMPORTANCE!"

 

I just nodded along and then when I looked back at the stage I saw the chancellor and Professor Nicolas talking with panicked looks. "The professors seem flustered. Has there been a problem?" Luca asked us. "Oh, yeah. Let's just hope there's not already a fight over the new ghouls assignments..." I crossed my legs and held my hand to my chin. "There's seven houses, right? Does that mean some won't have new students this year?" Kaito nodded. "Yep! No firsties for Hotarubi or Mortkranken this year. There's a few ghouls in every house, but the Weighing doesn't always spread them evenly."

 

"Ohhh... So that's what you meant about the power balance changing..." I said, snapping my fingers when I figured it out. "If the other houses are struggling, we should offer our help. What are the Hotarubi students like?" Luca asked. "Artsy. A lot of them work in creative fields." I wowed as I thought back to Haku. 'Thinking back, he does seem like someone who would appreciate the arts.' "The professors are always harping on about Hotarubi being full of model students. Gifted, talented, perfect little angels... They're gotta be hiding something, right?!"

 

I sweatdropped, thinking that this was almost the same mindset that Ace had about Pomefiore. "Envy festers unless you turn it into motivation for your own improvement, Kaito." "I-I never said I was jealous..." Kaito looked away and coughed. 'Yup. Just like Ace and Deuce.' "I've met the Mortkranken students already They handled my health check when I first arrived." "Yeah, they're always in charge of stuff like that. They major in specialist medical fields like anomalous medicine. They're your first stop if you get sick or hurt." I nodded, shocked but not surprised that the students are treating other students.

 

"Since our bodies aren't the same as regular humans. Mainstream medicine doesn't work for us." I hummed, taking note of that. "I get so nervous whenever I have to go there though, the ward is like a horror movie..." "They perform experiments of some sort, don't they? I saw an anomaly preserved in a strange liquid there." Luca informed us, which made me a bit uncomfortable. "Barf... There's definitely something up with their captain. Just don't get injured, okay?" I told him that I'd do my best.

 

"Sinostra, Vagastrom. Hotarubi, Jabberwock, Mortkranken... and our house, Frostheim." Luca restated. "How'd you remember them all so quick?!" Kaito asked. "I have an ear for languages. I've received special training for it since I was a child." Luca explained. "That's only six houses, though. What's the name of the seventh?"

 

"It's the newest one of the current lineup. There's no general students, and even most ghoul students can't join it. Let's just say it's special. You can't be assigned there via the Weighing of Souls." I awe. "That's very mysteriously cool." Kaito shrugged. "Yeah, they are but we don't know much about them either, but rumor has it their captain was the one who-" "Quiet, please!" The chancellor interrupted as the hush fell over the auditorium.

 

"Very sorry for the delay! We're ready now, so the ceremony will recommence!" Then Professor Hyde walked on stage, along with a man in a wheelchair. "Ahaha! My bad. I messed up the program." "Stop prattling. Just put the memory pot out." "*Puff* All right, no need to get so grumpy." Then the chancellor walked in front of them. "All right. What we discuss next will be crucial to your success here at Darkwick. As returning students will know well... We here at Darkwick are the custodians of a certain prophecy. Professor Hyde, please roll the memory pot" "You got it" A sturdy glass pot was placed on a table on the stage. All of a sudden a giant smokey beast that looked like a sheep was projected.

 

"The whisper of the new moon shall lead the champion to the academy on the solitary isle. So long as the champion resides there, the world shall be sheltered from profound tragedy..."

 

The chancellor slammed his hands on the podium. "The prophecy of the Kudan is a bastion of hope that has been entrusted to us! The whisper of the new moon refers to the tidings that alert us to the birth of a new ghoul. The academy on the solitary isle is, of course, Darkwick Academy. The ghouls who have been father here by the new moon's whisper... SHALL SAVE THE WORLD FROM PROFOUND TRAGEDY! THEY ARE OUR CHAMPIONS!" I gasped in awe as the chancellor motioned to the painting on the walls behind him.

 

"Seriously...? What kind of trash game plot device is this..?" Ren groaned, leaning back into his seat

 

"I see. A prophecy is not admissible as evidence, though. the academy will need to provide more proof." Ritsu analyzed, holding his chin

 

"I'll now address our new ghoul students specifically. As champions, during your time here you will receive special education and training." The chancellor informed the four freshmen ghouls

 

"*Ugh* Fuck that noise" Leo groaned.

 

"What're you gonna do once you save the world, Leo? Make hell on Earth?" Sho suggested

 

"And our general admissions students. you are tasked with supporting them in this role. As future leaders of the Institute, I expect great things from you." After the chancellor finished that, Professor Nicolas approached Me, Kaito and Luca. "[Y/n]. A moment, please?" I nodded, excusing myself as I stood up and walked past Luca and followed Professor Nicolas. "I'm assuming that it's my turn..?" I bit my lip, nervous. "That's right. We're going to introduce you to the other students." I sighed and said a hasty goodbye to Kaito and Luca.

 

"We have one more new friend joining us today!" The chancellor smiled and I could tell he was hyping me up. "This is [Y/n]. She'll be transferring in as a second year honor student! A round of applause!" I slowly walked onto the stage beside the chancellor and I saw Kaito and Luca clapping enthusiastically for me so I smiled at their support.

 

"Good evening everyone. My name is [Y/n] [L/n]. *Places one hand on chest and uses the other to curtsy*. I do hope that we can all get along" I gave a closed eye smile as I finished but internally I panicked. 'I hope all those lessons from Crewel, Pomefiore, Diasomnia, and RSA will help with my social etiquette.' I thought and stood straight, giving a closed eye smile and I crossed my arms behind my back. "[Y/n] may become a powerful ally for you in your activities. Why, you ask? She posses a special gift! The power to enhance your stigmas just by touching you!"

 

I kept smiling but internally I was cringing. 'CHANCELLOR NO! WHY WOULD YOU TELL EVERYONE?!?!' I thought. When I opened my eyes, everyone was whispering to each other and I saw Luca and Kaito specifically staring with wide eyes. "Your surprise is to be expected. This is the first time in the Institute's history such a gift has been discovered. We have something in mind to order to ensure her precious git is utilized. She will be joining the ghoul students on missions as an inspector! Gasp!" He said the word gasp instead of gasping...?

 

"Inspector? Hah. You're so far out of your league, you aren't even playing the same sport." I kept my smile even thought I wanted to say something. "The Mesmer Matches that you carry for missions don't work on her. The details of the missions she inspects will be recorded with absolute accuracy. That means you can tidy up the little ambiguities that have persisted in your reports up until now!" I inhaled and exhaled through my nostrils so that I could keep the smile on my face. 'I just know that with the explanation that people will get annoyed with me...'

 

"What? they already figured out how to counter the matches?" I heard Sho ask quite loudly. "You're making someone spy on us? This is the worst..." Ren complained, sinking into his chair more. 'They really aren't happy to meet me!' I cried in my head. "Professor Hyde, could you please explain why-" I interrupted the chancellor because I know that he was going to call Professor Hyde to explain why the match's don't work on me.

 

"I do apologize if I may be noisy but truth be told..." I sighed and frowned, getting ready to put on a performance that Vil and Neige would be proud of. "I've been cursed... I'm hoping that helping out on missions with the other ghouls would help because-" I purposely cut myself off and looked down, making sure that my bangs covered my eyes. "B-because if my curse isn't broken, I'll die in a years time." I heard gasps around the auditorium and I saw the chancellor hold his hand out, about to pat my shoulder so I looked up and wiped my eyes, even thought I wasn't crying. "The matches don't work on me because said curse is cancelling out the effects and I intend to serch for the cure while joining on missions."

 

I placed my hand on my chest and gave a determined look while I bit my lip in nervousness. "I know that many of you may not accept me but I truly do hope that can get along and work together, not only to break my curse, but to prevent countless more. I promise that if we can all work together to defeat countless anomalies, we can guarantee a brighter future, not just for those at Darkwick, but our families waiting at home for the next time we see them." I then bowed slightly. "I'm sorry for taking up your time just so you could hear my rambling. However, thank you to those who have waited and listened patiently."

 

I then slowly stood up straight. 'AAHHH!! THAT WAS SCARY!' I internally thought before I heard a familiar sound of two hand against each other. I looked up, in confusion and then I saw Luca smiling, clapping slowly before Kaito joined in, clapping quickly and shouting "BRAVO!" at me. Then slowly but surely, the other students started clapping as well, saying how they were going to do their hardest to prevent curses like mine from spreading. I heard the chancellor gasp in awe. "The students... have never been fired up like this at orientation before..." I just smiled and then gave a thumbs up to Luca and Kaito. The both of them smiled and stood up in their seats. Soon, everyone in the auditorium stood up, clapping for my speech.

 

But what caught my eye was the four first years. Ritsu had a smirk on his face, but I could tell that it was the kind of glint when someone caught an opportunity for something like Azul. Sho and Ren had blank faces but I could tell they were just going along with everyone else. As for Leo... He was giving me a huge smile... but that smile reminded me of the one Leona would give before he would do somehting scary. However, Leo's smile had a bit of genuine surprise in it. Which confused me.

 

At this point I was weary of practically every ghoul except Kaito and Luca...

Chapter 16: [ 14 | Operation]『📜』

Notes:

Key's for the book:

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Insert - Narrative - And then she stared at her reflection in the mirror

[Insert] - Author speaking - [Eyyy there- wazzup readers]

"Insert" - Talking - "Hey there!" [But can also be air quotes]

'Insert' - Thinking - 'Dame he's cute...'

"Insert in italics" - Whispering - "I- I messed up..." [But can also be an emphasis on a word/phrase, or flashback]

(Insert) - Inner mind..? - (Deadass doesn't know how to explain it here)

*Insert in italics* - Action - *Sighs with their head down*

[INSERT IN BOLD] - Magic - [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!] or [IGGNAIM!]

Sorry for the last chapter! I honestly forgot that I have a book on here :(

On my wattpad I've already posted Chapter 30

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

[Book 0] The Academy of Ghouls

[Chapter 14] Operation Make Friends!

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

{Your POV}

~~~~~

 

"Frostheim students Kaito Fuji and Lucas Errant, remain in the auditorium." A speaker called out. The students all left, all in positive moods. Before some left, they even talking to me, wishing me luck in breaking my curse. I of curse, thanked them and told them how I was pleased to be working with them. Finally, all the students left. A wave of dizzying exhaustion had overcome me, and I was sitting in a chair offstage waiting for it to pass. "You're looking better than before. Don't wait to tell me next time if you're feeling unwell." Professor Nicolas said, crossing his arms as he smiled at me.

 

I just rubbed the back of my head and nodded. "It was nerve-racking being introduced like that, right? Honestly, it's been awhile since I've seen the students that hyped up about a new student." I just chuckled and then I saw Kaito run up to me. "[Y/n]! Hey!" "[Y/n] that was a terrific speech" "Hehe... Thanks Kaito, Luca." I said and stood up. "By the way [Y/n]... We've prepared a dormitory for you. I'm sure the chancellor will explain further." Professor Nicolas mentioned. I nodded. "Okay, I'll talk to him." Professor Nicolas then walked off, waving goodbye at the three of us.

 

"Oh, you're all together. Excellent. Thank you for taking part in the ceremony!" The chancellor exclaimed, walking up to us with a bright smile on his face. "Chancellor. A man I've not met asked us to stay behind..?" Luca asked. That's when the man in the wheelchair approached us. "I'm the one who asked you to stay" The three of us turned to him and the chancellor stood beside him. "This is Professor Dante. Starting this year, he's the Frostheim House advisor." I nodded. 'So he was a professor' I thought.

 

"Let's not waste time. Fuji, I'm assigning you to look after Errant from tomorrow." The professor instructed Kaito. "Huh? Hold on... You mean I have to hang around with guy all day?!" The professor nodded. "You're in the same house. You would have done so anyway." "B-But... All The girls will go for Luca instead of me! I don't want to spend my prime years as his wingman! No way, I'm not doing it!" I stifled a laugh. I was about to suggest that I could do it but Luca beat me to it. "Professor, Kaito is frail due to his poor health. You shouldn't ask so much from him." "A-Ah!"

 

"Frail? I just read your health check, Fuji. Didn't you get straight As?" The professor asked, raising a brow. "Straight As? Don't you have only six months left to live?" Luca asked, and I gave a confused look. "Err... Yeah, about that..." Kaito sweatdropped. "That's not true" The Professor interrupted so me and Luca gasped in shocked at the revelation."[Y-Y/n]! You have to believe me, I didn't have a choice!" Kaito ran to my side. "Luca!! Didn't I tell you not to say anything?! This is all 'cause you barged in to third-wheel our date..." I blushed and Luca sighed. "Huh? What are you doing? Where's your soapbox?"

 

But then Luca gave a look of pure disdain at Kaito. "Stop! Say something! Quite looking at me like I'm a wad of gum that got stuck to your shoe!" "[Y/n], you'll be joining them in the same class. Your guide is right here. You can stick with Fuji and Errant for the time being." I got excited and nodded. "Okay!" The Professor fixed his glasses. "You're not ready for a mission yet. Just focus on learning how things work here first. I don't want to deal with you causing more problems with your staggering ignorance" I flinched and then nodded again.

 

"It's crucial you break the ice with the ghouls too, so your missions with them can proceed smoothly." The chancellor explained and I was reminded of the jobs that Crowley made me do, which was just about how I needed to get to know the RSA students to "spy" on them...

 

"I've got to show you where you'll be living and give you the things you'll need." Please come to the chancellor's office later. I'll give you a new phone, too!" I hummed in confusion, "A new phone..? I already have one tho-" "Ah, oh course! There should be an app on your new phone called WickChat. We use it to send official messages to Darkwick affiliates. Students also use it to communicate with each other. If you want your time here to go smoothly, be proactive in exchanging contact details with the ghouls." I blinked twice. "Ah..." I nodded.

 

Professor Dante and the chancellor were gone before I could finish asking my question. "Wait. Does this mean I have to go on missions now too..? I...I...I..." Kaito stammered and I asked if everything was okay. But then, "I HATE THIS PLACE!! I didn't ask to be a ghoul!! The general students all avoid me! There's nowhere else I can go to meet girls. there's no perks at all, so why do I have to risk my life on missions, huh?! Isn't that messed up?!" I chuckled nervously. "Kaito... Calm down..." But Kaito wailed. "I can't take this anymore... I want to go back to being an ordinary human..."

 

"All right." Luca stated, causing me and Kaito to look at him, confused on what he meant. "I swear to you that I'll turn you back into a human. So please, stop crying." Luca produced a small red packet from his pocket and handed it to Kaito. "What's this..? Shortbread? How are you gonna turn me back into a human..?" Kaito sniffled. Kaito then took the packet and looked up at Luca with pleading eyes. "This is an ordeal that has been imposed upon us. Kaito. I am sure that you can overcome it." Kaito just rubbed the back of his neck. "Gonna be honest, I've got no idea what you're talking about..."

 

"That's fine, for now." Luca smiled. A few seconds later, Kaito nodded, telling Luca that he was a good guy and I agreed. "Eventually you'll understand the reason for this suffering. Until then, I'll do all I my power to protect you both." I squealed and smiled. "Luca..." I awed. Kaito in return, gave Luca a massive pout.

 

By the time we left the auditorium, a veil of silence had fallen over the campus. The still night stretched out under the starless sky of Tokyo, interrupted only by the chirping of insects. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow, then." Kaito smiled and waved at me. "Yeah, see you tomorrow." "This is the beginning of a new chapter of our lives. I'll work hard to adjust to it as quickly as possible" Luca promised. "[Y/n], you're really unlucky too, aren't you? Being cursed to die in a year... I wonder which one of us will go to the grave first? It's kind of romantic... We're like Jack and Rose" Kaito sympathized.

 

"Please don't say something so ominous." I sweatdropped. "Was it a demon that cursed you?" Luca asked me. When I looked over at him, it was as though the moonlight had disappeared from his eyes. A shiver ran up my spin. I'd seen that expression on his face before. "She's not a ghoul, so probably not, right?" Kaito mentioned. Luca just nodded slowly. "Right... Regardless, like us, you've been given a chance." I tilted my head. "A chance..?" Luca nodded. "Yes. A chance to save the world."

 

Kaito groaned. "Do you seriously believe that sketchy prophecy thing?" "Believe? It's not a matter of believing. Kaito, what the kudan said is fact." Luca replied. Kaito just rolled his eyes. "Of course, yup, sorry I asked! Guess you're still in the phase where you think stuff like that is cool, my bad!" Luca and Kaito talked and I thought, 'So ghouls are champions who are supposed to save the world? Honestly I think that's true...' "It sounded true. Why would the kudan and the chancellor lie about something like that anyways? I'm sure you've encountered an anomaly before so why overthink?" I questioned.

 

"A-Aha ha... *Sweatdrops* Yeah you're right! I'm sure you're right about the prophecy, [Y/n]. The first time I saw it at the entrance ceremony last year, I had the exact same thought!" Kaito smiled. In the corner of my eyes, I saw Luca scratching his cheek and giving Kaito a dead eye stare.

In the corner of my eyes, I saw Luca scratching his cheek and giving Kaito a dead eye stare
[Just a lil sketchy]

 

"A-anyway, there's a lot of messed up stuff about Darkwick, but there's some good stuff too! Like... The food in the cafeteria's really good! I'll treat you guys, so how about tomorrow we-" "Ah, that reminds me. Kaito, about the money I gave Romeo earlier-" Because Luca can finish, Kaito jumped and ran. "Ah! I just remembered something super important I have to do! Oops, gotta run, bye!"

 

My jaw dropped as Kaito took off across the courtyard like a startled rabbit. "I was trying to tell him he needn't return it, but he's gone" Luca admitted. "Should we get going too?" I shrugged. Luca nodded and bid me good night. I sad good night back and then made my way to the chancellor's office. Left alone in the courtyard, I looked up at the grand building that towered above me and let out a sigh.

 

'If this is like all those Overblots... then I have my work cut out for me.' I stretched my arms and went to the chancellor's office to supposedly pick up my new phone. "I could just ask Idia and Ortho to just fix it so that I can use it in both worlds..."

 

{Kaito's POV}

~~~~~

 

I panted and took in deep breaths as I saw Frostheim in the distance when I suddenly remembered. "Crap! I missed my chance to get [Y/n]'s number!" I gripped my hair in frustratioin and sighed. "I didn't get a single message from anyone today... Guess I'll check WickHive on my way back to Frostheim."

 

"Huh..? What's this thread..?" I questioned as I looked at my phone.

 

{Your POV}

~~~~~

 

"So this is strictly for Darkwick?" I asked, the chancellor nodded. "That's correct. We've added a special little doohicky in it so that none of our research gets leaked to the public." I nodded. "So, [Y/n]. Are you going to go back to Twisted Wonderland tonight?" I nodded. "Yeah. I also want to figure out if time is different so that I can schedule my work accordingly." The chancellor smiled happily and nodded. "Okay. Just made sure you set up your alarm" I nodded and left, going to the place where the chancellor said that I'll be living from now on.

 

"......It's cleaner than Ramschakle..." I rubbed the back of my neck and started to fix up the room in a way that I would like it. "It has a beautiful view" I awe as I sat on my new bed. "Comfy~!" I smiled and laid down and took out my new phone, setting an alarm. After that I downloaded all the apps that I needed for DarkWick. I also downloaded one that looked almost similar to Magicam. It said 'Tik Tok' on it so I signed up. For a while I started scrolling until I came across a user that caught my eye.

 

"Is that... Leo Kurosagi..? The First year?" I wowed as I saw that he had over 600K folloers. "That's pretty impressive." *Chuckle* Not as much as Epel but it's cool" I decided to follow him and I sent a dm.

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Leo Kurosagi

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

[You]

Hey Leo! You probably don't remember me- This is [Y/n] from orientation at DarkWick. Just texted to say how I hope you have a good first year at DarkWick!

👍( ^ ▿ ^ 👍)

 

[Leo]

¯\_(︡O ﹏o︠)_/¯

Girl- Why you dm me so late???

 

[You]

Oh- Sorry, just excited for tomorrow- Have a good night!

(ノ >︣ ▿ <︣ )ノ

 

[Leo]

(🔥︣ ︵ 🔥᷅)┌∩┐

[Leo Kurosagi has deleted a message]

 

( ▀̿ ̿ . ▀̿ ̿  )💨

Goodnight

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

I smiled as I finished reading the text. "He seems pretty okay." I shrugged and got up from my bed to set up the large, full body mirror. After that, I grabbed the phone hat Idia gave me as a gift and called him.

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Idia Shroud

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

[Ortho]

Onee-Chan~!! Good evening!

 

[You]

Ortho? Where's your brother?

 

[Ortho]

Ehe~ Big brother is doing his daily quests. He's focused so I dont wanna bother him right now

 

[You]

Ahhh- Okay. Ortho, what time is it right now for you?

 

[Ortho]

Umm... 9:14 pm... Why?

 

[You]

Oh. Just noting something down. Could you inform Idia that I'll be coming by via the Dark Mirror?

 

[Ortho]

Okay! I'll see you soon. Come safely okay?

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

I giggled and said that I would before I hung up. "9:14 pm... It's the same time here." I sighed in relief and I activated my magic to go through the mirror. Of course, as I walked through the halls, the ghosts and teachers were surprised to see me. I informed them of my situation and they all gave me their condolences.

 

After, I went to Ignihyde to see Ortho there, waiting for me. "Onee-chan!" He exclaimed and hugged me. I pat his head and giggled. "Hello there Ortho." We started to walk to Idia's room. "So, why are you back? I thought you found your home..." I sighed and while we continued to walk, I explained my situation.

 

"I... I see..." I hummed and then we made it to Idia's room. We walked in and we saw Idia still playing games. I pouted and placed my hands on my hips. "Didn't I tell him to go to bed earlier?" Ortho hummed. "Yes, he was about to sleep an hour ago. But a limited event just opened..." I sighed and then walked over to Idia and placed my hands on his shoulders. "AI!" He screamed and jumped.

 

Then the whole thing repeated, He asked what I was doing here, I explained my situation. After, I told Idia that I wanted him to modify my phone and sort of combine the phone he gave me with the phone that the chancellor gave me. Idia took the phone from my hands and examined it before he scoffed and rolled his eyes. "This is child's play. Even Ortho can do it." Ortho stood beside me and nodded happily. " Just leave it to us! We'll get it done in less than a minute." Ortho and Idia started working on my phones. And they really did finish it in less than a minute.

 

They gave me back a new shiny phone. It had all my Twisted Wonderland apps (Even my followers? Wow!) but it also had all my DarkWick apps (My messages too! Yay!). "I also added an app so that you can talk to me via hologram so you don't get bored~" Ortho informed me and I awed and pat his head again. "You're so sweet Ortho! Thank you." "A-And me?" Idia gave me puppy dog eyes and I awed more, patting his head too. "You two are so smart~!" I giggled and stopped patting their heads.

 

"Anyways- I have a busy day tomorrow so unfortunately I have to get going." They both groaned. "You can't stay for the night?" Ortho asked. "Aww.. I'm sorry Ortho. But if I do then I might get up late. You remember last time when Idia practically use me as a body pillow and I missed class right?" Idia groaned at my confession and Ortho just laughed. "Yes, I remember. At least let me accompany you to the Mirror portal. I accepted and so we walked

 

"I'll talk to you soon okay?" I pat Ortho's head one last time and then walked through the mirror. Appearing in my DarkWick room. I sighed, and left my phone on my bedside table after setting a new alarm, then I changed into some Pjs that the chancellor provided for me and I fell asleep.

Chapter 17: ↓💙𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞: 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐦🧊↓

Notes:

Key's for the book:

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Insert - Narrative - And then she stared at her reflection in the mirror

[Insert] - Author speaking - [Eyyy there- wazzup readers]

"Insert" - Talking - "Hey there!" [But can also be air quotes]

'Insert' - Thinking - 'Dame he's cute...'

"Insert in italics" - Whispering - "I- I messed up..." [But can also be an emphasis on a word/phrase, or flashback]

(Insert) - Inner mind..? - (Deadass doesn't know how to explain it here)

*Insert in italics* - Action - *Sighs with their head down*

[INSERT IN BOLD] - Magic - [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!] or [IGGNAIM!]

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

I'm still new to A03 since I'm rarely on it...

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

Is it possible to put pictures in our works? Because it's just more fun to look at for me :P

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

➥Enter

[Book 1] 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐬

[Feat.] 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐦

[Mission Guide Chapter]

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐦

▮💙👑♟️⚔️🏹▮Members▮

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

▮💙Jin Kamurai👑▮

Age: 18

Birthday: 8/31

Grade: Third Year

Special Artifact: Sword

Current thoughts on [Y/n]: He's heard stuff about you from Tohma. He thinks you're kinda mid...

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

▮💙Tohma Ishibashi♟️▮

Age: 18

Birthday: 5/31

Grade: Third Year

Special Artifact: Halberd

Current thoughts on [Y/n]: He's seen you at orientation and heard your speech. He thinks that you're a pretty good leader like himself but thinks that you would maybe do better in Hotarubi.

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

▮💙Lucas Errant⚔️▮

Age: 17

Birthday: 3/22

Grade: Second Year

Special Artifact: Twin Swords

Current thoughts on [Y/n]: Even though you're sometimes more quiet than him, he finds that silence comfortable. He feels the need to do everything he can to protect you and Kaito. You two are his first friends in Japan after all. But more importantly... He's worried about your curse. He finds that you also drew the short stick in life so he wants to do everything in his power to help you break your curse.

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

▮💙Kaito Fuji🏹▮

Age: 17

Birthday: 12/11

Grade: Second Year

Special Artifact: Rogue Bow

Current thoughts on [Y/n]: Waifu material! He's crushing on you hard. I mean- Dude is a hopeless romantic and just wants someone to spend his (hopefully cliche love story type) life with. But for now he thinks you're a pretty good friend. It sucks that you got cursed though. He wants to help you so bad so that you don't have to die but at the same time he's too scared himself and doesn't know how to help.

 

╔══ ✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦ ═════╗

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐦 ➔ 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 ➔ 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐳

╚═════ ✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦ ══╝

 

𝐊ü𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐞𝐧 - 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬' 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞, 𝐨𝐩. 𝟑𝟏𝟔 ➔ 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐬

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐳 𝐍𝐨. 𝟐 ➔ 𝐃𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐢 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐡

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐞 𝐥'𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐮𝐫/𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐳 (𝐊𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐫-𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐳𝐞𝐫) ➔ 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐫é 𝐑𝐢𝐞𝐮

 

╚═════ ✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦ ══╝

Chapter 18: [ 💙 | 15 | Daybreak ]『🌅』

Notes:

Key's for the book:

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Insert - Narrative - And then she stared at her reflection in the mirror

[Insert] - Author speaking - [Eyyy there- wazzup readers]

"Insert" - Talking - "Hey there!" [But can also be air quotes]

'Insert' - Thinking - 'Dame he's cute...'

"Insert in italics" - Whispering - "I- I messed up..." [But can also be an emphasis on a word/phrase, or flashback]

(Insert) - Inner mind..? - (Deadass doesn't know how to explain it here)

*Insert in italics* - Action - *Sighs with their head down*

[INSERT IN BOLD] - Magic - [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!] or [IGGNAIM!]

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

[Book 1] The Man Who Grants Wishes

[Chapter 15] Before School's Daybreak

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

{?????'s POV}

~~~~~

 

"Happy birthday to you..."

 

"Happy birthday to you...."

 

"Happy birthday dear Riku"

 

"Happy birthday to you."

 

'It's so late, but I just can't sleep. Today was the best day ever. I never thought I'd get to have a birthday party like a rich kid. It's all because of Mr. Long-Legs. I'm gonna thank him again tomorrow for sure.'

 

My walked along the orphanages halls until I caught sight of a light. 'Is someone else awake..?' I thought and slowly walked to the light.

 

'Is it Mr. Long-Legs..?' I thought as I walked to the room and went wide eyed, dropping my cane in the process.

 

'What...? What is that..?'

 

{Third pov}

~~~~~

 

"Tohma! There you are! I've been looking all over for you."

 

Two students in Frostheim uniforms approached a light blonde male with a monocle. "This is the son of Saionji Trading. He helped us out the other day. He's very interested in meeting you." The male with the monocle smiled, placing his hand on his chest in an attempt to show pure respect. "I had no idea we had such a distinguished guest here this evening. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Welcome to Frostheim. Please... Do enjoy the festivities."

 

The man continued to smile as if the Frostheim dorm wasn't full of rich, pompous, gossiping, forbidden romancing, bribe taking students.

 

"Honestly... Where on earth is Jin? I really wanted to speak with him..." a girl with brown hair and a royal blue dress asked her friend. "Well, he hasn't been seen at all lately, hasn't he? From what I hear, he hasn't even been on any mission for quite some time." Her friend with dark green hair and a dark teal dress gossiped. The previous girl gasped. "Oh my, that's troubling. I wonder what happened? I ordered a dress all the way from Italy so we'd match..." Her friend scoffed. "What on earth for? The space at Jin's side is already taken by Tohma, isn't it?"

 

The girl nodded. "I'm quite aware, thank you. It's a relief to know Jin has his support. There seems to be an unshakable bond of trust between them." The two girls continued to gossip. "I was quite shocked by Jin's behavior after his friend disgraced himself. Then Tohma stepped in to fill the void, almost as though it was planned..." "Fufu~ Well actually, from what I hear... Tohma had something to do with his trasfer to-" Before the first girl finished, Tohma, the vice-captain of Frostheim inturruped.

 

"Good evening, I hope you're enjoying the party. Oh? Yumiko, I didn't know you were here." The first girl in the royal blue dressed flinched and back up. "Tohma?!" She exclaimed in shock. The man in question brought his hand to his face and held his chin. "I thought I heard my name just now... but it appears I was mistaken. Please excuse me." Tohma acted. "Oh no, we were just..." "Just discussing how unfortunate it is that Jin couldn't join us this evening..." the girls explained, going back to their first topic.

 

"I see. My deepest apologies. The captain is very busy, so I am here on his behalf. Can I help you with anything?" He asked. "We're quite all right, thank you! Please give our regards to Jin" The girl named Yumiko bowedher head slightly. "I certainly will." Tohma smiled, knowing full well that the girl before him wasn't being as honest as she makes herself out to be. "Oh? Yumiko, you look a little pale. Are you feeling unwell?" The girl shook her head eagerly. "No...? Quite the opposite, in fact." Tohma asked if she was sure and that he assumed that she was feeling anxious because, "I heard that your father might step down from his post at Saionji Trading next fiscal year."

 

Yumi gasped at the reveal Tohma orchestrated. "H-How do you know that?!" Tohma just smiled. "Just a vicious rumor, I'm sure. After all, an executive wouldn't resign unless they'd been involved in some sort of major scandal." Yumiko paled and placed her glass on the table before walking off. "...I really must get going." But Tohma kept going. "Yumiko, don't tell me that rings a bell?" Yumiko bit her lip and walked away, slower. "You poor thing. If you're in trouble then perhaps I could lend some assistance..?"

 

{Your POV}

~~~~~

 

"So bright..." I groaned as I yawned and sat up from my bed. Warm sunlight tickled my eyelids, gently coaxing them open. I grabbed my phone from the charging port and saw that all my friends texted me all an hour prior. Some sent the NRC custom sticker :Have_Fun: while others sent the sticker :Miss_You: and a sad emoji. It took a while but I texted them all that I would miss them too and that I would have fun have, etc, etc.

 

"Meow..." I heard a noise outside the window. I slowly sat up, my body feeling heavy as lead, and peered through the window. "The weather's so nice quite like the kind of weather at Heartslabyul or Savanaclaw." I awed. 'This is the second floor, but that cat sounds really close... Maybe it's on the roof?' thought as I got out of bed. I tried to open the window, but it was jammed shut. 'It's not locked... It must not be fitted very well.' I chuckled as I remembered all the times Grim and I almost broke several windows.

 

"MEOW!" "WHOA?!" I flinched and stepped back as a cat suddenly jumped onto the window. It had a construction hat on and it pulled out a red and blue handled screwdrivers. "Aww cute~ Are you gonna fix the window little buddy?" I giggled. The cat started to do something to the windows and then it tapped the glass. "You want me to push it?" I did so and then it opened. "Wow! It's smooth!" I moved the window a bit and it seemed brand new. I thanked the cat and then it hopped in. I went, "Oops" as I saw the cat started trekking paw prints inside so I picked it up gently and grabbed a tissue.

 

"Hold up buddy. It's gonna get dirty here." I wiped its paws and thankfully it didn't seem too troubled over it. In fact, it leaned into my arms and meowed happily as I cleaned its paws. After, I put it down and the cat meowed happily as it crawled away. 'I wonder if I can really be a proper honor students here....' I thought and I stuck my head out the window and took a deep breath. The scent of sun-warmed leaves filled my lungs. Suddenly my throat tightened, and my nose stung. A dry breeze gently caressed my cheeks. "*Sigh* I better get ready." I checked my phone again.

 

"Good, it's only 6:30. I just have to get to class by 9. The chancellor said I should have pretty much everything I need here... I guess I should take a look around." I did just that and thankfully there were clean clothes, uniforms, and undergarments. I was a bit flustered though because some of the undergarments that were there were either all shades of pink or had cute animal designs on it. 'T-There's no way the chancellor chose these...' My mind drifted to Professor Hyde and I blushed. 'Well after meeting him, he does seem like the kind of person to choose something like this for their daughter......... Like Crowley...'

 

I sighed and grabbed some undergarments, a towel, and my uniform before going into the bathroom to take a shower. "Wow... It's better than Ramshackle." I awed and turned on the showerhead before getting inside. "Warm~!" I awed and showered myself until I finished, got out and changed into my new uniform. "It's much more comfortable... How did they get my measurements..?" I just shook that thought and fixed my uniform and my hair into the way I wanted it.

 

[There was supposed to be a drawing here but I don't think I can post photos on here TvT]

 

I descended the staircase from my new room and emerged into a hallway lined with solemn statues. I passed in front of them somewhat nervously, and placed my hand on the heavy door in front of me. "Might as well explore since I didn't get to last night... *Goes through door* Whoa. Is this a church..?" I awed as I saw a huge organ [THE INSTRUMENT] in the middle of the room. Sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, casting glittering rainbows all around the room. It was like a scene from an RPG where you would find a key quest item!

 

'The benches, the pipe organ... Everything is damaged and dusty... Now this reminded me of Ramshackle.' I heard the floor crack so I took a step back. "That was close. My foot almost went straight through the floorboard." I sighed and held my chest. "But the chancellor did tell me to be careful... And that he'd repair this place soon"

 

I examined the church more. Everything was completely damaged. I could fix this up with magic but I kind of want to save it for classes just in case.

 

{Kaito's POV}

~~~~~

 

"*Ahem*" I cleared my throat as I practised my greeting. "Oh? [Y/n], is that you? Good morning! Fancy meeting you here! Oh right, this is where you live now, isn't it?" I paused and groaned. "Fancy meeting you here is a bit of a reach... Wait, I'm supposed to be showing her around. It's totally normal for me to come pick her up." I reasoned with myself as I cleared my throat again.

 

"Morning. DId you sleep well?" I practised as I lowered my voice. "All right, let's go with that. She must be nervous about her first day. I should show her how generous I can-" "Kaito! Good morning!" I jumped as I saw [Y/n] running towards me with a happy smile. I blushed in shock and tried to get my words out, "AH!!! MO-MO-MORNING!! Sleep! Well, did you?!"

 

'NO! DAMMIT MY PREFECT GREETING!' I yelled at myself in my mind as I saw her sweatdrop and give me a confused look. "Oh- um, yes? ANyways- thank you for your help yesterday. I still heaven't quite processed everything that's happened, to be honest..." She scratched her cheek nervously and I nodded. "I totally get that. Being dragged here out of the blue is pretty shocking, right? It was really tough for me at the start too. There;s a lot to get used to, but I've got you! If you need anything, just ask!" THIS IS MY MOMENT! I took in a deep breath and offered, "I could come pick you up like this every-" "Kaito, there you are."..........

 

"AAAAARRRRRGGHHH!!!!"

 

'LLLLUUUUCCCAAAA?!?!??!?! WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY IS HE HERE?!?!WHY NOW?! WHHHAAATTT TTTHHHEEEE HHHHEEEEEELLLLLLLLL!?!??!'

 

{Your POV}

~~~~~

 

"What's wrong? Is there an anomaly?!" Luca asked, bringing his fists up.I giggled."You're the anomaly, dude! DOn't sneak up on me like that!" Kaito yelled. "Geez, you're as bad as Romeo..." Kaito pouted at Luca and Luca just tilted his head. "I'm Lucas. I'm not your enemy. Have you forgotten already?" I laughed more. Luca was so cute when he was clueless.

 

"I know who you are!" Kaito yelled. "What are you introducing yourself with your full name for anyway? Didn't you tell us to call you Luca?" Luca's eyes lit up happily "You remembered. I'm impressed." Kaito just sighed and said that we were gonna move on and asked Luca what he was doing here.

 

"I was just pulling your leg. Today is my first day of classes since transferring here. I thought I'd have a better chance of making it there without getting lost if I went with you." Luca explained. "Right, of course you did!" Kaito smiled before pouting again. "Why do you have to be so on the ball at times like this, huh?!" Luca mumbled a response to Kaito and then he turned to me.

 

"Oh, good morning, [Y/n]! That uniform suits you well." I giggled embarrassingly and played with the hem of my skirt. "Thanks. I don't know how they got my measurement but it's really nice. The material is comfortable and these colors are my favorite. Your uniform looks amazing too, Luca." but after I finished speaking, Kaito came between us. "HEY!! That's exactly what I'm talking about!"

 

'I'm glad to know that Luca remembered my name. He seemed kind of distant when we parted ways before, so I was worried I upset him. I guess I was imagining it.' I thought and sighed happily. "Shoot, we don't have time to stand around talking. This campus is stupidly big, so the classrooms are pretty far from here. We should get going." "Good idea. Let's go. Could you show us the way, Kaito?" I nodded along with Luca. We started to walk away and made a bit of small talk about the cathedral I was living in.

 

We also talked about the houses. Just like Night Ravens Academy the buildings, environment, grounds around, and climates are all over the place. Apparently Jabberwock's weather changes all the time. There was also Luca who asked Kaito abuot why he was placed in Frostheim and that he would do better in Jabberwock. I did have an idea of what Jabberwock would be like so I jumped in to agree. However, Kaito said that he wouldn't wear "that tragic jumpsuit" even if they paid him. Which I kind of felt bad about. 'I kind of found the jumpsuits cute. Jabberwock looks after animal anomalies don't they? They need to be comfortable to do their job...'

 

Barring the fact we were walking through a place that defied natural laws, their exchange seemed so ordinary. 'Hopefully I can at least enjoy being a student here until I can break this curse.' "Oh! I just remembered, did you eat breakfast, [Y/n]? I didn't see you in the cafeteria." I went wide eyed. "Oops... I got a little sidetracked looking around the cathedral and everything." I rubbed the back of my neck. "That's not good. You shouldn't skip breakfast." Luca said before pulling a small packet from his pocket and handed it to me. "Hey! Are you trying to score points?!" Kaito mumbled something but I didn't hear since I was too focused on the biscuits that Luca was offering me.

 

"Thanks Luca! *Takes a bite* Do you like Shortbread Biscuits?" Luca smiled and nodded. "My brother does, yes. Ah, I can see the main building now. Looks like we'll make it to class on time." I hummed to myself as I thought about Luca having a brother. 'It must be hard for the ghouls to be separated from their families.

 

I'm glad that I talked about family in my orientation speech. Maybe that helped more people than expected.

Chapter 19: [ 💙 | 16 | Classes ]『👨‍🏫』

Notes:

Key's for the book:

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Insert - Narrative - And then she stared at her reflection in the mirror

[Insert] - Author speaking - [Eyyy there- wazzup readers]

"Insert" - Talking - "Hey there!" [But can also be air quotes]

'Insert' - Thinking - 'Dame he's cute...'

"Insert in italics" - Whispering - "I- I messed up..." [But can also be an emphasis on a word/phrase, or flashback]

(Insert) - Inner mind..? - (Deadass doesn't know how to explain it here)

*Insert in italics* - Action - *Sighs with their head down*

[INSERT IN BOLD] - Magic - [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!] or [IGGNAIM!]

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

[Book 1] The Man Who Grants Wishes

[Chapter 16] Time For Your First Classes!

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

{Your POV}

~~~~~

 

First period ticked around, and I sat down in an unfamiliar room for my first ever class at Darkwick Academy. In the corner of my eye I saw Kaito and Luca walking towards me. I assumed that it was so that we could sit beside each other. Turns out I was right since Luca took the seat next to me.

 

Perhaps because it was the first class of the new year, excited chatter filled the second-year classroom. "Is anyone else in this class from Frostheim?" I asked since people were turned around so I couldn't see the color of their uniform. "Only a few. The classes are split up by year and electives so everyone's from different houses here." "This class seems to be mostly general students. how many second-year ghouls are there?" Luca asked.

 

Kaito shrugged. "Not sure. They haven't officially said which ghouls moved up a year. There's only a few in each year though, and they stick out like sore thumbs, so we'll find out pretty quick." Luca just smiled. "There are quite a few ghouls at Darkwick. I was the only one at Emrys."

 

The rest of our conversation consisted about the ghouls and the teacher. Kaito says it was Professor Hyde who was our teacher and that he has never been on time. But speak of the devil and he shall appear, Professor Hyde came into the class, greeting us good morning. He swaggered over to the lecturn and surveyed the class, absently scratching his head. "I think you all know me, but just to be sure- I'm Professor Hyde, and I specialize in anomalous biology. Today's just gonna be a review of what you learned last year, so you can take it easy."

 

Professor Hyde started teaching and I started to write down some notes in a notebook. 'The subject is kinda like Mythic Beasts Class back in Twisted Wonderland. Some monsters and anomalies are almost the same.' I thought as time passed. Until, before the class ended, Luca asked a pretty interesting question, "Excuse me, sir." Professor Hyde was about to say that he wasn't going to take questions but Luca continued, "Sir, what type of training do I need to do in order to learn to subjugate demons as quickly as possible?"

 

"Huh?" Kaito and I asked as we looked up to Luca with confusion. "I came to this academy so that I could learn to subjugate demons." That's when Professor Hyde gave his answer. "Hmm... you're the transfer student, right?" "Yes, my name is Lucas Errant." The professor nodded. "Gotta give it to you Lucas. I love a can-do attitude. but I can't really give you a good answer for that, sorry." Luca's fact became disheartened. But more in an frustrated way than a sad way. The professor explained how demons were still unable to define. However, if anyone was able to capture one... then Luca would be able to find the answer to his own question.

 

Luca said that he understood and he thanked the professor. Luca sat down and Kaito whispered to his as to why he did that all of a sudden. Luca didn't answer.

 

Then it was time for our next class. We grabbed all our stuff and put it away. "So where now?' I asked. "Outside with professor Moby" Kaito explained, shrugging. Me and Luca followed him and our next class started. "First-time students, nice to meet you. returning students, welcome back. I am professor Moby, and I specialize in anomalous law." Second period was practical. We were asked to practice using anomalous items called "special artifacts"

 

The professor explained special artifacts as handy objects that Darkwick has permitted the use of due to their utility on missions. Then he said that todays class doubled as an opportunity for us to renew our licenses or to apply for new ones. I wondered if the more specialized the classes were, the more unique the professors became.

 

"You're the new honor student, correct?" The professor asked, walking towards me. I nodded. "You'll have to sit this class out and just observe, I'm afraid. Because of that." Professor Moby used the tentacles protruding from his body to point at the ring on my hand. "This has been officially recognized as yours, and newly registered as a special artifact. Whether it was a special artifact to begin with, I'm not sure. Darkwick's licensing system limits the possession of special artifacts to one per person. On paper, you have already acquired one. Though as special artifacts don't work for just anyone, it would be more accurate to say it acquired you."

 

I just nodded along, not wanting to reveal my wand. "Sorry about that. Now, who's next... Mr. Errant? Is Mr. Lucas Errant from Frostheim here?" Luca introduced him self to the professor and the professor explained how Luca was going to join the other first years in choosing a special artifact. The professor pointed to a storeroom. I asked if I can go with him and he allowed me, so I followed Luca.

 

'Whoa... I didn't think there'd be so many. This is almost like NRC's library.' I thought in awe. Luca made a beeline for a section dedicated to swords, seeming to know exactly what he wanted. The swords on display varied greatly- some small and single handed, others even bigger than Luca. 'These look excellently made' I thought as I approached a case containing small throwing knives. I held my hand up to the glass but before I reached it, I heard glass shatter behind me, back where Luca was. "Luca! Are you okay?" I hurried back. Luca was standing in front of a shattered glass case. Two swords lay inside.

 

"Well well... these twins swords have been waiting a long time for a few master. Hee hee... They're so pleased to see you, they smashed through reinforced glass! Hyaha! Hyahaha!!" Professor Moby had come running when the glass broke. He seemed delighted by the turn of events as he used his tentacles to skillfully collect the broken shards. "I can hear the sound of a child crying from these swords... They must be asking for my help." Luca explained as he stared at the swords. "A crying child, hmm? that is certainly an unusual one. No surprise this special artifact chose a ghoul for its master." Luca picked up the unusual swords, one in each hand. Apart from their color, they were identical.

 

After Luca and the professor started walking out. I was about to walk too when I felt my wand heat up suddenly. I blinked twice and when I heard the door close and saw that no one was there, I grabbed my wand from my pocket. "Why is it so hot all of a sudden?" I asked myself as I started at my wand. But then the tip started to glow. I flinched but relaxed when I saw the light was harmless. It fact... it seemed to... lead me somewhere. I just followed the light until it... led me to a wall...

 

led me to a wall

 

I blinked twice and reached my hand to the wall. 'Is something supposed to happen..?' I tilted my head in confusion. but when my hand touched the wall... It phased right through. I went wide eyed and pulled my hand back. "[Y/n]? Are you still in here?" I yelped and turned to the entrance. "C-Coming!" I called and stared at the fake wall before putting my wand back in my pocket and running back outside.

 

"Are you ready, everyone?" the professor called out. "Please think of these moving targets as anomalies, and disable them with our special artifacts. Ready... Begin!" At Professor Moby's command, the students turned to their respective targets, readying their artifacts. With an exaggerated sigh, Kaito pulled something off the keychain hanging at his waist. That something glowed brightly and expanded, forming the shape of a bow.

 

"Whoa! Cool!" I awed as I stood beside Kaito. "Oh, this?! Someone'd call the cops if I walked around the city with a bow, right?" I giggled and nodded. "We usually shrink them and carry them around on artifact chains." He explained. Impressed by solution to such a mundane problem, I returned my gaze to the training ground. 'Honestly... I'm a bit confused why some of the first years have weird stuff as their artifacts... Ren is holding a swim ring and Ritsu is holding a huge book. Well- Ritsu's book is understandable because it could also just be a spell book but Ren has a swim ring...' I wondered.

 

"Listen up, everyone. As a rule, you should aim to capture anomalies, not destroy them! Please keep this in mind at all times. Anomalous research is full of emerging disciplines! Wanton destruction is very problematic! This is one of Darkwick's flagship policies. Hee hee." I nodded, getting an answer as to why some people don't have weapons as their artifact.

 

"How can they expect us to think about that when we're up against monsters?" I heard Kaito whisper. Remembering the trouble I'd dragged Kaito and Luca into by borrowing the veil, I felt a pang of guilt. 'Being old it's for the good of humankind hardly makes facing monsters any less scary...' Professor Moby then started yelling to motivate the other students and they took a diverse range of approaches. Some appeared to make valiant efforts to capture their targets. Others were considerably more destructive. And some seemed to just be standing there...

 

But whenI looked over at my friends, I saw that Kaito was holding Luca's arms down. "Kaito. This is not a sparring exercise. Woould you please stop holding my arms down?" "No!" Kaito responded immediately. "I can see it in your eyes, you're dying to stick up your arm and ask "Please sir, how do I obliterate demons?"" Luca just furrowed his brows at the mention of demons. "I'm not going to obliterate them. I'm going to subjugate them." "Stop" Kaito groaned. "I don't understand the issue. If I can't ask that question, there was little point in me coming to this academy."

 

"Listen, I do not go on missions. Not now, not ever." Kaito gave Luca a serious look. "You promised you'd protect me, didn't you? And that you'd turn me back into a human?" Luca nodded, "I did." "Then stop dragging me into crap. If you want to obliterate or subjugate or whatever, that's on you. I still want to enjoy being young and alive." I hummed and approached them. "Kaito... That's pretty harsh. Aren't you ashamed to say things like that?" Kaito visable flinched and Luca gave me a surprised look.

 

"Possessing power yet acting as though you don't is duplicitous." I explained and crossed my arms, remembering about Jamil's overblot. Luca gave me a smile before he nodded and looked back to Kaito with a stoic look. Suddenly, the bow Kaito was holding began to tremble violently, carrying his hand up into the air. "Your artifact is a bow? Try shooting it. I know you can do it." Luca encouraged.

 

Kaito glanced over at me, and our eyes met. I nodded, trying to keep a straight face. He immediately looked away. The silence became palpable........... "Fine... Is one arrow enough for you?" Both Luca and I nodded excitedly. Kaito grabbed an arrow from the quiver and loaded his bow. He aimed at the target and fired....... but it curved and completely missed the target.

 

"See?! I told you!!!" Kaito yelled in frustration. Luca gave an unsure hum and I just pat Kaito's back, telling him that he might hit it next time.

 

With that, our second class drew to a close.

Chapter 20: [ 💙 | 17 | King]『👑』

Notes:

Key's for the book:

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Insert - Narrative - And then she stared at her reflection in the mirror

[Insert] - Author speaking - [Eyyy there- wazzup readers]

"Insert" - Talking - "Hey there!" [But can also be air quotes]

'Insert' - Thinking - 'Dame he's cute...'

"Insert in italics" - Whispering - "I- I messed up..." [But can also be an emphasis on a word/phrase, or flashback]

(Insert) - Inner mind..? - (Deadass doesn't know how to explain it here)

*Insert in italics* - Action - *Sighs with their head down*

[INSERT IN BOLD] - Magic - [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!] or [IGGNAIM!]

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

[Book 1] The Man Who Grants Wishes

[Chapter 17] The King of Frostheim

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

{Your POV}

~~~~~

 

We had some time to kill before our next class, so Kaito led us to a terrace on the second floor.v From the sunlit wooden deck you could look out over the campus and the surrounding woods. It seemed to be a spot Darkwick students frequented when they wanted to take a break. 'The view is beautiful...' I awed in thought. "Kaito, what's that?" Luca was pointing at a pale pink dove, fluttering down towards us from out of the blue sky.

 

"No way... That's the Like Dove!" Kaito gave a shocked look. "It's coming over here, right?! Toward me?! Yes! My time has come!!" Kaito cheered. "Like Dove? I've never heard that term before..." Luca admitted and I nodded along with him. "Oh seriously? You don't have them in the UK?! When someone's thinking about how much they like you, the Like Dove will sometimes fly over to you. It's kind of like... the bird version of someone swiping right on you?" I nodded in understanding but Luca was confused. "Luca, who's your favorite person right now?" I asked. "Hmm? That would be you and Kaito." Kaito gave a flustered yelp and I blushed and awed.

 

That's when the Like Dove we saw flew over to me. "Aw, so fluffy" I giggled and gave the dove some scratchies. "So that's how it works." Luca smiled. "No way..." Kaito whispered. "It just looks like a normal dove though, right? Apart from the color I guess. That's why I always miss it when it comes by." "I see." Luca nodded to Kaito as we continued to stare at the dove. The Like Dove then hopped onto the floor in front of us and began to coo and peck at the ground. Upon closer inspection, I realized its beak was shaped like a red heart.

 

"Ah! It must be one of those girls!" Kaito pointed at a group of female students who were shooting us glances and whispering to each other. Realizing they'd been noticed, they waved. "It's definitely them! I'm a gentleman, so I can't leave them hanging. I'll be right back!" Kaito sped off toward the group of girls. "Our next class is in 10 minutes. I'm going to head to the room." I check my phone and nodded. "Then I'll go with you." I turned to follow Luca but he held his arm in front of me and I saw a cat in front of us.

 

"Oh. Hello there buddy." I awed. The cat rubbed itself against my legs, then looked up at me. It had something in its mouth. "It's just a messenger cat. one came to me yesterday." I nodded. 'It's holding a letter... I guess it's for me.' With some apprehension, I took the envelope from the cat and slowly opened it, pulling out the letter inside.

 

"My Dear [Y/n],

I have something to discuss with you. Please come to my office immediately.

Yours truly,

Cornelius"

 

"Hmm. I'm supposed to go to the chancellor's office. It seems urgent, so I'm going to go now." Luca smiled. "All right. Then I'll head to class-" "Just gonna abandon me, huh?" Kaito appeared behind us, a scowl on his face and irritation in his voice. "Are you finished already, Kaito?" Luca asked. "Ha. I should learn my place, huh? I'm an idiot after all, and I have allergies all year round..." Luca hummed and asked, "You mean hay fever? You can overcome that with a little training. To build up resistance to a variety of things, I-"

 

"That's not the problem! And why didn't you deny the idiot part, huh?! And I don't want advice from a guy living on easy mode with girls following him round just 'cause of his looks!!" Luca gave an apologetic frown. "I see. You're right... I'm sorry for upsetting you." Kaito groaned and sighed. "Damn it... You probably like Luca better than me too, right, [Y/n]? You haven't even given me your number yet... Kinda getting a little broken hearted over here..." Kaito gave a sad look and I told him that it wasn't true.

 

"We could exchange numbers now if you'd like." I pulled out my phone. "Yeah, I know, I'm just a- WAIT, REALLY?! No way! Seriously?!" I laughed and nodded. "Of course!" Kaito then started whining. "Thank you... Thank you so much... You're the only one for me..." I giggled but just as I was about to give Kaito my number, Luca pulled on Kaito's arm. "Kaito, we're going to be late for class if we don't hurry." "I know! I'm not letting you mess it up this time! Quick, [Y/n]!" Kaito quickly showed me his phone and I entered my number in it. I also did the same for Luca so now we have each others numbers.

 

After adding the first of the ghouls on WickChat, I waved goodbye and headed to the chancellor's office. It didn't take long. "Hello?" I called as I entered the office." "Ah! [Y/n]! Your punctuality is much appreciated. Apologies for the impromptu summons." As soon as I stepped into the office I was greeted by a cacophony of meows from the cats seated on every surface. "There's even more cats than yesterday... Are they the academy's pets?" I asked as I bent down to pat the cats.

 

"Yes! Though it may be more accurate to call them cohabitors than pets. They can take care of themselves." "I see..." I nodded. After recalling the cats I'd seen performing various jobs I found this explanation quite convincing. The Darkwick cats were impressively dexterous. Even more than the ghosts at Night Ravens.

 

"Let's get to the matter at hand, shall we? Do you recall me asking you to join the ghouls on missions?" I answered, "Yes. I'm going to help them compile their reports as an inspector, right?" The chancellor said bingo and that I get a round of applause before being more specific and saying that I will be helping compile case reports very important and highly classified documents. He continued on, saying that it was one of the most reliable primary sources and how anomalous ecosystem is in constant flux. And just like at the entrance ceremony, the chancellor's explanation was a little long-winded.

 

Basically, the case reports the ghouls made after missions were an important source of information for the Institute. "... But our ghouls are going through a bit of a rebellious phase, you see... Their case reports are always riddled with inaccuracies! Our fact-checking processes simply cannot keep up. My superiors hopping mad!" "I see..." I said as I started to understand the situation.

 

"Ordinarily, once all participants on a mission have confirmed there are no errors in the case report... they al sign it, an turn it in to us. However, we recently discovered that they have been abusing the Mesmer Matches. They were using them on the inspector and covering up details related to their investigations! " I hummed, thinking back to the time back when I met Taiga.

 

"You see that?... Whatever. I'll just chuck you out."

 

'His expression back then did show that he looked like he didn't care. I'm not sure that's not true of all of them, but...' "But due to a side effect of your curse, the matches can't erase your memory. And you are an aide to the ghouls, chosen by the Sage's Ring! That is to say... There is no one better suited to be the ghouls' inspector than you, [Y/n]!" The chancellor gave me a bright smile and I just blinked twice. 'He told me the same thing yesterday... I guess I really am a convenient person for them...'

 

"Such a fortuitous twist of fate... I am sure we will find a cure for your curse in no time at all!" I asked if he was talking about the curse that is going to kill me. "You've a look as though you don't trust me! I'm rather hurt by that." I yelped and started waving my hands, trying to tell him that I did trust him and that I was just thinking and worried about my curse, making the chancellor give a relieved chuckle. "Good. Because I was and still genuinely wishing to save you, I even prepared a scholarship for you. Now, there is one piece of advice I wish to give you, for your own sake. Anomalies are to be captured, not destroyed!" He emphasized as he placed his hands on his desk.

 

'That sentence has been on repeat during class too.' I recalled as I just nodded to the chancellor's words. "That's because capturing anomalies is the best way to research ways to break my curse, correct?" "Bingo! Exactly! We cannot carry out research without a subject. Despite that, the ghouls keep destroying them... Honestly, it's a real thorn in my side." The chancellor pouted. "As their inspector, I'd appreciate it if you could keep them in check. You'll need to gain their trust first, of course. Have you been exchanging contact details with them?"

 

I hummed and nodded. "I added Kaito on WickChat earlier. And I at least said hello to the Vagastrom freshman, Leo on Tik Tok." The chancellor gave me another bright smile. "Wonderful! You're making excellent progress! At this rate you can jump on a mission any time! Perhaps I shuold brief you on those too." At the chancellor's request, I took out the phone that I had the Shroud brthers modify.

 

"During the missions, the mode of transport you will use most frequently is the Galaxy Express. There are other ways in and out of Darkwick, but you have to apply to use them, so I'll skip them for now. Is Catsmo installed on your phone? It's a transportation app developed by Darkwick for the Galaxy Express."

 

I scanned the apps on my phone screen, and quickly found one labeled CATSMO. I nodded. The chancellor told me that the Galaxy Express will be an important way for me to get around and that I should carry my phone on my person at all times during missions. "When you say I'll be joining mission, do you mean with Kaito Fuji, since he's been helping me get around?" I asked with a tilt of my head. "Almost bingo!" the chancellor said, waving his index finger. "To start with, I'd like you to join the Frostheim ghouls on a mission."

 

Recalling Kaito's flat refusal to go on any missions, I began to feel uneasy. "Let's strike while the iron is hot, shall we? I'd like you to go and introduce yourself to the captain of Frostheim." The chancellor gave me one last big smiled and I looked down, pondering. 'The captain of Frostheim. Come to think of it, I haven't met him yet. I wonder what's he's like? Kaito didn't seem to respect him so I kinda have a bad feeling about this...'

 

"If you run into any trouble, you can talk to Professor Dante. He's the Frostheim advisor, if you recall." I nodded and thanked the chancellor before I started to make my way towards Frostheim.

 

When I got there, I was astonished. 'This is Frostheim?! It's beautiful!' The place was covered in beautiful shades of blue and white. It looked like an ice palace. The azure entrance hall was lit by an aurora floating high above it. Chill air floated about the cavernous space as though polishing the lavish interior. 'The chancellor said the captian's room was at the back of the building, didn't he? Over that way, maybe?' I thought to myself and I walked around and about through the icy, castle-like dormitory.

 

'Vil would love the beauty and Azul would love the connections he could make with the supposed rich students that Kaito speaks of.' I though and giggled to myself. Eventually I managed to find the captain's room, isolated behind a large, impressive door. "Excuse me?" I knocked and called from outside the door... but no response. 'Is he out?' I tilted my head. 'Since the captain is a third year-, most of his schedule is independent study. But the chancellor said he spends almost all of his time in his room.'

 

I knocked again. "Hello?" I asked a bit louder. 'Huh? the door is open.' I blinked twice and tilted my head so I got a view. There, I saw two men talking to each other. One was lying down while the other was standing properly. It kind of reminded me of Leona, Ruggie, and Jack. The two of them kept conversing but the only thing I was able to catch was, "I could consult your father instead. I'm sure he'd put his best researchers on-" but before the man finished his sentence, the man lying down grabbed a glass bowl and threw it on the floor, breaking it. I sweatdropped and took a step back. 'Maybe now's not the best time... I'll come back later!'

 

"Hey.. Who the fuck are you?" I yelp as I got spotted by the man who was lying down, who was now sitting up and was smoking. I blushed in embarrassment as I pushed the door slightly opened. "S-Sorry about that. I came to introduce myself. However, you two were speaking so I didn't want to interrupt." I stood straight. The man who was still standing raised a brow. "Did you now? You're quite brazen for a peeping tom." I sweatdropped and groaned. "I-I promise I didn't hear anything besides the sound of glass breaking."

 

"Tohma. Use a match on her." The man smoking ordered the man who was standing. "As you wish." The man said before taking out a bottle of Mesmer Matches. But as the man approached me he seemed to realize something. "You're the new honor student aren't you?" I nodded slowly. "Just do it. Quite wasting air." The man sitting down said in annoyance. "Captain... the matches won't work on her, I'm afraid." The man before me explained. "Why?" The captain asked.

 

The man in front of me shrugged and turned around. "Who knows? It's a side effect of her curse, apparently. The chancellor and herself explained it in person at the entrance ceremony yesterday." The captain huffed and started to puff more smoke, making me step back because I wasn't used to this sort of stuff. "That so? A curse, huh?" The captain then approached me and slammed his foot onto the door, practically trapping me between him, the door, and the other male. I flinched at the loud sound. 'Oh my god he's tall.' I sweatdropped and bit my lip before I took a deep inhale through my nose and stood properly again.

 

"My room... had anomalous sound proofing. No one's gonna hear you." He stared down at me and I just blinked twice before nodding. The captain then brough his foot back down and walked away. "I don't want to see your face in here again. Same goes for you, Tohma."

 

The man who I now know as Tohma, escorted me back out of the room and sighed. "Apologies about our captain. He's in a bit of a mood" Tohma chuckled. I just nodded. "It's okay. We all have our moments." Tohma chuckled. ".....Well I best be off." I sweatdropped at the awkward atmosphere and ran out of the Fostheim dorm.

Chapter 21: [ 💙 | 18 | Advisor ]『🗯️』

Notes:

Key's for the book:

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Insert - Narrative - And then she stared at her reflection in the mirror

[Insert] - Author speaking - [Eyyy there- wazzup readers]

"Insert" - Talking - "Hey there!" [But can also be air quotes]

'Insert' - Thinking - 'Dame he's cute...'

"Insert in italics" - Whispering - "I- I messed up..." [But can also be an emphasis on a word/phrase, or flashback]

(Insert) - Inner mind..? - (Deadass doesn't know how to explain it here)

*Insert in italics* - Action - *Sighs with their head down*

[INSERT IN BOLD] - Magic - [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!] or [IGGNAIM!]

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Key's for the book:

 

Insert - Narrative - And then she stared at her reflection in the mirror

[Insert] - Author speaking - [Eyyy there- wazzup readers]

"Insert" - Talking - "Hey there!" [But can also be air quotes]

'Insert' - Thinking - 'Dame he's cute...'

"Insert" - Whispering - "I- I messed up..." [But can also be an emphasis on a word/phrase, or flashback]

(Insert) - Inner mind..? - (Deadass doesn't know how to explain it here)

*Insert* - Action - *Sighs with their head down*

"Insert!" - Call/text - "Call me more often~!"

[INSERT] - Magic - [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!] or [IGGNAIM!]

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

[Book 1] The Man Who Grants Wishes

[Chapter 18] Advisor of Frostheim

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

{Your POV}

~~~~~

 

After running out of Frostheim, I made a beeline for the staffroom, heart still pounding. I sought out Professor Dante, the Frostheim advisor. "Basically... it didn't go well..." I sweatdropped. "Dealing with them is no walk in the park. You'll have plenty more opportunities to learn just how immature, rough, and selfish they can be." After spending a fun, peaceful morning with Kaito and Luca, I'd almost completely let my guard down. 'If he shut me down that hard after just one meeting, there's no way he'll agree to me joining them on a mission...'

 

It was then quiet between me and Professor Dante for a while... Until he spoke up, "Our goal is to resolve anomalous incidents that put human lives at risk. Your goal is to break your curse. We need them. If you want to survive, then figure out how to handle them. Learn what makes them happy, and what pushes their buttons, and use it to your advantage." I hummed and nodded. "I understand."

 

"If you don't, you might die before you figure out how to break that curse, no?" Professor Hyde appeared beside Professor Dante. "You managed to actually talk to that hermit? I'm impressed. I haven't seen his face in like, half a year maybe?" I was shocked at that. Even Idia comes out of Ignihyde more than Frostheim's captain. "As his advisor, I can't let that slide. What on earth was the last idiot doing?" Professor Dante crossed his arms and sighed, then reached into his desk drawer. He took out some documents and handed them to me.

 

"These are the materials Ishibashi asked for. Give them to Ishibashi or Kamurai." I nodded as I took the documents and asked, "Isibashi...? Kamurai..? Is one of them Tohma and the other is the Frostheim captain?" Professor Hyde nodded and answered, "That's right. Jin Kamurai is the captain of Frostheim. Tohma Ishibashi is his vice-captain. They're both third years. Seeing as you know his name, I'm assuming you met him?" I nodded. "Yes, they were arguing about something..." "Something inane, I'm sure." Professor Dante shrugged.

 

"It doesn't matter which one. Just make sure you had it over today." I nodded even though I was a bit nervous to go back to Frostheim. ".....Don't give up." The professor encouraged. I nodded again, feeling a bit happy at the encouragement. I then thanked the professors, and left the staff room.

 

I wandered absently down the corridor until my phone vibrating in my pocket brought me back to the present.

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Kaito🏹

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

[Kaito🏹]

[Hi! Emoji]
Hey! Third period just ended! Where are you?👀

 

[You]

I'm waking back from the staffroom☺️

 

[Kaito🏹]

For real? Great timing!😊

[Hey! Emoji]
Do you want to go get lunch? I'll save you a seat in the cafeteria!👍

 

[You]

Okie! Thx!😊👍

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

'It's only noon. there's still time. I don't have to go back right away. It might go better if I get Kaito to tell me a little bit about them first... I don't actually know where the cafeteria is, though... Maybe there's a sign in the entrance hall?' I thought

 

"[Y/N]! WAIT UP!" I turned to see Professor Hyde waving as he jogged down the corridor toward me. "Sorry, I forgot to tell you something. You haven't had a health check yet, right? The Mortkranken kids are going to come to your room firs thing tomorrow for a house call. Probably not exactly how you want to start your day, but be ready for them, okay?" I nodded and told him that I'll be sure that I won't sleep in. 'So Mortkranken don't just treat the students, they monitor their health too...They're almost like a hospital. That's kind of reassuring.' After asking Professor Hyde for directions, I made my way to the cafeteria to meet Kaito.

 

The cafeteria was a wide open space with a skylight that bathed the seats in gleaming sun. 'It's pretty fancy and big- IS THAT A FOUNTAIN?! Wow it's crowded.' My mind went into so many different directions. 'The one at night ravens is bigger but this is so much more beautiful.' I decided to take a photo by the fountain and sent it to my freshmen friends at NRC since I know they'd be shocked as well.

 

"[Y/n]! Over here, come line up with me!" I was struggling through the throngs of people when Kaito spotted me. "Are you sure I can just... cut in line like this?" I sweatdropped as I saw a lot of people. "It'll be fine." Kaito waved his hand. I just hummed and stood beside him. "There's a lot of options, so you should try to decide while we're still in line. There's a menu with photos up there." I just nodded. I didn't really have much. The chancellor gave me a bit of money so that I could get comfortable here, but I didn't want to spend so much so soon.

 

"I'll have the grilled salmon." "Sounds about right for you, rich boy. wait, hey! These lunch plans are for two! What are you doing here?!" Luca and Kaito conversed. I could see the students at the front of the line swiping and tapping on a large touch screen. "We order using the screen?" I awed. "Yep! You can pay on it too. After 30 seconds give or take depending on what you ordered, your food comes out the bottom." My jaw dropped. "30 seconds? Is that thing an anomaly too?" 'I'm starting to like this Darkwick a bit more than NRC.'

 

"Sure is! Hard to tell if it's an anomaly or just some fancy tech gadget when it looks like that, right?" I nodded. "Will 50 pounds be enough?" Luca asked. "You can't use pounds here!" Kaito explained. "I see... I'm not carrying much else, so I'll need to withdraw money from somewhere." I agreed with Luca. "All right. There's an ATM in the campus store. I'll show you later." Kaito shrugged.

 

After we all bought our lunches, Kaito showed us to the table he'd had the foresight to save. ""I see, this is the soup, rice, and three dish meal I've heard about. Where is the fish knife?" I giggled at Luca's fancy behavior. "The cutlery's over there, but I'm pretty sure they don't have whatever a fish knife is. Oh... Do you not know how to use chopsticks?"

 

I wondered what Professor Dante would think of this exchange, having called the ghouls immature and selfish. "I appreciate your concern, but I can manage. I have studied a little Japanese culture. Flower arrangement, tea ceremony, kabuki, martial arts-" "Okay okay, I get it. Shouldn't have got my hopes up, that's on me." Kaito sighed while I wowed. "That's really impressive though, Luca." He simply smiled at me and then proceeded to grab some chopsticks. "How are you holding them so neat?! Would it kill you to show a little weakness in front of me some time?!" Kaito groaned.

 

I couldn't deny they could be a little immature. But that's not something unique to ghouls. 'I have plenty of flaws...' I thought to myself as I stared down at my food, remembering about all the flaws that my friends have. I bit my lip. 'We all have our problems but...'

 

"[Y/n]? You're not eating. Is something wrong?"

 

"What's the matter? Is there something you don't like in it?"

 

I flinched and sat up. "Oh, no, I'm fine! Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts for a second" I chuckled nervously. 'I can't really imagine the captain and vice-captain are close with Kaito... But I should tell him about what happened earlier and see if he has any advice.' I took a bit of my food before it got cold and soon after I told Luca and Kaito about my mission assignments, the incident, and the documents I had to deliver.

 

I saw Kaito give a nervous smile. "To be honest, I don't think you shuold be going on missions when you haven't received any training. There is no guarantee of safety with anomalies. Such work should be left to those with the means to handle it." Luca stated. "E-Exactly! So you can say the right thing sometimes!" Kaito hesitantly said.

 

'It's true, I don't know anything about anomalies or missions... Luca's completely right...' I looked back at my food again. "[Y/n]..? Hey asshole, did you really have to say that?! [Y/n] can enhance ghouls' stigmas, remember?!" I heard Kaito blame. "But she was just turned away by the captain and vice-captain, wasn't she? That power is of no use without ghouls to apply it to. She would just be placed needlessly in danger."

 

"I should probably give you some background. Our captain pretty much never comes out in public any more. You're not the only one he's turned away, [Y/n]." Kaito pat my head to comfort me. "Come to think of it, he wasn't at the entrance ceremony, was he? I don't know the circumstances, but failing to fulfill your duties as captain is quite disgraceful." I bit my lip harder. As kind and loyal Luca is, he certainly be oblivious to certain stuff... Maybe that's just the rich background like with Kalim.

 

"I picked this pretty much the moment we met, but you're the hard on yourself, hard on others type, aren't you? Anyway. The rumor is it has something to do with the Clash, this big skirmish that happened at Darkwick last year. I managed to stay out of it, but it was total chaos. I think everyone ended up with some trauma after that." Lucas just drank some water and held a serious expression. "Whatever happened last year, all that matters is who he is now. I would like to ascertain that with my own eyes."

 

"Do you even know what you're saying? Until last year, that guy was the definition of a charismatic leader. Untouchable. People called him a tyrant behind his back though. A filthy commoner like me couldn't even dream of having anything to do with him. He's on another level."

 

"I guess it's not so easy to talk to him, then..." I sweatdropped and scratched my cheek. "Right," Kaito rested his arms on the table. "The vice captain's been pretty much running the show lately." I hummed. "Maybe it's best if I give the documents to him then." I decided to go back to Frostheim after afternoon classes and try to meet with the vice captain.

Chapter 22: [ 💙 | 19 | Frost]『🧊』

Notes:

Key's for the book:

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Insert - Narrative - And then she stared at her reflection in the mirror

[Insert] - Author speaking - [Eyyy there- wazzup readers]

"Insert" - Talking - "Hey there!" [But can also be air quotes]

'Insert' - Thinking - 'Dame he's cute...'

"Insert in italics" - Whispering - "I- I messed up..." [But can also be an emphasis on a word/phrase, or flashback]

(Insert) - Inner mind..? - (Deadass doesn't know how to explain it here)

*Insert in italics* - Action - *Sighs with their head down*

[INSERT IN BOLD] - Magic - [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!] or [IGGNAIM!]

Yo- Sorry that I forget about this- I forget I have an A03 account sometimes

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

Key's for the book:

 

Insert - Narrative - And then she stared at her reflection in the mirror

[Insert] - Author speaking - [Eyyy there- wazzup readers]

"Insert" - Talking - "Hey there!" [But can also be air quotes]

'Insert' - Thinking - 'Dame he's cute...'

"Insert" - Whispering - "I- I messed up..." [But can also be an emphasis on a word/phrase, or flashback]

(Insert) - Inner mind..? - (Deadass doesn't know how to explain it here)

*Insert* - Action - *Sighs with their head down*

"Insert!" - Call/text - "Call me more often~!"

[INSERT] - Magic - [OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!] or [IGGNAIM!]

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

[Book 1] The Man Who Grants Wishes

[Chapter 19] Frost Dorm's Vice Captain.

━━━✦❘༻🔮༺❘✦━━━

 

{Your POV}

~~~~~

 

"Tell me again why I have to be here?!" Kaito exclaimed, walking close to me. "I don't understand your question. The two of us are new here. The Frostheim dormitory is large, and we have no way of knowing where to find the vice-captain." Luca answered for me. "Well... Sure, but... *Sigh* I got a bad feeling about this the moment you decided to stick your nose into it."

 

Despite Kaito's futile protests, at Luca's request, the two of them accompanied me tot see the vie-captain. "Sorry to drag you into this..." I said as I rubbed the back of my neck. "*Sweatdrops* Ah! Don't be sorry, it's totally fine!" Kaito walked a bit forward to face me and gave me a smile. "It's my job to show you around, so I'm happy to help!" According to Kaito, the vice-captain could usually be found doing paperwork in a vault in the Frostheim dormitory.

 

We made it to the vault and I almost shivered at the cold. Thankfully I'm used to sudden weather changes because of all the events that NRC does. 'Like the fairy gala...' I smiled to myself since I remembered how elegant everyone looked in their costumes. 'It's cool that I can see my breath in here though' Apparently it was managed by the Frostheim students. Upon closer inspection, the piles of valuable objects within were frozen in ice, staunchly protected against theft.

 

"Just breathing causes your body temperature to drop rapidly. I don't think we are welcome in here." Luca said, furrowing his brows. "We might as well be in a freezer... It said on WickHive that he's in here a lot, but no way that's not true!!" I tilted my head. "WickHive. That's a news app almost, right?"

 

"Oh, I haven't told you about it yet! It's a website. Let me show you. *Sends text* I sent you the link, can you open it?" I tapped on the link Kaito sent me. It opened a website with the title WickHive "Would you like to open this site in the app?" My phone showed me. I just pressed yes and it sent me to the app. "Since you can post anonymously, it's pretty popular. No one knows who's running it. It got caught by Darkwick's censor and taken down once, but-"

 

"HELP!" We all jumped and Luca jumped in front of us. That's when a girl with long brown hair came running towards us.

[I shit y'all not- Yumiko looks VERY similar to me irl so I kkkiiiinnnndaaaa want to add her as a supporting character- but I thought- "Nah- She's in Frostheim and when she was first introduced she's a Jin stan. I'll Love Towa forever" So- Yeah]

 

"PLEASE!! SOMEBODY, PLEASE HELP ME!!" She then stopped in front of us to catch her breath. "Of course! Your wish is my command!!" Kaito yelled, making me sweatdrop. "What's that sound?" Luca asked. *Clink* *Clink*. 'It's coming closer...' I thought, my hand reaching towards my wand just in case. That's when we saw multiple big pawn chess pieces jumping towards us.

 

Kaito screamed loudly as he grabbed my arm in fear. "THOSE THINGS ARE THE GUARDS!!! THEY ATTACK!!!" I tugged of Kaito's arm back since his grip was starting to hurt. "...Eight of them. Everyone, stay behind me." "WAIT, you're gonna fight those things?! Are you crazy?! You really think you can take all of them alone?!" Kaito asked, stepping behind me. "Of course. They're anomalies." Luca gave a reassuring smile. I just nodded and retracted my hand from my wand.

 

Luca then grabbed his small form stigma and transformed them into his twin swords. "COME ON!!" He yelled and went to swing his blades. "NO! NOPE! NO THANK YOU!!!" Kaito gripped my arm tighter and I flinched.

 

"That's enough." I heard the voice of Tohma call out. The chess pieces stopped and Luca paused in the middle of his swing. "It's the vice-captain!!" Kaito tensed up, standing in front of me. "If it isn't our second-year duo. To what do I owe the pleasure?" I leaned to the side so that I had a proper view of Tohma. "Umm. This girl was calling for help..." I motioned behind us. "What person?"

 

I furrowed my brows in confusion and turned around. My jaw dropped. "Huh?! Where'd that girl go?!" Kaito asked in shock. "Playing hide and seek, were you?" Tohma asked, smirking while staring down at me. At that, I pouted. "Not true. Professor Dante asked us to bring this to you." I tugged out of Kaito's grip and walked towards Tohma, handing his the documents. He took them and flipped through the pages, looking suspicious.

 

".....thank you." Tohma smiled softer. "Indeed, there are the documents I requested. Will that be all?" I opened my mouth but didn't get to answer since Kaito placed his hand over my mouth. "Yep! That's all! Sorry to bother you!!" I narrowed my eyes at Kaito.

 

"Wait." Luca walked in front of me and Kaito, staring directly at Tohma. "I'm Lucas Errant. I was recently assigned to Frostheim. If that mission has some relation to demons, we would like to participate." Kaito pulled his hands back and gripped his hair, glaring at Luca. "Seriously?! Again??"

 

"Even if this were a low ranking mission, novices will only get in my way" Tohma replied, crossing his arms. "As for a mission involving demons, that is completely out of the question." Luca tried convincing Tohma and even said that if Tohma was worried about Kaito, he would protect Kaito. Of course, Kaito was against that.

 

However, Tohma still refused. He said it was because Luca didn't have Tohma's approval. To that, Luca removed one of his gloves and threw it to the ground after saying that he wasn't weak and asked Tohma to test his theory.

 

Kaito asked what Luca was doing but Tohma just called him stubborn. The vice captain then placed his hand on a row of files lined up on a shelf by the wall, setting loose a cloud of frost. "Here." "What's this?" Tohma gave Luca some files and said, "A list of low-ranking missions." Luca was in shock and Tohma explained how the cases were deemed safe enough that even general students can handle them. "Choose one from here, and complete it without incident."

 

"I'll consider allowing you on future missions based on your performance." Lucas nodded and said that he understood. The vice-captain allowed us to borrow a desk, and the three of us pored over the list of low ranking missions. "Periodic Ecological Survey. Huh, more mundane that I was expecting. Location: Yakushima... That's way too far! Pass!" Kaito moved the file to the side so that we can look at more cases.

 

"Inspection and Removal of Videos Relating to Anomalies... How about this one?! It sounds fun!" Kaito tried to convince as he slide the file to Luca. But Luca didn't even look at it since he wanted to choose Investigation of Man who Grants Wishes. Kaito said that it sounded fake but Luca shot back about how demons could be connected and that he was going to take any information he could get, no matter how trivial. As long as he could find a way to subjugate a demon. Kaito asked why he wanted to do it so badly and that it was unhinged.

 

"My twin brother is missing." I went wide eyed. 'I remember that Luca said that he had a brother but.... He's missing..?'