Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The north star shone brighter than usual today. Guiding my eyes from one celestial object to the other, I couldn't help but cough. Lanev didn't so much as flinch from the violent coughs as my body gave out. I still resented the whole idea of smoking, yet I could do nothing but sit beside her anyway. 

It made me feel a little guilty about ignoring the issue that has haunted my mind for so long.

The taste of ash and the smell of burning was never something I liked, even when it hadn't yet become such a daily thing.

The first time I asked her to quit; Lanev laughed, replying that it was a waste of time trying to quit something that has become the norm by now. The older said that it was pointless to argue with her since she won't listen to me anyway. She said she liked the smell of burning, the tingling feeling on her tongue.

I would've argued and disagreed with her, but Lanev's face of pure ignorance and slight annoyance was enough to shut my mouth for the rest of the years the smoking continued. 

Even now, I kept my mouth shut after I stopped coughing. The strange taste was still there, though. It was always there when I was around Lanev. 

I looked back to the night sky, thankful for the distraction. My eyes lit up almost as much as the star I was looking at. 

I glanced at Lanev, then back at the star, then at Lanev again. I would've loved to tell her all about it. Sirius was such a beautiful star. That's why it shone the brightest each night. It craved the attention. It wanted to fill others with amazement and wonder. 

It certainly achieved its goal. 

I'm still waiting. Hoping. 

Hoping for the moment Lanev would reach for me first. Waiting for her to smile at me first. 

I reminded myself that she was Lanev, and Lanev would never do that with anyone. At least, I didn't think she would. I still hoped she would. A hope only manageable to achieve for a naive child.

I shivered and wrapped my arms around my knees, hoping for some warmth. The cold end of August was the worst. I started to look at other stars, trying to ignore the smoking and the burning sensation in my heart. 

I slightly shivered again as the cold breeze blew my hair into my face now. It made my teeth rattle and goosebumps appear more than they already had. I inched closer to the blonde girl sitting next to me. I know Lanev said not to disturb her when she was smoking, but I couldn't help it. 

I sneezed, and she finally looked away from staring at the ground. She was analyzing me, putting her cigarette a little farther away from my face. Unlike me, who liked looking at the darkness surrounding us more than anything; Lanev loved looking below, at the tall grass and the flowers she most definitely knew the names of.

She liked looking at the bugs too, 'playing' with them and imagining she was something like a giant to them. 

"Or a goddess." She would say with that same thoughtful tone as a small ant walked with its tiny feet onto her palm. She would smile looking at the wandering ant, "Though.. Gods are cruel, don't you think so too?"

I would stay quiet, knowing if I spoke even one word-the moment would be ruined and the ant would be turned into mush. 

Most times, I knew she would've loved to crush them and walk away. The only thing keeping Lanev from doing so was the fact that she would have dirty hands and would need to wash them. She claimed it was too much work after such an insignificant event. Furthermore, it was gross. 

Lanev's calm voice guided me out of the vast void of memories that I suddenly remembered.

"I told you to bring a jacket." Her eyes narrowed a little when looking at my shivering form, "And what did you do?"

"I said it wouldn't be that cold..." I replied, already shrinking back at her harsh gaze. 

The girl looked me up-and-down for a second, as if pondering over something before inching towards me. 

Lanev took off the brown coat she had on her shoulders with one hand, leaving herself only with a white shirt. She took another cigarette out of the box and lit it. Then outstretched her hand to me, looking at the ground again. 

"Umm.. Is it alright? To take it from you?" Lanev looked at me, her gaze more harsh this time. She was never the patient type. 

"What do you think?" She snapped while I quickly took the coat in my hands now. 

"Uhh.." I thought for a second before remembering law 40. Despise the free lunch. 

I put on her coat quickly, not knowing if she will take it away any second. I smiled. 

"Still...thank you, Lanev.." I murmured under my breath, hoping she would somehow hear it.

Lanev nodded at me, seemingly proud. Her lips never changed from that frown they were always stuck with.

I had a relaxed smile on my face. I could see how her eyes moved upwards in a way they always had when she was happy.

Even with the coat, I still inched closer to her just enough for her not to notice. I coughed as the smoke from her cigarettes went into my lungs, leaving my mouth feeling all weird. 

The minutes passed by in silence once again. It felt strangely cathartic- like an ending of a long book.

"Hey, Ciela." Lanev's gruff voice broke the silence. "Then, by law 40, get me some water. My throat's really dry."

"Of course!" I exclaimed, getting up and dusting off my shorts, "I'll be back."

I walked away from the porch's stairs, hearing Lanev mumble something about me not taking too long. I hummed as I opened the door to the grey house, stepping in. I slightly smiled at the warmth that greeted me inside. The walls were a nice colour of peach and the furniture, made of dark oak wood, was a nice addition to the plain-looking house.

It made the house feel just a bit more like a home.

I debated whether to go to my room and feed Zephyr first. He doesn't like to be locked up in his cage for too long. 

I don't think any snake would like to be locked up in a cage all day. If I was one, I certainly wouldn't like it that much. 

It wasn't worth the effort to take off my shoes, as I won't be here for long anyway. I looked in a mirror as I passed by it. My hair was going in all ways except the way it was supposed to. I brushed it out with my hands, slightly giggling at the image before me. I debated over taking off the black mask I had on my face.

The mask was of high quality, it being a gift from Lanev on my twelfth birthday. I was grateful for the small gift but sometimes..just sometimes, I thought it would be nice to just see my face in the mirror again. 

That is until I remember the last time I did. 

I turned away from the mirror after staring at my eyes for too long and sprinted to my room, seeking the comfort of my reptilian friend. The room was covered in posters and old records Lanev got me when I asked on how to decorate my room. My skateboard was laying on my bed, near Zephyr's cage. The green snake looked at the sudden noise of me rushing over to him. 

"Hello." I grinned as he blinked at me silently. He seemed to be looking around. I was starting to wonder if a smudge of dirt was on me when it finally clicked in my head. 

"Oh! Sorry buddy, don't got any food this time..." I said sheepishly, opening the lid to his cage and letting him slither out. "Lanev wants water, and you know her requests come first."

He crawled out and onto my hand, making his way to his favorite spot - being on my hair and neck. The first time Zephyr did that, I was terrified that he was going to choke me. Lanev started laughing at my scared expression and said that's not going to happen any time soon. 

"All good, Zeph?" I asked him, scratching the top of his tiny head. It almost seemed like he nodded at me. 

I made my way over to the kitchen, glancing at Lanev's messy room. Clothes were thrown around and makeup supplies were laid out on the floor as if someone tried to push them off the desk. 

I shrugged, continuing my way to the kitchen. Guess she was angry again. I sighed as I realized that I'll probably have to clean up that mess soon enough. 

I looked at the cabinets in the kitchen, searching for a glass cup. Lanev always liked one specific glass cup more than any other.

"Do you think she'll be more happy if I used her favorite cup?" I asked Zephyr, knowing he wouldn't answer. 

Talking to myself has been such a constant thing that even Lanev barely pays attention to it when she hears talking from my room. Though, even she snaps sometimes.

I shook my head, trying to imagine something nicer than a crazed gaze and a harsh frown of disapproval.

The shining dots in the sky always made me feel better... 

I hummed a particular tune I've had in head for the past few minutes while imagining what I should say to Lanev after I return. Zephyr only silently crawled around my hair, looking around. I finally saw the glass cup she likes most and got some water from the sink into it. 

Zephyr seemed more irritated when he looked over at the water. He constantly started hissing at it. I brushed it off. Animals do weird stuff sometimes. 

I placed the glass of water on the counter, closing all the cabinets I opened slowly. 

You..you..You...are....you ... 

Ciela turned around quickly, checking the surrounding area. 

Zephyr seemed more frustrated than Ciela's ever seen him.

"Umm.. Haha.." She laughed, smiling anxiously, "I guess I'm so tired I'm starting to hear things.." Ciela said, inspecting the whole kitchen and then turning around to close the cabinets more quickly now. 

Flower.. You.. You.. Flower..you.. Only you.. 

Ciela turned around faster now and still saw no one, "What the hell..?" 

The whispering didn't stop this time. 

It was as if it was in her head. Ciela definitely doesn't remember this happening to her. Ever. And Ciela didn't think she has schizophrenia.

Or at least, she hopes not. 

Ciela put her hands on her ears and closed her eyes.

"If I can't see them, they can't see me.." Ciela repeated over and over to herself, mumbling comedic phrases from her favorite shows.

All Ciela could do was try and block this sudden ringing in her ears that was almost washing out the whispering. 

Ciela's throat had gone dry, just like her mouth- when she heard a clear voice in the labyrinth of no escape and the whispering coming from each corner of her mind. 

Ah, my dear esteemed benefactor... 

The calming voice, louder than all the other whispering, spoke up.

Ciela didn't pay any attention to the man's voice. Her back hit the wall and Ciela slumped down into a crouched pose, making her look even smaller than usual. She was officially freaking out. Ciela could barely get her thoughts across and her breathing began to quicken once more. Her breathes were ragged, and her mouth was over-spilling with maggots crawling inside.

My proud, beautiful flower of evil.. 

The voice began again, the whispering ceased for a moment before becoming so loud that it was hard to pay attention to anything else. Ciela opened her right eye a little, seeing black dots in the corner of her vision.

And there, sitting atop the counter was the glass of water. It almost looked like it was sparkling, like magic fairy dust was surrounding it. That made Ciela freeze, suddenly questioning even more of what was everything. 

"Help..I need help, Lanev.." She tried yelling out but her voice was barely tangible, and it mixed together nicely with the uncomfortable echo of the whispering in her ears. 

You are truly the fairest one of all..

"PLEASE! SOMEONE..." Ciela yelped, quickly getting up and running over to the glass of water. Maybe she could shatter it and make Lanev run over to her with the noise... 

Her legs were locked in place as she stared at the water in the glass. Her eyes wide open for the first time since this nightmare started. 

O magic mirror, thy wisdom I entreat... Reveal unto me the visage I seek.. 

"What..?" She stared at it, her plan to knock the glass over to the floor disappearing from her mind completely. 

She took a closer look at the water. It was almost like a mirror was in it, though with her vision blurred- she could barely make out what was in it. 

You, whose image the Dark Mirror beckoned forth... 

A single raven cawed far away. Then there was a sound of wings flapping and talons stretching out to land on different trees and bushes, making them swing back and forth a little. What was one raven's call became to sound like a hundred.

Ciela had a suspicion they were calling out for someone to join them. 

"JUST.. STOP THIS! PLEASE!" She yelled out, clutching the glass in both of her hands. 

A single hand appeared from the mirror in the water. 

If your heart bids it, take the hand of the one reflected in the mirror... 

The voice faded away, yet the whispering continued on. It was as if they could care less what the calm man's voice wanted them to do. 

"I WANT LANEV! KIELLE! PLEASE!" She yelled out through her tears. Huh? 

When did she start crying? She looked at her wet hands, then at the glass cup, Lanev's favorite, sitting atop the counter. 

Before she could answer her question...

The hand dragged her into the water, drowning her in mystery and yearning.

PROLOGUE - Yearning to go back... 

She clutched at her neck, bubbles coming out of her nose and mouth. She was drowning. Slowly. 

The only thing calming Ciela was her mask, that was clinging to her skin like some parasite that wouldn't leave no matter. Most times, Ciela didn't like how the mask was always on her face. This time, she was grateful since the way her water-proof mask clung to her skin was the only way to know she was alive. 

That Lanev was hopefully waiting for her back at the porch. 

Zephyr wrapped himself around her left arm, startling Ciela out of her thoughts. Has he always been there? She taped at him before opening her eyes a little more, gaining more bravery. He squeezed her arm until it started hurting. It made Ciela come back to her senses. 

She opened her eyes fully now, blinking slowly as the whispering went away. She looked up and down to find herself going deeper and deeper into the darkest pits of the seas. She tried swimming up with no luck. It was almost like quicksand. The more she tried to struggle, the deeper she went. 

She was still afraid of the dark. She still was, she still is. 

She knew Lanev would laugh at the fact she was crying in such a situation. She would laugh...and when she finally got bored- would lift one hand and put it on her shoulder, squeeze it for reassurance, and then harshly say to stop. 

Even knowing this, Ciela didn't have Lanev laughing at her right now. Without that reassurance, Ciela could not do anything except cry once again. She wrapped her arms around herself and closed her eyes in a false hope that she will open them and find herself near Lanev again. 

Lanev would know what to do in this situation. She always did. 

She could suddenly feel the brown coat Lanev handed her on the porch back then when today's evening seemed normal. 

What day is it? How long has she actually been here? Is Lanev looking for her? Would Lanev miss her? 

Ciela didn't know. 

That's when she realized that she stopped moving. Her vision was filled with nothing but darkness. 

Hmm..

Ciela turned around, hearing the familiar voice. This time she could clearly make out what the strange voice was saying. Yet it still didn't make sense to her. 

"Who are you?!" She shouted louder than before, "Show yourself!"

Only a mirror stood in the center of her vision, she ran over to it but it only seemed to get farther and farther away from her each second she ran. She quickly lost her spirit. She crouched down, breathing heavily. 

As flame reduces even the stars to ash

Everything around her started burning with fires that were so hot and tall, it seemed like an endless sea of flame.

She instantly straightened her back and stepped away from the mirror, wide eyed and sweating from the heat. 

As ice seals away even time itself

The flames turned to ice spikes. The snow falling from above clouded her vision and the cold harsh winds made her shivering this evening look like child's play. 

She stepped forwards a bit, as to not get blown away like a leaf in the first winter storms. 

As great trees swallow even the sky

The winds became gentler, she could stand normally once again and look, as from the ice- roots and branches of different trees started growing. The snow transformed into green leaves the colour of Zephyr so quickly, she could barely react. 

She looked around in amazement and wonder. In all of her thirteen years of living on Earth, she hasn't seen anything like this before. She didn't know if this was even Earth anymore. The longer she thought about it, the longer she wanted all..this..to simply be a strange dream. 

That's when a strong gust of wind came from the mirror and swept away everything except Ciela and her familiar. Zephyr was clinging tightly to her arm as she tried to gently hold onto him. 

Ciela looked over at the mirror again. This time, she jumped and Zephyr hissed. 

At what? Her sudden movement? 

Or at the two big yellow dots staring at her? 

She didn't know. She didn't know a lot about this situation. She didn't know if it was simply one of her weird dreams, or reality. She didn't know if she'll see Lanev again. 

What she did know was that she didn't like this feeling. This feeling of despair and anguish as the yellow dots looking at her narrowed just a little. 

Fear not the power of darkness.

The voice calmly whispered out of every direction. This time, it wasn't as loud as other times. It almost sounded like Lanev's voice when she was comforting Ciela. 

She could feel a small gust of wind blow her hair back, along with her front bangs. It was almost reassuring if it wasn't so unusual and different from what she knew. 

Now- demonstrate your power.

The voice bellowed out more harshly now. Her feet were walking against her own will. The mirror coming closer and closer. 

Ciela hid her face with her hands before she was forced to jump into the swirling mirror. 

***

"Hey, Ciela." Lanev's gruff voice broke the silence. "Then, by law 40, get me some water. My throat's really dry."

"Of course!" Ciela exclaimed, getting up and dusting off my shorts, "I'll be back."

She walked away from the porch's stairs, hearing Lanev mumble something about the girl not taking too long.

Perhaps, if Ciela had known this would be their last conversation, she would've said something more meaningful. A quote from their favorite movie, perhaps a poem Lanev liked, or maybe Ciela would've finally spoken about Sirius.

Maybe she would've said how much she wanted to grow up like Lanev. Maybe she would've finally confirmed that she won't ever leave Lanev. Maybe she would've said how much she always wanted an older sister.

Maybe Ciela would've shouted and yelled how much she disliked those cold, dark nights without Lanev there. Maybe she would've mentioned how much she disliked cleaning Lanev's messes. Maybe...

Just maybe, she would've said-

***

"Darn, just how insufferable can this place be!" Ciela woke up to someone shouting. 

Ciela tried to move from her bed and stretch before realizing that there was no space. She quickly opened her eyes, realizing that the weird 'dream' was, in fact, not a dream. Ciela started knocking on all sides of the walls, rattling the whole box a little. The walls seemed extremely tall for someone like her.

Most people called her tiny and she would find herself getting annoyed. Now though, she could not deny being viewed as tiny because the walls were so tall- it was almost comical. She looked around in the darkness. 

"What..?" She silently asked herself, breathing a bit quicker now as she realized she's trapped in a coffin. 

She punched the box again to no avail.

"Did I die?.." Ciela began to wonder before something squeezed her right hand tightly. She looked over and saw Zephyr- wringing in a weird way.

"Oh..! They wouldn't bury a living creature with me.."

She looked around, more determined than ever before to get out of this situation. 

Ok.. Alright.. What was the first thing Lanev would do?

Ciela looked around, there were clearly cracks in the corners of the coffin, making a bit of light shine on Lanev's coat and Zephyr. They weren't underground and clearly in a well-lit area. There might still be some people around.

Next, she was clearly standing. So wherever she is, it's clearly not too late for her to start yelling and screaming for help. Though the unusual way the box seemed to drag around made it seem as if they were off the ground.

Ciela has Zephyr with her, who could always sort-of comfort her. 

"I have to wear the uniform, fast..." Someone from outside the coffin mumbled. 

That made Ciela perk her ears up. Zephyr was about to hiss. Well-

BAM! 

The whole coffin started shaking with Ciela going from side-to-side with the coffin. Thank goodness that it didn't just flip her upside-down. 

"Nggggh!!!" Someone from outside exclaimed, "This lid is so heavy."

Ciela was about to start yelling at the person for doing that. Sadly, her voice was so hoarse that she looked more like a goldfish. She kept opening and closing her mouth, trying to utter a single word and miserably failing.

Sadly, her wish of speaking was completely ignored by every higher power she prayed to. 

"If it has come to this..." The light outside was more blue than the original white and green, now that she took a closer look at it, "-gonna have to use my last resort!" 

The light from outside flashed blue and white. It made Ciela ponder over what had happened before realizing that the warmth she's been feeling is quickly increasing. 

She started feeling the heat from all sides of the coffin, quickly making it from her toes to her head. Ciela thought that her hair might as be burned right off before she could escape this nightmare. She started banging on the coffin as hard as she could. With her barely nonexistent muscles, she couldn't even make a dent. 

Smoke filled the coffin slowly, suffocating her and making her cough. This was worse than being near Lanev the first time she smoked cigarettes near Ciela. 

Ciela adjusted her black mask, that somehow has still not been damaged and was in perfect condition. When she gets back to Lanev, she will have to thank her for getting such high quality material. 

"Ngg- there!!" The thing outside yelled out, seemingly proud of itself. 

Just before she could start melting, the coffin's door suddenly opened and she landed on the floor harshly. Her knees were definitely bruised by now. 

But she couldn't focus on the pain since when she saw her savior (and also almost-criminal), she saw a.. Cat? 

"Huh, gyaaaa!!" The strange creature yelped, making his fur stand up. Ciela would have almost scoffed at the sight, if she wasn't so afraid. 

"Umm.." Zephyr did the talking for her- hissing at the cat and readying to lunge and bite it. It was, surprisingly, standing on both of its feet with no problem. 

"You, why are you awake already!?" The creature yelled out, almost making Ciela jump at the sudden noise. 

This thing really liked yelling, huh? She thought to herself. Zephyr is bound to get irritated soon enough. 

"Shh.. Calm.." She tried to make Zephyr quiet down but when Ciela started to observe the environment- she was just getting even more confused. 

She didn't even think she could get more confused with everything that has already happened. 

She stood up, dusting her shorts and picking up Lanev's coat that she accidentally dropped. Ciela put it on her shoulders. 

The talking cat, or whatever he was, wasn't the only problem. She started to look up and side-to-side- all she saw were floating coffins. She fell out of one too- her coffin levitated a few inches from the ground before simply falling to the ground and seemingly disappearing.

"This cannot be real..." She murmured to herself. Ciela's voice was deeper than usual and more.. scratchy.. Would be the best way to describe it. 

She rubbed at her neck while looking at the sight before her. A magical, talking raccoon was looking just as shocked and wide-eyed as she felt. 

Now that she takes a second look- he looked kind of cute. His ears were the most interesting part as the fur in his ears was nonexistent and the only thing that was there was blue fire. 

Blue fire? Wasn't that.. Some kind of fire that didn't actually burn you or something? She remembered reading something about it in a book. 

"Umm.. bud, you ok?" 

He seemed to shake his head and finally get out of his stupor, "Who's the bud--!!" She shrunk back as the blue fire in his ears increased in size a little, "I am the Grim-sama, you know!"

The creature, Grim, seemed way too proud of himself. He reminded Ciela of a person she knew. 

"Oh, well." He rolled his eyes and pointed at her, "Human, give me those clothes!" 

He put his little paw on his chin, as If it made him cooler (it did not). 

"Or else... I'll roast you whole!" He bellowed loudly, an evil grin on his face. His voice would've been more intimidating if he wasn't so tiny and fluffy.

"What the..?!" Ciela stepped backwards, "I'm not giving you my clothes! They wouldn't even fit." She screamed before turning around and bolting out of that cursed room with magical talking raccoons. 

Zephyr clearly agreed with her choice of running as he clung onto her hair again now.

The whole building was a labyrinth! Ciela ran and ran through doors and stairs, and more doors, and more stairs, and then she was outside for a bit before Ciela opened another door and saw.. 

"Wow.." She stared with wide eyes at the tall bookshelves filled to the brink with each and every book. 

She just went from running in the most grandest hallways she's seen to walking in the most grandest library she's seen. Even if the bookshelf reached the ceiling, it still wasn't enough to contain all the books. There were rows and rows of bookshelves, filled with colourful, one-of-a-kind books. 

If someone asked Ciela to describe how the library of Alexandria looked like before it was burned- she would tell them exactly how this library looked like. 

Well- except the floating book part. She went from seeing floating coffins to seeing floating books. Seriously, is there a person who really likes making things float? 

Wait.. 

Floating books! How cool is that?! Ciela jumped at the realization before making her way over to one of the bookshelves.

'History Unraveled: Magic Carpet Weaving', the title of one thick book read. It was probably made for scientific reasons. The red book definitely seemed like the sort of book Lanev would read. 

'Wit For a Twit: Magical Pens', another thinner book read.

Her mouth was left hanging as she went over each and every book, trying to contain the amazement inside. She knew it was not working as well as normally. 

"Did you think you could run away from me!?" Ciela jumped at the sudden voice. 

Ciela turned her head around, accidentally knocking over a couple of books she was tracing her finger over. She looked around for someone in every corner of her vision. 

She couldn't find anyone that could make that noise so she shrugged and turned back to the books, crouching down and collecting them to put back on the shelves. 

"How dare you ignore the Grim-sama! You lowly human!" That voice yelled out again.

She jumped (seriously, why does everything seem like a jumpscare now?) once again. Zephyr hissed once again, making himself look taller. 

"Ohhh... Sorry.. Um..Grim-sama?" She quickly turned around and finally saw who was making that noise now that she was around his height. 

The cat with blue fire for ears was even tinier than her. So how was she supposed to notice him? 

"Finally, you treat me with respect!" Grim-sama exclaimed as he started to smirk, "Now, if you don't want to be roasted whole, give me those clothes-"

SNAP! 

"Fugya!?" The grey raccoon exclaimed and Ciela fell down on her butt from the unexpected movement, dropping the books in her arms. 

A rope-like thing wrapped around his tiny body, making him unable to move properly. He looked like a fish- trying to flop around on the floor. 

"It hurts!" He shouted out, still wiggling in the rope thingy that's wrapped around him, "What's this string!?"

If she wasn't so concerned for that poor cat (and afraid of who did that)- she might've laughed to death at the scene.

"It's not a string. It's the whip of love!" A man wearing the most fanciest outfit came out from the shadows. 

He had golden claws on his hands, which looked extremely sharp. On his face was a black beak-like mask, making her remember of the ravens and crows Ciela used to feed back then. His coat looked so extravagant with the black feathers on it- she started feeling insecure about Lanev's coat that was on her shoulders. 

What was funny is that he had a walking stick with a golden crow on top. Guess he really liked to seem older than he was..

What was the coolest part was the crow-looking mask on his face. Ciela's eyes brightened at the side, already thinking on how to convince Lanev to get her a mask like that. Maybe he could lend her that outfit, on top of the mask? Or make her a tinier version..?

Ciela really liked it just from one look at it. 

As Ciela looked at him, she realized he was really tall. Like super-massive-gigantic-kinda tall. 

Ciela was starting to wonder if he was also some sort of magical creature like that cat with fire in its ears.

"Aah, I finally found you." His yellow eyes shifted from the raccoon in his hold (that was still struggling desperately) to Ciela, "Oh my, do get up from the floor."

Ciela gaped at the sight before her, rubbing at her eyes a couple of times to check if her vision wasn't tricking her. 

If this isn't the weirdest thing she has ever encountered, then Ciela doesn't know what is. 

Ciela simply nodded at him, reminding herself that talking to strangers was bad, before quickly getting up and putting Lanev's coat over her shoulders again. 

The.. Crow-like person (human?) tilted his head to the side like a bird as he looked at Ciela up-and-down. She looked back at him, mimicking his actions. 

"Can I have your mask..?" She quietly mumbled, already forgetting her earlier thoughts of not talking to strangers, "It's pretty."

"What- Huh?" He shook his head slightly, tapping his walking stick a few times before abruptly stopping.

"HUH? Is that the first thing you say to me, student?" He asked, making her shrink a little bit at his sudden voice change. "You are this year's new student, right? Right?!"

He turned to Ciela. His yellow eyes were staring at, what seemed like, her soul. She started hearing those tiny mumbles and whispers again. Tiny black dots clouded the corners of her vision. 

She shook her head, and the noise disappeared. She blinked a few times. 

"-ave a familiar that you have not tamed yet is against the school rules!" The person moved on to explaining something, not even hearing her answer to his previous question.

"Hey! Zephyr is completely tamed, thank you very much." Ciela crossed her arms, the green snake wrapped in her hair purring in agreement. 

He blinked quickly a few times, looking between Ciela and the green snake in her hair, then back at the cat.

"Well then, what about this one?!" He asked, making the grey cat (who has given up struggling in the whip) in his hold more visible for her. 

"I'm not this guy's familiar!" The raccoon yelled out, starting to thrash in the man's hold again. 

"I do-" She started. 

"My.. My, this one's quite rebellious.." 

"Wh-" 

"Really. It is also unheard of for new student to arbitrarily open the gate and come out by themselves." He rudely interrupted Ciela. 

"Well if y-" 

He sighed loudly, "Just how impatient are you?"

Ciela gave up on trying to explain herself after the first two times. She slowly blinked at him, waiting for him to finish.

Ciela wondered if she should bolt right out of the library, but decided against it. If that strange grey raccoon could find her, then this stranger probably could to. It wasn't like Ciela knew where she was anyway. Maybe this is some kind of palace, from how extravagant and expensive every corner looked. If it was, then Ciela would easily get lost.

She looked at the ground, the books she dropped that landed near her feet. They all have titles relating to some sort of 'magic' which made Ciela think she was either in the fantasy genre or going crazy. 

Ciela shook her head, clearing her thoughts away as she finally decided what to do. She crouched down and picked some up, quickly putting them on the shelves. No books should be treated the way she treated those ones. 

The crow-like person only stared at her, his eyebrows furrowed and shoulders relaxed. His head was slightly tilted to the side again. 

Now the whole library was silent once again as three people (Ce wasn't sure about it) were looking at each other in silence. 

"Can I talk now?" Ciela crossed her arms.

The man simply tilted his head before slightly nodding his head. 

"Alright then.. Wait!" Ciela realized she hasn't understood anything the man was saying, "You said gate? What gate? What do you mean?" 

"Oh? It seems you're still not quite awake.." The man shrugged before continuing, "Come, come, the opening ceremony has started long ago. Let's go to the Mirror Chamber."

"Wha-" The man already started walking towards the exit of the library, leaving Ciela only one option, "Wait! At least answer my questions!" 

Ciela looked towards the bookshelves and then back at the stranger walking away from her. She bit the inside of her cheek, glancing at the library one last time before running after the intriguing man.

Even if the man was strange and looked like one of those cosplayers she's seen in festivals... Ciela believed that he could somehow help her. He seemed confident with every stride he took unlike Ce, who had been frantically wandering the building for the past few minutes.

She pushed the doors to the hallway open, glaring at the tall figure as he calmly walked away from her. 

Ciela had some sort of a nagging feeling, telling her he was nice. Obviously, her head told her otherwise. She couldn't judge a person just because of a simple feeling she got. 

All of those lessons and laws from Lanev.. always reminded her that a simple feeling could lead to a devastating mistake. 

What would Lanev do..

"Umm.. Sooo you said something about a gate..?" She asked, completely out of breath, "Do you mind explaining it... Umm..mister?"

Her short legs were not meant for running after the tallest person Ciela's seen yet. She tried to keep up with the man's long strides. Thank goodness that he seemed to realize she was barely keeping up and slowed down a bit. 

The man reminded Ciela of Arthur. The way he tried to ignore her existence while sometimes- out of pity or guilt- remembering and looking at her for a split second. 

This stranger, however, didn't have the exact same pity in his eyes. If those yellow glowing dots could even be considered as eyes.

Now that Ciela could get a closer look at the stranger, she realized he was particularly difficult to read. His body language was hinting that he was calm and collected. Though, the way his eyes sometimes glanced over at her, and then narrowed just a tiny bit said otherwise. 

She looked the man up and down, waiting in silence for him to answer her. Ciela looked to the ground, readjusting the black mask on her face. 

She knew Lanev would act all bossy about this, but that's not Ciela was taught to do in such situations by Lanev. 

Ciela tried to play the part of the lost kid. That's what Lanev said she should learn to do- act as a simple girl. 

No one would suspect a little girl to do anything bad on purpose, right? 

Most times Lanev would step in when she was overdoing the act. Now, Ciela would be doing it all alone.

"Well, since I am such a kind individual.. I just have to help you, don't I?" The man finally spoke, making Ciela turn towards him quickly, "The mirror chamber is the room where you woke up. Every student that enrolled into this school went through those gates to come here."

"School.." She mumbled under her breathe. This time, it was so quiet that even the stranger couldn't hear her. 

She put her hand on her chin, concentrating all her attention on the new information and the surroundings. 

The way the lights were hanging on the walls made her think of a villain's lair. The black carpet in the centre of the hallway only made think that she was some sort of model. She couldn't really say what she was feeling as- a pretty model or some sort of evil grandma that was rubbing her hands together, scheming. 

The man sighed, looking as troubled as she felt. He turned towards the door at the end of the hallway. 

"Usually, students don't wake up until we open the door with a special key, but..." He turned towards Ciela, slightly tilting his head, "You are a.. Special case."

Ciela thought over what happened when she woke up. She could still feel the blue flames almost burning her skin. She fidgeted with the ends of the brown coat Lanev handed her earlier today, thinking over the events of the past couple of minutes. 

She convinced herself she shivered because of the cold breeze that washed over her for a split second. 

"Uhmm.. Mister, I think the gate opened because of Gri-" Would telling the raccoon's name truly help her in this situation? "uh- the animal's flames." Ciela said to him, carefully looking at him from the corner of her eyes. 

"Oh? It seems that in the end, the main culprit is this familiar." The man raised an eyebrow at the grey raccoon in his hand, "If you brought him here, then look after him responsibly."

"Bu-" She tried explaining herself. 

"Uh-uh, we should hurry up now." The man offered his hand, hoping she would take it. 

Ciela looked down at the gloved and sharp hand in confusion, then back at the man's face. He was looking at her with his yellow eyes again. 

She quickly took his hand. If only to have a distraction from the whispering that clouded her mind. 

"My! How kind and generous I am to fetch you myself! Don't you think so too?" He finally said after opening a door to the courtyard. 

Now that she wasn't running at full speed, Ciela could truly understand how much everything looked like it was from a villain's castle. Or maybe that was because of how dark it was outside. A big oak tree was in the middle of the whole courtyard. It looked quite old yet still healthy with thousands of green leaves on its branches. 

"Umm.. Yeah.?" She looked back at the hands in confusion, "I mean, very generous indeed sir."

The man perked up at her words, slowing down his speed again. He turned to her, tilting one eyebrow at her and narrowing his eyes slightly. 

The whispering returned before Ciela looked away. She shook her head, clearing all of the whispering away for now. Ciela was starting to suspect something was wrong with herself. 

There was definitely something wrong since this wasn't a normal occurrence in her life.

She might need to write this down and figure out how to stop it... That's what Lanev would do anyway. 

But that's the least of her concern right now.

"Uh, Mister.." The man nodded in acknowledgment, "Who even are you?"

"Oh?" The man placed his other hand on his chin, "I wonder if, perhaps, your memories are in disorder because of the space transportation magic..." He mumbled to himself. 

Ciela leaned forwards to hear what he was talking about, not understanding a single thing. The man's mumbling quieted down so only he could possibly hear himself. 

.. Magic? She furrowed her eyebrows at the word. She saw plenty of books with titles that had magic in them. 

She jumped as the man suddenly turned towards her. Zephyr slightly jumped with her on instinct. 

"Oh well. It happens a lot, after all." He said in a more confident tone, "I will explain to you as we walk. I am kind, after all!" He placed his hand on his chest, tightening his hold on her hand with his other. 

Now that Ciela saw both of his hands clearly- she wondered where his cane had gone. Maybe she imagined it? It was weird that it would just disappear like that. 

A silence enveloped them. The sound of their shoes hitting the ground and the trees waving their branches in the air were only interrupted when the man coughed, clearing his voice. 

"This is 'Night Raven College'." He pointed at a sign with Japanese characters. Ciela squinted her eyes, trying to see in the darkness, "It's a place where magicians-in-making with exceptional talents gather, Twisted Wonderland's most prestigious magician training academy."

Ciela raised her eyebrows, looking at the stranger. She hoped that he could tell more information about her.. situation. 

The man, seemingly not willing to give up information so easily, ignored her stare for a couple of seconds. Though, it would only take a few more seconds of her frustrated glare for him to continue. 

"Well, I am the headmaster supervising this academy, Dire Crowley." The m- Dire Crowley put his other hand on his chest, proudly introducing himself. 

Ciela remained silent, curiously watching the headmaster. Dire Crowley didn't say anything either as he opened door leading to another similar hallway she ran out of earlier. 

Now the sound from outside had faded. Only the sparkling fire from the lights could be heard as it rose and fell. It almost seemed like it would burst into more flames and ignite the whole hallway on fire. 

Ciela didn't like that thought too much. Ciela didn't like fire either. 

"Umm.. Mister, when you said magician.." Dire Crowley looked at her, "What did you mean?"

"Why! You ask a lot of questions, don't you?" Ciela gave him a dirty look, making him cough uncomfortably, "Ahem.. The only ones who could enroll to this school are those with excellent qualities as a magician, the ones who have been approved by the 'Mirror of Darkness'."

Dire Crowley looked at her to possibly see if she understood. Ciela nodded, furrowing her eyebrows at the new information. 

"There is a black carriage that intends to pick up the new students chosen by the Mirror of Darkness." He hummed as if agreeing with himself, "It is a special carriage carrying the gate that leads to the academy."

Her eyes lighting up with that fairytale sentence.

"Umm.. A carriage?"

"From time immemorial, it has been decided by conventional wisdom that carriages are used for pick-ups on special occasion, am I right?" Dire Crowley tilted his head at her. 

He seemed to be doing that subconsciously. He really did look like a bird while doing that. She wondered if that was normal for him, and if he ever notices. 

"Uh, yes? I'm.. not really sure, mister." Ciela still nodded in agreeing, trying not to anger the strange man. 

"Hmhp! Hmhhh..!" The grey cat with blue flames in his ears started struggling again. 

Ciela jumped at the sudden loud noise. Dire Crowley looked at her, then back at the creature, then back at her. 

He blinked a few times before clearing his throat. 

"Well, well.. Let's get going now, shall we?" The man didn't expect an answer as he guided her through the dim-lit hallways. 

Ciela squeezed the hand that was leading her deeper into the mysterious world. 

***

While the two of them were walking towards the mirror chamber, in the room itself, several people were talking and whispering among themselves. Some voices cut among all of the ceaseless whispering and quieted everyone down. 

"Abandonment of professional duty..." A voice from a floating tablet uttered, lost in thought. 

"Hey! Maybe he got stomach-ache or something?" A man in a turban exclaimed loudly, smiling brightly at them. 

"Wrong!" The headmaster finally showed up as he kicked the door open, sending it flying.

Everyone looked at the man who just barged in, then at the person behind him, then back at the headmaster. That was before they started whispering again, this time more quietly and sometimes sending glares or glances at Ciela. 

It made Ciela shrink behind the headmaster. The moment he barged in, he let go of her hand in the moment.  Without the, somehow, comforting hand of his, holding and dragging her forwards- she instinctively curled in on herself. 

The same could be said about Zephyr. He seemed to also dislike the attention they were getting. Unlike her, who shrunk in on herself and hid, Zephyr made himself even taller, showing off his fangs and hissing at every opportunity he got. 

"Its good of you to show up, headmaster." The red haired boy crossed his arms, clearly irritated as he turned to their direction. 

"Good grief." Ciela looked over, imagining the man beside her rolling his eyes, "There was one new student missing, so I went to look for them."

Dire Crowley looked at her now, their eyes meeting for a split second. It made voices appear for a split second, making Ciela turn around. That was before he slightly started pushing her so that she was ahead of him. 

"Now, you're the only one who hasn't gotten your dorm yet. I'll take care of Raccoon-kun, so quickly go in front of the mirror." He spoke more gently than before, glancing over at her before letting her take steps herself now. 

Being dragged and pushed in all directions by the headmaster made her feel better than now. She was all alone again, standing against the world. 

Zephyr hissed as if he could read her mind. He kept glancing in different directions of the crowd, moving from hissing at another person to the other. Sometimes, it made the students in the front take a hesitant step back. 

She held her head high as she walked towards the giant mirror. There was a voice in her head that sounded awfully similar to Lanev's, 'Remember law 34', it repeated. 

She tried to remain calm and collected, reassuring herself that everything was fine. Everything will be fine. And everything will start making sense soon. And after this, she'll see Lanev and hug her so tightly that the older girl will demand to be let go for the rest of eternity. 

oh.

How Ciela wished she could be in Lanev's arms now. To be enveloped in her tight hold and not see the light of day again, or for the rest of the week. 

Unfortunately, all Ciela could do was act confidently as she walked towards the large mirror. It had a creepy face on it, making different expressions every other second as his eyes stared into, what seemed like, her soul.

She could feel her hands shaking as she tried to keep composure. She breathed in heavily, feeling a strong force weighing her down. It didn't help very much with the pressure. 

Even if she was afraid and scared and terrified and.. Yeah, she was nervous. Ciela held her head high as the whispering faded away slowly, until it completely died down. It left a foul taste on Ciela's tongue, leaving her unable to speak. 

"Hhnngg!" The grey raccoon in the headmaster's hand cut the silence and made everyone perk up. 

Ciela was glad the attention was taken off her now. She didn't like the constant judging of the other students' faces while they looked at her. 

"Speak thy name." Ciela quickly turned back to the giant mirror. 

She almost forgot it was there. Almost. Nobody could miss such a giant mirror in the middle of the room.

It made even Zephyr hide behind her raven hair, wrapping himself everywhere but his favorite spot. 

Also because it was creepy. Let's add that to her list of reasons too. 

"Uhh..Cie-" She interrupted herself. 

She reminded herself what Lanev always said when meeting new people, 'Never, and I mean, never. Ever. Should you tell your real name.'

The words echoed in Ciela's head, bouncing off and making Ciela shut her mouth faster than Usain Bolt could run. 

Nobody, not even the strange mirror, seemed to notice her sudden change in posture. Maybe because Ciela tried to calm her nerves down again. Thankfully, this time it worked and her shoulders relaxed again, head held high and hands still shaking. 

"Ce.." The mirror looked at her up-and-down, she felt quite judged just by that look on his face, "The shape of thy soul is..."

Then there was an uncomfortable silence as the mirror looked, then another before shaking his head. She could hear as someone in the smaller crowds coughed and then how they were being shushed by someone else. 

Ce's eyes only remained on the mirror. 

Even if she didn't understand what took it so long to decide and figure out, she sensed it was something important. The silence that engulfed the entire room was a clear hint at something being.. wrong.

".. I do not know." The face in the mirror decided.

There were some gasps or shouts as people started mumbling again. 

'Yep, something is definitely wrong.' Ce looked to her right and then her left before deciding that the best person to look at was the headmaster. 

What Ce hoped she would find on the man's face was perhaps slight concern and reassurance. Maybe even an explanation.

What she actually found was the headmaster. Gaping at her. 

"-What did you just say.?" He said, after what seemed like an eternity of his silence. 

She turned back around to the mirror more slowly now, a small smile on her lips as her eye twitched. 

"I could not feel any magic of the soul from this one..." He commented, pausing again, "Colourless, shapeless, nonexistent."

Ce frowned. That was quiet rude, thank you very much. Shapeless? She could understand since geometry was a disliked subject to Ce. But colourless? NONEXISTENT? Wow. That was incredibly rude, indeed.

The face in the mirror paused yet again, sighing as if contemplating whether to bring more shame and embarrassment or not. 

Ce could almost hear some students in the distance banging on the drums, creating a more intense atmosphere. 

"Therefore, this one is unworthy for any dorm!" The face finally shouted across the room, so unexpectedly, that it made Ce flinch. 

Zephyr wrapped tighter around her, securing his place as Ce was freaking out. What was going to happen to her now..?

"There's no way the black carriage would pick up a human who cannot use magic!" Dire Crowley threw his arms up, frowning. "-In 100 years, there has not been any mistake in student selection!" 

The murmuring from the crowds wasn't even quiet anymore. Ce could barely hear the headmaster as he, she guessed, started talking about how 'impossible' it was. 

The headmaster, caught up in his confusion, completely forgot that he was holding a certain raccoon in one of his hands. The raccoon quickly slipped out of his hold and jumped down on the floor, smirking. 

"How about you give me that human's seat then!" He pointed to himself, proudly. "I can even use magic unlike that human! If it's magic you want, I'll show you an extraordinary one now!"

SWISH! 

"No wait!" The headmaster's voice was drowned out as blue flames engulfed the entire room in one big swish. 

The neatly made groups and crowds now parted apart like the red sea. Everyone scrambled to get out of the way of the burning flames flying in every direction possible. One of the people in the front of a crowd got themselves roasted since they couldn't escape in time. 

"AH! My clothes are burning!!" The man in a turban frantically shouted as he started dancing the most Irish tap dance Ce's ever seen. 

She didn't think that was on purpose. 

Ce stayed where she was. Frozen like ice. She breathed in the smell of ash that was slowly coming her way as everything burned. She could barely hear anything as shouting and yelling was reduced to be just background noise. There was a sort of ringing in her ears she hasn't heard in a while. 

Something hissed beside her, finally shaking her out of her stupid frozen pose. 

"Oh, hello Zephyr." Ce smiled at him, scratching the top of his head.

Zephyr's only response was to make himself more comfortable in his favorite spot. 

"Someone catch that blasted animal before it sets the entire school ablaze!" Ce turned to the first voice she's heard now.

The headmaster was throwing his arms in the air again, sometimes pointing at the small creature casting blue flames out of seemingly nowhere. 

"..-Go and help yourself to that plump little morsel!" A handsome man said, replying to something a.. Lion? Human- said.

Ce shook her head. She decided to not think about the weird cosplay. 

"Eh.. That's too much effort. I don't want to." The man with the lion ears sighed, running his hand through his gorgeous hair. 

"Allow me to handle this, Headmaster Crowley." A voice shouted clear as day, "If none of you are up to the task of catching a small animal, I will accept the responsibility!"

The man with glasses and the nicest voice Ce's heard ever, (except for the headmaster), reached in his pocket. He pulled out a simple pen. 

Ce didn't know what a pen would do but she hoped the glasses guy wouldn't start writing on the walls or something. He seemed like the nerd type.

Or worse, if he threw the pen at the strange looking raccoon. 

She could make out the mirror as she looked up. The giant mirror behind her seemed almost dead now that Ce could take a clearer look at it. She had wondered why she hadn't heard the voice from the face in the mirror. 

It was because the face disappeared completely, leaving it blank and looking like a normal, still-giant, mirror. 

"Hey, um, my butt's still on fire... Could someone maybe put this out?!" The man who caught himself on fire shouted as he still tap danced his way over to Ce. 

"I'm sorry, were my instructions unclear?!" Someone yelled out. 

Ce knew something important was happening in front of her, but she could only look forwards as the man with red eyes jumped around like a rabbit to her direction. A sudden urge to help him out came over her. That was mostly because he was going to crash into her if he didn't stop. 

"STOP, DROP AND ROLL!" Ce yelled out as loud as she could, which was pretty loud. 

The red eyes turned to her for a second, confusion clear in his expression. That was before he finally; stopped, dropped and then rolled for a good second or two. 

Ce could only blink at the scene not only in front of her but all around her. She looked over at Zephyr, who had almost the same expression if she read his body language correctly. 

"Hey! Thanks for that!" The man quickly got up and almost sprinted to where she was standing. "It's not everyday I get burned- I always forgot what to do when Jamil's not around!"

Ce only nodded at him. Lanev always said to not answer to such 'thank you's' and everything. 

Even as she gave no definitive reply to the boy with red eyes, he still grinned at her. He didn't leave her side, which made Ce a bit uncomfortable. 

"Uhh.. Does this happen often?" After a considerable amount of silence, Ce asked the boy beside her. 

"Well.. I don't particularly know.." He rubbed his neck with his hand sheepishly, "Last year, I joined a bit late so I have no idea. Though, I did hear that something interesting happened last year! Something with the leech brothers.."  The boy continued to ramble on and on. 

It was to the point where Ce started to regret asking the question at all. She liked listening to people. She truly did. But she was getting more confused and concerned each second. 

"-ually, do you always wear a mask like that? Ohh right! I never did introduce myself." The boy exclaimed, jumping up in realization, "My name is Kalim. And yours is..?" Kalim leaned in closer to her. 

"Umm.. The name's Ce." She agreed with her earlier decision to not say her actual name. She didn't exactly like the shortened little nickname but she could live with it. 

If only to tell Lanev and see the nod of approval on her face. 

"Ce.." The boy frowned, "Anyway, thanks for helping me out!" 

Ce was blown away by that bright smile he flashed her. She was sure that Kalim had some sort of majestic lamp following him around, showing off how bright he is. She blinked as the boy started ranting about something yet again. She wondered how much energy he had even before the whole incident. 

Ce's eyes widened. She's completely forgotten about everything that happened. About the flames (that she would like to forget now) and the stupid little raccoon that was causing them. 

She looked over at Kalim, staring at his face for a bit. She started getting anxious over how easily he could make her feel more.. Welcome.

"It's no problem." 

"Huh?" Kalim looked at her again, furrowing his eyebrows. 

"I mean.. Uhh.. You thanked me.." She clarified, sheepishly looking to the side, "-it's no problem." 

"Oh! That's what you meant." He grinned at Ce before his eyes widened and he blinked a couple of times. 

Noticing the lack of talking, Ce looked over at him. He simply pointed at her head. Ce was prepared to run by now, thinking there was something wrong with her appearance. Ce's hand instantly went to her nose, adjusting her mask to make sure it was still there.

That was when a hissing sound interrupted her as she was fixing her hair. She extended her hand, Zephyr crawling all over it. She smiled, calming down a bit. 

"Woah. You have a pet snake?!" Kalim, who now regained some colour on his face, brightened instantly. 

"Uh.. Yep. His name's Zephyr." 

"Ooohhh, that's so awesome! I have many animals back home. They're mostly used for parades and events so snakes aren't seen very often. You kno-"

Aaannnd Kalim went back to yapping. 

Ce thought it would never end this time. She was beginning to wonder if she should just walk away without saying anything. That's certainly what Lanev would do. 

Fortunately a person with long black hair came up to them, seemingly looking as tired as she felt. 

"Where did you go, Kalim-san?!" The person said, not even noticing my presence. "I told you to stay close."

"Ah, Jamil-! Did you know Ce, that's his name, h-" Ce drowned out whatever Kalim was talking about now. 

It made her feel a little better. Most people wouldn't notice Ce until Lanev moved out of the way or introduced her. This felt almost a little bit too much like those times.

The memories comforted her from inside, making her glance back up from the ground she was focusing on, to notice that both people were staring at her now. 

"Umm.. Hi?" She waved her hand, trying to not look as uncomfortable as she felt. 

The boy, who was previously scolding Kalim in a harsh tone, now looked at her and simply bowed lowly. It was so sudden that Ce could only take a step backwards, almost tripping. 

"I must kindly apologize for the inconvenience that my master has brought you." He looked at her now, "And I thank you for.. aiding him."

Ce could only stare at the weird way of the stranger thanking her. She looked over at Kalim, who was awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck and looking exactly at one of the walls. 

"Ah, it's no problem. Don't worry." She replied. 

Finally getting her answer, he simply nodded and started talking to Kalim yet again. Ce took that chance to slip away unnoticed by the both of them. She didn't necessarily think it was alright. Lanev would clearly stay and introduce herself to everyone around, basking in the attention it brought her. 

Sadly, Ce was never supposed to shine as bright as Lanev always did. 

"OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!" The yell got Ce unexpected, making her jerk towards the loud noise. 

The red-haired guy seemed to have captured the weird-looking raccoon with a simple collar. On second thought, the collar looked so big and heavy on the creature's tiny neck that it was a miracle the raccoon could stand at all. 

Ce blinked, wiping her eyes as if to confirm what she saw was true. She quickly stopped doing that when she saw multiple heads start staring at her reaction. 

"The Queen of Heart's Rule 23: "One must never bring a cat to a formal affair." The rule part reminded Ce of Lanev and so, she listened on, "Your very presence here is a violation of order. You will vacate these premises immediately." 

The red-haired boy commanded, looking at the strange raccoon like it was some sort of parasite. Despise the guy being almost the same height as Ce, she should never imagine herself lifting her head as high as he did.

Ce felt a need to scowl at the scene. The guy truly reminded her of someone she knew, yet now had forgotten their name. 

But hey, if he truly feels better, than who is Ce to judge? 

"But I ain't a cat either!" The raccoon yelped, "Don't try to collar me! I'll burn it right off! Nngh-"

Ce flinched at the sight before her; The creature was trying to burn the collar again and again. That was before he realized that no matter how much he struggles, just like with the headmaster's 'whip of love', he can't get it to come off. 

"Huh...? Wh-what gives? My fire ain't workin'!" The raccoon yelled, trying to get the collar off by scratching it with his sharp nails. 

"Until I deign to remove that collar, you won't be using any magic." The short guy proudly smirked, "You're naught but a pet cat now."

Ce observed as a small, barely noticeable, grin appeared on the guy's face. The small grin soon disappeared as quickly as it appeared. 

"-What?!" The raccoon yelled as it struggled against the weight, barely supporting himself on his hind legs. "I ain't nobody's pet!"

"Oh, you've nothing to worry about there. I certainly have no interest in having you as a pet." Ce snorted at the guy's sassy retort, "The collar will disappear once you're removed from campus."

"Aa-HA! Good show as always, Riddle." Ce looked at the silver-haired taller boy standing next to him." You're signature spell locks down any magic. It's quite handy."

"So his name is Riddle.." Ce muttered to herself at the strange name. She thought it over, writing it into her head so she wouldn't forget. 

Now looking at the red-haired guy, she could somehow feel how well the name 'Riddle' fits him. 

"I've just got to have it—ah, I mean, I definitely don't want it casted on me!" Ce looked over at the boy with glasses. 

Ce huffed.

"Ce-kun! Was I not clear that you are expected to take responsibility for your familiar?" Dire Crowley glared at her as he finally let Ce state her case. 

"He's not even my familiar! I wouldn't want him even if h-" 

"Now discipline your- Huh? What's that? It isn't yours?" Ce was very rudely interrupted by the headmaster once again. 

Now knowing that she would be interrupted yet again- Ce only nodded her head furiously. It made Zephyr hiss at the sudden movement. 

"Oh... Is that so?" He coughed awkwardly as he finally realized his mistake, "Then I shall have it expelled from campus. I shall even spare it from being served as dinner." 

Ce raised one eyebrow at the headmaster. 

"My, but I AM kind. ...Someone take this away, please." He waved his hand in a lazy manner. 

"NOO! Let me go!" The creature struggled more than ever now, "You fools better remember my name! Cause I'm gonna go down in the annals of magic history! Just you waaaiiitttt!" 

He shouted it so confidently that Ce was beginning to think that this might be his villain backstory and that he will actually burn this 'academy' to the ground. 

As he was dragged away, screaming and struggling with all the might it's tiny body could do, she started to look around. She saw that no one was even looking at the creature. They were all whispering, laughing at the scene that just happened. 

It disgusted Ce to a degree even she didn't know she could be disgusted in.

In no way was Ce a good person. She knew that. Lanev knew it too as she told Ce that multiple times. But looking at the struggling creature in front of her, being desperately dragged away, she could do nothing but stare, thinking that this is what Lanev meant when she said Ce was 'feral' at first. 

"Well, that was quite the unexpected scene. I hereby declare that orientation has concluded." Dire Crowley commanded with a finality in his tone, "Prefects, please escort your students back to the dorms."

All of the students were in neat groups yet again. Some were excited, others - just tired already.

"...Hm? Come to think of it, I don't see prefect Draconia of House Diasomnia anywhere." The headmaster put his hand on his chin as he looked around. 

"And that surprises you? Dude's a total recluse."

"Wait a sec... Did anyone even invite him?" Ce looked over at the familiar voice. It was Kalim talking. 

She puffed her chest out, quite proud for remembering his name. 

"If you're that worried about him missing out, maybe you should have told him yourself." The most handsomely handsome man said. 

"Maybe, but I don't know him too well either..." Kalim not knowing someone too well seemed completely understandable as he talked more than listened. 

Ce could hear how the volume of the whispering changed instantly. 

"Draconia... Like, Malleus Draconia? That Draconia?"

"So it's true? He really does go to school here?" Another muttered. 

"Yikes."

"Ah. Just as I'd expected." A.. 

Teenager? Ce glanced for a second time at the guy. He didn't seem like a kid, and his speech gave off this... ancient, powerful and dangerous energy all around him. 

"I figured I'd come down and see for myself whether Malleus had made an appearance." The guy sighed, rubbing his forehead. "But once again, he was evidently not informed that his presence was required at an official ceremony."

His voice, unlike the headmaster's, sent chills down Ce's spine. 

"You have my sincerest apologies. I assure you, this oversight was in no way intended as a snub." The silver-haired looked absolutely not sorry.

The boy with the glasses looked, almost.. relieved that he didn't need to contact this mysterious 'Draconia'. 

"I mean, you must admit, he's not exactly the easiest person to strike up a conversation with." Riddle almost looked like he was about to shrug before deciding not to. 

"No matter. All who were assigned to House Diasomnia, follow me." The guy commanded, "-I just hope he doesn't sulk about this." 

The smallest group of all the others walked away. Whispering and muttering around themselves. They were quickly followed by the others. Riddle's group, who were silent as a mouse now, who were the complete opposite of Kalim's. 

When they all left, Dire Crowley looked back at Ce. 

"Well, Ce. This is a most unfortunate turn of events. I'm afraid that you will not be attending Night Raven Collage after all." He did not look afraid at all. 

"Surely you realize that I cannot very well admit a student with no magical ability to my academy." He looked back at the giant mirror, "-But worry not! The Dark Mirror will see you safely home. Now, step into the gate, and visualize the place you whence came from."

He pushed her a little to be in front of the giant mirror again.

She didn't like this. Hopefully, everything will be done soon. 

Ce, instead of imagining this cold place, imagined Lanev. Her warm hug and how she did Ce's makeup every time they were about to go outside. Her meals that were never really bad, but not perfect either. 

She remembered each and every detail of Lanev's house. Then Ce remembered her own room. Visualized it like she was studying architecture all her life. 

"Dark Mirror! Return this soul to where it belongs!" The headmaster shouted, making Ce jump. 

Silence only followed, in the now empty room.  

Crowley coughed as Ce still tried to focus on Lanev's house. Of Lanev too. 

"L-let us, er... try this again. O Dark Mirror! Return this soul—" 

"There is no such place." The face in the mirror interrupted. 

"What?" Dire Crowley blinked rapidly as Ce only stared at the mirror. She didn't want him to see the condition she was in. 

Ce's hands were beginning to shake. She breathed in. She breathed out. Trying to calm the tears that were blurring her vision. 

"There is no place in this world where this soul belongs. None." It added with a final note. 

"How can that be? My, but today is a veritable cavalcade of impossible phenomena!" Ce didn't know what 'cavalcade' meant but she supposed it was something bad. 

The giant mirror didn't reply this time. It stayed silent before the face slowly faded, leaving the mirror to still look like a big, unimaginable and magical mirror. 

"This has never happened throughout my long tenure. I must confess that I am at something of a loss." The headmaster shook his head, "Tell me: From what land do you hail?" 

Ce quickly wiped the tears that still fell from her eyes, sighing before turning to look at the man. 

"Uhh..I'm from East Canada." She knew it wasn't the best decision to instantly say where she was from. 

Knowing the country she was from wasn't too bad, right? She won't say the exact city or address as that would be too dangerous to talk about with a stranger. 

"I'm afraid I am not familiar with such a place." He furrowed his eyebrows. "I am intimately acquainted with the origins of every student who has ever come here, and yet...This mysterious homeland of yours eludes me."

Dire Crowley turned around, trudging out of the empty room. Well, for Ce- it was more like bolting due to her height. 

"Let us go to the library and look it up, shall we?" He asked. 

***

Now Ce was staring at a fantasy map. 

When she first walked into the library with the headmaster- Ce thought that he would instantly look at the map and finally recognize where she 'hailed' from. 

What happened as complete opposite; Ce didn't know what she was looking at. The continents were all wrong, in the sense that the continents, nor the countries didn't even resembled any of those she knew. 

And Lanev always told her she was a total genius when it came to geography. She could somehow feel Lanev's disappointed glare as Ce tried to make sense of the map. Ce held Lanev's brown coat even more tightly now. 

Can't they just use a GPS or something? The headmaster should have a phone, shouldn't he..? 

After staring at the map for a solid minute or two, Ce finally looked up and explained to the headmaster everything about her situation. This time, unexpectedly, he listened to it without interrupting. 

"The only explanation is that you've come from another planet. Or perhaps you were summoned here from another dimension?" Dire Crowley thought it over before coming to a conclusion. 

Ce only widened her eyes at the sudden statement. She didn't say anything as reality slowly dawned on her. 

Was she really stuck here? In this.. Weird place called, she looked over at the writing at the left corner of the map, "Twisted Wonderland". That's the name of this world? Planet? 

Ce didn't know. 

"Show me everything that you brought here with you. Do you have some form of identification, or even a.. phone? You do seem a tad bit... empty-handed." He glanced over at her. "I suppose you don't have a driver's license or something of the sorts?" He asked her. 

"No, sir." Ce put her hands in all of the pockets she could find, even in Lanev's coat pockets. There was nothing. "I am only thirteen after all."

"Thirteen!?" He shouted with panic, "Oh my, this might be more complicated than I expected.." He muttered under his breathe. 

Ce only side-eyed him, already getting used to the constant murmuring he does. 

"Yeah.. Umm.. Sorry about that..?" Ce replied hesitantly. 

Ce scratched and ran her hand over Zephyr's scales. She decided that the next best thing to fidgeting with now non-existent jewelry, was petting her snake. 

"Well, this is quite the predicament." Dire Crowley sighed, putting his hand on his forehead. 

"I cannot have someone with no aptitude for magic bumbling about my magic academy. And yet, as an educator, I am loath to expel a young person without a cent to their name, or any ability to contact their guardian..." She was about to thank him, "Truly, my grace is boundless."

Forget about the thanks. This guy was starting to get on Ce's nerves with the constant 'Oh, I am so kind'. 

"Hmm... Ah!" The headmaster jumped up as he finally decided, "-There is a vacant building on this campus. It was, in fact, used as a dorm a long time ago."

Ce listened carefully. It didn't sound too bad now that she thought about it. 

"With a proper cleaning, it should be habitable enough. Out of the profound kindness of my heart, I will allow you to live there for the time being." 

"Wow," Ce said in the most grateful voice she could manage, "You truly are kind, sir!"

Now that Ce thought over it- it sounded a lot like her voice was quite monotone. She almost laughed at the image; a smile on her face with the most monotone voice. Not that Dire Crowley could see the smile, especially with her own black mask over her lips.

"In the meantime, we will investigate other ways to send you home." Ce's eyes sparkled at the information, "-Dear me, but I am a gracious man indeed! A model educator, one might say."

"Indeed, mister." Ce nodded her head furiously. 

Ce was trying to suck up as much as possible. The man really has some issues with his constant 'I am so amazing'. It was better to just agree as much as possible so she could get more of his 'gracious' gifts. 

"Well then, I shall take you to your dorm straight away. It is an older building, but it has plenty of... character, one might say." The headmaster explained as Ce had to run over to him again. 

Ce really did dislike the long strides taller people do. You know what, she just disliked tall people. Yeah. 

Tall people sucked.

***

The only thing keeping her from falling asleep while walking was the headmaster. Halfway, he decided they were going to slow so he grabbed her hand once again and was sort-of dragging her at his own pace. 

By the time the both of the them finally reached the gates to the 'dorm', Ce was exhausted. 

If the place could even be called a building is a mystery to her. As she looked around, she realized that this place was barely livable. The roof had huge leaks everywhere. As they entered, Ce saw how the door was barely hanging on its hinges. 

The only good thing was that the place only needed a bit of dusting and cleaning to get the dust off of.. Literally every single thing in the 'dorm'. Nonetheless, Ce was grateful that she at least had a place to stay in. It might not be the best, but the streets were way worse. 

She also remembered the 1st law that Lanev taught her. 'Never outshine the master’, she used to say. Appeal to them, compliment them in any way you want, just make sure they think they are superior to you. 

"Mister?" Dire Crowley turned to look at her, "Umm.. Thank you. For the dorm, I mean." 

She didn't know exactly what to say or do. Lanev never really thanked anyone since that was a 'thing fools do to get someone's favor'. Ce never truly agreed with her on the matter, even now. 

If Ce needed to act like a fool to get what she wanted- then so be it. She'll act like the most dumbest, childish fool in existence. 

It seemed her plan had worked as Dire Crowley looked at her weirdly for a second before going on a rant on how 'kind' he was yet again. Ce ignored him as she started opening the windows in the living room to get some dust off of the floor. 

"This should keep the elements at bay for the time being." He said after Ce returned to face him after opening all the windows. "-Now, I should return to my research. Don't let me catch you wandering the campus!"

He disappeared in a blink of an eye after his final statement. Ce looked around her, running over to the door and seeing nothing in the darkness but rain droplets landing on the ground. 

"Is he even human?" She asked herself quietly, closing the door. 

Zephyr sneezed on her shoulder. 

"Ugh.. Guess I'll start cleaning the mountains of dust in here.." She talked with Zephyr for the remainder of the time she cleaned. 

She somehow found a mop in a corner of some storage room. She found out that there was no running water too. The only way she could clean the also dusty mop was by holding it out outside as the rain droplets hit it. 

She began cleaning and scrubbing the floor first before trying to wipe the dust on the furniture with her hands. She never really had to learn how to clean furniture or floors before as Lanev always hired someone to do that. 

Guess this was a new skill she was slowly learning. 

"GWAH! It's pouring out there!" A sudden loud noise caught her attention. 

She turned around yet again, expecting Dire Crowley even if the voice was unfamiliar. What she saw made her freeze for a few seconds. 

Zephyr hissed, wrapping around her right arm. That's what got Ce to remember how to move. 

"You!" She yelled, trying to swat him with the mop in her hands. 

"Bwahaha! That look on your face is priceless! Like a bat that got blasted by a water gun." He smirked as he kept running and dodging the flying mop. 

"What even is that comparison?!" She chased after him, "Why are you here anyway?!"

Most times, she would've acted more shy and childish. But she was so tired and frustrated with the situation that the exhaustion definitely affected her brain. Not to mention, the raccoon had already caused her too many problems and seemed less significant or important for Ce to act around him.

"As if I wouldn't just sneak back onto campus the second I escaped pryin' eyes. You all got no idea what I'm capable of!" He dodged the flying mop yet again, making a sharp turn, "I ain't givin' up on goin' here just 'cause I got kicked out one measly ol' time. And if you think otherwise, you don't know Grim!"

"Dire Crowley! Mister!" Ce shouted out his name a couple of times. 

Ce was already tired and so, she finally gave up on trying to catch the little rascal. She was now fully out of breath and calling the headmaster as loudly as she could. 

Which wasn't very loud, if she was honest. 

"Hey! No! Bad human! BAD HUMAN! Ain't you gonna ask what I'm doin' here? That's what you people do, right? Talk about feeling and stuff." The weird-looking raccoon asked loudly as he stared at her from quite a distance now. 

"I did ask you that!" She shouted while she tried to regain her ability to breath oxygen. 

"You did?" He looked puzzled for a second before explaining, "Anyway.. I'm a magical prodigy who's got the makin's to become one of the greatest mages who ever lived! So I've been waitin' and waitin' for that black carriage to come for me. And yet..." 

An uncomfortable silence settled. Ce already knew the answer he was suggesting. Though she let him finish his little rant about his miserable life. 

"-Hrmph! That Dark Mirror's got no eye for talent!" He suddenly shouted, crossing his arms. 

Ce snorted at the sight. The creature is kinda cute, she had to admit it. 

"That's why I took the initiative and came here myself." He jumped on one of the tables near the couch Ce was sitting on, "You humans don't understand what a mistake you're makin'! Not lettin' me in is a great loss to the world!"

He quickly shut his mouth when a drop of water landed on him. His fur instantly stood up like a cat's would. 

"Mrrao! C'mon, scoot over! I'm getting dripped on here!" He ran over to the couch, ignoring the mop still in her hand, "-Bwah! Another hole in the roof! These flamin' ears are like my trademark, y'know? I can't let 'em get doused!"

Ce flinched, getting goosebumps from the reminder of the blue flames. She shook her head, trying to clear the thoughts away. 

She pet Zephyr to calm herself down. He had moved back up to his favorite spot, hissing when the raccoon came too close to her. 

"Hey, that's your problem. Not mine." She replied, not moving from the side of the couch she was in. 

The raccoon, however, jumped up on the couch, licking his paws and then running them though his fur. It looked a lot like what a cat would do. 

"I dunno why you don't just magic those holes away. You could have it fixed in half a jiff." He widened his eyes in mock-realization, "-Ahhh, right. You can't use magic at all. Pffft, man you're useless."

Ce instantly saw the superiority complex in this tiny form. Ce would've definitely used that to her advantage and acted inferior in this situation. 

And yet this time, she thought to act like Lanev. It's not like the creature can burn the place to the ground like he wanted to do in the room she awoke in. Even a small fire could break this whole building's formation and instantly make them both go SPLAT under the rubble of the collapse 'dorm'.

"Say one more word and you won't even have a place to stay in." Ce said it in a more harsher tone, more confident like Lanev's voice got when she was done. 

That made the raccoon shut his mouth. Ce, not willing to get him talking about how 'cool' and 'powerful' he was (she noticed there was quite a pattern with the people here), stood up. She left the mop and went looking for some buckets or pots that she could use. 

As she walked into a darker corridor, she began hearing strange noises. Strange noises as in, banging, some whispering here and there. By the time, she was halfway down corridor, she decided it was about time to give up searching and turn back. 

BAM! 

"AHH!" Ce jumped and was about to bolt when she saw another ghost behind her. It quickly disappeared and reappeared next to the other two ghosts in front of her. 

They were white, slightly translucent. They had weird shapes, not human except for the face and the most human feature- their blue, shining eyes. Their form constantly changed shape and size like some flames.

"Bwahaha! We haven't had visitors in ages!" The middle ghost chuckled at her, "Oh, I'm just itchin' for new friends! Ahhahahaha!"

Zephyr hissed in response to the laughter. Ce didn't say anything as she watched. Now that she took a closer look, their faces reminded her of something humane.. Yet so not. It gave off the vibe of uncanny valley. 

It sent shivers down Ce's spine.

"Hey, keep it down over- AAAAAH! GHOSTS!" He screamed, flinching. 

"All the people who used to live here got scared of us and ran away..." The ghost on the right sighed. 

"We just want a new ghost to play with! What do you say, buddy?" The ghost on the left exclaimed in an enthusiastic tone. 

Ce could only shake her head as reply. The raccoon, Grim (she finally remembered his name), reacted a bit more bravely than her. 

Even when she could clearly see him shivering. 

"I'm a master sorcerer! I ain't afraid of any dumb ghosts!" Right as he said, he shot blue flames from his mouth, "Myahaaa!"

It made Ce take a few quick steps back. Each second, she slowly moved away from Grim and the unusual-looking ghosts. 

"Nuh-uh. Not even close." The middle ghost said in disappointment as he reappeared before Grim. 

The other two laughed and giggled as the grey raccoon tried to get the upper hand on them and miserably failed. 

That was mostly because he was aiming with his eyes closed.

"Argh! They keep disappearing and reappearing!" Grim shouted as his blue flames slowly enveloped the whole room. 

Ce was beginning to breathe more heavily and quickly them before. The smell burning and the sight of the blue flames made her mind repeat the words 'run, run, get out'.

Zephyr hissed. The noise actually made her start thinking about the consequences. 

Ce was about to bolt out of the building when she remembered this was the only place she could stay in. There are no second 'dorms' that the headmaster would be willing to give to her. No matter how much compliments and agreements Ce made with him. She knew that. 

And for that reason, and that reason only did she stop, took some deep breathes and yelled out, "HEY! GRIM, TO YOUR LEFT!"

Grim somehow understood what she meant in a few mini seconds and by the time the ghost was beginning to disappear;

"AAAAAH! It buurns!" One ghost yelped. 

"Ha, got one! Keep it up, just like that... And let's clear out the whole lot of 'em!" Ce nodded her head in agreement, glancing around the entire room. 

She didn't want to be here. But sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do to get what you want. 

"TO YOUR RIGHT!" Ce shouted once again. 

***

"H-huh? D-Did we... win?!" Grim asked as the last of the ghosts slowly faded away, becoming more translucent and disappearing completely from sight. 

"Huh, I guess?" Ce replied, shaking her head to get her thinking skills back. 

Zephyr hissed in what she could say was amusement and agreement. Ce pet him for encouragement. 

"Aw, geez, I was scared outta my-" Grim interrupted himself, which made Ce raise an eyebrow at him. "..-I mean, they didn't faze me one bit! Just a walk in the park for a mage of my caliber."

Ce looked at him with a ridiculous stare, still having her eyebrow raised. Grim, as arrogant as ever, made it his mission to prove to her how 'unafraid' he truly was.

"Good evening!" Ce flinched at the greeting, quickly turning around to only see the headmaster. Her shoulders relaxed a bit.

"Hello." She replied, trying not to seem rude. "I thought-"

Dire Crowley interrupted her once again.

"In another gesture of my immense kindness, I have brought you dinner." He said proudly before looking around and noticing the slightly burned walls and the grey raccoon he wanted to cook for 'dinner'.

"Wait- That's the creature we ejected for causing trouble at orientation! What is it doing here?!" He yelled out, staring at Ce for an explaining.

Ce only shrugged, not knowing how to respond. She didn't want to make him angry, it just sort of... Happened.?

"Takin' care of yer ghost problem, that's what. You're welcome, by the way!" Grim stayed where he was, his paws crossed over his chest.

Dire Crowley ignored him. He only glanced at Grim before turning to look at Ce yet again.

"What is the meaning of this, dear student?" He asked, looking between Ce and Grim, "But you know, on that topic, I do seem to recall that this dorm had a mischievous ghost problem."

Dire Crowley put his hand on his chin, looking at a direction where a particular bad burn was on the wall.

"Ah, yes... That's why it was abandoned, in fact. The ghosts scared away all the students." He glanced at the both of them, "And you're saying that you two joined forces to drive them away?"

So the headmaster knew that ghosts haunted this building and didn't even try to inform her?!

"'Joined forces' ain't exactly how I'd describe it. More like I drove 'em away, and the human watched." Grim proudly exclaimed, putting one of his paws on his chest proudly.

Ce wanted to sigh, her shoulders drooping low. She was barely awake by now, her eyes closing and quickly opening every few seconds. Instead of sighing, she yawned.

"Hmh.." The headmaster seemed lost in thought, "Would you two be so kind as to demonstrate your ghost-eradication methods for me?"

Ce only shook her head desperately, hoping that they wouldn't have to do all of that all over again. Grim seemed to be thinking the same.

"One, no, 'cause I already wiped 'em all out. And two, no, 'cause I won't do it without my tuna!" He crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at the headmaster.

"To make it easier, I will play the part of the ghosts." The headmaster said calmly, ignoring their obvious stares, "As for the tuna, you'll receive it when you defeat me. Oh, what generosity, Crowley...Now, to chug this transmutation potion!"

"Um..the what potion..?" She mumbled quietly to herself.

By now, she knew that the fire could be dangerous and unpredictable with Grim of all people controlling it. So she decided to put Zephyr down on the floor for now.

As she tried doing so, Zephyr only clung to her. No matter how much she fought (which wasn't a lot because Ce didn't want to hurt the poor thing), he wouldn't let go and climbed all over her like a jungle gym yet again.

"Ah, you gotta be kiddin' me. I gotta work together with the human again?" Ce rolled her eyes at Grim, finally accepting her defeat of not getting Zephyr of.

Ce knew for a certain Grim wouldn't try as much this time around. Yet she knew that's what Dire Crowley wants exactly. The moment they do not fulfill his request to their fullest- he will kick them out.

Lanev's voice echoed in her mind, bouncing and circling, wrapping itself around her brain, 'Remember law 13..Appeal to self-interest..'

Ce shook her head, barely able to focus with how her eyes seemed to dilate and unfocus in certain times.

"Hey. Maybe you can get enrolled into the school if you tried your best to impress the headmaster?" Ce spoke confidently, as if she actually knew what she was saying or doing.

Somehow, her words seemed to have an effect.

"Hrmph." Grim thought over it for a bit, "All right, but this is the last time. And I better get some tuna afterwards!" He yelled out, already ready to strike any 'headmaster' that would come their way.

***

The headmaster had indeed turned into something different. A ghost, one would say, just like the ones they had fought before the headmaster arrived.

Ce tried to see every ghost and help Grim but with her eyes barely working- it was a more difficult job than before. Last time, she could sometimes even predict the ghosts' moves and where they would appear.

Sadly, this time her brain wasn't working properly either so all she could do was try to see the headmaster ghost form, specifically the glowing yellow eyes, and react accordingly.

"To your left!" Ce yelled one last time.

Her voice was hoarse and her throat was dry from yelling so much today. Ce hoped this wouldn't continue to be a daily thing while she's here.

Grim panted and huffed with each step he took while getting to Ce. Grim was barely able to keep himself from falling over as he swayed side-to-side.

"Incredible..." Ce flinched as she turned over to look at the headmaster (now completely in his normal form). "I've never seen anyone bend a monster to their will quite the way you have." He stared at her as if trying to register her soul or something.

Ce didn't think too much about it as the tiny whispering, that she thought was gone, appeared yet again. It darkened her vision and clouded her mind. She shook her head, looking away from the headmaster's yellow eyes as the whispering faded away slowly.

"-Ce-kun." Ce realized she missed half of what the headmaster had said, "I could tell you had a certain animal trainer-y, beast master-ish quality to you! Oh, yes. That said, I..." He mumbled to himself as he thought over something, nodding his head alarmingly fast.

While Dire Crowley was murmuring to no one but himself, Ce was thinking of an option to get Grim to stay. They clearly didn't perform their very best.

Nonetheless, Ce felt a sort of... familiar feeling to him. Of course, she wasn't basing her whole decision with keeping Grim as her ally on some feelings or intuition.

It was also good to have someone, like a pet, to protect her in this place. If Grim stayed beside her, which Ce would absolutely make sure of it if the headmaster allowed, she would be protected by his blue flames.

Of course, Ce had her (totally awesome) loyal companion on her shoulders at the moment, Zephyr. But he was quite a harmless snake, at least to her it seemed that way. Ce reminded herself of when that.. student she spoke with at the ceremony recognized it. He didn't look afraid, more excited than anything.

She needed fear. Not admiration. Or sympathy. That last word sent shivers down Ce's back.

It was also good since he was easy to influence. Grim doesn't have any allies or friends from what she knew and saw. He had a sort of.. Wanting. Yearning to prove to others how good he really was. Grim is arrogant and cocky, which hints at him being somewhat not as confident as he would like others to believe.

It made Ce feel kind of bad. But she remembered that this was a new environment with people who lie and whisper behind your back often.

She needed protection. She needed allies. She remembered law 18 like the back of her hand. 'Isolation is dangerous'  Lanev told her on multiple occasions.

"Excuse me, uhh.. mister." Dire Crowley stopped mumbling at the sound of her voice, "Can Grim stay? Like with me."

The headmaster's reaction was something unexpected to Ce. He looked at her with wide eyes, a grimace on his face as be glanced at Grim.

"What.? A monster, stay here?" He pointed at Grim and then at the floor.

Clearly, something was wrong with the fact that Grim was a monster. If even the headmaster didn't allow it, then it would definitely be an advantage to her if Dire Crowley did let him stay.

"Whoa, did you just...?" Grim was looking at her, his mouth wide open and eyes unsure.

Ce didn't really understand why it was such a bad thing. Or at least, an unexpected thing for her to want. Yet, Ce was sure that having a monster of all things, a creature that invoked fear and doubt anywhere it went, would make people at the least doubt themselves before messing with her.

Also, she was also scared of those ghosts. Kinda. A little.

"Please, mister. Um.. I would really appreciate it." Ce persisted, hoping that the headmaster would agree. "Truly."

The headmaster regarded her with narrowed eyes for a couple of minutes. Ce was starting to feel like her pleading would get her nowhere. That was when Dire Crowley finally sighed, dropping his shoulders.

"Hm... I suppose I cannot deny your plea when you make such a sad face." Ce instantly smiled, her eyes brightening. "-BUT do promise not to make that expression near anyone else."

"Huh? Uh.." Ce furrowed her eyebrows, "What.. expression?"

"Myah?! Really?" Grim yelled out, his earlier exhaustion disappearing at the news.

Dire Crowley, noticing their excitement, backtracked a little.

"Let me be clear!" He shouted, making both of the young children listen intently to what he would say next.

"Under no circumstances would I admit anyone to Night Raven College who has not been selected by the Dark Mirror - especially not a monster!" He said firmly before looking at her directly, "Nor do I intend to allow you to freeload until you're able to return home."

Ce was expecting it. Nothing came free in Lanev's house either. Law 3 or was it 40? Ce shook her head.

"Hrmph. Never shoulda got my hopes up..." Grim sighed, dropping his shoulders.

"Now, now, allow me to explain. It was the Dark Mirror that transported you here. Therefore this school does bear some responsibility for your well-being." Dire Crowley explained calmly, "So I will allow you to remain in this dorm, free of charge."

Ce looked at him with one eyebrow raised, waiting for him to speak.

"However, you will need to pay for your own food, clothing, and incidentals." Ce nodded her head while Grim was already grimacing, "As to how you will do so, penniless as you are... Ah. Ah ha. Yes, a fine plan."

He started to chuckle and smile. It made Ce feel a bit worried, concerned and 100% afraid of what will come out of the headmaster's mouth. Even with the lingering feeling it will be something awful, Ce listened on. While she kept her mouth shut and tried to seem not bothered by the new information, her face clearly betrayed her somehow.

"You needn't seem so alarmed. I'm simply going to ask you to do a few odd jobs around campus." He smiled innocently, "From what you've done here, dear student, I can tell you know your way around a broom. So what do you say to you two working together as a janitorial team?"

He suggested it like they had any other option except to agree. Well, Ce kinda did but the other option was to get kicked out just like a monster, Grim, would be.

"If you agree to that, I will make a special exception and allow you to remain on campus."

Dire Crowley saw through her hesitation, or he also knew law 13 from somewhere as he opened his mouth again.

"I'll also allow you use of the library, so that you may study, and research ways to return home."

Back when Ce first ran all the way across the campus to the library, she thought nobody was watching her. She had taken her time in the library, trying to know every genre there was in every shelf.

When the headmaster appeared before her in the library, Ce had dropped all the books and had carefully picked them up. For some reason, Dire Crowley thought she valued books (which she did) and decided to use it against her.

Or maybe he understood just how much she craved to go back to that cottage of her world. Ce yearned for that warmth and familiar feeling of being home. Perhaps that was his way of a threat- a constant reminder of just how much she couldn't sully him or go against him.

"How soundlessly charitable I am." Dire Crowley put one hand on his chest proudly, "-Ah, but only when your work is over, of course!"

Ce glared at the headmaster as he smiled the most innocent smile he could manage at her. Which wasn't very innocent.

"What kinda deal is that?!" Grim clearly agreed with her on the matter, "I wanna put on one of those sweet uniforms and be a student, not sweep up people's junk!"

Ce wanted to slap herself on the forehead. She looked at Grim with what she thought was 'Are you serious?'.

Grim pretended not to notice the glare Ce was sending him. He seemed to really like a particular corner of a wall instead of looking at her.

"If you're not satisfied with my offer, I can arrange to have you thrown out again." Dire Crowley looked over at Grim, sending him quite a mean look.

Grim flinched at the look he was receiving from the headmaster.

"Myah?!" Grim looked at the ground for a few seconds, "All right, fine! Let's do it." He stomped his foot.

Ce only nodded her head slowly, "Yeah.. Uh, it's the only option we have?"

"Well, it is the only option where I will allow the monster to stay."

"Huh, alright then. I guess I agree." Ce shrugged her shoulders, unsure if she made the right choice.

"Wonderful. Then I beseech you both..." Ce could hear drums in the background for some reason, "To work hard as the newest members of the Night Raven College's janitorial staff!"

Ce, not expecting the loud yelling from the headmaster, flinched so hard that she fell backwards.

***

The headmaster gave them (meaning he only gave Ce the bag of food from the cafeteria, leaving Grim yelling at him) food for dinner. When Ce saw that there was some teabags in the bag, she considered making some tea for the headmaster.

While Ce was browsing through the dusty cabinets in the kitchen, she turned around and saw the headmaster gone. Which, by now, only made her even more suspicious of him. If Ce was honest, Dire Crowley scared her a little.

At the same time, the headmaster is the only adult with some good traits here and there. He tried to get Ce home by showing a map, asking for items she bought with her. Dire Crowley got her food, a dorm and even allowed Grim (the scary, horrible monster) stay after Ce requested it.

She decided to not think about it too much yet. It made her feel waaayyy too uneasy.

The adrenaline she got from the fall slowly faded and she yawned, barely able to eat as her eyes slipped close every second now. The sudden clattering of the metal spoon in her hand made her jump and continue to eat before she dosed off with her head in the plate.

With the awoken-awareness, she decided to check all the rooms that were on the second floor. The stairs creaked and croaked with the weight as she made her way up. Ce wondered if she was going to fall a second time. This time a much longer fall.

As she tiptoed around the second floor, she saw that the rooms weren't much better. They were all dusty and clearly unused for a long time. Still, she tried checking any drawer and closet, hoping for  something valuable to be hidden.

Lanev always mentioned that most expensive stuff wasn't really hidden well- you only needed to rummage through drawers to find anything of worth. She explained that it was some 'reserve-thinking' or somthing like that.

Ce, once again, had to thank Lanev for her advice.

Lanev's tactic proved true. Ce walked back to the lounge/living room/bedroom with a few.. madols? Which she guessed was the currency in this world/planet/dimension. She didn't exactly know how much it was. Ce will have to ask the headmaster if he had time for her. At worst, Grim would have to answer her unique questions. No that he looked like he knew much else about this world either.

Ce also got a notebook and a pen which came with it. The notebook was purple with some silver outlining some kind of title or name which was erased by something.

It's good that when she flipped it, there were only two or three pages written in it. The pen was working great too. She decided to look at those pages tomorrow.

After she made sure that Grim was fast asleep, sprawled on a clean armchair, Ce began writing.

The minutes went by with ease- the scratching of the pen on paper and the usual sounds of flickering candles coupled with the rain was almost therapeutic.

Ce looked at the page for a few minutes, hoping she could remember anything else. Unfortunately, she decided that there is no hope of remembering anything else and flipped a couple more pages.

A blank sheet of paper looked back at her as she started writing again.

The Laws;

• Law 1
Never outshine the master
• Law 3
Conceal your intentions
• Law 12
Use selective and generosity to disarm your victim
• Law 13
When asking for help, appeal to people's self-interest
• Law 18
isolation is dangerous
• Law 26
Keep your hands clean
• Law 34
Act like a King to be treated like one
• Law 40
Despise the free lunch

Ce wanted to slap herself for only remembering so little.

"Lanev would be disappointed..." She quietly mumbled before putting the pen down and shutting the book close.

She sighed as she looked at the pouring rain outside, "Lanev. You would know what to do if you were here."

She looked out at the night sky, yearning to find even one star that resembled any she knew. Sadly, Ce couldn't recognize any stars she saw.

"-But what should I do without you here?" Ce whispered to herself.

Zephyr hissed, begging Ce to go to bed already. Ce pretended not to hear the winds whispering goodnight in Lanev's voice as she got comfortable on the couch.