Chapter Text
The Savanclaw dorm head couldn’t believe his ears when the headmage demanded him to go talk to Idia since the man wasn’t able to reach for him. Of course, he tried suggesting anyone else who could do it, but it seemed Riddle and Vil, the only available candidates besides him, were a bit too ‘aggressive,’ so the headmaster, as exceptional as always, thought it was a good idea to send Leona. Despite his attempts to find an excuse, the director was firm with it. The prince could simply find a spot to sleep in the botanical garden and forget about it, but even after lying down on the grass, he couldn’t get comfortable.
Before he could even think twice, he was already passing through the Ignihyde mirror. Leona admitted he had only entered the Ignihyde dorm once, and it was on Idia’s birthday. He remembered that odd cold in the atmosphere, a slight shiver running through his spine. He glanced at the dark and tall stairs before him, followed by a sigh before walking towards them. The beastman wondered how other students walked up those stairs every single day and, for a moment, understood why Idia preferred to attend classes through his tablet.
The path was lit by torches of a cold yet soothing blue fire, and despite the frigid quietness and being used to warm temperatures, the place was oddly peaceful for the prince. When he finally reached for the top, he took a moment to observe the sight before him: a genuinely mesmerizing tall entrance and upside-down temple-like buildings. The underground dry atmosphere made him slightly dizzy the first time he came, but now, it was barely a bother.
He was completely out of place, his tall and intimidating figure contrasting with the Ignihyde students around him. Leona felt genuinely bothered by all the looks, but he couldn’t go back now. He was already here. Students from other dorms rarely went to Ignihyde, making it the most reserved dorm on the campus. Most students from other dorms who came were usually from Octavinelle and Diasomnia, and students were the most likely to be friends with the ones from Ignihyde. On the other hand, no Savanaclaw students came here; furthermore, their dorm leader was here, which made the looks he was receiving even more understandable.
Leona didn’t want to admit it, but he was lost. He only came to this dorm once, and the lobby was right in front of the entrance, so he didn’t have much trouble that day. The lights and multiple screens all over the building were making him even more confused. Fortunately, he bumped into Ortho, who greeted him with a clear, bright smile under his mask, which Leona could tell since the robot kid always squeezed his eyes when he did so.
“Hello, Leona Kingscholar-san! What a pleasant surprise to see you here! Can I help you with something?” — The boy hummed joyfully, as usual.
“Hey. I was looking for Radish-Sprout.” — He paused for a moment before continuing. — “Do you know where I can find him?” The beastman inquired, and the boy before him seemed slightly hesitant about saying something.
“Oh—well… My brother is currently in his room. I don’t think he’s in the best condition to receive visitors.” Ortho murmured, unusually low for his usual bright demeanor.
“Don’t worry. It’ll be quick. The headmaster sent me here anyway.” — Leona explained, his tone tranquillizing the smaller one, who was currently thinking, ‘Well, what could go wrong? Idia needs more friends after all.
Ortho nodded, pointing to an elevator at the end of the corridor in the right direction. “Go to the fourth floor. There is a circular pathway with three corridors, so follow the left corridor after the elevator. My brother’s room is at the end of the corridor.” — Ortho took something from his waist pocket, handing it to the older one.
“Use this key card. I made an extra one in case he purposely locked himself inside again.” — The fact that Idia locked himself inside was a common occurrence made him sigh quietly, and it was even more obvious that he made that keycard without Idia’s knowledge. All the other dorms have keys for the rooms, but Ignihyde was the only one with key cards.
“Thank you, kiddo.” — Leona murmured, patting the boy’s flaming hair as he continued to walk through the hallways. He liked Ortho quite a lot, even after the STYXX incident. After all, he was just a child. He couldn’t blame Ortho when he was no different. Deep down, Leona wished his brother loved him the way these two do.
He followed Ortho’s instructions, reaching for the fourth floor. The dormitory floors, including this one, were just above the lobby. He could see the other floors from the circular balcony. It was a circular structure with a round balcony with the lobby as a view. He followed through the instructed corridor, finding the door. Leona paused for a moment before looking at the key card in his hands. He knocked on the door. No reply. He knocked again, more firmly. “I don’t want to be disturbed now.” It clearly was Idia’s voice, low and steady.
Leona knocked again. “Go away, Ortho. I’m fine.” Idia mumbled, making Leona confused. Something was clearly wrong. His animal ears allowed him to hear better than humans, and that room was completely quiet on the inside.
The prince exhaled. Of course Crowley had to make him go through such a bother. He decided to use the key card, ignoring the proper manners so he could go back to his dorm and sleep. He slid the card, and the door opened in an instant.
The room was dark, contrasted with the dorm’s completely lit ambience. It was barely illuminated, only lit by a soothing low blue light and candles on a corner. Before his eyes, he could see a figure sat down on the floor, right in front of what seemed to be an altar, lit with candles and incense. That person was the Ignihyde dorm leader.
“—What the heck are you doing?” Leona hissed, unsure of how to react.