Chapter Text
"Where's Grim?" Ace questioned once Yuu walked into the mirror chamber. Peaking over their shoulder, the direbeast was completely missing from Yuu's side. The only thing they carried was a backpack slung over their shoulder.
Yuu shrugged in response, though the slightest twitch in their brow betrayed their irritation. "Crowley said he couldn't come. I swear I'm going to kill that crow bastard." They muttered the last part. Their hand tightened on the backpack strap, eyes glaring holes into the floor. They'd left Grim in Crowley's custody just minutes earlier, praying the Headmage would take care of the direbeast. Grim did not like the idea of Yuu leaving alone and looked ready to set the Headmage on fire, if not for Yuu's interference.
"Are the others coming?" Yuu asked once they seemed to calm down. Looking around, it looked like only Ace was here. They at least thought Deuce would be here.
"They're on the way. Deuce went to grab Epel."
As if on cue Deuce walked into the mirror chamber, Epel trailing closely behind. "Do you really need that much luggage?" Ace eyed the bags that trailed behind the other two.
"Mind yer' business Ace."
“Sevens, I'm just asking. No need to get so defensive.”
“I'm not getting defensive you darn-”
Yuu rolled their eyes at their friends’ argument, tuning the background noise out. They shared a look with Deuce, eyeing the luggage the other carried. “Need help?” They offered. “That's a lot of stuff.”
Deuce shook his head, turning them down. “I have it handled,” he paused to drag the bags closer to the mirror chamber, “plus, we don't know how long we'll be there for, better safe than sorry.”
The two fighting paused, their attentions shifting to Yuu and Deuce.
“Did Crowley not say anything?” Ace paused in the midst of riling Epel up to ask.
“That fuckin-” Yuu quickly covered Epel's mouth before he could finish speaking, shooting a pointed look towards the corner of the room where the Headmage suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
Everyone in the room startled at the sudden presence. “Was he always there..?” Deuce leaned over to whisper to Yuu. Yuu shrugged in response, they hadn't noticed until now either. It was creepy how he seemed to pop out of nowhere.
“Ah! My brilliant students, isn't today such a wonderful day?” Hearing no response Crowley took that as an invitation to continue. “Now, where is the rest of your group? Surely they haven't decided to forgo coming?” His eyes sparkled with a threatening glint.
“We're right here, Headmage.” Jack spoke up as he entered the room, the other missing two following behind him.
“Excellent! Shall we get moving then?” The words were phrased like a question, but everyone knew that they really couldn't say no. “Now, just through the mirrors. I'll follow behind, can't have any of you not going. Go on now.” Beady eyes blinked at them expectantly, waiting for the first person to go forward.
Ace sighed and took one for the team, going through the mirror first. “You're coming with Deucey.” And to no one's surprise, dragged Deuce behind him.
Yuu eyed the way Crowley's smile seemed more threatening than reassuring as he waited for the others to go through. They were already starting to regret this, and it was only starting. They could only hope that this didn't go as badly as their time at NRC did.
“Where's Grim?” Sebek asked as they stood beside Yuu, echoing the question Ace asked earlier. They both stood watching as the rest of the group made their way through the mirror.
Yuu seemed irritated at the mere mention of the direbeast, their hands clenched into fists in restraint. “Ask Crowley. That crow bitc-” They cut themself off, catching the look the Headmage gave them. “I'll tell you when we're settled.” With that they grabbed the crocodile fae's hand and dragged them into the mirror, ignoring the other's sputtering.
The sight that greeted them was…bright. There was no other way to describe it. Most of the school was painted in white and gold. Yuu had to squint to get used to the sudden brightness, it was like everything was sparkling. “Jeez…why is it so bright in here?” They muttered, eyeing the school's mirror chamber with suspicion.
“It's on theme with them.” Ace muttered, moving to the left of Yuu, Deuce joined on their other side.
“I think it looks-” Deuce started, only to be cut off by a new voice.
“Ah wonderful! You're the new students, correct?” An older man with graying hair stepped into the room, followed by someone that none of them recognized. “Crowley, lovely to see you again.” The man greeted their Headmage as if they were old friends.
Crowley, on the other hand, looked less than pleased to see the other man. “Ambrose, yes, always a pleasure to see you.” The smile was so obviously fake that it made them want to roll their eyes. Yuu, unable to resist the urge, did end up doing so, only to get a light shove from Jack.
“Does anyone know how long we'll be here for?” Deuce whispered, glancing at the two Headmages’ who were busy with pleasantries.
“A month!” Ortho chirped in.
They all turned towards the robot. “You're kidding right?” Epel asked, staring at Ortho as if hoping that he was lying. “Please tell me you're lying.” He looked five seconds away from grabbing Ortho by the shoulders and shaking him.
“Unfortunately, I am not lying.”
Yuu stared blankly at the two Headmages conversing, cursing everyone in their head. One month? One month away from NRC, away from Grim? This has got to be some type of nightmare, someone better wake them up fast.
“Uh…Yuu.” Yuu's glare immediately landed on Deuce, causing the blue haired boy to shudder. “You're glaring holes into Crowley.”
“He deserves it.”
“What'd the Headmage even do to you anyways? He's not that bad.” Yuu slowly turned to Ace, their eyes narrowing in on the card soldier.
“Don't get me started.” Despite that, they still launched into a whole frustrated tirade. “I haven't gotten even a single word on when I'm returning to my world. Secondly, I have to be here out of all places, and now I don't even get to have Grim here with me? I just want to go home, is that so hard to ask for?” Deuce awkwardly patted their back in consolation. The others shared a few looks, unsure of how to comfort Yuu in this situation.
“You have us, Yuu! We're here for you!”
“Thanks Ortho.” Yuu gave a weak smile at their friend's attempt to comfort them.
“How touching. Crowley, you haven't told me that your students are this lovely.” Ambrose commented, slightly surprised at the show of unity. NRC students weren't exactly known for their gentleness after all.
Crowley chuckled, waving the compliment off as if it was nothing. “Yes, yes. A very lovely bunch, and all yours for the next month or so.” Some things never changed with the Headmage, always trying to usher responsibility off to the next person. Crowley turned towards their group, eyes staring dead into their souls. “Now students, best behaviour. You do represent Night Raven College after all.” With that final warning Crowley left with a dramatic entrance that made even Sebek roll his eyes.
“He still creeps me out…” Ace muttered, getting a nod of agreement from Deuce and Epel.
“Hey, quick question.” Jack spoke up, tail flickering in agitation. Whatever he wanted to ask seemed to be bothering him. “Does anyone know if Headmage informed the Housewardens?”
Silence fell over the group before Yuu decided to speak up. “You guys told them though, right?”
More silence. They all just looked at each other with a dawning realization.
“Housewarden isn't going to be happy.”
“No shit, Deuce.” Despite trying to appear otherwise indifferent, Ace could already picture the trouble Crowley would be in.
“Vil's gonna kill me.”
“I haven't informed Waka-sama either!”
“Nii-san probably doesn't know either.”
Yuu didn't even try to hide the way they burst out laughing, holding onto Sebek's shoulder to keep themself upright. They wiped the tears from the corner of their eyes before speaking again. “Oh, man. Crowley is so fucked.”