Chapter Text
In the forest.. A place that is usually quiet, calm, and peaceful... This time it's different. There is only arrows, fire everywhere..blood scattered everywhere, and a silence.
There.. A boy Laying at the grass that mix with Crimson Red liquid. with arrows stuck in his chest, shoulder, and stomach, and blood Drifting from there and his head. His long black hair got mix with his own blood...
His breathing grew heavy and he just smiled bitterly. "Is this... My punishment given by fate.."a bitter laught came out of his mouth. His amber eyes stared towards the bright sky that slowly turned dark, Followed by his eyes slowly losing their light.
----
Jolted awake with heavy breaths coming out of his mouth. He glanced at where he was now, dark and narrow.He sees nothing. It is completely dark.
He pressing his hands against the wall, he recognizes that he no longer wears gloves, and he recognize he was inside something that shape of a coffin....or is it a coffin. His clothes are now completely different from what he wore before.he now wears something that feels like robes of an ornate variety.
He suddenly remembered something.. And immediately touched his head where.... The fox ears were and also turned his head slightly to look behind his body below.. Where the his foxes tail were. All of his tails and two fox ears, all of it were still there and not hurt at all. he was shocked
"How.... " He was truly shocked and couldn't believe that his fox tail and ears were still there.. Because he clearly remembered that his fox tail and ears were already... So how could this be..?
But before he could think any further.
"I better hurry up and find that uniform before someone spots me... "
From inside he could hear from outside someone saying something about... Uniform? Instinctively, he used his powers to hide his fox ears and fox tail.. Which now makes him look like an ordinary human.
"Urgggh... This lid weight a ton! "
The same voice could be heard again.
"Try this on for size! Mya-ha! "After the sentence spoken by someone outside, suddenly a blue flame entered the coffin and ofc it made the coffin door broken and opened..
"What- Fire..? " that boy used one of his wrists to protect himself and was still suprised and confused by the arrival of the blue fire.
After the blue fire had somewhat died down, he came out of the coffin. that boy than glanced a little at the coffin,To make sure whether his guess is correct or not.'So it was really a coffin' he thought to himself.
" Now to grab the goods-" before that voice could finish his Sentence. That voice turn his head to look at that boy was already awake. Even thought he knew for sure,that boy wasn't suppose to awake. "What?! You ain't suppose to be awake! "
"Huh.." as that boy turned his face to see who was speaking and made the coffin door open.. Or broken. He only find himself Suprise. There was a cat like, with blue flame in both his ears,with a beautiful blue eyes that look like a night sky. "A Tanuki? No... A weasel? "
After the word 'Tanuki' or 'Weasel' was uttered, that creature seemed annoyed by that word. "How... HOW DARE YOU! I am no WEASEL OR WHATEVER YOU SAY! I'm Grim, sorcerer extraordinaire!"
'Grim huh... ' as Grim said that word with confidence. That boy just didn't find what Grim just said interest at all. But, for sure he interest with Grim magic.
"Tch. Whatever. You... Human! Just gimme your uniform, and be quick about it! "
"My.. My..don't ever called me human. "with a tone of hatred and dislike but not because of Grim request....but rather by something else.but then..He chuckle slightly. Find Grim action amusing. "And if not? "
" 'Cause if you don't... You're gonna regret it"With a confident tone.he used his blue fire and that fire appeare behind Grim..It seems Grim has been consumed by his pride.
'So that blue flame is his, huh' according to him, this atmosphere is starting to get interesting. "But..It seems the blue fire won't hit me" he said in a mocking tone.
"What?! "
"I'm just saying that a blue flame belonging to a Weasel like you won't be able to hit me" clearly he said that just because he wants to provoked Grim.
"Tch. I'll show you what i could do! "
With that, Grim used his fire magic to attack him.And that Boy just standing there,with a smirk on his face. What Grim just did was what he wanted right now. "How about that huh!" but as the smoke of the fire began to subside, that boy disappeared. "Myah! Where did that guy go! "
---
Now the boy walked around a corridor to find out where he was now. This place was different from the usual place he saw.
" This place... It's definitely not in Japan. There are no animals that can use Magic or anything like that... Except for youkai, though."As he was Entering the Library there. Blue flames suddenly appeared. "Ah.. He found me"
Grim found him. Righ now he was walked to that boy. He is still stubborn about this uniform. "There you are! Foolish human! Did you really think you could slip away from ME? " Grim said with confident tone. "Now, unless you wanna get burned to a crips, take of that--"
Before he could finish his word.There was a cracking sound of a whip... And it seemed to hit Grim. "Me-YEOW! That hurt! What gives? "
"Consider it thought love. "
'huh' than he turn his head slightly to look at who it was. A men with mix green and black hair, and that man’s outfit wouldn’t look out of place in a gothic gathering, the palette mostly shades of black, blue, and purple. A high-collared jacket was draped across his shoulders like a cape, long black feathers adorning the shoulders like pauldrons. His waistcoat was adorned with glimmering beading and that, along with the keys hanging off his belt, the ornament on his top hat, and his white button-up long sleeve shirt, offered some light in contrast with the dark colors.
"Ah, I've found you at last. Splendid. I trust you're one of this year's new student? "
'student..? '
"My, Were you ever eager to make your debut. And bringing a poorly trained familiar with you? That is a clear violation of school's rules." that men said with angry yet calm tone.. While holding Grim. That boy could only stand there confused by what the man said. However, it seemed he could pull a few threads about what was happening here. Anyway, he was still unsure of what was happening.
"As if i'd server some lowly human! Now lemme go! "Grim struggled and tried to free himself.. Although it was ultimately in vain.
"Yes, yes. Rebellious familiars always say that. Do be quit for a bit, won't you? " than that men close Grim mouth leaving Grim unable to talk "mmmrh!! "
"But,sir. That's not my familiars" that boy claiming that Grim wasn't his familiars at all. He knew for sure that Grim just a stray 'Wessel' or 'tanuki',and he didn't remember having a familiars.but, that men just ignore what he just said.
"Dear me. Of all the students I've dealt with, you're the first with temerity enought to open their own gate and step out of it."
'did he just ignore what i just said..And gate? ' he didn't really find that men amusing rather just annoying raven. But he kinda curious about the gate thing. So he might ask about that
"Does the very notion of Patience elude you? No matter. Your orientation has already begun. Let us return to the mirror chamber."
"Before that.. Could you explain to me what does this gate things mean? " curious about what the gate thing this men mention, he ask about it. And maybe, he could gain some information about where he was right now.
"You awakened in a room full of gates, did you not? All of the students here at the campus arrived by passing through such gates."
So all of the coffin that boy saw was somehow a gate to this places or Campus... Thats explain how he ended up in here. But even thought he got the answer, about how he got into this places.. He still felt unsure about what to feel right now, And still a bit confused about what happened.
"Althought typically students have restraint enought to wait until I open them before waking up" that men folded his arms while explaining. "The culprit appears to be that familiars of yours. You're the one insisted on bringing it, so curtailing its behavior is your responsibility! "
After hearing what the man said, the boy reiterated that Grim was not his familiar. But it was in vain. The man still didn't listen to what the boy said. And it seemed that boy was starting to get more annoyed but he could only smile kindly and politely, even though in the depths of his heart he was cursing that man.
"But now is not the time for such prattle. You've a student orientation to attend! Go on, no. Make haste. "
But before the man could take that boy to this 'orientation'. That boy asked one thing.. Actually he had a lot of questions. But it seemed like just one was enough for now."First. May I ask you a question, sir? "
That man, who had already started to step out to take that boy to orientation, stopped and turned to look at that boy."You may. "
"Who are you? " He folded both his hands behind his back and asked his question with a polite smile to the man in front of him.
"Hm? Have you not fully regained consciousness? The timespace teleportation must have addied your memories... Well, these things happen, I suppose. " that man smile at the boy infront of him. "I shall explain it to you while we're talk. Truly, my magnanimity is boundless"
----
They now walked side by side towards the orientation, the boy walked right beside the man. As they walked to the orientation, the man explained about this place to the boy beside him about this place. The boy understood that he was now in a place called Night Raven College or NRC, and this places is a Academy for someone who has an Institution for who demonstrate a rare aptitude for magic.while the man beside him was 'Dire Crowley' the acting headmage of this Academy.
"only those who the Dark mirror mirror perceives as having a talent for magic ar admitted to the collage. Those who are selected are summoned to the Campus through those 'gates', which can appear anywhere. " He then explain that a black carriage will have come to meet the one who choosen. As that man explain everything,Grim was still rebelling and wanted to break free.
While Yurei just listened and thought. this place isn't Japan at all.. No normal humans or animals can use magic unless they are a youkai
"Now.. Lets us attend to your orientation"
The perspective was soon shifted into a hall of hooded students that had the same design as that boy. And they seemed to be discussing.
"We're done with orientation and dorm assignment? "The red hair boy asked as he places one of his hand on his hips. But his question only getting no confirmation. At that he turn to address a group of people. "All right, new student--let me be clear. At Heartslabyul House, I am the law. Break the rules, and it's off with your head! "
A guy with lion ears yawned, clearly uninterest. "Well the ceremony was as boring as ever. " He turned to address a group of people himself, " I'm going back to the dorm. If you're in Savanaclaw House, follow me. "
"New student! Allow me to be the first to congratulations you on your achievement. "A boy with glasses announced loudly, and proudly. "As dorm leader of Octavinalle House, I am honorer to have the opportunity to support you in what I hope will be a fulfilling campus experience. "
"Hey, does anyone know where the headmage went? He disappeared midway through the ceremony.. " a gorgeously handsome beautiful lovely looking person asked.
"Some headmage he is" a voice could muttered from a tablet.
A boy with Red eyes piped up "maybe he had tummyache? "
The sound of a door being opened roughly was heard. And that made everyone there turn their heads and look towards the door that was opened roughly. Crowley bursts in to the hall, with one student who was following him. "I most certainly did not! "
"Ah, speak of the devil" the red header boy said unimpressed.
Crowley than turned his head away, announcing. "If you must know, I was searching for the new student who's failed to show for orientation. "He than turned to the black hair boy. "You are the only one who has yet to be assigned a dorm. Step up to the dari mirror, and be quick abot it. I'll watch you weasel. "
"Grrrrr! " That black-haired boy seems to find this funny. Because Crowley agreed that Grim was a Wessel. However, he still maintained a calm demeanor.With that, the long black-haired boys stepped towards the dark mirror and stood right in front of it.
"State your name. " the mirror spoke. "Yurei Akira." with that.. That boy said his name, not loudly, but still could be heard a Little, because in the hall right now just a silence.
"Yurei Akira.. The nature of your soul is... " The dark mirror remained silent for quite a long time, about 5-7 minutes, and that had never happened before. When someone had mentioned their name, the dark mirror could already determine which Dorm they would enter according to the nature of their soul. But now...Thus, the hall was now filled with confusion and whispers about what was happening, and why the dark mirror was silent for so long. As Crowley was about to step forward to the dark mirror to check what was happening.
"...Unclear to me."
the dark mirror spoke. "What did you just say? " Crowley asked, disbelieving what the dark mirror had just said. He stepping foward to stand beside Yurei.
"One's soul indeed display qualitis of magic, but His magic power is anomalous... which I can't sense at all."
"And his soul... It's also unclear."
"Therefore, no dorm would be appropriate. "
With what the dark mirror just said. The hall was now filled with whispers and commotion about Yurei and also what the dark mirror had just said. Meanwhile, the person being talked about just stood there as if not caring.
Yurei surely knew the reason the dark mirror said his magical power was anomalous and why the dark mirror couldn't feel or sense his soul. It's because....he was a Kitsune.
Yurei than take a glance at Crowley. Even thought Crowley looks calm and professional.. Yurei could sense that Crowley was actually panicking right now. "Are you suggesting that the black carriage went to receive a person who cannot even be considered a mage? And an individual whose soul cannot be deciphredered even by you"
"But that is absurd! The student selection process has not erred once in its Century of existence! "
"How could this have happened? " Crowley questioned as he places his hand on his chin as he was thingking of what the possibility of this accurance.
"Mmmph! Nnnrgggh.. " Grim was trying to free himself and it works. He gasp. "ME! Ler ME have This student's seat! " Grim stated... That let everyone's attention turn on that tiny Weasel.
"Not so fast, you hyperactive weasel! " But it was in vain because Crowley's words were not taken seriously and were simply ignored by Grim.
"Unlike that human, I can actually use magic! So let me be a student here! "
"Look, I'll show you! My spells're the cat's meow"
"Everyone, get down! " the red Headed male shouted.warning the other.
"Myaaahh! "With that, Grim confidently used his blue fire magic, filling the hall with blue flames. And it changed the atmosphere, which was initially full of whispers, to now be filled only with panic and chaos.
"AHHHHH! HELP! I'm on Fire over here! " Yurei turned his head and saw a red-eyed boy who seemed to be on fire.
"Someone catch that blasted Animal before it sets the entire school ablaze! " Crowley instructed the student but it came into deaf ears.
"Ugh. Can I go now, or...? " Boy with lion ears stands in the middle of the flames and doesn't care about what's happening. He only wants one thing: to leave that place and sleep.Then a handsome boy walked towards him and stood next to him. "Oh? I thought you fancied a hunter. Go and help yourself to that plump little morsel! "
"Too much effort. Do it yourself. "
Then the boy with glasses walked towards Crowley and stood beside him "Allow me to handle this, headmage Crowley" That boy said politely. "If none of you are up to the task of catching a small animal, I will accept the responsibility. "
"WTG Azul. Rackin' up those participation credits. " The tablet cheered
The boy with red eyes passed by in a panic and accidentally pushed Azul until he fell."Hey, um, my butt's still on fire... Could someone maybe put this out?! "
Seeing the chaos unfolding before his eyes, Yurei could only sigh and find it amusing, although a bit tiring. Yurei then looked towards the boy with red eyes, and walked towards him.
"Hey. Stop running back and forth, it will only make the fire bigger" with what Yurei just said the boy with Red eyes stopped running, although he was still a bit panicked. "Let me help with that" Yurei then pointed his hand towards the fire and swung his hand, the fire instantly disappeared.
"Ahh!!!!! Thank you for your help" the red eyes boy said with Joy. Yurei could only thinkt about how that boy infront of him, remind him of a Sun. "Your welcome. "
"I'm sorry, we're my instruction unclear?!"Crowley yelled.
The Lion boy sight in annoyance " Preeetty sure you can handle catching one mangy weasel all on your lonesome there, headmage. "
"How many times do I gotta say it? I'm Grim, spell caster extraordinaire! I am NOT a weasel! "
Azul, who was now standing, seemed uninterested in what Grim had just said. Beside him stood a boy with red hair. "Aren't you a spunky little fellow? Riddle, would you be so kind...? " Azul spoke to the red-haired boy next to him. "Furry miscreant. I will abide no rule-breaking. You wil be judge by my hand. "
Yurei just watched the current chase scene , he was quite entertained by how the Weasel keep avoiding all of the twos attacks.
What an interesting circus.
---
"OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!!! "Riddle said and suddenly a collar wrapped around Grim's neck. " MYAH?! What are you doing?! "
"The Queen of hearts's Rule 23: 'One must never bring a cat to formal affair'. Your very presence here is a violation of order. You will vacate these premises immediately." Riddle said calmly.
"But I ain't Cat either! Don't you try'n collar me! I'll burn it right off! "When Grim tried to use his blue fire magic. His fire magic didn't work at all.leaving Grim confuse and panic. "Huh...? Wh-what gives? My fire ain't workin'! "
While Riddle just smiled smugly at what Grim wanted to do."Until I deign to remove that collar, you won't be using any magic. You're naught but a pet cat now. "
"M-meoWHAT?! I ain't nobody's pet-NOTHING! " Grim said that in protest because of what Riddle had just said about him.
"Oh, you've nothing to worry about there. I certainly have no interest in having you as a pet. " Quite annoyed by what Grim said, Riddle immediately explained that he was not interested in Grim being his pet. He wouldn't want to keep an annoying pet. But not long after that, Riddle calmed himself down again. "The collar will disappear once you're removed from campus. "
"Ha-HA! Good show as always, Riddle. Your signature spell locks down any magic. It's quite handy. I've just GOT to have it--ah, I mean, I've just got to respect for it" Azul praised Riddle but it was as if there was a hidden meaning in the words he uttered.
Yurei, who had only been watching and listening to the conversation of the three people, became interested in this 'Signature spell'. From their conversation, Yurei could conclude that the collar they were talking about was included in the signature spell that the man in glasses, or Azul, was referring to. He wanted to know more about this signature spell thing.
And it seems like anyone who got collared can't use their magic until the collar disappears. Interesting.
But before Yurei could think further, Crowley placed his hand on Yurei's shoulder, and that made Yurei turn his body towards him. "Was I not clear that you are expected to take responsibility for your familiar? Now discipline your--"
Before Crowley could scold Yurei any further. Yurei immediately cut off Crowley. "For the third time, sir.. The weasel is not my familiar or pet" although Yurei spoke politely, he was actually starting to get a little annoyed with Crowley. so he got straight to the point.
"What's that?! It isn't yours?".Crowley was silent for a moment and seemed to realize that Yurei was a bit annoyed with him.
"I've told you repeatedly that it isn't mine. "
Crowley could sense an unpleasant aura emanating from the boy in front of him, even though the boy was smiling. "Oh... Is that so? " Then, awkwardly, he cleared his throat. "Then I shall have it expelled from campus. I shall even spare it from being served as dinner."
"My, but I AM kind. ... Someone take this away, please" That bird man seems to really like praising himself.
"Nooooo! Let me gooooo! "Grim seemed to try to break free, but it was useless." you fools better remember my name! Cause I'm gonna go down in the annals of magic history! Just you wait! " he shouted as he was dragged out by some staff.
"Well, that was quite the unexpected fracas. I hereby declare that orientation has comcluded. Housewardens, please escort your student back to the dorms. " Crowley addressed, turning to the students, who thankfully was more composed compared to earlier.
He pause. Eyes widening just for a fraction of a second, before narrowing.
After a moment he start looking around the room. as if looking for someone. "...Hm? Come to think of it, I don't see Houswarden Draconis of House Diasomnia anywhere. "
A Lion beaskin scoffs."And that suprise you? Dude's a total recluse. "
The red-eyed boy who had been standing next to Yurei seemed to realize something. "Wait a sec... Did anyone even invite him? "
A handsome man with blonde hair tuts in response. "If you're that worried about him missing out, maybe you should have told him yourself. "
"Maybe, but I don't know him too well either... "
whispers began to emerge again. But this time it wasn't about Yurei but about someone named Malleus Draconi. They seemed to not believe and scared with that fact.
"Draconia... Like, Malleus Draconia? THAT Draconia? "
"So it's true? He really does go to school here?"
"Yikes"
"Ah. Just as I'd expected. I figured I'd come down and see for myself whetever Malleus had made an appereance. But once again, he was evidently not informed that hie presence was required at an official Ceremony."
"You have my since rest apologies. I assure you, this oversight was in no way itended as a snub. " Azul apologize about Malleus who was not invited
"I mean, you must admit, he's not exactly the easiest person to strike up a conversation with. " Riddle who was beside Azul said and maybe stating some fact.
"No matter. All who were as signed to House Diasomnia, follow me. I just hope he doesn't sulk about this... " It seems like the person named Malleus was never invited to any of his events. Everyone looks like this is normal. Although the black hair boy seems kind of disappointed.
With what was just said by the black-haired boy with a pink streak in his hair. He left, followed by everyone assigned to the House of Diasomnia.
"Alright, since everything is done, everyone assigned to the House of Heartslabyul, follow me." The red-haired boy also left, followed by the people assigned to the House of Heartslabyul.
"Let's go too, Kalim. "
Yurei turned his gaze towards the source of the sound. A boy with long brown hair. As he was still looking at that boy, that boy seemed to notice that Yurei was looking at him, so he looked back at Yurei, who quickly averted his gaze.
"Ah. Jamil! Sure. "As the white-haired boy was about to leave, he remembered something. He turned his head towards Yurei, "Thank you for your help again, btw!!"
"You're welcome.."
"Kalim Al-Asim" Kalim said with smile on his face. as he told Yurei his name.
"You're welcome, Kalim. " Yurei returned Kalim's smile with a smile as well.However, he felt the brown-haired boy was still staring at him. Yurei wasn't too sure if that boy was staring at him normally or suspiciously.
"Kalim."
"Ah! Yeah. Let's go, Jamil. "With that, Kalim and the person called 'Jamil' left the ceremony,followed by several people.
--
The room slowly clears out, leaving only Yuu and Crowley left in the chamber.
"Well, seems like I'm not gonna attending this campus at all. After all, the mirror literally said that my magic and my soul was anomalous. " He surely realize that Crowley cannot admit him as a Student in NRC. So, he just stood there waiting for Crowley respond. And maybe pieced together the red thread of all the events he experienced from when he was shot by an arrow until he ended up in here.
" correct. But worry not. The dark mirror will see you safely home. Now, Step into a gate, and visualize the place from whence you came"
The two of them then walked towards the dark mirror with Crowley in front of Yurei.
"O Dark Mirror! Return this soul to where it belongs! "
With what Crowley had just said , Dark mirror remained silent, not answering anything. And that confused Crowley, he cleared his throat and tried one more time.
"L-let us, try this again. O Dark Mirror! Return this soul--" before Crowley could finish his word. the Dark Mirror cut off Crowley word with an unexpected sentence.
"There is no such place. "
"What."
"There is no place in this World where this soul belongs."
"None."
Crowley could only be shocked by what the Dark Mirror had just said. Meanwhile, Yurei began to understand what he was experiencing.
"How can that be? My, but today is a veritable cavalcade of impossible Phenomena! This has never happened throughout my long tenure. I must confess that I am at something of a loss"
"Tell me: From what land do you hall? " Crowley Turn to look at Yurei.
"I'm from Japan" Yurei said calmly.
a hint of confusion crossing Crowley face as he pondered the location Yurei had mentioned moments before.
"I'm afraid I am not familiar with such a place. I am intimately acquainted with the origins of every student who has ever come here, and yet... This Mysterious homeland of yours eludes me. "
Yurei just stood there calmly and didn't panic at all. Well, he already knew from the start that he wasn't in Japan, but upon hearing Dark Mirror say that there was no place called Japan, Crowley was confused about Japan, Magic, talking weasels, and such things. He could only come to one conclusion: he wasn't in Japan or anywhere else. Rather, he was in another world. Well, that explains why he was still alive after being shot by an arrow.
Crowley than focuse his gaze upon Yurei again.
"Let us go to the Library and look it up, shall we-"
Before Crowley could finish his sentence, Yurei immediately cut Crowley off.
"Actually…” Crowley turned to look at the boy in front of him. “That won’t be necessary Sir… I appreciate the gesture, But it seems useless for me to return or for you to bring me back”
" Pardon? "
"There's no use for me to return to my homeland."
"If I may ask, what is the reason you saying something like that? " Crowley really didn't know how to feel about the boy in front of him. He has a feeling that something doesn't quit right about this long black hair boy.
"Well, After all... I already die before I got here. " Yurei said calmly. While the man in front of him just stood there, disbelive about what Yurei just said.