Maria P.O.V
"What's Magical Shift Tournament?" I asked as I tilt my head to the side and Ace looked at me with a surprised look
"Huh? Maria, you don't know Magift?" Ace asked and I gave him a deadpan look
"Ace, you do know I don't have any memories about my life or my past right?" I reminded Ace and now he looked embarrassed
"R-Right..." Ace said with a red look while scratching the back of his head and started to explain it "Magical Shift... or Magift for short, is a sport played by two teams of seven. Put simply, there's a disk that you have to throw through the other team's goal to score points. The team with the most points wins"
"I see. That sounds like fun" I said
"Indeed, it is! Our school's inter-Dorm Magical Shift Tournament is attended by representatives of pro leagues and those from different magical industries around the world. The arena will be lined up with food stalls, and visitors from different countries will grace the stadium. It is a tournament that'll make your palms sweat and works the whole world into a frenzy thanks to the live broadcast TV cameras" Headmaster Crowley said
"Amazing" I said with stars in my eyes
"Worldwide broadcast!? So, if I play in that tournament, the whole world will be paying attention to me!?" Grim asked excitedly
"Certainly! Those who play in the tournament will without a doubt become popular with pro leagues and any number of sponsors" Headmaster Crowley said, making Grim even more excited that he started wagging his pitchfork tail
"In your case Grim, I think they'd be more surprised by seeing a monster play" Deuce said
"Oh yeah! I'll start some special training today and stand out to everyone in that stadium!" Grim declared
"Oh, but Grim, you can't play at all" Headmaster Crowley said, making Grim look at him with a confused look
"Huh?"
"Didn't you hear what the Headmaster said? He said Inter-Dorm, meaning we don't fit the requirements on participating in the tournament" I said, making Grim creak
"Eeeeeeeeeeehhhhhhhh!? How can that be!!!???" Grim shouted with disbelief
"As Miss Maria has said, you can't participate if you don't have more members of your dorm. But you can sell drinks in the stands, preparing the field for the tournament. There are many things that have to be done. Standing on the field as a player isn't the only one" Headmaster Crowley said as he suggested the positions, but Grim didn't look happy
"No way! No way!! I wanna hear 'Kyaa! Grim is so cool!' or 'Hey, did you see his super play!?' from the crowd as they all cheer for me!" Grim said with a pouted look
'Running a small cafe for the event could be fun' I thought
"That's pretty basic delusion..." Ace said with a sweat drop
"Hmmm. Can't be helped since you don't have enough people. You might have to give up on it this year and hope that some freshmen get sorted into Ramshackle Dorm next year" Deuce tried to reassure Grim
"Now then, I must leave for the meeting! Come along, Maria" Headmaster Crowley said as he beckons me to follow
"Alright. Ace? Deuce? Will you both watch over Grim til I get back?" I asked
"Of course, you can count on us babe!" Ace said
"We'll make sure to keep a close eye on him" Deuce promised
"Ffnaa! I don't need a babysitter!" Grim shouted
"Too bad, you'll cause trouble the moment we turn our backs" I said as I started to run to catch up with the headmaster
No one P.O.V Mirror Chamber
When both Crowley and Maria got to the Mirror Chamber, the seven dorm leaders were already here. Maria walked towards Riddle and took a seat next to him, and Riddle was very happy to have her by his side. Then she notices Leona, she made sure to keep her distance away because it's safe for her to always stay cautious
"Now then, let our meeting about the October Inter-Dorm Magical Shift Tournament commence. First, Octavinelle Dorm's Mr. Ashengrotto has an announcement as manager for the tournament" Crowley said as Azul rose up from his seat
"I'm Azul Ashengrotto, the tournament manager. Thank you for your time. To begin, for the installation of food stalls around the coliseum venue, all slots for both external enterprises and internal club activities have been filled" Azul said
"Oh! Very nice! It's going to be super lively!" Kalim said excitedly
'He's so full of energy' Maria thought
"The invitations for the Royal guests for every country have all been sent. General attendance tickets are also selling well. And applications from TV stations and newspapers are coming in like they do every year" Azul said as he pushed up his glasses
"The tournament is a big deal worldwide. I get super excited for my invitation every year before I came here" Kalim looked at Leona "Since your royalty, you would've gotten one too, right Leona? Maybe we passed by each other when we were little"
"Who knows. I don't care" Leona responded with a lazy tone
"I have to make sure my foundation is in perfect form for the jumbotron" Vil said as he pulled out his hand mirror from his pocket "Physical activity means I have to spend that much more time fixing it"
"Huh... Pomefiore is the only dorm to take timeouts to fix their makeup" Riddle said with a sweat drop
"How can you all be so proactive about being in front of a bunch of people? Just thinking about it make me wanna vomit" Idia said through his floating tablet "At least Ramshackle dorm doesn't have to worry about all that"
"Well, it is sort of new" Maria said
"It's still a shame you aren't part of my dorm. Then you wouldn't have to worry about your makeup or hair" Vil said as he walked towards Maria and his fingers went through her hair "It still amazes me on how silky your hair is"
'I still have no idea how my hair is silky. I just use the shampoo and conditioner that Crewel sensei gave me' Maria thought to herself and heard Azul clearing his throat
"Ahem. Everyone, quiet down please" Azul said
"Ah, sorry bout that" Kalim apologized
"I'm sorry as well" Maria apologized and Vil went back to his seat
"As soon as every dorm has decided on their player line up, please make sure to submit all the paperwork, if the paperwork is late even by a day..." Before Azul could finish his sentence, Riddle spoke
"You'll be disqualified, correct?" Riddle asked
"No. I will accept a special processing fee. An express delivery fee, if you will" Azul said with a smile
'... I'm not gonna bother asking' Maria thought with a sweat drop again
"Huh... I think making a rule for exceptions like that is in bad form" Riddle said who also sweat drop
"Hahaha! I'm grateful though!" Kalim said happily
"We're getting very off track. As for the tournament bracket... I'd like to share an idea" Crowley said, gaining everyone's attention
"An idea?" Riddle asked
"Starting from this tournament, I'd like the dorm leader of Diasomnia... Malleus Draconia, to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at this time" Crowley said, shocking everyone especially Leona
"Eeeehhhh!?" Kalim exclaimed
"What's the meaning of this?" Leona asked angerly
"Since Mr. Draconia entered this school, all dorms that have played against Diasomnia have been crushed without scoring a single point. Diasomnia scored over 100 points, more than 90 percent of which were scored by him" Crowley said
"True" Kalim said looking a bit sad "When we played against them last year, we couldn't make a single move"
"He's an unparalleled cheat character that completely destroys the game's balance" Idia said through his tablet, sounding scared
"The tournament isn't for mere pleasure. In order to discover the next generation of talent, the world pays attention. Regardless of that, no matter who their opponent is, any match against Diasomnia is over before their own players can strut their stuff. This is an extraordinary exception" Crowley said
'So, this Malleus person is that strong? Is that why everyone fears him? But... It won't hurt trying to know him. I wonder if I'll ever meet him?' Maria thought to herself
"Aah, I get it. I wither after seeing this development over and over" Idia said
"To the dorm with many members aiming to join a Magical Shift pro leagues, Savanaclaw." Crowley looked at Leona "Savanaclaw is a dorm with a history of victories and has never once been below the top three. Even still, you have lost to Diasomnia in the opening match of the past two tournaments. This won't leave a strong impression on any scout, and it won't allow for anyone to become pro"
'You really shouldn't rub salt into the wounds' Maria thought while glaring at the headmaster
"...So, you're saying that we're just going to get owned again this year?" Leona asked while glaring at the headmaster too
"I'm not saying it because it pleases me" Crowley said trying lower down Leona's bad mood "Anyway, I have already received Mr. Draconia's consent on the matter. All that's left is your approval as Dorm heads"
After Crowley said that, silence surrounded the room. Til they heard a chuckle
"Ha, you've underestimated us... Teach. The thing I hate most in the world is being told 'You will never be number one'."
"That's not what I'm saying..." Crowley tried to speak more, but was cut off by Leona
"Then what are you saying?" Leona asked as he lifted his eyebrow up "First, in magift, it's not about throwing around physical strength. It's about using your head" Leona tapped his head
"I don't think I could beat Malleus in a battle of wits either" Kalim said
"Hmph. For you, sure. But not me. Sure, no one is never going to beat him in battle of brawn, but brains should be different" Leona said
"Ooh?" That caught Azul's attention
"The King of Beasts took his place as king through hard work and wisdom. Put that thing between your ears to work. Come up with a way to beat that monster!" Leona suddenly shouted "I bet the whole world would admire whichever team did that. Are you really going to pass up a once in a lifetime opportunity?" That made everyone think about what Leona just said, after a moment of silence, Vil spoke to break the silence
"Even you say smart things sometimes" Vil said and turned his gaze towards the headmaster "I also think your idea is nonsense, headmaster. Excluding those with talent. Isn't that just your unconscious bias showing? I hate things like that" Vil said
"I agree with Vil on this. As a wizard, I have no intention of throwing in the towel before the battle has even begun" Riddle said as he wrapped an arm around Maria's waist "Plus, I wish to show my skills for my lovely rose"
That made Maria's cheeks burn red
"I want the whole world to see that aloof bastard's face contort in frustration. Just thinking about it, I could start humming. Y'know?" Leona said with a grin
"Fufu~ Imagine how high the ratings would be" Azul said looking a bit excited
"Mmhmm mmhmm. We shouldn't exclude others" Kalim said
"Eh? What's happening here? Am I the only one who thinks letting him in the Hall of Fame is fine?" Idia asked
"There you have it, teach. We won't be letting Malleus in the Hall of Fame" Leona said, making Crowley look surprised
"My goodness..." Then Crowley accepted the deal that Leona made "Fine, understood. However, if the same situation occurs again this year, he will be entered in the Hall of Fame next year"
"Do whatever you want" Leona said
"That brings us to the end of today's meeting. Everyone, please don't forget to turn in your paperwork" Azul said as he started to stand up from his seat "I, myself don't mind if you forget though... fufufufu~"
"Oh, I do have something I want to ask" Maria said and Azul turned to look at the girl
"What is it?" Azul asked
"I was wondering if I can hold a small stand for food and drinks. I started making food and my boyfriends tried the sandwiches and they loved them" Maria said
"Sandwiches? What kind?" Azul asked looking impressed
"I made the popular sandwich that the ghost's were selling from the bakery, the Deluxe Minchi Katsu sandwich" Maria said and Leona looked at Maria with a surprised look
'She made that sandwich?' Leona thought to himself
"Indeed. She has been taking lessons as well, so her cooking is very delicious" Riddle said
"Very well. I shall allow you to run the stand, and in return, you'll let me have a taste of the food" Azul said
"Deal" Maria said, and the meeting ended
Before everyone leaves the Mirror Chamber, Vil spoke up about something
"By the way, today's dorm head meeting... Did we forget to tell Malleus about this again?" Vil pointed out
"Ah!" Everyone shouted in union
"Really, guys?" Maria said with a sweatdrop
Stairway
It's almost time to decide who's playing in the magical shift tournament, huh?" A Heartslabyul student said to his friend
"Have you thought of any spells to appeal to the dorm head?" The second Heartslabyul student asked
"Of course, I did! I showed it to Mr. Crewel earlier and got his approval. I'm so excited to show it too..." Then all of a sudden, the Heartlabyul student fell from the stairs "Ah whoooaaa!!! Oooww... Crap it hurts!" He grabbed his leg in pain
"H-Hey! Why are you jumping around on the stairs all of the sudden?" His friend asked as he carefully helped his friend up
"My leg... Hurts...!" The student cried in pain
"What?! Let's get you the infirmary!"
Unknown among the two, a another student was watching in the shadows and started chuckling
"Shishishishishi~"
To be continued