*
"See the beauty, sharp and sheer. Split the ice apart."
**
Mirror Chamber
"MYAAAH! M-MY FLAMES!" Grim shrieked in utter shock and fear. He was completely flabbergasted from witnessing how powerful the 'human' he belittled truly was.
"The flames have been extinguished...so it won't cause any unnecessary issues now," Y/n says, turning to Isfrid who was with the other housewardens. Isfrid frowns upon seeing sweat roll down the side of his twin sister's face which was much more visible now that the flames were put out.
Riddle was in complete awe from seeing how beautiful the crown princess's magic was. The effect of her magic was like the Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, a natural phenomena that occurs mostly in the north, but in Permafrostine, it's a daily appearance.
Riddle wasn't the only one who was amazed from Y/n's magic. The other housewardens and students were just as amazed. The redhead quickly got over his shock and smiled at the crown princess that resembled a beautiful pure white rose in the Heartslabyul dormitory. "Thank you, your majesty," he politely bowed in thanks before sternly turning to Grim who flinched under his gaze as he took out his magical pen.
"Now then...Are you ready for your sentence? The verdict will come afterward," he began chanting, causing Grim to widen his eyes.
'That's some crazy magic power! Almost like that human! I gotta run this time!' Grim panicked, quickly turning around to run away.
While Y/n had completely distracted as the ice reseeded back like a wave, his attempts to run away did not go unnoticed by Isfrid and clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Pesky weasel...how dare you take advantage of the crown princess's aloofness!" he gritted his teeth. "Freeze!" His hand swiftly moved forward, and with a flick of his wrist, his used his magic to cause a trail of ice to sprout from the floor underneath Grim feet's, freezing in place.
"Gah! What are you doing?!" Grim yelped from the sudden cold.
Riddle smirked slightly from seeing the weasel looking so helpless, so he wasted no time in finish casting his spell. "Prepare yourself...Off With Your Head!"
A wave of magic passed Y/n, causing a soft breeze to blow through her hair as it traveled toward Grim from Riddle's magical pen. The magic swirled around the weasel's neck, forming a red, black and gold heart-shaped collar to appear, locking in place. "MYAH?!" Grim yelped. "What is this collar? I can't take it off!" he says after making a failed attempt of removing the collar by pushing it over his head.
"The Queen of Heart's Rule 23: 'One must never bring a cat to a formal affair.'" Riddle recited. "Your very presence here is a violation of order. You will vacate these premises immediately," he ordered with authority in his voice.
"But I ain't a cat either!" Grim exclaimed in frustration. "Don't try to collar me! I'll burn it right off!" he says as he began to use his magic. When it went to blow fire once again, all that came out of his mouth was a puff of smoke that immediately dispersed into the air.
"Huh...? Wh-what gives? My fire ain't workin'!" he yelped in panic.
"Until I deign to remove that collar, you won't be using any magic. You're naught but a pet cat now," Riddle stated, giving a teasing smirk.
"M-meoWHAT?! I can't nobody's pet-NOTHING!" Grim shouted.
"Oh, you've nothing to worry about there. I certainly have no interest in having you as a pet," Riddle bluntly huffed, crossing his arms. "The collar will disappear once you're removed from campus," he added.
"What happened again?" Y/n softly asked herself, completely stumped. While in her thoughts, Isfrid stomped over to her, raised his hand and flicked her on the forehead, causing her to let out a bunny-like yelp from the sudden pain. She looked at Isfrid with a pout as she placed her hands over her forehead. "Why did you hit my-"
"That was totally reckless of you," Isfrid harshly scolded. "You can't just walk over toward fire after what you've been though!"
"Was flicking my head really necessary though...?" Y/n asked with a blank expression.
"Yes. Yes it was," Isfrid bluntly nodded.
"Fufu..." Y/n perked an eyebrow when she heard Azul let out a chuckle. "Riddle's magic is always so stunning. Off With Your Head...A signature spell that completely seals off an opponent's magical power by restraining them in an enchanted pillory. And to think he can invoke a spell of this caliber with such a short chant...There are few like him within this school. It's honestly quite handy," he smirked, adjusting his glasses. "I've just GOT to have it - ah, I mean, I just got to have respect for it,"
"Hah," Leona smirked. "Good thing our scarlet boy wonder's such a hard worker,"
"His magic's always so awesome," Kalim said in awe.
"Someone went and stole the show," Vil grinned. "I find it hard to believe that he wasn't trying to show off in front of her majesty,"
"He's brutal when he snaps..." Idia mumbled quietly. "I better avoid all contract..."
'But it seems that her majesty is having trouble trusting that octopus fool,' Isfrid thought, smirking a bit upon seeing Y/n's expression that was full of suspicion for Azul.
"Young Mas - er...I mean, Your majesty!" Crowley says, raising his voice a little. "Was I not clear you are expected to take responsibility for your familiar? Now discipline-"
"He's not mine...!" Y/n suddenly shouted, causing a frigid wind to blow in Crowley's direction, forming ice on his body. Everyone widen their eyes in surprise as Isfrid glared at the headmage.
"What's that? It isn't y-yours?" Crowley asked, shivering from the cold as the frigid wings died down.
"Are you deaf or just stupid?" Y/n asked bluntly. "I've told you repeatedly that it isn't mine...I've never seen that creature before in my entire life,"
"Oh...Is that so?" Crowley nervously stuttered, blushing in embarrassment from his mistake that might've proven fatal if Y/n didn't immediately control her power. "*Ahem* 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,"
"Nooooo! Let me goooo!" Grim shouted, struggling to get out the grip of a student who had a tight hold on him. "You fools better remember my name! Cause I'm gonna go down in the annals of magic history! Just you wait! Myaaaaah...." he whimpered.
"I feel kind of sorry for him..." Y/n mumbled, frowning in dismay. Isfrid tilted his head in confusion when he saw her nod to herself and then she turned toward the student and Grim, mumbling a spell. "For what use is a pawn...if you can't control it...Mechanical Automata," she casted a spell that caused a flash of light to appear from her fingertips as barely visible strings suddenly attached to the student about to shut the doors, seizing his movement.
"Huh? Why can't I- ah!" The student yelped when Y/n moved her fingers, causing the strings attached the student to control his body. The strings made him turn around, facing Y/n with a slight pained expression from the pressure.
"Forgive me, but I can't allow Grim to be thrown out just yet," Y/n meekly says as she control the strings to have the student step closer to her.
"Huh? But he is a-" Crowley began to say, widening his eyes in surprise.
"I will...take Grim under my wing," Y/n says as the student placed Grim into her arms, making the weasel to shudder slightly. After that, she released the student, causing him to shudder in fear and speed walked back to his group. "Grim may be an annoying weasel, but...I wonder why he was so desperate to stay here? After all...you were so insisted that he was my familiar,"
Crowley sweatdropped from the coldness in her tone. "But I'm no- mmph!" Grim began to protest but Y/n immediately covered his mouth.
"I suggest you shut up and take advantage of this situation, weasel," Y/n sternly spoke to Grim, emotionlessly glaring at a trembling Grim. "After all...you get to stay on campus thanks to me, so don't you dare start complaining," she says. Grim immediately nodded.
"But what if he causes some trouble?" Isfrid asked curiously.
"Then I'll just have to teach him about how the mortals work," Y/n replied, petting Grim on his forehead to shut him up, earning a purr from the cat-like weasel.
"Well...if you insist. As expected that you're truly kind. Your father would be proud," Crowley smiled in a father-like way. Y/n's expression slightly smiled as Isfrid frowned at the mention of Lord Father but ignored it since it made his twin sister remember some happy memories. After all, their mother and grandparents say the same thing. "Well, that was quite the unexpected fracas. I hereby declare that orientation has concluded. Housewardens, please escort your students back to the dorms," he announced until he noticed a certain student wasn't present. "...Hm? Come to think of it, I don't see Housewarden Draconia of House Diasomnia anywhere,"
"And that surprises you? The dude's a total recluse," Leona says in a bored tone while stepping closer to an aloof Y/n. He bent down a bit and sniffed her, taking in her scent as Isfrid widen his eyes in horror before glaring at the lion who ignored him. 'Her scent...I'll be sure to remember it,'
"Wha..." Y/n tilted her head in confusion as the two boys glared at each other.
"Wait a sec...Did anyone even invite him?" Kalim asked.
"If you're that worried about him missing out, maybe you should have told him yourself," Vil bluntly says to Kalim while stepping over to Y/n, quickly pulling her away from Leona. "Don't stand so close to him, my little Songbird. This brute will tarnish your beauty," he mumbled in her fear while eyeing Leona. He smirked darkly at the lion who harden his glare.
"You...!" Leona growled quietly.
'The hell did I just witness...?' Isfrid thought, having a dumbfounded expression.
"Maybe, but I don't know him too well either..." Kalim admitted, feeling guilty. Malleus's absence caused the housewardens to argue about why no one invited him, but his known presence at Night Raven College caused an uproar among the new freshmen.
"Draconia...Like, Malleus Draconia? THAT Draconia?" One student asked.
"Isn't he like...her majesty the Crown Princess's fiancé?" Another one questioned.
"So it's true? He really does go to school here? With his future wife here as well..." A third once said, shuddering in fear.
"Yikes,"
"Malleus...Draconia...he's my fiancé....?" Y/n muttered, being forgetful once more as Vil held her close, grasping her protectively.
"Ah. Just as I'd expected," Lilia sighed, stepping up toward the group. "I figured I'd come down and see for myself whether Malleus had made an appearance. But once again, he was evidently not informed that his presence was required at an official ceremony," he informed.
"You have my sincerest apologies. I assure you, this oversight was in no way intended as a snub," Azul apologized, not sounding at all sincere. Well, only a bit. But he mostly wanted to seem nice in front of his beloved Angelfish's eyes.
"I mean, you must admit, he's not exactly the easiest person to strike up a conversation with," Riddle admitted bluntly.
"Just admit that you guys didn't even bother inviting him..." Isfrid mumbled as he facepalmed.
Lilia chuckled from Isfrid's response. "No matter. All who were assigned to House Diasomnia, follow me. I just hope he doesn't sulk about this,"
"Please wait a moment, Mr. Vonrouge," Crowley ordered. "Since her majesty has been sorted into every dormitory by the Mirror of Darkness, I will allow her to choose one dorm she'll reside in," he announced, causing the housewardens to suddenly have a look of determination as he turned to Y/n. "So, your majesty, which dorm will you choose?"
Y/n grew silent, not knowing which dorm to choose. But before she could even say her answer, the Housewardens spoke up about which dorm she should be in. "You should stay in Pomefiore, my Little Songbird," Vil offered, lifting Y/n's chin up to look at him. "It's only natural for the most beautiful princess to stay in the most fairest dorm," he praised. Y/n narrowed her eyes slightly, pressing her lips together from the compliment. "Not only does she have grace and poise, but he icy beauty outshines you potatoes,"
"You are indeed correct, Vil. Angelfish is surely the most beautiful maiden I've ever seen," Azul smirked, agreeing with Vil. "But must you know that MY Angelfish has both elegance AND intelligence? She is known throughout the world as being just as benevolent as her mother. As Octavinelle is modeled after the Sea Witch's benevolence, she should stay with me instead,"
"All of you idiots think they belong anywhere BUT Savanaclaw?" Leona spoke up.
"Oh please," Riddle scoffed. "And allow MY Rose to be surrounded by you animals? I think not, Housewarden Leona," he glared at Leona. "Y/n Frostinelle belongs to Heartslabyul and Heartslabyul alone. It certainly be handy to have someone just as disciplined in the dorm...by MY side,"
"What are they arguing about again...?" Y/n asked softly, forgetting what Crowley asked of her.
"I would suggest that Y/n says with us in Scarabia but I heard most winter spirits have a weakness to fire and heat," Kalim bemoaned, really wanting to have a huge welcome party for her. "I don't want her to get hurt,"
'I doubt she'll even want to be in my dorm...' Idia thought, obviously pessimistic.
"Kekeke," Lilia chuckled. "All of you made reasonable claims," he says, smirking as he and Isfrid had the same thoughts. "But it's completely obvious that Malleus would love to have his wife join Diasomnia. Not only is she far more powerful in terms of magic, but the dorm's environment is also just perfect for her,"
"Don't forget, I was sorted into Diasomnia," Isfrid reminded. "Why wouldn't she be in the same dorm as her precious twin brother?"
"Hmm, I see," Crowley hummed before turning to Y/n. "Which dorm do you choose, your majesty?"
"Choose what again?" Y/n asked with a blank and forgetful expression, looking completely lost.
'She's an airhead!'
The housewardens blushed as some even chuckled at her aloof personality, finding it rather adorable. Isfrid then came up with an even better idea. One that would ensure the upmost safety of Y/n. "Headmage, I believe Y/n should stay in her own dorm with Grim since she is the only female here. I would rather have her be in a separate dorm instead of one of the seven dorms filled with only boys," he suggested.
"I see. You have an excellent point," Crowley nodded in agreeing. It didn't take long for him to make the final decision. "I've made my decision. Y/n will stay in her own dorm from now on. Housewardens, please lead your freshmen back to their respective dorms. Orientation is officially over," he announced.
The housewardens and Lilia all nodded in understanding. But those who genuinely want Y/n to choose their dorm were a bit disappointed. It will be alright though, after all, just seeing her in real life was worth waiting for.
"See you soon, sister," Isfrid says, kissing Y/n's forehead before following Lilia who waved his hand goodbye.
Azul walked closer to Y/n. "Please do make sure to stop by Mostro Louge if you ever need help or simply want to try our menu, Angelfish," he says, kissing the back of Y/n's hand politely before taking his leave.
"Alright..." Y/n mumbled as Vil patted her head with a smile before leading the Pomefiore freshies back to the dorm. Without her notice, Idia took a snapshot of her before quickly controlling his tablet away to lead the freshmen of Ignihyde to the dorm.
Soon after, the Mirror Chamber was cleared. Crowley turned to Y/n who held Grim in her arms. "There is a vacant building on this campus. It was, in fact, used as a dorm a long time ago. With a proper cleaning, it should be habitable enough. Out of the profound kindness of my heart, I will allow you to live there during the school year," he smiled. "In the meantime, I shall have your uniform and supplies ready for you by the morning. Dear me, but I am a gracious man indeed! A model educator, one might say. 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,"
"Alrighty then..." Y/n mumbled. 'Old buildings, huh...didn't someone I know...like abandoned places...? I wonder that might be...'
~To be continued~
*
Modern Era Secrets:
~ Every night in Permafrostine, the Northern Lights appear, shining throughout the starry sky