So you get thrown into this whole new world with no choice of your own and now you find out that you can't go back. Great.
Crowley looked as confused as ever. "This has never happended throughout my long tenure. I must confess that I am at something of a loss. Tell me, from what land do you hail?"
"Sure I'm from..."
"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..." Crowley put a clawed hand to his face. "This mysterious homeland of your eludes me. Let us go to the library and look it up, shall we?"
The headmage brings you to the library. The same room you found yourself hiding from the flamed eared cat. He perused through many books and looked at several maps, trying to find your home.
"Just as I'd suspected. Nothing." He said while closing a book. "Not only is your homeland not listed on any map from any point in history. Now, are you QUITE sure that you come from such a place? That wasn't some sort of lie, or jape?"
You shake your head. "I swear, that's where I come from."
Crowley put a finger to his chin. "The only explanation is that you've come from another planet. Or perhaps you were summoned here from another dimension?"
"Another dimension?"
"Show me everything that you brought here with you. Do you have some form of identification, a driver's license perhaps? Or even a...shoe? You do seem a tad bit...empty-handed."
You pat down your clothes but you seemingly have nothing on your person. "As you said, I have nothing."
"Well, this is quite the predicament. I cannot have someone with no aptitude for magic bumbling about my magic academy. And yet, as an educator, I am loath to expel a young person without a cent to their name, or any ability to contact their guardian... Truly, my grace is boundless." He said while placing a hand to his chest proudly.
"Uuhh."
"Hmmmmm... Ah!" His eyes light up at an idea. "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 for the time being." You tilt your head, puzzled by how he complements himself so much.
"In the meantime, we will investigate other ways to send you home. 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."
Okay, so it may be an old house but it can't be too bad.
Oh no this is way worse.
The decrepit building that Crowley lead you to was completely run down. Boarded up windows, broken roof tiles, beat up lawn, broken down or rotten wood, and all completed with a spiked fence surrounding it. This place would be perfect for a haunted ride.
"Are you serious?" You say in disbelief. "You want me to stay here?"
"Isn't it delightful? Right, scoot inside now. There you go."
Crowley ushered you into to the house that looked like a gust of wind would blow it over. This may be even worse than the Buckets house in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The inside didn't far much better. Dust and cobwebs were everywhere and all the furniture had worn sheets over them.
"This should keep the elements at bay for the time being." Are you sure about that? You thought to yourself. "Now, I should return to my research. Do try to find some way to busy yourself. But don't let me catch you wandering the campus! Ta!" Crowley waved goodbye and trotted out the door.
You look around, wondering what to do. It's like a desolate snowscape. Only with dust... I don't even see a clean place to sit. You hear the pitter patter of rain. Looks like it started to rain. The quiet falling of rain quickly became a heavy downpour. Guess it really started to rain.
"GWAH!"
"Aahh!" You scream at the sudden impact on the door.
"It's pouring out there!"
The door opened to reveal that little grey cat from earlier. Dripping wet, he slammed the door behind him. He looked up to see your surprised face.
"Bwahaha! That look on your face is priceless! Like a bat that got blasted by a water gun." He clutched his sides as he laughed. He scampered over to you in the foyer and shook himself, splashing water drops on you. "As if I wouldn't just sneak back onto campus the second I escaped pryin' eyes. You all got no idea what I'm capable of!"
"What are you doing back here?" You asked. "I thought they kicked you out?"
"I ain't givin' up on goin' here just 'cause I got kicked out one measly ol' time. And if you think otherwise, you don't know Grim!" He angrily pouted.
You tilt your head. "Why are you so determined to go to this school?"
Grim looked like you said the most surprising thing ever imaginable. He waved his arms in the air. "Isn't it obvious?"
"Not really, no." You shake your head.
Grim put a paw to his chest. "I was born to do this! I'm a magical prodigy who's got the makin's to become one of the greatest mages who ever lived! So I've been waitin' and waitin' for that black carriage to come for me."
Grim looked down, looking more sad than you have seen him. "And yet... Hrmph! That Dark Mirror's got no eye for talent!"
"So how did you end up here?"
"Mrphmm, I took the initiative and came here myself. You humans don't understand what a mistake you're makin'! Not lettin' me in is a great loss to the world!" He crossed his arms.
"It's not like I had anything to do with it."
Grim looked like he was about to retort when drops of water landed on his head. He jumped with his back arched, looking more like a cat than ever.
"Bwah! A hole in the roof! These flamin' ears are like my trademark, y'know? I can't let 'em get doused!"
You sigh and shake your head. "Well good luck with that. The ceiling is riddled with holes." You start making your way up the stairs looking for a closet. "Guess I'll go look for some buckets."
Grim scampered after you. "I dunno why you don't just magic those holes away. You could have it fixed in half a jiff. Ahhh, right. You can't use magic at all. Pffft, man you're useless." Grim chortled.
You slant your eyes at the cat. "Then why don't you do it?" You put your hands on your hips.
Grim scoffed. "Heh? You want ME to help YOU? Ha! You got the wrong idea. I'm just a stranger takin' shelter from the rain. You ain't the boss of me. If ya had some cans of tuna to trade, well, that'd be another story. But I don't work for free."
"Great." You replied sarcastically.
You and Grim walk down the dark hallway. You think you hear whispers and shadows moving in the corner of your vision. You let out a shudder.
"Man this place really freaks me out."
"Heh, scardy cat." Grim taunted.
"Yee hee hee... Bwa ha ha ha ha ha." You and Grim jump at the sound of laughter.
"We haven't had visitors in ages! Oh, I'm just itchin' for new friends! Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha!"
Three ghost materialized around you and Grim. One was more stubby, one was lanky, and the other was smaller than the rest. They swirl around your terrified forms.
"AAAAAH! GHOSTS! GHOOOOOOSTS!" Grim cried out, holding onto your leg.
"All the people who used ta live here got scared of us and ran away." said the smaller one.
"We just want a new ghost to play with! What do you say, buddy?" the stubby one whooshed into your face.
"Aahhh," You shout, bringing your arms to cover your face.
Grim shivers besides you. "Eeeeep!" He lets go of your leg and takes a step forward, putting on a brave face. "I'm a master sorcerer! I ain't afraid of no ghosts! Myahaaa!" Grim shoots a couple fire balls at the ghost, completely missing them.
"Nuh-uh. Not even close." The lanky one laughed.
"Over here! Over here! Ah ha ha ha!" The stubby one waved his arms around.
"Argh! They keep disappearing and reappearing!" Grim releases fire balls in random directions.
"You're gonna set the whole dorm ablaze!" You yell at Grim. "You can't aim with your eyes closed!"
"Shaddup! I don't need any lip from you, human!"
You think for a moment. What would get Grim to focus and listen to you? Your eyes light up with an idea.
"Beat them, and I've got a can of tuna with your name on it!"
Grim slightly perks up. "Really?"
"Plus, maybe the headmage will let you enroll if you get rid of them?"
This gets Grim really excited. "Myah...?! Hmph... I'm Grim, Master Sorcerer! How come I can't even hit one of these little-" The ghosts interrupt with their laughter. Grim still couldn't hit any of the ghosts.
"M-maybe I can help?" You suggest.
Grim whirls around to face you, not looking to pleased to need help. "Myaaaah... You, human! You tell me which way the ghosts are!" You nod determinedly.
The lanky ghost tried to sneak up on Grim. "To your left!"
Grim shot a fire ball, finally hitting a ghost. "Aaaaah! It buuuurns!" The lanky ghost flinches and dissipates.
"Ha, got one! Keep it up, just like that... And let's clear out the whole lot of 'em!"
"You got it Grim!"
You shout directions to Grim while he shoots fire balls at the ghosts. Not all shots land on the ghosts though. Grim is still keeping his eyes shut and doesn't always aim in the right direction.
"Missed by a country mile. Heh heh heh!" The short ghost laughs, scaring Grim in the process.
"RRRGH! Hey, human!" He turns to you. "This isn't working! There has to be a better way to nail these ghosts!"
"Hhmmm," an idea comes to mind but Grim's not gonna like it. You pick him up by the chest and hold him out towards the ghosts.
"Mraaah! What do you think you're doing?" Grim struggled in your grasp.
"Just shoot your fire balls! I'll point you in the right direction!" You call out to Grim.
"Grrr... fine." With your new strategy, you're able to fend off the ghosts. As one creeps up, you face the ghost and Grim fires right at them.
"PHOO! PHOOOOO!" Grim let out a mighty fire ball at the ghost.
"That burns!" The ghost fades away.
Grim raises a fist in the air. "Nice! That actually worked!"
"Yeah, it really did." You say a little surprised.
The ghosts fly away from you two. "Hwaaahhh! We gotta get out of here! Before we get disappeared for good!"
You set Grim down and he pumps his fists in the air. You two make your way back to the foyer. You carrying buckets for the many leaks in the roof. As you set the last one down, you glance over at Grim.
"You know, that was pretty incredible." You compliment the cat.
"Aw, geez, I was scared outta my-" Grim caught himself before giving you a smug look. "I mean, they didn't faze me one bit! Just a walk in the park for a mage of my caliber! Whaddaya got to say now, ghosties? That's right!"
The door bursts wide open, making you and Grim jump in surprise. The headmage walks in, carrying a small tray. "Good evening. In another gesture of my immense kindness, I have brought you dinner." He puts the tray down revealing half a grilled cheese sandwich, an apple, a granola bar, and a water bottle. That looks more like someones leftovers.
Crowley noticed Grim hiding behind your legs. "Wait. That's the creature we ejected for causing trouble at orientation! What is it doing here?" He pointed a clawed finger at Grim
Grim stepped from behind you, putting on a brave, if not slightly smug face. "Takin' care of yer ghost problem, that's what. You're welcome, by the way!" He put his paws on his hips.
"What is the meaning of this Y/N?" Crowley now focused all his attention on you, making you pull your hood closer.
"There were some ghosts that Grim helped me deal with."
Crowley rested a hand on his chin. "I do seem to recall that this dorm had a mischievous ghost problem. Ah, yes... That's why it was abandoned, in fact. The ghosts scared away all the students. And you're saying that you two joined forces to drive them away?" He asked in disbelief.
Grim scoffed. "Joined forces ain't exactly how I'd describe it. More like I drove 'em away, and the human watched. And I only did it 'cause I wanted some tuna. Hey... Wait a minute!" Grim threw an accusing glance your way. "I never got those cans of tuna ya promised!"
"Would you two be so kind as to demonstrate your ghost-eradication methods for me?" Crowley ignored the indignant cat.
Grim decided to speak for you. "One, no, 'cause I already wiped 'em all out. And two, no, 'cause where's my tuna?" You shake your head at the tuna craved cat.
"I will play the part of the ghosts. As for the tuna, you'll receive it when you defeat me. Oh, what generosity, Crowley..." He grins, thinking this was an act of great kindness. He pulled a small vial of strange looking liquid from his suit. "Now, to chug this transmutation potion!" He drinks the liquid, almost instantly turning into a ghost. He looked like the other ghosts you fought, but he still had his mask and hat on. He disappeared, seemingly having the ghosts powers as well.
Grim sighed. "Ah, you gotta be kiddin' me. I gotta work together with the human again?"
You look down at the cat. "Do it for the tuna, master sorcerer! Plus, this could be your chance to enroll!" You encourage.
"Hrmph. All right, but this is the last time. And I better be up to my jowls in tuna afterwards!"