While in the halls, Riddle was about to stroll back to his dorm after the meeting until....
"Oh Riddle!"
"Goddamnit." He mutters when he hears his voice. He soon stops his tracks and turns around when he faces Azul who approaches him with a 'pure' grin.
"Azul?" Riddle folds his arms looking at him curiously yet cautiously as the silver haired head dorm of Octavinelle approaches him.
"Is there something you want? Because I'm about to head back to my dorm doing paperwork." Riddle informs.
"Oh just one. I just need to know~." He implies with a sly undertone making Riddle curl his brow.
"And what is that?" Riddle ask curiously yet looking cautious.
"Are you and Gloriane by any chance dating?" Azul ask curiously causing Riddle to widen his eyes and his face flush in complete 180 as smoke starts to come out from his ears.
"Wha...Wha...WHY WOULD YOU ASK SOMETHING LIKE THAT!?" Riddle yells completely flustered.
"Oh? Are you denying?" Azul ask with a teasing smug.
"We're just close friends and nothing else!" Riddle retorts.
"Is that so? Well if you and Gloriane are close friends, then you wouldn't mind if I take her out right? Fufufu~." Azul ask curiously with a smirk letting out a frisky chuckle. That had Riddle's patience immediately break when he march right up to him and stomps his left foot with so much force since he's short. Azul glance down at Riddle, who is shooting a strong glare at him.
"Azul. Whatever you're planning, leave Gloriane out of this!" He bellows with his silver eyes gleam with rage. However, the cheeky dorm leader of Octavinelle wasn't fazed instead he tilts his head innocently.
"Oya? Since when Heartslabyul's head dorm cares about others? Does mean the strict and intimidating Riddle Rosehearts has feelings for Gloriane after all? The girl who is the reincarnation of that devious crone, Mother Gothel?" Azul ask curiously with a smirk. Riddle clench his fists and kept glaring up at Azul.
"That has nothing to do with this and don't ever call her that! I was once like you before, but now it's different! Gloriane is not like Gothel at all! She and Gothel are different, I can assure you. As dorm leader, it's my responsibility to make sure students are safe and follow the rules. And I'm warning you, Azul. If I ever see Gloriane with tears under her eyes...."
Riddle soon grabs Azul by the tie and pulls him down so their eyes locked together as Riddle gives him a death glare.
"I swear from the Queen of Hearts, it'll be off your head!" Riddle threatens as he releases his tie with Azul faking his emotional pain.
"You've wounded me, I'm not saying that I perceive her as Mother Gothel. I'm just saying that Gloriane Corbett is an intriguing woman. The mirror of darkness wasn't lying about this girl possessing such strong magic. I wouldn't mind if she come visit to my dorm if she were to change her mind..." He reassures feigning innocence before creeping a smirk that shouts out obsessed.
"...Or should I call her my Glofish." Azul infers with a tempting smirk as a sensual undertone came out from his mouth, but Riddle gives no f#*ks and points at him.
"Listen Azul. You maybe the smartest student in Night Raven College and Octavinelle, but I can reassure you that you're underestimating rabbit if you ever think that you'll get away of stealing her magic because let me tell you. Gloriane Corbett isn't the type of person you want to mess with, Azul Ashengrotto. She's a force to be reckon with, Keep that in mind." Riddle warns him as he turns his back on him letting out a huff.
"Now if you excuse me, I must get back to my dorm in case someone breaks the Laws of the Queen of Hearts. Rule #7 from the Laws of the Queen of Hearts: Always arrive back to your dorm after meeting or school ended. Good day." Riddle sternly states as he stomps his way out of the halls away from the crafty Octavinelle dorm. Afterwards, Azul chuckles slyly and push his glasses up.
"He's surely stubborn, but awfully obvious." Azul remarks as he let's out a low chuckle.
"Azul."
Soon Azul turns around to find twins Jade and Floyd appearing before him. Azul smiles and folds his arms.
"My~ Pleasure to see you both. Tell me, did you get more information on Glofish?" He asks.
"We did Azul. Just how you wanted." Jade replies.
"Mhm, we recorded her performing an incantation magic on that student just a few minutes ago." Floyd informs. This brought a satisfying smile on Azul's face.
"Excellent job you two, now let's get back to our dorms. We have plans to make this Magift Tournament to have high ratings, then we'll have a meeting with Glofish before the exams." He strategizes making the twins grin intriguingly.
"Of course, we always need tension in this year's tournament." Jade assures.
"Haha tension's the best! I can't to meet Lionfish once this boring Magift Tournament is over." Floyd laughs with glee.
"Same here Floyd, for now let's get back to our dorm. Then it's off to meet our siren~." Azul reassures.
"Hai." Jade and Floyd complies as they chuckle lowly while planning on their future plans after the tournament.
————————
Meanwhile at the ramshackle dorm, Glory was practicing her recitals in the lounge with dying plants that the ghost had place them as ordered by the badass and beautiful ravenette queen herself.
"Save what has been lost
Bring back what once was mine
What once...was mine~"
She sang beautifully as the healed the last potted plant, three ghosts applauded her performance.
"Wow! That was incredible!" The stubby ghost chirps.
"You sang wonderfully, Glory!" The skinny ghost praises.
"I'll say, that was a cool magic you got there Glor!" The chubby ghost compliments making Glory giggle and strokes the back of her head.
"Thanks guys." Glory thank them while grinning until they heard a groan from Grim. They all turn their heads to Grim who is slouching on the couch with a depressed look.
"I just don't wanna do anything...Nothing beings me joy if I can't play magift." He grumbles.
"You're still down from what Crowley and Merlin to say, huh?" Glory ask curiously.
"What's up Grim-y boy? What's got your fur in a bunch?" The stubby ghost ask curiously.
"He's pouting 'cause they won't let him play in magical shift tournament. Hee hee hee!" The chubby ghost chuckles.
"If you wanna play that bad, we'll play against you." The skinny ghost suggests causing Glory's face to widen and turns to them.
"You guys played Magift before?" Glory ask curiously with a surprise look.
"Sure we did! We were players that drove the crowd wild 90 years ago!" The skinny ghost explains.
"Huh, I didn't know that." Glory said tilting her head with an intrigued look.
"We need a team of seven, right?" Grim ask curiously.
"Doesn't matter since its not official! Let's go!" The stubby ghost cheer.
"You should come with us as well Glory, it will be fun!" The chubby ghost suggests.
"Hmm well I never play Magift before, but this would be a great time to start my physical training so yes I'll join." Glory said with a smile much to the elations of the ghosts.
"Then let's head outside!" The chubby ghost cheers as Glory nods with a grin where all they head outside to play Magift.
"So what are the rules?" Glory ask curiously.
"Don't worry too much about the rules. Just take the disk and put it through the goal." The skinny ghost instructs.
"Huh, sounds simple enough." Glory said with a grin.
"I'm gonna leave you all in the dust!" Grim exclaims.
"Better watch out, everyone goes after the guy holding the disk with magic. Hee hee hee!" The chubby ghost chuckles, but Glory smirks with confidence.
"And that's exactly what I'm going to prevent so you're on!" Glory proclaims.
"Hehehe such confidence! That's what we loved about you Glory! Now game...start!" The stubby ghost exclaims as the three ghost begin scattering all over the field. Glory analyzes their movements for a minute as she spots the chubby ghost sneaking behind Grim. Found an opening, Glory bits her glove off and flashes light towards the chubby ghost flinching him and Grim.
"Whoa! Nice aim!" The Chubby ghost compliments.
"Thanks!" She grins.
"Hey! Watch where you're aiming Glory!" Grim yells with red veins popping from his head.
"Oops, sorry!" She apologizes. The ghosts chuckle and smiles.
"No need to apologize, let's continue!" The stubby ghost yells.
"Right!" She nods as the ghosts disappears. Glory then does her stance trying to detect their presence with her own eyes. On the other hand, Grim is chuckling while smirking confidently.
"Alright! I just have to take a disc and score some goals!" Grim yells as he dashes through the fields until Glory quickly saw two ghosts reappear scaring the hell out of Grim and Glory smirks.
"Gaaaah!?" He shrills. With her target lock, Glory slams her fist to the ground as light collides towards the two ghosts. But this time, they dodged by disappearing and scaring Grim again with her light attacks.
"Ack! Jeez! Some blast you have!" Grim shrills before the two ghosts reappears snicking. Grim glance at the ghost with a frown.
"And what the hell were you doing scaring me like that!?" Grim shouts.
"Hee hee! Getting in your opponent's way is the part of the game." The chubby ghost points out.
"Yup, this is like American Football except with magic." Glory confirms. Soon the skinny ghost reappears beside her.
"Is that a game back in your world, Glory?" He ask curiously and she turns to him with a nod.
"Sure this, except there's no magic involved." Glory informs.
"That wasn't magic!" Grim bellows at the two ghosts with a red vein throbbing from his head. Soon energy starts to pin Grim hard.
"Ffnaa~~!!! Keeping control of the disc is hard!" He whimpers.
"Focus Grim! You can do it!" Glory reassures, but the chubby ghost chuckles.
"Hee hee hee! At this rate you'd be out in the first match you play." He points out.
"But y'all did pretty good for first timers, especially you Glory. You kinda caught us off with that light magic of yours." The Skinny ghost praises.
"I'll say, you were pretty cool out there Glory." The chubby ghost agrees.
"Mhm you'll definitely win the tournament this year!" The stubby ghost assures making her giggle awkwardly.
"I'm not sure if I could handle the pressure though." Glory mumbles, but the skinny ghost pats her back.
"I don't blame you, besides this is your first time playing Magift and you did good today." He reassures and she grins.
"Yeah, you're right. Thanks skinny." Glory thank him and he smiles back.
"No problem." He replies.
"H-Hmm. I'm a genius so give me a moment to get used to it and I'll be a star in no time!" Grim proclaims making Glory rolling her eyes.
"If you wanna win this year's magift, then you have to train hard everyday in order to win. MEANING you can't complain such as 'I'm tired!', 'my arms are sore!', or 'waaaaah let's stop! I don't wanna do this anymore!' and most importantly, slacking off like a total bum." Glory reminds him while mimicking Grim.
"I know that mom geez!" He retorts but that didn't make her happy one bit when her face falls into a blank look.
"What?" Glory snarks with a red vein twitching from her head causing him to flinch and gulp.
"N-Nothing." Grim stammers. The ghosts then snickers at him and Glory's sass.
"Hello everyone. Are you playing magical shift?" Suddenly they all turn to see Crowley standing before them.
"Eh? Crowley!?" Glory exclaims in shock.
"Geh. It's the guy that always brings down the room." Grim grumbles with his hands on his hips.
"I see you getting along well with the dorm ghosts. Splendid, splendid." Crowley approves. Glory giggles.
"Thanks Crowley, but why are you here?" Glory ask curiously.
"We are not getting along! And Glory's right! What d'you want?" Grim demands.
"I have a request to make of you." He requests.
"Eh? A request?" Glory tilts her head curiously and the headmaster nods.
"Yes, but it's not a simple chit-chat so let's go inside." Crowley informs.
Later at the ramshackle dorm, Glory and Grim are sitting with Crowley at the lounge where discuss about the request he just mentioned.
"What's this request about? We aren't your handymen anymore, y'know." Grim bluntly reminds him.
"Oh you? I don't remember saying anything about your room and board being free of charge? Labor is a beautiful thing, Grim, Corbett." Crowley assures making Glory curl her brows skeptically.
"Was that supposed to be a threat?" Glory ask dubiously but he clears his throat dodging the question.
"Let's get straight to the point shall we? You might known this from Merlin, but here's something that I must inform you both. Recently, there have been an increasing number of students injured in suspicious accidents." He explains.
"Yeah, and?" Glory inquires.
"I'd like you both to investigate them." He told them.
"Injuries? We saw a student with a burnt right foot recently, but what kind of injuries?" Grim ask curiously.
"Yes. Tripping down, burned by boiling water..."
"Second part I knew because one student I healed told me about it." Glory told him.
"Mhm yes. The cause vary but in past several days in the number of patients in the infirmary has dramatically increased and Merlin has been busy with tending injuries on the students." He explains.
"Yeah, that's why he cancelled our training today." Glory said.
"Exactly. Including the person who fell down the stairs few minutes ago, that makes ten people injured." He points out shocking Glory.
"Someone fell down the stairs!?" Glory shrills.
"Correct. I'm glad none of the injuries have been severe but..."
"Aren't they all just clumsy?" Grim ask curiously.
"Hmmm...." Glory ponders for a minute thinking about the injured student she just healed and the increase of injuries she has heard from the headmaster.
Iman said that he got himself burned by the pot out of the blue, but how exactly did that happened?
Glory thought pondering about the sudden impact.
"The whole school is giddy for the approaching magical shift tournament, that's true. Even still, there's too many people hurt if you look at past years. On top of that, those injured in these accidents were all in the running to be startling members for their dorm's team." Crowley said.
"Huh?" Grim looked confused.
"Sounds like foul plays." Glory assumes.
"Very nice deduction. However, I have no evidence to prove it was foul play." He informs.
"All the victims were injured in places with plenty of other people around them. Nevertheless all bystanders bad this to say: 'They looked they weren't paying attention'." He explains more.
"Sounds like they all just screwed up. There, problem solv-! Mmph!?"
"Unless the perpetrator hurts them on purpose for their own personal gain. We don't know exactly, but that's how I assumed. Therefore, it's not just typical screw ups." Glory points out and let's go of his mouth.
"Pew! What the hell Glory!?" Grim yells frowning at her as Crowley tilts his head caressing his chin.
"That could be true, but that was irresponsible of you to say Grim. At least Corbett is being receptive and taking this situation seriously." Crowley remarks.
"It has nothing to do with me. I still can't join magift. Doesn't matter to me what happens to the tournament. Ptooey ptooey!" Grim pouts still grumpy over his incapability to compete.
"Is that so...I'd thought I give you a tremendous reward for your help but.."
"Hmph! That's not gonna work this time! You'd need at least 100 cans of tuna to buy my-! Mmph!?"
"What's the catch?" Glory ask cutting him off by covering his mouth again.
"The catch is this. If you could catch the culprit, then I shall prepare a way for your dorm to participate as competitors." Crowley suggests causing Grim to widen his eyes and smack her hand.
"Eh!?"
"How's that sound? Aren't I just the most gracious ever?" Crowley ask curiously as Glory stands up from the couch with her eyes burn with determination and courage.
"If it's an investigation you want, then it's an investigation you got! You got a deal!" Glory accepts.
"Ffna...ffnaa...!?" Grim stutters with awe.
"Your gallant will broadcast world wide. And you'll be able to bask in the applause of the coliseum filled to the brim." Crowley informs.
"They'll be screaming things like 'Wooh woo! Here's the stand out rookie, Grim!'" He encourages mimicking the crowd that had Grim all fires up and smiles.
"Oh, oh my...I can already see it happening." Grim chirps smiling at the thought of being cheered by the crowd. Glory sighs at his reaction.
Well that's one way to get a cat encourage.
Glory thought, but soon he stands up and turns his back on them.
"But you said that you wouldn't hero solve this matter. Unfortunate, but please forget what I said. Corbett, I'm handling this situation on your ow-"
"Hold it right there! I'll do it! I'll definitely do it! Just let me team up with my henchman and we'll do it as a team!" Grim demands causing Glory to snicker at his quick reaction.
Perfect way to get a cat to change his mind.
Glory thought while snickering as he watches Crowley turning around with a 'surprise' look.
"Oh? You will now?" Crowley ask.
"Being in the tournament changes everything! Right!" Grim infers as Glory smiles and forms a confident grin.
"Than it's settled. Let's catch the culprit and play Magift!" Glory declares.
"Wait a sec. We need seven teammates, right? How are we going to find some?" Grim ask.
"Fret not. As the headmaster I will perform a Magic's, miracle to supplement the other five people you need." He reassures.
"Hooray! You got a deal! Let's go find the culprit!" Grim cheers and Glory nods.
"Then let's get this investigation going then!" Glory exclaims making Crowley smile and cross his arms.
"I'm counting on you two." The headmaster encourages with a grin and they both nod with determination as their investigation adventure begins.