~ 3rd Person's Perspective ~
"I'm so tired..." (Name) murmured.
"Hey, Headmaster! That training with the ghosts didn't help me understand Blot one bit!" Grim complained.
"Grim, please look at the magical jewel on your collar." Crowley suggested.
Grim looked at the magic collar of his, "Wha–!?" He gasped. "My magical jewel's got some dirt on it! It won't come off even if I rub it with my paws...!"
"It's a black ink that taints the magical jewel. That's the "blot" that happens after using magic excessively." Crowley clarified.
(Name), Ace, and Deuce also looked at their own magical pen. There is also dirt on the ends of it like Grim's magical jewel...
"Ah...! Now that I look closely, my magical pen has a faint ink stain, too...!" Deuce also proclaimed.
"Eh?! It's kinda dirty!" Grim bellowed, rubbing the jewel.
"There's no way to make them clean again?" Carla asked, flying on Ace's shoulder to see his magical pen tainted by black ink.
"Not completely." Crowley retorted.
"Oh, that's a relief..." Grim sighed, wiping an invisible sweat on his forehead.
"If you take a proper rest, and given enough time off, the Blot will disappear on its own." Crowley pointed out. "A magical jewel does not exist simply to be an outlet for one's magic. One other purpose it has is to accumulate Blot that could directly affect the caster. To an extent, it is a wonderful item that can carry such a huge burden."
Deuce nodded, "I see... In other words, once our magical jewels have become hazy, it's a sign for us to rest our bodies, correct?"
"That is correct. Blot disappears if you eat, sleep, and rest properly." Crowley agreed.
"That's good!! Then, that means I can rest assured about using my magic when I become a great magician!" Grim cheered. "I mean, I eat and sleep a lot already~!"
"He's so cocky..." Pantherlily groaned.
"Magical energy comes in all sorts of varieties. With the exception of a select few, the maximum permissible amount of magical energy is not really that large." Crowley added.
"What do you mean?" Happy questioned.
"In other words, the more magical energy a person has, the more careful he has to be about accumulation of Blot." Crowley rephrased.
"So, if we keep using magic stupidly without even thinking of the consequences, it's easier for us to accumulate Blot, you mean?" Ace crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow.
"To an extent, yes." The Headmaster elucidated. "Though, considering your skills with magic for now, I don't think you have to worry too much about Blot yet. Good for you, huh~?" He smiled at Ace.
"It's kinda hard to be happy about that, y'know!" Ace hollered.
"If our magical jewels turn darker the more we use magic, will we all turn into evil villain berserker mode like Riddle?" Grim asked.
Happy hugged himself, "I was so scared when I saw a huge monster behind him!" He quaked.
"The magician's overall state and well-being actually plays a huge influence on their magical limit before experiencing Blot." The tuxedo crow illuminated. "Anger, sorrow, terror, confusion... Experiencing constant negative energies like that makes it easier for Blot to accumulate. It becomes easier for one to go into Overblot."
"Negative energy..." Carla mumbled.
"A gigantic shadow similar to the one Rosehearts had when he went berserk. I guess you could call it the manifestation of all the negative energies and all the Blot that Rosehearts has accumulated." Crowley imparted.
"So the thing behind Riddle-senpai took shape because of his negative energy and the black ink is also an addition?" (Name) summarized.
"Though to be honest, I know not much more than this." He sweatdropped. "From what we know, there are multiple ways a magician can experience Overblot. However, there really aren't that many examples out there."
"I don't wanna hear it..." Happy covered his ears and hid behind a chair.
"Not having enough examples is good. I don't wanna experience that ever again." Ace sighed.
(Name) patted Ace's shoulder, "Don't worry, dude..." She assured.
"It was fortunate that you were able to make Rosehearts come back to his senses as soon as it happened, but if he were left alone then..." Crowley started to quiver. "AHHHH!! I DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT IT!! HOW FRIGHTENING!" He shrieked.
"Wha–! Don't just shout like that!" Grim chided.
"Ahem, I'm sorry. I suddenly lost my cool." Crowley cleared his throat.
"You always lost your cool, Headmaster..." Carla spoke.
The Headmaster just patted Carla's head, "It was quite the long explanation, but magic use comes with equal danger, is what I'm trying to point out." He smiled. "Everyone, please do not forget my warnings."
"Yes, Sir." The freshies chorused.
"And that is all for your ever so kind Headmaster's special lessons! Everyone, please head back to your classes now." He clapped his hands, pushing everyone outside.
But (Name) step aside, "By the way, have you found a way to help me get back to our world...?" She asked, smiling.
"Eh? Ah... Uh... Oh, a way for you to go back home, yes?" Crowley inquired, receiving nods from the exceeds. "Of course, I've been doing my research. I didn't forget it at all, no sir. But you see... I've been so busy nowadays." He looked away.
"You're avoiding eye contact." Grim signaled.
"I-I-I'm not lying. I am very busy with preparing for the intra-dorm Magical Shift tournament for this coming October." Crowley explained. "And there's still the Prefects' meeting after this..." He mumbled.
"Magical Shift Tournament?" The exceeds, (Name), and Grim asked in unison.
"You don't know about Magift, (Name)!?" Ace exclaimed.
Deuce smacked the back of Ace's head, "She's from another world, remember?" He reminded.
"O-Oh... Right, sorry!" Ace scratched the back of his head.
"It's a world-famous sport. They have a professional league and even world competitions." Deuce explained.
"I dunno about it, too!" Grim raised his hands.
"Magical Shift... A.K.A. Magift, is a sport played by two teams made up of seven players." Ace added. "To put it simply, you try to take a disc from each other and try to shoot it at the goal positioned in the opponent's territory. The team who scores the most points is the winner."
"Hm... It's sounds different like the sport in our world..." (Name) pouted.
"What's that sport, (Name)?" Deuce asked.
"Grand Magic Games." Carla replied. "It's a battle between the guilds in our country back in our world. But the games always changes every year. It also indicates who's the strongest guild in our country."
"WOW! That sounds cool~!" Grim cooed with sparkling eyes.
"I don't think I'm familiar with the term... I'll research it in the library next time. It might provide me with a clue, after all." Crowley nodded. "Ah! Heartfilia, please follow me after the explaining of the Magift, okay?"
"Yes, Sir Crowley." (Name) nodded. She turned to Ace and Deuce, "Can my exceeds join also?"
"I don't know, (Name). Speaking of them, they can transform into humans or a cat with big muscles and also had wings." Ace shrugged.
"I want to join, too!" Happy complained, hugging (Name)'s neck.
"Magical Shift is a sport that uses magic. You carry the disc with magic, and all attacks and defenses used require magic as well." Deuce portrayed.
"Part of the player's appeal is when they exhibit super flashy magic, too~♪!" Ace winked.
"Exactly! That is why Night Raven College is a world renowned powerhouse when it comes to Magical Shift!" Crowley piped in.
"Headmaster! Stop yelling all of the sudden!" Carla hollered, but (Name) hugged the white exceed.
"A lot of our school's alumni play in professional leagues now! Even more, Magical Shift is a sport that tests not only physical skills but also one's magical skills." Crowley declared. "Professional teams will be observing our school's intra-dorm Magift Tournament. A lot of renowned magicians around the world will come to watch."
"That's sounds cool~..." Pantherlily muttered.
"There will be a lot of shops lined up during the tournament as well, and they will be exhibiting products from all over the world." The Headmaster sheepishly added.
"Grim's gonna waste our money to those shops..." Carla glared at the fire breathing cat.
"It is a very important and exciting event that's broadcast via television worldwide."
"It's televised!?" (Name) gaped.
"People around the world will be watching!? Then, if I win that tournament, everyone in the world will know about me!?" Grim daydreamed, asking Crowley at the same time.
"Of course, players who do exceptional and win in the tournament are invited to join professional teams, so it is a given that it comes with popularity, too." The Headmaster responded.
"In Grim's case, people will be surprised to see that a monster is participating in the tournament." Deuce snickered.
"Alright~! I'm gonna go train starting now and aim for victory!" The fire breathing cat beamed.
"Before Grim could have the disc, he's already dead..." Happy joked.
"Yeah, right..." Pantherlily nodded, laughing with Happy.
"Ah, but Grim can't participate." Crowley reminded.
"Eh?" The exceeds and Grim looked at Crowley.
"I've mentioned multiple times that it's an intra-dorm competition, have I not?" Headmaster raised an eyebrow. "Your dorm doesn't have seven people, right? That is why you can't participate."
"WHAT?! No way....!!" Grim complained, crying crocodile tears.
"There are a lot of other things you can do during the tournament, you know? There's handing out drinks and helping prepare the grounds. The players standing on the field aren't the only main characters, after all." Crowley suggested.
"Don't wanna, don't wanna!! I want people watching to say "Kya~ Grim's so cool!" or "Did you see that amazing play!?" That's what I wanna hear!!" Grim sassed.
"That's a pretty wild delusion..." Ace uttered.
"Grim's dreams are wasted..." Pantherlily stated.
"Yeah... You can't do anything about it since you don't have enough people." Deuce said. "You can only hope that more people join Ramshackle Dorm next year, but for now you have to give up on it."
"Deuce, you hurt our feelings!" Happy wailed.
"What did I do?!" Deuce gasped.
"Heartfilia!" Crowley called. "Please follow me." He instructed. The exceeds were following her, but he stopped them. "I want to have a word to her alone."
"It's okay, you can go back without me." (Name) hugged her exceeds. "Also don't forget that lurking Grim." She pointed on the corner.
"Aye!" The exceeds saluted.
"You're so mean for making me expect something..." Grim whispered, hugging himself on the corner.
~ 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 (𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐲 ~
"So what are you gonna say, Headmaster?" (Name) asked, hugging Plue between her arms.
"Diamond from Heartslabyul has told me that pink tattoo on your right hand." Crowley replied, his head straight ahead. "He asked me why do you have that tattoo."
(Name) widened her eyes, "What did you say then?"
"I just said it's a family replica of your family, which is a lie." He retorted.
"Did he buy it?" She asked.
"At first no, because he also saw the same replica on your black exceed's back." He replied. "But I responded that, 'Heartfilia also treats her exceeds as her family, so they also had that replica, too'. I know it sounds cliché."
(Name) sighed in relief, "Yeah, it sounds cliché."
"Heartfilia, no one must know that you and your exceeds are from another world. Trappola and Spade seems to be trustworthy even they're knuckleheads." Crowley warned. "It may cause something that might your life will be take risk."
"U-Uh..."
"Also you're a Prefect, you should be at the meeting in the Magift." The Headmaster added. "I have a proposal to make later at the meeting and that proposal includes you."
"M-Me?" She pointed herself.
"Yes, you..."
~ 𝐌𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 ~
Crowley was the first to enter the Mirror Chamber with (Name) hiding behind his back...
"Who's that behind you, Sir Crowley?" The Prefect of Octavinelle asked.
"(Name) Heartfilia, a 1st year and the Prefect of Ramshackle." Crowley replied, taking (Name) behind his back.
"Hi..." (Name) shyly waved, causing for the other dorm leaders that know her to gasped in surprise.
"(Name)/Dear Potato/Herbivore?!" The Prefect of Heartslabyul, Pomefiore, and Savanaclaw spoke in unison.
"Plue~! Plue~!" Plue also waved his hand.
"AH!" The Prefect of Scarabia came running to (Name). "A PLEASURE TO MEET THE GIRL WHO SAVED MY LIFE BACK IN THE ENTRANCE CEREMONY!" He exclaimed, taking (Name)'s free hand.
"U-Um..." (Name) blushed a bit.
"I'm Kalim Al-Asim, a 2nd Year and the Prefect of Scarabia! A pleasure to meet the first girl in Night Raven College!" He introduced himself.
"Prefect Al-Asim, I suggest you to give her distance." Crowley suggested, 'smiling', but that smile didn't take notice.
"Yes, Sir!" Kalim saluted.
"I just noticed she's the only girl and the only first year." The floating tablet commented.
"That makes her unique though, Idia-senpai." Riddle stated, taking (Name) on the wrist and made her stand beside him.
(Name) is between Riddle and Leona. Vil looked at (Name)'s arms, noticing an ice cream-like thing eating a lollipop. The person behind the floating tablet or Idia is secretly watching her. Azul smirked at (Name), he has some illegal things in mind. Kalim just smiled at her presence...
"E-Everyone is scary..." (Name) whispered, burying her face on Plue's head from the stare she receives.
"Now then, I would like to begin the Prefects' meeting in relation to the Magical Shift Tournament that will take place in October." Crowley announced. "Firstly, Prefect Ashengrotto of Octavinelle has an announcement as the President of the Magical Shift Management Committee."
"I am Azul Ashengrotto of the Management Committee. A pleasure to be here with you all today." Azul 'smiled'. "Now then, I would like to talk about the pop-up stalls that will be positioned around the Colosseum. All slots for outside business and club businesses have been filled."
"Oh, that's nice! Looks like it's gonna be bustling!" Kalim cheered, clapping his hands.
"All the invitations for each nation's royal families have also been sent. The ticket-selling for the masses is proceeding smoothly as well." Azul declared. "And just like every year, the television crews that will be helping with the broadcast have all been arranged as well."
"Oh... How cool..." (Name) whispered, but lately shivered from Leona's glare from beside her.
"(Name)-chan, you okay?" Riddle cooed.
(Name) nodded, "Y-Yes, I'm fine, Riddle-senpai..." She replied meekly.
"The whole world will be watching, after all~! Before I became a student here, I was always excited about receiving the invitation for the tournament~!" Kalim interrupted again.
"So... Kalim-senpai's a royal, too?" (Name) asked Riddle.
"Yes." Riddle replied.
"Ah, you're a royal too so you got invitations, right, Leona~?" Kalim asked. "We've passed by each other in the stadium a lot when we were kids, remember~?" He reminded.
Leona clicked his tongue, "Dunno... And don't care." He replied, coldly.
"I have to perfect the ultra-vision supported base make-up for this year's tournament." Vil added. "It is a very physical sport, so I need to fix my make-up a lot."
Riddle sighed, "Only Pomefiore will go as far as to ask for a time-out just to fix their make-up." He whispered, which (Name) heard.
"Why's everyone so gung-ho about showing their faces for a competition? Just thinking about it's enough to make me puke..." Idia scoffed.
"Everyone is going out of topic, don't you think, Plue?" (Name) asked her celestial spirit pet.
"Plue~! Plue~!" Plue replied, making (Name) smile.
"Ahem! Everyone, please keep quiet." Azul declared.
They all looked at Azul, who has a red irking mark on his forehead...
"Ah, sorry 'bout that~!" Kalim scratched his back with his left eye closed.
"Each dorm should submit a file of all their registered players for the tournament." Azul continued. "If you happen to be even one day late with the registration..."
Riddle cut him off, "You are, of course, disqualified, correct?"
"Oh, no." Azul chuckled. "They will be subject to a separate charging fee. I guess you could call it a special fare for being late?"
"What–?" Riddle blurted. "Personally, I think that creating rules to exempt someone is not a good idea."
Kalim laughed, "I'd be grateful for it though~!"
"You boys, you're getting off-topic now." Crowley declared. "Now then, let's talk about the competition details. I actually have 2 proposals."
"Proposal?" Riddle asked.
"My first proposal if the Ramshackle's Prefect, (Name) Heartfilia could be in-charge in the entrance ceremony. I found her magic interesting and so, I thought for her to make an appearance." Crowley proposed.
"What will she do then?" Leona asked.
"Using her magic to create a performance, for the grand opening, of course. Since she's the first girl who entered this school, I also want her to have a grand appearance in the Magift." Crowley replied. "Who had an objection?"
"No." They all shook their head.
"Good!" Crowley clapped his hands. "My second proposal... I was also thinking of having Diasomnia's Prefect, Malleus Draconia, become a member of the Hall of Fame so as he should also make a special appearance."
"Eh?!" Kalim gasped.
"What do you mean?" Leona asked, his aura getting creepier.
"Ever since Draconia entered the school, all the dorms that have competed against Diasomnia have faced utter defeat without even so much as scoring a point." Crowley retorted. "They've always scored more than 100 points in any tournament. And 9% of those are scored by him alone."
"Who is Malleus Draconia, though?" (Name) asked herself.
"True. The last time we competed against them, we couldn't even lift a finger!" Kalim nodded in agreement.
"His talents totally disrupt the game's balance." Idia commented. "It's kinda unfair."
"This tournament is not merely made for amusement. The whole world will be paying attention in search of a talented new magician. Even more so, Diasomnia has managed to win every single competition without even displaying magic." Crowley added.
"That means, they only uses physical strength, Headmaster?" (Name) asked.
"Precisely, Miss Heartfilia." Crowley responded. "I guess you could call it a desperate measure."
"Ah, I get it. I get tired when I fight strong enemies, too." Idia stated.
"So, I would like to ask the opinion of Savanaclaw Dorm. Since you have the most number of players who are aiming to be in the professional league." Crowley looked at Leona.
"I don't like this feeling..." (Name) uttered, moving a bit away from Leona.
"Your dorm has never fallen behind third place in any of the tournaments ever since the school was founded. And yet... For the past two years, you have only managed to play in the first game against Diasomnia. Not to mention, you never even won." Crowley added. "You will not be able to make an impression on the professional board this way. Your team's future is at stake, too."
"... Are you saying that we'll be losing without even putting up a fight this year, too?" Leona asked, eyes darkening in anger.
"I'm not saying this because I want to either. In any case, I already have Draconia's unspoken consent regarding the matter. All I need is to hear everyone's opinion." Crowley remarked.
"Hah! You're underestimating us." Leona scoffed. "Listen here, Teach. I hate being told "You'll never become number one!" the most, got it?"
"That's not what I'm saying..." Crowley defended himself.
"Then what're you trying to say?" Leona asked Crowley. "In any case, Magift doesn't rely on just the body. It's important to think, too, right?"
"I don't think like I can win against Malleus in that department either." Kalim confessed.
"Yeah, probably. But I'm different from you." Leona sassed. "No one can win against that guy when it comes to power, but there are other methods available."
"Oh-ho?" Azul laughed a bit.
(Name) noticed Azul's smirk from the corner of her eye, that's a very bad sign to see. Just seeing that octo-- I mean, the Prefect of Octavinelle, is really like the end of your life...
"L-Leona-san, I think this is getting too far..." (Name) tried to comprehend him.
"The King of Beasts managed to become king because of effort and wisdom." Leona claimed. "Use your heads and think of a way to win against that monster, too! If you manage to win, the whole world might just praise you, too. Are you really going to let this chance get away?"
"So you do make great points from time to time. I was about to say that the Headmaster's suggestion was nonsense, too." Vil admitted. "Excluding the people with talent is considered an unconscious bias. Don't you think it's similar to being unconsciously prejudiced? And I disagree with that notion."
"I agree with Vil-senpai's opinion." Riddle nodded. "And as a fellow magician, I find it unsightly to run away before even trying."
"I-I also agree to the senpais." (Name) confessed. "E-Even you're weak, you can still try. And it brings a very bad meaning to yourself, too."
"That hotshot's disappointed face will be broadcast internationally." Leona stated. "Just imagining it's enough to make you sing your praises already, right?"
Azul lightly chuckled, "That sounds like a good way to amass ratings."
"Yup, yup. I don't wanna be left out, too~!" Kalim beamed.
"U-Uh... I shouldn't have followed the Headmaster here." (Name) quaked.
"Plue~! Plue~!"
Silence filled the Mirror Chamber. Breathings are only heard in it, no sign of someone whispering, nor mumbling...
"Eh? What's going on? I'm the only one who thinks he should be in the Hall of Fame?" Idia asked, particularly to no one.
"You heard us, Teach. We're not hearing any more of that Hall of Fame crap." Leona glared at Crowley.
"Goodness me... I understand." Crowley nodded. "However, he shall be inducted next year as my condition for letting him compete this year."
"Do what you want." Leona proclaimed.
"But all of you agree on my first proposal about Miss Heartfilia's appearance?" Crowley inquired once again.
"Yes, no objections." The boys all replied.
"If Sir Crowley said that earlier, I already declined..."
"Now then, that is all for today's meeting. Everyone, please do not forget to turn in your registrations." Azul clapped his hands. "Though personally, I wouldn't mind if you were late..." He chuckled again.
"By the way... Did you all forget to invite Malleus to today's Prefect meeting again?" Vil asked.
"AH!!!!"
*𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐏!* *𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐏!* *𝐃𝐑𝐎𝐏!*
~ 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐲 ~
"That Meeting was scary..." (Name) murmured.
"The try-outs for the Magical Shift Tournament is soon, right?"
"Have you thought of a magical exhibition that will appeal to the Prefect yet?"
(Name) peeked on the lower staircase. Two Heartslabyul students were talking about Magift...
"Of course! When I showed it to Professor Crewel the other day, he was so amazed!"
"Wow!"
"I'm excited to show it to Prefect Ro—Wha–!??"
(Name) covered her mouth from gasping... He suddenly just jumped on the stairs and from the look of the angle, his landing isn't good...
"That hurt..."
"H-hey, what happened!? You suddenly jumped from the stairs!"
"My leg... It's hurt...!"
"Hey! Are you guys okay?" (Name) asked, immediately running downstairs.
"Prefect Heartfilia! He suddenly just jumped!"
"Let's take him to the infirmary!" (Name) ordered, helping the injured guy from the ground.
"Yes, Ma'am!"
Before (Name) could leave the area, she knew she just heard someone chuckled from somewhere...
"Shishishishishi~♪!"
~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~
サバンナからの反逆者