Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

'The galaxy is vast beyond compare, containing an infinite number of possibilities.'

A small person passed by the crowded corridor, not minding the people that surrounded her. They are using the same hallway to reach their respective rooms, so it was natural.

Sometimes, a few of them glanced at the small person and whispered to their closest one, as if they were discussing an exotic animal. But, there are other types of people who spare no glance at her as they are minding their own businesses.

Either way, Sortis could careless nor did she have the time to bother as she was engrossed by a book she held. She was used to it by now when she joined the Intelligentsia Guild as a student now a scholar. '... I still see myself as a student who strives for knowledge. After all, the galaxy is filled with such treasures (Knowledge).'

But, Sortis understood quite a bit why her fellow scholars were intrigued by her. It's not every day that there's a sole survivor from a ruined planet studied among them, they thought there was nothing left.

She pushed slightly her colored glasses back to the brick of her nose. When suddenly, someone poked her forehead. Sortis lifted her head slightly, seeing her teacher in front of her who stared at her with an unreadable expression on his face.

"Dr. Ratio?"

"Salsotto," Dr. Ratio nodded, "come with me to my office... We have to discuss..." He glanced at the students with a glare, making them scurry away, "about your Unique invitations."

Sortis closed her book, still holding it as rested on her side of her waist and followed her teacher without any questions.

While they walked, Dr. Ratio starts questioning her.

"Did you eat?"

"Just a few ration bars." Sortis answered shortly. Immediately, Dr. Ratio handed over a red apple at her, which she took from her free hand.

"Don't eat the same thing every now and then, Salsotto. Having the right nutrients in our body is also as important as our mind, or else we don't function enough." Sortis didn't know if he's either scolding or lecturing her for maintaining her health, but it felt so warm and fuzzy in her chest whenever she listened to him.

"I'll keep that in mind."

Dr. Ratio only sighed. "You better be."

Yet, little did he know that is going to take time for her.

... At least Sortis munched the apple he gave to her as he glanced at her briefly.
-

When they entered Dr. Ratio's office, the young man stepped forward to his desk. He grabbed a few documents, leaned his upper body on the edge of the desk while his face raised to face the small figure before him.

"As your educator... I am proud of the fact that you're the most promising student among whom I have known in my recent years." He began, looking at Sortis in pride. Yet, she didn't know what to say, Sortis just stood there and waited for why her teacher called her.

"On the other side... As your legal guardian, I'm technically the first person to know something before you, Salsotto."

"... Is it important that I have to know whatever you speak of, Dr. Ratio?" Sortis questioned him, which she gained a firm nod from the man.

"Two letters have arrived today, they're invitations in fact from two different factions, one of them came from the Arbitrators and the other one from the Garden of Recollection." He waved the documents in his hands before he handed it over to her. Sortis had to admit, it wasn't everyday when two factions were interested in just one person from a different faction.

"... I think, I need some time to think about it." She only answered. She knew this was a once of a life opportunity to get invited from those factions, yet Sortis thought to herself that this was something she should be cautious about.

It was unsettling from her part.

A smile curved on Dr. Ratio's lips, making her eyes widen slightly since he rarely smiled at anyone. "That answer is fine enough. Now, why don't you go to the library and while I'm going to fill those out?"

He took the papers from her hand with a little wave before he puts them back on his desk again.

-

Sortis stood still for a moment as she exited Dr. Ratio's office and didn't bother that the automatic door closed itself. Nor did she realize her breath was shallow.

This took her for a while, unintentionally her legs moved on their own as her shoes were clacking against the floor.

Clack.

'Why me?'

Clack.

The girl didn't pay any attention to where she was going. Nor would her feet take her to the library.

Clack.

'What makes other people that I never knew in my life, wants to know about me?'

Clack.

She never heard the sounds of the wheels that drew closer and closer.

'I wish... To be an ordinary girl...'

Clack

Slowly, her head moved to the right and saw it. Sortis didn't know it was possible, yet... The galaxy is vast beyond compare, then everything is possible.

A shadow loomed over the frozen girl as the black horse raised its hoofs above her.

.

.

.

.

.

.

"..."

"....."

"........."

"................"

The girl slowly regained her consciousness. When her eyes opened, darkness greeted her once again.

"Where... Am I?" She tested her joints to feel they could move as they did, she raised them and touched a smooth wall that cuts her off from the outside.

Sortis concluded herself that she's in some kind of box. Her hands kept exploring as they trailed every edge and every corner where she confined what type that box she's in.

A coffin.

Silently hummed, then she let one arm rest while the other pressed on the wall in front of her.

A ball of light blasted from her hand alone, the lid of the coffin flew and splattered into several pieces. She stepped out from her confined space with unfazed eyes.

"Mmm... I overdid myself." Sortis mused herself, staring down at the small mess she made. Then paused as she observed her surroundings briefly.

The room she resided in was... Interesting, to simply put. From the architecture design, Sortis could tell that it has some charm in it and from her mind, her professor would be criticized if he was by her side. The room itself was quite dark, but not so dark like the coffin she was in as green lights above the pillars gave the room some light, she slightly pulled her colored glasses before adjusting it back.
Furthermore are the coffins, they circling around the room, some were floating, some were not and they're the same type like she had been inside.

What's more intriguing was the mirror at the center. Sortis looked at the mirror closely, wondering if it took the part of the reason she was here along with that horse who rammed her over.

"... I'm not injured." She patted her own shoulder while checking herself in pure wonder. "How strange... What happened while I was unconscious?" Of course, the answer to her question did not answer right away, or that other question why she wears different clothes.

Thankfully, her belongings that are deemed to be important are safely stored inside of her cube pendant.

In a game, it would be called 'Inventory.'

Sortis turned herself to face the large twin doors that leads her to the outside of that unknown place. "I guess this room isn't much for more answers... Then let's try if that door was open."

To her surprise, the twin doors opened when she pulled one of them. But it's convenient for her at least to get out of the room filled with coffins and the mirror.

"Mmm... The open hallway is really pleasant... But why is it so empty?" The girl mumbled as she took a walk, her eyes glancing from time to time to the courtyard and to each rooms she passes by, were either labs or Auditorium Lecture Classrooms. "Is this some kind of a monastery?"

Her steps halted for a moment when she peered into the library that was so grand, but not so grand that could not rival the biggest archives in Intelligentsia Guild. "Nonetheless, knowledge should be cherished... Considering the situation I am in now."

Sortis didn't faze the fact that some books were floating around like the room of coffins. She grabbed a book on the shelves that contained general knowledge of this place.

"Soo... This world is called Twisted Wonderland..."

While she reads the book in comfort, a man with a crow mask is in search of her.

Chapter Text

It should be a smooth day, was all Crowley thought as the enrollment day arrives today. Yet here he was, searching for one student who has arrived little later than the others.

Before his search, he entrusted the housewardens to stay at the Mirror Chamber before he returned. Of course, his ears were droned from those sighs and complaints about him. They were so tired of his antics that they got used to it for how long they have been in Night Raven College.

Honestly, shouldn't they be grateful for how 'kind' Crowley was to them that they didn't need help him for search? Alas, gratefulness wasn't in their dictionary considering how... Prideful and egotistical his students are.

Just like the missing student who messed up his schedule and left a mess at the summoning chamber.

The audacity. 

Although, the Headmage was mildly impressive when he saw the state of the open gate (coffin), more likely the lid. 

Well... The lid was split into several pieces, he didn't know how it was possible considering, it's a magic tool that is dated four hundred years. The exact date when the arcane academy was founded.

'The missing student will certainly be an astounding mage in the future.' He mused himself, it was the first time that someone was freed on its own from the gate in his career.

In the courtyard, there was nobody except himself. The man continued his search in every nook and cranny around the campus, until he entered the library. There, he spotted the missing student who flipped a book while still standing.

Crowley fell silent as he examined that person before him. 'Mm... He looks very small unlike his other peers... Quite feeble also...' He saw how tiny and frail those hands are, like a twig. Yet they hold the book with most care as the fingertips flipped onto the next page.

"Ahem!" Crowley cleared out his throat, a simple act to gain the attention of the missing student.

The student in question slowly lifted their heads up, the book on their hand placed to the right order of the shelf they picked. 

How eerily calm that person presented. Despite how they turned around, the eyes were concealed by the pink colored glasses that Crowley unable to determine the eye color and the ceremonial robe made it more mysterious as it shadows most of the body except for the hands and the mouth.

"Oh, Hello? Is there something you need to gain my attention, Mister?" The missing student's voice had quite a gentleness in them and it wasn't so high that it was very pleasant to hear as they spoke to him.

"Something I need to gain your attention? Dear me, I've found you at last. I trust you're one of this year's new students?"

"Mm? Me, a new student?" The missing student slightly tilted their head.

Crowley ignored the confusion of them as he mistook it for dizziness. "My, yes you are. You were ever so eager to make your debut. Of all the students I've dealt with, you're the first with temerity enough to open their own gate and step out of it.

Does the very notion of patience elude you?"

Two golden orbs starred the colored glasses the student wore, glowingly. The well-said student felt silence, trying to understand the sentences Crowley spoke to them.

Or rather what kind of person the Headmage was in their calculated mind.

Crowley on the other hand thought the silence the student embedded was all the answers he needed, a student who's thinking their own mistake.

"No matter. Your orientation has already begun. Let us return to the Mirror Chamber." He turned away with a brief glance, expecting them to follow him.

"Alright then," The student replied, short and swiftly with no hostility. Their steps softly clinked on the paved floor as they moved forward to stand by Crowley's side than following behind like he was not used to it. Or rather, there are rather few giving his authority.

"Wonderful!" He turned his purplish lips upwards in satisfaction to the outcome for not needing any drastic measures like the cord on his belt.

The student was quiet as Crowley led them. Once again, he darted to see how they managed to pace up his speed without any problem. Truly remarkable for one so feeble.

"Do you mind if I can ask a few questions along the way?" They asked out of pure politeness.

"Mm? Oh of course not, we don't have time for that," Crowley smiled dismissive. "You can ask me by the end of the ceremony!"

As he said without looking at the student directly.

"Mmmmmm." Behind those tinted pink glasses, their eyes narrowed slightly.

-

-POV Swap-

Sortis didn't know the reason why she should follow this strange man who didn't want to hear her questions yet. It should be a good reason for not following him and walking away where the exit was.

However... Sortis felt so drawn to his words. Regardless of his charades, she thought this would be a change of pace and he wasn't someone to hear a 'no' from her. Welp, she always preferred to wait before making decisions to her actions.

She'll be prepared to get a scold to her teacher for her naivety, if it was possible to go back where she was supposed to.

It's like, there was a force to say yes at the beginning.

'This world... Has a lot of questions that need to be answered.' Sortis gave out a silent sigh.

They halted as they stood before the door. Sortis glanced bemused at the man. Her ears twitched, hearing the noises from beyond.

"We're done with orientation and dorm assignments?

All right, new students—let me be clear. At Heartslabyul House, I am the law. Break the rules, and it's off with your head!" A boyish voice said that possessed authority to make that happen if someone disobeyed or disagreed with his orders.

Then, she heard someone's yawn. "Well, that ceremony was as boring as ever.

I'm going back to the dorm. If you're in Savanaclaw House, follow me."

"New students! Allow me to be the first to congratulate you on your achievement.

As a dorm leader of Octavinelle House, I am honored to have the opportunity to support you in what I hope will be a fulfilling campus experience." Said a guy with a shady sweet tone. Sortis already planned to stay away from whoever it was for a time being.

"Hey, does anyone know where the headmage went? He disappeared midway through the ceremony..." An elegant voice spoke filled with hidden irritation, mentioning the elephant in the room.

"Some headmage he is."

"Maybe he had a tummyache?"

After hearing their discussion, the girl gave a look to the man who's apparently the so called 'Headmage' in this facility. That man just stood besides her with an unsettling silence when he heard these words behind the door.

'What is he going to do?' Sortis thought in serious.

The Headmage made his return dramatic, he pushed the door in full force, slightly glared at them. "I most certainly did not!"

'If this Headmage has any relation to the Masked Fools, I'll applaud his play... He crafted his mask too well.'

Sortis wandered away from her thoughts, analysed the masses of the people in the room who divided in seven groups and wore the same clothes like hers.

"Ah, speak of the devil." A boy spoke, she glanced at him, seeing his red hair peeked a little through his hood.

"If you must know, I was searching for the new student who'd failed to show for orientation." As the Headmage spoke the sentence, everyone's gaze was cast down upon her.

"Why's he wearing sunglasses?"

"He's... So small..."

"Look at his hands, his bones are showing more than the flesh itself! Heck, even the blue veins are popping more out!"

Some of them muttered on their own or in each, but Sortis didn't care, her height was fine for her age and she had enough nutrients already... Actually, Sortis was aware to her self that she was bad at taking care of herself when it comes to food choices. Though, something caught on her ears. Her eyes drifted on everyone's necks as she could and came with a conclusion.

'This is an all boys school.' Sortis came to the solid fact. Then, her body slightly stiffens as she feels a hand touching her shoulder, gave her a push that her legs stumbled a little as she faced the floating mirror.

"You are the only one who has yet to be assigned a dorm. Step up to the Dark Mirror, and be quick about it." The man told her firmly.

Sortis stared at the supposed reflection on the mirror, rather a green flame burst out and a mask appeared within. The mask looked at her indifference, it moved its mouth as it spoke with a deep echoed voice.

"State your name."

"Sortis Del Salsotto is my name, O prisoner one." Her voice fell quieter from the ends of her sentence.

The mask's eyes widen slightly as it catches on her last word that referred to it. Yet, it remained silent for awhile as it peered to her soul.

"Sortis Del Salsotto... The nature of your soul is..." The mask's hollowed eyes scrunched, seeing three orbs, one in sandy gold and one in purple, clashing against another yet they have their own equilibrium as they are one even they're opposed to each other. But the third orb however was more like a crystal chalice that shone light, it had a beating, a beating of billions upon billions. It's like, the mask listening to the heart of the universe. "...unclear to me." The mirror said in its usual tone.

"What did you just say?" Crowley asked loudly as he stepped forward to demand an answer from the mirror.

-

To be continued.

Chapter Text

"What did you just say?" Crowley asked again just to be sure, so calmly and composed as he stepped forward to demand an answer from the mirror itself.

Sortis on the other hand was pondering the outcome of what it just said to her. Thinking about her matter of the soul. It's a subject that is still highly discussed during her university and to the universe as a whole. As much as she wants to dive deeper into her thoughts, there's a time and place to delve into later. Considering how the student body of this School kept hushing to themselves and glanced at her like she's an exotic animal to gawk on a zoo or an obstacle for their important day.

'I already feel welcome enough!' Sortis thought it was disinterested and rolled. Her eyes behind her glasses were more likely set on the so-called Headmage, who she pinpointed that he's the one who operates this... whole Magic school.

It was laughable. Painfully laughable. 

She was aware that educators were different, one of their own. But him? A headmaster of this curriculum? Sortis could only shake her head on her mind. Thinking she judged way too soon, but it couldn't be helped.

"I do sense magical power from this one, but it is not compatible with any dorms. Therefore, no dorm would be appropriate." As the Dark Mirror explained to him.

"Are you suggesting that the black carriage went to receive a person who has the potential to use magic despite the fact that he does not belong to any dorms?" The Headmage summarizes. "But that is absurd! The student selection process has not erred once in its century of existence!

How could this have happened?"

'Sometimes... Not everything goes in the expectation... A dash of uncertainty tells us that much.' Sortis crossed her arms, her footwear tapping against the floor as she stared at Crowley unimpressed.

All of a sudden, a shattering glass echoes loudly through the Mirror Chamber. Understandable, the newcomer students were feeling tense as they only arrived and never suspected an attack on their enrollment day. 

"Hold it! Everyone just stop!!!" A childish voice yelled.

They turned around, seeing the culprit who did destroy the glass window, just to get in. It was a cat, standing on two rear paws and smirking at them as if they were the ones who are inferior.

Sortis was mildly surprised about how a small animal, who's intelligent enough to speak, yet committed their intelligence quotient (IQ) at room temperature.

"Mm?" She blinked and turned around to see a few students holding their laughter despite the atmosphere. "Did I speak too loud? Oh, my apology for my crude words... I hope it did some mending on your little brain of yours from my words. If not, then go figure it for yourself." She blinked. These words that came from her own mouth were not her own making... Then again, imposing someone else is a defense mechanism when some situations are required.

"Hahahaha... Such a fine commentary at its finest!" The newcomer students were snickering.

The grey cat spewed blue embers from his lungs, showing his anger towards Sortis. "Shut up ya dumb human! How dare you tell me, I, the great Grim is stupid! I'm far smarter than you are! And I am going to become a great mage in this school!" He pointed his paw at her, with a smug grin, expecting everything should be given to him by a plate. "So give me your seat will ya!?" 

Holding her chin high while Sortis lowers her eyes down on Grim, showing a glimpse of the true color of her iris, a shade of sandy gold, those should be normal but there are linear lines of lights that look like a pair of jewels and it glows in menace. (A/N: Their eyes are similar to Athy and her father from Who Made Me Princess. If I describe it at best.)

Those gaze caused the grey cat's fur to vibrate, he tried to hold back his shiver with a brace yet anxious face to face this strange human in front of him.

Yet, before the fear won him over, his blue flaming ears twitched as he overheard some snicker that few students. Sortis had a bad feeling about what these students are going to say.

"Hey–" Unfortunately, her words were cutting off as she wanted something to say.

"A monster? Become a mage?" One guy mocks these words only. The other two also joined his mockery. 

"Not a chance!" 

"Save your jokes for your mountain friends, Tanuki!"

Sortis looked at these trio in unbelievable eyes, she didn't even dare to look at Crowley, who was too immense to his own denial to face reality in front of him. "How... How is it possible to have no self-preservation in this situation?" She can only mumble. Her eyes weren't blind to see that the cat didn't take these words so lightly and poofs his blue embers.

"What was that?!!" Grim growled. "If that's how it's gonna be, I'll show the special magic I've been saving!"

'... And these housewardens here are only standing there and watch, waiting for a moment to strike... It's understandable at first, given how this cat vandalized the school...!' Taking a deep breath, the little girl managed to calm herself down. 'Patience breeds success... Optimistic takes me to the morrow that I've been looking for!' Her head rises higher as the heat surges her.

As Crowley collects himself, for a matter of time, he stares at her with those wide, golden orbs. It may have been the stress. Oh he wished to take a proper look at the supposed missing student's face before he dragged her. "... A girl..." He quietly mouthed in dawned realization. "... A child... In my school?"

"Back away from this cat! Now!" Sortis told the masses with conviction.

"... What?" And of course, the masses were too slow to react, why they should listen to someone who had no authority over them. Yet, as the moment of time was temporary, the blue flicker of ember that the cat spewed on the floor.

"Just do as Salsotto said, quickly!" A stern voice commanded them, Sortis saw that it came from the older boy with deep red hair that came to aid as how dire the situation was right now.

Crowley immediately grabbed Sortis, who only blinked in mild surprise of the sudden initiative, regardless of the previous actions he had shown. 

Every humanoid being who was dangerously close to Grim, immediately backed away as soon as the ember ignited floor that quickly turned to flames that spreads around the Mirror Chamber like the wave crashes the eroded land to consume. 

Unfortunately, there was one guy who unluckily caught fire on his bottom. "AAAHHHH! IT BURNS! IT BURNS! HELP! I'm on fire over here! My butt is on fire! AHHH!" The white haired boy with red eyes screamed and rushed back and forth.

Sortis can only watch the scene unfold itself, she really wants to help. But, given how Crowley locks her as this position reminded her of a documentary about a bird warped around a baby chick with their wings. 

She did think it's easy to free from the clutches at first, but... The way Crowley adapts at this point, it's better not to take action. For now.

"Someone! Catch that blasted animal before it sets the entire school ablaze!" Crowley shouted in all seriousness to expect the students to listen.

A young man with a scar marred over his right eye, who clicked his tongue. "Ugh. Can I go now, or...?"

"Oh? I thought you fancied yourself a hunter. Go and help yourself to that plump little morsel!" Said a tall, beautiful young man with shoulder-length blonde hair, the hair ends are tinted in purple dye and violet eyes. He gave a challenging smirk at the man with an eye scar.

"Too much effort. Do it yourself." He responded with a scoff and looked away to the other side.

Sortis only blinked her eyes as she listened to the interaction of these two. "Huh... So, they don't care despite how the circumstance isn't the most ideal to do that... Is this how housewardens are supposed to act? Huh... I wonder, when they are going to graduate, will they still carry this image no matter what the consequences will be?" She felt her shoulders with a slight pressure caused by Crowley who just cringed at the blunt questions she openly said that needed to be spoken.

A young man with silver hair stepped forward, smiled like a scheming businessman that Aventurine taught Sortis before how to distinguish considering how the IPC works. "Allow me to handle this, Headmage Crowley.

If none of you are up to the task of catching a small animal, I will accept the responsibility."

"WTG Azul. Rackin' up those participation credits." The voice that came from the tablet  chuckled dryly at the end.

"Hey, um, my butt's still on fire... Could someone maybe put this out?!" The white haired boy with red eyes was still running around.

"Um... There's a small fountain under the dark mirror as you called it before or just drop yourself at the floor and roll." Sortis adviced him with a point which methods he can choose. "Or you can also take off your robe is also an option."

Whatever choice he made, the boy felt relieved as the fire on his robe was extinguished.

"I'm sorry, were my instructions unclear?!" Crowley called them out of frustration.

"Preeetty sure you can handle catching one mangy Tanuki all on your lonesome there, headmage." The young man who only wants to go, sighed.

The well said cat who wrecked havoc over the place heard him. "How many times do I gotta say it? I'm Grim, spellcaster extraordinaire! I am NOT a Tanuki!" He angrily said them while spewing more fire over the place.

A vein popped out on Crowley's head. "Mr. Leona Kingscholar. As much as I want to catch and eat it for my dinner, I'm occupied to shield the youngest one from harm."

Leona twitched his eyes as they fell on Sortis. "Ah." He can only respond as he takes her one glance and smell right away.

The rest of the housewardens reacted differently as the missing student is really young as she appeared. Perhaps too young to even participate in this school.

"Uah... I think, we really should take action right now." Commented the voice of the tablet. It didn't look pretty when a frickin child watched them judgemental on how they acted while a fire breathing cat continues to destroy everything on his path to get what he wants. She even questioned herself about their future if they kept going on about it. 

Not going to lie, it felt a pang on their chest by some of them.

Azul, who has now one more reason to catch Grim for the sake of his image as he lifted his pen to get ready. He noticed the red haired boy decided to join him on his hunt, an idea dawned on him. "Riddle, would you be so kind...?"

The said red haired boy, Riddle, gave only a firm nod towards Azul. His grey eyes never left the target that brought the chaos. "Furry miscreant. I will abide by no rule-breaking. You will be judged by my hand." As he said with his own pen pointed at Grim, like it was a scepter from a queen.

They set off to the hunt to chase that cat.

Chapter Text

"Off with your head!" Riddle waved his pen to point at Grim with a sparkle as Riddle and Azul cornered him where the cat cannot escape.

"Myah?!" Grim clutches the odd looking collar in bewilderment. He tried to pull it off, wrinkling it to left and right to even move that darn thing off. "What is this thing?! And why can't, I, The Great Grim pull my awesome magic off?!" His expression was a mixture of horrific and panic. There's nothing to be shown of his overconfidence that he displayed before.

"Of course it can't." Riddle said in sternness as he's going to educate the cat a little. "The Queen of Heart's Rule 23: One must never bring a cat to a formal affair." He recited a rule that Sortis made herself think as she looked at him with unreadable eyes, not that anyone could tell. "Your very presence here is a violation of order. You will vacate these premises immediately." Riddle exclaimed without looking at the cat, as if he being here was a mistake.

Sorris' shoulders felt relieved as the moment when Crowley freed her from his own clutches. He walked towards Riddle while gave out a low clap on its own hands, pleased at the result that he compared to a performance that he watched before. "Bravo boys to cooperate together to catch the beast!"

Few students were praising Riddle as he was the ideal image of the heartslabyul housewarden supposed to be, holding the embodiment of strictness, and that his spell was magnificent and so on.

Sortis made no comment nor making a statement out of it as she came from another world and rather stay neutral as it needed to be.

"I'm not a cat either!" Grim hissed to complain, not caring when Crowley scruffed by his head to lift him up even if it's uncomfortable. Sortis wondered what kind of species Grim might be if he denied that he isn't a cat, she placed her hand under her chin as she was thinking. There are few that crossed to her mind, but considering there are species other than humans here in Twisted Wonderland that can be differ. Sortis only shaken her head. 'Evolution are the same despite the different outcomes.'

"Don't try to think that a mere collar can stop me! I'll burn it right off!" He tried to breath fire, but all he felt was the unsettling cold. With a perplexed face, his ear are now folded. "Huh...? Wh-what gives? My fire ain't workin'!" He said as if he didn't listen what the redhead told him.

'An attention span of a toddler despite capable to speak in their languageb and small destruction he had caused.' Sortis noted from her observation.

"Until I deign to remove that collar, you won't be using any magic. You're naught but a pet cat now." Riddle smirked smugly.

Grim blinked astounded, but wasn't too pleased from over what he said. "M-meoWHAT?! I ain't nobody's pet-NOTHING!" He fumed.

"Oh, you've nothing to worry about there. I certainly have no interest in having you as a pet." Riddle rolled his eyes as he huffed at the same time, "The collar will disappear once you're removed from campus." As he spoke these words, Sortis narrowed her eyes.

"Are you serious?" She muttered, letting her arms fall before she heads straight to them. Sortis glanced above the floating tablet that drifted away.

"What's the matter?" The voice questioned in a most nonchalant manner.

"Yes... Can you quickly calculate the afterwards if Grim... Or so how he called himself, gets thrown out from this facility despite the fact what he caused in here? Who knows? It may affects you and everybody else as long as you attend here." Sortis knew beforehand what the possible outcomes might be. But, refrain to speak to it. To make the guy operates the tablet itself to let him think about her request. Or using his own free will to refuse. Well, this wasn't her home planet and she's just an unlucky bystander who got caught in this mess, that may or may not an unofficial ambassador if both parties playing right in the middle.

Fortunately, even if the time was nigh to the end. He humoured her when he did on whim. To the other side of the tablet, his fingers tapped on the keyboard in such impressive speed as it was nothing. Refusing such requests should be easy for him, in his very nature and so was the students themselves. 

But he did as he knows, the words that struck him. It was careful, logical question that's easy to answer and somehow it weighed to nudge him to another path unknown that was new even it's a offering he can refuse.

As he was done calculate the possibilities, he's just staring like a dead fish eyes to the blue screen. "... Shit." He muttered under his breath.

Sortis heard it, but never commented for the crude word, he needed it as he done well. "Well then, lower your tablet. I'm taking it up from here in your stead." She gestured her hand to hand over his tablet that was still floating on the air without any glanced nor looking at it.

The tablet lowered to her reach which she grasped while she walked towards the three.

"Why do I hear a Boss fight BGM in my head?" The voice muttered. Sortis shrugged her shoulders while tapping the data that he had sent.

"You imagine it. I'm far from a boss, more like a tiny particle you can find on a desert."

"Hee... That's really... Something to describe oneself." Then he commented. "For a kiddo... You don't think yourself so special like regulars do."

"My," She raised her eyebrow with a half-hearted smile, "aren't you perspective despite not being physically here at this important occasion. But considering yourself lucky for not being here and doing things that are very crucial. How about you go touch some grass next time?" 

"Urgh..." Never expect he got a dissing from a kid. Then again, children are very blunt on their own.

-

Welp... To think this beast ruining his day, Dire Crowley thought in satisfaction while gripping the dire beast's head too tightly, so it could not escape and little to his well hidden malicious side to give it some pain. His grin widen delirious. The broken candlesticks, the scorched high quality curtains... Everything that belongs to this college was precious to him! 

Ah, how much he wants to dismantle its fur, to open its cavity and remove the organs to prepare its flesh for his own supper!

Crowley collected himself, never forget where he is. "Ahem! Since I AM so KIND, I shall remove this Tanuki on this campus by myself." The said monster gave out a low growl in response, he didn't want to leave as he wants to become something to be recognized. Even if it meant to not understanding why humans acting like this to not give him what he actually deserves. "Be grateful for I have not used you as a ingredient to my gamey stew." He whispered at Grim coldly, whose fur gradually puffed up as the small monster shivers.

"Noooo! Let me go!" Grim glared fiercely, sure he got scared or he already is but doesn't show it as his desire in him was so stubborn without having a boundary.

Crowley was about to throw him out until...

"You should take one moment to yourself before you make one-sided decisions that bears consequences." Riddle clutches his pen tightly while Sortis wasn't phased by it.

"Oh? In what manner did you think this cat shouldn't be out there from my authority?"

"In what manner, you say?" Sortis crossed her arms and gave them an eyebrow. "So, it's safe to say we're having a vandalized monster here who just committed arson due some of the students belittle him which was the reason of cause within the effect." She summarized what just happened in the span of one and half entry hour. "And you say... This collar will be removed from... Grim. Once he's thrown out, correct?"

"Yes, that's right." Crowley answered in bewilderment about Sortis' question. Wasn't it normal to throw a monster out who caused ruckus or was there something he missed?

"I give you several outcomes that are highly possible it might be happen in the future. The first outcome would be that Grim causing more fire incidents in Foothill town if left unchecked, I heard this is the starting point for the tourist whenever this school or the other one are hosting upcoming events. It would be a huge loss for the locals if their living habitats, inns and so on were no more. Plus it would also ruining both the school and the students reputation once they know who let Grim out and where his first lead might be." 

Sortis gave out a pause there to let the headmaster running his mind and made a comical expression that reminded her of a horrified wubbaboo much of her brief amusement. She let her eyes swayed, seeing the some newcomer students smacked the hell out to the ones who provoked Grim. In all honest, she was disappointed to all housewardens who didn't immediately act in such situations. 

What did the older generation respond if the younger didn't integrate to the society properly? Ah, yes. This generation is doomed, or so was the saying.

"... I never considered the possibility to happen." Riddle mumbled. While the guy next to him, Azul, Sortis' recalled. He looked... Distressed, not how the other students are right now. Something mumbling about the economy here would be not so good than last year, if this possiblity was bound to happen.

"It's just one of the possibilities." Sortis merely said with a shrug. "The highest one would be that Grim keeps coming again and again, just in order to attend this school. I know you guys aren't keen about this, but it is the best option to keep an eye on him and teach with necessary knowledge."

"Ah... I see... Well I suppose I look someone to take care of this monster." Crowley sounded defeated but he didn't want the school reputation to be tarnished by a small thing that caused more destruction. He let the students take Grim away somewhere to collect him later.

"Look at the bright side, at least he can pay the damage as long he's here." Sortis' gave out a sigh with a shaken head as Headmaster of this school brighten up so quickly by these words.

Then, Crowley clapped his hands to gather attention. "Well, that was quite the unexpected fracas. I hereby declare that orientation has concluded. Housewardens, please escort our newest students back to the dorms." Something on his mind was bugging him as if forgetting memories began to surge. "...Hm? Come to think of it, I don't see Housewarden Draconia of House Diasomnia anywhere."

Several students were muttering again, but quietly hushed. Fearing, as in, his name gave them shiver.

"And that surprises you? Dude's a total recluse." The man with the eyed scar raised an eyebrow.

"Wait a sec... Did anyone even invite him?" The boy who got fire in his butt before asked his fellow housewardens.

"If you're that worried about him missing out, maybe you should have told him yourself." Said the blonde haired beauty to him as if he wasn't responsible as well.

"Maybe, but I don't know him too well either..." The boy with red spoke so unsure.

"Ah. Just as I'd expected." A deep voice popped out of nowhere that belonged to a young man who's shorty than his peers. Sortis was a little intrigued by him, despite how he appears, he's older than he looks just how far he carried himself. Though, she was slightly impressed how he blended well to the short-lived species as if... She shaken her head, didn't make any conclusions where it doesn't belong at the moment. 

"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 gave out a sigh.

"... What is just wrong with this school?" Sortis muttered in disbelief just how lax their duties they treating from such simple things. Clearly, he heard her over his pointed ears and smiled merely at her question.

"You have my sincerest apologies. I assure you, this oversight was in no way intended as a snub." Azul apologized, it doesn't sound an intended apology if someone was sharp enough to discern it.

"I mean, you must admit, he's not exactly the easiest person to strike up a conversation with." Riddle commented.

"No matter." The pointed-eared man sighed. He turned to the students who got chosen in his dorm. "All who were assigned to House Diasomnia, follow me. I just hope he doesn't sulk about this." The last sentence was only a mutter to himself.

One by one, everyone left with their dorm leaders except for Crowley and Sortis. 

"Well, Sortis." Crowley turned his attention to the small girl. "This is a most unfortunate turn of events. I'm afraid that you will not be attending Night Raven College after all."

"Is it because I'm too young to attend here?" Sortis presumed. Playing herself ignorance to this matter while hopefully return back to the Intellligentia Guild and focused on the letters which she eventually turned them down.

Crowley nodded firmly. "Precisely, I would loved to have you in my academy even you have enough magical power to attend here. Unfortunately, this is a boy's only school for various reasons." Then he tapped his cane. "But worry not. The Dark Mirror will see you safely home."

He guided Sortis to step forward and faced the Dark Mirror. Clearly, she doesn't believe it would work based on her own theory that either Twisted Wonderland is cut off from the interstellar network and that black carriage was a miracle to breakthrough just to get her. But thankfully she wasn't alone on this as she clearly saw how the Dark Mirror reacted when she directed him as a prisoner, who was the longest here in this world. 

"Now, step into the gate, and visualize the place you whence you came." She saw Crowley doing a T-pose, maybe for theatrical flare to his side. 

'I already feel used seeing that pose...' She thought to herself. The IPC who were working together with the faction she resigned, some high ranked officers doing such pose to simulate for their great Amber Lord or power. Mainly the Ten Stonehearts and the higher ups.

"O Dark Mirror! Return this soul to where it belongs!" Crowley said out loud.

The mirror responded nothing at the moment. Crowley coughed his throat from the sudden awkwardness. "L-let us, er...try this again. O Dark Mirror! Return this soul—"

"There is no such place." The Dark Mirror cut him off the repeating sentence. Crowley stared unreadable at the mirror while Sortis knew this going to happen.

"What?"

"There is no place in this world where this soul belongs.

None." Stated the mirror with cold hard fact.

"How can that be? My, but today is a veritable cavalcade of impossible phenomena!" Crowley's crash out was reasonable in Sortis' eyes, but such things can happen in mysterious ways how their realities works. "Tell me..." He looked at her. "From what land do you hail?"

Unfortunately, Sortis cannot tell as much as she wanted to, but procedure are procedure to be followed that made actually sense. "... I'm afraid I can't answer."

"Why."

The why didn't sound as a question, in fact it was a statement that needs to be known. It made Sortis only sigh.

"Can go somewhere to talk there's more private? The things I will tell should are more secretive to her by someone who might overheard us."

Crowley looked at her closely, seeing how serious she was to share something, as if it's something the government should know first hand. "Fine. Let's head to my office." He offered a hand to lead her to his

office. Sortis prepared herself mentally how the headmaster react once she explained where she came from and why she's so disclose to share.