Chapter Text
Suffice to say that the arrival of the group at school was noisy and shattering!
Deuce, Ace and Grimm were running at top speed through the corridors almost skidding to reach the infirmary as quickly as possible in search of an inhaler. The fact that Sheva is having at least two asthma attacks in a short period of time was worrying enough!
Despite the state of distress she was in, the magicless girl refused to let go of the magic crystal she was holding as a kind of lifeline to stay grounded in reality.
They arrived at the infirmary faster than expected and the boys immediately asked the ghost in charge of the infirmary for a spray against asthma attacks!
Ace, Deuce and Grimm stayed by the young woman until they were sure she could breathe again, encouraging her to focus on the sound of their voices and to do breathing exercises making ridiculous faces.
When they were sure that she was no longer in danger, the three troublemakers collapsed on the ground in relief!
_I advise you to keep this inhaler on you at all times, my dear, said the ghost of the infirmary kindly. You can pick up a refill here whenever you need it.
_Thank you... Sheva said in a hoarse voice.
She then turned to the rest of her small group with a smile of pure recognition on her face.
_And thank you to you three, I couldn't have done it without you.
They all looked embarrassed, their cheeks flushed with delicate pink.
_Yeah, well... Don't scare us like that anymore, Moreno! You should have told us that you could have this kind of crisis before we took you with us to get the crystal.
_No matter, I would have followed you anyway.
The four of them gave each other a general laugh of relief, the pressure finally falling around the small group.
_Well, everyone seems to have gone well here!
The four turned towards the entrance to the infirmary where Headmaster Crowley was now.
_Headmaster...
_The nurse warned me of your hasty arrival. What happened ? You look like you spent the night in the forest.
Indeed, the ghost had disappeared. The four looked at the crow man strangely.
_Because we are, Headmaster... Deuce replied cautiously.
_We had the crystal! Grimm added more triumphantly.
It was the turn of the man in the mask to look at them strangely.
_Eh ?! You really went to the dwarven mine to get the crystal?!
The three teenagers and the fire-breathing monster couldn't believe it! They were staring at Crowley in awe!
_Eeeh?!
_But you told us that it was the only solution to avoid dismissal! You said it so seriously by giving us your agreement! Of course we went, Sheva exclaimed.
The headmaster replied sheepishly.
_I didn't really think... My god, I really didn't think that you would go... We only that, but in addition by returning with the crystal in your hand. I have already filled out the dismissal papers in solemn silence.
_Nyah! The nerve of this guy! While we were away fighting a mad beast!
Crowley frowned under his mask.
_The beast ?
_There was a monster over there! Loud and rude! It was horrible !
The director seemed very concerned by this news.
_Could you explain in more detail, young people?
And that's what they did without omitting any detail. Sometimes the director made little noises of exaggerated surprise or horror. Eventually, to everyone's discomfort, the man burst into tears as he ridiculously patted a handkerchief in the moist corners of his eyes.
The man looked even more happily upset when he realized that they had all joined forces to fight the mine creature together.
The fiery cat muttered uneasily:
_What's wrong with this guy? Why is he bursting into tears...?
_During all these years that I was principal... To finally see the day when the students of Night Raven College go hand in hand to face and defeat their enemies!
_What ?! I didn't hold that guy's hand!
The two students + Grimm seemed scandalized at the idea, their cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
_I wouldn't do that either! Disgusting ! Honestly, how old are you to say such things, Director?
Sheva watched the comical scene unfold before her eyes with undisguised amusement, lying comfortably in one of the beds in the infirmary and still clutching her new inhaler and the magic crystal firmly in her hands.
_I am overwhelmed with emotions. This incident confirms it. Miss Moreno, without a doubt, you have talent as a beast tamer!
The young woman only raised an eyebrow, unconvinced by Crowley's words.
_Thank you Director, but last I heard, Deuce and Trappola are not like Grimm. And I really don't think I have any talent for dealing with monsters. Although... Judging by Trappola's attitude, it wouldn't be surprising to confuse him with the furry ball that serves as my roommate, would it?
_Hey! The redhead was indignant.
Sheva just laughed good-naturedly.
_Whatever ! Taken back the raven man. The students of Night Raven College are aspiring mages chosen by the Dark Mirror. But due to their excellence, many of them turn out to be proud, selfish, and self-centered individualists who never think of cooperating with others.
Grimm mumbled to himself. The man in the mask didn't listen to him in the least.
_You can't use magic. But maybe precisely because you can't use magic, Miss Moreno, you could instruct magic users and get them to cooperate. An ordinary, useless human could give this school what it needs!
_...I appreciate it, Headmaster, but...You could have found less hurtful words to support my lack of Magical Gift.
However, it really didn't seem like the man even understood how stinging the words could be even though they were spoken so lightly.
_I have no doubt that your existence is essential to the future of this academy, Miss Moreno. That's what my gift as an educator says! In addition to rescinding the dismissals of Messrs. Spade and Trappola, I will qualify you to attend Night Raven College as a student!
Luckily the little group were all seated because they would probably have collapsed in amazement!
Sheva's chest warmed warmly and she let out a shaky breath.
_But I can't do magic, I work too. And Grimm in all this...?
_Yes, but I'm extremely nice, aren't I? The raven man replied cheerfully. No longer need to be employed, you will receive a scholarship and as you are under the responsibility of the school, it will not change much to the fact that I pay you financial compensation to help you with costs outside educational needs. Becoming a mage is out of the question. You probably won't be able to complete all of your lessons. This is where Grimm comes in.
Crowley turned to him as the fiery cat greedily drank in every word the headmaster said.
_You have proved to me that you have enough talent to become a mage. Therefore, I would allow you to enroll together as one student.
Grimm didn't seem to believe it, as if it was too good to be true! Sheva grabbed her roommate who was half-sitting on the end of the bed and hugged him in a comforting grip.
_I... I Can go to this academy too...? Not as a janitor, but as a student?
The question seemed fragile. Full of fear, hope and mixed emotions. Sheva ran soothing fingers through her mouse-grey fur.
_Yes, confirmed the director. Provided that you never let an incident like yesterday happen again! Do we have a deal ?
The fiery cat shook its head vigorously, a carnivorous smile lighting up its features.
_I'm happy for you, Grimm.
_Y-Yes, I did it!
Grimm swung one of his paws in the air like a fist in a gesture of victory, it was really very cute.
Subsequently, giving the symbol of student status to Grimm, the director presented the little monster with a beautiful magic crystal attached to the neck of the flaming cat by the intervention of a pretty striped white ribbon.
Grimm's crystal was a beautiful color reminiscent of amethyst.
So carried away by his joy that the monster ignored Crowley's last words, fascinated by his new magic crystal.
_He doesn't listen at all... Listen, Miss Moreno, as you can see, Grimm is not used to human society. It's up to you to take the reins and keep him out of trouble.
_Yes, well, it doesn't really change from usual, pointed out the young woman.
Ace commented in a teasing tone much nicer than the one he used to sneer meanly.
_Ah! Look at you. School has barely started, but you're already prefect.
Deuce seemed to agree with his comrade.
_Yes... I guess that actually makes me a prefect. But I see it more as me trying to check on a rude, rambunctious little brother.
Ending the jokes, Crowley offered Sheva a "Ghost Camera". A photographic object, quite old, allowing to capture the intensity of a strong soul connection between the subject and the photographer.
Depending on the intensity of the connection between the people, the photos could move or simply recreate the scenes taken through the lens.
It was therefore the mission that Crowley entrusted to her: to take a picture of the evolution of Grimm (to report to the director through the photos if she saw that someone had done something stupid) and to see the evolution of the students and the bonds she had created with them.
_Thank you, Mr. Director. I will do my best.
Sheva refrained from saying that she had always been a very bad cameraman and that she was absolutely not photogenic for a penny. Nevertheless, she will do her best.
The conversation in the infirmary was about to end and the raven man was about to leave, but before that, he did not forget to warn the young woman how thoughtless and irresponsible she had acted in forgetting to mention her health problems. !
_Before going, I have one last thing to say. I want a list of all the health issues you have that I should be aware of, Miss Moreno, he said more firmly. Was I clear?
The magicless girl gave the masked man a sheepish smile.
_Yes sir.
Then he left the infirmary, leaving Deuce, Ace, Grimm and her alone in the room.
The nursing ghost once again checked his condition one last time. Then confirmed that she felt better, she could go back to the dorm!
_Guys, I'm fine, really!
Her new classmates had insisted on driving her back to Ramshackle, probably afraid she'd have another asthma attack on the way or something.
Sheva rolled her eyes in mock annoyance. That didn't stop her from smiling the whole way, even when the boys kept arguing like rag pickers. She knew that now it was harmless arguing and that they were slowly but surely starting to like each other.
After all, fighting an ink monster would do that to people who didn't like each other very much to begin with.
_I think I should start immortalizing this right away, we avoided an exclusion and certain death in one night, after all!
She caught the boys and Grimm by surprise and made an instant group photo.
In it, Deuce and Ace could be seen startled by the nimble little hands that suddenly pulled them by the collars of their uniforms to bring them closer to the small female form and Grimm making big wide eyes when he was swung on the Sheva's shoulder to be about the same height as everyone else and the three of them partially blinded by the camera's flash.
_We look horrible in this photo, Moreno... The director didn't have his best idea in entrusting you with the Ghost Camera.
_I have the look of a goldfish...
The student with the make-up heart in the corner of his eye gestured to snatch the freshly taken photos from the girl's hands without magic, but she pushed the photo as far away from the boy as possible.
_I like these photos, countered Sheva with a smirk. I will treasure it under my pillow to always remember this moment.
Even though they had all heard the mischief in his voice, it didn't stop the two students and Grimm from blushing furiously.
Sheva burst out laughing at the blush on their faces before realizing that they had finally arrived at Ramshackle.
_Okay, see you tomorrow guys! I look forward to studying with you!
Grimm added, skipping in place:
_Yeah ! We are no longer janitors! Tomorrow, our bright and shiny academy life at Night Raven College begins!