Chapter Text
It’s been a few days since the incident. Dazai visited Chuuya often, giving him updates and stories.
Crowley never lets him out anymore after that incident. It seems that he’s watching his every move as Chuuya always gets caught trying to sneak out of the Ramshackle dorm.
Even after Chuuya had fully healed, he was never to leave. “What the hell! Why won’t he let me leave! Ugh, am I even a student at this place anymore?!” Chuuya said out loud in his empty room. He laid flat on the ground, staring at the ceiling in silence.
“I remodeled the whole dorm while stuck here…” Chuuya said, looking bored. He then rolled onto his side. “I wonder how the others are doing. They haven’t visited yet.”
“Now, now. What’s gotten you so upset, my poor unfortunate soul?”
Chuuya quickly sat up to see Ursula looking at him with a look of fake pity. “Er…Ursula…!”
‘Damn, I almost forgot her name…’
“Would you have any idea why Crowley trapped me here in this dorm?” If anyone was going to have some sort of answer or help, it would be her.
“My guess is that he wants to have or experiment with that power of yours.”
Scar then pops out of nowhere. He always seems to be striking a pose every time he appears. “…corruption?” Chuuya asks, confused.
“Your power is like no other, dear. I know the look of power,” Ursula says as she twirls around Chuuya. “You must prevent anyone from gaining access to your strength.”
Chuuya looked up at her confused. “What would happen if Crowley or someone were to use it?”
His room was no longer his room. They were back inside the mind space.
“I see a cold wind blowing through. I see days neither fun nor free. I see a future caused by you. I see a path not meant to be,” Ursula says as the setting around them changes into what seems to be the future.
Dark. Corrupted.
“”The future should be filled with magic; dreams and wishes brought to life. But the days ahead are dark and tragic! No time for hope when all is strife.”
“Whatever might have been all the dreams that people share…because of your power, Chuuya, now the future is a cold nightmare!”
“How do I prevent this from happening?!” Chuuya says,concerned about what would happen.
“You must leave and never come back. Dear, we know that there’s a god within you. What you have can take the powers of others in this world,” Ursula says. “In this Twisted Wonderland, you mustn’t remain here any longer.”
Chuuya looked stunned at the information. “What…? How could I do that? That was never possible before?!”
“You must ask that to your god. Even then, you must not question.”
Chuuya looked irritated at the statement, but decided not to think about it too much. “So then…how do I leave?”
“Collect 6 more of those magic pen magicstones from different overblots you will encounter and you’ll be on your way back home,” Ursula said. “But!”
‘Of course there was a twist…’
“The unfortunate downfall of getting back home is your impending demise,” Ursula says, focusing all her attention on Chuuya. “...What?” Death wasn’t really a big deal for Chuuya, but now, there was no escape from it as it is the only way back home. “There’s no other way? No shortcuts?” Chuuya asks.
“If you wish to not die then you must stay here. But either way, death will come and strike you down.” Scar adds, appearing out of nowhere.
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“Chuuya! You wouldn't believe what happened on my wonderful yet awful day!” Dazai says as he bursts through Chuuya’s door. “Someone is DEFINITELY going to overblot like your friend. It’s so obvious!” Dazai says laying on Chuuya’s bed.
“First of all, get your shoes off my clean bed! Second, seriously? Again? This place cannot be real,” Chuuya says. He was still tired from the last overblot that had happened not even a full week ago. “How do you know anyways?”
“Signs, Chuuya. There were big, ginormous signs. And, to add to your previous statement, this place is probably not real. We’re most likely here to help fight off these overblots. After that, we can go home. After we suffer,” Dazai says. “Well, you got most of that right.” Dazai looks up at Chuuya, confused. Chuuya just shakes his head as a response. “Nevermind…”
“Anyway, are you going to be stuck here forever on house arrest?” Dazai asks.
“I don’t know. Probably. There’s no doubt that he’s tryna experiment on me.”
All of a sudden, a knock was heard, coming from the main hall.
“I’ll get it,” Chuuya says as he gets up to go to the main hall. He opens the front door to reveal Riddle, who was holding a strawberry tart with both hands. “Oh, Riddle. I’m surprised you’re even walking, shouldn’t you be resting?” Chuuya asks, looking at Riddle with a slightly worried expression.
“I could say the same to you, afterall you were also incredibly injured.”
“Yeah, well I didn’t go through that much emotional damage,” Chuuya states as Dazai peeked his head from the door. “Oh, Angry-bird! Goldfish? Whatever your name is, come in!” Dazai says as he opens the door wider as an invitation.
“Thank you…and my name is Riddle…”
Riddle steps inside the dorm and is led to the lounge area. “You did quite a lot within the time you were supposed to be recovering. You know you shouldn’t push yourself too hard.”
“I can handle it. I’ve been through harsher conditions. How have you been doing?” Chuuya asks. It’s been awhile since he saw Riddle, and it was shocking to say the least when Riddle showed up to the dorm.
“I’ve been doing well. After all, you did take away pain and power in a way I cannot describe,” Riddle says, recalling his interaction with Chuuya(?). “Ah, Arahabaki.”
“…Who?”
Chuuya looks at Dazai if he should tell Riddle. Dazai shrugs his shoulders. “It doesn’t matter anyway.”
“Arahabaki is a god from our world. That’s all you really need to know,” Chuuya says. “Yeah, and Chuuya is the vessel for Arahabaki! That’s why you saw him in your little mind palace,” Dazai chimes in.
“What?! You are?!” Riddle says shocked. Good thing he wasn’t eating or drinking anything, or else he would've gotten another near-death experience. “Have you told Crowley? Or anyone at all?” Riddle asks.
“No, and I don’t plan on it. I wasn’t planning on telling you, but Dazai just had to say something,” Chuuya says while glaring at Dazai. “What? The only person you have to worry about is Crowley and a few other people who can’t keep their mouths shut.”
“I’m glad you’ve told me at least. It makes me more comfortable to tell you about changes in my magic,” Riddle says. Both Chuuya and Dazai look at Riddle with interest. “Oh? How so?” Dazai asks.
“Well, I’ve been noticing my magic feeling more…restricted? Like I can use it normally, but not to its full extent.”
“Anything else?” Dazai says, trying to drag out any information. “My magic feels connected to something else. Like it’s not necessarily my power but someone else’s.”
Chuuya and Dazai share another glance. “Wow, Chuuya. You just made a follower or whatever they’re called.”
“Ughhh. This is all so confusing. My ability—I mean magic—has never done this before!” Chuuya says, letting out a frustrated groan.
“Maybe this connects to us going back home? Make followers and combine their magic to make a wish to go back home or however isekai’s usually go,” Dazai says.
Chuuya spaces out into his thoughts for a moment and then speaks up. “Actually, Riddle. I do need your help.”
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“A Spelldrive tournament, huh?” Chuuya ponders. This was definitely where the next overblot was going to take place.
“It’s not fair! You two get the chance to be part of it while I’m stuck here!” Grim complained to the other two.
“Not really. I haven’t seen or spoken to anyone from my dorm in awhile,” Dazai says, recalling the first and last time he spoke to Azul.
“And I doubt Crowley is going to let me play in the tournament…or will. Depending on how psycho he’s feeling that day,” Chuuya adds. He then throws a disc at Grim. “Go play with the ghosts. I’m gettin’ tired of your complaining.”
While Grim left to play Spelldrive with the ghosts, Crowley suddenly appears behind Chuuya and Dazai. “Good day, you two. I have a request to make of you both,” Crowley states.
“Great, what now?” Chuuya says in a deadpan voice.
“There has been a rash of students being hurt in suspicious incidents on campus lately. I’m here to ask you both to investigate the matter,” Crowley requests.
Dazai looks at Crowley, interested in the matter. “Oh?”
“Students are falling down stairs, getting burns from boiling water, and so forth. The specifics of the incidents differ, but the nurse’s office has had a clear spike in patients over the last few days. With yesterday’s incident on the stairs, we now have ten wounded students.”
“Oh, wow. I might have an idea who it is…but! I’m not so sure,” Dazai says.
“I’ll do it in one condition: Let me out of here and go to class!” Chuuya yells angrily.
“No. Too risky and you know it, Chuuya.”
“Ugh! Then how am I supposed to investigate if the problem is happening within the college?!” Chuuya complains as he flops on the lounge sofa.
“Then Dazai would have to do this on his own,” Crowley concludes. “Finally! I wouldn’t have to deal with a doggy yapping in my ear,” Dazai says in a relieved tone
Chuuya then turns to Dazai. “Tch. You better get that pen.”
—
Dazai ended up taking Grim with him to investigate the victims. Of the four victims/witnesses, they’ve said similar things of feeling like they were being controlled and/or did not see anything or anyone.
They ended up returning to the Ramshackle dorm slouching on the sofa. “How boring…I was expecting something more interesting or mysterious,” Dazai complained. “Nothin’ seems suspicious!” Grim adds on.
“Mornin’ guys!” Ace says, bursting through the entrance door.
“Go away…” Dazai and Grim speak in unison.
“What’s got you guys down in the dumps?” Ace asks the two.
“Investigation.”
“Of?”
“People getting suspiciously hurt but no evidence proves so.”
“Ah. I’ve never heard sentences being in unison three times in a row…”
It was calm for a moment when another person decided to burst through the entrance door.
“Ace! We have a big problem! Trey fell down the stairs! He’s hurt!” It was Deuce, who was clearly in distress.
“KEEP IT DOWN WILL YA? I'M TRYNA SLEEP HERE!”
“Sorry, Chuuya! Trey’s hurt!” Deuce whisper-yells to the others.
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.
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“How are you feeling, Trey?” Deuce asks. “Clearly not okay if he had fallen down stairs,” Dazai states.
“Well, if it isn’t hunting season! And Grim and Dazai too! Where’s Chuuya?” Cater asks Dazai.
“House arrest.”
“I’m lost. Whaddya mean by ‘Hunting Season?’” Ace asks.
“I mean it’s you guys!” Cater says looking at Ace and Deuce. “You’re Ace, he’s Deuce—that’s what you call an Ace Deuce in poker!” Cater points out.
“Don’t give us a couple nickname!” Deuce exclaimed. Dazai and Cater share a look that screams ‘I know what you are’.
“Anyway, how’d you get hurt, Trey?” Ace asks.
“Slipped on the stairs. I couldn’t catch myself, and my ankle got all messed up. I’ll be on crutches for a while,” Trey replies.
“Yikes. That sounds pretty bad!” Deuce exclaims.
“Ugh, #fail! Now that we’ve lost a power player, we have to redo our team roster!” Cater complains. “Wait, what?!” Deuce and Ace yelled, a little too happy.
“Why are there so many people here? Trey is supposed to be resting!” Riddle says, suddenly appearing inside Trey’s room. “Myah! It’s ragin’ Riddle!” Grim screeched.
“I am not ‘raging’. I will be perfectly pleasant if you obey the rules!” Riddle angrily states. He moves his focus on Trey. “How are you doing? Can I bring you anything to eat or drink?”
“I told you, Riddle: you don’t need to fuss over me like this,” Trey says, trying to reassure Riddle.
“But it’s my fault you got hurt,” Riddle says. Dazai looked at Riddle, interest peaking once more. “Hmm? Do tell us what happened,” Dazai says, trying to push Riddle into spilling the deets.
“I needed to talk to him, so I went to the junior classroom at lunch. And then…” Riddle goes on about the story on how Trey mysteriously fell during their interaction. “Trey never would have slipped if he hadn’t caught me when I was about to tumble over.”
“Yeah, but if I hadn't, you would have just broken your fall with a flight spell. It was stupid of me to intervene. So you don’t owe me anything.” Trey reassures Riddle a second time.
‘Yeah, these do not seem like accidents that are coincidences.’
“Riddle, come on! It’s not gonna do anyone any good to have you harshing the vibe here,” Cater says. “It’s lame that Trey got hurt, but you’ll rock the field that much harder to make up for him, right?”
“Well, I suppose that's true.”
“All right, peeps, we should let Trey get his rest. Out, out, out!” Cater then pushes everyone else out the room, closing the door on the way. They walk their way back to the lounge when Riddle speaks up. “All right, Cater. Was there something you didn't want to tell me in front of Trey?”
“You’re always a step ahead of me, Riddle. I get the feeling Dazai & co. know something about it. Want to fill us in?” Cater turns to Dazai and the others.
“Huh–oh, right.” Dazai then fills Cater and Riddle in on what they know so far about the investigation.
“Ah…So the headmage asked you to investigate,” Riddle says after hearing the information. “I knew it. Grim coming by for a get-well visit? That’s just plain sus.”
“I must admit that I found the circumstances odd as well. I've had Cater look into it for me.”
“And I found out that all of the victims have been talented players like Riddle and Trey,” Cater adds.
“To be clear, it wasn’t as if I had been pushed, or that I had tripped. But I did feel a peculiar sensation, like…my body was moving of its own volition,” Riddle describes.
“The other victims said basically the same thing!” Grim yelled.
“I believe we can safely surmise that potential Spelldrive tournament players are being targeted,” Riddle concludes.
“You think someone is cousin’ accidents to take out threats from the tournament?” Ace asks Riddle.
“The whole world will be watching. A good performance can make a player’s whole career. It’s no surprise that some would resort to underhanded methods to even the odds.”
“Sure, but it doesn't make much sense. I mean, you'd know if you got pushed off the stairs by a gust of wind magic or somethin’ right?” Cater states.
“It’s better to start finding the culprit sooner than later to find out their intentions,” Dazai suggests to the others. “We’ll help. Won’t we, Cater?” Riddle says while Cater puts a thumbs up.
“Myah? YOU’RE gonna help us? What’s your angle?” interrogated Grim.
“You offend us, sir. One of our housemates was injured–why would we help him find justice?” questioned Cater.
“We’re all house-buds here, count us in,” Ace says. “He’s gonna pay for what he did to Trey!” Deuce bumps in.
“You two seem awfully enthusiastic about this,” Riddle notes. ‘Holy desperates over here.’
“Ahhh…I get it. You’re gunning for that open spot on our team, aren’t you?” Cater asks.
“Was it that obvious?” Ace says, embarrassed.
“N-no! That had nothing to do with it! I just want to avenge our housemate!” Deuce says, giving a poor excuse.
“Fine…your performance during the investigation will be taken into account. Speaking of players, I’m mildly disappointed that Chuuya won’t be able to take part in the Spelldrive Tournament,” Riddle sighs. “Now, if we’re going to apprehend this culprit, we need to stay a step ahead of him.”
“And we're gonna do that HOW, exactly…?” grim asks.
“By predicting which student will be targeted next and covertly following him. Should the culprit strike, we will protect the target and then immediately pursue the attacker.”
“Well then, where do we go first?” Dazai asks, already wanting to get to the point.
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They had so far visited the Pomefiore dorm and concluded that their strongest player, Rook Hunt, would not be the culprit’s next target. They then start making their way through the courtyard.
“Next on Cay-Cay’s big list of potential targets are Jade and his twin brother Floyd. They’re both sophomores at Octavinelle House. I’m guessing you already know them, Dazai?” Cater asks, looking at Dazai.
“Oh, yeah.” Dazai totally forgot he was even part of Octavinelle, let alone even part of the Houses at all. It’s been awhile since he last saw the twins; he had quite the blast.
“Whoa! They have, like, the exact same face!” Grim points out.
“Is it just me, or do they make all the other students look tiny in comparison? They're giants!” Aced exclaims.
“I could see that being a big advantage for ‘em.”
“So what do we think? Could they be in danger?” Deuce asks.
“Nah. They could handle themselves,” Dazai says, shrugging.
“If I were the culprit, I’d save them for last. Just look at those two. I wouldn’t want to get anywhere near them–especially Floyd,” Riddle says, looking irritated. He clearly does not have great history with Floyd.
“Oh ho ho! What is up, Lil’ Goldfish?” Floyd says to Riddle, spotting him and the others.
“Bwah! He spotted us!” Riddle says, clearly caught off guard.
“What brings you to our humble abode, huh? Playing hide-and-seek? Sounds like fun.”
“F-Floyd…I’ve asked you several times to stop calling me by strange nicknames,” Riddle says angrily. ‘Aw, they’re just like Slug and I!’
“But you're so small and red! How are you NOT a goldfish?”
“This guy seems like he’s a few cans short of a tuna casserole…” Grim scowled.
“A talking cat? Now THAT’S something you don't see every day! Can I squeeze you ‘til you pop?”
“Uh, no?! Stay away from me, weirdo!”
“My, it would appear a contingent from Heartslabyul House has paid us a little visit. Here to assess the competition in advance of the Spelldrive tournament, perhaps?” Jade asks.
“Nah. We…can’t really go into it, though,” Cater says, nervously.
“We take a dim view of spying at Octavinelle, especially when you have one of our fellow housemate.” Jade glances at Dazai. “I would ask you to justify your actions, suspicious as they are. And please, spare no detail.”
‘Bro is not slick…’
“Man, would you look at the time? Gotta eun, guys! It's been real! Byeee!” Cater says, booking it as the other follows. “Shoot! They’re chasing us!” Deuce yells.
“Hey, couldja stop, friends? Just for a second? We just wanna chat!” Floyd yells.
“Decidedly, no! Full retreat!” Riddle yells.
They had managed to make it to the Main Street, losing the twins.
“I…I think I’m going to pass out…” Dazai said while his whole body was shaking and was gasping for air.
“That was terrifying. What is the deal with those guys?!” Grim panted.
“Im not the one to ask. Those two have baffled me since we were freshman together,” Riddle grumbles.
“Since those two are clearly not going to be the next targets, let’s go to the next one before it gets late,” Dazai suggests, looking at the time on his phone. “Who’s next?”
“It’s Jack Howl: freshman, Savanaclaw Dorm. Rumor has it that he’s a great athlete. Scouts from all the major teams are fighting to sign him,” Cater replies.
“Classes are over, so he should be at the dorm,” Deuce says.
“Oh, is it 5:00 already? Rule 346 says that ‘croquet must not be played after 5:00pm,” Riddle states. “I should head back to Heartslabyul and make sure that no one is breaking the rules in my absence.”
“Tch. I thought you’d rounded out some, but nope, you're as square as ever,” Grim scowls.
“Thats not true! I assure you that I’ve become much more lenient about enforcing the rules,” Riddle says, defending himself.
“He really has. He's way nicer than before. And we all appreciate that Riddle diligence. So go do what you gotta do, Boss!” Cater says, waving goodbye to Riddle as he leaves.
“Great. Can we go now?” Dazai says impatiently.
–
“Damn. You guys really got your asses beat,” Dazai says, looking at the state the others were in.
“And you could've helped! You were just sitting there, watching us get beat!” Ace argued back. Throughout the whole time. Dazai sat on the sidelines, not wanting to get involved in the battle. Anyway, what good would Dazai do besides strategize?
“Yeah, no. But anywho. I managed to grab us some valuable info,” Dazai says. “That Jack Howl guy definitely knows who the culprit is, and that culprit is definitely a Savanaclaw dorm mate.”
“Wow. you gathered all of that?” Deuce asks.
“Yup. And I already know who it is. Watch. The next victim is going to make you guys realize who it is.”
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It was late when Chuuya was up. He couldn’t sleep through Grim’s sleep talking about wrecking someone with his ‘power shot’. He decides to go outside and take some fresh air.
He sat on the grass and looked up at the sky. “We’re so close… so close, yet so far.”
“Hm? Who’s that over there?” an unfamiliar voice said out of nowhere, jumpscaring Chuuya. ‘Robbers exist here too?!’
“Well, this is a surprise. A child of man, are you?” the intruder asks.
‘Huh…? Is he Lucifer?’
“Do you live here? I was under the impression that this dorm had been abandoned for some time.”
“Uh, yeah,” Chuuya replied as he looked at the exterior of the dorm. The dorm may look wonderful on the inside, it looked like it lived through the dinosaur ages on the outside. Don't judge a book by its cover, I guess.
“I quite enjoyed having a place where I could go to enjoy the peace of solitude,” Lucifer dude said.
‘Depressed much?’
“...I’m sorry, who are you?” Chuuya asks the billion dollar question.
“Who am I…? You really don’t know who I am? interesting.” Lucifer dude said, clearly shocked at Chuuya’s question.
‘Well, no shit. That’s why I asked.’
“What is your name?”
“Nuh uh. I asked first. What's yours?” Chuuya says, irritated.
“Oh? Your name is ‘nuh uh’? What an interesting name!” Lucifer dude said, teasing Chuuya.
“Oh don’t piss me off. Whatever. I'll let you have your way. The name’s Chuuya. Now. What. Is. Yours.”
“You wish to know my name?”
‘YES.’
“Hm, I'd rather you remain unaware.”
‘Are you kidding me.’
“It's for your own benefit, I assure you. Instead, I will permit you to call me by a name of your choosing. Although you may one day regret it…” Lucifer dud said, smiling.
‘Oh great. He’s an asshole AND crazy. Just my luck.’
“But alas…If you have taken up residence here, then this abandoned dorm is no longer ‘abandoned’. Pity. I shall have to find some other ruins for my next nocturnal constitutional. Farewell.”
.
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“And then after that, I slept horribly! I blame all of my problems on that guy,” Chuuya says, yapping to Dazai. Dazai, Chuuya, and Grim were on their way to college. Crowley had allowed him to show up to classes, but on his breaks, he had to be under his watch.
“You should call him Horny! Cuz he has horns!” Dazai said, a little too happy about that name.
“I’d prefer not to actually…”
“Howsabout… ‘Hornton’?” Grim suggested.
“Better than whatever this idiot said.”
“Mornin’ guys! Hey! Chuuya is finally here!” Cater exclaimed. Beside him, Riddle was there.
“Glad you can finally make it, Chuuya,” Riddle said.
“So, where’s Ace and Deuce?” Grim asked.
“In accordance with rule 249, it's their turn to wear pink clothes and feed the flamingos.”
“Good thing I don’t have to do that,” Chuuya said, relieved that he’s barely at the dorm.
“Hmph. You know you should start taking more part in our dorm.”
“Um. I'll think about it.”
“By the way, it seems there was another incident last night,” Riddle stated.
“Myah?! Really?!” Grim exclaimed.
“According to a portrait who witnessed it, the victim was a sophomore from scarabia House. His name is Jamil Viper. It appears the accident happened in the kitchen,” Cater replied.
“It's breakfast time, so he may be in the cafeteria. Let's go see,” Riddle said.
–
“Knew it. Grim, you owe me big time,” Dazai said. Apparently, Grim and Dazai made a bet on who it was and if Dazai’s prediction was true.
“You made a bet with Dazai? Worst thing you could ever do. That asshole knows everything,” Chuuya said.
“Ruggie? That lil’ dude from Savanaclaw?” Cater asked.
“Let’s track him down. Thank you for your cooperation!” Riddle says to Jamil and the person next to him whose name is Kalim. Yes, the one who almost lost his ass from Grim’s fire.
“I’m still kinda lost here, but good luck!” Kalim said.
–
“All right, where’s Ruggie Bucchi?!” Grim yelled, bursting through the classroom where Ruggie was.
“Right here. Ah…it's you guys again.”
“Ruggie Bucchi, we need to ask you some questions about the state of injuries that have befallen prospective Spelldrive tournament players,” Riddle said.
“Oh ho. This sounds like some serious business. I'm cooperating. Let's all try to be gentlemen, now.”
They moved from the classroom to the interior hallway where it was more private,
“Very well. While we do not yet know exactly what transpired, it is abundantly clear that your signature spell is a dangerous one,” Riddle states. “I will be casting my signature spell to–”
“But Riddle, are you sure you should be casting a powerful spell without your magical pen?” Ruggie asked, interrupting Riddle.
“Huh? Wait…what?! What happened to my magical pen?!” Riddle exclaimed, now noticing his pen is gone.
“Hey, Cater! Your pen's gone too!” Grim said, noticing Cater’s pen missing.
“You're kidding me! How?!” Cater exclaimed.
“Children of Privilege, every one of you. So unprepared. So complacent. Like stealing candy from a baby,” Ruggie said, laughing.’
“Myah?! He cast his spell to snatch your pens away without us even noticing?!” Grim exclaimed.
“Puh-lease. As if I need magic to do that! Anyway, having a showdown in the hallway is not on my agenda for today, so I'll be on my way. Toodles--ACK–”
Ruggie was suddenly tackled to the floor by Chuuya, who had him in a chokehold. “Imma need to cooperate and give back those pens.”
“Tch. Fine. I'll let the pens I stole go. But for the confrontation, you don't even have proof that I did it. You have no evidence against me. You don’t have a witness who saw me casting spells.”
Well, he was right.
“Chuuya. Let him go,” Dazai suddenly said. Chuuya looked at him weirdly and reluctantly let him go, who quickly left the scene.
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.
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“Who are you and why are you in my dorm?” Chuuya asked.
“Chuuya, this is Jack Howl! The others and I met him when we were looking for suspected targets,” Grim said, introducing Jack to Chuuya. “Today is the day of the Spelldrive tournament. We’re gonna take Riddle’s plan into action!”
“Ah. Well, have fun. Don't die, okay?”
“You're not going to join us?” Dazai asked. “Yay!”
Chuuya glared at Dazai. “No. Crowley has finalized his decision, so you’ll be on your own.”
“Bummer…I actually have to do something now…”
–
Dazai, Grim, and Jack had made their way to the festival. It was overly packed with people. How unfortunate for Dazai.
“So, Dazai. What now–Myah?! We lost Dazai!” Grim said.
“Great…We’re going to have to start without our strategizer. We already have our plan down, so hopefully we won’t need a backup plan,” Jack said.
“Mrrah…I dont know…Last time dazai predicted something, it was true!”
Turns out, while Grim was panicking about Dazai being lost, he was trying to find a certain someone.
“Hm, excellent attendance this year. I'll have to check how the kiosks are doing. Oh? Dazai, is that you? Wonderful to see you, not upset anymore I see,” Azul said.
“I stopped being upset long ago. But since you think I’m still upset, let’s make a deal to make it up,” Dazai suggested.
“And what would that deal be?” Azul asked, knowing a deal with Dazai would not be simple.
–
“Welcome, one and all, to the Night Raven College interdorm Spelldrive tournament! Thank you for your patience. The players will be entering the stadium momentarily! First up will be last year’s champion. But can lightning really strike thrice? Give it up for the Reigning Light…Diasomnia!”
Cheers echoed throughout the whole area for the members. When all of a sudden…
“Huh. What’s that noise? What is going on over there? There's a whole bunch of people charging at the players! Spectators are converging in some sort of reckless stampede! Everyone please, calm down! I beg of you! The rush of stampeding spectators is headed right for the Diasomnia players…!” The players are then seen being squished by the stampede.
“Leona, I did it! Did you see the broadcast?” Ruggie said, panting.
“Yeah. That was nice work, Ruggie. So long, Malleus. This year, the throne is mine,” Leona said, smirking.
“I believe we heard enough,” Riddle said, the others appearing as well.
“Well, well, if it isn't the Heartslabyul kids. And is that Jack?” Leona said. “You transfer to Heartslabyul on us, frosh?”
“Nah, I just don’t feel like celebrating the underhanded accomplishments of a bunch of cowards.”
“As housewarden of Heartslabyul, a dorm focused on orderliness, I cannot possibly overlook this,” Riddle stated.
“Listen kiddies–save your heroic speeches for someone who cares, all right,” Leona said.
“Honestly, coming onto our territory with only a handful of people…it's like you WANT a beating,” Ruggie added.
After an awesome epic battle, Riddle had used his signature spell on Leona’s henchmen.
“Tch. Knew they weren’t a match for Riddle,” Leona said.
“Maybe not! But this doesn't change the fact that they were too late to save Diasomnia,” Ruggie said, laughing.
“Oh? That’s quite an interesting claim,” said Lilia.
“They seem right on time for me,” said a green-haired male.
“Indeed. It’s thanks to them that not a single one of Diasomnia House’s players got hurt,” said another boy, who had silver hair.
“What?! How?! I saw you get swallowed up by the stampede!” yelled Ruggie.
“Oh, about that–So it turns out those were actually duplicates of me, made with my signature Split Card spell,” Cater says.
“What?” Leona says, shocked.
“I must admit, I really dig those Diasomnia House outfits. They’re so extra!”
“Riddle told us everything. So we had him put on that little charade for us,” Lilia said.
“So then…Malleus?”
“He’s been clearing up the chaos, using his magic to guide all the people safely back to the colosseum. You can thank him later,” angrily said the green-haired male.
“H-how could this happen?!” Ruggie exclaimed.
“...Tch. whatever. I don’t even care anymore,” Leona says.
“What?” Ruggie says, shocked at Leona’s statement.
“I’m done. It's over.”
“Boss, what are you saying?!”
“Are you payin’ attention? If Malleus is able to take the field then we got no chance of winning. There’s no point even trying. I’m out.”
They continued to argue back and forth, which started to piss off Leona.
“Gwaaah!”
“What?! My nose is dryin’ out…M-my eyes hurt!” Grim cried.
“Eveything the housewarden touched is turning to sand?!” Jack said in shock.
“That’d be my signature spell. ‘The King’s Roar’. Ironic aint it? Nothin’ the savanna hates more than a drought. Yet its prince’s magic desiccates everything–reduces it to sand,” Leona said.
“Leona! I cannot allow this to continue! Off With Your Head!” Riddle tried to cast his signature spell, only for it to bounce right off Leona.
“Maybe you're some kinda prodigy,kid, but you don't go thinkin’ you're smarter than your elder.”
“Tch.”
Another fight happens, this time, leaving the group weaker than before.
“If you have that much power, why do this?!” Riddle exclaimed.
“‘Why?’ What do you care, kid? You gonna scold me? Try to talk me down? Don't you get it? Power alone ain't enough to make waves in this world. Look at Ruggie here. He's like a muzzled dog. Pathetic, ain't it? Hard not to pity him."
“That’s enough!” Jack yelled. He then uses his signature spell to turn into a wolf. He then goes to distract Leona, which gives Riddle an advantage to use his signature spell on Leona.
“That was beautiful, Riddle! You stopped Leona’s magic cold!” Cater praised.
“No…NO! You can't collar a lion!”
“Would that the lion king of the savanna could witness this absolute farce. No, if you ask me, the collar suits you far better than a crown ever could,” Lilia spoke, having not said anything in a while.
“...Huh?!”
“”You may bemoan the fact you're not higher in line to be king. But with that sensitive ego of yours? That so quickly directs all your petty anger at your retainers…” Lilia says, with a smug look on his face. “Well, the idea of you ever contending with a REAL king like our Malleus–is absolutely laughable. Even if you COULD defeat Malleus, so long as that's how you choose to conduct yourself? You would never be fit to rule!”
“Yeah, you’re probably right. No, you’re EXACTLY right…” Leona says, laughing at each pause he took. “I will never become king. No matter how hard I try!”
Leona’s power increases once again, breaking off the collar that was on his neck.
“That’s not magical power that’s…” Lilia's eyes widen when he realizes what is happening.
Like Riddle’s overblot, Leona painfully transforms into something stronger and darker. “What is happening?! Some kinda giant shadow is coming outta him!” Jack shouted.
“Myah! How many times is Dazai going to be right!” cried Grim. “Speaking of him, where is he?!”
“With all this commotion, he should be here soon. We just have to hold Leona down until he comes. If you can move, seek shelter! Ace, Deuce, help me take the wounded outside! Lilia, please get help from the faculty!” Riddle says.
The fight was taking longer than expected even though there were a lot more people than the last. Each attack they were getting weaker and weaker, not really making any progress, until…
“No Longer Human!”
Dazai tackled Leona in a similar manner that Chuuya did with Ruggie, except that they did not fall to the ground. Dazai had made it in time to nullify Leona’s overblot.
—
“Ugh. What…happened?” Leona says, waking up from being unconscious.
“I’m surprised how fast people wake up after an overblot,” Dazai said looking at Leona.
Lilia then had come back with Crowley. “Ah, baby cat! You managed to stop him, I assume?” The baby cat nickname managed to stay. Dazai doesn’t seem pleased about it, but he ignores it. For now.
“Yup. My awesome and super-awesome self had managed to save these weaklings from dying,” Dazai says. “It was such a bore. Do you know how much energy I had to save up to tackle him? Never doing that again.”
“Thank you again, Dazai for your service. You and Chuuya managed to stop overblots! Maybe I’ll just have to get you guys to stop any overblots that happen,” Crowley said.
“Ahem! Where’s my reward?” Grim interrupted.
“Your what?”
“I stopped the culprit! Now I want an award for my work!”
“Oh right. What do you want? Tuna?”
“No. I want to play in the tournament!”
“Don’t you need, like, seven people,” Dazai said. “Who would be on your team?”
“It’ll be me, you, Chuuya, Ace, Deuce, andddd two of the ghosts!”
“Me? Yeah no. Not happening—”
“Okay.” Crowley said, summoning Chuuya, who was eating a bucket of ice cream. “…Why am I here? I thought I wasn’t supposed to be here.”
“You’ll be representing Ramshackle House with Grim.”
“Aren’t I supposed to be representing Heartslabyul…? Oh alright he just left.”