Chapter Text
Those who are guided by the dark mirror,
As long as your heart desires,
...Take the hand that appears in the mirror.
For me.
For them.
For... you.
We are all running out of time.
No matter what,
Never... let go of my hand.
Eyes suddenly snap open as the sensation of everything came crashing down. Yuu blinked a few times as a sudden pang of pain was felt in her head. She furrowed her brows and clutched her head as her mind reeled relentlessly.
'What's happening? Where...am I- why is it so dark...?', Yuu's mind asked as she shifted uncomfortably within her confinement.
Rubbing her temple in an effort of comfort, she opened her eyes to figure out her situation but was met with darkness. That's when it finally hit her in full force- she was no longer in her room but rather small, dark space. Her eyes widened immediately as her hands shot out in an effort to gain some sense of her surrounding- though all she was met with was a wall. Feeling around with her hands, Yuu's panic began to set in as her breathing picked up.
No... no, this was all wrong. The last thing she remembered was going to bed last night in her comfortable bed. She remembered lazying the day away while trying to ignore the fact she had homework due tomorrow. She could clearly remember having dinner with her family before taking a shower. Though their faces elude her right now...
"I...I have to get out-", Yuu said in a weak shaky voice as she turned her body and used her shoulder to slam into the wall in front of her. She could hear distant noise though it was muffled due to whatever she was currently trapped in.
"H-Hey... somebody let me out!" Yuu yelled as she furrowed her brows more. As the fear and panic of possibly being abducted during her slumber continue to set in, Yuu began pounding her shoulder against the wall in front of her harder before it suddenly gave way.
Yuu blinked in surprise as she nearly tumbled out of the coffin, her legs finding a stable landing as her outstretched hands nearly met with the floor. Yuu froze as she slowly back up and paused at the clothing she was now wearing, though she noticed she had something on she couldn't see the details of it until now. A dark robe with gold detailing adorned her body as a hood covered her head and fell slightly over her eyes. She could feel her dark brown hair was now pulled back into a ponytail as some of her bangs fell down messily. She glanced back to what she came out of, eyes widening at the sight of a coffin before her attention as wretched away.
"Coming through the door on your own so soon after arriving? What are you in a hurry for?" a voice asked from the side of Yuu.
Yuu quickly spun in the direction of the voice as chatter suddenly filled her ears. She could hear whispering and mumbling filling up the room as a man wearing a top hat and wearing a bird mask of sorts walked up to her idly.
Naturally, Yuu stepped back with a slight glare as she raised her arm up defensively. "Who are you? Don't take another step closer." Yuu said seriously as her back lightly bumped into the coffin she was previously in. The man blinked in surprise as he lightly held out his hand in an attempted calming manner.
"Please, try to calm yourself! I am no threat to you--" the man said as he offered a sympathetic smile, "I see you're still under the effects of your travel here... worry not! Rest well knowing that you are safe here! The side effects should wear off soon and you will become lucid soon enough!"
"Perhaps a quick refresher would do you well... hmm...yes, that'll surely calm your mind! Welcome to Night Raven College, a prestigious magician training school in Twisted Wonderland. Only those with exceptional magic talent from all corners of the world come here. You have been chosen by the mirror of darkness due to your magical abilities! A black carriage with the door you just exited would have come to pick you up before you arrived here-"
Before he could go in any longer, Yuu suddenly held up her hands. "Wait- wait a minute... Night Raven College... magic?? But magic doesn't exi-"
She was swiftly cut off as the man clapped his hands and walked towards her, ushering her forward to a floating mirror that loomed ominously behind him.
"Now now, we mustn't waste time! The ceremony is about to begin and there are many many students to sort into their dorms." The man explained in a cheery tone as Yuu yelped slightly at being nudged to the mirror.
"Wait- Sir, you have to listen to me. You're mistaken I can't-" Yuu said, attempting to make the man just listen to her words for a second. But a face appeared upon the mirror as it stared soullessly at her.
"State thy name," it commanded in a monotone voice, making Yuu's last complaint die in her throat.
The pressure of her situation was suffocating, everything was moving so quickly and she was helpless to stop any of it. The hands of the man rested upon her shoulders, giving a light squeeze as if begging her to continue. She could feel the stares of so many burning into the back of her head, the chatter only continuing to grow. She could feel the back of her neck burning as a slight tremble began to grow in her hands. In the corner of her eye, she could see a row of six figures sitting off to the side and seemingly watching her. She looked back forward and swallowed hard as she parted her mouth,
"...Yuu Ando," Yuu said trying hard to not let her words tremble as well.
"Yuu..."
"The shape of thy soul is..."
.
.
.
"I don't know."
"Huh?! Come again?" the man behind Yuu asked as he let go of her shoulders and stepped beside her, staring at the mirror in disbelief.
"I sense not a spark of magic from this one."
"The color, the shape, all are nothing."
"Therefore, they are suited for no dormitory."
Murmurs and whispers quickly filled the air as the man became still in disbelief. Yuu wasn't sure what to expect out of that but she couldn't help but feel a small pang of disappointment and embarrassment at the mirror's statement. Was not having magic such a bad thing? Magic shouldn't even BE a thing if she really thought about it. She turned her head slightly to the sea of students who were watching her, noticing how they looked at her with judgemental and attentive gazes. It almost felt as though they were picking her apart with just their very eyes.
"That's... impossible..." the man spoke suddenly, "the ebony carriage would absolutely never go to meet a student who cannot use magic. Never in a hundred years had there ever been a mistake in the student selection! So why..." the man trailed off as Yuu sighed.
"I tried telling you. I don't have any magic- nor am I interested in joining this- college," she said as she met the man's eyes with a level gaze. "I think it would be best for everyone if I just returned home." And with that, Yuu turned and looked quickly for the exit as she noticed a pair of large doors at the end of the room.
"Thank you for your time," Yuu said in a flat and quick tone before walking straight for the doors. She had no clue what was going on but she did know one thing; it was best to get out now when the man was busy being so shocked over something she already knew. She tried her best to ignore the looks of the students as she walked forward with heavy footsteps, intent on getting the hell out of there.
"Wh- Wait a moment! Someone refusing to enroll is unheard of!" the man called after her as she could hear another set of footsteps behind her.
"Let's just calm down and try to figure out why you're here-"
CRASH!
"EH?!"
"GAH- WHAT IS THAT-"
"What's happening now?!"
The sound of glass breaking and hitting the floor suddenly filled the room as the audience behind Yuu erupted with their reactions. To the right of Yuu, an animal landed on the floor before standing on two feet and grinning wildly.