Chapter Text
The carriage trailed through the woods, on its way to Night Raven College. In the carriage a person laid asleep, the person slowly stirred awake with all the noise around.
“What’s that noise?” They mumbled before hearing a voice, “I better hurry and find that uniform before someone spots me…” The voice then groaned “Urgggh.. This lid weighs a ton!”. It was quiet for a second and the person was about to go back to sleep when they heard the voice again “Try this on for size! Mya-ha!” it suddenly became hot and the person opened their eyes in panic.
“F-fire?!” “Now to grab the goods… W-what?! You ain’t supposed to be awake!” The person blinked “A talking.. Weasel?” that seemed to infuriate the weasel, “How.. How DARE YOU ?! I am no WEASEL ! I am Grim, sorcerer extraordinaire!” Grim clicked his? tongue. “Whatever. You.. human! Just gimme your uniform and be quick! Cause if you don’t.. You’re gonna regret it!” Grim summoned blue flame in his paw. “... Getting roasted alive by a weasel? A talking one at that.. What will I dream of next?” The person mumbled to themselves, “Well keep dreamin’, ‘cause I ain’t no weasel!” Grim began to chase the human throughout the main campus, before they reached the library.
Only when the human stopped is when they noticed their surroundings “Where.. Where am I?” Blue flames appeared and they yelped “Foolish human! Did you really think you could slip away from ME? Now.. Unless you wanna get burned to a crisp, take off that–” Grim yelped as someone hit the flying talking weasel with what sounded like a whip. The weasel turned around “Me-YEOW! That hurt! What gives?!” A man with rather unique clothes, a mask covering his eyes and a hat stood behind the floating creature, “Consider it tough love.” He turned to the other person “Ah, I’ve found you at last. Splendid! I trust you’re one of this year’s new students?” The strange man crossed his arms before continuing. “My my, were you ever eager to make your debut. And bringing a poorly trained familiar with you? That is a clear violation of the school’s rules.” Grim looked offended at the assumption of being the student’s familiar “As if I’d serve some lowly human! Now lemme go!” The older man did not let go, “Yes, yes. Rebellious familiars always say that. Do be quiet for a bit, won't you?” Grim’s eyes widened “ Mmmrph !”.
The man’s yellow lines closed beneath the mask “Dear me.. Of all 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?” The yellow lines turned back to dots “No matter! Your orientation has already begun. Let us return to the Mirror Chamber.” The student spoke up “What.. What do you mean by student…?” The man looked at the student, blinking “You awakened in a room full of gates, did you not? All of the students here at the campus arrived by passing through such gates. Although.. Typically the students have enough restraint to wait til I open them before waking up.” The student closed their eyes, remembering something.
“I think something blew the lid off mine..” The dots turned to half circles, like the man was upset. “The culprit appears to be that familiar of yours. You’re the one who insisted on bringing it, so curtailing its behavior is your responsibility!” The man sighed, barely audible, “But now is not the time for such prattle. You’ve a student orientation to attend! Go on, now. Make haste.” The student began to move before pausing and turning to look at the man, “First, tell me one thing. Who are you?” The masked man put a finger on his chin. “Hm? Have you not fully regained consciousness? The timespace teleportation must have addled your memories.. Well. These things happen, I suppose.” The man began to walk to the entrance of the library, “I shall explain it to you while we walk. Truly, my magnanimity is boundless.” The two people and weasel walked towards wherever the Mirror Chamber is.
They walked through a courtyard that the smaller had passed while being chased. The taller of the two cleared his throat, the other looked at him. “This is Night Raven College. It is an institution for students the world over who demonstrate a rare aptitude for magic. It is the most prestigious academy of its sort in all of Twisted Wonderland and I am Dire Crowley. Having been entrusted with its care by the chairman, I serve as the head mage.” The shorter’s eyes widened “Magic?!” “Only those who the Dark Mirror perceives as having a talent for magic are admitted to the college, those who are selected are summoned to the campus through those “gates,” which can appear anywhere.” The student looked up at the moon. “A black carriage bearing one such gate should have come to meet you.” The student spoke up, “I do kinda remember crossing a dark forest..”
The masked man spread his arms. “That black carriage serves to receive a student chosen by the Dark Mirror. It too bears a gate that connects to this campus, and as you know, sending a carriage to meet someone on a special day is a time-honored tradition.” The student was silent for a few seconds, “So.. This carriage dragged me here against my will?” They heard muffled screams from Grim. “Now, let us attend your orientation.”
To be continued.