Chapter Text
“Why is this school hosting another festival?!” Ace, the dorm student of Heartslabyul, exclaimed in utter disbelief.
He was standing with his fellow dorm mate, Deuce Spade, who held a hand to his chin with an interesting cat resting on his head. Both were looking at Ace’s phone who was calling their fellow friend, Yuu.
Ace a little taller than the two, but not by much. He wore a black jacket with a red vest which had golden buttons. He has a red and black band wrapped around his left arm, representing the house he belongs to. He is wearing a pair of brown shoes and one black glove. He has spiky, orange hair and a red mark of a heart over his left eyes. He has a pair of orange eyes.
Deuce was about his height and wore the same uniform as Ace. Instead of the orange hair, Deuce has a deep, navy color hair and light green eyes. He has a spade mark on his right eye. He has both gloves on his hands.
“Ow! Grim! Don’t dig your claws in my head!” Deuce exclaimed in pain as he grabbed the monster cat and held him against his chest.
Grim is a monster cat. He has gray fur, a sharp tail, and blue fire burning from his ears. He has deep, purple eyes and is wearing a purple bow around his neck.
“I am still upset! Why is my henchman there and not me?!” Grim complained as he thrashed about in Deuce’s arms.
“Sssh!” Yuu shushed them, “I will turn this phone off if you do not keep quiet!”
The trio remained quiet as Yuu sighed in relief. She was standing away from her fellow dorm leaders as they were arguing amongst themselves. To be honest, she was chosen by default. It was either her or the cat. It was an easy choice.
Yuu is rather special at this school. First off, she’s a girl at an all-boy magic school. She wasn’t sure how she got here, but she was working on a way to find a way home. Regardless, she’s trying to make the most of her situation. Second off, she has no magic. A student attending a magic with no magic? Yeah, that’s a strange situation, but it is resolved since Grim handles the magic assignments.
She’s shorter than her fellow friends but not by much. She has short, black hair and brown eyes. She is wearing a similar uniform to her friends, but she didn’t have a ribbon tied around her arm. Instead, she has a white ribbon in her hair.
So, what was she doing at the meeting? Right now, keeping her distance.
“Off with your head!” a small, powerful mage’s voice boomed over everyone.
“Eek!” a tall dorm leader with blazing, blue hair exclaimed as a red and black collar appeared around his neck, “Why can’t you let me attend meetings from a call?!”
He turned to run as the other member let out a yell and ran after him.
“Get up, Leona!” a stern voice chided as he grabbed the beastman’s shoulders to shake him awake.
He received no reply from the sleeping beastman, much to his annoyance. That didn’t stop him from trying to wake him up as he searched for something else to wake up the beastman.
“Oh! So, if I use my signature spell for 14 days a month, I’ll only get a 5% bonus?!” a joyful voice asked excitedly.
“Precisely! Just sign here, initial there, and you can read the fine print later!” a business-like voice with a hint of delight offered as he held a golden contract in his hands along with a pen.
“No, no, no! Do not sign this!” a stressed, vice dorm member exclaimed as he snatched the pen and contract away with a tired sigh.
Besides Yuu is another student who seemed to be chuckling at the site of their fellow dorm leaders causing chaos amongst themselves.
“You know, they mean well, right?” he asked in a whisper as lowered his head to her side.
“You say that Hornton, but you didn’t have to deal with all their Overblots including yours” Yuu chided with her eyes narrowing before smiling at him.
“Still with the nickname. I would argue out of everyone here, you’re the one who can say my name, Malleus” he reminded as she rolled her eyes at him.
He is the tallest student in their school. He is wearing a similar uniform except with a green vest and green band wrapped around his arm. He is a fae and can transform into a dragon. He is one of the most powerful mages of their time, as well as a prince. He has a pair of black horns and green eyes. He’s the dorm leader of Diasomnia.
“And I believe it isn’t allowed for a dorm leader to share information regarding the meeting until it is over” Malleus pointed out as he waved to the phone, “Hello. How are all of you?’
Ace nearly dropped his phone as Deuce and Grim jumped back from surprise and fear. It still surprised them that she was such good friends with Malleus.
“Can you blame me for not telling them? We’ve left this world and were caught up in a prophecy involving a tragedy. I believe my friends get a little bit of that privilege to know what is going on” Yuu replied with a wink as Malleus chucked.
Humans were truly interesting beings. Well, they should continue with the meeting. He stepped forward and snapped his fingers to make a bolt of lightning to flash in the room, silencing everyone. Everyone looked at him, from worry, fear, and relief.
“Come now” Malleus said as he clapped his hands, “We have another festival to prepare for”
“It isn’t really a festival, lizard” the beastman yawned and stretched, “It is much worse than that. It is a talent show”
Malleus’ eyes narrowed at the beastman who was casually laying on the floor. He has dark skin and a pair of lion ears matching his tail. He has a pair of emerald eyes. He has some of his hairs in braids and the rest was unruly and messy. He’s wearing the same outfit, but he has an orange vest with without the jacket. He’s a prince, much like Malleus. Leona is the leader of Savanaclaw.
“Leona do sit up and pretend to be here” a model student reprimanded with a wave of his hand, “Though, he is correct. This is a talent show between our school and Royal Sword Academy. We should do our best to win this time. I even have a show against Neige once again”
“Oh, Vil” Yuu said with a sigh, “Please don’t tell me this is another dance competition. The last thing we need is for you to try your trick again”
Vil seemed insulted as Leona laughed at the Perfect’s comment, going so far to sit up and holding his stomach from it.
Vil is a model as well as a famous actor, performer, and singer. He’s the leader of the Pomefiore dorm. He has beautiful, silky blond hair with purple edges. He has deep, purple eyes and perfect skin. His hands were perfectly manicured, and he carries himself in the highest regard. He is wearing the same uniform but with a purple ribbon.
Yuu then laughed as she reassured with a wave of her hand, “I know you wouldn’t try it again! But please can we finish the meeting. I have to meet with the students from Royal Sword since Crowley already picked me to be the ambassador between both schools”
“Do you know who is attending?” Leona asked curiously.
“Proserpina, Neige, and Rielle” the tall, blue haired junior answered as a blue screen appeared over his face, “Pina texted me about it. She’s coming to supervise Neige, Rielle, and the other students”
“Oddly fast for you to answer a question not directed at you, Idia” Malleus teased as Idia simply shrugged.
“I promised Pina I would meet with her once the meeting was over” Idia finished before closing the screen.
He leaned back in his chair and moved his hair to flow behind it. He has long, blue, flaming hair and golden eyes. His skin is very pale, almost akin to that of a ghost. He is wearing the same uniform as them, but he has a light blue, hoodie with a pocket in the front. He is wearing blue pants and pair white sneakers He is the leader of Ignihyde.
“Ah, so you’re going to meet with your girlfriend?” Leona teased as Idia’s hair flashed pink, “Lucky you. I can’t believe a sub like you got a lady like her”
Idia’s face flushed to match his blazing, red hair.
“RIELLE?!” a strained, surprised voice exclaimed as the person stood up slammed his hands on the table in utter disbelief.
That was Azul who was normally the businessman professional type. This was an unusual moment for him as Idia and a red-haired dorm leader looked at him. Again, he was wearing the same uniform and had a gray ribbon around his arm. He has a pair of glasses in front of his gray eyes and a mole on his face. He has shiny, silver hair and had a pair of black gloves and matching shoes. He’s the leader of the Octavinelle dorm.
“Is something wrong?” Yuu asked, worried that he would scold or make anyone sign a contract now.
“As I recall, Rielle was your bully, correct Azul?” the red-haired dorm leader of Heartslabyul, Riddle, recalled.
“That is confidential, Riddle! That falls under our “Best Friends Benefits Agreement!”” Azul snapped with a frustrated expression before sitting down and combing a hand through his hair, “It is already bad enough that I have to close the lounge during this week! Now, Rielle of all students is coming here!”
Riddle is the smallest dorm leader, but he’s one of the smartest and strongest mages in the school. He has red hair and gray eyes. He is wearing the dorm uniform with the same red ribbon his two freshmen were wearing as well. He was nodding his head to Azul and remained quiet after that.
“You have a “Best Friends Benefits Agreement”? That’s sad, even for you, Azul. You need to make a contract to have a friend?” a vice dorm leader mocked a little with a snicker, “At least some of us can actually make a friend without one”
“Kalim, kindly tell Jamil that is he is out of line in his tone since he is only a vice dorm leader” Azul said as he held a smile with a dark tone to it.
Jamil’s left eye twitch as he instinctively wanted to reach for his pen. Kalim wrapped his arms around Jamil to prevent him from doing this.
“Please don’t do this! You only hurt yourself when you hurt your friends! Hug time!” Kalim shouted as he hugged a struggling Jamil.
Jamil and Kalim are in the same class as Azul. Jamil has dark skin and long, brown hair with the right bang longer than the rest of his hair. Some of his hair is tied in braids. His eyes are an ashen color. His has a few golden charms in his hair and a red earing hanging from his left ear. He is wearing the uniform jacket and has a dark red hoodie with black embers from the bottom. He has black pants and a pair of sneakers. He is the vice dorm leader of Scarabia.
As for Kalim, he’s the dorm leader of Scarabia. He has dark skin and a pair of ruby colored eyes with white hair. He is wearing a white collared shirt and dark red vest. He has a belt of yellow and blue colors alternating and holding his pen along with a charm. He has black pants and brown shoes. He is wearing golden bracelets on his wrists and ankles. He has a golden and white bandana across his head along two golden earrings hanging from his ears.
Kalim was hugging Jamil, hoping to calm him down. Jamil let out a frustrated yell as Azul only smirked. Well, the meeting went as well as one would’ve expected it. Yuu held a deadpanned expression before standing up.
“So, does everyone know what they need to do for the talent show?” she asked, unsure if she should just leave them.
“Yes/Yeah/Yep” they replied nonchalantly.
She wasn’t sure, but Malleus patted her hand and nodded.
“Alright, then come on, Idia. Let’s go and meet with the students from RSA” Yuu said warmly as the blue haired dorm leader sighed in relief with Yuu looking at her phone, “I’ll see you three later. Just try and not get into trouble until I am done”
“WE MAKE NO PROMISES!” all three responded in an all too delighted tone, much to Yuu’s annoyance before she closed her phone and walked with Idia to the entrance of the school.
The other dorm leaders went about their business to prepare for the talent show. Malleus teleported as Leona and Vil left together. Jamil grumbled as Kalim pulled him out of the room. That just left Riddle and Azul. Both slowly walked out of the meeting, but Riddle noticed Azul was holding a concerned expression.
“I am sorry for being careless and discussing an important detail that was detailed to only be discussed in private” Riddle admitted with a hint of shame in his voice, “But you are my friend, Azul. I want to be sure you will be fine. Unless you would require some help as Rielle visits”
Azul was touched by his friend’s kindness and shook his head, “It isn’t going to be bad. At least, I do hope so. Regardless, I will have you, the twins, and even Yuu’s guidance and comfort. I am sure I will be fine. I am only disappointed that I will not be able to procure revenue for the talent show”
Riddle only smiled in relief before turning to walk to his dorm, “That does put my mind at ease, Azul. Well, we should prepare for the talent show. I will be seeing you, friend”
With that, Riddle left as Azul was left standing alone before the mirror. It wasn’t that he was worried, but he was cautious. How long has it been since he and the twins have been in the same place as Rielle? Would Rielle still pick on them? Azul shook his head. He could worry about that later. Right now, he has to tend to the lounge before properly closing it to rest for the duration of the festival.
“Ok! Is everyone ready?!” an excited teenage girl with bright green hair asked her fellow underclassmen with a grin.
She has a pair of lively, vibrant emerald eyes with her hair coming just above her shoulders. She has a bit of tan skin from all the gardening she does. She has a white jacket tied around her waist, but her emerald badge was pinned on her light, green shirt with puffy, short sleeves. She has brown shorts up to her knees with a belt, holding a gardening tool. She has pink and yellow butterflies as accessories in her hair. She has a blue tie and silver bracelets on her wrists. She is also wearing a pair of tough, brown boots. She had a pink satchel hanging from her shoulders and carrying a green backpack holding her clothes, schoolwork, and other important items.
“Yes Proserpina” the underclassman chanted back, tired, and excited.
“Wonderful!” she answered warmly, “Since Chenya oversaw you for the last festival, it is my turn! So, please get along with students from this campus and have a friendly, fun time! That means no rule breaking or causing some mischief”
She continued her lecture while waving her hands and gesturing to them. The Royal Sword Academy students were walking over to Night Raven College. Some of the students were chatting amongst themselves, listening to their junior, taking photos, or keeping to themselves.
One teenage, sophomore lady was trailing behind everyone. She was holding her phone as she smiled at a performing ballerina video before her. She smiled at the graceful dancer and couldn’t wait to perform for the talent show, even if this wasn’t a competition. She preferred that if anything. To simply dance without having stress upon her.
She has dark skin and long, dark green hair with a single blue streak with a pink seashell pin present. It is tied in a loose ponytail since she wouldn’t be dancing today. She has a pair of deep, aquamarine eyes. She is wearing a simple blue shirt with no sleeves. She has her white, academy jacket on, but the blue badge was on her shirt. She wore her dancing pants and her old sneakers her parents worked to buy for her. She has her blue bag hanging from her arms while pulling a blue suitcase behind her.
“Ah, she’s a talent dancer, much like you, my dear Angelfish, Aquamarine” a friendly, flirty voice whispered as she sighed.
Her fellow sophomore and dorm leader, Prince Rielle was beside her. Both were selected to participate for this talent show, much to her dismay. Prince Rielle is the prince in their home and very wealthy. He was best known for his musical and wonderful singing voice. He is often compared to a Siren because of how beautiful he sings. He is wearing a fancy, white collared shirt with a yellow fish pin and a red carb one pinned at his left shoulder along with his ruby colored badge. He has green pants and simple yet elegant fancy shoes. He has striking, red hair and a pair of bright, blue eyes. He is a handsome prince too and has a pair of white gloves. He was using his magic to levitate his two, blue suitcases.
“But, my Angelfish, please tell me you haven’t forgotten what we will do, have you?” he whispered as she turned her phone off to sign to him.
“Of course, I haven’t, but I do want to focus on my dance” she signed to him, “I won’t be competing, so this time I will have a chance to have fun with my dancing”
He took her hand spun her in place as a few students clapped, believing it was a little fun dance between the two. He pulled her close to dip her.
Rielle leaned close to her face before whispering to her, “And you will, and I will also make sure your family and neighborhood is safe from my father’s construction. All you must do is reveal that octomerman’s form before everyone”
He then raised her up and let her hands go before taking a bow as their classmates were cheering and clapping. Rielle calmly stepped forward to wave to them as Pina put her hands on her hips and approached the pair.
“Hey, are you ok, Mari?” Pina signed to her as best as she could to the dancer who was recovering from Rielle’s dance.
“Yes, I am fine” Mari signed back to her junior as she sighed at the crowd.
“Well, we are at the gate” Pina signed back warmly as she gestured to it, “So, I am sure someone will come and get us. Soon, we will rest at our rooms”
Pina held a bright smile as Mari only held a sad expression. The black gates opened as two figures were standing there. Pina instantly recognized them as she dropped her backpack and ran toward one figure.
“Oh, no! Pina! Wait! Your strength is maxed out!” Idia exclaimed as he took a step back.
He couldn’t get away as she jumped and hugged tackled him to the ground! She happily rubbed her cheeks against his as his hair turned pink. Yuu happily smiled at the couple before the Royal Sword students surrounded them.
“Wow! I didn’t realize those rumors were true!” one student exclaimed as another one whispered, “Is this allowed? Isn’t he, you know, evil? She’s too pure for him!”
Yuu simply smiled until Pina picked herself up, dusted herself off, and faced her classmates with a bright expression. Idia could only sit up and hide his face as his pink hair glowed again.
“Yep! This is allowed! He’s not evil! Just a little different! Now, this is the human, Yuu” Pina answered as she pulled Yuu to her side and gestured her to the crowd, “She’s the ambassador between our schools. Please be nice to her. She will help us reach our dorms”
Everyone greeted her as Rielle spared a glance to Idia before following Pina like a little puppy. Mari sighed at them before walking until one student bumped into her and dropped his phone. His phone broke on the stony steps as Mari shrugged and continued to walk. She bumped into another student who was knocked into a wall and scratched his badge.
“Hey! You’re gonna pay!” one of them shouted as she cringed.
“It’s that deaf girl! Seriously?! You can’t hear already; you could at least see!” the other one mocked as Mari’s eyes narrowed.
Her blue badge shined as she snapped her fingers to make water whip them! The pair grunted in pain until their badges shined a red and green light. Mari shook her head, turned her heels, dropped her suitcase, and ran into the college. Mari was running as fast as her land legs could carry her. She wished Rielle would’ve accompanied her at the least. These bullies wouldn’t have bothered her. She wasn't by herself, but she didn't want to be with these bullies! She continued to run down the dark hallway and found herself in the hall of mirrors. The main mirror was recently used and showed her a lounge themed around the sea. Feeling a sense of safety from it, she jumped through the mirror and found herself standing in the aquatic theme lounge. The lounge was themed around aquatic life. It has fish tanks in the background and many tables, booths, and chairs. There was even a bar! Purple, teal, silver, and green colors were splashed around the place. It was a fancy restaurant to say the least.
She soon felt a sense of dread when no one seemed to be present! She panicked again and reached for her badge and phone to contact anyone. She saw a flash of light and gasped as she lunged forward and crashed into a table, knocking over the light. She quickly turned around to see the two bullies standing before.
"Looks like we've finally caught the deaf girl. Not like she can hear us!" one of them mocked as she held a nervous and determined expression.
She didn't mind fighting them. She was sure she could take them!
Azul was finishing up a few contracts and forms. He was prepared to close the lounge for renovations and even let his two friends off to enjoy the events. Although he was worried about losing money, he didn't want to see that selfish, horrible, no good, prince! There was no way he was going to give the prince a chance to see him! He jumped when he heard something break and groaned. He rubbed his face against his hand and stood up.
"I swear. Floyd, if you break another light, I will dock your pay tenfold!" Azul threatened as he picked up his pen.
He spun his pen in his hands to transform it into his cane and stepped out of his office. He pushed the silver door, adjusted his hat, and pushed up his glasses.
"Floyd! What are you doing?!" Azul demanded as he stepped into the lounge and was greeted with an interesting site.
The lady was panicked and rushed to him. She stood behind him as he glanced to the two Royal Sword students before them.
"What is going on here miss?" Azul asked of her gently and composed.
She blinked a couple of times, held her phone, and texted something to him. She turned her phone over to him to read her message. Azul adjusted his glasses accordingly and read it.
I'm terribly sorry to bother you. I didn't realize this was closed. I was being chased by these rude students. I didn't mean to break a lamp, but they wouldn't stop bothering me.
Azul's eyes narrowed, returned her phone, turned to the two students, and swung his cane to point at them, "I am terribly sorry, but this lady is under my protection. The lounge is closed, so I suggest you turn away before you upset me"
"Are you kidding me?" one of them said annoyed, "You can't stop us! There is two of us and one of you!"
"And who cares about this place?! Just hand that annoying freak over!" the second one stated roughly as Azul's eyes were wide.
Ah, so they were bullies. He simply sighed in relief with a mischievous smirk of a businessman appeared on his features.
"Very well" he answered as he took a single step and slammed his cane to release a powerful wave of water, "We have a right to refuse service!"
The water pushed the bullies out of lounge and mirror to return the pair to the halls. One of them got up and prepared to fight, but he was suddenly held by a tentacle! The other one's jaw was nervous and slowly backing away from him.
"What is this?" he whimpered as Azul simply chuckled.
"Oh? Do you not know who I am? Pretty bold of you to wonder into my dorm with this lack of knowledge" Azul answered as he was standing in the mirror with the lady behind him.
However, it wasn’t just them. Behind Azul's silver coat were seven more tentacles! He held a confident expression as the student on the ground whimpered.
"I am Azul Ashengrotto! The dorm leader of Octavinelle!" he announced with pride, "And you are no longer accepted into my establishment! Have a good evening!"
His tentacle threw the student on the other one, before returning to him. He held a confident expression as the mirror shined and closed before himself and the lady. He was relieved nothing was damaged, but he would have to cast a spell to dry the restaurant and fix the broken lamp. He was sure he could do this before closing the restaurant for the remainder of the week. He gasped at the sight of his tentacles before snapping his fingers to make it disappear. He hoped it didn’t scare the lady before him. Ah, right, the lady who brought those ruffians to his establishment.
Now, he finally has a chance to examine her thoroughly and understand her. She was a little shorter than him, but not by much. She wore a blue shirt with no sleeves and a familiar, thin, antimicrobial jacket tied around her waist. She has long, thin, dancing pants with simple, rundown sneakers. She has a blue bag at her side, no doubt holding her belongings. She is holding a blue badge and phone in her hands. She has brown skin and deep blue, aquamarine eyes. Her long, brown hair was tied in a single ponytail with a pink seashell pin in her hair.
In conclusion, Azul found her simple and plain. Nothing out of the ordinary. Other than she cannot hear them. Judging by her outfit alone, it was obvious that she attended Royal Sword. She must be here for the festival.
Mari finally had a chance to check out Azul. She was surprised to see him casually summon his merform without hesitation and deal with those bullies, but the put it away as if it was hideous. She wondered how powerful his spells and tentacles were. She would love to see his strength and magic! Of course, there was he himself. He had the shiniest silver hair she had ever seen. He has pale skin and a mole on his face with gray, glowing purple eyes. As for the outfit, she could just tell he had money. With the black fedora having a purple ribbon and matching, black suit, and pants, he wore a white dress shirt with a purple bowtie. He has a purple scarf and fancy, black shoes. He has a pair of white gloves on. It is easy to tell that his cane was where his magic pen was stored.
For her, she found him special and unique. He was prim and smart. He was going to do something grand with his life. Just by glancing at him. she knew this was his school and market. He is only looking out for himself and those who can benefit him.
For some reason, he held his hand out to her and his phone. She glanced at him to notice his calm expression. She took his phone first to read his message.
Do not worry. Those ruffians will not lay any of their filthy hands on you. I apologize. My name is Azul Ashnegrotto. I am sure you've heard of my name considering another Royal Student who I shall not name did. She was clear that I wasn't too welcomed by your school. Regardless, I've contacted the Perfect Ambassador. She will be here to pick you up and take you where you need to be for the festival. I must apologize. I do not have my interpreter with me. I do not know sign language.
She blinked at the message and looked up at him. He seemed to be honest. His eyes shown with concern for her wellbeing… Was Rielle right about Azul? Somehow, she found this different. Oh, she should respond to him.
It is ok. Thank you for helping me. They do that too often. Ahem. My name is Aquamarine Vepó. I did hear about you, but you seem nice and caring if you were willing to help someone like me. Thank you for contacting Yuu. I would like to return to my room for the night. Thank you, Azul. I hope we will meet at the festival. It is ok. I would normally have Neige. Chenya, or Pina with me. Ah, I'm sorry for talking too long. Thank you again, Azul.
She returned his phone to him, bowed, and jumped through the mirror. Azul was stunned until he looked at the phone and read her message. He turned to find her, but she had already walked through the mirror, much to his dismay. Dismay? Ah, well, she reminds him of himself in some ways. The festival… Perhaps he would be attending after all. He read her message again. Hm, her friends were Neige, Chenya, and Pina…. Those bullies have been doing this for a while… Her name is Aquamarine Vepó….. Azul swiped to message the twins. It appears Azul was going to be busy with the festival after all. With a grin, he took a step to his office and went to work.