Chapter Text
Before Ruggie can read his chapter, a note appears in front of him while the book vanishes. There is a one important rule that we forgot to mention earlier. Whatever actions that are committed by the people during this reading/viewing will not be considered for disciplinary actions. After all, it is unfair to punish for things not committed. If you agree, please sign this paper or the reading cannot resume.
“I guess this means some of us are getting into trouble?” Cater says.
“Probably,” Trey says. “Otherwise why would they establish a rule like this.”
Riddle frowns at the idea of trouble makers not getting punished, but he also wants to get out of here as soon as possible. With a sigh, he grabs the pen sitting nearby and signs the note. One by one the other boys follow. Once the last signature (Azul) is on the paper, the note disappears and the familiar book reappears. Ruggie picks up the book and resumes reading his chapter, which was bookmarked.
As soon as they reached their destination, there is only one thought that is currently on Hayu’s mind.
“This place is huge! It’s going to take forever to clean!” Grim complains.
“In other words a perfect distraction for a rambunctious raccoon and a magicless herbivore,” Leona says with a smirk.
Grim’s not exaggerating. The cobblestone path is wide enough to fit two Hayus with both their arms spread out. Hayu is a 165 cm*.
“At least they are taller than Goldfishie,” Floyd laughs.
Trey has to hold Riddle back from tackling Floyd.
The pathway keeps on going all the way to the main campus building.
“I guess that explains why the Headmaster assigned us the main street today.” Hayu sighs. They notices the large stone statues on the side of the road. Four on one side, three on another. The statues look like ancient statues and yet each statues details are still noticeable and they each shine brightly under the daylight.
“That’s because these statues are created by a mage to last forever,” Rook says. “It will take a lot of magical power to turn them to dust.”
“I passed by these guys yesterday,” Grim says referring to the statues. “I didn’t get a good look at them since I was running from the rain but man these statues look pretty cool.”
“They don’t know the Great Seven?” Kalim asks.
“Yuu is from another world so it makes sense for them to not know,” Jamil says. “But… Grim who was determined to come to NRC, why does he not know?”
“I’m afraid your expectations are too high, Jamil - kun,” Cater says.
Hayu just hums. For some reason, these statues seem familiar to them.
That perks up everyone. Yuu finds them familiar?
But of course, their good old memory is failing them.
“Okay that’s it,” Vil says with an unimpressed expression. “I’m going to that decrepit dorm and dragging them to the infirmary as soon as we are out of here. Cleaning duties can wait!”
No one has the guts or desire to tell Vil that he is acting like Yuu is one of his students.
“Hey check out this one,” Grim says pointing to the statue of chubby queen? Hayu judges based on the crown.
“Excuse me!?” Riddle exclaims. “How dare you insult the Queen of Hearts!?”
Azul, who is trying to fight off a smile along with the students of the other dorms, says. “Now, now Riddle-san, you have to admit that the Queen of Hearts is quiet… well-porportioned.”
“I don’t want to hear that from the Dorm Leader whose Great Seven is equally well-porportioned!” Riddle snarls at him.
Azul gives Riddle a serious expression. “I will have you know Riddle-san that The Sea Witch’s proportions are perfectly normal for an octo-mer.”
“Now, now,” Trey intervenes. “Let’s calm down here.”
“Indeed,” Jade joins. “Besides, Yuu-san was thinking it but they didn’t openly say it. It would be wrong to hold them accountable for something they thought.”
“Doesn’t she look scary?”
“Grim-san on the other hand,” Jade says with a weary smile.
“Well the note did say we can’t hold anyone accountable for their future actions,” Trey says with the same expression.
“What?” A voice calls out from behind. “You don’t know who the Queen of Hearts is?”
Everyone immediately looks at Ace.
Ace is caught off guard by the sound of his voice. He also has a bad feeling. After all why the heck would the note appear on the same freaking chapter of his appearance?
“The note in the beginning did say they would be intertwined with some of us,” Malleus adds. “So I guess we can expect some of to appear here.”
The two immediately turns to look at the source of the voice. A boy who looks the same age as Hayu with an easygoing smile stands behind them. He has messy terracotta color hair
“It’s not messy,” Ace grumbles. He also isn’t liking how he was described in the book like some character in a story.
and a red heart mark? Tattoo?
“Paint actually,” Deuce whispers.
on his right eye. Hayu assumes he must be a student since he is wearing a school uniform.
“Queen of Hearts?” Grim asks. “Is she important?”
Shouldn’t you ask who is he first? Hayu thinks.
Some of the students snort. “Indeed, stranger danger and all that…” Idia says in his usual soft voice.
The screen shows a close up to the Queen of Hearts statue.
The Heartslabyul boys sit up a bit straighter.
“Ah!” Rook says. “This close up of the statue truly highlights the Queen of Heart’s Severity. Quelle Beaute!”
“In the past, she was the queen who lived in the Rose Maze,” the boy explains. “She was someone who valued rules and discipline above all, strict in all things from the march of the Card Soldiers to the color of the rose bushes. It was a land of madness but everyone submitted to her rule.”
“Why?” Grim asks.
Hayu notices the boy’s lips twitch into a smile as if he wanted one of them to ask that question.
Ace has a similar smile. After all the reaction to that question is always hilarious.
He loves showing off I see, Hayu quietly thinks to themself.
His smile turns into a scowl. “I do not!” he huffs. Deuce, Epel, Jack and Sebek snickers. The second and third year students are once again amused by Hayu’s thoughts.
“Because, it’s off with your head if you don’t,” the boy answers with a smirk.
“That’s messed up!” Grim exclaims and Hayu quietly agrees.
“Those who can’t follow the law should be punished so they never do it again,” Riddle says with a firm tone.
“You think so?” the boy says. “Personally, I like her style. Nobody would listen to a queen who is just nice all the time, right.”
She sounds more like a tyrant to me, Hayu thinks. And no one likes tyrants.
Riddle crosses his arms across his chest. “Thinking exactly like someone who doesn’t belong in Heartslabyul,” he scoffs. He doesn’t notice how Cater and Trey’s expression has become more fixed at Hayu’s thoughts.
At least… not in my world.
“No one likes tyrants in our world either,” Lilia says.
“I suppose,” Grim says. “She sounds like a strong leader. By the way, who the heck are you?”
“Finally remembered to ask?” Jamil says with a weary look.
“You finally remembered to ask,” Hayu nonchalantly comments.
Kalim laughs. “Yuu and Jamil are thinking alike.”
Jamil just grumbles.
“I’m Ace. A freshmen,” Ace answers with the same easy manner. “Nice to meet’cha.”
“I’m Grim, a future great mage,” Grim introduces himself with confidence. He points at Hayu. “This rude mouth here is my underling.”
Hayu decides to ignore Grim and gives Ace a polite smile. “Nice to meet you,” they say. “I’m Hayu.”
“Hayu,” Ace says slowly while reaching out his hand. “Quite the strange name.”
“Difficult too,” Ruggie interrupts to add.
“You can call me Yuu if it’s easier,” Hayu says before returning the handshake.
“Hey Ace,” Grim quickly calls out to him. “Is the lion with the scar famous as well?”
The students of Savanaclaw sit up straighter.
“But of course,” Ace says before letting go of Hayu’s hand.
“Weird detail to focus on there,” Epel says while Ace just frowns.
“This is the King of Beast who rules the savanna.”
The screen shows a close up on the king of the beast.
“Ah… you can almost feel the tenacity,” Rook says, feeling nostalgic
“However, he was not born to be king, but he took the throne through effort and elaborate planning. After becoming King, he even invited the hyenas, the outcasts of the savannah, to live in his kingdom without discrimination.”
As Ace explains, Hayu looks at the lion statue. He doesn’t seem like the warm considerate type,
Leona snorts. “Looks doesn’t make up for character.”
Vil looks like he wants to argue but refrains.
Meanwhile Hayu’s comment makes Ruggie mentally wonders if the King of Beasts took in the hyenas the same reason Leona took him in. For some personal gain that also helped the hyenas.
but looks can be deceiving I guess.
“So he’s cool as rock’s roll for seeing past, uh, social status,” Grim says. “What about the lady with the Octopus legs next to him?”
Now Octaviellne sits up straight.
The screen zooms into the Sea Witch.
"Her benevolent smile!" Rook exclaims. "Beaute!"
“The Sea Witch who lives in a cavern in the deep. She made it her life’s goal to help all unfortunate merfolk.”
Mermaids are real, Hayu thinks.
“Merfolk,” Azul corrects. “Mermaids are what we call the female gender.”
“I suppose as someone from a magicless world, the idea of merfolk must be shocking for them,” Jade says.
“In that case, I should turn into a my true form in front of them,” Floyd laughs.
“True form?” Some of the freshmen asks.
“Those three are mers,” Leona answers with a tired expression.
“EH!?” The freshmen shout.
Azul gives his signature smile. “Indeed. The three of us were inspired by the Sea Witch’s benevolence and are attending Night Raven College to continue her legacy.”
Ace and Sebek found something strange in Azul’s expression.
I guess it’s expected in magical worlds and all that. After all, the fantasy stories they read in the past do mention mermaids and sirens.
Floyd finds this detail very interesting. “I’m gonna go find Little Shirmpy and ask them to tell me a story,” he says with a smile.
“We need to get out of the room first,” Riddle reminds him.
Since they met Grim, Hayu didn’t think much of the lion statue or the idea of a kingdom full of beasts. Under water sea creatures are something else.
While Hayu is still processing the existence of merfolk, Ace continues with his explanation. “Apparently as long as you pay the price, she will fulfill any request. From changing your appearance to helping you find love; you’ve got need to name it. If it was within her power, there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do. They say her prices were pretty high though. Well, that makes sense since she can grant anything.”
What Ace is saying makes sense to Hayu but something keeps nagging them at the back of their mind.
“Oh? And why is that?” Azul asks. “Personally Ace-san’s explanation was perfectly acceptable.”
“I’m pretty sure if Yuu knew what the reason was the book would tell us,” Jamil tells him.
“Nya ha ha!” Grim laughs. “So what you’re saying is that I can become rich if I become a great mage!”
“I see the point flew over Grim-san’s head,” Azul says with a sigh.
That’s totally not what he was saying, Hayu thinks while they give Grim a blank look.
“Little Shirmpy thinks like Azul!” Floyd laughs.
Azul just sighs.
Meanwhile Jade thinks this arrangement isn’t so bad. After all, he rarely gets to see Azul and Floyd have so much fun.
Of course Grim doesn’t notice and points to the next statue. “Then how about the guy with the big hat?”
Jamil sits up straight while Kalim smiles bright.
The screen zooms into the Sorcerer of the Sands.
"A gaze full of consideration!" Rook adds.
“The Sorcerer of the Sands,” Ace says. “He was cunning vizier to a foolish sultan and saw through the fake prince who was actually a street rat trying to deceive the princess. Then he obtained a magic lamp and rose to become the most powerful sorcerer of all. With that power, they say, he became a sultan.”
“So it’s important for mages to be an excellent judge of character!” Grim comments. “Oh now that’s a pretty lady.”
“Huh, no comments from Yuu-kun about the Sorcerer of Sands?” Cater notes.
“Maybe there is nothing for them to talk about,” Jamil says with a somewhat smug smile.
“In other words, he is boring,” Leona adds.
The screen zooms into the Beautiful Queen.
Vil and Rook don’t sit up straight since they already have good posture but a part of them is curious to know what Hayu thinks off the Beautiful Queen. Epel sits up straighter.
“She is the queen said to be the fairest in the land,” Ace explains. “Everyday she would check the ‘beauty ranking’ through her magic mirror. And when it looked like she might fall from the number one spot, she never hesitated to do anything to get it back. I guess she had the strong will to remain the most beautiful in the world? So freaking amazing. They say she was even adept at making poisons.”
Again, what Ace says makes sense, but Hayu has a nagging feeling at the back of their mind.
Vil quietly frowns at that. He hopes whatever is that nagging feeling, they learn about it soon so they can argue about how wrong it is. Meanwhile Rook cautiously looks at him.
The idea of the Queen being adept in poisons seems to have frightened Grim. “She’s pretty,” he says with weary. “But… no thanks…”
“You think?” Ace says. “But it’s cool that she has something she’ll never give up.”
“Sure, that single-minded drive is pretty cool,” Grim agrees. “Over there, what’s with the guy on fire? His very appearance is terrifying.”
The screen closes up on the Lord of the Underworld.
The Shroud brothers sit up a little straighter.
“He’s the Lord of the Underworld!” Ace says. “He rules a land crawling with evil spirit on his own. No doubt he is extremely skilled. He may look scary, but he’s a man of integrity who accomplished that detestable job forced onto him without ever taking a break. Cerberus, the Hydra, and even the Titans, all fought in battle following his orders.”
The names seem familiar to Hayu for some reason.
That caught everyone’s attention.
“Could it be Yuu-san’s world have something named Cerberus, Hydra and Titans?” Ortho asks.
“What an intriguing story that would be to learn,” Malleus says with a small smile.
“Hmm, Hmm,” Grim nods along. “It’s important to remain down to earth despite being capable at what you do. And what about the last one with the horns.”
The screen gives a close up on the Fairy of Thorns.
The Diasomnia boys sit up straighter. Sebek has a smug smile and Silver realizes at this moment, that he has not fallen asleep once during the entire reading. Could this be a blessing of the room?
"A figure that exudes power!" Rook comments.
“That is the Fairy of Thorns from the Briar Valley,” Ace says. “Noble and elegant, even within the Seven. She is top class mage in magic and curse! She can create storms by manipulating thunderclouds and cover an entire country in thorns. My point is, her magic is on a whole other level. There was even a time she transformed into a huge dragon.”
“Ooh! A dragon!” Grim gushes. “All monsters look up to them!”
Hayu is still processing that dragons are real.
That sentence amuses Malleus. He wonders if he should turn into a dragon in front of Hayu to see their reaction.
Lilia notices and is glad to see Malleus is enjoying himself. Perhaps this situation might end up being a good thing for him.
But then again if merfolks are real, then a dragon being real shouldn’t be that shocking. Hayu tries to rationalize in their head.
“A very funny rationalization but whatever stops the boat sinking I guess,” Azul comments.
“They really are so cool,” Ace says. “Unlike a certain raccoon.” He adds a smirk at the end.
Riddle, Trey, Cater, Deuce, Jack, Epel, and Sebek all gives Ace a blank look.
“Really?” Deuce says to him.
“I haven’t said anything to them!” Ace says defensively.
“Yet…” Jack adds.
“And you won’t if you know what’s good for you!” Riddle says firmly.
“Yes, Dorm Leader,” Ace immediately says.
Ruggie sighs. He was hoping for a short chapter but ended up with one of the longer ones. He passes the book to Azul.
“Knowing Grim-san’s temperament next chapter is going to be very… interesting…” Azul comments before he starts reading.