Chapter Text
It was lunchtime for the students of KADE Academy. As usual, they were free to sit wherever they pleased, though most crowded into the dining hall.
At the same time—
CHUNK
“Ugh…”
Rev Vennett—the revenant—lifted a stabbed slice of roasted beef to his mouth and chewed.
“Guh…” he groaned.
“Do you have to make so much noise while eating?” a voice snapped.
He raised his head. Bella Donna—the young witch—came into view immediately, brows furrowed in clear annoyance.
“If you don’t want to eat that, I will,” another voice said from his left, flat and monotone.
Rev turned his head to Sera Phim—his guardian angel (without consent). With a sigh, he pushed his plate toward her.
“Thanks,” Sera said, immediately digging into his lunch.
“God…"
“Rev, you’ve been groaning since we sat down,” Bella said, arching an eyebrow. “Is something the matter?”
“Everything is,” he replied dryly.
“Rev.”
He sighed again before meeting her eyes. “I can’t do anything in this god-forsaken school.”
“You mean causing chaos?” she asked. “How come?”
“Professor Lovecraft said he’ll deduct my credits if I don’t stay put until the upcoming exams.”
“That’s odd,” Bella said. “I thought you were the type to not listen to anyone.”
“Shut up.”
Bella laughed. “Well, isn’t this a good thing? The school might actually stay in proper shape for once.”
“For Kincaid, maybe,” he muttered under his breath.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
Bella set down her cutlery before continuing. “Look on the bright side, Rev. Maybe now you can find something else to do.”
“Like what?”
“Well, the school’s hosting a talent show in a month. Maybe you could—”
“No thanks.”
“—eh?”
Rev tilted his head, counting on his fingers. “It’s a waste of time, a waste of energy, and I’d have to be presentable on stage. There’s no way I’m doing that.”
“To top it off,” he leaned forward over the table, “I don’t have any talents to show off.”
“You have a talent for wreaking havoc,” Sera cut in.
“Shut up, Sera.”
“W–well, I was thinking,” Bella stammered, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, “maybe we could—”
“GUYS, I HAVE THE MOST AMAZING IDEA EVER!!!”
Rev winced at the sudden shout, whipping his head toward the source. “GOD—Mark, can you not yell in people’s ears?!”
Mark Dracula—the vampire—scratched the back of his head, grinning sheepishly. “Sorry, buddy. Just a little too excited.”
He glanced between Rev and Bella. “Uh… was I interrupting something?”
Both of their faces flushed—Bella a deep crimson, Rev a faint shade of navy.
“NO!!!” they shouted in unison.
Mark laughed, a knowing smile spreading across his face.
“What’s up, Mark?” Sera asked, dabbing her mouth with a handkerchief.
Without warning, Mark slammed a piece of paper onto the lunch table, making everyone jump. “Look what I’ve got!”
The three of them leaned in for a closer look, only to find—
“KADE’s Talent Show,” Rev read aloud.
“Huh,” Bella said. “We were just talking about that.”
“Really?” Mark’s eyes lit up. “Well, like I said—I have the most AMAZING idea for us.”
Rev furrowed his brow. “Mark, don’t even—mmhf?!”
Bella shot her hands forward, clamping them over Rev’s mouth with a smirk. “Please continue, Mark.”
Mark beamed. “Gladly! Hear me out—what if—”
Rev’s eyes widened.
“—the four of us—”
His expression darkened.
“—do a band performance?!”
Oh no.
Just as Rev opened his mouth to yell, “NO—”
“Faxilentium.”
“—Mmhf?!”
Rev froze. His lips felt sealed tight. He shot daggers at Bella, his glare screaming, Let me speak!
Bella giggled, shaking her head. “I’ve been meaning to try that spell.”
“It’s very effective,” Sera nodded, glancing at Rev—who immediately began waving his hands wildly for help.
“Continue, Mark,” Bella said with a pleasant smile.
Rev’s face darkened further.
Mark, on the other hand, practically sparkled with excitement.
“Imagine this—KADE’s student body down below, shivering with anticipation. They’ve seen the talent show before, but this time…”
He spread his arms wide. “Boom! Spotlights hit the stage, shining down on—you guessed it—us as a band! And then we perform—so brilliantly that the entire auditorium echoes with applause!”
“Th—that’s good, Mark,” Bella said carefully, “but maybe… tone it down a little?”
“Huh?” Mark blinked and looked around.
Somehow, he was standing on the table.
Students nearby were already staring, whispering among themselves.
His face flushed. He quickly hopped down and slid back into his seat, lowering his voice. “Sorry!”
“Nonetheless,” Bella continued, “it’s not a bad idea. I think we could pull it off.” She turned to her right. “What do you think, Sera?”
Sera shrugged. “I don’t mind.”
“And you, Rev?” Bella turned back to him, her tone teasing. “What do you think?”
“Mmhf-mhfm.”
(Absolutely not.)
Bella smiled sweetly and turned to Mark. “I think he agrees.”
“MMHF—MMMFH MMFHH-MMFHHHF!!!”
(DON’T MIX UP MY WORDS!!!)
“Aww, thanks, buddy!” Mark threw his arms around Rev, much to his despair. “You’ve never agreed to my ideas this fast!”
“MMHF-MMFH MHFHF MHFFF!!!”
(I DID NOT AGREE AT ALL!!!)
At that exact moment, the bell screamed through the hall.
“Well, would you look at that,” Bella said as she stood. “I’ll head to my next class. Let’s discuss this more later, okay?”
And just like that, she hurried off.
“I’ve got extra classes with Lovecraft,” Sera added, standing as well. “Catch you guys later.”
“Bye, Sera!” Mark waved. “We’ve got Undead 101, right, Rev? Let’s hurry before Dr. Frankenstein gets mad.”
He grabbed Rev’s hand and dragged him out of the dining hall.
“Mmhf-mmfh-mmhf…”
(This is going to be a disaster…)
“I know, man!” Mark grinned. “I’m excited too!”
“MMHF-MMHF-MMFH!!!”
(THAT’S NOT WHAT I SAID!!!)
The academic session had just ended, and the group had decided to meet up at the school’s courtyard.
All of them were looking forward to the discussion—
—well, except for one.
“Psst, Bella,” Mark whispered.
“Hm?” Bella lifted her head. “What is it?”
“I’m not sure Rev is excited anymore…”
A smirk tugged at Bella’s lips. “Oh, he’s excited. Trust me.”
“Well, it’s just that…” Mark scratched the back of his head. “I know he’s always grumpy, but… he looks way angrier than usual.”
The two glanced at Rev, whose face was flushed a deep shade of navy. Beside him, Sera fanned him calmly, as if that would somehow help.
“Oh.”
“Oh?” Mark turned to Bella.
“I might’ve forgotten to undo the silencing spell,” Bella admitted nervously. “Don’t worry—it’ll be quick.”
With a flick of her hand, the spell broke.
Rev gasped, lips finally moving again. He looked up slowly, eyes locking onto Bella.
“I hate you.”
“C’mon, Rev,” Bella said with a smile. “You don’t mean that.”
“I think I do, actually,” Rev grumbled. “That was the most horrible class session I’ve ever had—”
“I think it was the quietest the school’s ever been,” Sera said.
“Rev included!” Mark added.
“—and I do not agree to this idea. At. All.”
“C’mon, Rev,” Bella said gently. “Wouldn’t it be fun to try something new?”
“No.”
“Ouch.”
“So I’ll be leaving now.” Rev stood, already turning away. “Whatever you guys are planning, I won’t be taking part in—”
Warmth closed around his hand.
“What?”
He looked down to see Bella holding him back. He was about to pull away when—
“C’mon, Rev,” she said softly. “Won’t you do it?”
She looked up, unleashing her ultimate weapon.
Puppy eyes.
“Guh—I said I won’t—”
“Not for us, Rev?”
“…Stop that.”
“Not even for me?”
“I SAID STOP IT!”
“Darn,” Bella pouted, releasing him and crossing her arms. “No effect.”
“Fine,” she snapped. “Walk away, then. It’s not like we need you to make a band. We can always find someone else.”
Rev froze.
He hadn’t expected that.
Still, his jaw clenched. “FINE!!! You guys can go off with this band—thing—and I’ll do my own thing. This is stupid anyway!”
“Wait, Rev—” Mark stood up.
Too late.
Rev was already gone.
Sera rose from her seat. “I’ll go after him. You guys can continue the discus—”
“Leave him, Sera.”
Sera turned, startled. “…Are you sure?”
“Like I said, we don’t need him.” Bella wiped at her eyes quickly. “It was my fault anyway—for… forcing him.”
Mark hesitated before speaking. “M-maybe he just needs time. Let’s give him some space and talk to him later, okay?”
An awkward silence settled between them.
“I… I’m gonna go,” Bella said quietly. “I’ve got... stuff to do.”
Mark and Sera watched as she walked away, shoulders slumped.
“Those two really need to talk things out,” Sera muttered.
“For once, Sera,” Mark said, “you sound frighteningly emotionally aware.”
Unbeknownst to them, a pair of tired gray eyes—and ears—had been paying close attention to their every word.
“Stupid idea. Stupid talent show. Stupid—”
Rev stormed through the hallways, muttering under his breath.
“If Mark wants to do it, fine, pop off. Don’t drag me into it. Now look what happened. Stupid Bella—”
“Mr. Vennett.”
Rev halted mid-step.
He recognized that voice instantly.
Slowly, he turned around.
“Lovecraft,” he clicked his tongue. “What do you want with me now?"
Professor Lovecraft studied him for a moment before turning away. “Please, follow me to my office.”
Rev sighed sharply. Just what is it this time?
The walk there was silent. Once inside, Lovecraft gestured to a chair.
“Please, have a seat.”
Reluctantly, Rev did. “So? What do you want?”
Lovecraft tilted his head slightly. “You haven’t been involved in any mischief lately, have you?”
“I can promise you I haven’t,” Rev replied flatly. “You’re the one who threatened me not to.”
“That’s good,” Lovecraft nodded. “Still, you seem to be in quite the mood.”
“Oh, geez,” Rev rolled his eyes. “Thanks for noticing. As if this isn’t my default.”
“…Do you want to talk about it?”
“…”
“A dispute among friends?”
Rev looked up sharply. “How did you—”
“Miss Donna came to see me earlier.”
“…Figured.” Rev leaned back, crossing his arms. “What now? You’re going to convince me to join their band?”
He scoffed and looked away. “Don’t waste your breath. I’m not joining.”
Lovecraft didn’t respond. Instead, he removed his glasses and leaned back in his chair.
“Do you remember the Dance last year, Mr. Vennett?”
Rev kept his gaze lowered, staring at the table. “The night Wendy released the Void Entity, you got trapped in the Void, and I nearly died?” He exhaled. “Yes, Lovecraft. I remember it very clearly.”
Lovecraft chuckled softly. “Setting aside the… less pleasant details—do you remember our conversation that night?”
“…What about it?”
“What made you attend the Dance in the first place?”
Rev’s brows knit together—then his eyes widened.
He looked up.
Lovecraft smiled gently. “It wouldn’t hurt to steal another piece of humanity again, Rev.”
Silence.
Rev looked down, sorting through the mess in his head. After a moment, he spoke.
“I’m still not going.”
Lovecraft nodded, unsurprised. He stood, slipped his glasses back on, and headed for the door.
Just before leaving, he added, “I’m not forcing you, Mr. Vennett. In the end, the choice is yours.”
The door closed.
Rev slumped back into his chair and sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
When he opened his eyes—
“…Right. I’m going insane again.”
—his conscience stared back at him.
Bella.
Pseudo-Bella covered her mouth. “Aww. You feel bad for us, don’t you?”
Rev groaned. “Why is this version of you worse than the real one?”
“I’m just what’s in your head,” she shrugged. “That’s on you.”
Silence settled.
“It’s a stupid idea,” Rev muttered.
“You thought the Dance was stupid too,” Pseudo-Bella tilted her head. “And you still went.”
“So what?” Rev snapped. “It was a one-time thing. It’s not going to happen agai—”
“But you enjoyed it,” she cut in.
Rev fell silent.
“Despite all your complaining,” Pseudo-Bella smiled softly, “you enjoyed it. Even though it was unfamiliar. Even though it was unknown to you.”
Rev looked away.
Then he dragged a hand through his hair, rubbing his scalp in frustration. Finally, he stood and turned toward the door.
“Just so you know,” he said, “I’m doing this because you’re annoying. Not because I want to.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Pseudo-Bella smiled. “If that's what you want to thnk."
Rev left Lovecraft’s office, moving fast—his steps already carrying him toward a very specific destination.
Three days had passed since the argument between Bella and Rev.
And Bella Donna was upset.
Was it at Rev Vennett? Maybe. If he didn’t want to join, he could’ve turned the offer down nicely. Though, Bella should’ve known better—nice was nowhere in Rev’s vocabulary.
Or maybe she was upset at herself.
No—more like disappointed.
After all, she was the one who dragged him into doing something he never wanted to do.
Still… she’d only done it because she wanted to spend more time with him. With everyone.
Bella shook her head sharply. There was no point dwelling on it now.
Ever since that argument, she’d avoided every possible interaction with Rev. She skipped their usual lunch spot, rerouted her walks, dodged every chance of running into him with ease.
Tonight was their first practice session.
Mark had gone out of his way to get permission from the Headmistress to use the Music Room after hours—even though he’d admitted he was terrified of her. Sera had also mentioned she’d found a replacement for Rev.
Which was good.
It was.
Still… it would’ve been nice if it were him—
Bella shook her head again. Enough. Stop thinking about him, you idiot.
She looked up and realized she was already standing in front of the Music Room. Sound drifted from inside—they’d started without her.
Taking a breath, she composed herself, reached for the handle, and stepped inside—
“That’s not how you hold a bass!”
—only for her composure to shatter instantly.
Rev was there.
Standing in the middle of the room, a bass slung over Sera’s shoulder as he barked instructions at her. Mark sat behind the drum kit, tapping around experimentally.
“You have to hold it like this,” Rev insisted, adjusting Sera’s hands.
Sera raised an eyebrow. “What difference does it make? As long as I can play it, there shouldn’t be an issue.”
“I—” Rev stopped himself, pinching the bridge of his nose. “…You know what? Suit yourself. Mark, how are the drums?”
Mark played a simple beat, then grinned. “All set and ready to go!”
That was when he noticed her.
“Oh,” Mark said brightly. “Looks like someone just arrived!”
Bella snapped out of her daze. Her pink-and-blue eyes met Rev’s gray ones.
She looked away first. “…I didn’t think you’d be here.”
Rev shrugged. “Me neither. I should be back at the dorm. But here I am.”
Silence settled between them.
Sera elbowed Rev in the side.
He glared. “What?”
She raised an eyebrow.
He groaned.
Bella’s mind raced. Why is he here? Didn’t he refuse? Why now—
A microphone was suddenly shoved into her hands.
She blinked, startled.
Rev tilted his head. “We’re starting practice, right? I’m not holding this forever.”
Bella stared at him—then laughed softly.
No guilt. No awkward apology. That was just Rev.
“You’re an idiot,” she said, taking the microphone.
Rev smirked. “Where did that come from?”
BA-DUM TSS
A crash of drums and cymbals made them both jump. Mark beamed behind the kit.
“Finally,” he said. “You two made up.”
“Whoop whoop,” Sera added flatly. “Go team RevBella.”
“SHUT UP!!!” they yelled in unison.
Mark and Sera burst out laughing, and for the first time that night, the tension eased.
“Psst, Bella.”
“Hm?” She glanced at Mark.
“You know,” he whispered, “Rev’s the one who came to me and set all of this up.”
She froze. “E–everything?”
Mark nodded. “He went all out. Threatened—uh, borrowed—the instruments from the Music Club. We’re only here because of him.”
Bella turned.
Rev was busy tuning his electric guitar—brows furrowed, expression permanently annoyed.
And yet—
—he was here.
A soft smile touched her lips.
She walked over.
“Bella?” Rev looked up. “You need something—WHA?!”
She ruffled his already messy hair into something even worse.
“Thanks, Rev.”
He stared at her, eyebrow raised. “What’s with you today? You’re acting weird.”
She turned and walked away, humming lightly.
“Who knows?"
This is going to be fun.