Chapter Text
Things couldn't be better at Night Raven College.
Sure at first there were some Overblots...six, to be precised, hoping that would be the last one. Yet the students have showed time after time, that with working together, they could achieved great things.
...
Of course...they were not all that aware of that, as foolish as that may sound. They were Night Raven students after all, pride was, or actually should be, their first names. Power of love? Power of friendship?.
PUH-LEEZE.
Sure, they wouldn't deny they were friends (well, most of them), they have grown closer to each other, that is something they wouldn't deny. However, to accept that because of their friendship they've come to go through many problems and troublesome situations and putting an end to them...Nope, they were too prideful for that.
Tch, teenagers.
But recently, one event has been the talk of the town, and that's the Inter-School Spelldrive Tournament. Several magic schools will be participating, but only one was on the mind of every Night Raven student.
Royal Sword Academy.
The school full of, as some students say, pompous delicate little princelings.
Night Raven has lost to them for many MANY years, so of course the students would be anxious, nervous, yet with that Night Raven will of...well, wanting to kick some goody-goody butts, and prove this generation has what it needs to achive victory after so many years.
...
Little do they know, that they won't have much time to think about all that because of the accident that is about to happen, and will drag most of the students of Night Raven College into yet ANOTHER troublesome adventure.
Poor students, never having a break. Not like there are many "normal" days once you're in Night Raven College...or with them.
And, well, we have to go to our usual two troublemakers, don't we?.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Walking down the Main Street, were Ace Trappola and Deuce Spade, though...they were not feeling very well, and all because of the news they received this morning.
There was a chance for Yuu to go back to their world.
Are they happy for Yuu? Of course they are!. What kind of friends would they be if they weren't happy for their friend who finally has a way to return to the world they belong, and obviously go back with their family.
However...of course, they just couldn't help themselves but feel...a little sad.
And there was no problem with them feeling that way. It is totally understandable.
Yuu had become...a special person, and not only for them. Yuu had achieved to go through magical disasters just like them, but without an ounce of magic. It was hard to say it, but Yuu had brought them all together and to be closer and good friends.
Specially Ace and Deuce they lived until now many adventures and problems with Yuu, some more dangerous than others but...hell they sure would never forget them, and in a good way, that is.
And to have to say goodbye to Yuu...made mixed feelings to bubble inside them. But they would not beg Yuu to stay. That was out of discussion.
Ace had his hands on his pockets while looking down, kicking a pebble that was on the way.
"So...Yuu is really going home...huh?."
He didn't really wait for Deuce to answer; the answer was obvious after all.
"...Damm."
The redhead really didn't like feeling this way, down, but happy for Yuu. He had said he wished Yuu would get what he wanted, and that he would even help them.
...
He never thought it would be now. Or rather, he didn't know how it would actually feel when that moment happens...like right now.
"Yeah...The Headmage said that he might have actually found a way to return Yuu to their world." Deuce was making memory of what he saw and heard, specially from Yuu and Grim, who was more gloomy than Ace and himself.
"Yuu was becoming worried of the time spended here...and surely their family might not just think that they're lost but..."
The bluehaired took a breath, shuddering a little.
"...worse. Yuu complained so much to the Headmage that...well, it seems ONLY then did the Headmage remember a...ritual...or was it a specific spell...?." Deuce scratched the back of his neck, trying to remember. Housewarden Riddle would surely have recounted it verbatim; it's a shame he's not here now.
Ace clicked his tongue, though his gaze softened...barely.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it." He raised both his hands, as if he was being accused of something, like not feeling glad Yuu now might have found a way back. "Sure I would be...worried and scared as hell if...I don't know, my brother just dissapears out of nowhere and is not seen for months. Okay, I get that. I'm not about to ask Yuu to stay, it's their choice, not mine."
He huffed, running a hand through his hair, as if that somehow might help him find the right words to express himself, or cool down his frustration at not knowing how to properly do it without sounding like a jerk.
Joking is the way Ace tends to use to cope with things after all.
"I just...feel like it's...eeemmm..." He looked away, frowning as he thought of the word, only for Deuce to try and help him complete what he might be wanting to say.
"Happening so soon?." He offered with a half smile, understanding the feeling of many emotions clouding one's choice of words.
The other Heartslabyul student let out a half-hearted chuckle, getting closer and closer to the Main Building.
"Well, yeah. And...mean, we are TOTALLY not the only ones feeling like this. You saw Grim, right? That furball's tears could compete Housewarden Kalim's Unique Magic." He couldn't help but joke about it, yet it wasn't much of a lie. If there was someone who was the most attached to Yuu, it was indeed, Grim.
Deuce looked up at the sky, with a fond smile as he recalled the reaction of the cat monster at the news of Yuu probably being already able to return to their world.
"He really cried his tears out...making a fuss about it." He looked ahead again, as they walked up the stairs. "Luckily, Trey-senpai and Lilia-senpai explained it to him. It's...just for the best."
And that's what they keep repeating to themselves. That it is just for the best. They weren't all that cruel to deny Yuu the possibility or chance to return home, sure they wouldn't doubt if it were them. Deuce was sure of it, being in a different world far away from his mom without of an known possibility to return...he wouldn't stand it.
"...Yuu is...really strong." His voice softened, as he keep thinking about it, and their steps slowled down some. "Not having magic...nor knowledge about it...yet they still managed to go through many problematic situations...some even dangerous. Without having much themselves... they did many wonderful things, didn't they?."
Ace stayed silent for a moment, causing the bluehaired student to gaze at him, raising an eyebrow.
"Ace...?."
"...Heh."
He bumped his shoulder against Deuce's, with a new smirk and playful yet proud look in his eyes.
"And you noticed that JUST now? Damm, you really can be slow, Deucey juicey."
"He-Hey! It's not like I JUST noticed it, okay!? I'm just admitting it!." He fisted his hands, not yo fight, but out of habit. "At least I have the courage to say it, unlike a certain explodey-head person." He said with a grin, crossing his arms smugy.
The redhead's eyebrows twitched at that nickname. "HAAHH!? Who do you think you're calling a explodey-head!?." He smirked, hands on his hips as he gave a snarky smirk. "Are you sure you're not just spending too much time with Grim? The only thing missing is for you to spit out furballs like him!."
The "HAAAAAHHHH!??" of Deuce that followed next was heard a few halls away, once they entered the building.
And there they were, bickering all the way towards the Mirror Chamber, throwing insults or defensive answeres...one was worse than the last, and so on.
Until they got too close to the Mirror Chamber, and before they could set a foot inside, they were met with a redhead and a firm and already annoyed voice.
"Are you two looking to be off with your heads?."
Both Heartslabyul students flinched and gave a tiny jump.
"Ack! Teapot Tyrant!."
Riddle Rosehearts, Housewarden of Heartslabyul Dorm, was standing there in the Night Raven uniform...less than happy with the recent bickering that could be heard before.
The smaller student frown's deepned, and stared at Ace.
"Specially you...Ace."
The named one almost choked on air, trying to save his ass...or rather, his head.
"Ah-! H-Housewarden...! What...uh...Wait, what are you doing here?." He asked as he rubbed his neck, genuinely curious and...hoping that was enough of a change of topic.
Riddle huffed, straightening his uniform as he explained with a slightly little proud smile on his lips.
"Well, as we know, the Headmage said that he might have found a way for Yuu to return to their world." His tone became a little bit more serious. "However, not only the Dark Mirror shall be of used for this."
Both Heartslabyul freshmen tilted their heads.
Deuce crossed his arms, one hand against his cheek as he asked. "The Dark Mirror alone isn't enough...? But, how is that possible? And...how are we supposed to help Yuu return home?."
Another voiced joined in the conversation at the entry of the Mirror Chamber. Kinda more brotherly.
"According to what the Headmage was able to explain to us, that is were we take action, Ace, Deuce." He adjusted his glasses as he gave a gentle nod to both first years.
"Woah! Trey-senpai, you're here too!? I thought– Ack!."
A flash of a camera made Ace flinch and close his eyes briefly, as Deuce looked at where it came from.
"Cater-senpai, and you too?."
The diamond just chuckled as he waved at them, phone obviously in hand.
"Well, of course it's me!. What's more shining than a diamond, Deucey?~."
Ace briefly rubbed his eyes, grumbling some.
"Oi, can't you be more careful with the flash? Being blind is NOT on my wish list!."
Cater just hung his arms around both first years with a cheerful smile. "Oh my, apologies, Acey! But, now to answer your little question, i'm not the only one here. Nor Trey or Riddle-kun."
Ace and Deuce glanced at each other, curious, then asked at the same time. "You're not?."
Trey smiled some, hands on his pockets. "No, we are definitively not. And we should probably go in, the others will not be too exicited about waiting, since you two were the ones we've been waiting for. So now it should be all of us."
Riddle huffed softly, and turned around, already walking. "You're lucky this is a special ocassion, otherwise you'll be doing chores at Heartslabyul."
"Uhm..."
Ace was interrupted when both juniors started to gently but insistingly pushing them forward.
"Now, now, let's get in! You'll have all your cute answers once you do Adeuce!."
"DON'T CALL US THAT!."
Diamond couldn't just help but chuckle a "Sorry~."
Once inside, they were greeted with the surprise of...almost EVERYONE being there.
The seven Housewardens, Vices, and Epel, Jack, Floyd, Silver and Sebek.
Oh, yeah, right, and the Headmage.
Ace’s jaw nearly dropped.
“…Okay, what kind of meeting is this?”
It wasn’t every day you walked into the Mirror Chamber and found almost every notable student in Night Raven College gathered in one place.
Housewardens, vice housewardens, and several others—each standing in their respective groups, murmuring, arms crossed, or simply watching the Dark Mirror in silence.
The air itself felt…heavy.
Not tense in the usual competitive way.
No—this was different.
“…What’s with the atmosphere?” Ace muttered under his breath.
Deuce nodded slightly, looking around at the familiar faces. “It feels…strange.”
“Ah, you’ve finally arrived.” The familiar voice of the Headmage, stepping forward with an unusual lack of theatrics, took them out of their own thoughts. For once, he wasn’t smiling as widely as he usually did. “Now that everyone is here, we may proceed.”
A low murmur spread across the room.
Grim, was there too—standing closer to the front than usual, arms crossed, ears twitching, tail flicking irritably.
“…Took ya long enough." He grumbled, though his voice lacked its usual bite.
Ace frowned. Not annoyed, but with slight concern at noticing the change.
*He looks worse than this morning.*
The Headmage cleared his throat, bringing the attention back to him.
“As I have informed some of you earlier, there is a possibility—a real one—to return our dear and magicless prefect to their original world. The reason the Prefect is not here at the moment, is because I told them to take the day off at Tarry Town...cause once they return they– hopefuly, will have already a way home, as a surprise. Oh, how gracious I am!."
That immediately stirred reactions.
Some hopeful.
Some relieved.
Some…not.
Ace felt his chest tighten, just slightly.
“…However,” the Headmage continued, raising a finger, “the situation is not as simple as merely activating the Dark Mirror.”
That got everyone’s attention.
“The distance between this world and the Prefect’s original one is…extraordinary. Far beyond what the Mirror was designed to handle on its own.”
Deuce blinked. “So…it can’t do it?." Though he remembered what Riddle told them before entering the Mirror Chamber.
“Oh, it *can*.” the Headmage replied smoothly. “But not without...well, certain magical assistance.”
Silence fell. Everyone glancing at each other.
Then—
“You want us to help.” Riddle said, straight to the point, arms crossed. It was hard to come to that conclusion after all.
The Headmage nodded. “Precisely, Mr. Rosehearts. By channeling your magic into the Dark Mirror, we can amplify its power enough to reach the Prefect’s world.”
A pause.
It sounded simple.
Too simple.
“…And that’s safe?” Jack asked, arms crossed, tail swishing.
“…It should be.” the Headmage answered with a smile... not all that convicing, but insistent on making them believe it is.
That hesitation did not go unnoticed.
Floyd let out a low chuckle, leaning on a slightly tense Azul. “Heh~ Sounds fun. Might explode though.”
“Floyd, this is not a game,” Azul snapped, though even he looked uneasy, pushing up his glasses with his fingers.
From the side, a quiet voice spoke.
“…We’re really sending them away.”
Silver.
Soft. Almost distant.
That was when it became clear.
This wasn’t just a ritual.
It was a goodbye.
Grim’s tail lashed harder.
“…Tch. It’s what they wanted, right?” He muttered, though he refused to look at anyone, not wanting to admit his eyes were already tearing up a little. “So let’s just get it over with.”
But his ears were lowered.
Malleus, standing apart from the others, said nothing.
Yet the shadows around him seemed just a little…deeper.
The Headmage clapped his hands once.
“Well then! Everyone, take your positions around the Mirror. Raise your wand, prepare your magic, and when I give the signal—channel it forward.”
The students hesitated for only a moment before moving. Yuu was their friend...and they will help Yuu just like Yuu helped them before too.
One by one, they formed a circle around the Dark Mirror.
Wands raised.
Magic gathering.
Ace swallowed.
“…This feels kinda serious for something that’s supposed to be a happy ending.”
Deuce didn’t answer.
Because he felt it too.
Something was…off.
“Now!” the Headmage called.
Magic surged.
Light—different colors, different intensities—flowed from every wand, converging into the Dark Mirror.
At first, it worked perfectly.
The Mirror shimmered.
Its surface rippled like liquid.
A distorted image began to form—
Not Night Raven College.
Not Twisted Wonderland.
Something else.
Far away.
They didn't need to know what or how was Yuu's world, they just needed to wish and imagine Yuu being able to return. The Dark Mirror should use their magic as a push to go beyond their own world to find Yuu's home, world, or dimension.
“…It’s working…” Deuce whispered.
And then—
It wavered.
Just for a second.
A flicker.
The magic stuttered.
“…Huh?” Ace frowned. “Did you see that—”
The Mirror pulsed.
Once.
Twice.
Then violently.
“Maintain focus!” the Headmage ordered.
But it was already slipping.
Because magic wasn’t the only thing being poured into the spell.
Doubt.
Hesitation.
Reluctance.
Fear.
Grim’s ears slowly fell back, tail trying really hard to stay still as he also tried to focus.
“…Don’t mess this up…” he muttered—but whether it was to himself or the others, even he didn’t know.
A crack of energy split across the Mirror’s surface.
Malleus’s magic flared—too strong, too unstable.
The balance shattered.
“Wait—something’s wrong!” Deuce shouted, looking over at Epel who had a face that said very clear he was also not seeing this ending well.
“Don’t stop!” the Headmage snapped. “If you release now—!”
Too late.
The Mirror surged.
Not outward—
But inward.
“…Why can’t I—?!” Ace tried to pull his hand with his wand back.
He couldn’t.
None of them could.
Their wands were stuck. As if the magic was something sort of really weird glue, or even a chain that didn't let their hands let go of their wands, or the wands to stop directing their magic to the Dark Mirror.
Magic spiraled back toward them, wrapping around their arms, their bodies, forearms, shoulders, torso, down to their legs and up to their heads–
Pulling.
Harder.
“What the hell is this?!” Ruggie yelled, trying to shook it off of him.
The chamber shook.
Light twisted into darkness.
And the Mirror—
Opened.
“Mnya! YUU—!” Grim cried out—
—but the world swallowed his voice.
And then—
Everything was gone.
And Yuu, who was having a actually good time for themselves in Tarry Town, without a worry...will have a very poor Crowley's explanation upon returning to Night Raven, of how his friends were...taken to an unknown place by the Dark Mirror.
Meanwhile, the students of Night Raven College continued to fall into the unknown—
Unaware of the dark, dangerous, and unforgiving world that awaited them…the moment they opened their eyes again.