The next day, luckily, was Saturday. And Yuu woke up feeling like he wanted to die. He was nauseous and his head hurt. A lot. Grim was energetic and kept on pressing Yuu to do activities together. They were supposed to spend the day practicing sports and studying. He dreaded the idea.

His companion started to play with the little black dragon and it gleamed and made odd sounds. Grim commented on something weird but then returned to Yuu's side with a small vial. It smelt of herbs. There was a small handwritten note attached. The calligraphy was beautiful, like the one from the Happy Holidays card the boy had received.

''Child of Man:

Lilia made me return in the middle of the night and give you this. Drink small sips and don't eat the leaves.

I brewed it myself and made sure it was safe for humans. I have good grades in class, so you won't have to worry. I know humans are delicate.

It's for the hangover.

I wish you a good recovery''

So, that was it. Yuu's first hangover ever.

Grim looked at the note. He then looked at Yuu. Back to the note. Then to Yuu.

''Yuu, you went out to drink with him? And none invited me?''

''It's not like I expected him. And he has a way to look at me… it was like Jamil, when he got me inside Scarabia''

His companion still looked serious. But his answer was surprisingly understanding.

''Yuu, are you saying that horned dude is trying to hypnotize you? Well… it makes sense. There is this subtle magical atmosphere around him when you are close to him…''

He looked deep in thought.

''Grim'' Yuu grunted

''Yes?''

''Grim''

''Just be out with it!''

''Grim, why did you never tell me?''

''He shuts it down when I notice it. I wasn't sure''

A single neuron. A single neuron.

A SINGLE NEURON.

''Grim''

''What do you want now?''

''The next time he does it, you have all my permission to annoy him all you want''

''Me? What are you saying, Yuu? That's mean of you''

''Just bother him. Make him stop when he does it again''

And before he knew it, Yuu had drifted to sleep. He woke up again, feeling worse than ever, and took a few sips of the vial. It had a strong smell, like herbal tea.

Grim came after gym class. Professor Vargas had asked about Yuu, but didn't say a thing when he explained Yuu was with a hangover. It almost sounded as if he didn't believe Grim.

And his companion wasn't alone. Ace and Deuce were with him. Sometimes, the boys would leave gym class and go straight to Ramshackle dorm, shower there to save time, have lunch together and then spend the afternoon playing around and studying.

Ace and Deuce were worried. Malleus Draconia wasn't to be trusted! How could Yuu be so naïve? And drinking alcohol was forbidden inside the college!

Ace was mad but was the first to go shower with Grim. Deuce seemed more patient but told Yuu to be careful. When he behaved like a delinquent in the past, Deuce tried drinking a few times and it was awful. Hangovers are the worst. The boy also told Yuu to be careful with alcoholic beverages offered by strangers: while the prince of the Valley of Thorns was weird, there was a difference between being too trusting and outright stupid.

And Yuu had to agree with him.

Deuce could have good common sense when he wanted.

He accompanied Yuu to shower after Ace and Grim returned. To Yuu's peace, Grim only spoke about the accident to the professor and his two friends. No one else knew. That way, Yuu could avoid problems.

The boy kept taking sips from the vial as he went for lunch with his friends. He ate light food, potatoes, and chicken with lemon. The boy knew lemon cleans the liver or something like that, even if he didn't remember where he learned it. After lunch, they spent the afternoon studying. To Yuu's relief, he didn't forget the lessons and was capable of recalling information for the questions.

And so, they spent the afternoon and part of the night that way. They went to have supper inside the castle and Deuce and Ace eventually had to return to Heartslabyul.

Yuu, like many times before, found himself wondering what would it be like to live in Heartslabyul with his friends. It's not that he didn't like his life in Ramshackle, the boy truly started to see the place as his house a long time ago. But at the same time, he couldn't help but feel a small sting of envy when he saw Ace and Deuce talking about their dormitory life. The people, the anecdotes, the inner jokes. The routine, the sense of familiarity, Trey's desserts.

Sometimes, life with three ghosts and a raccoon-cat-whatever monster was lonely.

Yuu tried to shake those thoughts out of his head. He was feeling a little sad lately, but the boy knew he couldn't let it go above his head.

It was normal for Ace and Deuce to talk with people from their dorm and make friends. And Yuu was aware that life under Riddle's domain could be hard and strict.

In a sense, the boy knew he was privileged. They had a building of his own. They didn't have to share, and, while the ghosts were unhappy at first, all parts managed to reach a peaceful home life together.

It's just that sometimes, a little bit of bustle wouldn't be out of place.

His next meeting with Malleus was on a random Wednesday night. And just like in previous times, Yuu was thinking about his house and his people. But he wasn't wistful, it was a practical memory, like seeing a picture and receiving glimpses of past events connected to it. Without feelings, just the fast association of ideas.

Malleus manifested out of the floating tiny lights and politely greeted the boy, keeping his usual formal distance.

His frigidity of manners was a huge contrast to the usual behaviors of… the majority of the student body.

But at the same time, there was a sort of peace around Malleus that Yuu couldn't explain. It was a calmness the boy also had felt during their first encounters. His shoulders relaxed before he knew it and a small smile crept to his lips.

It was a Déjà Vu.

They greeted each other and Yuu invited him to go inside and have something warm. Malleus politely rejected the invitation and stated that he preferred the cold.

And Yuu didn't doubt it was the truth.

It felt like their first meetings together, when Yuu was unaware of Malleus' identity. Those days suddenly felt simpler, even if the boy couldn't understand why. He felt a pang of longing.

Malleus then made a comment about the weather and the appearance of the trees around them. They looked dark and thick in the night.

Yuu joked that with more trees, they could have a nice creepy wood, like those of northern France. He then stopped talking. Malleus looked at him with open eyes.

''Child of Man, you don't cease to surprise me. Were there Celtic peoples in your world?''

''The truth is that our conversations made me want to visit the library and read about the mythologies of Twisted Wonderland, and some gods are the same of my world''

It was a little bit harder than that since, while there were analogous cultural elements between those of Yuu's world and Twisted Wonderland, the countries didn't have the same names and the national limits terribly different, but those were details Yuu didn't feel like talking about. Nope, not at all.

''That's good. And what did you learn?''

''I'm surprised to see people here worshipped Cernunnos, too. My grandfather would tell me stuff about that. He was very superstitious''

Oh, Crap

But his visitor only stared at him. If he felt offended, Malleus never showed it.

''The Horned God who protected animals and forests. He'd wear a torc and be associated with fertility and commerce''

His tone of voice was formal and regal.

''Though, his horns are different than mine. He had antlers. Mine are those of a… no, nevermind''

''Of a dragon, Tsunotaro?''

He opened his eyes.

''Your surname says it''

''Did you research about me, too?''

Yuu stared at him.

''And why would I do that? I wanted to learn more about mythologies''

You are just a chuunibyou on his edgy phase, wandering alone at night.

Yuu could swear the horned guy looked rather disappointed. But Malleus eventually took the control of the conversation. He explained to Yuu that aside from a Horned God there was a Horned King*, too. The Horned King commanded over Gwythaints, noble creatures (according to him, even if Yuu didn't understand the word), clever and loyal ones. The Horned King ruled over his people and was both respected and feared, carrying himself with elegance and poise.

The boy listened to Malleus' words about the Horned King. The prince went on talking, until late hours. When the boy started to yawn, his visitor stopped and apologized. He was about to turn around to leave (Yuu didn't need words to understand it) but stopped mid-movement.

His green eyes glinted with mischief. And something else.

''Child of Man?''

''Yes, Tsunotarou?''

''Have you ever traveled out of the campus?''

''I really can't''

''I mean'' he said ''would to like to travel outside? Not your body, just your spirit''

''And how could I do that?'' he felt bitter ''I don't have magic''

''Child of Man, there's something I've been wanting to try for a while. Ramshackle dormitory is a location where particular magical energy flies from, a free flow full of vitality. It has a special vibrancy, so to speak''

''And what do you want to do, Malleus?''

''Well, I'd like your permission- as the prefect, I mean- your permission to perform a spiritual projection one of these nights''

''I don't know…''

''It shouldn't take more than two or three hours. Nor body nor spirit would be damaged, I promise you. I shall protect you with all my might in case something happens, Yuu. I promise it. I promise you''

Yuu's concerns about Malleus' machinations were soon forgotten. At that moment, the boy realized his visitor genuinely meant no harm. He couldn't explain why, he just understood it with his heart.

''I ask for your permission since you are the prefect of this dormitory. It's customary to do it''

''It's fine, Tsunotaru. Although, Grim and the ghosts…''

Malleus gave out a small pout.

''It's a small magical performance. The fewer people, the better, in fact''

He smiled.

''Consider it a payment of your debt''

''My debt?''

Malleus laughed.

''Do you remember the other night, when I was invited to the feast in your dormitory? I told you another story about the Allfather when you asked a question, Child of Man. Now I want you to pay your debt''

Yuu knew he was only being playful.

And that Malleus really wanted to get things his own way.

''Well… then, let's do it. But, what do I need?''

Malleus stared at him, confused.

''I mean…''

''Child of…'''

Both spoke at the same time. And laughed. They laughed like children.

''Tsunotarou, won't I need anything? I want to be prepared''

The idea of leaving the college, even for a couple of hours, suddenly seemed so appealing.

Malleus laughed, happily. A rare sight in front of the boy, but Yuu had to admit that his companion's laughter was charming. Their meetings usually started all formal and distant, but the Horned Guy could be warm, too.

''You will not need anything. Just be well-rested and open-minded. I shall take care of the rest''

He started an explanation about what they would Yuu. Malleus talked about ingredients, souls, spirits, and channels. He also talked about shamanic magic and dreams. The truth was that he talked a lot and Yuu didn't fully comprehend it all.

At some point, Malleus's expression changed.

''I thought that they would not find me so easily. But I suppose it's unavoidable''

He looked at Yuu.

''Well, then. I bid you adieu. Have a good night, Child of Man''

He disappeared amidst green firelights.

At first, Yuu didn't hear a thing. But then, he saw the boys that had accompanied Lilia the last time they met: all serious and tense, they called for the boy to get close. The green-haired one started to demand explanations about his master's presence was there, but his companion stopped him and apologized on behalf of his partner.

The boy accepted it, relaxed. Yuu then said that the horned dude just left and he had no idea about where he was.

The energetic student started yelling again, uttering that how would a mere human talk about his master like that. His companion made him shut up again, but he also gave a weird side glance to Yuu.

''What? He just said I could call him that way''

The boy truly didn't get it.

Both Diasomnia students left him again. And Yuu finally returned to his dormitory, tired and cold.

Although, there was a question growing on his head.

Malleus never told him the exact date of their supposed journey.

*Yes, the villain of The Black Cauldron.