It's when Ace turns to me that I know I am going to knock heads together later. "Running off on the first day, huh? So… do you want our help?"

Get that smirk off your face before I knock it and that heart off your face, Ace.

"Please." It's very flat.

"I'd like a chocolate croissant from the cafeteria today." Ace makes his demands.

"And I'd like an iced latte!" Deuce has such a grin too!

"Fine, fine… Just please. Help me get Grim back." I hope this is a one-and-done thing too.

"It's a deal! Okay, let's help poor, helpless, little No here, Deuce."

"Of course, Ace! I can't wait for lunch." His smirk, I need to knock it off.

So the two take off, with Ace getting a net from Deuce's magic. The two of them chasing after through the courtyard. I'm standing there, a bit amazed at their speed. Grim hisses at them as he continues to run with spells being launched and Ace throwing the net down.

At one point, they finally corner the pain in my ass when they finally split up. Grim looks between them with panic.

"You can't make me go back to those boring classes!" Grim huffs at us.

I approach with a sigh. "Grim… running away now means you won't become a great sorcerer, you know that, right? And you have to build off the fundamentals, and that's what they're teaching us now." I cross my arms, too. "I'm disappointed in you."

"Damn it! Why do you have to be so mean to me?!" Grim's… a bit like a kid, huh?

"Let's go get lunch, okay? Today's just the first day—before you know it, we'll be doing all sorts of cool things, right?" I look at the two for back up.

They nod and agree, at least. Good.

"It's time for lunch, anyway." Ace states with a sigh, but gives me a grin. "Remember~!"

I roll my eyes as we walk to a very familiar setting. It's nice to see the chandelier lit and repaired, too. Though that story is going to follow us probably forever.

"It's lunch! Woo!" Grim cheers, this is probably going to be his favorite part of the day. "Look at all of these nice things to eat!"

"It's… a pretty fancy buffet, huh?" I'm a little floored. The food choices seem a bit endless, and it does look delicious. My stomach's grumbling.

Oh, how excited he is, pointing out the foods he seems to want the most. I can't help but laugh. I'm so entertained.

"Hey! Not so loud! And why are you so cheery?!" Ace is probably grouchy over the collar.

"Hey! I want the grilled chicken! It's the last one!" I tune him out a little as he's so excited—he's not getting that much, I don't want him to throw up.

But that's when he runs into some people in front of us in line.

"AH! You little fucking bastard!" The student Grim bumped into yells. He's clearly a Heartslabyul student too. "You knocked my soft-boiled egg to the floor!"

"Hey, wait—it was an accident-" I'm trying to diffuse the situation.

"Isn't that the best part of the Carbonara dish?!" A second student joins in. Oh no.

"Look—there's more, we should get it cleaned up-" Apparently no one listens to me.

"How are you going to make this up, freak!?" Ah, yeah, I thought we were going to encounter that here. This white haired student wants an excuse. "How about you give up that grilled chicken!?"

"No way! This is mine!" Hah, that was funny, Grim, except it's clear we're about to be in a fight.

"What, this little freshman is going to talk to his seniors like that? I should teach you a lesson!" This red-haired Heartslabyul student hisses.

"Look! There's no need to fight. It was just an honest mistake." Yep, not a word heard.

Deuce, who finally speaks up, interrupts. "Senior—you're not allowed to use magic to fight at school like this…"

"It's not a fight! It's a lesson to the freshmen! Both that freak and the no-magic!" Ah, yeah, I've leaned down to grasp Grim, ready to get out of here. Forget the chicken.

"BRACE YOURSELVES!" The second shouts, ready to throw down.

It's—quick. Honestly, Grim just lights a fire and they go running off. Uh. That was sad.

"That was anti-climatic…" I comment, and resume putting some more food on Grim's plate, a ghost has already stopped by for the mess, too. He deserves to eat all he wants now.

"Heh! Pathetic. See? I am great." Grim is going to get too full of himself at this rate.

"At least we didn't create a big fiasco… we're supposed to stay out of trouble. Especially after all of those shenanigans yesterday." I am still tired, of course. "Hopefully not every day is this exciting, huh?"

"Let's just eat already." Ace groans. "I haven't even had breakfast… I'm done."

"This sucks…" Deuce groans. "I didn't think we're run into people like that here. We're at a prestigious magic school."

I give Deuce a sad look. "People like that are everywhere."

We've found a table spot where the four of us can sit. I put Grim's tray in front of him, and sit with mine, putting the requested items before the two. "We're even for earlier." But they still owe me everything for putting together the winning strategy yesterday with that creature—I still don't know if they heard those things too.

And maybe I'm afraid to ask.

"Well forget about all that! Let's eat!" Grim just digs in. And I learn here feeding him is going to be expensive.

Well, he digs in pretty enthusiastically. I am so thankful to get something in my stomach, too. I haven't had food in awhile—but I'm slow, I know if I eat like Grim I'm going to get sick. We're all settling into our food and it's great.

I've got a nice variety, a pasta dish with meat, a side salad, and juice to drink with a bottle of water. It's filling, and not super heavy with the mix. I don't know how we're going to have dinner tonight, so I need to eat my fill now. Hopefully Crowley puts in that paperwork and I can get food for the dorm. There is a working kitchen—so I'm at least excited to get all of that in working order.

There's also laundry machines, but it might take a bit to figure them out, or get them up and running. I'm glad all Grim has to wear is a ribbon.

"So this morning we got to see your guys's dorm—what about the other ones?" Grim asks curiously.

I'm interested too, actually. "We don't really know much about them."

"You saw the statutes of the Great Seven on Main Street, right?" Ah, that bastard Cater is here.

My lips press. "Ah, it's you." I'm also ignored here too. Maybe that's my magic power.

"Our school has seven dormitories that are all based off of the Great Seven." Cater continues. Okay, maybe he listens to no one.

"EHK! It's YOU!' Ace has the appropriate reaction.

Grim scowls. "You tricked us into painting those stupid roses!"

"You know, I didn't want to do it either—it wasn't really a trick!" Cater is not believed, and I do not trust him. "But I had to do it, you know, dorm rules!"

"You realize neither Grim, nor I, are part of your dorm, right iCater Diamond?/i" I am still displeased at the magic send-off.

"Well, you seemed happy to trick us…" Deuce looks a little defeated.

"Now, now, freshie Deuce! We don't have to follow dorm rules outside of the dorm. Now Cay-Cay is a kind and understanding senior." No trust.

"Please don't refer to me as freshie Deuce, senior." Deuce sounds a little stringent on this too. Ah, he's a bit cute when he gets tied up like that.

The mysteriously silent green-haired male… he's got a club on his face. Right. That's. I have to pause a moment as I observe him. "Ha ha, this is just Cater saying that he likes you."

That's…

Eh.

"And who's that, then?" Ace is asking the important questions once again!

"Oh—I am Trey. Trey Clover, and like Cater I am a junior of Heartslabyul." And then his attention to me. "And you must be No of the Ramshackle—I mean, the freshman at the unused dorm, correct?"

"So that's what it's called…?" Hm. Makes sense.

"Cater told me that our dorm members have inconvenienced you…" Trey isn't entirely long.

They've taken seats by us, Trey by Ace, and Cater by myself. "I'm right here…" Ace grumbles.

"Come on, we're schoolmates—so let's get along! Exchange your info with me!" Cater is a bundle of sunshine and I don't like it right now. I'm still salty.

"I don't have a smartphone. Or… much of anything." I say with such a straight face. "The whole from another world thing."

"EH!? How do you not have a cellphone!? That's impossible!" Cater's freaking out but I just explained it. "But I know where you can get the latest model cheaper—when do you plan on getting one!?"

I am sliding away the best I can, nudging Grim a bit. I want to exit this conversation right now as I am destitute.

"Cater, you're scaring the freshman. Tone it down." Trey is right. I like Trey.

Cater laughs a little. "Ah, sorry sorry! So you want to know about the other dorms, right? Nice! Anyway! Big brother Cater will tell you everything you need to know!"

"I want to know about our dorm first." Ace huffs. "Like—what's the Law of the Queen of Hearts and why does it suck?" Good question, Ace. That's probably his special talent.

Trey is the one to give some of the exposition. "As you've heard of the Queen of Hearts." Briefly, for me, but, I'm letting Trey explain. "She created the strictest of rules to keep her mad citizens in line."

"And to honor her, we of Heartslabyul wear red and black to represent her dress!" Cater cuts in. "It's also tradition to follow her laws."

Did they just cross their arms in sync? Are these two the older version of Ace and Deuce, two peas in a pod? I'm pretty curious to see—even if it means I have to deal with Cater more. I haven't forgiven him yet for this morning. But the food I'm putting in my mouth is definitely enough to melt my icy heart for him.

"That sounds strict." Grim frowns.

"Well… the strictness depends on the dorm leader—previous leaders were a lot more lenient." So new management sucks.

Trey continues, "Riddle, however, is the strictest of all past Housewardens." Makes sense. "He tries his best to absolutely perserve the traditions."

"Geh… annoying…" Ace gripes as he bites into his ill-gotten croissant.

"Hey, so what are the other dorms like?" Grim pops up, shoving a piece of chicken down his gullet.

Trey adjusts his glasses like a classic anime character. Lore drop confirmed. "As Cater said, the seven dorms are inspired by the Great Seven. First, we have Heartslabyul, inspirited by the strict, orderly spirit of the Queen of Hearts. Our dorm—except you, No."

I give Trey a thumbs up as he continues. "Then, there is Savanaclaw, which is based off the persistent spirit and equality of the King of Beasts. After, we have Octanvinelle, modeled after the benevolent spirit of the Sea Witch. Fourth, is the dorm that represents the Great Sorcerer of the Desert, embodying his astute nature—Scarabia. Next, we have the dorm based off the tenacity, beauty, and poisonous creations of the Beautiful Queen, Pomefiore. Sixth, is based off of the diligence of the King of the Dead, Ignihyde. Last, of course, is based off of the Great Thorn Fairy—her nobility and her power: Diasomnia." That's a lot to take in.

"That's a lot of dorms." And mine will never be mentioned because I'm literally living in what may be a condemned building.

"And all of those long names! Who can remember all of that?" Trey just did, Grim…

Cater laughs. "Oh you'll remember eventually, even if you don't want to, okay?"

Trey continues his exposition. He gives me a big brother feel. "At the opening ceremonies, the Mirror of Darkness decides which dormitory you belong to by peering into your soul. Supposedly, it's the core of your being that the mirror uses to decide your dorm."

"Do you understand?" Cater's at least clarifying.

"Core…?" Deuce asks, giving me a look.

Um.

I feel like Trey is that beginning guide character in a game that gives you all of the background you need before you start on your journey. "Look over there." We all turn where he points. To a boy with dog ears.

"...That big guy with dog ears…?" That I want to touch immediately. Are they soft? They look soft. My urge to touch is rising—but that's probably rude and I might get bit? Can people with dog ears give you rabies? Is that a thing in this world? I have so many questions I'm not voicing and I will never voice. I know better.

"By the looks of him, he's from Savanaclaw." How does he know this. What magic does Trey possess? Dumb question, we're in a magic school.

"Yes! Those type in that dorm enjoy exercising and fighting! Buff, normally—Savanaclaw's colors are yellow and black." Cater explains.

Ah, so we can identify them all by color. "That's useful." And everyone knows who Grim and I are of course—probably-so basically that means I don't need to…

Grim points at another person. "The guy with the grey and light purple string, then?" He's not of a bad height, with messy white hair and light eyes—glasses. He seems… suspicious? I've got a bad feeling, but honestly that's probably a lot of people here.

"Octavinelle." Trey answers, "And the two sitting in front of him with the dark red and gold are from Scarabia." He gestures to the two—a boy with white hair, and another with long, dark hair. They both have an olive complexion. Though are dressed rather differently.

"Those dorms have smart students that usually score the highest on written exams." Cater explains.

"Explains why neither of you are in those dorms." I glance at Deuce and Ace.

That was a good one, and very much ignored.

"Ah, but the Scarabia Prefect doesn't care for studying~!" Apparently Cater speaks from personal knowledge with his tone. Huh. That's a story, I bet.

"Ten marks says money." No one? Really? Maybe I'm a wee bit… jaded or something.

"Okay—red flag." Ace comments.

"Now, back to it—those that are lovely with the purple and red armbands are from Pomefiore."

We see a fancy man with sharp-cut blonde hair and … musketeer hat, maybe? His green eyes glance over at us, and we get the strangest grin like he knows what we're talking about—next to him is a very, very cute girl. My gosh! She has lovely purple hair in a short cut that makes her look like a fairy and wide, green eyes. She looks so demure, and I am iso/i excited because I'll be able to make girlfriends here! AH, that's such luck—they can probably help me get around with things, too. Plus, now I know the girl tie style is a bow! I'll have to work on that starting tomorrow!

"Woah! Look at that cute girl!" Grim exclaims.

I have questions.

"What?! A girl at an all boys' school?!" Deuce sounds so—wait wait. bWHAT/b.

"Dumbass. There's no way they'd have a girl here, it's an all-boys academy." Ace scoffs.

I almost drop my fork, turning my gaze to _. What. iWhat did he just say,/i "All—all boy's school?" I stutter. Oh. Oh fuck. Oh fuck ME. What do you MEAN it's an all boys' school? How?! How am I even here?! I am a girl thanks! I—uh. UH. NOW IT MAKES SENSE! Now I get why with such pretty boys that no one bats an eye at my appearance and that Professor Trein called me MISTER! I could scream. I WANT to scream.

I'm never going to get a good bra here.

My poor girls.

While Deuce and Grim are shocked at the person that's not a cute girl, I am suffering an existential crisis right now. I am a girl. I am at all all boys' school. And there's a boy that is much cuter than me, and apparently a whole DORM of them.

I don't deserve this.

And how am I going to deal with my monthly if there are no openly available resources—oh no.

"Ah—Pomefiore is the pinnacle of beauty, especially beautiful faces—and they take it seriously." Cater is telling me where I need to go for a makeover. "Their Housewarden is a magic glamour influence and has over five million followers on Magicam."

"Hey, don't judge a book by its cover." Trey cuts in. "Pomefiore's members excel in poisons and medicines."

"That's right!" Cater laughs. "And then there's Ignihyde! The guy with the blue and black armband—don't go there." Uh. Noted. "It's a dorm full of shut-ins. They are the complete opposite of us in Heartslabyul."

"So… they're gloomy?" Grim concludes.

"No, no, it's not like that, Grim. They are very quiet and mature. They are skilled at magitech and the manipulation of magical energy—along with creating magical artifacts." Trey explains. No, I'm going with they're the engineers. Weird nerds.

"So—that leaves Disahon...something, right?" Deuce asks, and I don't know how it's pronounced either.

"Don't be smug, mispronouncing it—it's Disamonia." Ace corrects, and that's oddly… of him… I… Hm.

"I forgot—I just forgot!" Deuce protests.

"The Disamonia dorm students are the ones sitting at the back table—it's like an exclusive club at the back of the dining hall!" That's the preps right? I don't remember the high school terms. "Their colors are neon green and black. They're also ivery/i popular." Preps was right. Go me. "And they all have this noble aura that makes them pretty unapproachable to your average person. Their Dorm Leader is the most difficult of all!"

I see a silver-haired boy with a stern expression and purple eyes, a small one with black hair streaked with a bright pink and red eyes—and the same bow as the pretty one from earlier—and one that looks a bit angry with wild, light green hair. They're all fairly pale too. Maybe magic school preps are goths? Funny.

I swear I remember some weird piece of Internet History about this reference. I've forgotten.

"Ah? Is that a kid with them?" Ace asks. He's talking about the middle one.

"Our school does not allow you to skip grades—he's a junior, like us." Trey explains, once more adjusting his glasses. So they have smol people here.

"Lilia. I am Lilia Vanrogue." Oh fuck me six ways to Sunday I jump because the small boy is hanging upside down by us. How did he get—right, magic! But now he looks like a little vampire and I am over this right now.

Ace and Trey startle.

"Nice to meet you." I reply. "No Wei."

Grim gasps! "He teleported!"

Lilia drops down, grinning at us. He's having fun with this. "Lord, why do you care to know my age?" What a tricky laugh, too. "I know I resemble and charming, lovable, young boy~" That—that is so suspicious. "As Trey has said; I am not a child." I notice his ears are pointed like Crowley's. What IS he?

Trey tsks a little, I think.

"It's better to observe up close instead of at a distance." Honestly, this guy talks like an old man. I'm picking out his features—they are young, and pale. His bright eyes are really like rubies, and while he seems to be an innocent-looking child, I swear there's something ancient in his eyes—like older people that have seen too much of the world. It's just—that feeling. And when he smiles, I see fangs. Like Crowley. He's ghostly pale, though—and he wears his jacket over his shoulders—but how does it stay up when he's moving his arms? "We are all students at this school. We at Disamonia welcome you at any and all times." Huh.

The other two are staring at us silently.

"Those two don't look talkative or welcoming." Deuce comments.

"Well! Pardon me for interrupting your meal—I'll see you soon!" And off he goes.

"Trickster." I comment.

Ace starts whispering. "We're sitting over twenty meters away and they heard us! Weirdos!"

Oh wow, both Ace and Trey look freaked out. Why am I not freaked out?

Trey recovers first. "Well… ah. That's Disamonia—they have very… unique students." Unique, huh. "Their Dorm Leader, Malleus Draconia, is said to be one of the five greatest sorcerers in the world." Why would he be a student here, then?

Cater grins. "While Malleus is cool, we've got a dangerous Housewarden too!'

"Oh yeah—that's right, he put a collar on me just because I ate a tart! He's the worst!" So Ace is trying to shirk his part of the blame.

"We should make a tart after class to replace it, Ace…" I'm the voice of unheard reason.

Speak of the Devil and he shall appear. "Hmmm?" Comes a very familiar voice. "Me? The worst?"

I turns slowly to see Riddle standing there with his arms crossed. I put a hand on Grim to protect him, a little. I remember the opening ceremony well.

"That's right! Only tyrants are so strict and unforgiving!" Ace is digging himself into a grave.

Deuce is already grabbing and shaking him to shut the fuck up but we both know that's the opposite of what heart-face is going to do. "Ace—behind you!"

"Heee-dorm manager?!" Good job, Ace detective.

Riddle, in his… shorter glory, stands there, crossing his arms. There is not an nonrigid part of his being. Anger through his entire core. And I know this is about to get ugly.

"Oh boy this isn't going to end well."

I'm not going to have a normal day here, am I?