Entrance Ceremony
(Yumi's POV)
*When I opened my eyes, all I could see was darkness. I was laying on my back on something soft, like a mattress*
Yumi: Wh - Where am I? *I tried to sit up, but I ended up hitting my head on something hard* OW! *I touched what I bumped my head on & felt a wooden surface* Am I . . . In a box?
*Just then, I heard a voice outside the box*
?:*off-screen* Crap. People are coming. I gotta find a uniform while . . . *the box I was laying in started to shake* Grrr! The lid is too heavy. Time for . . . My secret move!
*Suddenly, I was surrounded by blue flames*
Yumi: F - Fire!
*Just then, the lid on the box flew off & I immediately jumped out. I looked around the room I was in saw it was full of floating coffins & had a big round mirror in the middle floating over a fountain with green water flowing out of it. I then noticed a grey cat-like creature with bright blue eyes, electric blue flames coming out of his ears, a white patch on his chest, pink paw pads & a tail shaped like a pitch fork, wearing a black & white striped ribbon around his neck standing in front of me. Normally, I'd be getting ecstatic about his cute appearance & try to cuddle him, but I was way too confused right now*
Grim: Now to grab the goods . . . *he saw me* What!? You're not supposed to be awake!
Yumi: A Nekomata?
Grim: How . . . How DARE YOU! I am no . . . Whatever you just called me! Tch. Whatever. You . . . Human! Just give me your uniform and be quick about it! Cause if you don't . . . You're gonna regret it!
Yumi: U - Uniform? *I looked down & saw that I was wearing a black hooded robe with gold embroidery, purple collar flaps, over a black shirt, with gold embroidery on the collarbone area in the image of crow's wings, a purple belt with a gold buckle, a black knee-length skirt, black stockings, & black high-heeled boots with gold & purple trim. I also had black eye make-up & pink lipstick on my face (look up "Yumi - Ceremonial Robes" by "SwanGirl24" on "DeviantArt")* I - I don't remember changing clothes.
Grim: Hey! Don't ignore me! Just give me the damn uniform! *he suddenly blew a ball of blue fire at me, but I manged to dodge. I searched the pockets of my recently acquired clothes for my ofudas. luckily, I found them in the back pocket of my skirt & pulled one out* HA! Do you really expect to fight me with pieces of paper!?
*I ignored his words & moved my hands to form a pentagram (look up "Elemental Pentagram" by Zeldaboyz" on "DeviantArt")*
Yumi: Earth shield!
*Part of the stone floor rose up & blocked another fireball. Once the attack stopped, the wall went down*
Grim: Huh!? How did - !? *seeing that he was distracted, I ran towards the doors, opened them, & ran out of the room* Hey, come on! I'm on a tight schedule here!
*I ran through a courtyard, past a well next to an apple tree. I soon found myself in a dark hallway, opened the first door I saw & ran inside the room. I saw I was in a room that looked like a library, except with books flying everywhere*
Yumi: Where am I now? If this is a dream, I would like to wake up now.
*Just then, another fireball flew past my head & hit the wall next to my head*
Grim: Did you really think you'd get away from my nose? Dumb human! If you don't wanna get roasted, better hand over - *suddenly, a whip came out of nowhere & wrapped around him* Bwah!? OW! What's with the rope?
?:*off-screen* This is no mere rope. It is a lash of love!
*I looked towards the door & saw a man with short, wavy black hair, pale skin, glowing gold eyes, & pointed ears, wearing a black top hat with a blue ribbon & a gold mirror-like charm with a key dangling from it, a half-mask resembling a raven's beak, a black cape over a suit with thick blackbird feathers curling out of the blue-collar & tips resembling bird wings, black gloves with a gold ring on each finger, three more gold mirror-like charms with four keys dangling from them are attached to his hip, & holding a staff shaped like a key with a golden raven handle, with teeth near the base having been sculpted to spell out the word 'Raven' in all capitals in one hand*
Dire Crowley: Ah, I've found you at last. Splendid. I trust you're one of this year's new students.
Yumi:*in her mind* Student?
Dire Crowley: My, were you ever eager to make your debut. And bringing a poorly trained familiar with you? That is a clear violation of the school's rules.
Yumi: Familiar? No, he's not -
Grim: As if I'd serve some lowly human! Now lemme go!
Dire Crowley: Yes, yes. Rebellious familiars always say that. Do be quiet for a bit, won't you?
*He snapped his fingers & part of the whip covered Grim's mouth*
Grim: Mmmrph!
Dire Crowley: Dear me. Of all the students I've dealt with, you're the first one to open their own gate and step out of it. Does the very notion of patience elude you? No matter. Your orientation has already begun. Let us return to the Mirror Chamber.
Yumi: Gate?
Dire Crowley: You awakened in a room full of gates, did you not? All of the students here at the campus arrived by passing through such gates. Although typically the students have restraint enough to wait until I open them before waking up.
Yumi: So the floating coffins I saw are gateways? That seems a little . . . Morbid.
Dire Crowley: The design is intended to symbolize a part with your former world, and rebirth into a new one.
Yumi: I see. I think the reason I woke up was because the fire from the cat blew the lid of my . . . Gateway off.
Dire Crowley: The culprit appears to be that familiar of yours. You're the one who insisted on bringing it, so curtailing it's behavior is your responsibility!
Yumi: I just said that he's not -
Dire Crowley: You've a student orientation to attend! Go on, now. Make haste.
*He started to leave the room*
Yumi: Hold on. Just who are you?
*He looked at me in confusion*
Dire Crowley: Hm? Have you not fully regained consciousness? The timespace teleportaion must have addled your memories. Well, these things happen, I suppose. I shall explain it to you while we walk. For I am gracious.
*I followed him down a hallway, back towards the Hall of Mirrors, him still holding a tied up Grim. As we walked, I looked around at the scenery. I didn't get a good look at it as I was running away from Grim. I could now see I was in a gothic style castle, but with classrooms like a school. I also got a better look at the well next to the apple tree. It looked a lot like the wishing well in the Snow White Disney movie*
Yumi:*in her mind* But that's impossible . . .
*The man's voice snapped me out of my thoughts*
Dire Crowley: Ahem! This is Night Raven College. Is is an institution for the students the world over who demonstrate a rare aptitude for magic. Is is the most prestigious academy of it's sort in all of Twisted Wonderland. And I am Dire Crowley. Having been entrusted with it's care by the chairman, I serve as Headmaster.
Yumi: So, it's a magic school? *in her mind* Twisted Wonderland?
Dire Crowley: Indeed! Only those who the Dark Mirror perceives as having a talent for magic are admitted to the college. Those who are selected are summoned to the campus through those "gates," which can appear anywhere.
*I then remembered the vision I had as I was falling through the black mirror*
Yumi: I do remember seeing a black horse pulling a carriage.
Dire Crowley: That black carriage serves to receive a student chosen by the Dark Mirror. It too bears a gate that connects to this campus. And as you know, sending a carriage to meet someone on a special day is a time-honored tradition.
Yumi:*in her mind* In other words, I was kidnapped. This definitely has to be a dream.
Grim: Mmfff! Mmmmmmfff!
Dire Crowley: Now, let us attend to your orientation.
*As approached the doors leading to the Mirror Chamber, I could hear voices on the other side*
?:*off-screen* Hey, does anyone know where the Headmaster went? He disappeared midway through the ceremony . . .
?:*off-screen* Some Headmaster he is.
?:*off-screen* Maybe he had a tummyache?
*Hearing that, Mr. Crowley slammed the doors open*
Dire Crowley: I most certainly did not!
*Everyone in the room turned to us. I noticed that all of them were wearing the same clothes I was, only with pants. Five of them stood in front of the crowd with a floating tablet. The first to speak was a boy a few inches shorter than me with red, mid-length hair that curved inward, V-shaped bangs covering his forehead, side bangs, & two strands of hair forming a heart on top of his head, pale skin, & silver eyes*
Riddle: Ah, speak of the devil.
Dire Crowley: If you must know, I was searching for the new student who'd failed to show for orientation. *he turned to me* You are the only one who has yet to be assigned a dorm. Step up to the Dark Mirror, and be quick about it. I'll watch your cat.
Grim: Grrrrr!
*I was hesitant, but I made my way down the aisle towards the mirror. I could feel everyone watching me, but I just ignored them. After all, I was used to it from school. As I approached the mirror, green flames appeared in it. My eyes widened slightly as the face of the Magic Mirror from Snow White appeared, only with black lace designs around the eyes*
Yumi:*in her mind* Okay. Now I know I'm dreaming.
Dark Mirror: State thy name
Yumi: Y - Yumi Kaguya.
Dark Mirror: Yumi Kaguya. The shape of thy soul is . . . I do not know.
Dire Crowley: What did you just say?
Dark Mirror: I do sense powerful magic within this one, but it is unlike any magic I have ever seen before. The color, the shape, and the sound are unfamiliar to me. Therefore, no dorm would be appropriate.
*The face disappeared a from the mirror. For a minute, everyone just stood where they were, completely stunned*
Riddle: What now, Headmaster?
*Mr. Crowley went quiet for a moment to think. Suddenly, Grim broke free from the whip*
Grim: Mmmph! Nnnrgggh... *GASP!* ME! Let ME have this student's seat!
Dire Crowley: Not so fast, you hyperactive cat!
Grim: My magic is hundred times more powerful than this guys! So let me be a student here! Look, I'll show you! My spells're the cat's meow!
Riddle: Everyone, get down!
*Everyone ducked as Grim blew out blue flames that quickly spread all over the room. One of the student's clothes caught fire. It was a boy with wearing a purple half-turban around his short & choppy white hair, dark skin, & red eyes*
Kalim: AHHHHH! HELP! I'm on fire over here!
Dire Crowley: Someone catch that blasted animal before it sets the entire school ablaze!
*A guy with thick, light brown lion ears, messy brown hair with two braids on either side, dark skin, green eyes, a thin scar going from his left eyebrow to his cheek, & a thin tail groaned*
Leona: Ugh. Can I go now, or . . .?
*A very handsome guy with shoulder length blonde hair, peach skin, violet eyes, & indigo painted nails spoke to him*
Vil: Oh? I thought you fancied yourself a hunter. Go and help yourself to that plump little morsel!
Yumi:*in her mind* Morsel!? Does he went that guy to eat Grim!?
Leona: Too much effort. Do it yourself.
*A guy with silver-blue wavy hair, peach skin, & sky blue eyes, wearing rectangular glasses came up to the Headmaster*
Azul: Allow me to handle this, Headmaster Crowley. If none of you are up to the task of catching a small animal, I will accept the responsibility.
*A voice came out of the floating tablet*
?:*off-screen* WTG Azul. Rackin' up those participation credits.
Kalim: Hey, um, my butt's still on fire . . . Could someone maybe put this out!?
Dire Crowley: I'm sorry, were my instructions unclear?!
Leona:*sigh* Preeetty sure you can handle catching one mangy cat all on your lonesome there, Headmaster.
Grim: How many times do I gotta say it? I'm Grim, spellcaster extraordinaire! I am NOT a cat!
*While everyone was arguing, I just stood where I was in silence, not knowing what to do. Just then, some of the fire got really close to me & jumped back from the heat. Just then, I realized something*
Yumi:*in her mind* I can feel it. I can actually feel it! Then that means . . . I'm not dreaming! This is real! *a scream broke me out of my thoughts. I turned & saw the red eyed boy was running around with the seat of his pants still on fire. seeing how serious the situation was getting, I stepped up to the fire**out loud* I'll handle this! *everyone looked at me in confusion as I pulled out one of my ofudas & formed a pentagram* Water Snake!
*A snake made out of water came out of my ofuda & flew around the room, putting out the fire, including the one on the seat of that boy's pants. He wiped the sweat from his forehead & turned to me with a wide smile*
Kalim: Thank you so much! How can I ever repay you!?
Yumi: Think nothing of it.
Leona:*off-screen* Hold on! *I turned to the lion-eared guy**on-screen* How did this do that!? How did you make that giant snake appear out of a piece of paper!?
Yumi: No time to explain. Right now, we've got to stop that crazy cat!
Azul: I couldn't agree more. *he turned to the red haired boy* Riddle, would you be so kind . . .?
*The red haired boy, now called Riddle, nodded & took a black pen with a red jewel on top out of his robe*
Riddle: Furry miscreant. I will abide no rule-breaking. You will be judged by my hand.
*He & Azul went towards Grim as he blew more fire*
Grim: Check it! See how strong I am!? *Riddle ignored his boasting & fired magic at him* Whoa, whoa, whoa!
Riddle: How very brazen of you to go on breaking the rules in my presence.
Azul: Shall we make this quick, then? I'm afraid we don't have much time to spare.
*He & Riddle fired attacks at Grim, but he dodged every single one of them*
Riddle: Must you relish playing with your quarry, Azul?
Azul: Heh. And here I thought we were both the sort to enjoy this.
Riddle: Please. I'm not like you, so spare me your drivel.
*The two of them weren't even trying to work together as they chased after Grim & he attacked them with his fire*
Grim: HA HAAA! You couldn't hit the broad side of a barn!
Riddle: Tch. Not exactly a seamless team effort. *he turned to the guy wearing glasses* Azul, you need to time your magic to match mine.
Azul: Here's a better idea: why don't you match yours with mine instead?
*The two started to argue*
Grim: See?! I'm a WAY better mage than both of these guys combined!
*That comment made me mad*
Yumi: Alright, that does it. *I stepped in front of them & took out an ofuda* If you two are too busy arguing to care about your school going up in flames, then allow me to take over.
Riddle: I highly doubt the same trick you used before will work twice.
Yumi: You're right. That's why this one is for a different spell. *I made the pentagram shape with my hand* Ice chains!
*Chains made of ice came out of the ofuda & wrapped around Grim, trapping him*
Grim: Hey! What the - YOW! That's cold!
Yumi: Now! Capture him!
*Not wasting any time, Riddle aimed his pen at the trapped Grim*
Riddle: OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!
*He waved his pen & a black & red heart shaped collar appeared around Grim's neck*
Grim: MYAH?! What are you doing?!
Riddle: The Queen of Heart's Rule 23: "One must never bring a cat to a formal affair." Your very presence here is a violation of order. You will vacate these premises immediately.
*My eyes went wide at that name*
Yumi:*in her mind* The Queen of Hearts? The villain from Alice in Wonderland with a violent temper and is fond of beheading people?
Grim: But I ain't a cat! Don't try to collar me! I'll burn it right off! *he tried to breath fire, but nothing came out of his mouth, except hot air* Huh...? Wh - What gives? My fire ain't workin'!
Riddle: Until I deign to remove that collar, you won't be using any magic. You're naught but a pet cat now.
Grim: M-meoWHAT?! I ain't nobody's pet - NOTHING!
Riddle: Oh, you've nothing to worry about there. I certainly have no interest in having you as a pet. The collar will disappear once you're removed from campus.
Azul: Ha-HA! Good show as always, Riddle. You're signature spell locks down any magic. It's quite handy. I've just GOT to have it - ah, I mean, I've just got to have respect for it.
*Mr. Crowley turned to me*
Dire Crowley: Excellent work capturing at wild familiar of yours.
Yumi: Mr. Crowley, I have been trying to repeatedly tell you that creature isn't mine.
Dire Crowley: What's that? It isn't yours?
Yumi: No. That thing attacked me and tried to take the robe I was wearing. Besides, I already have four familiars. I don't need one more.
*Everyone looked at me in surprise at that number. Mr. Crowley then cleared his throat*
Dire Crowley: Oh . . . Is that so? Ahem! Then I shall have it expelled from campus. I shall even spare it from being served as dinner. My, but I AM kind. . . Someone take this away, please.
*A one of the students came foreword, picked up Grim, & started to carry him out of the room*
Grim: Nooooo! Let me gooooo! You fools better remember my name! Cause I'm gonna go down in the annals of magic history! Just you wait!
*The doors closed once he & the student had left the room*
Yumi:*in her mind* I feel a little sorry for him. *I turned to Mr. Crowley & saw that his mouth was agape & his eyes were wide with shock**out loud* What's wrong? Do I have something on my face?
*I felt my face for any damage, only to realize that my hood was gone, revealing my long black hair & my face*
Student #1: A . . . Girl . . .?
Student #2: What's a girl doing here?
Student #3: Since when was this school co-ed?
Student #4: I heard they used to accept girls, but that was a long time ago.
Student #5: Isn't she the one the mirror said had unknown magic?
Azul: I believe it's been over 50 years since the last time a girl was accepted into Night Raven College.
Yumi:*in her mind* 50 years!?
Tablet: Not surprising that Azul knows this sort of thing.
*I started to get nervous as I heard them talking. Does that mean this is school is an all boy school? I quickly put my hood back on & turned away from the prying eyes & the murmurs. Mr. Crowley quickly hushed everyone*
Dire Crowley: Quite now, please. Everyone quiet. *he turned to the five boys & the tablet* Now, I believe we shall end the ceremony here. Dorm Leaders, please have the Vice Dorm Leaders escort your new students back to your dorms. We need to have an emergency meeting. *he looked around the room as if searching for someone* . . . Hm? Come to think of it, I don't see Dorm Leader Draconia of House Diasomnia anywhere.
Leona: And that surprises you? Dude's a total recluse.
Kalim: Wait a sec . . . Did anyone even invite him?
Vil: If you're that worried about him missing out, maybe you should have told him yourself.
Yumi:*in her mind* So, no one invited this Malleus person?
Kalim: Maybe, but I don't know him too well either . . .
*Then heard the students murmuring amongst themselves again*
Student #6: Draconia . . . Like, Malleus Draconia? THAT Draconia?
Student #7: So it's true? He really does go to school here?
Student #8: Yikes.
*I noticed how scared & nervous everyone was. Whoever this Malleus Draconia was, he must be very powerful. Just then, a young boy with short dark hair with hot pink streaks that stuck out at the sides, pale skin, & dark red eyes, wearing the ceremonial robes, appeared . When he opened his mouth to speak, I could see fangs*
Lilia: Ah. Just as I'd expected. I figured I'd come down and see for myself whether Malleus had made an appearance. But once again, he was evidently not informed that his presence was required at an official ceremony.
Yumi:*in her mind* He speaks like my Grandfather.
Azul: You have my sincerest apologies. I assure you, this oversight was in no way intended as a snub.
Riddle: I mean, you must admit, he's not exactly the easiest person to strike up a conversation with.
Lilia: No matter. Guess this I'll have to stay here at the meeting in Malleus' place. I just hope he doesn't sulk about this. *he turned to the crowd* All who were assigned to House Diasomnia, follow Silver and Sebek.
*The new students started to leave the room. Some of them winked at me from over their shoulders & mouthed "Call me" as they were leaving. Once they were gone, Mr. Crowley & the remaining students, along with the tablet, turned to me. I took my hood off again & I noticed most of the boy's cheeks turning pink as they stared at me. The only one that didn't seem affected was the boy with the elf ears. Mr. Crowley snapped them out of whatever daze they were in*
Mr. Crowley: Now then, while it is indeed a pleasure to have a female student grace the halls of our school once again, especially one with such interesting magic powers, I'm afraid we have a small problem of which dorm to put you in.
Yumi: Oh, it doesn't really matter. Since I can't stay.
All: What!?
Kalim: Why not!?
Yumi: Because my school archery club has a competition coming up and I can't afford to miss it.
Tablet: Archery club? Competition?
Lilia: Your school as an archery club? That's impressive.
Riddle: And you're participating in a competition? That is serious.
Yumi: Yes. And if I don't get back, they don't stand a chance of winning.
*The guy with the lion ears seemed to understand my worries*
Leona: Well, if the girl wants to go home, I say let her.
Vil: Leona, you can't just assume what a lady wants. Though I must admit, I can't believe any proper lady wanting to participate in something so primitive.
Yumi: I do it because I like to do it.
Azul: Anyway, if this lovely young lady were to stay, she's more than welcome in Octavinelle.
Leona: Hold on! Why should she stay in your dorm!?
Azul: Well, it's better than having her stay in your dorm, your students would most likely eat her alive!
Leona: Hey! I resemble that remark!
Riddle: She clearly belongs in Heartslabyul, since she seems capable of following rules to the letter.
Kalim: She can stay in Scarabia! I still have to thank her for saving me!
Vil: Excuse me, but with her looks, she's obviously a perfect fit for Pomefiore.
Lilia: I'm sure Malleus would agree that she belongs in Diasomnia, especially with her gifts.
*They all started arguing. The person on the other side of the tablet was silent the whole time. I just tuned them out until the Headmaster stepped in*
Dire Crowley: AHEM! *they all stopped arguing & turned to him* While I am delighted that you're all willing to welcome her into you respective dorm, I'm afraid that decision is up to Miss Kaguya. I'm sure she will make her choice once she returns to us, after her tournament. *the boys all looked ready to protest, but Mr. Crowley gave them a look that said "this wasn't up for debate". they all silently nodded & started to leave the room, each of them giving me a look over his shoulder & the tablet snapping a picture of me on their way out. once they were gone, Mr. Crowley turned to me* It really is a shame you can't stay. Perhaps, once you're done with your competition, you might reconsider joining our school.
Yumi: I'll have to speak with my Grandparents, but it does sound interesting.
Dire Crowley: Excellent! I'll prepare the transfer papers immediately! For now, let's get you home. *he turned to the Dark Mirror* Now, step into the gate, and visualize the place you whence you came. *I closed my eyes & made the images of my home appear. a temple connected to a large traditional Japanese mansion, my bedroom, the back garden, & the giant cherry tree* Now, O Dark Mirror! Return this soul to where it belongs! *nothing happened* Ahem! L - Let us, er . . . Try this again. O Dark Mirror! Return this soul -
*The face appeared in the mirror once again*
Dark Mirror: There is no such place.
*I opened my eyes*
Dire Crowley: What?
Dark Mirror: There is no place in this world where this soul belongs. None.
Dire Crowley: How can that be? My, but today is a veritable cavalcade of impossible phenomena!
*The face said nothing as it disappeared again. We were both completely speechless*
Yumi:*in her mind* It doesn't exist? But that's impossible! I know that place because I've lived there practically my whole life!
Dire Crowley: This has never happended throughout my long tenure. I must confess that I am at something of a loss. Tell me: From what land do you hail? *I told him where I came from* Tokyo, Japan . . .? I'm afraid I am not familiar with such a place.
Yumi: For some reason, that doesn't surprise me.
Dire Crowley: I am intimately acquainted with the origins of every student who has ever come here, and yet . . . This mysterious homeland of your eludes me. Let us go to the library and look it up, shall we?
*I nodded & the two of us left the room*