~~~~~~~

Pursuit of a Shadow

~~~~~~~

For some reason Strix wouldn't wake up. Neither did Leona, who was freed from the blot that once took control of him.

Jack had feared Strix may have been struck by something to knock her out. Could she have fainted from the mass of negative energy? She is a non-magic user...

A sigh barely leaves Cater as he took in the familiar sight of the girl's sleeping face. "This again?"

"What do you mean 'again'?" Jack asked.

"She went out like a light when the same thing happened to Riddle."

Said redhead looks to Cater, surprised. He didn't learn about this until now.

The headmaster swoops into the Magift stadium. He was relieved to see the rampage has been put to an end. However. "My goodness, Miss Noctowl is at it again?"

Jack sweatdropped. Is sleeping under the sun part of the norm for the human?

As though in cue, Aura Lion appears, surprising Crowley with yet another new specie of Dream Eater Spirits. He pads over to the unconscious Leona and released a soft breath on his face (like Aslan-style from Narnia). Then he disappeared.

Strix regains consciousness. She recognized the sight of faces hovering over her and gets up to her feet, brushing the dirt off her dress. The first thing she does is ask about Leona's condition.

Grim runs over to call out to the brunet man. "Hey! Wake up!!"

Leona stirs. He blearily awoke to see Grim peering over him.

"You're finally awake! We weren't sure what to do if you stayed passed out like that!" Grim placed his paws on his hips. "Now then, go ahead and confess that all of the accidents were part of your plan."

"What... Come again?" Leona sat up and cradled his head. He was still disoriented from leaving his Overblot state.

Crowley approached the dorm leader. "Kingscholar. You fell into an Overblot rampage due to being consumed by blot and negative energy. Do you not remember?"

The man spoke in disbelief, "I went on a rampage... Overblot? You're kidding..."

"More importantly, the Magical Shift Tournament is about to begin. If you don't confess we can't get our prize and play in the tournament!" Grim told him.

"Huh...? What're you talking about?"

"They went after you in order to get permission from the headmaster to play in the Magical Shift Tournament." Jack answered.

"Eh? You did it for something like that?" Ruggie slightly flinched at Grim and Strix's pair of blue eyes swerving to him as though offended.

"'Something like that'?! You went around injuring people for something like that'." Grim called out, Strix nodding firmly.

The hyena held his tongue. "Ugh, th-that's...right, I guess."

"Then it's safe to assume that the series of accidents around campus were all your dorm's doing?" Crowley asked.

"...Yeah, they were." Leona admitted.

"Understood. Then, first of all, Savanaclaw Dorm is disqualified from this year's tournament. Further punishment will be decided after I have discussed it with those that you injured. Is that clear?"

"...Got it."

Ruggie and Jack were silent. They understood the consequences of being involved and aware of their dorm's schemes.

"Headmaster, please wait a moment."

Crowley looks to Riddle. "Rosehearts? And you all are..."

"Yes. They are all the victims in the accidents." Riddle affirmed. There was Trey with his crutches, Jamil, and some other students who have arrived.

"Headmaster, as the victims we have a request to ask of you. Could you please refrain from disqualifying Savanaclaw and have them play in the tournament?" Trey asked.

"What is this now? Are you saying...to let them off?" Crowley dared to inquire, almost baffled.

Ruggie looks over them. "You guys..."

However Jamil was quick to firmly correct, "No, we're not letting them off."

"If Savanaclaw doesn't play then we can't get the payback we so crave." Trey explained, smirking.

Both Ruggie and Jack stood straighter, ears bending back.

"Payback?!" Jack repeated.

"Personal squabbles involving magic are prohibited on campus." Riddle stated.

"Magical Shift is a well respected sport, right? However, it is also known as a field where you can have an all out magical battle... You know." Trey said.

"Yeah. I won't get any closure if I don't get at least one hit on you guys." The Heartslabyul student who tripped his leg the other day said.

"Time for battle! Pick up the glove!" The Pomefiore student who had once been in a bad mood challenged.

"I don't know what happened to you all but Savanaclaw looks to be in worse shape than all of us." Jamil said, noting their disheveled mess from Leona's rampage.

"Since we know who the culprit is, I think getting rid of our grudge with a game of Magical Shift is rather convenient." Trey remarked.

"Leona, didn't you say something before? About how during the game you can use any attack without violating the rules." Cater slyly reminded, referring to when they had "trespassed" Savanaclaw's territory and got roped into a cruel game of Magift.

"Normally it would be off with your head for using our traditions to settle personal grudges but... This is what Trey and the others wish. I'll turn a blind eye this once." Riddle said.

Strix was not surprised it came out to be like this. In fact she'd be mad if all was forgiven just like that.

"I understand how you must be feeling. However, I'm not sure whether or not Savanaclaw can be in the tournament like this. Especially you, Kingscholar, can you even stand right now?" Crowley asked.

Leona laughs. "Don't underestimate me, Crowley. I could take on some wounded herbivores in my sleep."

"Those are big words." Jamil said.

"I have zero intention of apologizing. If that's what you want, then force me to on the field." Replied the brunet.

"There you have it, Headmaster. Are you all right with this?" Trey asked.

"My goodness. I'm the fool for thinking you would have some impressive speech prepared. All right. I shall allow Savanaclaw to play in the tournament as planned." The masked raven mumbled, "As the headmaster I'd also like to avoid having something like this be broadcast to the world on the day of the tournament."

He makes eye contact with blue eyes bearing unsurprised disappointment that spoke volume than ever aloud.

Crowley pretends to not have acknowledged them and cleared his throat. "Well then, the audience is waiting for all the players to present themselves. Better get ready."

"I should get going..." Leona grunted from pain and bent over slightly as he stood up.

Ruggie stared. "...Just so you know, I haven't forgiven you or anything."

Leona did not meet his eyes. "Oh, is that so?"

"But...how to put this? I never want to see you make a miserable face like that again. The arrogant smirk you usually have suits you much better... Like this!"

"Laugh With Me!"

Suddenly Leona's frown was lifted into a strained grin along with Ruggie who had to use his fingers. He tries to speak, "What the hell, Ruggie!" through his forced lips.

"I always wanted to try this on you!" Ruggie tried to say through his snickers.

"Stop right now!"

Jack looks at his upperclassmen oddly. "What are you doing?" However, a trace of a smile curled the end of Jack's lips.

Strix noticed this from the corner of her eye and grinned. "You smiled!" The aloof lone wolf actually smiled!

Jack twitched. "I'm not smiling or anything."

His gold eyes soften. "You guys really came through for us. Thanks to you I can give it my all, too."

"From here on we are enemies. We won't go easy on you." Riddle smiles one of good sportsmanship.

"I wouldn't have it any other way!"

"Hey hey, Headmaster! We found the culprit just like you asked! You're gonna let us play in the tournament like you promised, right?!" Grim asked.

"Eh?! Ahh~... I did promise you that. It's most definitely impossible, we've already announced the tournament line up. What should we do about this?"

Grim cried one of disbelief. "That's cruel! You scammer!! I'm gonna light your lying ass on fire!"

Strix makes no effort to stop the gray cat beast from building up his blue flames. By all means please do.

"Wait wait wait! Pause in your lighting things on fire. I'll come up with an idea." Crowley hummed in contemplation. "I know! How about playing in a special exhibition match? It will be like an opening act before the main event. I'm sure you'll be able to show off!"

"Show off?!"

Crowley nodded. "Why of course."

"I'm good to go as long as I can show off! Yay~! I'm gonna get a bunch of scouts after everyone sees my greatness on TV!" Grim cheers.

"What about the extra team members?" Strix asked, having remembered Crowley would rally the other five if they do succeed.

"Extra members... Hmm, what to do... And we need a team for you to play against, maybe I can get a staff team together..." Crowley mumbles.

"Wha?! Did you forget that, too?!"

Ace and Deuce entered.

"We heard everything."

"For extra members, we'll take those spots."

Riddle quirked a brow at the pair. "What are you talking about? Aren't both of you on team Heartslabyul?"

"There's no rule that says you can't join another dorm's team." Ace said.

Trey released a chuckle. "I've never thought about it before but you're right."

"That sounds like fun! I wanna join Strix's team too~" Cater piped in.

"Cater, you're one of our regular members!" Riddle intervened.

Cater playfully clicked his tongue. "Tch." He tried.

"Just cheering for our classmates from the side would be boring. I'll do whatever it takes to play." Ace said.

"I-I'm not like him! I purely want to help out my dear friends." Deuce defended. Okay, if you say so. Sure.

"If it's an opponent you're looking for, Savanaclaw will take you on." Jack spoke.

"Ffna? You guys will?" Grim asked, surprised.

"Would you rather play against the teachers?" Was what Jack said.

"No thanks." Strix replied. A team of grown men against teenagers usually never wins in their favor. It's predictable to know who would win.

"You're actually a pretty nice guy." Ace remarked with a grin.

"D-Don't get the wrong idea. I just don't want to be indebted to you!" Jack quickly said. He looks to his upperclassmen. "You guys fine with that?"

Ruggie drawled a sigh. "We're already about to keel over but you want to throw on one more game? Jack, you're a demon..."

Leona sighed as well. "This is a pain. Whatever, just come at us all at once, damn herbivores. Even if it's just an exhibition, it's still a match. Be prepared."

Strix suppressed a giggle at the last line. A famous phrase from Scar.

"Phew... What a relief. I was about to get another three hour long lecture from Professor Trein." Crowley mumbled before speaking to Strix, "Your team has gathered four players. All you need is three more then you can play!"

"Hey, it's still not enough?! We even got people from another dorm to join us! Why are there only two people in our dorm?!" Grim griped.

"Why not let the ghosts participate?" Strix suggested. "One of them said they were a star player from 90 years ago." She smiles at the prospect of the Ramshackle ghosts joining their team.

"Eh? You're going to enter the ghosts as the other players?!" Crowley exclaimed.

Grim gasped delightfully. "This is perfect! I'll go get them!" He cheers to himself as he scurried from the stadium and said, "I'm gonna be on TV~!"

"Geez, does anything go... Can ghosts even play properly?" Jack mumbles to himself under his breath.

"Isn't it fine? Strix may be playing but she can't use magic." Ace said.

Upon hearing her name, Strix cocked a brow. "Who said I was going to be playing?"

"Eh? But then you'll only have six members..." Deuce trails off as her expression has yet to budge.

"If a monster, three ghosts, and two students from another dorm can play, then why not my Dream Eaters? Plus, it'll be hectic when the world discovers that a non-magic girl is enrolled in Night Raven College. Right?" Her blue eyes slide to Crowley.

The man nodded. "Yes, you're absolutely right. My position as headmaster will undoubtably be put at risk..." He said more to himself than anyone. "I permit you to use one of your familiars to take your place."

Strix noticed two pairs of eyes on her and meets A-Deuce's squinting suspicion. "Something you want to say?"

"No..."

"You're not just tagging out cuz you suck at PE, right?"

"I swear, I get whiplash every time I hear you two answer together..." Said Strix.

"Now then, let us head to the Coliseum, everyone. The tournament cannot start without the opening act." Crowley ushers.

"You guys do your best out there." Strix encouraged.

...

The boys were changed into their PE uniforms to participate in the sport. The coliseum was cheering for the start of the Magift tournament as the announcer summoned two opposing teams to join the field.

Team Savanaclaw stared at the vibrant creature occasionally bouncing in place.

"Geh, that's the thing that jumped on me!" Ruggie pointed at the weird cat-dog hybrid dubbed Meow Wow. It seems to recognize the hyena as it trilled cheerfully.

Leona sniffed, unfazed by the otherworldly presence riling the coliseum up. Several flashes from the cameras were almost blinding the field in white in their eagerness. The announcer was making commentary about the team of peculiar members facing them. "Prey as large and plump like that thing is almost begging to be gobbled up."

"I thought we were going to face something ferocious like that lion from before..." Jack was slightly disappointed he couldn't face off against a powerful, ferocious beast like Aura Lion.

Meanwhile A-Deuce and Grim remembered the one time Meow Wow inflated in size and overwhelmed the Faceless Monster from the Dwarfs' Mine. If it ever plans on doing that move again, they better hope it doesn't flatten them like a pancake.

Strix had assured them beforehand it wouldn't do it, at least while under her discretion. She had also warned them to be careful of fire spells hitting the spirit as it is its weakness. They have doubts if the Dream Eater would even last with Grim, a Fire-breathing raccoon, on their side and Leona who seems to use fire magic as his main element.

Strix was watching the exhibition game silently cheering both teams for a fair and fun play from her seat at the front row of the coliseum. She chuckled to herself. Meow Wow is having fun.

From the corner of her eye, she spots something that caught her attention immensely through the mass of people. Her beady black pupils shrank, and her breath sharply hitched.

The world suddenly became monochrome. Everyone and everything was muted. All except a tall man of tousled crimson red hair climbing up the stairs and heading for the exit.

She has met colorful, eccentric characters of this world that stood out more than this particular person. This stranger shouldn't have been anyone special than a faerie with horns or a human-animal hybrid.

Yet she immediately recognized his back. A broad and gentle back that carries the weight of someone's burdens yet maintains a strong demeanor.

It couldn't be.

She leaves her seat. Her sight never once leaves the man, and her feet drags her upstairs in their pursuit of the redhead.

Her pace desperately increases into a brisk walk. Just when she thought she was nearing him, he was far away, turning around corners and slipping behind the crowd without pausing.

Strix wounds up chasing him into the empty Side Street. She had somehow lost him.

She frantically scans the area and panted heavily through her lungs in an attempt to regulate her racing heartbeat. "Is it really you?" She wanted to ask. It doesn't make sense how he could be in another world that she's in. She had to be dreaming. She always did.

Yet she was willing to chase after a figment of her imagination if it meant relief.

Bright red painstakingly contrasting the black and white scenery slips behind her vision. He was heading for the Main Street.

Strix ran until she stumbled into the paved pathway.

"Caelum!"

The man had stopped in the middle of street where the Great Seven statues were lined up.

Strix watched with batted breath as the chilly autumn breeze brushes past them. The environment flickers to a completely different yet familiar scene. A blooming garden under the blue light casted by the full moon.

The light illuminated the man, leaving Strix stranded in the shadows by comparison.

She approaches the spotlight. "Caelum...?" Why isn't he saying anything? Why isn't he looking at her?

Strix failed to recognize the swirling black darkness under his feet.

She lifts her hand towards him...

A voice whispered into her ear.

[...]

Suddenly her conscience reeled back to reality. Instead of standing before a man, she found herself sitting by the base of a tree behind the Side Street entrance. The darkening sky was near nightfall, and the street was quiet. The staff are cleaning up the venue not too far from where she was.

Had she sleepwalked and wounded up here?

Her eyes creased slightly once the shock wore off. It was one of disappointment and unsurprising. A dream? Then Caelum really wasn't in Twisted Wonderland. Though disheartened, she was also yet relieved.

It must be because of the month of October. It's reminding her of the wedding day where she finally reunited with Caelum after a long seven years, only to bomb it before soon arriving in another world.

Strix rubbed her eyes from the weariness and looks to the side.

There was a boy peering at her curiously. A red-haired boy with cat ears and rainbow beaded jewelry.

The girl had to process if she was still half-asleep. Why was there a little child staring at her with round brown eyes glittering with youth and life?

"Hello..." She slowly uttered as though she might get caught talking to thin air, assuming this is an elaborate illusion her brain conjured. Why is it that her mind is randomly projecting a Simba-look alike right now?

"Hi, big sis. Do you know where my uncle is? He played in the tournament today and I want to see him." The red-haired boy said.

Strix slowly raised a brow to digest the purpose behind his question. "Why would you think I would know?"

"You have his scent." Is what the lion-human hybrid replied. "It's strong and still fresh, so I thought you're friends with him."

Strix wondered if it was possible for her brows to raise through the roof at this point. There was several things she wanted to ask but she has to prioritize some above others. "Okay... Where are your parents? Did you come all the way here alone?"

"I came with my bodyguards." He innocently answered.

Strix almost choked. Almost. She was more sophisticated than that. Is he some heir to the throne? He's reminding her more of Simba by the second.

She patiently said, "It's getting dark, you know. You should return to them before finding your uncle. They must be worried."

"But I wanted to see him already, so I sneaked out. Then I caught his scent and found you sleeping by a tree." He leans forward. "Please help me find my uncle?"

Aw man. He's pulling the puppy (kitty?) eyes on her. That's unfair.

Strix heaved a soft sigh. "Don't you know to not talk to strangers? Ever heard of 'stranger danger'?"

"But you have a sweet scent, big sis. No one with a nice scent is dangerous." He smiled.

Again with the sweet scent? This is becoming the norm alongside being (in)famous as the only non-wizard female in the school.

Strix pursed her lips. He said it so confidently that she wondered if people with a scent as hers exist out there. Che'nya made it sound like she's a rare human catnip any beastman would kill to have.

She stands and brushes the grass and dirt off her skirt. "My name is Strix Noctowl. What's yours?"

The boy stood up at a height to her midsection. "I'm Cheka! Cheka Kingscholar."

Kingscholar. Simba. Uncle. Scar. She didn't want to jump on the gun so soon from appearances alone, but now she has proof. Leona is the uncle Cheka was talking about!

And so Strix proceeded to internally scream at the Twisted Wonderland entity. Is it trying to test her patience? One of these days she's going to hardcore fangirl and ward at least one Disney-character inhabitant away for it.

In the span of two seconds this thought process was over. Strix crouches so the boy wouldn't have to constantly stare upwards and hurt his neck. "Nice to meet you, Cheka. Since the tournament ended, I'd bet your uncle is at the infirmary resting. I'll take you there, so don't get lost."

Strix hesitated when she held out her hand for him to take. Cheka accepted in a heartbeat, much to her surprise. She can't say whether it was a pleasant one or not.

His small hand could only manage to grasp three of her fingers. Cheka giggled at the revelation. "Your hand's really big, big sis."

The nostalgic memory of her child self taking her brother's hand in her tiny palms flashed in her mind. This little palm radiating warmth. She wondered if this is how Caelum felt when she did this to him. This precious ball of sunshine had already wormed his way into her heart.

Strix's eyes creased slightly. She quirked a small sheepish smile. "My fingers are just really long. Come on, let's get going."

Along the trip, Strix had to constantly refrain herself from bursting into a Lion King song. She would get too carried away and lose sight of the original objective.

Cheka would boast about his uncle in the meantime. According to him, while Savanaclaw won in the opening act, they suffered a devastating lost to Diasomnia. Despite that, Cheka still admired his uncle's play of scoring long shots and other tricks in Magift.

It's sweet how much he adores Leona even though the young man might likely not reciprocate the sentiment. This is the kid next in line for the throne. It's hard to imagine Leona would be anywhere as affectionate as Cheka.

At least Leona doesn't harbor resentment to the point of scheming Cheka's and his older brother's deaths like Scar. Strix knew he doesn't really want the throne; just the title. Titles can really change how the world treats you. If Leona was known as the next heir, everyone would sing their praises. That wasn't the case.

Strix recalled Cheka's words. He said she has Leona's scent on her? The only instance she actually interacted with him was in the Dream Drop Dive. How does that work?

The girl realized Cheka had fallen quiet and makes eye contact. The silver moonlight shines on her figure, bringing out the luminous blue hues glowing a serene shine.

Cheka stared in awe. He then broke into a wide grin. "You're really pretty, big sis! Your eyes are like the skies back home."

A flicker of surprise sparked inside. It was not the compliment that almost rendered her speechless. The lack of fear in him was unusual for her.

In her original world, her eyes devoid of life were said to scare the children for how intimidating they were. She had more than a few confrontations with protective mothers and wary guardians who were under the suspicion that she was glaring at an innocent child. But really, she was not emotive and simply staring with her neutral expression.

Strix hated being suspected as a dangerous person. Her childhood was revolved around her being a "heartless monster". Her family once predicted she would grow to be a psychopath.

After receiving a couple of harsh words and glares, Strix became awkward with kids, if not scared of them. She had made some toddlers cry without intending to, and every time it was like a thousand needles stabbing her heart.

She subconsciously bends low to children so they won't peer up to see her wide eyes boring into them. This bad habit soon extends to those who stand an inch shorter than Strix. That was why she had crouched when Riddle was fixing her bow tie, and why she tried to play it off naturally.

She would not metaphorically look down on children, or anyone in fact. If she tried to explain her crouching to someone like Riddle, she would sound ridiculous. If only she wasn't born with blank slates for eyes, she would have been friendlier with children and appeal to everyone as humane.

Yet a little youth like Cheka didn't show an ounce of fear. He openly complimented her in all his innocence.

Maybe Twisted Wonderland's inhabitants are not fazed by her creepy eyes. Compared to fairies and ghosts, a human girl's eyes doesn't hold a candle to the world of magic and fairytales.

That made her feel relieved. More so than she'd liked to admit. However, she has a home to return to, after all. That's her objective. If she relishes in the fact that there are more abnormal things in another world she is stuck in to undermine her unusual eyes, her resolve will dwindle.

She can't see herself accepting compliments about her eyes without being contaminated with depressing thoughts. She's not proud of her eyes they so praised. She can't tell people that she hates her eyes and ask them to not talk about them. That would be rude, especially if they mean nothing but pure intentions like Cheka.

Though she may be walking in reality, her heart and mind tips towards the dream realm. A cherubic angel like Cheka will be registered as a figment of her dream she so yearned to be real. There's no way she'd truly meet another child like him in her world.

Getting attached to him will only mean awaking with heart ache. Once there's a way to return home, she will cut all the strings to this magical world. The strings that will lead to a knot she can't simply untie with her bare hands.

Her hold on Cheka's hand seemed to slacken while Cheka retained a secure grip. While avoiding his curious gaze, Strix keeps her eyes on the path to Night Raven College. Her expression was unreadable. The thin line that had formed on her lips showed nothing to uphold the polite tone that easily slipped in her voice.

"Thank you."

...

Ever since the opening act ended, there was no signs of Strix in the coliseum. While Savanaclaw continued playing in the tournament, A-Deuce and Grim were looking for their female friend among the front row of the spectators. Strix was absent from where she was last seen seated.

After it was apparent she was not in the coliseum, Ace and Deuce had to return to where their dorm is situated and cheer for Team Heartslabyul. Grim tagged along since Strix was not there to accompany him.

"Where did Strix go? She wouldn't leave without congratulating us, right?" Deuce had voiced aloud in concern. Unfortunately, Meow Wow had disappeared right after the act ended before they would ask for it to guide to them to its master.

"Maybe she went to grab some grub?" Grim had suggested. In the middle of their match? Somehow that doesn't seem like the case.

Ace proposed they should try asking Jack for assistance. He has a sharper nose as a wolf and should be able to track her scent down.

When they approached Jack, however, he claimed it was difficult as there are too many scents of the visitors and prepping of festival food mingling in the air to identify Strix's trail.

Strix would have to come back eventually. Why would she miss out on the Magift tournament when this is her first time watching a formal match?

By the time they knew it, nightfall had already arrived and the Side Street festival is being packed away.

"You don't think Strix got lost...?" Deuce asked.

"Maybe she's already back at Ramshackle Dorm." Ace said.

"Without me? My henchman would never leave me alone." Grim said with confidence the two humans found almost impressive. Almost.

'More like she can't...' Was what A-Deuce thought in unison as they stared at the gray menace of chaos.

"Why are you three in the infirmary?" Asked Jack who sat on a stool accompanying the resting upperclassmen Ruggie and Leona on their infirmary beds. He was watching out for their well-being, especially since the Overblot incident happened this morning. Ruggie and Leona were too tired to deal with the wolf that they let him follow them.

"We thought Strix might've sleepwalked and got carried here." Grim replied, being the prime witness to the girl's unusual sleeping habits. Sadly, there was no night owl laying on a bed in the infirmary.

The scenario was not implausible. Yet this was arguably their most safest bet. Now that the bet was broken, the boys begin to assume the worst. A sleepy Strix is the most vulnerable Strix, and if any dangerous person dares to take advantage of her in that state, then they weren't sure what to do.

"Let's go to Ramshackle and check just in case." Ace spoke.

Before they could leave, a red-haired boy with lion animal ears and tail popped in the infirmary.

"Aah! I finally found you, Uncle!"

"Hm? Who's this kid?" Grim inquired.

The red-haired boy ran to Leona's bed and cried affectionately, "Uncle Leona!"

Leona stirred slightly and peeks one green eye open. He was about to complain until he recognized the boy that his visage pulled into a tired expression. He closed his eye and feels a headache coming in as he sat up. "Ah...crap. Another annoyance."

"Uncle...Leona?" Jack repeated, taken aback.

"This furball is my brother's son, Cheka." Leona introduces, holding his tongue in a brief pause as he then bitterly acknowledged, "...My nephew."

Everyone's eyes dilated. "Ne-Nephew...?!"

"That means... The one who's next in line for the throne is..." Ruggie had awoke to see the commotion only to trail off upon the revelation.

"Your match was so cool, Uncle! Next time you come back you've gotta teach me Magical Shift!" Cheka said excitedly.

The brunet's ears fold. "I got it! I got it so don't go shouting in my ear. Where are your bodyguards? They're probably losing their heads looking for you."

"I couldn't wait to see you so I left them behind. Hehe." Cheka grins mischievously. "Oh yeah, this big sis with a nice scent showed me the way. She had your scent."

Leona's brow rose. The only woman he's been remotely around is the only female student of Night Raven College. And this faint sweet scent from Cheka is distinctly familiar to that woman.

The door opens. Everyone looks to the entrance.

Wide blue eyes stared back albeit in mild confusion. "Hi, guys. What did I miss?"

"Strix!" Grim runs up to the girl who lifts him up in her hands. "Where'd ya run off to? You missed out on my super long shot, y'know."

"Yeah, it nearly hit me in the head, y'know." Ace snarks, mimicking Grim's words back at him.

Strix sheepishly meets their gazes. "I stepped out for a bit and fell asleep on the way. Sorry."

They sweatdropped.

"You're going on and off even on this day..." Deuce shakes his head.

"Uncle Leona, does big sis go to this school too? I thought only boys can go here." Cheka asked.

"Don't ask me. And don't think about telling your mom and dad about this, kid. Especially your mother. She'll be on my back..." The brunet lowly mumbles to himself in the end.

"Why?"

As Leona dodges the questions Cheka throws his way, the first-years were watching them interact.

"He's really attached to him, y'know." Grim notes. Nothing but adoration from Cheka to Leona.

"Shut up." Leona then glares at them. "...Stop staring at me!"

"Hey hey, Uncle! When are you coming home? Next week? After that? Ah, have you read my letters?" With each question, Cheka crawls closer to Leona.

"Ugh, I've told you already. I'll go home on holida- Ow, hey, don't sit on my stomach!" Leona protests, though he can't lay a finger on the boy.

"H-He's just casually sitting on Leona-senpai's stomach?!" Jack uttered in disbelief.

Meanwhile Ruggie bursted into laughter. "This is rich. So this is why Leona never wants to go home."

"Are you guys Uncle's friends?" Cheka asked, tilting his head.

Ace shamelessly snickers. "Yep yep. We're your uncle's friends. Right, Uncle Leona!"

"U-Uncle...! Ahahaha! Owowow, it hurts to laugh." Ruggie winced from his injuries and held his stomach before he would wheeze from laughter.

It's just so adorable how Cheka adores his grumpy uncle who doesn't know how to handle kids, at least for his nephew. What an innocent, pure soul the kid is.

"Stop laughing, you bastards! I'll remember this for later!" Leona swore, biting through his embarrassment in front of his oblivious nephew from the amused grins plastered.

...

Cheka was safely brought back to his bodyguards who had soon came in in their search for the prince. Leona was visibly relieved when he finally pried the all-too doting kid off him and have peace to himself.

Everyone returned to their dorms for the night. After a long day of kicking another dorm's ass and saving lives from Overblot rampage, Strix had went ahead to indulge in a relaxing warm bath back at Ramshackle.

Meanwhile, Grim was in the bedroom scheming something.

"Is she here? In the bath?" After scanning the vacant bedroom, Grim grins. "Then...it's my favorite time!" He pulls a black crystal from the bottom of the bed.

"I snagged it from Savanaclaw Dorm without anyone noticing but... If this isn't candy then what the hell is it?"

He shrugs to himself. "Whatever! Finders keepers, losers weepers! Time to dig in!" He swallows the crystal. "Yum! This has got a mature taste with a unique bitterness and a little bit of spice that makes my tongue tingle! Such a waste that humans will never be able to enjoy this."

Grim licks his lips. "And now for this one...!"

The monster produced a colorful material unbeknownst to everyone.

"It's like a two in one deal every time! Now what does this one taste like? This better taste like rainbows this time."

Grim pops it into his mouth. Only to immediately spit it out.

"Blegh! What the hell! This candy-looking thing tastes so salty, like I'm eating sand!" Grim wipes the taste from his tongue with his paws.

He drooped. "Man, that's disappointing. Strix can keep this for all I care." Grim carries the fragment and climbs on the top of the head of the bed. He then pounced with all his might and clung to the edge of the shelf before swinging a leg on top. Upon standing upright, the little beast opens a box.

Inside contains two glass bottles. One is empty while the other has two rainbow pieces similar to the one Grim snatched. He pulls the cork and puts the fragment inside the container to add to the collection.

"You can't hide things under the Great Grim's nose for long." He muttered deviously to himself.

On the day Strix had worked at Heartslabyul, he had feigned sleeping in the whole day. What he was doing instead was searching for the secret stash of black rocks Strix had forbade him from eating under her discretion. Fortunately his keen nose tracked the smell and led him to the box where Strix thought he could never reach.

Grim had also took the opportunity to try eating the first two dream-like candy. Unfortunately they were like spoiled candy that left a foul taste in his mouth.

After the third candy, he had decided to not bother trying them the next time. The black rocks are way delicious than those crappy gummy-looking rocks.

Thumping footsteps can be heard from the hall.

Grim's ears stand straight. He quickly slapped the lid to the box shut and bounced off the shelf to land on the mattress. He scattered for a space to rest and curls up into a ball.

It was then Strix had entered in her casual nightwear consisting of a t-shirt and shorts (after meeting the horned man dubbed Tsunotaro in the middle of the night she decided not to wear nightgowns ever again). A towel was draped over her damp hair.

Luminous blue eyes land on the gray cat. "Grim?" She quietly uttered.

No response. He must be sleeping. She would have presumed playing Magift would have made him more hyper, though there are opposite effects for particular individuals.

Strix quietly enters and sits on the chair before the desk. Some hours have passed as Strix read a book. A mysterious light source coming from the fireplace lured her attention.

The mirror is glowing...?

The glass once reflecting the bedroom becomes foggy white. A round black shadow peeks from the side. What is that?

Suddenly it was morning when she came to. Grim was snoring peacefully, unsuspecting of the human's odd dream sequences.

Strix sat up and glanced to the mirror propped above the fireplace. She slipped from the bed and stood in front of it. Upon tapping a light finger on the surface, there was no reaction. It was the same plain old mirror.

Was she dreaming just then? She could have sworn she spent the night wide awake. Maybe she was too tuckered out from the long day. That could be it.

Strix frowned. She's been having too many dreams. The dream that continues to flash back to her was the one with the red-haired man. The voice that snapped her out of her dream had spoke these words:

["Don't follow the blot."]

Her eyes clouded with confusion.

What blot was the voice referring to?