Chapter 7: Accident Suspicion

In the Ramshackle Dorm, Grim is still lying on the couch as he sulks with a deep frown on his face. Sereia, Tanzanite, and Jasper are doing their school assignments. Trinket sits on the table as he watches the group doing their work.

Sulking, Grim says, "Man... If I can't be in the Spelldrive tournament, then what's even the point anymore?"

Soon, the door to the dorm opens and Briar walks inside.

"Hey guys, I'm back," Briar calls out.

The group turns to see Briar walking into the lounge of the dorm.

"Hello Briar, how was the meeting?" Tanzanite asks.

"It went fine. There was talk about the Spell tournament, but that seems about it," Briar says.

Grim lets out a groan of disappointment.

Briar turns to notice Grim lying on the couch, "Is Grim still disappointed about what happened?"

Tricket flies over and nods her head in reply.

"Yeah. Grim has been sulking since we got back," Tanzanite says.

Just then, the three Ghosts of the Ramshackle Dorm have returned.

"What's wrong, Grimmy? Something got ya down?" Patrick asks.

"He's sulking because he can't play in the Spelldrive tournament," Albert replies.

"Unfortunately, that is the case. He wanted to play at the Selldrive tournament. Some of us actually want to play too, but we don't have enough people to play," Briar explains

Then John says, "If you wanna play Spelldrive that badly, why, we can play with ya!"

"Have you played Spelldrive before?" Jasper questions.

John then says, "Kid, I was the team captain ninety years ago, y'know. The girls in the stands couldn't get enough of me!"

"Wow. So you must be very good," Tanzanite replies.

"I sure am," John says.

"Yeah, but wouldn't we need seven people?" Grim replies.

But Albert says, "It's not a real match, so who cares? Let's just play!"

"Yeah. Let's go play," Jasper says.

"It seems like fun," Tanzanite says.

But Sereia says, "But I never played Spelldrive before."

"And neither have I," Briar says.

"Tanzanite and I have seen a Spelldrive tournament, but never played it," Jasper says and Tanzanite nods his head in reply.

Trinket replies with a ringing sound.

"Don't worry, we'll teach you. You'll have a wonderful time once you learn how to play," John says.

Soom, everyone's outside and in the large courtyard of the dorm. Grim holds the Spelldisc with his magic. Jasper and Tanantie are standing beside him while Briar stands from behind. Sereia and Trinket stand at the sidelines to watch.

"Is this how I am supposed to hold the disc?" Grim asks.

"Yes. Exactly like that. And don't sweat all the rules or particular for now," John says. "Just control the disc with magic and lob it right into the goal."

"No problem! You ghosts are gonna eat my dust!" Grim says, excited.

Then Albert says, "Mind you, the disc carrier should expect some magical interference Heehee!"

"As for your teammates, their job is to defend the player with the disk against the other team, but no physical contact," John says.

"Understood," Briar says.

"Then let's play!" Jasper cheers.

"Ready… set… PLAY!" Patrick calls out.

And so the same begins. Remembering the rules, Briar, Jasper, and Tanzanite do their best to defend Grim who is holding the disc while the ghosts use their own methods to take the disk away. During the time, John and the others also help give Briar and the others trips, like how to use magic for defense without physical contact, how to throw the disk, and other methods. Time after they play, Briar and the others are almost to the goal.

Grim is excited, "Booyah! All I gotta do now is get it in the goal, and…" and race towards the goal.

Just then, Albert and Patrick appear in front of them, "BOO!"

Everyone quickly screams in surprise and steps back.

Grim especially, "GYAAAH! Wh-wh-what's the big idea?!"

"Hee hee! What, you didn't think we'd try to block an enemy goal?!" Albert replies.

"Well, ain't nothin' magical about that interference!" Grim cries out in anger.

"Maybe not, but let's keep playing," Briar says.

"Alright," Grim replies.

And with that, the group continues to play the Spelldrive game. Grim has some trouble controlling the disc, but he's still able to have a good grip of it.

Grim expresses his frustration, "Myaah! This disc sure is tough to control!"

"Heh! Heh! Even if you did get in the tournament, you'd been out after the first round," Albert teases.

"That's not nice," Tanzanite says.

Then John says, "Hey, give them some credit. Grim's not bad for a first-timer!"

"Wh-whatever!" Grim cries out, "I'm a whiz and nothin' less! I'm gonna be a Spelldrive ace in no time!"

"Don't bite off more than you can chew, Grim," Briar says.

"Anyway, let's keep playing," Jasper says.

And so the teams continue to play the game, and are having a lot of fun.

Sometime later, the Ramshackle Dorm Crew and the Ramshackle Dorm Ghost are still playing Spelldrive at the front lawn of the dorm. As they play and have a good time, Headmage Crowley walks over to see the game.

He walks over and says, "Good day. Playing some Spelldrive?"

That's when the students and the ghost stop playing to see the Headmage walking towards them.

Deflated, Grim says, "Aaand here comes the Fun Police. There goes my good mood, right down the drain."

"Grim," Sereia says, worried.

Crowley crosses his arms and says, "I'm pleased to see you're all getting along. Quite pleased indeed."

"Yeah, they just keep comin' back anyway. Might as well get along, I guess," Grim replies.

Tanzanite asks, "Is there something you need, headmage?"

Crowley nods his head and says, "I have a request to make of you students. Why don't we take this inside?"

Everyone blinks their eyes with confused looks on their faces.

Soon, everyone enters the dorm and is sitting in the lounge.

As usual, Grim starts complaining, Seriously? MORE requests? I ain't a part of your …"

But Crowley says, Oh? You DO recall that I never promised to cover the living expenses you've been racking up, yes? Hard work can be a beautiful thing, Grim," The turns to Briar, "I'm sure you agree, Briar."

"I don't seem to be in a position to disagree," Briar replies in thought.

Then asks, "So is there something you need?"

Crowley clears his throat and says, "I'll get straight to the point. There has been a rash of students being hurt in suspicious incidents on campus lately. I'm here to ask you to investigate the matter.

"Suspicious incidents...?" Grim, Jasper, and Tanzanite ask, confused.

"Yes," Crowley replies, "Students falling down stairs, getting burns from boiling water, and so forth. The specifics of the incidents differ, but the nurse's office has had a clear spike in patients over the last few days. With yesterday's incident on the stairs, we now have ten wounded students. We're just fortunate that none of the injuries have been life-threatening...yet.

"Ya sure it ain't just kids bein' clumsy?" Grim questions.

"I'm sure many of our students are too distracted by the upcoming tournament to focus properly. But this is far more accidents than we've had in the past years. Furthermore, all of the wounded students were considered contenders to make their dorms' teams," Crowley says.

This peeks Grim's interest, "Oooh, NOW this is gettin' interesting."

Understanding the situation, Brari says, "I think I understand, you suspect that these accidents aren't accidents at all."

"Why do you say that?" Jasper asks.

"Well, like Crowley said, there are too many accidents to be a coincidence, especially since in only a few days," Briar explains.

Then turns to Crowley, "In other words, you think there's a possibility that someone is causing the accidents to the dorms' teams participating in the Spelldrive tournament."

"An excellent deduction, Briar," Crowley says, pleased.

But then calmly says, "However, we have no evidence of foul play. All of the accidents happened in public spaces, and all of the witnesses said the same thing: 'It looked like he was just being careless.'"

"Sounds like they were just bein' careless, then. Case closed! Glad we could sort that out. Bye!" Grim says.

"Not the most thorough of investigations, Grim,"Crowley calmly says.

"I have to agree," Tanzanite bluntly replies.

Then Grim says, "But this has got nothin' to do with me! I can't even participate in your dumb tournament! So what do I care what happens? Ptooey!"

"Grim!" Briar says.

"I'm sorry to hear that—especially after I'd prepared such a magnificent reward for you…" Crowley says.

But Grim isn't being persuasive, "Ha! I ain't fallin' for that line again! I wouldn't do it even for a hundred cans of tuna!"

Then Crowley says, "But what if I allowed you to participate in the Spelldrive tournament?"

This catches everyone by surprise.

"PARDONNE-MOI?!" Grim exclaims in shock.

Should you solve the case, I'll generously permit your dorm to enter the Spelldrive tournament," Crowley explains, "What do you say to that? Surely you're dazzled by my altruism?"

"Myah... Myahaha!" Grim screams in surprise.

"You're really serious? Jasper asks, surprised.

Even Trinket tinks in surprise.

"As a participant, the whole world will lay eyes upon your majesty. Just imagine the cheers echoing from the sold-out stadium seats!" Crowley says, "'This year's most promising rookie, the mighty Grim, has taken the field! Hurrah!' And so on."

"Oh, man. It's like I can already taste it…" Grim says eagerly.

But then Crowley says, "Ah, but of course, you have refused my offer. How unfortunate. Let's forget this ever happened." and plans to leave.

But Grim screams out, "No, wait! WAIT! I'm in! I'll do it!"

"What's that? You'll do it, you say? Crowley questions, unknown to the group there is a bit of a smirk on his face.

"If you'll let me into the tournament, you bet! Right, Briar?" Grim says, and turns to Briar. Then asks, "What do you guys think?"

"Sure I don't see why not. Besides, it will ruin the tournament if someone is committing foul play," Briar says.

"I have to agree. I'm not sure about playing this year, but I like to see the tournament," Sereia says.

"Me too. It will run it for everyone," Tanzanite says.

Jasper sighs, "I guess if Tanzanite is going to help, I'll help out too."

Trinket nods her head.

Then Grim happily cheers, "Alright! Then let's catch the culprit and enter the tourney!"

"But Grim, we still need seven players to play. Sereia and I aren't not going to play, and Trinket will get crushed due to her size," Tanzanite says.

"Well, I'm willing to play," Jasper says.

"I like to play too, but Tanzantie is right, we don't have enough players. We need seven players in order to play," Briar says.

Grim sighs, "You're right. We need seven players and with just us four, we'll need three more. What are you gonna do about that?"

Then Crowley says, "As school headmage, I will simply perform a magical miracle to fill out your team somehow."

"Sold!" Grim says, excited, "You got yourself a deal, good sir!"

"Then it looks like we're all on the case," Briar says.

"I am counting on you all to figure this out" Crowley happily says.