It's Friday once more! Break time for me! I've been super exhausted for the past few days, so it's great to take it a little bit easier for this weekend.

I hope everyone is able to relax as well.

Enjoy!

Chapter 9:

The rest of the journey back to Night Raven College went smoothly with no more monsters or any further detours. They found the mirror floating where they had left it and arrived back at the Mirror Chamber. To their surprise, Headmaster Crowley was already waiting for them.

"We got it!" Grim said, ecstatically, running up to the man. "We got the crystal!"

"What are you guys doing here?" His voice was filled with disbelief, "Did you actually go to Dwarf's Mine to get a magic crystal?"

"What?" The group stared in shock at Crowley's shock.

"What are you talking about? You were the one who told us to go get it!" Claire exclaimed. She pulled the crystal from her pocket and shook it in front of his face.

"And you got one?! My, my, my – I assumed that you would've been able to convince these two gentlemen to give up on such a task after seeing how impossible it was. Yet, you all made the impossible possible instead." Claire stared dumbfounded with her mouth wide open in disbelief as Crowley plucked the crystal from her hand and examined it. "In fact," Crowley continued, as he stared at the sparkling crystal, "I already filled out the expulsion paperwork."

"Are you serious?!" Grim sputtered. "Even after we fought that giant monster!?"

"Monster?" Crowley looked up sharply. "What are you talking about?"

"Yeah! There was a monster there," Ace chimed in. "It was super ugly and crazy strong. We barely made out of there alive!"

"A monster in the Dwarf's Mine?" Crowley fell silent before turning to the group, "Let's head back to my office. I want to hear the details."

…

Headmaster Crowley's office was located at one of the tallest towers. The room was deep purple, and the curtains and runner were decorated green moons and stars. Claire tried hard not to gape at the floating portraits of the Great Sevens behind Crowley's office desk as the headmaster listened carefully to their tale.

"So, let me see if I got this right…" he said slowly, "You four encountered this giant mysterious monster in the mine, worked together to defeat it, and retrieved the magic crystal?"

"Umm, we didn't really work together," Ace said, still denying the thought, "We just…"

"It was more like our goals were aligned," Deuce concluded. The headmaster fell silent again, and Deuce and Ace glanced at each other nervously, wondering if they said something wrong.

"That's… beautiful…" Crowley said. Before they realized what was happening, the Headmaster immediately bawled and howled as tears streamed from his face like waterfalls.

"What's wrong with this guy?" Grim whispered, "Why is he crying?"

"Is this normal?" Claire asked to the rather startled Ace and Deuce who both quickly shook their heads.

"In all my years as headmaster," Crowley said in a rather blubbery voice, "I've never thought I would see the day where Night Raven students go hand-in-hand to defeat their adversary! So… So beautifullllll!"

He took out a white handkerchief from his breast pocket and blew his nose with a loud honk before he started to wail again.

"We did not hold hands!" Deuce sputtered.

"Yeah! I would never do something as gross as that," Ace scowled, offended.

"It's just an expression," Claire mumbled, but she had to agree with Ace's and Deuce's revulsion. The headmaster's analogy was definitely not how she would describe their current relationship.

"And seriously, how old are you to be crying like this?" Ace continued mercilessly as the headmaster sniffled.

"I'm just overwhelmed with emotions," Crowley said, regaining composure now. He turned to Claire, and she immediately took a step back. His glowing eyes seemed to shine rather brightly now. "However, this does confirm my suspicion from yesterday about you!"

"Uhh… confirm what?" Claire asked with trepidation.

"Claire, you possess a talent rare even within Twisted Wonderland. You, my dear, have a gift as a monster tamer!" If he was expecting some sort of reaction from her, all he got was a blank stare.

"Monster… tamer?" she repeated and tilted her head to the side.

"Yes, allow me to explain!" Crowley got up and paced the room, "In Night Raven College, all the students gathered here by the Dark Mirror are the cream of the crop; the elite; the best of the best. Unfortunately, that also means that they are the most egotistical teenagers you would ever meet. There are a lot who definitely do not understand the concept of working together as a team since they are incredibly selfish and self-centered."

"Yes, I can see that," Claire said, eyeing Ace and Deuce with contempt.

"You, however," Crowley continued before the indignant duo could open their mouths, "do not have a single drop of magic within your blood. Perhaps because of that, you are able to see the bigger picture, allowing you to get them to work together."

Claire raised her eyebrows in slight disbelief. Not having magic was considered an asset here?

"Yes, yes, yes…" Crowley mumbled as he continued to pace while looking at the ground. "Perhaps this fresh perspective is what is missing from our school. Maybe an average human being is exactly what this school needs! Tonight definitely proves it. You are definitely an important person essential for this school's future. My intuition as a teacher is never wrong!"

"Uh, thanks?" Claire said, looking slightly bewildered at the strange shower of compliments and high hopes Crowley had placed on her. It sounded like he wanted something from her, or rather, he expected something from her.

"Therefore!" Crowley turned to Ace and Deuce as well, "Mr. Trappola and Mr. Spade. In addition to rescinding both of your expulsions, I will also like to formally invite Miss Tyche to attend Night Raven College as a first-year student!"

"What?!" Everybody's mouth dropped in shock.

"What do you think?" Crowley said, beaming at Claire.

"Me? Attend this school?" she said in bewilderment.

There was a shocked silence, and then almost immediately, Claire snorted with laughter and doubled over. "Are you kidding? No way!" she said, chortling still.

"I'm sorry. Did you say 'no'?" Crowley asked. Everybody stared at her in wide-eyed disbelief as if she announced that she'd rather attend clown school.

"Are you seriously telling me that I came all this way from another world just to go back to school? Forget it! No thank you!" She shook her head vehemently at the thought. "And besides, did you forget one very important detail? I don't have magic. Nothing I learn here will be of any use to me."

"Um…" Deuce raised his hand in confusion. "You came from another world?" However, Crowley cut him off.

"Ah, yes, I didn't finish my explanation. My apologies. See, because of your non-magic status, as you mentioned before, becoming a mage is out of the question. You will also not be able to complete all the lessons. Therefore, in addition, I will be allowing Grim to attend the school as well!"

"What?" Everybody looked down at the dumbfounded raccoon.

"Grim has proven to me that he has the talent to become a mage," Crowley explained, leaning against the front of his desk, "but it is clear he will need some guidance while interacting in the human world. Therefore, Grim and Claire will represent as one whole student!"

"Really?" The raccoon trembled in wonder. "I can really attend this school? As a student?"

"Of course! For I am most gracious! Provided that you don't cause an incident like this afternoon. But you can only attend if Claire is willing to as well," Crowley said.

"Please, Claire!" Grim cried turning towards her. He was literally on his paws and knees at her feet. "I really want to go to this school. It is my life-long dream."

"But…" Claire stared wordlessly, unsure what to say.

"Yeah, come on," Ace chimed in, "I think it would be good. Plus, you'll get better benefits as a student. You won't have to clean windows anymore."

"You will also get a stipend," Crowley added. "All dorms with active students receive a budget. You can use it to refurbish your place."

"I think it is a great idea. You would definitely fit right in," Deuce added, looking hopeful.

"But… I don't have…" Seeing the optimistic looks around her, Claire finally gave a sigh. "So, I only have to go to class and take a couple of written exams?"

"Grim will have to as well," Crowley said, nodding, "but he will be in charge of any practical involving magic. Think of it as you being his role model."

Against her better judgment, Claire looked down again and saw Grim staring up at her with the biggest and saddest puppy-dog eyes that she had ever witnessed in her life. She was going to regret this for sure.

"Fine…" she exhaled sharply, giving in to the peer pressure. "I accept your offer."

"YESSS! Thank you, Claire," Grim cried, hugging her legs.

"Just promise me you won't get into too much trouble," she mumbled, but her words had already fallen on deaf ears.

"Wonderful! Now that you are a new student, Grim! I would like to give you this!" Crowley waved his hand and pulled out a purple crystal pendant from thin air. "This magic crystal is a symbol of your status as a student here at Night Raven College."

With another wave of his hand, the pendant disappeared and then reappeared on Grim's neck.

"Wow! A magic crystal?" Grim held the pendant up close enough to see its reflection on his bright blue eyes.

"Normally, students would have their magic crystals in the form of a pen but considering that you don't have any opposable thumbs, I customized it so that you can wear it on your neck," Crowley puffed out his chest proudly for his attention to the smallest details.

"Yahoo!" Grim said. "I did it! I got it! My own magic crystal!"

"And he's not listening…" Crowley sighed as Grim danced around the room.

"Grim! Say thank you!" Claire hissed, but the raccoon was too distracted.

"As you can see, Claire," Crowley said, leaning against his desk once more, "Grim is not accustomed to human society and social interactions. Therefore, I would like you to supervise him and prevent him from getting into any more trouble."

"Thirty seconds as a student, and you're already appointed as dorm head. It must be a new record," Ace said, grinning.

"Dorm head?" Claire raised one eyebrow in confusion.

"Since it is just you two, and you are in charge of supervising Grim… I suppose it does make sense that you are the dorm head," Deuce said slowly.

"Well, it is definitely a first for someone with no magic to be appointed," Ace pointed out. "I think it's cool," he added with a grin. Unlike before, there was no ridicule in his voice. No fakeness. He sounded genuinely happy for her.

"I thought I was supposed to be relieved of responsibilities, not receive more," Claire sighed.

"Come on." Ace grinned and slapped her back. "It won't be that bad, Dorm Head! Good luck!"

Claire gave a weak chuckle. "Yay."

Author's Notes

I think we can all agree that none of us like having to shoulder more responsibility XD

But congrats to Claire and Grim for becoming one whole student for Night Raven College. Though, Claire seems to be a little bit more reluctant to attend.

We are almost done with the prologue! Just one more chapter to go, and we can then start the series! I am looking forward to this and more information will be provided next week.

Thanks for reading and I'll see you next week!

-JD