Grim's been down all evening; he was a nightmare to try and review Homework with too. Personally, I'm not a big fan of sad Grim but he's definitely like a little kid, being so down because he can't do something he's excited about. Oh boy, this is definitely a pickle, isn't it?

It doesn't fix itself in the morning, either.

He trudges down the stairs, and honestly even though we're still in the middle of clean-up, this place looks even more dreary. "I don't wanna do anything at all… I don't get to be in the Spelldrive Tournament…" He's forgotten about the tuna, even. Grim, no.

"Grim…" I sigh. Ah, this funk. "You're going to cling to that awhile, huh?"

He gives me the saddest look.

I'm not entirely surprised the ghosts pop up. The mid-sized one that I really realize I need to name them in my head floats around by Grim. "Aw, what's wrong? You seem so down, Grim."

Maybe Smol, Chonk, and Stickbug? Meme names for meme ghosts.

Chonk responds, "It's because he can't participate in the Spelldrive Tournament." Oh, don't giggle, Chonk. C'mon.

Stickbug makes a surprising offer. "If you want to play, we can play against you." Ghost games? I need to think of something to name this later. I'm fairly tired. "90 years ago I was a top Spelldrive Player." How long has be been dead? Did he die here?

Oh I have way too many questions.

What was this before a dorm that got haunted?

"But we can't without seven…" Grim's arms cross. Oh, that pouty demon-cat. His tail is in the shape of a pitchfork.

"It doesn't matter, this isn't a real match. C'mon. Let's go." Smol is probably right. Like kids playing football outside during the summer.

Sounds like fun, honestly. Getting some exercise is good for us, and helps cheer up or whatever.

Unfortunately, as we get outside with Grim and I versus three ghosts it's very obvious that as I have zero magic I am zero percent useful in the game. The basics are explained to us, at least. It's basically about being fancy, and trying to get the disc into goals on either side of the field for points. You can use magic, and so on and so forth. It's uh, I mean, there's nuances that are to be learned with time but for now I'm basically running back and forth and dodging ghosts while Grim has control of the disc.

It's like magic field Frisbee.

I guess.

Grim's control has gotten a lot better than it used to be. And while he's running and controlling the disc, he's using his fire breath to dissipate the ghosts as they come after him. I'm honestly pretty impressed with how his control has grown.

Plus, the openness of Ramshackle's lot is pretty great for this until an unfortunate guest arrives. Mirror-wing-hat McGee is here, looking over at us curiously. "Oh? Playing Spelldrive?" Uh oh.

I know that this isn't going to be good. He only comes over for top-tier bullshit.

This might also be that overdue YOLO lecture.

"Ugh… the bringer of bad new is here." Grim's right though.

Should call him Headmaster Mood killer.

"It seems you are finally getting along with the ghosts of Ramshackle. That is very, very good!" He's so cheery about it too, I really find myself suspicious of this not-exactly-man. Those ears are definitely pointed. Like Lilia… Vanrouge. Hm.

They're both pale too. I wonder what they are, exactly? Vampires? But it is day out. I mean, the sky is pretty cloudy today but… I'm definitely back on my vampire theory. Would they be vampires here, though? Does Twisted Wonderland even have the concept of vampires? These are all very important topics to research at the library later. ...After… schoolwork.

"No we're not! And why are you even here?" Grim, we really are. You're just being stubborn because Crowley's here. Maybe Grim's a little tsun tsun?

I remember my anime tropes.

A bit.

"I came to ask you both for a favor. Please, let us talk inside." Fucking CALLED IT.

"Alright, alright…" I sigh, and turn to the ghosts. "Thanks for the game! It was really fun."

This guy is ruining our weekend.

Which reminds me to see if Sam sells a smoker or a barbecue grill or something. I want some good shit tm.

As we get inside to the partially-cleaned-up lounge, I take a seat and Grim hops up beside me with his arms crossed. "What do you even want this time!? We're not your servants!" Ah, he is fully hostile right now.

Which means I don't have to be.

Should I offer some coffee…? Nah. I don't think he's going to stay long and honestly I do not feel a lick of my Southern Hospitality kicking in—considering the messes we've already been in… tracing back to Mr. Problem-Giver here…

"Oh? Did I forget to say I have not given you permission for permanent residence here?" I am not surprised that Crowley is immediately playing dirty and I have to take in a few deep breaths.

Wait, this is some bullshit ploy to get his way because I already have paperwork I'm turning into him about the dorm.

"You know, earning through hard work is wonderful, No, Grim." I give Crowley such a cold look.

"Considering the improvements I've already made in not that long I'd say I'm working pretty hard, Headmaster." Oh, I am already ready to sass. "But sure, as you're threatening to throw us on the streets-iguardian/i, do continue."

This man doesn't listen to a thing I say. "Anyway, as I was starting to say-" Crowley is at the bottom of my list of people in Twisted Wonderland yet again. I hope he scratches his chin with those claws. "We are having many mysterious, suspicious injuries at school… I would like you two to investigate."

"People are getting hurt…?" Grim's at least curious. But I'd like more details.

"Any other details?" Could be poor maintenance causing people to get hurt in certain areas. I'd like a bit more background before we're on a wild goose chase.

"Yes—the students are falling down stairs, being burned with boiling water, and so on—the reasons of their injuries vary, but it is an unnatural rise in students coming to the infirmary for injuries due to strange accidents. We have already inspected the areas… and yesterday was the tenth victim, the student fell down a staircase… but little witnesses with little information. This has happened in only a few days' time." Hm.

"Are you sure it's not just accidents?" Grim is asking a proper question.

"The Spelldrive Tournament is soon, and perhaps the excitement is making our students more reckless—but the number is so much higher than last year… and almost all of those injured are top candidates for the Spelldrive teams." Oh! Now he has a reason to be suspicious!

So, maybe magical sabotage?

Grim ihms/i.

"That makes it suspicious… is there, maybe, a specific dorm of students not injured…? That'd be the first suspect if it's sabotage." I have two brain cells.

"Not that I've… noticed, hm. However, there is no evidence proving these aren't accidents." Crowley informs; which of course probably means magic. "There is at least one witness for every accident, but the reports are the same: the victims were acting normally."

"That's just clumsiness. Mystery solved." Grim, not so fast. We are in a school of magic.

Why is something nagging in the back of my head?

Ugh.

"Grim, I wouldn't be here if it was just that." Crowley has his hands on his hips with a bit of an exasperated huff.

Hah. This is how we feel about you all the time.

Grim's paws cross stubbornly. "Why should I care? This has nothing to do with me! I don't even get to participate in the Tournament either way!" He really is a little kid, huh? Or a middle schooler. "I don't really care about what happens with it…" Aw.

"Is that so…? And I even thought about a special reward for you…" Manipulative Bastard Crowley is at it again.

"You still owe him tuna." I remind.

Grim has learned his lesson! I notice his flames perk up a little. "I will never fall for that ever again! I refuse to cooperate unless there's at least a hundred cans of tuna up front for last time!" Good. Glad he learns.

"Then… what if I allow you to participate in the Tournament as a player?" Oh, this is a devious bastard.

He's got Grim hook, line, and sinker.

"If you two manage to solve this mystery, I will give your dorm special permission to participate in the Tournament." Crowley's giving Grim an offer too good to refuse, but again, too good to be true. I am so suspicious of him after the tuna promises that are broken and this dirty lording things over our heads when it is the Mirror of Darkness that he has dominion over as Headmaster that pulled me here against my will from another world. I might have to have words or throw hands in the future. "Well, how about it, am I not so kind? As you know, the winners of the Tournament will have attention world-wide on TV—it is a change to be admired and praised from all over Twisted Wonderland. Can you imagine it? People saying, iOh, did you see that amazing player Grim?/i" The voice change is a little weird.

"I can see it now… how tempting…" Grim, you're falling for it again.

"Oh, but you didn't want to cooperate… I guess you can forget about it. What a shame…" What a manipulative bastard this educator is.

"WAIT. WAIT! I'll do it, okay!?" He's got Grim.

"Oh? Really?" C'mon, Crowley.

"If you'll let me into the Tournament, of course I'll do it! Obviously!" Well, I'm screwed because of Grim. He can't do this on his own.

"Well, that settles it—we'll have to find the culprit or culprits and earn that spot, huh?" I'm giving Crowley a steady look too.

"Ah, but we need seven players… how will that work out?" Ah, good one Grim.

Actually, I was a gymnist until my parents died. So participating in a competition of some sort sounds nice—even though this is very different from what I remember as a kid. I still had fun—they were fond memories. But after they died I lost all interest in it. I probably wouldn't be okay if I didn't make some pretty great friends after moving schools…

"As I am Headmaster I am perfectly capable of supplying you with the other five players! Do not worry about a thing." Suspicious.

"It's a deal! Let's go talk to some victims, No!" He is pumped up and ready to go…

"I leave it up to you both." Why, though? It's strange he's leaving it to us. Laziness?

"Grim, I'll catch up, okay?" I smile at my only ward in this dorm. "I need a few words with the headmaster."

"Oh…?"

"Sure, sure, don't make me wait too long!" He runs off. Grim's pumped.

And I turn and make sure I am in Crowley's retreating path with what I know is absolute displeasure on my face.

"Well, what is it, No Wei?" Crowley—his face is too covered for me to really read his expression. But I make sure I head the door fully shut.

I take in a breath. "So you definitely have a problem with fulfilling promises to Grim and I—I don't really care, because let's face it, adults are disappointing—but if you want Grim to be a productive member of this school and to mature, you need to keep your promises. So I definitely expect those tuna cans here. Tomorrow. And that you're not going to cause problems when we figure this out." My arms are crossed. "I mean, as my guardian, aren't you supposed to set good examples to a poor, wayward orphan like myself…? Especially as an educator of such a prestigious school… Gossip travels fast here." Yeah I'm playing pretty dirty here.

That is a fucking sinister grin if I ever saw one on masked man's face. "No Wei…"

I have the sweetest smile on my face. "Yes, Headmaster?" I am filled with the strangest dread.

"I look forward to your results!" He pats my head which I am not sure how to react. "Look for it tomorrow!" And he is… gone. Wow.

I let out a breath. Fuck for a second there…

I'm starting to think there's some villainous undertone… here…

Ah, shit—I run off, I have to get to the infirmary, fast!

I can think about the shadow of death I felt a lot later.