As she neared the room she'd run from earlier, she overheard an overbearing voice declare loudly,
"We're done with orientation and dorm assignments? All right, new students—let me be clear. At Heartslabyul House, I am the law. Break the rules, and it's off with your head!"
A tall student yawned behind him, "Well, that ceremony was as boring as ever. I'm going back to the dorm. If you're in Savanaclaw House, follow me."
"New students!" a third voice called smoothly. "Allow me to be the first to congratulate you on your achievement. As dorm leader of Octavinelle House, I am honored to support you in what I hope will be a fulfilling campus experience."
Crowley frowned when he heard this and quickened his pace. She rushed to keep up.
"Hey, does anyone know where the headmage went? He disappeared halfway through the ceremony…" a curious student asked.
"Some headmage he is," another muttered—there was a strange static in his voice.
"Maybe he had a tummyache?" someone said in genuine concern.
They reached the door just as Crowley threw it open with a dramatic yell, "I most certainly did not!"
"Ah, speak of the devil," murmured a small hooded figure.
"If you must know, I was searching for the new student who failed to show up for orientation." Crowley gave the group a disdainful glance before turning toward her. "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… weasel."
She approached the mirror slowly. As she did, the mirror's surface shimmered, and Crowley spoke again, voice tinged with forced calm.
"It would seem that the transportation method caused this student some amnesia. Let's start by recovering their name."
"He has amnesia?" asked a short student with bright purple eyes, blinking in concern. "Oh dear, that must be difficult for them."
"He lost his memories?" said a tall student with a tail in a lazy tone.
"Can the Dark Mirror uncover his memories?" the student with glasses asked. It was the same one who had just given that polished dorm speech.
"It should at least uncover his name," Crowley confirmed. "O Dark Mirror, tell us this student's name."
The mirror's voice echoed solemnly:
"Thy name is Hoshi."
"Hoshi…" she whispered, a wave of relief washing over her.
"Ah, good." Crowley gave a nod. "Now for the dorm—"
"There is no shape."
"Huh?" Crowley blinked up at the mirror.
"I sense magic in this one. However… soundless. Colorless. Shapeless. Utterly vacant. Therefore, no dorm would be appropriate. Their light has vanished, and thus so has their nature of magic. Thou nature of magic has been taken."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"You mean… they're unable to use any magical elements—because it was stolen?" Crowley's voice cracked with disbelief.
He hurried toward Hoshi. "Where are you from?"
She shook her head. "I don't remember… that either."
As soon as she said, there was a loud cry from somewhere in the room:
"Can magic actually be stolen?!"
"No way—?!" someone started, "B-but I've heard some magic can steal other magic…"
But before anyone could say more, Crowley's voice boomed, "No interruptions! Focus, all of you!"
Grim burst free from Crowley's hold with a furious shout, "ME! Let ME have this student's seat!"
"Not so fast, you hyperactive weasel!" Crowley yelped as the creature leapt from his arms.
"Unlike that human, I'm a guy and I can actually use proper magic! So let me in! Look—I'll show you! My spells're the cat's meow!" Grim declared, puffing up with pride.
"Everyone, get down!" someone shouted suddenly.
She dropped to the floor just in time. Flames whooshed over her head as one poor student, a little too slow, began running in circles, screaming,
"AHHHHH! HELP! I'M ON FIRE OVER HERE!"
"Someone catch that blasted animal before it sets the whole school ablaze!" Crowley shouted, flailing in rage.
"Ugh. Can I go now, or…?" the lazy-tailed student muttered.
"Oh? I thought you fancied yourself a hunter. Go and help yourself to that plump little morsel," the golden-haired one teased with a smirk.
"Too much effort. Do it yourself," came the indifferent reply.
She stared at the chaos unfolding in disbelief. They're seriously just watching this happen?!
"Allow me to handle this, Headmage Crowley." The glasses-wearing student adjusted his frame with eerie calm. "If no one else can catch a small animal, I'll accept the responsibility."
Hoshi looked toward the headmage urgently. "Are there any spare materials?!"
Nearby, a floating tablet added snarkily, "WTG, Azul. Rackin' up those participation credits."
Crowley blinked in confusion. "What are you—? The supplies are in that closet!"
"Hey, um… my butt's still on fire," the flaming student whimpered. "Could someone maybe put this out?!"
Crowley roared again, "Was I unclear just now?!"
"Pretty sure you can handle catching one mangy weasel all on your lonesome, Headmage," the sleepy boy muttered.
"How many times do I gotta say it?! I'm Grim, spellcaster extraordinaire! I'm NOT a weasel!" Grim shouted indignantly.
Azul smirked, eyes gleaming. "Aren't you a spunky little fellow. Riddle, would you be so kind…?"
The red-haired student from earlier stepped forward coldly. "Furry miscreant. I will abide no rule-breaking. You will be judged by my hand."
While the others chased Grim around the hall, Hoshi returned with a wet curtain. She tackled the panicked, flaming student and blotted out the fire quickly.
The boy coughed, then looked up at her and grinned brightly. "Thanks! I owe ya one!"
Something about his smile sparked a strange feeling in her. Familiar. Nostalgic.
Then he spoke again. "How about helping me put out the rest of the fire? It'd be bad if it spread."
"Right." She nodded. "Let's go."
He raised a pen with a glowing jewel, and his hood fell—revealing silver hair tied back with a cloth.
"Respite in the scalding sands, a neverending party. Dance! Sing! Oasis Maker!"
A refreshing rain began to fall, soaking the hall in a shimmering mist. Hoshi watched in awe, drenched and stunned.
So this was his magic…
Her awe was cut short by a sudden chill. A whisper—quiet, almost cruel—echoed behind her. She turned quickly.
But no one was there.
Before she could think more, a voice called her back.
"Must you relish playing with your quarry, Azul?"
The red-haired boy's hood had fallen back, revealing his sharp gaze and chin-length hair. The glasses-wearing one—Azul—responded with a smirk.
"Heh. And here I thought we were both the sort to enjoy this."
Something about them sent a chill down her spine. Why do I think they're dangerous…? I don't even know them.
Riddle scoffed. "Please. I'm not like you. And who started using magic inside the hall?!"
The silver-haired boy blinked innocently. "I just didn't want anyone to get hurt."
"Th-thank you, sir!" another student cried.
"Heh! You're welcome!" the boy laughed heartily.
Riddle scowled at the charred uniforms. "We need to catch that weasel—fast!"
Grim squeaked in panic. "I-I AIN'T A WEASEL!"
Despite the flames being gone, Grim couldn't fight them off. Seeing this, Hoshi's expression grew complicated. She didn't like Grim's arrogance, but she didn't want him to get hurt either.
Her eyes fell to the curtain still in her hands.
An idea sparked.