In Bloom (Twisted Wonderland x OC)

24: Consultation

Uncertain on where to start, I first went to Headmage Crowley. If anyone could put a halt to Azul's scam, it would be a high standing staff member.

After I told Headmage Crowley about the incident, he seemed rather gloomy, "I couldn't put a stop to Mr. Ashengrotto's "business" again this year."

"Again?!" I exclaimed, "You mean this happened before?!"

As a first year student, Azul pulled the same scheme: providing study guides in return for magical abilities from students. Although the turnout was not on a large compared to this year, it still posed a problem. Headmage Crowley stepped in and demanded Azul return the students' abilities. However, the Dorm Leader of Octavinelle had one last deal prepared.

Crowley continued, "I allowed him to open Mostro Lounge in exchange for him to return the students' abilities. He even called it a "win-win" situation since the school also receives a portion of profits."

"What about the contracts? Can't something be done about them?"

"As a teacher, I'm not allowed to intervene in students' personal affairs, such as the contracts Mr. Ashengrotto made."

The students knew of the consequences before they entered the contract, yet they still decided to carry through with it. I also knew from my experience working with Azul at the lounge that he never forced anything onto anyone. Instead, he dropped small hints and made sure his services were known. He would build rapport with other students, depicting him as someone reliable and trustworthy. In this manner, students who wanted to seek his aide, would be waiting right at his doorstep.

I remember on the day of my arrival, Azul and the Leech twins came to my dorm to "welcome" me to the school. He may have appeared as friendly and genuine at first glance, but my train of thought went down the slippery slope. Fearing his intentions, I shut the door in his face.

Despite all of that, I chose to work at Mostro Lounge for him. I mainly needed income for myself, but it also allowed me to practice my kitchen skills and no other place on campus hired students. Even though he came to trust me as his colleague, I constantly maintained my guard around Azul, never asking for favors nor accepting help.

Looking at the school rules, Azul violated none. The safety of the students or the campus were not at risk either. There had to be something to cause intervention by the staff.

I recalled Mr. Crewel said the students in his classes and several others received unusually high scores compared to previous years. I suggested, "What about the study guides he made?"

Headmage Crowley set out a packet on his desk, "The study guides he made did not involve stealing test answers, cheating or anything of the sort. It seems Mr. Ashengrotto read through the last century of tests answers and analyzed the trends in questions. Not to mention, each student he made a contract with received the same study guide."

I looked through the booklet, and I recognized the material. He took extremely complicated subjects and concepts and made them simple to understand. The booklet contained less than fifty pages, which made it possible for someone to breeze through the content or possibly cram. To top it all off, the content was from a hundred year's worth of exams. I hated to admit, but pulling off such a feat was quite impressive.

It seemed unlikely, but it was worth a shot in asking, "You were able to return the students' magic last year. Can't you talk to Azul again?"

"I fear of what Mr. Ashengrotto might demand of me this year, especially since his "business" is on a much grander scale,"  the corners of his mouth perked up, "maybe you could convince him, Ms. Salvatori."

Of course I'm expected to be the solution for every problem.

"I don't think he's the persuasive type, Headmage."