An Earl in Night Raven College (Book three)

The Merchant of the Deep Sea: Part 12

*Ciel's POV*

We came out of our room with bags, I had my bag on my back that was filled with some clothes, my uniform, and school supplies. While Grim had his tuna on his back, he was using a long piece of fabric to hold them. I had some trouble fitting all that was bring with me in the bag, luckily, Jade was kind enough to help me. I was thankful for his help since when it came to packing, I have a hard time. We meet up with the twins as the kindly escort me and Grim outside, we both look at them as they checked to make sure were ready.

"Are you two all set?" Jade asked as I nod

"We are."

"Peace, Little Shrimpy and Baby Seal! See you around!" Floyd states as he gives a small wave.

"And if you're in need of lodgings, feel free to come and speak with us. Reservations for guest rooms in Octavinelle Dorm start at 100 thaumarks a night." Jade offers but shake my head

"Thanks for the offer, Jade. But we'll be fine." I declined with a small smile.

Jade smiles back at me before he closes the door behind him as it made a loud slam, something I need to check when this was all over. I then hear a growl, I looked beside me to see that Grim was angry, probably for his nickname from Floyd.

"Hey! Wait! Say that to my face! NOBODY CALLS ME A BABY SEEEAAAL!" Grim angrily shouts

"Grim, it's pointless... It's better to accept the nickname since this is Floyd we're talking about." I state with a sigh.

We make our way back to Jack, since I saw that he was still waiting for us like he had promised he would. As we walked, we felt cold winds blows by us as we walked, thankfully I was wearing some winter clothes that I got from Jack for my birthday. Though Grim wasn't so lucky as he was shivering but not by much as to not drop any of his tuna. Had to admit, when it comes to anything that will get him tuna was both helpful and annoying for me. I shake my head as we continued walking while Grim was complaining.

"Brr... Guess we're roughin' it tonight. This stinks." Grim complains as I looked at him with a raised eyebrow

"And whose fault is that?" Then I began to shiver from the cold winds.

'We'd better start looking for some cover.'

"Hey, Ciel! Grim!"

Me and Grim looked to see that it was Ace and Deuce running towards us, still looking tired from being overworked. But they still had enough energy to run, most likely from having to serve orders for so long. I then saw Jack following them since he noticed me and Grim making our way to him. The three were now standing in front of us, well Ace and Deuce were panting from running all the way here. The two looked at me with guilty looks on their faces, my guess is they weren't expecting Azul to take the dorm as part of the contract.

"Hello, Ace, Deuce!" I greeted them with a small smile.

"Myah! Are you guys here to help?" Grim questions

"Hm... Not to help you, but it's kind of our fault that Ciel is out in the cold. It wouldn't sit right with me if you slept outside and caught a cold or somethin'..." Ace state as Grim looks at him offended.

"Do you two have an idea?" I questioned wondering what they were gonna do as Grim pouts a bit.

"What is it with you and posturin'?"

"We've talked with Housewarden Rosehearts. We can offer you a place safe from the elements if you don't mind sleeping in our four-man freshman dorm room." Deuce informs us

"Four-man dorm room?" I questioned, not sure what he meant.

"You guys are gonna cram ANOTHER two bodies into a crowded four-man room? What, does Heartslabyul not have any empty rooms?" Jack questions with a raised eyebrows

"Since nobody in our dorm ever drops out or gets held back, it's always at full capacity." Deuce explains.

"Then...why don't you come to Savanaclaw Dorm instead?" Jack suggests, causing the rest of us to be taken aback.

"HUH?!"

"I acted like I was doin' you a favor by sticking around for those negotiations with Azul, but I didn't actually contribute at all. And considering how much we owe you for everything that went down at the Spelldrive tournament, Leona and the others won't make a peep about it." Jack explains

"Well, you do make a fair point." I stated

'And maybe I can practice a bit more on my fencing, it'll be pretty usual.'

I'm somewhat glad the ghost bride incident and Halloween week occurred or else I wouldn't have gotten useful memories back. Then I noticed that the trio begins to smile, which makes me a bit confused at what they were gonna do next.

"Oh-hooo..." Deuce trails off.

"Daaang. I never knew you were such a big softie, Jack!" Ace exclaims

"You learn something new every day!" Grim states, the three causing Jack to blush a bit.

"D-don't get me wrong, okay?! I want our next round of exams to be on a level playing field. It's in my best interests for Ciel to win that bet with Azul!"

"Thank you, Jack." I thanked him, which he smiles back.

"Yeah, sure, whatever you say." Ace teased Jack

"Ciel and Grim will probably sleep way better there anyway." Deuce states in realization.

"Yeah, their options at our dorm would be a spot on the floor or sharin' a bed with me or Deuce... Y'know, that IS still on the table. Juuust sayin'" Ace states, allowing me to make a choice.

I began to think about it for a moment to consider my options since I knew that I had to make a choice. On one hand, I could stay at Heartslabyul where all my friends are but that would mean I would be in a cramp space or sleeping on the floor which would make Grim complain. Plus, Riddle is pretty stressed at the moment thanks to Azul's antics. While on the other, I could stay at Savanaclaw and have a better chance of having a spare room but I'll have to deal with Leona. I remain silent for a while before looking at the three with my answer.

"I'll stay at Savanaclaw, that way Leona won't have to owe me. Plus, I don't want to inconvenience you two and Riddle, since I had to help him earlier." I inform the group as Grim nods in agreement with my answer.

I remembered earlier before me and Jack were going to go talk to Azul, Riddle came to me for some help. Riddle needed my help with organizing who gets stationed for what chores around the dorm since some of the Hearslabyul students couldn't use magic and was sometimes forced to go to Mostro Lounge. I agreed to help him as I noticed he was stressed out and that won't do good for his health. Believe me, I would know from experience or some of it to be more accurate, still hate amnesia with my life. Thankfully, I was able to help come up with a temporary system until the issue is resolved, which he was thankful for.

'I hope I can solve this issue before that system falls apart...' I thought as Ace chuckles a bit.

"Ha ha! It's cool. I was kidding anyway." Ace chuckles as I roll my eye

"Sure you were, Ace."

"Great, then we'd better get back. It's almost midnight as it is... *Yawn*" Jack states as he yawns.

"Okay, see you tomorrow." Ace states

"Have a good night." Deuce says

"You guys as well." I said with a smile.

We split up after wishing each other a good night, me, Jack and Grim headed to the hall of mirrors to go to Savanaclaw. While Ace and Deuce ran to Heartslabyul since my dorm's a bit closer to the other dorm. As we were walking, I began to wonder if Leona will allow me and Grim to stay even if he owes us without proving we deserve to. Leona is somewhat better than how he was two months ago but that didn't mean he changed fully. Well, luckily for me I have something that will help me, though I hope it doesn't have to come to that.

'But, If I do prove myself to be allowed to stay, than so be it.'

(Before working on book 5, I'll work on the event stories that takes place in between the books. That means I have to do research ;w;... I also plan to go into detail the memories Ciel regains from those events in those stories. ^w^ )