I Wanna Set Myself Free

Stranger Waking

Y/n: What is that noise?

???: "I better hurry up and find that uniform before someone spots me... Urgggh... This lid weighs a ton! Try this on for size! Mya-ha!"

Y/n: F-Fire?!

???: "Now to grab the goods... What?! You ain't supposed to be awake!"

Y/n: "F-floating coffins?" Am I paying for my father's sins again?

???: "Oh-ho! You got a lotta nerve ignoring me, human! The name's Grim. Believe me, you won't forget it! Now gimme your uniform, and be quick about it! 'Cause if you don't...you're gonna regret it!"

Y/n: "Getting roasted alive by a weasel? What will I dream of next?" Burning is fine. I wonder if Mikey is going to try to burn Father again. I feel like people have tried to burn him no less than 2 or 3 times...

Grim: "Well keep dreamin', 'cause I ain't no weasel!"

Y/n leaves the weasel.

~Library~

Y/n: I really hope I wasn't kidnapped.

Grim: "Foolish human! Did you really think you could slip away from ME? Now, unless you wanna get burned to a crisp, take off that— Me-YEOW! That hurt! What gives?"

???: "Consider it tough love. Ah, I've found you at last. Splendid. I trust you're one of this year's new students? My, were you ever eager to make your debut. And bringing a poorly trained familiar with you? That is a clear violation of the school's rules." 

Grim: "As if I'd serve some lowly human! Now lemme go!"

???: "Yes, yes. Rebellious familiars always say that. Do be quiet for a bit, won't you?"

Grim: "Mmmrph!"

Y/n: "I only-"

Y/n was interrupted by a barking sound.

Y/n: "Fetch!" 

Y/n picks up the animatronic dog.

???: "Two familiars uncommon but not heard of. Dear me. Of all the students I've dealt with, you're the first with temerity enough to open their own gate and step out of it. Does the very notion of patience elude you? No matter. Your orientation has already begun. Let us return to the Mirror Chamber."

Y/n: "Gate...?"

???: "You awakened in a room full of gates, did you not? All of the students here at the campus arrived by passing through such gates. Although typically the students have restraint enough to wait until I open them before waking up."

Y/n: "So those coffins are like...gateways?"

???: "The design is intended to symbolize a parting with your former world and a rebirth into a new one. But now is not the time for such prattle. You have a student orientation to attend! Go on, now. Make haste."

Y/n: "First, just tell me one thing: Who are you?"

???: "Hm? Have you not fully regained consciousness? The time-space teleportation must have addled your memories... Well, these things happen, I suppose. I shall explain it to you while we walk. Truly, my magnanimity is boundless."

~Courtyard~

???: *Ahem* "This is Night Raven College. It is an institution for students the world over who demonstrate a rare aptitude for magic. It is the most prestigious academy of its sort in all of Twisted Wonderland. And I am Dire Crowley. Having been entrusted with its care by the chairman, I serve as headmage."

Y/n: "Acadamey?"

Crowley: "Only those who the Dark Mirror perceives as having a talent for magic are admitted to the college. Those who are selected are summoned to the campus through those "gates," which can appear anywhere. A black carriage bearing one such gate should have come to meet you."

Y/n: "I do kinda remember crossing a dark forest..."

Crowley: "That black carriage serves to receive a student chosen by the Dark Mirror. It too bears a gate that connects to this campus. And as you know, sending a carriage to meet someone on a special day is a time-honored tradition."

Y/n: "So this carriage dragged me here against my will?"

???: "Mmfff! Mmmmmmfff!"

Crowley: "Now, let us attend to your orientation."