The Quest

Prologue - Chapter 3: A Dismissive Ranking

SR Card - Lilia Vanrouge
"Ceremonies are a long-standing point of contention. Oh but not with me. I mean with Malleus."
….
Alex’s POV:
Looking around, I see a lot of people in shock while Grim screams in the arms of the Kerkopes. The red-headed boy, that I’ve learned from earlier muttering, Riddle Rosehearts walks over to Grim and the Kerkopes hesitantly before shouting, “Off With Your Head!” A red, black and white heart card. “MYAH?! What are you doing?!” Grim screamed.

“The Queen of Heart's Rule 23: "One must never bring a cat to a formal affair. Your very presence here is a violation of order. You will vacate these premises immediately.” stated Riddle. ‘Interesting rule, then again, we have a lot of wild spirits and some wild animals’ “But I ain't a cat either! Don't try to collar me! I'll burn it right off! Huh...? Wh-what gives? My fire ain't workin'!” Grim asks in shock.

“Until I deign to remove that collar, you won't be using any magic. You're naught but a pet cat now.” Riddle states. ‘Oh that's cool, maybe it would work on the bitch Hera or the other gods’ Grim looks at Riddle in shock, if not even a little insulted, “M-meoWHAT?! I ain't nobody's pet-NOTHING!”

“Oh, you've nothing to worry about there. I certainly have no interest in having you as a pet. The collar will disappear once you're removed from campus.” Riddle stated in annoyance. “Ha-HA! Good show as always, Riddle. You're signature spell locks down any magic. It's quite handy. I've just GOT to have it—ah, I mean, I've just got to have respect for it.” the boy named Azul suspiciously compliments.

“Yuu! Was I not clear that you are expected to take responsibility for your familiar? Now discipline your—What's that? It isn't yours?” Crowley asks. “I've never seen that creature before in my life!” the boy named Yuu argues. “Yeah, he has told you repeatedly that the ferret, excuse me, Grim is not his familiar.” I state in annoyance.

“Oh...Is that so? *Ahem* Then I shall have it expelled from campus. I shall even spare it from being served as dinner. My, but I AM kind. ...Someone take this away, please.” Crowley asks in embarrassment. “Nooooo! Let me gooooo! You fools better remember my name! Cause I'm gonna go down in the annals of magic history! Just you wait!” Grim screams as hes dragged out of the room.

“I feel kind of sorry for him.” Yuu says. ‘I kinda, but not really, he reminds me of the bitch Octavian, he was a jackass’ Crowley regains his composure and speaks up again, “Well, that was quite the unexpected fracas. I hereby declare that orientation has concluded. Housewardens, please escort your students back to the dorms....Hm? Come to think of it, I don't see Housewarden Draconia of House Diasomnia anywhere.”

‘Diasomnia? Why isn’t he here?’ The boy with lion ears scoffs, “And that surprises you? Dude's a total recluse.” The boy with red eyes, which I have learned that his name is Kalim, looks unsure and counters, “Wait a sec... Did anyone even invite him?” The handsome boy speaks up, “If you're that worried about him missing out, maybe you should have told him yourself.”

“Maybe, but I don't know him too well either…” Kalim says a bit sadly. In the background I hear students whispering, “Draconia... Like, Malleus Draconia? THAT Draconia?” “So it's true? He really does go to school here?” “Yikes.” I sigh in disappointment and I see Carmin and Jackson shaking their heads before looking at me. “So from what I’ve gathered, you all have decided that because this Malleus Draconia is powerful and intimidating, you decide not to include him and ultimately avoid him. You all disappoint me, I thought this school would’ve been better about that stuff.” I state in annoyance.

“Ah, I don’t believe I’ve ever heard anyone stand up for him like that,” the boy with a deep voice says, “anyways Just as I'd expected. I figured I'd come down and see for myself whether Malleus had made an appearance. But once again, he was evidently not informed that his presence was required at an official ceremony.” Azul speaks up, “You have my sincerest apologies. I assure you, this oversight was in no way intended as a snub.”

“I mean, you must admit, he's not exactly the easiest person to strike up a conversation with.” Riddle says. “No matter. All who were assigned to House Diasomnia, follow me. I just hope he doesn't sulk about this.” the boy with a deep voice says before leaving with the students.

“Well, Yuu. This is a most unfortunate turn of events. I'm afraid that you will not be attending Night Raven Collage after all. Surely you realize that I cannot very well admit a student with no magical ability to my academy. But worry not. The Dark Mirror will see you safely home. Now, step into the gate, and visualize the place you whence you came.” Crowley orders as the dorms leave. We stay behind in meaning to talk to Crowley. “Excuse me, Headmaster?’ I ask to get his attention. “Yes?” he distractedly replies. “We would like to notify you of some events that may interfere with out learning.” I state.

Crowley sighs, “I’ll set up a meeting to talk about this later, right now I need to get Yuu home.” Yuu sighs in relief, stepping back up to the mirror. “O Dark Mirror! Return this soul to where it belongs!” Crowley says. The mirror stays quiet. “*Ahem* L-let us, er...try this again. O Dark Mirror! Return this soul—” Crowley starts. “There is no such place.” the Mirror States. “What?” Crowley asks in shock.

“There is no place in this world where this soul belongs. None.” the mirror states. “How can that be? My, but today is a veritable cavalcade of impossible phenomena!” Crowley exclaims. The mirror stays silent once more.  “This has never happened throughout my long tenure. I must confess that I am at something of a loss.” Crowley says before turning to Yuu, “Tell me: From what land do you hail?” Yuu hesitantly replies, “I’m from Japan”

‘Oh, I’ve always wanted to go to Japan, although its kinda difficult considering I’m only safe in New Rome and Manhattan’ Crowley stays silent before saying, “I'm afraid I am not familiar with such a place. I am intimately acquainted with the origins of every student who has ever come here, and yet…This mysterious homeland of your eludes me. Let us go to the library and look it up, shall we?”

‘He doesn’t know where we come from? What is going on?’

A/n: Like in the series, Carmin, being a daughter of Aphrodite, can speak and understand French because it’s the language of love. Like Leo, Jackson can understand machine communication and morse code. This will also use the headcanon that the children of Apollo can understand and speak Italian due to their father being god of music and Italian being the language of music.