Twisted Wonderland: Glorious Masquerade - Let the Bell of Solace Ring

Chapter 1-1: I Have Good News

One day at Night Raven College, the headmage announced that all students from freshmen to juniors are to report to the lecture hall for an important discussion.

Grim however, is annoyed, "Grr, stinkin' headmage, callin' us first thing in the mornin'... What's all this baloney about an 'important discussion,' anyway?"

"I have to wonder about it myself," Sereia says.

"I can't help but have a bad feeling about it," Briar says.

"No kidding. The headmage always has something weird planned when he does things like this," Jasper says.

"He's summoned all the freshmen, and the sophomores and juniors too. It's never good news when he calls a mass assembly like this..." Ace says.

Deuce shushes, "Shhh! The headmage is here."

Everyone looks to see Crowley walking into the lecture hall.

Crowley announces, "Good morning, my wonderous students! What a lovely day this is shaping up to be!" and has a big smile

"Well, isn't he all smiles. It's creepin' me out..." Grim says.

"He's up to something," Jasper says.

Crowley continues, "I have good news for you all. There will be an arcane academy social one month from today!"

"A SOCIAL?!" Everyone reacts in shock and surprise.

That has a lot of the students talking.

"Is this a separate event from the Arcane Academy Culture Fair?" Riddle asks.

"It's a party where we get to meet people we don't know, right? Sounds fun!" Kalim says with a smile.

Crowly loudly claps his hands and calls out, "Quiet down!"

The students soon quiet down.

Then Crowley continues, "It shall be the first Promising Young Mages' Social. One of the other magical institutions came up with the notion. Specifically—Noble Bell College, in Fleur City. And they will be hosting it as well."

"Fleur City? I'm somewhat familiar with it. It's in the Shaftlands, I believe," Vil questions.

"Indeed it is!" Lilia says, appearing towards Vil, upside down.

That startle, Vil, Rook, and Epel.

Vil reacts in surprise, "Ack! You scared me. Don't just swing in like that!"

"It's quite a historic city," Lilia says, as he makes himself rightside up, "And while Noble Bell College is smaller than Night Raven, it's a storied institution in its own right. Even I've never set foot on their campus before. This is quite the rare opportunity."

"Vanrouge is entirely right!" Crowley says, "Much like our own campus, Noble Bell College is usually closed to outsiders except on special occasions. So it was quite a surprise to hear them of all people propose a meeting of arcane academies. I considered declining and telling them not to put our esteemed academy on the same level as the others... But they were most insistent when they reached out. I believe they said, 'There is no arcane academy more exceptional than Night Raven College! Please, you must take part!' How could I say no in the face of such an honest appraisal of our school, which has flourished under my tenure as headmage?"

"Talk about overt flattery... No wonder his smile's a mile wide," Cater replies.

Leona says in remark, "Hah, you're joking, right? Sounds like the most tedious thing I've ever heard. Who'd sign up for that?"

"This has 'hard nope' written all over it," Idia says, "Just the word 'social' makes me break out in hives!"

And Sebek says, "I doubt my liege has anything to learn from the rabble. Socials are meaningless!"

"Looks like everybody hates the idea..." Grim says.

"What about you, Grim?" Sereia asks.

"I'm with them! Sounds like a total snoozefest," Grim quickly answers.

"I think it's a good opportunity," Briar says.

"A good opportunity for what, bein' bored outta my skull?" Grim questions.

"No. To get to know the other students from another school. It's not upcoming for schools to meet up with other schools like this," Briar says.

But Grim says, "The school's tiny, right? It's probably just all beige walls and stuff. Nothin' exciting."

"I think it sounds fun," Sereia says.

"I think it sounds interesting. We meet up with students from Royal Sword Academy, I don't think it's any different," Tanzanite says.

"Sounds boring," Jasper says.

"But we can actually go to a different place, and another city," Briar says

"Are you certain that's the stance you want to take?" Crowley questions, "The social is a chance to speak with other students and broaden your horizons. It's not some challenging course. And after the social, there will be a ball where you can dance, eat, chant, and enjoy all the festivities! And since you're students of the prestigious Night Raven College... I'm sure the other attendees will fawn all over you. I can see it now! 'Wow!' 'Can I have your autograph?' 'You're the cat's pajamas!'"

"For real...?" Grim questions and gulps.

And Crolwey says, "And more to the point—this is a special time of year in Fleur City."

"It is?" Grim asks.

"What is it?" Jasper asks, taking an interest.

"They're holding their famous festival. It only happens once a year," Crowley says, "For two nights and three days, you'll take in beautiful sights, see delightful entertainment, shop for unique souvenirs, and of course... Enjoy a myriad of delectable vittles! With all expenses paid by the host!"

This has Grim excited, "I WANNA GO! Me! Mememe! I wanna go to Flowertown or whatever! I want delectable vittles!"

"A festival sounds like fun," Sereia says.

"I love to go there too," Briar says.

This also earns the rest of the students' interest.

"For free? Okay, now you're speakin' my language," Ruggie happily says.

And Azul says, "A social for exception mages sounds like it'd be quite beneficial, actually."

"Mm, yes. This is the perfect chance for you to learn more of another culture, Malleus. You should..." Lilia says, but soon notices, "Hm? Where IS Malleus?"

"Did someone forget to tell him about the assembly...? I'll go find him now," Silver says.

"Sounds really exciting," Sereia says.

"Yeah. Now you're talkin," Jasper says.

"Then we all better get packin'!" Ace says.

But then, Crowley says, "Ah, not everyone can go."

Everyone responds, dumbfounded, "HUH?!"

Crowley then explains, "The social will take place on Halloween. We have our own important Halloween festivities to run, so we can't leave the school empty. I'll be selecting 10 representatives to take part in the social."

"Way to get our hopes up for nothin'..." Epel says with a frown.

"Who shall be our esteemed representatives?" Rook replies.

"My selection will be made via the fairest possible means," Crowley says.

"The fairest possible means?" Trey questions, "Like some sort of stringent rubric that incorporates grades and club participation...?"

And Crowley answers, "A random drawing!"

"You're just doin' that for the laughs!" Grim shouts.

"Some fairest possible means," Briar says, dumbfounded.

"Anyway! We're a bit short on time, so I'll be drawing from the magical raffle box right now!" Crowley says and makes the drawing, "Our chosen representatives are..."