Fall of NRC!?

State of emergency

Shortly after the shocking incident at Heartslabyul, Crowley halted all club activities and had all students return to their dorms. He then held a meeting with all the staff members.

"As all of you know, a first-year student, Ace Trappola, has been brutally attacked and is currently fighting for his life. This is a serious incident, and it's our responsibility to keep everyone safe," said Crowley.

"May I suggest something?" Crewel raised his hand.

"Please do."

"I think we should search everyone's rooms and belongings, to make sure no one has objects that can be used as weapons. We should confiscate anything that is deemed dangerous."

"I agree with Crewel," said Vargas. "Additionally, we should also search each student's bags and body before when they enter the campus, like how the customs do at airports."

"Those are good ideas," said Crowley, joting notes. "I shall announce this in tomorrow's morning assembly. We also need to make sure all students know why are we doing this, so I will also tell them about Trappola-san's attack,"

"Aren't you afraid that it'll cause panic amongst students?" asked Trein.

"If I hide the truth, that'll be extremely irresponsible," said Crowley firmly. "I absolutely don't want another student ending up like Trappola-san, so it's better that the students raise their awareness and be more cautious."

"Right," Trein nodded.

"Regarding to Vargas' suggestion, I would like to do the same before anyone enter my shop," added Sam.

"That's absolutely fine," said Crowley. "Any more ideas, everyone?"

"We should also change the curfew time from eleven to ten," said Vargas.

"No offense, but I think the above policies should also apply to staff members," said Trein.

"Of course. The attacker can be anyone, after all," said Crowley. "We're currently in the state of emergency."

"Yeah. State of emergency," nodded Sam.

"Oh I almost forgot," said Crowley. "According to the information provided by Rosehearts-san and the others, the red Night Stone, which was guarded by Trappola-san, has gone missing, thus it's plausible to deduce that the attacker might be aiming for the night stones."

Everyone gasped.

"The Night Stones!? But they're crucial to the maintenance of this school!" cried Crewel, standing up from his  seat.

"And we can't afford to have any of them missing!" said Vargas, who did the same.

"We must apply extra security on these stones! If more stones are stolen, it will be game over for NRC!" said Trein, who also rose from his seat.

"That's right. I'll be sure to do that," said Crowley.

"I'll alert all the dorm leaders about the stones," said Sam. Crowley gave him an "okay" hand signal.

"Any more suggestions?" asked Crowley.

Everyone shook their heads and went silent.

"If there's no problem, you may all leave. Just in case, you'll each return to your rooms accompanied by a ghost, I'll go to the hospital and see how's Trappola-san. Stay safe!"

Meanwhile, the ambulance arrived at the hospital. Trey, Deuce and Riddle had went along with the paramedics.

Ace was lying on a stretcher and given an oxygen mask. He was then rushed straight into the operation room. Trey, Deuce and Riddle all waited outside the room, staring at the light anxiously and praying that their friend would be fine.

"Please...please god, protect Ace for us!" said Riddle with his fingers crossed.

"Ace....don't die..." said Deuce softly.

"He'll be fine...he'll be fine..." mumbled Trey to himself.

After a few minutes, loud running footsteps can be heard.

"Anna! Anna, slow down! You're gonna trip! Wait for me!"

"NO! TELL ME THIS IS NOT TRUE! TELL ME THIS IS ALL JUST A DREAM! A VERY HORRIBLE NIGHTMARE!"

The trio turned around, and saw Anna, breathing heavily and sweating, followed by Cater who was trying to catch up. Soon they arrived at the door of the operation room.

"Please! This isn't real, right? Ace nii-san's fine, isn't he...someone answer me! Say something, please!" Anna shouted as she shook Deuce's shoulders.

"I...I don't know...I...I..." Deuce stumbled on his words while being shook by Anna.

"Shhhh, Anna. Don't shake him like that!" said Cater, pulling Anna away from Deuce.

"I'm afraid it's all true," said Riddle.

"No...it can't be..." Tears started running down from Anna's eyes. The heart-shaped mark under her left eye started to vanish.

A few hours later, the light gone out. Everyone gasped and rushed to the door immediately. One of the surgeons came out.

"How's Ace?" asked Trey, with some trembling in his voice.

"We managed to stitch up his wounds. However, he had lost a lot of blood, being stabbed for eighteen times like that. He is dangerously insufficient of oxygen," replied the surgeon.

Everyone gasped and covered their mouth with their hands.

"Then...what will happen to him?" asked Deuce nervously.

"He'll be put on life support," said the surgeon. "We also need to supply him with blood regularly."

Everyone sighed.

"I hope nothing like this will happen again," said Riddle. He then clutched his fists. "If I ever find out that damn attacker, it will be more than just off with his head!"

Anna tried to speak, but with the sobbing, she could hardly utter a single word.

Soon, Crowley arrived at the hospital and quickly went to meet with the Heartslabyul members.

"How's Trappola doing?" asked Crowley.

"I shall explain everything to you," said the surgeon. He and Crowley walked to the other side and talked amongst themselves.

"Now that Ace's attack had caused such a row, the attacker should stop here," said Cater.

"Hopefully," Trey and Deuce said at the same time. Riddle on the other hand was comforting a weeping Anna.

But Cater was completely wrong. Little did he, and the rest of NRC know that they've just witnessed the opening act of a drama and there's more to come.