Waltz of the Damned | Twisted Wonderland

- Chapter 2 -

A strange cat came through the window. Yuichi took a step back to avoid the glass falling nearby. As for the animal, it landed on the ground before standing up on its two hind legs and starting to speak.
-I've been listening to you! How many people do you think are looking forward to getting into this school?! Letting it slide like that... I can't believe you!
The dark-haired boy looked at the cat from head to toe. A grey cat with a white chest and ears burning blue. It was really very strange.
-If you want to be like that, let me sign up for you!

After a moment's silence, everyone confused, Yuichi spoke up.
-OK, then. He said simply, with a neutral expression, as if he didn't really care.
And to tell the truth: he didn't care. He didn't have any magic and therefore had absolutely no business in the establishment where he found himself.
Then the young boy turned to the man in the raven mask.
-Given that I don't have any magic, that shouldn't bother you, should it?

The man concerned seemed confused for a moment before speaking again.
-Of course it does! Only those chosen by the Mirror of Darkness can enter this school. he said.
-Your mirror made a mistake and didn't choose me! Resumed the cat. I'm the one who's going to become the greatest mage you've ever seen! The incredible Grim!

Faced with the words of the apparently named Grim, several laughs were heard, with whispers that the animal understood. It put him on edge.
-What did you say?! I guess I'll have to show you my most ferocious spell!
With that, he began to spit blue flames. Yuichi's eyes widened slightly and he took a step back as large flames shot past him. The heat was intense. The surprise made him fall.
-What the...

Proud of himself, and especially of having frightened the students by burning half their outfits, Grim did the same thing again, creating general panic.
The dark-haired boy watched, panic rising inside him. However, it wasn't - or at least wasn't very - visible on his face, and unlike most, he didn't move.

Only a few people remained calm. Five to be precise, plus a tablet, all seated in the same place away from the other students. A movement near them caught the attention of the boy without magic. A student approached the animal, his red hair shining in the light of the surrounding flames, with a confident and serious step.
-First someone refuses to enrol, to the point of saying they haven't mastered magic, and then a monster breaks in? How dare you spoil our entrance ceremony!
Yuichi simply lowered his eyes with a neutral expression. Apparently he wasn't believed, but who cares really?

As for Grim, he stood on guard before looking straight into the eyes of the man in front of him.
-You, you... Get out of our school immediately! shouted the red-haired boy.
The feline gritted his teeth before preparing to launch another attack.
-Get out of my way! he shouted, sending up another fireball.

The redhead moved aside easily before grabbing a shiny red stone.
-Are you ready for your sentence? The verdict will come later... he began.
Grim recoiled, as if fearing something, before starting to flee.
-Prepare yourself... Off with your head!
And at these words, a collar appeared around the animal's neck. A red, black and gold collar in the shape of a heart, looking quite tight, with a lock on it.

-What the hell is that thing?! A necklace?! cried Grim, trying to pull it off. Aah! I can't get it off.
And no matter how hard he tried, this strange necklace wouldn't come off. And even trying to use his magic against it did nothing. In fact, he could no longer use his magic.
-Why can't I use my fire any more? he shouted again.
-I used my unique magic to block yours. Explained the redhead.
-Explained the redhead.

Yuichi blinked as if he didn't quite understand. Then he shook his head to compose himself and stood up. A few people rushed to put out the fire now that the animal was no longer a threat.
The man in the raven mask approached the redhead and applauded.
-Well done Roseheart. Just as I'd hoped from Heartslabyul's housekeeper!
Then he grabbed the cat before turning to Yuichi.
-Doesn't this creature belong to you?
And the reply was simply to shake his head.
-In that case, let's get him out of here!
And he handed over the task to a few people dressed in the same clothes as everyone else.

The red-haired boy returned to his seat, but not without glowering at the magic-free man, who didn't even react to this even though he had noticed it. As for the man in the raven mask, he approached Yuichi.
-Now, where were we?
Yuichi looked at the man calmly and spoke in a quiet voice.
-Er... before the cat intervened I... said that I hadn't mastered magic. Well, rather than master... I can't use it at all...

There was a moment's silence, the strange people staring at the young boy without really understanding.
-There's no way the black coach that picked you up could have made a mistake. The student selection process has never been wrong once in the century of its existence!
-But I can tell you for a fact that it's not a lie... confirmed the young man in a neutral tone.
-We're going to check it out! Please face the Mirror of Darkness. ordered the man.

The man concerned looked at the central mirror of the room before approaching it without hesitation. He was only doing what he was told, as always.
A face appeared in the mirror, resembling a mask with black patterns around the eyes.
-Say your name. the mirror asked.
-Keiryo Yuichi. he introduced himself without hesitation.
-Yuichi... Repeated the Mirror of Darkness. The nature of your soul is...

There was a moment's silence where the atmosphere was very heavy, even though the dark-haired boy didn't flinch or show any sign of discomfort, even though inwardly he felt uneasy. He didn't like being seen.
Then, at last, the mirror broke the silence that had seemed to last far too long.
-... is not clear to me.

Surprise showed on the faces of the raven-headed man, the red-haired boy and those accompanying him. But it confirmed the boy's words. Moreover, the latter couldn't help glancing at this 'Roseheart', who didn't seem too pleased.
-I don't sense any magical power in this one. Inaudible. No colour. No shape. Totally empty. Therefore, no dormitory would be appropriate. finished the Mirror of Darkness.
The man put his hand to his chin, looking slightly embarrassed by the situation.
-That's what's annoying... It's still strange that the black carriage brought you here...

The man in the raven mask turned to the young boy, looking serious.
-Well, Yuichi... he began. This is a most unfortunate turn of events. I'm afraid you won't be going to Night Raven College after all. Surely you realise that I cannot admit a student to my academy who has no magical ability.
The man concerned nodded. What the man was saying was normal, even obvious. He was going to be able to get out of this strange place, even if he had to go back to his everyday life.
-Don't worry, he said. The Mirror of Darkness will get you home safely. Now, enter a doorway and visualise the place you came from! ordered the man.

He obeyed without saying anything again.
-O Mirror of Darkness! Bring this soul back to where it belongs!
No result, no answer. The man in the raven mask cleared his throat before continuing.
-Let's, er... try again. O Mirror of Darkness! Give me back this soul-

-This place doesn't exist. the mirror announced.
-Announced the mirror.
-There is no place in this world for this soul. None at all.
-How is this possible? But today, it's a veritable parade of impossible phenomena! This has never happened in my long tenure! I have to admit I'm a bit confused.

He sighed, while Yuichi looked slightly sad, staring at the ground. No place in this world for him...
He resumed his eternally calm and neutral expression when the man turned his attention back to him.
-Tell me something... What country do you come from?
-Quadratum. replied the boy with the two-tone hair.
There was a moment of silence while the man took the time to think.
-I'm afraid I don't know such a place. I know intimately the origins of all the students who have come here, and yet... This mysterious country of yours escapes me. Let's go to the library and find out.
-I'll do that.

The man turned to the five and a half students who seemed more important than the others.
-I'll leave you to manage the end of the welcome ceremony. he said.
Then he motioned for the stranger to follow him.