~ And So, It Begins ~

Soon enough, the group made it out of the mains and got to the cottage. However, they didn't celebrate their accomplishment just yet as they heard a loud noise echoing from the mines.

"Are you kidding me!? It managed to push off all that weight and chase us?!" Ace hollered in dread.

Persian hissed as the creature barged right out of the mines and charged at the group. "Oh, sweet Arceus, that thing doesn't know when to quit!"

"Oooooooohhhh, Stooooone. . . . Giiiiiivvvvve Baaaaack!"

"It's getting closer! It'll catch us!" Deuce feared.

"But look, it's not as fast as it was before. It's weakening, if we act now and strike, we can finish it off!" Lia stated.

"Argh! Aright! Go and crush that thing again Deucy! But don't get all 'quack in your shoes." Ace mocked.

"Same goes for you!"

"I'm going to show you two knuckleheads why I'm called Grim the Great!"

"Pika, pika," (No one really calls you that,)

"That's great and all boys, but why don't you let me deal with this thing this time," Lia jumped off of Absol and turned to the rampaging monster.

"Lia/Pika!"

"What in the name of the Great Seven are you doing!?" Ace shouted.

But Lia didn't bother with them, she pulled out her bow staff and got herself into a defensive stance. Streams of light blue energy riveted around her being, making the boys look at her in awe.

'Focus, hold my ground, then. . . ' The monster got closer to her, then with a swift swing of her staff. Lia knocked that brute with such force, it tumbled to the ground.

"Whoa!" The boys said amazed, as they and Lia's Pokémon were watching from the edge of the cottage's property.

Lia then quickly pulled out another Pokéball, "Blastoise! Come on out!"

Coming out of the said ball was a Blastoise, he stood tall and proud as he glared at the being in front of him. "Blastoise, when I give the signal, use 'Water Cannon at full blast. And don't stop till that thing is no more," she told her shellfish Pokémon.

"Blastoise." (Understood.)

"Giiiiivvvvvve. . . . Baaaaaack. . . .. . .Myyyyyy Stooooonnnne!" The monster roared as it got back up.

"Not happening! Take this!" Lia swung her staff and launched an attack that was the same as the one she did back in the orientation ceremony. It made the creature hovel back close to the river that was near the cottage.

"I get it now!" Persian proclaimed.

"What?" Ace asked.

"She's backing that thing to a corner to a point it can't escape once she has Blastoise use Water Cannon!"

"What's so special about that attack?" Ace asked again.

"Don't you get it? That thing is pretty much made out of some kind of ink-like substance. If it were to get heavily doused in water,"

"It'll erode away till it's nothing but muck!" Deuce figured it out.

"Exactly!" Persian confirmed.

Back to the said fighting young woman and her Pokémon, she kept slashing at the beast till it had no way of escaping from her or the giant turtle creature. Lia panted as she was losing her stamina, as she used her aura too much. She was starting to weaken like the monster was.

"That should be enough," She huffed. Being a few feet away from the monster, Lia returned to her Pokémon. "Alright, Blastoise! Use Water - Ah!" monster managed to stretch out its hand and grab her.

"LIA/PIKA!" The boys and her Pokémon cried out.

"Giiiiiivvvve . . . Baaaaack. . Stoooone, Nooooooowwww!" The monster tightens its grip.

"Gah!"

"Hey, Blasty! What are you waiting for!? Hurry and shoot at that thing!" Grim yelled at Blastoise.

"Blastoise!" (I can't! I'll hit Lia!)

"We need to do something! Or else she'll get killed by that thing!" Deuce yelled.

"Ragh! Let. . . Go!" Lia grunted.

"Givvvvve Stoooone!"

"I . . . .said. . . . Let GOOOOOOOOO!!!" Suddenly, a light was eliminated from her, glowing so bright it was blinding everyone.

"What's happening!?" Ace asked.

"I don't know!" Persian said.

"NNNNNRRRAAAGGGGH!" The monster cried out in pain as the light seemed to harm it.

When the light died down, everyone looked back at Lia and the monster. Only to be shocked at the sight of the beast with a melted arm, while Lia lay limp on the ground.

"Lia!" Ace called out.

"Blastoise! Now's your chance!" Persian yelled.

"Blast!" (Right!)

Slightly turning to his side, Blastoise aimed his cannon at the monster and blasted a stream of water right at it.

The beast cried out in pain as it was being pushed away and started to melt. Then, when the figure of the monster was gone. Everyone went silent. For a moment or two, Ace shook out of his daze and ran straight to Lia.

"Lia! Hey! Wake up!" he held Lia in his arms. Lightly shaking her to wake her up.

"Is she alright?!" Deuce asked, then he turned to Persian. "Has this happened before?"

"No, I've never seen her do anything like that before. And I don't think she even knows about it either."

"Pikachu pawed at Lia's cheek. Pikachu, Pika." (Lia, please wake up.)

"Don't be messing with us Lia," Grim said as tears threatened to fall from his face.

Within a moment, Lia started to stir, shakenly open her eyes. "Wh-What?"

Deuce heaved a sigh. "Oh Thank goodness,"

"You nearly had us going there." Ace huffed a smile.

"What do you mean? What happened?"

"We're not really sure ourselves, but if I had to guess. I think you just used your magic to save yourself." Deuce assumed.

"Wait, what? How? I thought I couldn't use magic."

"That's what we thought too, but you managed to use it and caused the big lug's hand and arm to get deformed to let you go," Ace explained.

"And give Blastoise the chance to finish it off." Persian finished.

"Finish it off, so then, we won?"

Looking back at where the monster used to be, the boys took a moment to let Lia's words sink in, "Yeah, we did." Ace breathed, helping Lia up.

"We did! We won!" Grim cheered.

"Pika!" (Ah Yeah!)

"We did it!"

"All right!"

"Victory high-five! Come on!" Grim suggested, and all of them, including the Pokémon, gathered and high-fived one another.

"Amazing what teamwork can do right? We all make a great team."

Her statement made the two boys jump and step away from each other. "I, wouldn't go that far." Deuce nervously said.

"Yeah, spare us the wishy-washy cliches," Ace said.

"There was never a 'Teamwork, we won because of me! This is all cause I'm a magical genius!" Grim boasted.

"Pikachu~?" (Then why were you crying earlier?)

"I wasn't crying!"

"But you know, if we're being honest here. We really won because of you Lia." Ace smiled.

"Me?"

"Of course. You were thing one who kept their cool and got used to listening to your plan. Had we just kept arguing as we did before, we would have never gotten the magic stone." Deuce pointed out.

Persian smiled at her. "They're right Lia,"

"Pikachu!" (Yeah!) Pikachu jumped onto her shoulder and rubbed his cheeks against hers. Making her laugh as she cuddled back. "Guys, I can't take all the credit. As I said, we won because we all worked together."

"Alright already, life lesson learned. Now, can we just go back home already? I'm beat." Ace groaned in exhaustion.

"Yeah, all that using magic and fighting has made me really hungry," Grim whined. Then he noticed something on the ground where the monster once stood. "Huh, what's this thing?"

Everyone to where Grim was talking about. There on the ground was a pitch-black stone where the monster used to be. "Was it part of the monster? It looks like a magic stone, but it's as black as coal. I've never seen anything like that before." Deuce said.

Grim walked up to the stone and picked it up, " *sniff* *sniff* Hmmm? It smells really good!"

"Pi!?" (Say what!?)

"Are you insane?!" Ace questioned disgusted.

"It smells like some kind of fancy monster candy that the big creep was keeping from us! I wonder if it tastes as good as it smells?"

"Grim, don't you dare."

But it was too late, Grim popped the stone in his mouth and ate it. "Grim no!" Lia nabbed him by the scruff of his fur and started to shake him, "Spit it out right now! You don't know what it'll do to you!"

"Gah!"

"Are you alright?!" Deuce asked concerned.

"Should have listened to Lia, that's what you get for eating garbage from the ground." Ace sighed.

"That. . .. was. .. . Delicious!"

The boys and Lia looked shocked. "WHAT!!??"

"Are you serious?" Persian looked at him oddly. While all the other Pokémon looked at him in disgust and tried hard not to gag.

"The flavor is so rich and full of body! It's like sweet fragrant flowers are bursting into bloom on my tongue! A whole field of them in my mouth!"

"Gah, gross. Monsters like you must have really weird tastes." Ace gagged.

"You might not be wrong there, I mean. Normal people don't just pick up random things off the ground and pop them into their mouths." Deuce agreed.

"Grim, are you sure you're, okay? You're not feeling nauseous, or anything are you?"

"Nope! I'm just fine Lia. Nothing to worry about it, it was great! Unlike you humans, I don't have a weak stomach."

"Well, if you start feeling sick or anything later on. Don't say we didn't warn you." Ace said to him.

"Let's just put all that aside for now. We need to hurry and get the magic stone to the head mage!" Deuce reminded them.

"Right, let's head back." Lia had all her Pokémon, aside from Persian and Pikachu; return to their balls. And walked with the boys and Grim to the portal. But, as she was about to step in, Pikachu stopped her.

"Pikachu!" (Lia, look!)

Turning her attention to where Pikachu was pointing, Lia's eyes widen. There at the base of a tree, not too far from the portal, was Matt's Noibat egg. Still safely tucked inside the incubator.

"No way, how in the name of Arceus?"

"It must have wound up here during the transfer debacle back home." Persian guessed.

"That might be it, either way, I'm just glad we found it in time," Lia placed the incubator into her bag. Then she quickly followed the boys through the portal. As Persian was about to jump through, he turns around looking at the area.

'For a second, I thought I heard something.' He looks around the area one more time, then hums to himself as he jumps through. Unaware of the shadow that was hidden behind the trees.

"So, the light of the Magus family has finally come. ~" They maliciously grinned, then disappeared into the night.

When the teens, little monster, and Pokémon came back to the school through the mirror. They were greeted by Madame Eva who looked relieved to see them. "Oh, thank goodness. You all made it!"

"Yeah, just barely. It took longer than we thought when we had to fight off that creepy monster back there." Ace exclaimed with a sigh.

"Wait, monster?"

"Yeah, there was this strange ink-like monster that was guarding the magic stones that were left in the mines. Oh! Speaking of which, we found one!" Deuce happily announced as he presented the stone to the woman.

"You most certainly did! Not only is it unused, but it's practically more powerful in magic than the previous stone was."

"So, does this mean we're in the clear?" Ace asked.

Madame hummed at the thought, then smiled at him. "Yes, you're all in the clear."

"Alright!" the boys and Grim cheered.

"However, I still expect an apology letter from you two, Grim and Ace. Don't think for a moment that I've forgotten the incident in Main Street." The woman quickly reminded them with a hard glare.

"Yes, Mam."

Just then, Mr. Crowley came into the mirror chamber and suddenly looked like he wasn't expecting them at all. "Dire look at this. Turns out there was actually a magic stone left in the mines,"

"Huh? They actually went to the mines to search for a magic stone?"

"Um, yeah we did just like you told us to," Lia stated.

"Yes, but I didn't expect that you all would actually go there and do it. At least, not you two," He pointed to Deuce and Ace. "And I never even dreamed that you'd actually find a perfectly intact magic stone! *sigh* And here I was spending most of my evening in my office finishing up your expulsion documents." Crowley sighed, disappointed.

"Are you freaken kidding me!? So, while we were risking our lives fighting off a scary monster to get the stone, you were actually going to expel us!?" Grim scolded the head-mage.

"Monster?" before he could question them, Madame Eva went up to him and nabbed him by the ear. "Ah! Ah! Ah! Darling! That hurts!"

"Dire, how many times have I told you to not look down on the new students? Especially when you are the one who gives them a second chance in the first place."

"I-I-I'm sorry!"

"Honestly, you really need to have a little more faith and compassion towards the youth. Even if they are ill-mannered." Madame Eva gazed at three people specifically. Making them jump a bit. She finally let go of her husband's ear and turned to the teens.

"Why don't we all talk about this in our office? I'm sure you all want to explain what happened."

And so, they did, they all went to Mr. Crowley's and Madame Eva's office and explained everything to them. To the encounter with the wayward ghost, to the encounter with the monster. They didn't leave out a single detail about the beast. For a split second, Lia noticed Madame Eva and Mr. Crowley getting a bit nervous when they explained about the monster.

'Have they heard of something like this before?'

Then, when they finished explaining their story. Mr. Cowley summarized it out loud, "So, you find a monster living within the Dwarf's mine as you were looking for the magic stone. Then the four of you, including Miss Lia's familiars managed to work together to destroy the brute in the end to bring me the magic stone?"

"Well, I wouldn't exactly say 'working together," Ace said in denial.

"It was more of, we all had the same common goal at the same time," Deuce exclaimed.

"Oh, oooohhhh How gracious! *Sobbing!*"

"What the?! What the heck?! He suddenly burst into tears in public at his age, over this?! What's the deal?!"

"Being overly dramatic is what it is." Madame Eva groaned as she pinched the bridge of her nose as if she was at her wit's end now.

"In all the years I have been head-mage of this school. I've never in my life would have seen the day when students of Night Raven would join hands together to defeat a common enemy!"

"What?! Hold on, no! I would never join hands with this guy!" Deuce objected, getting defensive at the idea of working with Ace all over again.

"Same here, however; one, there was definitely no holding hands. Gross, two; seriously head-mage sir. How old are you?"

"I am just moved beyond words. But most importantly, your story has proven my expectations!"

"I agree, Dire. And although you are being way too melodramatic over this, your thoughts of Lia were correct."

"Huh?" she tilted her head confused. "What are you two talking about?"

"You see sweetie, the real reason behind going to the mines and getting the stone was to test you on whether or not you have the qualities of you staying here as an official student here at the school."

"What!?" Deuce, Grim, and Ace yell in shock.

Lia was bewildered. "Wait really!?"

"Indeed! Along with a title that will fit you perfectly here!" Crowley added cheerfully.

"A title?"

"What kind of title?" Persian asked.

"You my dear, have the abilities and talents of a 'Beast Master!" Crowley proclaimed.

"A Beast Master? Um, sir, I'm not sure I follow."

"Well, you see, all students that have come and go here have all been selected by the Dark Mirror specifically for their exceptional talents in magic, as well as potential. However, along with that great talent, it also begets great pride and big egos. At most, they are so self-reliant and self-centered that they would never fathom cooperating with others."

"You make it sound like is a troubling thing." Grim deadpanned.

"Uh, because it is." Persian retorted.

"And though you've never used magic, nor is able to use it. Your ability to lead and make demands while keeping a leveled head was able to get those who 'can, to work together in order to achieve a common goal." Madame Eva added.

"I believe your unique character and sensible nature might be exactly what Night Raven Collage needs! Miss Lia; my wife and I are convinced that someone like you is what is necessary for the future of this school. My educator's intuition tells me so!"

"Pika, Pika?" (But why be called a 'Beast Master?)

"Yeah, I mean, I understand your reasoning. But why that title?" Lia questioned.

"We don't mean any offense towards your friends if that's what you're assuming. We mean for it as a cover for your Pokémon, as no one has seen them or even heard of them." Madame Eva pointed out.

"That makes sense. And considering that there are other creatures in this world, I guess being called a 'Beat Master would be a good cover." Persian rephrased.

"Yes, also, with that said, Trappola, Spade. As Head of Night Raven, I hereby revoke your pending expulsions! While also granting Miss Lia the necessary qualifications to attend this school!" Mr. Crowley announced proudly.

"Hold on, exactly how can I be a student here when I can't really use magic?" Lia mentioned.

"But you were able to before," Deuce reminded.

"I don't even know how I did that."

"Yeah, I mean. The Dark Mirror said her magic is sealed. So how can she?" Ace brought up.

"There's a perfectly clear explanation for that." Mr. Crowley said.

"Indeed, you see my dears. Pending on the level of magic a person has, sometimes when their magic is sealed it'll let out a bit of it for the user to use to protect themselves. Kind of like a defense mechanism. However, that's only if the user has a great deal of magic within them." Madame Eva explains.

"So, when Lia was in danger, the seal that was inside of her sensed it and released a bit of her magic for her to use?"

"That's prickly it, Mr. Spade. But, until the seal within her is removed, Lia can only use the amount of magic that she's given. Should she try to receive anymore, she'll very well risk her well-being." Madame added.

"How do you mean?" Persian asked concerned.

"Hmmm, how do I put it? Alright, you know how a dame holds a great body of water? When you want to release some of that water, you'd want to do it slowly. Should you try to release it at once, you'll risk damaging the structure of the dame. In other words, should Lia try to release more magic from the seal, she'll not only risk damaging her health but also risk damaging her physical body as well. And I for one do not want to know how that will turn out."

"Neither do I, my dear. That being said, it would be better for Miss Lia to attend to this school. However, the fact that you, Miss Lia, can't obtain your full magic; you won't be able to adequately complete the school's curriculum. Therefore, Grim, you have proven through your actions today have made it clear that you possess sufficient talent in magic to become a mage. In other words, you two shall share a single enrollment ambition to Night Raven Collage."

"R-Really! I-I get to attend this school, as an actual student?! Not a Janitor?!" Grim asks, seeing if this wasn't a hox.

"That is correct, however. If you want to stay throughout the school course, there must not be any more incidents like what has occurred today and the other night. Are we clear?"

"L-Lia, is this really happening? A-Am I really?"

"Yep! You're finally admitted to the school Grim! I'm so proud of you!" Lia beamed as she picked up Grim and brought him into a warm, heartfelt hug.

Pikachu patted Grim's head. "Pika! Pikachu!" (Way to go Shorty!)

"You've earned it this time." Persian grinned.

"YEEEEEAAAAHHH! I FINALLY DID IT! I'M IN NRC!!!!!" Lia and the other two laugh.

"Now, as accordingly. I will present to you the magic stone that is issued to every other student here." With a flick of Mr. Crowley's hand, sparks went flying and a purple crystal pendent appeared on the bow Grim was wearing.

"Whoa! M-My own magic stone!"

"Normally, these stones are attached to the magic pens that are given to the students instead. But I suspect that your paws are not really capable of handling that kind of implementation. Therefore, I've come up with a customized solution. As a gesture of my graciousness,"

But Grim on the other hand was too busy getting excited over his stone and his administration. "Aw yeah! Check me out! A magic-stone collar! Warn by the Great and Powerful Master Mage Grim!"

"And, he's not listing to a single word. . . ."

Madame Eva sighed amusedly. "Well Dire, we have made his day."

"True, however Miss Lia. As you can see, Grim lacks awareness of our human society's customs and can get easily distracted. Therefore, I would like you to keep a tight rein on him and ensure that he does not cause any further incidents or damages."

"I assure you, sir; I'll keep my eye on him,"

"Excellent!"

"Alright, nice! That's one heck of a promotion you got going on! From janitor to a student to Perfect! All of that in just one day!" Ace congratulated.

"Oh, I get it, with it just being you Grim and your Pokémon, in the dorm. And the head-mage is putting you in charge of Grim, that makes you the dorm perfect." Deuce figured while giving Lia a smile.

"This has got to be an honor for you and Night Raven, right? With not only being the first girl in the school but also attending as a descendant of the Great Sorcerer!"

"Hey, doesn't Lia get a magic stone too? I mean, she does after all have magic." Grim pointed out.

"She does, but it won't be a magic stone." Everyone looks at the woman in question as she walks over to her desk and pulls something out from under one of her drawers. She takes out a small box and walks up to Lia, and hands it to her.

"It's an enchanted item that will help you control the magic you have, while also acting at a magic gage. Should you try to use more magic than necessary, the gems in it will crack and fall off. So be sure to be very careful when you use your magic."

Lia opens the box while the boys and Grim take a look as well. Inside the box was a beautiful rose gold, jeweled flower hairpin.

"It's beautiful, I-I can't take this,"

"You can and you will. It's my gift to you for everything you've done and as a welcome not only in this school but also in this world." Madame Eva smiled at her.

"I'm not really sure I deserve this, but I'll do my best as a student here and make you and everyone else proud!"

"I'm sure you will."

"Heh, Heh, Heh, best of luck to ya Lia, or should I say, Miss Perfect!" Ace smiled.

"No doubt you'll do great Lia, just keep up with that sense of spirit you showed us at the Dwarf's mines." Deuce softly grinned at her as well.

"Indeed, it does make her a Perfect." Mr. Crowley muttered under his breath as he pondered something.

"Dire, what are you planning?"

"As a matter of fact, Miss Lia, I happen to have a job for you, and it'll make it all the easier to foist. . . I mean, as congratulations."

Lia sweat-dropped. 'Why do I feel like he's dropping something else on me?'

He pulled something out from his coat. "This my dear is a 'Ghost Camera."

"Ghost Camera? Is it something that allows you to capture pictures of ghosts or something?" Persian thought.

"Not exactly," Madame Eva replied.

"Whoa, my grandmother told me about those once. They're like super old magic items, right?" Ace asked.

"I wouldn't exactly say, super old. But *Ahem* there is a possibility that it was invented when your great or great-great-grandmother was a child. Anyway, it is a camera with a special kind of magic." Mr. Crowley started to explain.

"This camera allows the photographer to not only take a picture of the subject's physical form but also parts of their soul." Madame Eva finished for him.

"Parts of their soul? That sounds a bit sketchy." Deuce said, a bit anxious.

Pikachu shivered. "Pika," (And creepy,)

"Essentially, it also photographs memories. And, when the soul-bond between the photographer and subject deepens. . . the memories captured in this magic camera's photos will jump out!"

"What he means is, depending on the bond the photographer and the subject they're taking a photograph of the picture the camera will make will come to life when it's developed." Madame Eva rephrased.

"Exactly, it's a bit similar to small, animated videos you see. Sometimes the figures in the pictures will take on a corporeal form and come out of the picture. It is, how some youths say, 'wicked keen?" Mr. Crowley said amused.

"Now calling it 'Ghost Camera makes sense." Persian sighed.

Deuce jumps. "Sounds like spirit photography!"

"Well, when it was developed it was the more vivid way to capture special moments in time, in that age before the video was invented," Crowley adds.

"Why did they stop using them?" Lia asked.

"Well sweetie, you see. As Mr. Spade guessed, back then people saw the captured memories coming out of the photos. They got spooked into thinking it was an actual ghost. There have been tales that people were so scared of getting photographed by the camera that they pretty much stopped using them." Madame Eva explained.

"It pretty much sounds like it's more trouble than it's worth." Ace groaned.

"Miss Lia, I would like for you to take photos of Grim and the other students here with this camera and make a record of your school life as you progress through your education course."

"Oooooo, sounds like this is the perfect way to commemorate my greatest accomplishments!"

"Pika, pi." (Or your greatest screw-ups.) Persian chuckle a bit.

" *Ahem!* Make sure you also capture the mischief and chaos certain students will cause, that struggle from impulsive control. By doing so, keeping a photographic journal report is far less tedious than lengthy written reports. Wouldn't you agree? Now, as a dorm perfect, consider it your task to stay aware of your surroundings and record them."

"I'll be sure to do that sir,"

"Ah, providing permission to handle such a rare magical item. My kindness and graciousness are beyond recognition."

"Oh brother," Persian deadpans again.

"*Ahem* It's getting late now, might be best to explain further details at a later date. But for now, you're all dismissed, return to your dorms and get some rest. I'm sure it has been a long day for everyone here."

"Right, goodnight sir, you as well Madame." Deuce bowed. The others did the same as they the room.

As the group walked down the corridors of the school, Deuce let out a long sigh of relief. " *Phew!* We managed to avoid expulsion at the last second, way too close to comfort to my liking."

"No kidding, a guy can only take so much pressure."

Grim however was skipping in joy. "La, la, la, la, la! I did it! I finally did it! I'm a student at Night Raven College! Whoo hoo! Soon, I'm gonna be the top mage on campus in no time! Get ready to eat my dust boys! Myah, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!"

"That's some big words coming from you furball, but, still, good for you."

"Looks like we're going to be schoolmates now. In that case; Grim, Lia, welcome to Night Raven. It'll be an honor to study with you."

Lia beamed. "Thanks, Deuce, and the pleasure is all mine. I think it'll be fun,"

Ace groaned. "Can we quit will this mushy stuff now? Seriously, it's getting old now."

"Since we're going to be seeing each other a lot now, I don't know if it'll be all that pleasurable. Especially with you Ace, as we are in the same dorm." Deuce retorted at him.

"Yeah, can't say that I'm 'thrilled to be seeing your smug, self-important scowl every day."

"Sure, hope this will work out for us in the end." Lia sighed, listening to the two bicker.

Pikachu sweat-dropped. "Pika," (With those two, wouldn't count on it)

"By the way Lia, the way you faced off that monster when you didn't know how to use magic, it took a lot of guts. With nerves of steel like that, you're definitely going to do well in this school!" Deuce decreed proudly. Getting a bit out of character.

"Are you sure that you're alright kid? This is the second time you sound like a punk." Persian pointed out.

"Yeah seriously, what's your deal?" Ace asked.

"Ah! D-did I?! It was a slip of the tongue!"

"Well, whatever, let's just hurry and get back to the dorm. After almost getting expelled on the first day, curfew violation is the last thing I want to deal with next."

"Speaking of which, since we're in the Heartslabyul Dorm House, what dorm are you guys in?" Deuce asked.

"Oh, Mr. Cowley gave us the old, abandoned dorm house that's on campus. We've officially called it the 'Ramshackle House."

"It's really an old heap that's full of ghosts that like to scare us on occasion, yeesh." Grim shivered.

"In that case, best of luck to you guys. Honestly, I'd rather deal with prankster ghosts than have to see this guy's smug, self-important scowl every day." Ace lightly complained.

"It also sounds better than your lazy, dopey grin." Deuce retorted back.

"Says the bawling crybaby, I didn't forget the moment when you almost wept your eyes out when we were almost expelled,"

As the two walked off, continuing their little argument. Lia, Pikachu, and Persian heaved a long sigh. "Those two, they seem perfect companions, for non-stop squabbling," Persian said blankly.

"I just hope it won't lead to any trouble,"

"Pi, Pika." (I wouldn't put it past those two.)

"Pipsqueak's right, they seem like the type that bond by arguing. Anyway, let's get back to the dorm. I'm exhausted."

Lia softly sighs, then looks up to the stars in the sky, 'Hope you're watching over me, Mom.'

Unknown to everyone else, a strange figure loomed over the school, watching the said group. Then vanished into the night.

"Be on your guard Lianara, your journey here has much more in store for you than you realize."