A Dismissive Ranking

Xinyi was currently holding down the small raccoon creature, using her coat as a blinder. Her hands and clothes were burned and tarnished by the fire but she held strong to the thing that was wriggling in her grip. Sweat dripped from her forehead and her short hair was on full display. Her eyes held determination and were unyielding towards the goal. "T-that's enough of you," she said, her voice still soft and barely audible, yet people could feel the fear in her voice.

Everyone stared in amazement at her, wondering how she did it. Riddle was the first to break out of it rushing over to the girl. "Bring it up," he said, glaring at the thing. The girl nodded, tightening her grip on the thing, before pulling it up. "Off With Your Head!" Riddle yelled as soon as he saw the creature's face. A heart-shaped collar appeared around its neck looking a bit constricting.

"Nyaah! What the heck is this!?" Grim yelled as he desperately used his paws to free himself both from the collar and the girl.

Riddle kneeled in front of them glaring at the creature. "Law of Queen of Hearts number 23. One shall never bring a cat into a festival." He stated, his tone even and unyielding. "You being a cat means you've broken the rule. I shall have you leave at once."

The girl tilted her head at the word 'cat', now looking closer at Grim. She could now see the creature did resemble more of a cat than a raccoon, even if his ears were on fire and his tail was that of a devil's pitchfork.

"I'm not a cat!" Grim yelled, swiping his paw against his captor effectively causing her to drop him. He steered away from them and turned with a wide grin. "I'll burn this collar right up and… e-eh? I can't use my fire!" his surprise and aggravation were evident.

The redhead didn't answer him immediately, currently helping the girl with her injured hands. "Hmph! You won't be using any magic until I remove the collar. Just like an ordinary cat." Riddle glared at the creature out of the corner of his silver eyes, but most of his attention was on bandaging the small pale hands in front of him.

"Wh-what!? I'm not some pet!" Grim yelled at them, trying desperately to use his magic. Yet no matter what he did the collar would not break.

"Don't worry. I'd never keep a pet like you." The boy said finishing with the bandages and standing to walk away. "I'll take it off anyway when you get thrown out."

Azul watched the redhead walk away with both admiration and greed. "Wow, as wonderful as ever. Any and all magic gets sealed by your Unique Magic, Riddle," he said, his gaze lingering a bit longer. "I want it. No… I wouldn't ever want that cast on me." he said when receiving a glare from Riddle's silver eyes.

Crowley rushed up to Xinyi pulling her to her feet and holding her by her shoulders. "You must do something about this! It is your familiar! Properly discip...eh?" he yelled but stopped when he saw her state. She was shaking like a leaf, her eyes wide in terror. She shook her head left and right, saying no to him. "It's not yours?" he asked, confused and slyly concerned about her well-being. He released her shoulder a bit and leaned down to her level to help her breathe.

"I-I had been t-trying to tell you o-on the w-way here," Xinyi explained when she calmed somewhat. "I-I j-just woke up with h-him there. I- I'm sorry."

"Y-you did?" Crowley questioned in surprise, looking back he realized how terrified she had been of the creature. He brought her close and patted her back, trying to calm her. He gave a sigh knowing how scared the timid girl must be. "Anyway, let's get it out of the school at any rate. We won't turn you into a stew. For I am gracious." He gave her a smile to which she gave a small laugh and a little nod. He then turned to Grim with a dark expression. "Someone help, please."

Almost instantly a few of the students flanked the small cat beast, picking him up by the scruff. "Let me go!" he yelled, clawing at the graber. "I'm going to… going to… Become the greatest magician!" his yells were cut off as the door closed, silence once more filling the room.

Xinyi stared at the place they had exited, lost in thought. "Why was he so desperate?" she whispered, her forehead taunt with confusion. Her eyes clouded with guilt. "I kinda feel bad for him."

Crowly just barely heard the girl and knew he had to distract her a bit. Clearing his throat he addressed the students. "We had a bit of trouble along the way but this brings the entrance ceremony to a close." he addressed, then looked towards the dorm leaders. "Dormitory Leaders, please show the new students back to the dormitories. ...hm? Now that I think about it, I don't see the leader for Diasomnia, Mr. Draconia, around at all…"

Leona growled looking away. "That's no different from usual, is it?" he said dully.

"What? Did nobody tell him about the ceremony?" the boy Xinyi helped, exclaimed.

Vil looked at the white-haired boy with a glare. "If you're going to complain, you should have done it yourself."

Kalim looked away trying to come up with words to defend himself. "Hmm. But I don't know anything about that guy."

The room erupted with whispers and murmurs, Xinyi training her best to understand their discomfort.

"By Dreconia…do they mean 'that' Malleus Draconia?"

"Is he seriously attending this school?"

"Scary…"

"I was correct." a childlike voice said out loud, causing all attention to fall on them. A boy, looking way too young to be in this place, stood out against the crowd. Like his comrades, he wore the same uniform and suit, his difference being the bright streaks of magenta throughout his short black hair. His blood-red eyes seemed to glow in the dark, but his brilliant smirk caused everyone to stay clear. "I thought he might come but Malleus didn't. It seems the invitation 'never arrived' again.'' His voice was both annoyed but also amused, it sent shivers through the room.

Azul cleared his throat but didn't make eye contact with the boy. "My deepest apologies. I promise we didn't intend to exclude you." the silver said bowing slightly.

"His aura makes it hard to approach him." Riddle agreed, turning away from the speaker. Both fear and calmness were present in his aura. Xinyi frowned, feeling bad for this 'Malleus' they were talking about. She thought how tough it must be for everyone to fear him and exclude him from important events.

Lilia sighed a bit, bothered by the situation. "It's fine. Members of the Dasomnia dormitory can come with me… I hope this doesn't upset him…" the last part he said under his breath hoping no one heard him.

All seven groups then walked out of the room. As they passed by Xinyi, she could feel some staring at her. She felt nervous as some were dismissive like she was just a bug under them. She did feel better when the male she helped waved bye, giving her shy one back. 

Once all of them had left, Crowley cleared his throat to bring her attention back. "Well then, Xinyi, I'm terribly sorry about this but…" He said almost nervously. "We must have you leave the school. Those without any talent for magic cannot be allowed to attend class here. There is no need to worry. The Dark Mirror will send you directly back from whence you came." he gestured to the Mirror smiling at her, helping her into place. "Enter the Gate and picture your home clearly in your mind…"

She nodded but though she smiled internally she was scared. What if it didn't send her home? What if it did? What would happen? Would she be chased again? Is that place even considered her home? Did she wish to return there?

Her thoughts were interpreted as Crowley began to speak once more. "Oh Dark Mirror! Guide this one back to the place they belong!" She shut her eyes preparing for what was to come, not knowing what would happen next. Yet only silence reached her ears.

"A-ahem. Once more. Oh Dark Mirror! Guide this…" the man began once more.

"It is nowhere." The answer came with a heaviness that filled the room and with surprise to the two humans. "The palace they belong is nowhere in this world… It does not exist."

Crowley was flabbergasted, his mouth hung open in complete shock. "What did you say? This is unbelievable! Hmm, well, the unbelievable has been on parade today." he brought a hand to his chin in thought, and the Mirror and girl stayed silent. "This is the first time it's ever happened since I became dean. What should be…" He then turned to the girl with a questioning look. "Where exactly did you come from?"

Xinyi looked at the man before gathering her thoughts. "Truth is… I-I don't believe I-I'm from here." She starts, trying to choose the right words for the situation. "I-I come from a small town named Yalverin, but I-I never heard of this school before… let alone anyone who could use magic." The last part was muttered as she was not sure how he would react.

Crowley nodded, lowering his head in thought. "I've never heard of that place," he stated, brow furrowed in frustration. "I have a general grasp of where all the students came from but I've never even heard that name before." he then looked away putting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Let's do some research in the library." a smile went across his face in hopes of bringing her own. Xinyi just stared at the man severely confused. 

Don't let one bad chapter in your life define the rest of your life. The key is to learn from that chapter and re-write your own story.

Anonymous