After helping the victimized students regain their consciousness and return to their dorms or to the lounge, Yuu had dragged Lotus all the way to the nurse's office for another check-up with the twins pulling Azul in tow. The nurse was very displeased with the two of them. On one hand, he checks on Azul attentively before checking on Lotus's wounds again the proceeds to scold the two of them.
When it was all over, she was finally freed from the room and went to the cafeteria for some dinner with the group leaving the Octavinelle in the nurse's office. Apparently, they will be going to the museum tomorrow which was in Coral Sea where she needs to go.
That evening as she was making her way to the Mirror Chamber when she noticed Crowley walking towards her before seemingly surprise to find her making her way to the chamber. He called out quickly with a quick sigh of relief, "Ah, Mister Xue."
She looked to him curiously before greeting him respectfully, "Headmaster, good evening."
"Good evening." Crowley responded with a nod, "There's something I'd like to check with you on."
"Yes?"
"I've overheard of your accomplishments from our nurse and your achievement in reaching third place in the Finals. Congratulations!" He said with a wide smile as she congratulated her proudly.
"Ah, thank you." She wore a small smile.
"Now, I take it that you're going into the Mirror Chamber today?" Crowley questioned in all seriousness.
Lotus nodded, "Yes, sir."
"I'd like to speak with you for a bit." Crowley said as he opened the door and hurried her inside.
Lotus followed curiously knowing what he was about his plans.
Once inside, he shut the door and asked curiously, "I have heard words about your recent achievements lately, Lotus. From your ability to perform acupuncture to your ranking in the finals. However..."
He hesitated nervously, "I find it unusual that someone like you would be unable to have magic in you."
Lotus looked to him curiously, "So, you mean... I might have magic in me, after all?"
Crowley nodded, "That's correct. So, I've taken the time to speak with your instructors and came to a conclusion."
"A conclusion..." Lotus thought for a bit.
Crowley nodded, "We've decided to let the Dark Mirror recheck your abilities in magic, again."
"That's possible?" Lotus looked to him in surprise.
"Of course, it's not often that we let students do this since you and Yuu are the only ones said to have been without magic and the Dark Mirror doesn't make mistakes. However, we want to know if there are any changes since the opening ceremony." Crowley smiled wide with open arms, "So, for I am gracious, I've decided to let you see the Dark Mirror once more!"
Lotus nodded, "I understand. I wonder if there will be any changes..."
"Then, let's get going, shall we?" Crowley hurried the child forward, "Come. Let's not waste any time now."
"Yes, sir." She walked over to the circular podium before the large floating mirror.
Suddenly, the Dark Mirror entity appeared amidst the green flames, "State thy name."
"Lotus Xue." Lotus responded with a look of curiosity.
The mask stared at her with narrowed eyes.
The headmaster watched nervously as he wondered what he should tell the other dorm leaders if it was discovered that she really does have magic. This student would probably bring a lot of reputation to that dorm much like the other dorm Leaders have these two years, especially Diasomnia's dorm leader had. The thought of it excited him, but, at the same time, he knew he had to be prepared for disappointment as well. Yet, he still can't help but feel that this child is special in some way similar to the supervisor he has appointed.
Nervously, he waited as the mirror peered into Lotus as the headmaster's patience was secretly starting to run thin while the minutes ticked by.
"The shape of thy soul is..."
The headmaster breathed in a breath nervously.
"None... No dormitories are suited for them..."
Lotus was honestly stunned.
What?
"N-none?" Crowley nearly collapsed onto the floor in grief when he heard this, "So, no change? Ah... Still no change... Boo hoo."
Wanting to chuckle, she bit it back hoping not to disappoint the headmaster as she quickly understood the situation.
So this was what it was all this time...
Putting on her facade, Lotus shook her head with a sigh, "It's no use, then."
She turned to the headmaster with a small wry smile, "I appreciate you giving me a chance to retake this event, Headmaster. Clearly, others would require a longer procedure to retake such an important event, sir. I'll continue to work hard on your campus."
Hearing this, Crowley finally heaved a sigh of disappointment, but he nodded his head, "Very well... I'll go share this disheartening event with your instructors later on. Clearly, this must pain you more than me. I'll take my leave now but don't let this drag you down, Mister Xue. I shall see you at the start of Winter Break, then."
"Yes, sir." Lotus nodded and watched the headmaster walk away sulkily.
It was then that Lotus could feel that there was no presence that she went on to casually sit in front of the mirror and smiled smugily, "Good evening, Mister Mirror!"
The mirror wanted to heave a sigh as he heard her words. This young one...
So mischevious.
"Thou hast been injured once more..." He noted with a disappointed frown.
Hearing the first words that came out of his mouth, Lotus felt as though she had been caught doing something against the will of a parent and was being reprimanded. She pouted, "It's not my fault. Those guys keep trying to cause trouble everyday and was being stupid to mess with everyone. If not for them, I wouldn't have to come out and intervene further. Not to mention, the students here are here to study not to fight for their lives. It'd leave a bad taste in my mouth if I cause trouble and it's brought to mother. They were basically dragging me out by force!"
"Hm..." The mirror hummed with a scowl but didn't reprimand the child before him, "Thou hast met the guardians..."
Lotus looked up with a smile, "Ah... It was very interesting."
"Thou have freed the roses and appointed a new guardian under thy will, saved the child of Sunset Savannah, and protected thy friends."
"Friends..." Lotus's eyes widen in bewilderment when she heard these words, "Mortal beings as friends... Hm..."
A strange energy swirled in Lotus when she realized how friendly she had become with the students around her. Sure, she called them "friends" but she had only seen them more of acquaintances than that. Was it really so necessary to become "friends" with mortals, much less humans?
Memories of her past rolled back into her head as a malicious glint flickered in her eyes before quickly vanishing. Even the Dark Mirror had gone silent as he watched her ponder in deep thoughts. When she came to her senses, she soon realized that her entire body had gone cold!
Surprised, she casually tossed in a purple pill into her mouth as if it was candy and smirked towards the mirror, "I don't know about that... They are quite fun to watch, you know..."
The Dark Mirror didn't agree nor refute to her words. This child before him was one of the many puzzles he had witnessed since his existence. It was unknown what form of events she would bring upon this world. This child...
Definitely is not normal.
"Mister Mirror..." Lotus said bluntly yet courteously, "Since you see everything, I only request something for the sake of the student's lives in this school."
"Hm..." He let her continue.
"I have tinkered with the mirror these past few days so that my little pranks would annoy the intruders, but that's not enough to ensure the safety of the students. If something happens to them, then the school would be in chaos and our objective would be thrown out the window. Instead, I ask that you request a task for me without giving away my identity. As the Dark Mirror, I know you can not lie." Lotus pointed out in understanding, "So, I want to tell the person this. Till the end of the winter break, without permission, no students is allowed to leave the dorm mirrors after midnight hours till dawn."
The Dark Mirror raised a brow, "Oh? Thou are confident..."
Lotus nodded with a smirk, "He will. Or... Do you want to pull a bet with me too?"
Hearing this, the mirror stared down upon the child before him looking as though he wanted to heave a sigh while also wanting to reprimand the child if he hadn't seen that she was more mysterious than most. Who knows how many secrets and mischief she had pulled right under his nose?!
"...Very well."