Gathered in the Mirror Chamber, the representatives gathered as Crowley double checked the group one more time before he smiled, "The time has come for you to set out. Are all of our representatives here?"
"Yes, sir!" Deuce answered as he stood next to his dorm leader.
Azul smiled, "Present."
"Wish I wasn't..." Idia grumbled.
Next to his two retainers, Malleus smiled eagerly with a suitcase floating in the air, "Of course. I've been waiting for hours."
"Yup, I'm good to go." Grim's voice echoed bringing a wave of silence that was later followed by shock.
"...Bwha?!"
"What are you doing here, Grim?!" Deuce shouted at him.
"Well, you see..." Crowley hesitated as he confessed, "Grim has been badgering me to let him go on the trip ever since the raffle. Unceasing! Day in and day out! His yowls even began to echo in my brain..."
"So you decided to let him go?" Ruggied grumbled in disappointment, "You're the headmage of a prestigious school, and you caved to some pestering? What happened to the "fairest possible means"?"
"If there's room for exceptions, we demand one as well! Let Lilia join the trip!" Sebek hollered angrily.
"That's far from what happened! I was struck with a thought, you see." Crowley insisted indignant, "Noble Bell College is normally off-limits to us. Perhaps such a place would hold the key to reaching another world!"
"Another world?" Epel muttered in surprise as it dawned on him.
Surprised, Deuce looked around, "Wait, you mean...?"
As though on cue, Yuu walked in carrying two suitcases, "Hey, guys. Let's get our trip on!"
Looking around, Yuu noticed that those among the group were all students he knew. Deuce and Riddle from Heartslabyul, Idia from Ignihyde, Ruggie from Savanaclaw, Azul from Octavinelle, Jamil from Scarabia, Epel and Rook from Pomefiore, and Hornton, Sebek, and Silver from Diasomnia. There was certainly a lot of people and everyone he knows.
"Ah, if it isn't Yuu. What brings you here?" Malleus smiled with a pleasant surprise, "Though judging by the luggage you're carrying, I think I might know."
"Yes, Yuu and Grim will be joining the group as attendants." Crowley explained.
"Heh heh! We'll be taggin' along and takin' care of you guys." Grim announced excitedly with his pompous attitude, "Which means partying down, gettin' fawned over, and eatin' everything in sight! Mya-hah!"
"Now I see. You used Yuu as a pretext to get Grim off your back." Azul concluded aloud in dismay.
"Some headmage we have." Jamil agreed with a similar expression.
"I don't see the problem! Now we've got fuzzy companionship AND valuable emotional support! Bring on the floof!" Idia cheered.
"I dunno about the floof part, but I'm glad you get to come along, Yuu!" Deuce cheered happy to know another friend was joining them.
"This is a fine opportunity for you to see more of Twisted Wonderland. Let us enjoy this fun, educational trip together!" Rook expressed his approval once again.
"Good point." Riddle nodded in agreement and smiled, "I've studied up on Fleur City, Yuu. Feel free to ask me any questions you like. Though admittedly, this will be my first real trip abroad. I might not've covered everything we will encounter. I wish we had a more experienced traveler with us. Someone familiar with the local history and culture..."
"We have that covered, actually." Crowley responded as the door opened again.
"Are you all done chatting now?" Trein frowned impatiently.
"Huh? What's Trein doin' here?" Grim called out in surprise.
"I'll be your chaperone for this trip." He explained.
"Ugh!"
"Professor Trein hails from the Shaftlands, and he's knowledgeable about various histories and cultures worldwide." Crowley explained, "He used to do a great amount of fieldwork as well. I say he's the best possible chaperone you could have. It's all part of my efforts to enrich your travel experience... Which is out of the pure kindness of my heart, of course!"
"All right, everyone. I have some important words for you before we leave." Trein announced, "We are traveling to a faraway land. I understand that's exciting, but this trip is not all fun and games. Learn the history of Fleur City and Noble Bell College. Rethink your conceptions of what a mage should be. Observe the other arcane academy students and examine what views your brethren hold. Approach the social with open minds, accepting the stimulating experiences it provides. These will nourish your future development."
"Okay, uh... This is kind of over my head."
"Basically put, you are there to represent Night Raven College and to broaden your horizons on the knowledge of magic through them and what they've learnt."
Hearing this, they looked down and saw Lotus standing before them with a large suitcase in hand, much to their surprise.
"Lotus! You coming too?! All right! Let's go together!" Grim cheered.
"Mister Xue will be taking a different route from the rest of you." Crowley explained.
"I've been tasked to be a representative for the fairies on this trip. The fairies were invited by their headmaster to attend the upcoming gathering and we're to arrive two days prior. That being said, I will also be representing my school so some degree. They will know I am a student from Night Raven College as I showed up in this attire as well."
"It was rather surprising that Mister Xue also received an invitation." Crowley nodded, "Thus, for safety concerns, he will join you all through the magic mirror to reach Nobel Bell College. Please do remember to extend my warm wishes to their headmaster, Mister Xue."
"Yes, sir."
"I wasn't expecting Professor Trein to be our chaperone or Lotus to be invited by the headmaster himself..." Epel whispered in disbelief.
"You must mind your manners at all times and never get distracted." Trein reminded them firmly.
"I couldn't agree more, sir." Riddle nodded with genuine enthusiam.
"Yes, absolutely! I'm extremely honored to receive such a valuable learning opportunity." Azul agreed with a plastered smile on his face.
"Mm, yes, a most satisfactory response." Trein smiled but quickly hesitated, "However, I'm worried... QUITE worried about Lucius..."
"Mrow... Mrow..."
At the call of his name, the large black siamese cat appeared and rubbed against his leg as the owner fawned over him, "Aww... You're willing to be patient and wait for me? What a good boy you are!"
"Oh, you're leavin' Lucius here?" Ruggie looked to him in surprise.
"I wouldn't want him to have an emergency in an unfamiliar place. I've asked Professor Crewel to watch him while I'm gone." Trein explained reluctantly, "Normally I wouldn't dream of leaving Lucius in the hands of a dyed-in-the-wool dog person... But considering the other faculty, he was the only choice."
"You mean Couch Vargas and Sam... Yeah, I get that." Ruggie agreed reluctantly.
"While dogs and cats do differ, Professor Crewel still cares for living creatures. I'm sure Lucius will be fine." Trein added hopefully.
"Indeed. He was most enthusiastic about teaching Lucius commands like "stay" and "place"!" Crowley nodded reassuringly despite his words.
"Lucius, ignore everything he tells you." Trein responded firmly.
"Mrooow." The cat responded calmly.
"Though I arranged the trip, I'll be remaining here. Don't worry about getting any gifts for me." Crowley replied before quickly adding in a hushed and fast paced voice, "As a side note, I prefer treats with subtler flavors rather than overpowering one. But really, don't worry about it at all!"
"Oh, Headmage..." Trein grumbled in dismay.
"Ahem!" Crowley cleared his throat, "Does everyone have all their belongings?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then have a swell trip!" Crowley waved as he watched the others enter the magic mirror.
"See you soon!" Yuu called out as he carried the heavy suitcases, "I'll bring you back some snacks!"
As Lotus entered the mirror, she soon found herself in a bright and magnificent building with large clear windows. Lotus looked around curiously as she heard Trein begin his count of everyone present with a call, "Whew. Let's see, one, two, three... Yes, it looks like all thirteen of you made it safely."
He turned to Lotus with a firm tone, "Until your escort arrive, you shall accompany us."
"I understand." She nodded in response. She would have to make Zhang Li wait a little longer. However, she knew the girl would bear no complaints. In fact, knowing the current situation, she may be just as late as her master this time.
"So, this is Noble Bell College!" Grim exclaimed in awe.
"What grand and beautiful stained glass windows. This place feels...pure, in a sense." Rook exclaimed in praises.
"Yeah." Epel nodded hesitantly, "Even though we're in a big, cavernous hall, the light coming through the windows is so bright."
"Let us go and greet our hosts." Trein continued as he ignored their excitement.
As they followed Trein, Yuu whispered to Lotus hesitantly, "Is everything all right, Lotus? You've been very quiet since we got here."
Lotus returned with a reassuring smile and continued, "Yeah. I'm just so excited that I am not sure what to say."
"Really?" Grim frowned in disbelief as he crossed his arms, "That's a weird way of excitement."
Lotus smirked, "I get the feeling that things are about to get even more exciting by the end of the trip."
As they walked, Trein glanced over to Lotus in confusion, "Did they not sent for an escort?"
Lotus shrugged and shook her head, "I don't know. In the case of the invitation, they would have provided me an escort. If things continue like this, it would make a good story to share with the princess, though."
Seeing her smirk, the teacher shook his head in dismay. As good as a student she is, it was certain that she has a rotten personality on the inside.