The Morrowghast tragedy in the cafeteria has claimed 4 more victims, bringing the total number of casualties to 16 people.
Mistheaven Academy is under pressure from various parties, but gradually, those pressures are being resolved since most of them come from noble families seeking to use the opportunity to exert influence over Mistheaven.
The magic police and inquisitors had only been given 7 days to resolve the case. If the case was not solved within the timeframe, Mistheaven would be forced to handle the crisis on its own.
That's the norm in this world: tragedy and death are common occurrences. Safety was not something one could rely on from others; it was one's own responsibility.
That was why young wizards were trained from an early age to defend themselves against magical disasters and the dark arts.
Unfortunately, after a week has passed, no clues have been found leading to the culprit behind the creation of the morrowghast. In fact, the morrowghast is still on the fifth floor, but the culprit is hiding among its inhabitants.
Due to the risk, the academy had also canceled the highly anticipated treasure-hunting event, an annual tradition where first-year students would explore the fifth floor in search of hidden symbols.
Fortunately for Oz, the coin he had obtained still counted, allowing him to keep his points. However, the rest of the coins had been confiscated by the academy to prevent further exploration.
[Good morning, students. Finally, after a week of delays, we can meet in this lecture hall.]
At the podium in Lecture Hall No. 22, Professor Woodville stood, her wand amplifying her voice through a spell so that even the students in the far back could hear her.
The back row, known among students as "sleepers seat," was where many would doze off during lectures.
Meanwhile, Oz, Sam, and Opheila sat at the front, each for different reasons. Opheila had arrived late, confused as to where Lecture Hall No. 22 was located, having mistaken it for another hall. Sam had overslept as usual, and Oz had also been late today, he had been unable to wake Sam, who was sleeping like a rock in their shared room.
Mistheaven Academy boasted 36 lecture halls, each with a capacity of 100 students. With 400 students per year, each year was divided into 4 classes. The lecture halls were often named after constellations, and Lecture Hall No. 22 was dedicated to the Lyra Constellation.
[Let me introduce myself. My name is Professor Woodville, and I teach Herbology. But since this is your first day, I'll be teaching "Introduction to Magic." It's a pleasure to meet you all.]
The first lesson for all first-year students was "Introduction to Magic." However, nearly everyone in the room had already studied basic magic theory in their primary and junior magic schooling, so this lesson was more of a formality.
Professor Woodville waved her wand, and several pieces of chalk floated into the air, scribbling introductory notes on the blackboard about the history of magic and its role in society.
—Hmm, why does Professor Woodville keep laughing whenever she looks at me?
Oz felt a little uneasy. Professor Woodville had a slight smile on her face every time her eyes met his, and it wasn't just a friendly smile.
It was as if she was holding back laughter. The truth was, Professor Woodville still remembered the incident with Oz's poem, a piece of legendary poem that had ended up in the hands of the entire professors.
"Zzzzz."
Sam, sitting beside Oz, was still half-asleep, his head nodding as he dozed off. Just before Professor Woodville could notice, Oz quickly nudged Sam awake.
"Huh? What's happening?"
Sam blinked groggily, still disoriented, his expression blank.
"Sam, don't fall asleep, you're going to draw the boss's aggro."
Oz whispered, his heart racing as he noticed Professor Woodville turning toward them.
[Mr. Twist, you seem quite lively today. Could you please explain the difference between Magic and Sorcery?]
Exactly what Oz feared had come to pass.
—Ugh… If this were a video game, there'd already be a notification saying I've triggered boss aggro.
"Magic and Sorcery are essentially the same thing. The only difference is that Sorcery refers to Magic that is considered illegal due to certain factors, usually because it involves the Dark Arts."
Oz explained as best as he could. He didn't have Sam's photographic memory, but ever since arriving in this world, Oz had studying magic theory. He had read countless books on the subject.
[Very good. Sorcery is just a label we use for easier identification. We will discuss Sorcery in more depth in another class. For now, let's move on to the categories of magic. Can anyone name one?]
The room erupted with enthusiasm as students raised their hands, eager to answer. In the early semesters, everyone was keen to participate, but Oz knew that by the end of the year, the excitement would have worn off.
[Alright, Mr. Twist, once again. Go ahead.]
—Why bother ask the others if you're just going to pick me again!
Oz groaned internally. He hadn't even raised his hand, but the professor had chosen him anyway. It seemed his boss aggro wasn't fading anytime soon.
"Conjuration is a type of magic that creates something from nothing. An example is Incendia Orbis, which conjures a fireball."
[Excellent, let's give Mr. Twist a round of applause.]
*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*
The room filled with applause, though some of it sounded sarcastic, with a few students smirking.
[Now, Miss Hamlet. Please explain the difference between a Hex and a Curse.]
This time, the aggro shifted to Opheila, who had been quiet since the start of class.
"A Hex only affects the target while the spell is active. A Curse, on the other hand, lingers even after the spell has ended. Both are meant to cause harm to the target."
Opheila's voice was loud and clear, surprising many, as she usually spoke in a soft and gentle tone.
Oz, however, knew the reason for her change in demeanor. Opheila had lost much of her confidence due to the affliction she suffered from something more accurately described as a curse rather than a disease.
The condition was known as "shadow scorched," a curse that blackened the skin where it spread, like a living shadow.
It wasn't deadly for now, but it caused constant burning pain, leaving Opheila in a perpetual state of suffering.
[Very good. Let me add that in some cases, such as the curses cast by the Disease Dark Lord, the effects of the curse can last a lifetime. Does anyone know how to break such a curse?]
Some students were still eager to answer the question, but since this time it was more specific, only about one-fifth of the students raised their hands.
[Okay, this time, Miss Havisham, go ahead.]
Professor Woodville now pointed to the girl Oz was trying to avoid. Because if she was there, it meant David was nearby.
Oz immediately tensed up, his eyes darting around the room. It only took three seconds of scanning before he spotted the figure he dreaded most, David, lounging at the back of the class, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
—Why? This is Class D. You're supposed to be in Class A!
Oz cursed, frustrated that the usual trope of the protagonist being placed in the favorite class had been turned on its head. David's presence in Class D felt like a looming shadow over Oz's day.
"Some ways to break a curse are by using a curse-breaking elixir. Among them are mermaid tears, dragon blood, and basilisk venom,"
Estella Havisham explained calmly, her voice cutting through the room.
"But if you want to use magic, then Human Transmutation is the answer. However, that's already within the realm of Dark Arts."
Estella spoke with the confidence of someone used to the limelight.
In fact, Oz could have used "Transmutare Ultima" to remove the curse from Opheila's body. Or he could have purchased the famous and rare Curse-Breaking Elixir from the black market.
But Oz had no intention of doing either. The risks were too high, and the cons far outweighed the pros.
After all, Opheila was just a classmate, not someone he felt deeply for. His heart wasn't moved enough to make that kind of sacrifice for her, no matter how much she might be suffering.
[Very good, Miss Havisham. Let's give her a round of applause.]
At that moment, Oz was watching each of the noble children who were clapping, his eyes narrowing as he analyzed them.
Some of them clapped half-heartedly, their faces masked with disdain as they shot smug glances toward Estella.
—So that's the faction from Everhard.
Oz was steadily gathering information. He had been waiting for the latest political map of Mistheaven from Sarah, who had promised him intel on the academy's inner workings.
Avis De Everhard was the name of a noble ranked 3rd in the entrance exam. She hailed from one of the most powerful families in the magic world, and the Everhards had been rivals of the Havishams for generations
Avis had straight blonde hair that shimmered under the lecture hall lights, and her beauty was on par with Estella's.
However, her personality was the polar opposite. Avis presented herself as warm and approachable, always smiling and laughing with the people around her.
But it was just an act. Oz knew better. She was just as ruthless as he was.
Estella, on the other hand, had the cold demeanor of an ice queen, rarely smiling and never wasting time on pleasantries.
As far as Oz knew, there were four major factions vying for power among the first-year students: Quatermain, Havisham, Everhard, and Scrooge.
The political landscape within Mistheaven was volatile, with power constantly shifting as different noble families attended the academy. When things got messy, senior students would step in, using their influence to sway outcomes.
—I need to take advantage of one of them before the situation becomes stagnant and it gets harder to infiltrate. Everhard or Scrooge would be good choices.
He mulled over his options, weighing the pros and cons of aligning himself with either faction. Choosing the wrong side could spell disaster, but remaining neutral was not an option. Not in a place like Mistheaven.
[Next, who can explain what a Charm is?]
*Murmur*
The class broke out into whispers and murmurs. Since the question was an easy one, many students eagerly raised their hands, hoping to score points with Professor Woodville.
—When will this lesson be over?
For the whole day, all Oz had received were introductions and theory. Moreover, on the first day, there were no activities that awarded House Points, so Oz wasn't very enthusiastic about participating.
—Ah! I just remembered. My darling Professor Goldilock asked me to meet her in her office.
*****
"Ahchoo! Brr, why did I suddenly shiver?"
Professor Goldilock was currently hunched over her desk, writing several letters to various parties regarding the morrowghast incident.
Her office was cluttered with parchment, reports, and half-empty cups of tea. The recent events had thrown everything into chaos.
Even over the past week, she had been running herself ragged, constantly meeting with inquisitors and representatives from the Ministry of Magic.
The meetings had been tense, to say the least. No matter how well she presented herself, her status as a dark lord would never be viewed positively by the inquisitors, who saw dark wizzards as the enemy of everything they stood for.
"If I can catch you, Pied Piper, I'll cook you slowly in a cauldron and feed you to the bears!"
It was rare for Professor Goldilock to get this angry. Only people with high status, like heads of state, grand wizards, or other dark lords could frustrate her to this extent. But now, there was one person who could annoy her more than Pied Piper ever could.
Who else but Oz?
*Knock* *Knock*
"Who is it?"
Professor Goldilock asked out of courtesy, though she already had a feeling she knew exactly who was standing on the other side of the door.
"It's me, Oz, your darling."
"…"
Yep, it was Oz. Instantly, Professor Goldilock's anger toward Pied Piper vanished, replaced by an even greater frustration toward the boy who had just arrived.
"Come in…"
*Creak*
The large wooden door groaned as it opened, revealing the boy she despised the most.
He strode in with a carefree smile, as if he hadn't just disrupted her already chaotic day. For a brief moment, Professor Goldilock felt like a video game boss, watching as the player entered her lair, ready to cause trouble.
"Hmm, why do I feel like I'm hearing boss music? Whatever. Hi darling!"
With a wide grin on his face, Oz strolled over to Professor Goldilock's desk. He pulled up a chair without being asked and sat down, gazing at her expectantly.
*Sigh*
"Your gift is on that small table over there. Take it and leave immediately."
Professor Goldilock sighed in exasperation, too drained to deal with Oz's antics. Today, she decided it wasn't worth the effort. It was better to just give in and play along.
"Oh, a gift from my darling. I'm so happy. But this time, I want something else."
The longer Professor Goldilock dealt with Oz, the more her sanity seemed to slip away. Each conversation with him felt like navigating through a labyrinth of chaos, and this moment was no different.
"What is it? Hurry up and say it."
She replied, trying to hide her growing frustration.
"I want to use Authority Points."
At that, Professor Goldilock stopped writing her letter. Her quill hovered in mid-air as she slowly looked up at Oz, eyes narrowing.
"A first-year student wants to use Authority Points on the first day? If you weren't so annoying, I'd be praising you right now."
She said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
This time, it was Professor Goldilock who smirked at Oz. The glint in her eyes hinted at amusement, though it was short-lived.
The general public only knew that for every HP a student earned, they would also receive 100 PP. But there was another, more elusive reward: 1 AP for each HP earned.
AP were much more powerful than other points. They allowed students to override specific academy rules or decisions. For example, if a student failed a subject, they could use an AP to retroactively pass it.
"How many APs are needed to transfer to another House?"
Oz asked, leaning forward in his chair, curiosity flashing in his eyes.
"20 AP. Are you not satisfied with Saturn? You chose it yourself, after all."
Professor Goldilock responded, her eyebrow arching in surprise.
"No, I have no plans to leave Saturn,
Oz replied with a sly smile.
"But I want to become a member of two Houses."
He was testing the waters, seeing if it was possible to transfer Houses using AP. But his real aim was something else, he wanted dual House membership, something almost unheard of.
"Hahaha, the price is 50 AP. But in the entire history of Mistheaven, only 16 people have ever been members of two Houses. After all, 50 AP isn't a cheap price."
Professor Goldilock said, her laughter breaking through the tension. Even she seemed surprised by her own amusement.
"I'm free to choose the second House, right?"
Oz asked, his voice steady but his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Of course."
Professor Goldilock replied.
"But if you earn HP, you'll have to decide which House gets them. And during events, you can only represent one House at a time."
Her answer solidified Oz's plan. AP truly did have immense power in shaping Mistheaven's rules, far more than most students realized.
"In that case, the second House I want is… House of Nibiru."
*Boom*
It was as if a bomb had gone off in the room. The very mention of Nibiru sent shockwaves through the air. Professor Goldilock froze, her face betraying genuine shock. She hadn't expected to hear that name.
"… I honestly don't care what you do."
She finally said, her voice low and serious.
"But as the headmaster, I warn you, nothing good comes from dealing with that forgotten House."
Professor Goldilock stood up, her imposing figure casting a shadow over the Oz. Her gaze locked onto Oz's, searching for any sign of hesitation.
"Yes, I'm sure."
Oz said, his voice firm and his eyes never wavered, matching the intensity of her stare.
"Hahaha. How absurd."
Professor Goldilock chuckled, though there was no warmth in it.
"I admit, you're incredibly annoying, but this time, I have nothing more to say. Alright, if that's what you want."
She wiped away the tears from laughing too hard earlier, and with a wave of her hand.
The same magical formula that had appeared during the House selection ceremony reappeared beneath Oz's feet, but this time the light was a deep black instead of purple. Despite this, Oz's robe remained unchanged, with the purple and Saturn emblem still visible.
*Poof*
Suddenly, a second robe appeared, descending from the air above Oz. This new robe was entirely black. It resembled the robe worn during the entrance exam, but this one bore the symbols of Mistheaven and the House of Nibiru.
"Now the House of Nibiru has two members. Congratulations. Now get out of my office."
Professor Goldilock said, her voice laced with frustration.
*Whoosh*
A thick fog filled the room, obscuring everything. Oz could no longer see Professor Goldilock or anything else in the office.
"Wait, who's the other student?"
Oz shouted, his voice echoing in the fog, but it was too late.
Before he could get an answer, he was teleported away.
As the fog dissipated, Oz found himself standing in the middle of a dormitory. But this was not Saturn Dorm. The room was eerily quiet and completely empty.
Oz walked toward the notice board at the front of the dorm. His suspicions were confirmed as he read the sign.
"This is Nibiru Dorm."
This place is legendary, even among Mistheaven's countless mysteries. Some students have become obsessed with the idea of discovering the hidden dorm, but despite all their efforts, no one has ever found the entrance to Nibiru Dorm.
As Oz glanced at the leaderboard, he noticed only two names listed. The second name was "Anonymous," as Oz hadn't registered his name yet, and sitting at the top was a single name that caught his eye…
"Alice Liddell."
Oz unknowingly muttered the name under his breath.
"Did you just call me?"
*Gasp*
A soft, sudden voice from behind sent a shiver down Oz's spine, causing him to spin around in shock.
Alice stood there, her black robe marking her as a member of the House of Nibiru. She had long, blonde hair tied with a delicate ribbon, and she wore pristine white stockings with a black headband that framed her face. Her appearance was almost doll-like, but there was something off.There are a strange stillness to her features.
"It's been ages since we've had a new student. Are you the new one?"
Alice asked with a slight tilt of her head, her confusion evident as her big eyes blinked slowly at Oz.
"Uh, yeah, I'm new. See, I've got the robe right here in my hand. I just haven't had the chance to put it on yet."
Oz raised the House of Nibiru robe in his hand. His explanation seemed to suffice for Alice, as she nodded gently, accepting his words without question.
"Welcome, junior. I'm sorry I can't give you a more cheerful welcome. There aren't many students here, after all."
*Clap* *Clap*
Alice gave two slow claps, her flat expression trying and failing .to convey enthusiasm as she greeted Oz with a forced smile.
"Senior, what are you doing here all by yourself?"
Curiosity gnawed at Oz as he wondered what Alice could possibly be doing alone in such a mysterious dorm. He had to ask.
"Me? I'm the Student Council of the House of Nibiru. So, naturally, I have to stay here."
Alice's response wasn't helpful in the slightest.
"Umm… so, how long have you been here, all alone, Senior?"
Oz threw out a question designed to catch her off guard, hoping her answer would provide some clue about her true nature.
"I'm not sure. Maybe 100 years? 200? Or perhaps 300 years? I've lost count."
—Yep, that's terrifying.
The numbers Alice casually threw out were enough to send chills through Oz.
It was clear now that Alice was not a human. The thought of her possibly being some kind of ghost or monster made Oz even more worried.
It wasn't that Oz was afraid of ghosts, ghosts were fine. But the secrets of this dorm, like why it had been erased from the official records, were far more unsettling
"Hahaha… Senior, I'm, uh, kind of hungry. I think I'll head to the cafeteria now."
Slowly, carefully, Oz walked his way toward the misty gate, trying to play it cool as he planned his escape.
"Wait, junior. Today's password is 'wonderland.' If you forget the password, just call my name three times in front of a mirror, and I'll appear to tell you."
Alice's monotone voice echoed behind him as she delivered this eerie instruction, her deadpan expression making the entire situation even stranger.
—Yep, she's definitely a ghost. It's time to go. Who knows what other things might be lurking here?
Oz bolted toward the misty gate. As soon as he passed through it, he was startled to find himself standing in a small, abandoned building outside the west garden.
The structure had been left untouched for years, though it was still in decent shape. It wasn't very large. Maybe about the size of a wealthy family's home. It paled in comparison to the grandeur of the Saturn Dorm, though.
"Muahaha, if the mystery club ever found out about this, they would lose their minds."
Oz couldn't help but chuckle. He hadn't expected the House of Nibiru do actually exist. The reason he had chosen it as his second House was simple. He wanted to screw with future events.
Since the House of Nibiru didn't appear on the leaderboard like the other 8 Houses, Oz would have a unique advantage. If he chose to represent Nibiru in an event, all the students would be left scratching their heads, confused as to why the HP didn't go to any of the 8 Houses.
"Time to mess with the entire students. Muahahaha."
*Crackling*
A sudden rustling from the nearby bushes interrupted Oz's evil laugh. He squinted in the direction of the noise and saw something bizarrely familiar.
It was the trousers. The very same ones he had seen running through the station. Now they were here, on the fifth floor.
The trousers moved with ninja-like stealth, creeping through the area with calculated precision. In its pockets, Oz spotted an assortment of items like watches, jewelry, even small trinkets.
The trousers froze when they realized Oz had noticed them. They stared at each other. But the real question was: could trousers actually stare?
"Um… what the fuck?"
—Since when did trousers start stealing watches and jewelry?