"...Eh?! You really went to the Dwarf's mine to look for the magic stone?"
Crowley's voice rang out throughout the mirror room as the student started in shock. The four just came back through the mirror when they were greeted by the headmaster. He had wondered what they were doing, and when they explained that they had gotten the crystal they were met with that response.
Crowley quickly composed himself, seeing the four stare at him in confusion. "Ah, See I really didn't think…" he began, not meeting their gaze. "Not only did you go but brought the stone itself. I actually discretely went ahead and completed the expulsion paperwork," he explains getting a rise out of Grim, and aggravated glares from Ace and Deuce.
Xinyi just looked at the adult, a bit confused by the situation, but did not dare speak. Crowley had already taken interest in her new hair dew, no doubt wondering what on earth happened. While the girl answered the oncoming questions she did not know them. She worried about how he would react.
"The nerve of this guy! While we were risking our lives fighting a monster!" Grim raged, looking to be about to spew fire at the educator. Lucky Xinyi was holding him and doing her best to keep him at bay.
Crowley looked at the gray creature, confusion in his yellow eyes. "A monster?" he asked, not understanding what they were talking about.
"Yeah, there was a monster over there!" Ace exclaimed through gritted teeth and rage-filled eyes. "It was really scary and very strong. It was horrible."
Crowley simply glanced at them and looked at Xinyi. "Can you explain to me in further detail?" he asked, still not fully understanding.
The four explained the events that had transpired after the headmaster had left them. The traveling through the mirror, the abandoned cottage, the ghosts, the monster, everything. The group had migrated to the educator's office which was at the highest point of the castle. It was once more a circular room, the color pallet mainly consisting of royal purples and lavenders, as well as bits of gold. Deep purple curtains hung from the windows with golden constellation designs. There was a singular rug running from the entry door to the end of the room. It was mostly bare except for the desk in the middle of the room. To finish it all off, hanging in the air, were golden portraits of the great seven.
"Oh… ho…." was all Crowley could say as they finished the story. He was quiet for a few moments, before looking up to address the four. "So, a mysterious monster was living in the mine? And the four of you worked together to defeat it and bring back the magic stone?"
"Uh, I wouldn't say worked together…." Ace grumbled, looking away.
Deuce nodded in agreement, not liking the terminology either. "More like we all had the same goal."
Xinyi was about to say something as well but was interrupted by a sniffle from the headmaster. They looked to see tears coming from underneath his mask, soon followed by uncontrollable sobbing.
Everyone jumped back, not used to the display of emotions from their educator. "What's with him? Why is this grown man bursting into tears?" Grim exclaimed looking to Xinyi and the others for the answer.
Crowley quickly composed himself once more, wiping the tears from his eyes. "In all my years of being headmaster…" he began, his voice still unevaded from the sobbing. "Seeing Night Raven College students work together hand in hand to face and defeat their enemy."
Everyone jumped in surprise once more, though for different reasons. "Wha?! I didn't hold this guy's hand!" Deuce exclaimed, aggravated by the notion.
Ace nodded in agreement, glaring at the accusation. "I would never do something so disgusting! Headmaster, how old are you?" the ginger asked.
Xinyi was just wondering what he meant. How did no one in this college work together? Why was the headmaster so happy about this? Was this so uncommon?
Crowley shook his head looking back at the students. "I'm just overwhelmed with emotion!" he exclaimed, then looked at Xinyi, a proud smile on his face. "And this event confirms everything. You have a great talent as a monster tamer!"
The girl looked at him, confused once more as to what was going on. "M-monster Tamer?!" she stuttered before processing what he said. "W-what talent?" her amber eyes were wide with fear and uncertainty.
Everyone stared at the girl, then back at the headmaster expecting an answer. Crowly sat down at his desk sitting down before explaining himself. "Students at Night Raven College are teaming up with wizards that come through the Mirror. However, there is an advanced course that raises all their pride and egos. That do not have interested working with others which lead them to being very selfish and self-absorbed people."
"You aren't really saying anything good about it." Grim accused but was ignored by the other occupants.
"Xinyi, you are not able to use magic. But, even though you can't use magic, maybe you can teach the wizards and get them to work together. Surely, this mediocrity is just what this school needs."
Ace looked at Grim, already knowing he would be ignored. "He really isn't saying anything nice, huh?"
Crowley gave the two a quick glare before turning to Xinyi, a soft smile on his lips. "I truly believe that your existence is needed for the future of this academy," he explains, before turning to everyone. "My Teacher senses are tingling! Trapola. Spade. I will revoke your academy expulsion. As for you, I will grant you enrollment to attend Night Raven College as a student."
Everyone stares at him in surprise, most at a loss for words. "A-as a student?" the girl whispers, shock consuming her face. "E-even though I-I can't use magic?"
Crowley simply smiled at her. "Because I am so kind and generous," he said, bowing to them before becoming more serious. "However, only under one condition. Since you can't use magic, you are unable to become a wizard and you most likely will be unable to do most of the lessons. And that is why, Grim…" he then looked at the monster seated in her lap. "You have more than proven your talent to become a great wizard. Therefore, I shall grant you both to enroll in Night Raven College together. One as a student…"
Grim gasped in awe, realizing what this meant. "I… I get to go to the academy too… And not as a handyman but as a student?" he exclaimed, his cyan eyes sparkling like gems.
"Yes, and only if!" the headmaster leaned in close, trying to get his point across. "You don't let anything like what happened yesterday happen again. Do we understand each other?"
Grim could only gasp and sniff, overwhelmed by emotion. "I do" he managed to get out, along with a nod.
Xinyi smiled at him, happy he got it. "What a relief." She started hugging him close. "Let's do our best!"
Grim could only smile back at her before screaming "I did it!!!" and hugging her tightly.
Crowley chuckled at the sight, seeing the girl and monster holding each other close. "Well then, I shall give you a symbol of your enrollment into Night Raven College. A magic crystal awarded to Grim."
Grim's eyes lit up a little more. "Wah! A magic crystal?!" he exclaimed before a light appeared from around him. When it was gone a small silver collar was on his neck with a lavender crystal hanging from it.
"Usually we give students magic gems in a form of a magic pen, however," the headmaster explained as he looked at Grim. "You wouldn't be able to hold it with your paws, is that correct? It is a special custom. Ah~ I pay so much attention to detail. I am so kind, aren't I?"
Grim took off against the girl's lap, dancing around the floor with his new accessory. "I did it! I am soooo cool! Now, I have a cool custom special magic crystal collar!" he sang, swinging the charm back and forth.
"He isn't listening to me." Crowley sighed before turning to Xinyi once more. "Everything's good, right? I see Grim isn't used to living in a human society. So, it is up to you to watch over him and make sure he doesn't cause any more trouble."
Ace chuckled at Crowley's words. "Ah, well aren't you amazing! We just started school and you're already a supervisor," he said smiling at the girl.
Deuce did the same, happy for her. "I see, there is only two of you in the dorm…" he explained a bit. "Since you are already in charge of supervising Grim, that already makes you a supervisor."
The ginger started laughing after hearing the raven's words. "Isn't this crazy? A supervisor student who can't use magic," he said, still smiling. "Nice, it's cool. A student supervisor who can't use magic!"
Xinyi looked at the three then looked at Grim, who was still dancing. She felt proud, nervous, happy, tired, a holed load of emotions. She didn't know how to react to their words. "I-I am n-not that confident but…" she takes a deep breath and looks at her comrades, her eyes filled with determination. "I-I will do my best!"
Ace laughed again, patting her back. "Do your best! Supervisor~" he stated, getting a smile in return from the girl.
Crowley watched the exchange, mulling over the words said. "I see, a supervisor?" he mumbled before turning to Xinyi once more. "I have a job request that comes with a title. Oh, this is so wonderful! Supervisor. I will trust you with this." He opened a drawer on his desk and pulled out an object, placing it delicately in front of her. It was a box-like shape, about six inches in height and four inches in diameter. The bottom half was a dark brown while the top was a light tan. There were two buttons on the right side and the lower center was a lens surrounded by a brass rotator. "This is called the 'ghost camera'." He states.
Xinyi stared at the object with wonder and confusion. "Ghost? Camera?" She asks, looking to her friends for help.
"Ah, I think my grandmother told me about this before. This is an ancient magic artifact, right?" Ace asks, looking at the girl and then at the headmaster.
Crowley was extremely marked by the comment. "It isn't that old…" he claps before explaining. "Indeed, this was invented during your great-grandmother's time. Or even your great-great grandmother's time. This camera has a special spell that has been cast on it. It does not only capture a person's physical form, but a part of their soul as well."
All of them were astonished by this revelation. "A part of one's soul?" Deuce asked, getting a nod from the other two.
The headmaster smiled, happy to have their attention. "Let's call this the "Memory Fragment of Remembrance." he continued. "And then, the souls of the photographer and the soul of the person being photographed become connected with this camera. And then the memory in the photo pops out!"
"Connected souls?" Xinyi mumbled, marveling at the piece of equipment. She then looks at the educator with an astonished expression. "It pops out?"
Crowley nodded. "Depending on how far you are to who you are taking a picture of it could move like a video." he smiles. "You can make the photo come to life. It is very interesting. Isn't it?"
"Bringing a photo to life? It's like a ghost photo, isn't it?" Deuce marveled as well.
"Yes, precisely why I call it a 'ghost camera'." the headmaster confirmed. "Before videos for people who wanted to save memories, this was created. Spade was correct: When the memory popped out people would scream calling it a ghost! People feared getting their picture taken with this camera."
"A camera for scaring people…." Ace nearly laughed at the comment, before being interpreted by the educator.
"Supervisor! Please take photos of Grim and all the other students to make as much memories as possible at this school." Crowly started handing the device to Xinyi, who took it gingerly in their hands.
"La- La La~ Make sure to take lots of cool pics of me~" Grim sang, still dancing a bit, a smile never leaving the creature's face.
The headmaster side, glaring at the raccoon monster. "Especially, capturing those "memories" when someone is misbehaving," he stated before looking at the girl once more. "This is the most effective way to report to me, okay? Just keep an eye out and capture lots of memories as a supervisor. Giving such a magical artifact to someone who can't use magic…. Does my kindness have no limits!"
Xinyi couldn't help but smile at her superior, a few tears lacking from her eyes. "I-I will give it a try!" She started rubbing her eyes a bit before hugging the man. "T-thank you so much." she thanked, her words muddled in Crowly's close.
Crowley held the small girl for a moment not realizing how this had affected her. He patted her back gently, smiling kindly at her. When she released he turned and directed his attention to all in the room. "Well now, it is late. Let's talk in more detail tomorrow," he stated. "Everyone, please return to your dorms."
With that, everyone rose. "Well, please excuse us," Deuce said, as everyone bowed and then left the room.
Good supervisors can take you to incredible heights. They help you learn to fly, providing the wind beneath you, and providing a net for when you fall.
Finding Your Alice Your First Supervisor