Deuce knocked back one of the bullies as Hoshi kicked the other back. The one she had fought with Grim held his arm that must have been feeling numb at that point.
"We- We'll let you off the hook this time!," the first punk gulped, "My food is getting soggy."
"I didn't think they had it in them!," the other yelled and ran while holding his arm.
"Haha! Those punks were all talk!," Grim laughed, "I don't wanna see your ugly mugs again! You're even uglier than
Hoshi sighed and got her and Grim's lunch, "So much for no more incidents."
"Can we just eat? Yuu and I have not eaten breakfast and I'm gonna collapse soon.," Ace said.
"Delinquents at a prestigious school, we really don't have any luck.," Deuce shook his head, "And cookie cutter bully ones at that."
"People like that are everywhere. Let's go eat, I see a table over there.," Hoshi took her tray and pulled Ace with her as Grim followed.
The masked girl sat down and handed the two the food items they had requested earlier. The boys grinned and sat with her. Grim sat on the table in front of her and began eating his portion as the blonde girl moved her mask to eat.
"Yummy! This omelet is so fluffy! And the rice and cheese filling is so good!," the little monster cheered, "And this chicken, so delicious."
"Eat all you can now, we're not going to have a large dinner.," the masked girl said to her monster partner.

Ace and deuce silently ate on the other side of the table from her.
"You know, I'm a little curious about the other dorms.," Grim spoke up, "We already saw your dorm this morning."
"I am too, I noticed students wearing different colors on their uniforms. So far I've counted seven combinations.," Hoshi added.
"Good eye, there's seven dorms in total, all based on the great seven.," A familiar chipper voice piped up from behind the masked young woman.
It was the strawberry blond boy from before, his green eyes twinkled. Alongside him was another familiar face. The green haired young man with mustard yellow eyes set behind glasses. The young woman looked behind her after fixing her mask.
"Oh, you gave me the toothbrush. Thank you.," the young woman thanked the green haired one, "I really needed one."
The young man only nodded and motioned to the seat beside her, she tapped it to invite the two to sit with them.
"Wait a second! You're the one from this morning! You tricked us into painting roses for you!," Ace yelled at Cater.
Grim hissed and spouted flames from his little mouth as the two older boys sat on either side of Hoshi. The little monster picked up his chicken and stuffed it into his maw as his partner poked at her omurice.
"Aww, you're being meanies. I didn't want to, but it's part of the dorm rules.," Cater chimed and played with a bit of his orangeish blond hair.
He chuckled a bit at Hoshi trying to hide her face while eating.
"You were smiling the while time, Cater-senpai.," Deuce retorted.
"Now, now Deucey, I'm not following the rules now we're outside the dorm.," the older leaf green eyed boy said with a wide smile, "Right now, I'm your friendly senior, Cay Cay!"
"Do NOT call me 'Deucey'!," the spade marked young man exclaimed.
"Haha, that's how Cater shows affection.," Trey chuckled as he wiped Grim's face with a napkin.
The grey monster fussed from getting his face wiped like he was a messy child. The masked girl giggled silently.

"Hold on.," the cherry red eyed collared boy said, "Who are you?"
"Oh, excuse me. My name is Trey Clover. I'm a third year like Cater.," the green haired young man greeted and turned back to Hoshi, "I heard you were put in charge of the Ramsh- I mean unused dorm. Our dorm students have caused you much trouble, I am very sorry."
"In an isolated school of magic users, hotheadedness runs rampant.," the masked young lady mumbled, "Apology accepted."
"Hey! Don't talk about us like we're not here!," Ace snapped at the older boy.
Cater laughed and put his arm around Hoshi's shoulders, "Calm down, we're in the same dorm. Let's just get along! We can exchange phone numbers and be friends."
"Uhh?," the masked blonde choked.
"Oh? Are you the type who's shy in the open but more open on magicam?," Cater pushed, "Give me your magicam handle."
"I... don't have a phone.," Hoshi murmured only loud enough for the Strawblondie to hear.
Cater dropped his arm off of her, "What?! You're kidding, right?!"
The masked young woman shook her head, showing she was not kidding.
"My phone was left at home when I was taken.," the magicless student said, feeling as if she was getting a little too much attention and the boys with her might learn about her true identity if they keep getting closer to her.
"I know a place where we can get good phones for cheap prices, we can make it a shopping date!," the chipper Boy smiled.
Hoshi was happy that she has her mask on as she felt warmth on her face at the word 'date'. She internally kicked herself with that. Nobody would want a cursed and awful person like her.

"Hey now, don't scare off the new kids.," Trey spoke up, "Yuu might not be very comfortable with this."
Cater laughed again, not letting his mood be brought down.
"Sorry, sorry!," the green eyed junior laughed, "We were talking about the other dorms right? Let us tell ya everything!"
Hoshi ducked as Cater tried to put his arm over her for a selfie. The strawberry blond fell forward a bit and hit the metal pipe that the masked girl had hidden in her jacket. The young man rubbed his face.
"Ow, you're solid.," the green eyed young man commented and got up.
"Okay, I want to know about our dorm first.," Ace said as he picked up his drink, "Like what's up with all the insane damn rules."
"You know the legend right? The queen ruled a wonderland of madness governed by her strict rules.," Trey explained.
Cater pointed to his armband, "We wear these red and black armbands that resemble her dress to pay homage to her. Plus upholding her laws."
"Sounds a bit too stuffy for me.," Grim huffed and reached for Deuce's food before being pushed back by the said boy.
"The strictness of the rules we follow is based solely on the dorm leader. Last year's was a very relaxed one.," Cater smiled as if reminiscing.
Trey kept his kind smile, "Riddle is a lot more serious about rules. He is quickly becoming the most notorious of the Heartslaybul dorm leaders from following the rules so closely."
"Sounds like a pain in the ass.," Ace hissed.
"Like you!," Grim shot at ace and turned to Trey, "What about the other dorms?"

Hoshi looked around, she saw a lot of different armbands. She recognized quite a few people from orientation. She hoped not many recognized her, but with her luck, they would.
Trey spoke up, "Like Cater said before, the dorms are based on the great seven.
Our dorm, Heartslaybul is based on the strict spirit of the Queen of Hearts;
Then there is Savanaclaw, based on the King of Beast's fortitude;
Octavinelle is based on the sea witch's Benevolence;
Scarabia is founded on the deliberation and planning of the Sorcerer of the sands;
Pomfiore is based on the endeavors of the beautiful queen;
Ignihyde is founded on the diligence of the Lord of the Underworld, and finally,
Diasomnia is founded on the majesty of the Witch of the Thorns."
The blonde girl took note of all the names and echoed them back to help remember.
"There's a lot. But I'll try to remember them.," the young woman said in a disguised tone.
Grim groaned, "I dunno if I can remember them all. The names are too long."
"Don't worry Grimmy, the rough idea is fine.," Cater laughed, "You'll get them."
The green haired young man beside Hoshi took a drink from his cup and gave Grim a piece of food from his plate. He seemed to be gentle and caring. Perhaps he was okay to be around. He definitely felt safer than the other boys. The sound of chatter surrounded them. Trey set his drink down.
"The dorms we are sent to are based on what the dark mirror sees in you. So you'll find similar types of people in the dorms.," Trey explained.
"That's right~," Cater chimed as he picked his phone from his pocket to take a picture of Grim shoving a chicken leg down his throat.
"What kind of types?," Deuce asked.
"Well, for example... look over there.," the mustard yellow eyed young man motioned to another table.

A huge and muscular young man with tanned skin and silvery hair was sitting at the table. He had a big fluffy tail and canine ears. Hoshi felt herself choke after seeing him, he reminded her of a mythological creature she read about. She could not stop looking at his tail, it looked so fluffy. She felt compelled to touch it. It looked so adorable.
"He's so big and has canine ears.," the masked girl said, "His tail is so cute."
Trey chuckled at the reaction of the masked student, "When you see someone like that, you instantly think of Savanaclaw. Also, don't let them hear you say that."
The green haired boy patted the soft platinum blonde hair of the girl beside him. She quickly pushed his hand off of her scalp, fearing he'd try to take off her mask. He put his hand up.
"Ah, sorry, you reminded me of my younger siblings for a moment there.," the young man apologized.
Cater laughed, "Savanaclaw is full of the rough and tough 'older brother' types. They wear yellow and black armbands."
Grim nodded and looked around, "Okay then. What about the guy with the lavender and grey armband?"
Hoshi and the others looked to where grim was pointing. It was the same Grey haired young man with the glasses and slimy smile. The masked girl could see his features a lot better without the hooded robes on him. His hair was neat and combed in a way that most was to his left. A small mole was on the corner of his mouth.
'He seems smart. But also a bit conniving, better steer clear.,' the young woman thought to herself as Trey answered.
"He's from Octavinelle.," the bespectacled upperclassman answered and motioned to a table in front of the group, "Those two are from Scarabia."
Ace and Deuce turned around to look behind them at the two students.

Hoshi recognized one as the one that Grim set on fire. She wondered if his burns were okay. He didn't seem to be hurt badly as he was laughing and talking to his companion. She sighed and held her hand over her bound chest.
"Scarabia and Octavinelle are the dorms where the smart kids go. They always score high on tests. Ironic since the Dorm leader of Scarabia sucks at studying.," Cater added in.
Ace shot Cater a look, "And I feel like you're pulling us into a tangent."
"You catch on fast.," Trey commented, "But back to the topic. See those Flashy students with the purple and red armbands, they are from Pomfiore."
The disguised girl looked over. A shudder ran up her back as she saw the boy who had been watching her ever since orientation. He was sitting with a younger looking boy whose pleasant looks made him look feminine. The more petite boy had lavender hair and large teal eyes.
"Woah, there's a super cute girl over there!," Grim shouted, only to have Deuce grab him and silence him as the petite boy looked over to see what the commotion was. The lavender haired young man looked away after seeing nothing interesting.
"A girl at a boys school?!," Deuce whispered to the group.
"Idiot. There wouldn't be a girl at a boy's school.," Ace scolded, "That's ridiculous."
Hoshi made herself a little smaller and motioned Grim to be quiet. The little monster smirked evilly.
Cater snickered, "Like Ace said, there's no female students here. If there was a girl, she'd be very popular in this isolated school."
Trey sighed, "I'd be more concerned about her safety than her popularity. But back to the topic. Pomfiore is populated by people who takes their looks seriously, but their potion and curse skills are second to none."
"Maybe you should ask one about removing your curse, Yuu.," Grim piped up, "But they might bully you for being so ugly."
Hoshi flicked the monster's forehead for his remark.

"I'd point out the Ignihyde students, but I don't see any. Their armbands are blue and black. But they aren't the friendliest, they have their guards up all the time.," Cater said, "The opposite of us happy-go-lucky Heartslaybul."
"So they're pessimistic.," Grim commented.
"That's not a very good explanation of them, but they are known for being withdrawn and quiet.," The green haired boy explained, "However, they excel at computing and Magical engineering. Their dorm leader is especially skilled with Magic tech."
"Okay, that leaves Diablabla.," the blue-green eyed Deuce spoke.
"It's Diasomnia.," Ace corrected, "Dumbass."
"Let's not be mean.," the diamond marked Cater said as he stood to look around, "Oh, there they are. In the back all grouped up. They have Green and Black armbands. They are the VIP group. It's very difficult to talk to them, and their dorm leader is even worse. He has super, 'don't mess with me' vibes."
Hoshi looked over to the table and saw the students there. One was the minty green haired one that yelled at her before. Plus a smaller man who seemed to be listening in on their conversation. His red eyes cut over to the group's table with a small mischievous smile on his face.
"Is that a kid with them?," Ace asked.
"Our school does let students in by skipping years, but that's not the case with him. He's-," Trey started but was stopped by the sudden appearance of the eavesdropper behind them.
"Lilia. Lilia Vanrouge.," the young man greeted as he hung upside down from the ceiling and dropped to stand behind the group, "I saw you looking at us and came to say hello."
Lilia had a deeper voice than his appearance let on, he was very pale. Alabaster skin and dark red eyes. His black hair was cut in a choppy manner and had streaks of pink in it. His appearance looked like a creature of the night with his pointy ears and sharp teeth. Lilia's smile and tone was friendly, Hoshi did not feel like he was being deceptive. His sudden appearance scared the table be appeared in front of.
"He teleported over here!," Grim yelped.
Lilia chuckled, "Are you curious of my age? Fufu, even though I am bursting in youth in my visage, I am hardly a child."
Trey was taken aback a bit, "Bursting with youth?"
"There's no need to look from afar. You are welcome to come speak to us, We are Diasomnia welcome all with open arms.," Lilia smiled, "For are we not students at the same school?"

The cherry eyed Ace looked at the table Lilia had come from then back at Lilia, "Yeah, I don't think they have the same sentiments."
the other students were looking over to the group harshly.
This did not impede the pale Diasomnia student as he laughed and then took notice of the masked girl, "Oh ho? Your mask..."
"What about it?," Hoshi asked.
Lilia grinned, "I like it. It looks very much like someone I met before. Could I interest you in letting me have it?"
"No. I need it to hide my curse.," the masked girl replied, "But could you tell me about the one who you saw?"
"Hm. Perhaps some other time.~," the pale student grinned, "Come visit me at Diasomnia and I'll tell you all about that fellow. Perhaps we can also see about that curse of yours. I'll leave you to your meal.~"
Lilia left as quickly as he came. Hoshi felt dizzy at what he said. He met someone who looked like her mask? Did that mean that he met the Oni who cursed her? Her mind buzzed as the others kept talking. She felt her chest get tight. The boys beside her were talking about how Diasomnia students excelled at all kinds of magic and that they had peculiar memebers. Trey mentioned how the Leader of Diasomnia was one of the five most powerful mages in the world. Cater mentioned that Malleus Draconia, the leader of Diasomnia was incredibly powerful. To the point of being terrifying.

'To think there's so many powerful people here.,' Hoshi thought to herself, 'I can only hope to not encounter any of them while I look for a way to return home. Being cursed by an Oni is bad enough, I don't want to be mangled by mages.'
"Malleus is super crazy powerful.," the green eyed phone addict said, "But our dorm leader is crazy in his own right."
"I'll say.," Ace huffed and pulled at the collar on his neck, "He put this damn collar on me after eating a single piece of tart. His narrow mindedness is insane!"
Hoshi picked up the sound of footsteps and saw the red haired dorm leader walking up behind Ace.
'Oh no.," She thought before speaking, "Ace...."
The red haired dorm leader stood behind his collared student, "Oh? I'm insane?"
"Totally! Skipped strict and went right for tyrannical!," Ace kept on, "Shut it Yuu."
"Your funeral.," Hoshi leaned back and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Ace behind you!," Deuce scolded.
The terracotta red haired boy turned around and saw his dorm leader, "Holy shit, Dorm leader."
"My, Riddle, you're insanely cute looking today~!," Cater chimed in an obvious attempt to ease Riddle's anger.
This did not help in the slightest as it irritated the petite Dorm head, "Cater. I'll take your mouth along with your head if you keep that up."

"Nnngyaa! It's the guy who put a collar on me at the entrance ceremony!," Grim yelled.
"And you are one of the ones who almost got an expulsion yesterday. I must ask you to refrain from calling my Unique magic a 'weird collar'.," Riddle said with annoyance, "For goodness' sake. The headmaster is too soft. If rule breakers are forgiven, then the whole system collapses. You need to cut off some heads to keep order."
"He looks innocent, but his mouth says different.," Ace grumbled.
This made riddle look at ace, "The Headmage may have forgiven you, but I don't. Especially if you break the rules."
Hoshi finished her lunch and set her mask back into place. She could see Riddle a lot more clearly. He was significantly shorter than her. With her shoes on, she could easily crush him against her chest. Maybe that would be a good idea for later. Or not, he might know that she's a girl. She leaned forward and rested her head in her palm. She just listened to Ace asking Riddle if there was a way to have the collar removed.
Riddle thought otherwise, "I was prepared to do so as I was walking up, but after hearing you talk just now, it doesn't seem like you have truly learned your lesson."
The red haired dorm leader was being truthful, but something about his mannerisms reminded the mask wearing girl of the statue she had been looking at the previous day. She could not put a finger on it.
"You can keep it on a little longer, you don't need much magic as a freshman as you will just be learning the fundamentals.," Riddle said with a dismissive smile, "but isn't that wonderful? You won't be able to cause any mayhem like you did yesterday."
Ace clenched his fists as he was getting visibly upset by his dorm head. The cherry eyed boy was getting more and more angry at the silver eyed boy.

"We mustn't spend too much time chatting. Queen of hearts law number 271: 'One must leave their seat within 15 minutes of finishing lunch.' So prepare for your next class. If you break anymore rules.... well, I think I made myself clear.," Riddle spoke with a smile.
The terracotta haired boy scoffed, "And there is another weird ass rule to add to the list."
Riddle made an angered face.
He put his hand on his chest as a pose of declaration, "The correct answer is, 'Yes Dorm Leader!'"
Deuce and Ace both answered, "Yes Dorm Leader!"
"Very good.," the red haired boy smiled.
Trey spoke up, "I'll look after them."
(Y/n) picked up Grim from the table as the little monster started choking, she pulled a chicken bone from his mouth and patted his back. She kept her ears on the conversation taking place. She noticed that other Heartslaybul students had become quiet. Even chatty Cater was being unusually quiet. She heard riddle scold Trey a bit. Apparently Trey was the Vice dorm leader. She was about to speak up when Cater tapped her shoulder. She looked over and the orangeish haired older boy put his finger over his lips. She nodded and waited for Riddle to leave. Grim followed the order as well, putting his paws over his mouth.
Riddle sighed, "Following the laws of the Queen of Hearts, Number 339, 'Tea after a meal should always be Lemon tea with two sugars.' I must go to the student store to buy more sugar cubes since someone did not ensure that the sugar pot was refilled."
He walked away and Hoshi swore she could hear everyone let out a breath. She felt a huge blanket of tension be removed from the student body around her.

"Whew, that was close.," Cater sighed and held his hand over his chest.
"He's obnoxious.," Grim grumbled.
"You're one to talk.," Hoshi quipped back.
Deuce scolded Grim, "That's rude."
Their conversation was quickly silenced by the murmuring of other Heartslaybul students.

"Did he leave?"

"I broke rule 186, 'one must never eat a hamburger on Tuesday.' I'm terrified of what would have happened if he saw."

"At least let us eat what we want."

The two older boys were quiet as they listened to their underclassmen complain. The masked girl looked around at the terrified students. To think, one boy was able to create all of this. She patted Grim on his little head.
"Riddle wrestled the title of Dorm leader from the previous leader in his first week as a freshman.," Trey spoke up, "He's harsh, but he's making the dorm better. His intentions are good at heart."
"Good intentions don't collar people randomly!," Grim snapped with a snarl on his little muzzle.
'This isn't a good look for you, Trey. Apologizing and covering for someone that needs to have his eyes opened to the harm he's causing.,' the girl thought to herself.

Cater and Trey gave the two between them a bit of room. Cater made an awkward chuckle from Grim's outburst.
"Did you forget that you caused us trouble during the ceremony?," (y/n) asked the monster then turned to Cater, "What's 'Unique Magic'?"
Grim huffed and smacked his little paws on the chest of the masked girl.
"Hm? Are you curious about Riddle's unique magic?," the diamond marked boy asked.
Deuce spoke up with his own question, "If it's unique, can only riddle use it?"
"Or is it a bloodline trait, like some other things?," Hoshi added.
"You both are very interested in this.," Trey laughed, "You'll have unique magics explained to you later in class. But it is usually a distinct magic type or spell that one person uses. The question if only one person in the world can use it is another question entirely."
Cater nodded, "Riddle's unique magic is able to seal off someone's magic for a fixed amount of time, it's called... 'Off with your head'."
"Yikes! The name is terrifying!," Grim wailed and stopped hitting Hoshi long enough to grip onto her.
The masked student held onto her monster companion. The little grey monster was shaking. She sighed a bit.
"Cater.," the green haired boy warned.
"Sorry, sorry.," Cater grinned, "But you don't have to worry as long as you follow the rules. It hurts really bad when the magic gets cut off though."
"Just follow the rules and it will be okay.," Trey smiled kindly.
"So I guess I need to go buy a tart or else Cater will kick me out again?," Ace inquired.

"That's the rules. Rule no. 53 to be exact.," the orangish blonde haired boy said and put his arm around Hoshi, "Heads up, Riddle likes to be the one who has the first slice. So you're gonna need to get a whole tart."
"What was that about us getting along? How about turning a blind eye?," Ace asked.
Hoshi picked Cater's arm off of her, "And keep your hands to yourself."
"That was that, this is this.," Cater shrugged.
"Tarts are expensive though.," Deuce added in, "I don't know if we have enough money to pay for one."
"I don't have pockets of cash right now, dammit.," Ace scoffed.
"What if we made one?," Hoshi asked, "It'd be cheaper."
Cater chuckled, "Great idea~ Trey here actually made those tarts himself."
Hoshi looked to the green haired young man beside her. From his face down to his hands. His hands were large and looked strong. His arms had the definition of one who worked a lot.
'He definitely looks like he works in a bakery. His arm strength must be quite good.,' the masked girl thought to herself.
"You made it?," Ace exclaimed, "They look like they were from a patisserie!"
His little outburst made other students glance over before continuing their meals and conversations. This only made Trey laugh a bit.
"Thank you, I do have the seasonings and utensils we need, but...," His face changed from kind to a little more mischievous, "I won't do it for free."

The terracotta haired boy stood up in anger, "You're making me pay?!"
"No, no. I'm not going to squeeze money out of any of the new kids.," Trey replied, "But I'll need you to gather the main ingredient for what we're going to eat."
Ace sat down again in his seat.
"What's the ingredient?," Hoshi inquired.
"Chesnuts. We need about two or three hundred.," the bespectacled boy answered.
"Can I go home?," Grim immediately asked the masked girl and got a shake from her, "Dammit."
"Good luck, Ace.," Deuce said and began to get up before he saw the masked girl motion for him to sit down while reaching behind her to the hidden weapon.
"Traitors, the both of you. I'm glad that Yuu isn't gonna abandon me like that.," Ace grumbled.
"There's nothing more delicious than food you made with friends~.," Cater chimed and pulled out his phone once more to check it, "Make fun memories, or You could even make a debut as a food blogger."
Trey leaned in closer, "Don't tell the dorm leader, but Mont Blanc tastes best when it is freshly made. Only the ones who help bake it can help taste it."
Grim began to drool at the mention of a free snack.
"Oh that's why you need chestnuts.," Hoshi mused, "where do we find the prickly little things?"
"They are in the forest behind the botanical garden.," Trey replied, "You can find the equipment to harvest them in the garden itself."
"Then it's settled, we meet after school in front of the botanical garden.," Ace announced.
"Chestuts, chestnuts, chestnuts!," Crim chimed happily.
"I'll see you then. Mr. Crewel wants to talk to me real quick first.," Hoshi added.
"Better go see him, he'll give you a long lecture if you miss out on what he wants.," the orangeish haired boy chimed and got up, "see you later~"

----

Lilia watched as the masked student left the cafeteria with the others at the table. A small mischievous smile was on his face.
"Lilia, you seem interested in that student.," the silver haired young man next to him said.
The pale young man looked back to his companion, "Oh, yes. That mask he has on. It is the same one my friend from long ago had."
"A friend?," the mint haired boy beside him asked.
"Kufufu. Yes, I haven't seen him since but I did give him my word after we became friends.," Lilia replied, "He was quite an intriguing oni."

"Your word?," the silver haired boy Inquired.
"He asked me to watch for the one who would bear that mask. Now that I found that mask, I have a feeling something interesting will happen.," Lilia chuckled, showing his sharp teeth in a wide grin.