After finishing their lunch, the group of freshmen were on their way to the Headmage's office. Deuce knocks on the door before opening it. "Headmage, may we come in?" Ace was the first to greet him. "How's it going, sir?" Headmage Crowley sat up straight. "Ah. Thank you all for coming. I'll get right to the point. Now that the Heartslabyul incident is behind us...I wanted to give you a proper debriefing on the matter.
If you're to become mages, you need to fully understand the malady that befell Mr. Rosehearts." He begins. "From what I remembered, you called his transformation an "overblot," correct?" (Y/n) questioned. "Yes, that is correct." Headmage Crowley nodded. "My brother told me a little about that. He said that could happen to anyone who builds up too much blot. Sounds like Cater was pretty much on the nose with "berserker mode." Ace explained what he learned from his brother. "Yeah, but what is "blot," anyway?" Grim asked. "Ah, indeed. For your sake and (Y/n)'s, it would behoove us to start with the basics. I shall teach you all you need to know. Charity, thy name is Crowley!" Headmage Crowley smiled.

'This man, I swear.' (Y/n) gave a deadpan expression in her head.

Headmage Crowley cleared his throat. "Now, "blot" is a form of waste that is created as a byproduct of using magic. Just as cars run on gasoline, and in the process, expel dangerous gases as exhaust...Casting spells consumes magical energy, and in the process, expels blot." He explained. "That does sound like an unhealthy state to be in." (Y/n) said nervously. "Quite. Research into the nature of blot has been conducted since time immemorial. And yet, we still understand little about it. All we know for sure is that it is terrifically toxic, and excessive amounts can wreak havoc on a mage's mind and body." Headmage Crowley finished explaining. "I guess that's why Grandma was always naggin' me to not overdo it with the magic, huh? Here I thought she just didn't want me to break stuff." Ace stretched the back of his head. "My grandmother is the same every time I overuse my magic. I can get tired quickly." (Y/n) nodded. "Power and peril are two sides of the same coin. Even the greatest of mages cannot cast spell after spell without consequence." Headmage Crowley added. "So you're tellin' me I'm gonna get sick if I keep usin' magic whenever I want?!" Grim questioned with a panicked tone. "Not necessarily.
Hm. Perhaps a demonstration would prove more efficient than a mere explanation. Ghosts, assemble! I have a job for you!" Headmage Crowley then summoned some ghosts to help demonstrate.

"Huzzah! You summoned us, Headmage?"

"Not these guys again?!" Ace's eyes widen. "Would you be so kind as to help me put these young students through their paces?" Headmage Crowley asked the ghosts. "T-This seems like a bad idea." Deuce panicked. "Is this even wise?" (Y/n) questioned.

"Yeah, okay. We'll go a round or two with 'em."

Headmage Crowley turned to the students. "Now, students, ready your magical pens. Prepare to receive a special lesson from your headmage!"

Ace and Deuce pulled out their magical pens and blasted their magic at the ghost. Grim would do the same with his fire as (Y/n) used her weapons to use her fire and wind magic on the ghost. Since it was just a demonstration, the four of them were able to defeat the ghost within minutes. Seeing that the students won, the ghosts took their leave.

"Hey, Headmage, what's the deal? What does fightin' ghosts got to do with blot?" Grim questioned. "Direct your attention to the magestone on your collar, Mr. Grim." Headmage Crowley motioned to the magestone. Grim looks down at his collar. "Myah?! My magestone looks all grungy now. ...MYAH?! It won't rub off!" Grim tried to clean off the blot from his collar. "Precisely. That inky black stain is the byproduct of spellcasting known as "blot." Headmage Crowley explained. "There's some grime on my magical pen, too!" Deuce's eyes widen at his pen. "Ewww! This is capital-G Gross!" Grim stuck out his tongue in disgust. (Y/n) picked up Grim as she tried to clean off the blot herself. "Please tell me there's a way to get rid of this."

"Yes, of course." Headmage Crowley nodded. "Like some kinda special soap or somethin'?" Grim asked as (Y/n) put him down. "With sufficient rest, blot will vanish from your magestone. This is why a magestone is so valuable to magic users. Not only does it aid your casting, it also serves as a lightning rod of sorts, to prevent blot from accumulating within the caster." Headmage Crowley explained. "I see. So when our magestones start to get cloudy, that means it's time for us to ease off." Deuce said. "Correct. Eat well and get plenty of sleep, and most of the blot will clear away." Headmage Crowley added. "Well, that's a relief to hear." (Y/n) smiled in relief. "Gotcha. So when I become an even greater mage, I'll be able to fire off spells left and right! Pa-PEW! After all, I do plenty of sleepin' and eatin'." Grim brags.

"People vary greatly in their capacity for magic. However, save for a few key exceptions, there is little variance in most mages' tolerance for blot." Headmage Crowley said. "What's that mean?" Grim questioned. "In essence, it means that those who possess a great capacity for magic must be meticulous in their efforts to avoid accumulating blot. Like Mr. Rosehearts, for instance." Headmage Crowley replied. "So folks who know their way around magic gotta lay off once in a while. Seems simple enough." Ace shrugged his shoulders. "Correct. That said, it isn't anything that mages at YOUR level need to worry about. How very fortunate for you!" Headmage Crowley smiled. "I...guess that's only kind of an insult?" Ace questioned the remark. "Anyway, I think I get it. Use magic, get blot. Blot bad. Sleep and food good. But is that really all it took to make Riddle activate berserker mode?" Grim understood a bit as he asked. "The accumulation of blot is significantly affected by the sorcerer's mental state. Anger, fear, panic, sorrow... Harboring those sorts of negative energies hastens the accumulation of blot by a significant degree. This, in turn, leads to the dreadful state known as "overblot." Headmage Crowley explained. (Y/n) frowned at the explanation. She understood how and why Riddle overblot after witnessing his memories. She just hopes it doesn't happen to anyone else.

"Negative energies," huh? Interesting..." Deuce repeated with interest in the new knowledge. "Do you recall the giant shadow that appeared behind Mr. Rosehearts? Such manifestations are believed to be the result of a fusion between blot and negative energies. I'm afraid that's the extent of what current studies have revealed to us, however. There remain many mysteries surrounding overblot. After all, there are not many opportunities for study and observation." Headmage Crowley further explained. "Let's hope it stays that way!" Ace exclaimed. "Actually, from what we have been through, one way to beat those monsters is to destroy their glass heads. That is their weak spot." (Y/n) replaced what she remembered. Headmage Crowley nodded at her statement as he continued. "It is fortunate that we were able to snap Mr. Rosehearts out of it so quickly. If that had been allowed to continue..." Suddenly, Headmage Crowley lets out a scream that startled the students. "AAAH! It is a prospect too terrifying to consider!"

"GAH! W-what's your problem?! Yellin' outta the blue like that!" Grim covered his ears. Headmage Crowley quickly collects himself as he clears his throat. "Forgive me. I lost my composure. In summary, the use of magic is always accompanied by a certain degree of risk. And I expect you all to keep that in mind." He pointed at them. "Yes, sir." The four of them nodded. "Thus concludes your special lesson from the headmage himself! How wonderfully kind of me. Now, back to your classrooms with you." Headmage Crowley smiled as he was about to start his paperwork. Ace and Deuce were about to walk out but stopped when (Y/n) walked back to the desk. "Excuse me sir, but have you found any information about Earthrealm or Outworld?" She asked. "Ahhh, yes... A means to send (Y/n) home. Right, right. I have been diligently searching for one, of course. I have certainly not forgotten! It is merely that I've been quite busy of late." Headmage Crowley shifted his eye away from her. "Your eyes got all shifty all of a sudden." Grim crossed his little arms. "You're lying aren't you, sir?" (Y/n) narrowed her eyes at the Headmage.

"I-I'm certainly not lying! The October interdorm Spelldrive tournament is consuming a great deal of my attention at the moment! In fact, I've a meeting with the assembled housewardens immediately after this." Headmage Crowley stood up from his seat. "What's a "Spelldrive tournament"...?" Grim asked. "Yes, I'd also be confused about what this "Spelldrive Tournament" is." (Y/n) tilted her head. "Dude, (Y/n)... You've never heard of Spelldrive?!" Ace questioned. (Y/n) turned towards Ace as she pointed at herself. "Does the term "princess from another realm" not ring a bell?"

"It's a world-famous sport! There's even a pro league and a world championship tournament." Deuce explained. "I ain't never heard of this either!" Grim told. "Spelldrive is a sport played by competing teams of seven people. Basically, players battle for control of a disc and earn points by drivin' it into the enemy team's goal. The team with the most points wins!" Ace explained how the sport works. "The way you explain reminds me of a sport back in Earthrealm called football." (Y/n) tapped her chin. "Football...? Say what?" Deuce was confused. "Hm. I've not heard of such a game, but I'll look it up the next time I'm at the library. Perhaps it will yield some sort of clue." Headmage Crowley suggested.

Then Ace decided to speak up. "Oh, man, I just realized that (Y/n) would have a hard time actually playing." Grim looked at Ace. "Yeah? Why's that?" Deuce then remembered why. "You need magic to play. Not only do you move the disc with magic, but you use it to attack and defend, too. It may be difficult for (Y/n) since her magic is different from ours." He explained. "You may be right." (Y/n) hummed in thought. "The flashier the magic, the better—it's how players show off their skills!" Ace added

"Yes, quite! That is why Night Raven College is known throughout the world as a leader in the sport! This school has produced countless pro players! That's why our interdorm Spelldrive tournaments attract attention even from pro league recruiters. Also, those simply looking for up-and-coming magicians use the event to scout hopeful candidates. Yes, the tournament is quite an affair. The campus will be full of visitors and lined with various kiosks. And the main event will be captured by television cameras and broadcast worldwide." Headmage Crowley happily explained.

"I must say, this all does sound interesting." (Y/n) smiled. "It's broadcast throughout the world?!
So you're sayin' that if I were to play in this tournament—and win of course—the whole world would see it?!" Grim happily questioned. "Of course! Players who excel at the tournament invariably attract great attention. Both from the pro leagues and the public at large!" Headmage Crowley confirmed. "In your case, the magic would barely even matter. Just having a monster like you out there is sure to turn heads." Deuce pointed out. "Deuce is right about that." (Y/n) chuckled. "It's settled, then! I'm gonna train around the clock, join a team, and become a legend!" Grim happily proclaimed. "Alas, Grim, you cannot enter." Headmage Crowley told. "...Wait, what?" Grim was shocked.

"Did you not hear me speak the word "interdorm" multiple times? Your dorm doesn't even have seven members. Therefore, you cannot enter the tournament." Headmage Crowley explained. "Whaaaaaat?! No faaaaair!" Grim whined. "But there's plenty else to do, from tending to the grounds to selling drinks in the stands! Those who stand upon the field are not the only stars of tournament day." Headmage Crowley suggested the ideas.

"Not. Interested! I wanna be on TV! I want everyone in the world fawning over me! "Squeee! Grim is sooooo cool!" "Did you see that play Grim made?" You get what I'm sayin'?" Grim declined the other ideas. "Your delusions are oddly specific, dude." Ace said. "Well, if you can't field a team, I'm afraid that's that." Deuce shook his head. He turns towards (Y/n). "Maybe next year, Ramshackle House will get some new members. But it's not happening this year."

"Next year? Yes, maybe next year we'll be able to participate." (Y/n) smiled at the thought of being a part of the academy sports next year. "Anyway, as I believe I've mentioned, I'm a busy man. I must be off." Headmage Crowley shooed them off as he was getting back to his paperwork. "Yeah, thanks for takin' me outta your busy day to build up my dreams and crush 'em! Myaaah!" Grim sobs. (Y/n) picks him up as the four of them head back to their next class period.