"This is concerning....I can't just let someone who can't use magic to stay at the school. However, as an educator, I can't just toss a penniless teenager out onto the streets with no form of communication....There's an unused building on campus. It was once used as a dormitory in the past, but if you clean it up, you should at least be able to get some sleep there. For the time being, I shall allow you to reside there! And I will look for a way for you to return home. It may be a bit old, but there is a certain charm to it!"

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We were soon outside the gates of the Ramshackle Dorm. Looking at the place, I tried not to grimace. That thing looked like one board break away from caving in! But...like I said, we'll have to go with it. Hopefully it's still stable...by the looks of it.

"Is this seriously...." I trailed off, unsure of what to say.

"Right, Right?" The headmaster nodded. "Let's go inside."

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In the lounge, it looked a bit ransacked, but nothing a little elbow grease couldn't do!

"Staying here will at least keep you out of the rain." He reminded me. " I must head back to do some research. In the meantime, make yourself at home. Just don't go wandering around the school! Until then." With a bow, he vanished.

I looked around the room, now cringing. "I really have my work cut out for me, don't I?" I mumbled. "Wait, how exactly am I gonna work when-"

I look down. My robes were gone and in place was my usual getup. And right beside me was a stack of towels, cleaning spray, a duster, and some garbage bags, and a few other cleaning supplies.

My eyes widened. Was I rambling so much I didn't notice what was going on around me? Are my clothes magicked so that they change into whatever fits?! If so, then that's cool! It's just like in that scene of "Caraval", when Scarlett is given clothes that transform into different dresses everyday of the event! And it's happening to me!!! Amazing!

I snapped out of it. Now's not the time for living fantasies! We've got work to do! And let's get to it!

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It took a while but I made a few dents here and there with my cleaning skills. I felt pretty good! Most of the cobwebs were gone, some furniture was fixed, and the floor was spick and span! And thankfully the lights still work!

Although I can't do anything about that painting on the floor. Or the water soaking into the walls or the curtains due to the rain....

"Oh merda! It's raining?!" I shriek, looking outside the window. A downpour was outside just now. And there were cracks in the roof! Ugh! No! And on the floor too?! "Damnit!" I kicked the sofa out of anger.

"Hyiii! It's really coming down!"

Oh great. Now HE'S here?

Suddenly, I felt cold on my back. I recoiled and flew around to see Grim shaking his fur of water as some droplets got on me. Once he was done,I glared at him.

"Gyahaha!" He sputtered. "You look so stupid! Like a spider being attacked with a water gun!" I rolled my eyes. At least the water will dry if I relax a bit. I sighed as I plopped onto the couch.

"How'd you even get back here?" I asked.

"I had no trouble sneaking back in to the school. C'mon, c'mon!" He waved with his paw as he jumped onto the couch next to, standing on the armrest. "If you think getting thrown out's gonna make me give up on getting in, you've got another thing comin'!" He smirked.

"You're really determined to get in this place, aren't you?" I ask. "But why?"

"It's simple! I'm a genius who's destined to be a great magician! Yours Truly has been waiting for the Ebony Carriage to come pick me up! But...but..." he frowned, eyes full of tears. I nearly felt bad for him. But his frown deepened as his ears flattened. "Hmph! The Dark Mirror just doesn't have an eye for this!" Then with a smirk, "So that's why I came here on my own! Not letting me in would be a loss for the world! These humans just don't get it!"

A drop landed on his head and he shivered.

"Nyaa! That's cold! The roof's leaking!" Another drop.

"Fgyaa! It just keeps coming!" He covered his head and hopped down from his place. "My cute ear hair's gonna go out at this rate!"

I looked up to the ceiling. It was a decent-sized hole in the roof.

"We'll need a bucket..." I mutter, getting up and scanning the room.

"Magic should fix that leak up real quick! Oh right! can't use magic! Pfft, useless!" He teased.

Dear God Almighty, I wanted to strangle him right then and there.

"You don't think I know that, furball?!" I hissed. "At least help me!"

"Hm? 'Help' you? No thanks! I'm just a regular monster staying in a dry place! And you best have a can of tuna ready before I do any work!" He taunted.

I rolled my eyes. Just then I heard a knock at the door.

"Huh? The Headmaster's back already?" I ponder, opening the door.

It wasn't the Headmaster. I looked around but only saw rain.

And a bag on the porch.

Wait, that's MY bag!!!

I snatched it quickly and shut the door, hugging it close to me. I felt so happy! Getting all my stuff back was such a relief!

I rummaged through and double checked that I had everything. And it was all there untouched! Even my phone! And the key that raven stole from me!!!

But then I saw a note attached to the strap. Clipped with a safety pin, and written on old parchment paper, in quilled ink? Who writes letters with quill ink?!

There was no signature. And that threw me off. I'd at least like to thank whomever it was that returned my bag for me!

But maybe thanks are for later. Cuz I just felt another drop on my head.

"Holy crap, there's a bunch of leaks. I gotta find that bucket..." I walked up the stairs.

——————————

I crept up the stairs to the hallway. Which was dark.

"It's okay, Charlie. Just find the bucket and get back downstairs." I reminded myself calmly.

I heard a creak down the hall.

"I got a bad feeling about this..." I whispered. I looked down the right side and saw nothing, but once I turned to my left....

Three ghosts stood in front of me. And disappeared.

I let out a shattering scream.

One ghost laughed, "We haven't had a guest in so long~!"

"I'm itching for some action!" Another chimed.

They stood before me again, chortling at me in my scared state.

"Why the hell are there GHOSTS?!" I scream, gripping my bag tightly.

Grim popped up next to me. "What're you freaking out abou-aaaaaaah! G-g-g-GHOSTS!" He screamed, jumping into my arms. I cradled him closer to me, thankful he was at least emanating warmth, and I had my lucky hoodie on for extra.

"The people who lived here got scared of us and left!" The first one spoke.

"We've been looking for some more ghost pals. Why don't you join us?" The second continued.

"We need to do something!" I whisper. But what?!

Grim was whimpering, but then pulled on a brave face. "Grim the Great isn't scared of a bunch of ghosts!" With that, he summoned his fire yet again.

Flames engulfed the hallway but the ghosts vanished and reappeared.

"Watch where you're aiming!" The third tormented.

"I'm over here! I'm over here! Hahahaha!" The second spoke. Their teasing only seemed to get Grim more riled up.

"Shoot! Stop disappearing!" He summoned more flames.

"Grim, stop it! You'll burn the place down like this!" I demand.

"Be quiet! Don't try and give me orders!" He fires back.

Okay, how am I gonna work with him on this if he keeps acting like this? Wait...what did he say again....?

—————————————

"...that's why I came here on my own! Not letting me in would be a loss for the world! These humans just don't get it!..."

"And you best have a can of tuna ready before I do any work!"

—————————————

"Got it!" I smiled. "Okay, Grim, I've got an offer for you you can't resist! You might win the dean's favor if you drive them out! And I'll buy you a can of tuna if you win~!" He seemed to perk up at that.

"Huh?" He creased his eyebrows. "Mmmmm...I'm a genius, I won't let one-"

The ghosts were too close to us as they laughed but I jumped backwards to give me and Grim more space.

"-I mean, a bunch of cowards ganging up on us!" He finished.

"Try not to hurt me and I'll buy you another~!" I amped up.

He finally caved. "Fine! Hey You! Tell me where the ghosts are!" He hopped out of my arms.

I set my focus on the hallway, scanning for any wandering figures. Suddenly, I saw a mist forming and I scream,

"On your left!" Grim spits a fireball out and as soon as the ghost was fully shown, he got hit by the attack.

"Hot!" The third moaned.

"I hit it!" Grim was shocked, as she smiled. "Alright! Let's chase em outta here!" He took his stance, ready to fight and so did I.

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It took a while but as soon as Grim spat one last fireball, the ghosts knew they didn't stand a chance.

"We're gonners! Run away!" And one by one, they disappeared.

"U-uh, did...we win?" Grim asked. I smiled and squealed in victory. In my mind.

"Yes! That was amazing!" I said.

"...That was sc-no! I wasn't scared at all! That was nothing for Yours Truly! How 'bout that, ghosts? Had enough?" He smirked, hopping back into my arms.

Just as we were leaving, I heard footsteps coming up. I saw the edge of a top hat. It was the Headmaster!

"Evening, Miss Charlotte. I've graciously brought you supper." He motioned downstairs. I smiled, thankful for the generosity. He noticed Grim in my arms, and said, "You're the monster that ran amuck during the entrance ceremony! I thought I had you thrown out! What are you doing back here?"

Grim smugly replied, "Hmph! I exterminated the ghost problem! You're welcome!"

"Hm? What do you mean by that?" The headmaster asked.

"Allow me to explain, Sir!" I perked up. I explained in full detail exactly what went down from the events of the roof leaking to finally ridding the place of ghosts. But I left out the part of me finding my bag since I didn't want him to think I was a thief. Luckily I hid it in a room during our fight with the ghosts.

After explaining everything, the Headmaster nodded.

"Now that you mention it, there were some prankster ghosts living here so students keep away from this dormitory, and that's why it's now empty. I'd forgotten that. However....hm..." he started to mutter to himself. "For you two to work together to get rid of them-"

"I'm not gonna overlook that 'together' part!" Grim crosses his arms. "She was just standing there, watching and Yours Truly did all that for tuna. Ah!" He perked up. "I haven't gotten tuna yet!"

"I'd like the two of you to show me how you exterminated these ghosts." Crowley spoke.

"But we've already gotten rid of all the ghosts!" Grim whined. "Before that: Give. Me. Tuna!"

"I shall play the ghosts." Crowley offered. "If you beat me, I'll reward you with tuna. Since I'm that gracious!" He slipped out a vial of dark blue liquid, and with a swallow, "Transformation Potion!"

"Ugh! I don' wanna!" Grim whined. "It's a pain and I have to team up with Her again..."

I shut him up by gently petting him in pity. Then I said to him, "Y'know... This may be your chance to get in the school~! And to earn your tuna~!"

Grim stayed silent. Then with a grumble, "Fine! But this is the last time! And you absolutely, ABSOLUTELY, will give me that tuna!"

I nodded and he lept to his feet for the second match.

This fight was more difficult that the last. But in the end, we came out victorious.

Grim panted out, "How...was THAT?" And flopped into my arms.

The headmaster stared at me with utmost surprise. "Unbelievable....there is a person who can command monsters!"

Uh....

"You know, Miss Charlotte.... My teacher-senses were telling me since the uproar during the entrance ceremony that you have talent as an animal or wild beast tamer! And maybe another..."

Wait....did he see through my ruse? Does he know I have visions?!

"But...no matter how...." and from there he kept muttering to himself, eyeing me now and then.

I touched the pendant around my neck, feeling the cool metal beneath my fingertips. Thinking back to what Mim has told me....

"...when you see through their eyes what they mean that you'll really feel like you can conquer what's in front of you."

I still have no idea what most of the visions I've had mean. And with how things are being presented to me as of today, I've very little time to find out what it means for myself. But I'll do everything I can. And I might as well take that first step now!

"Uh, Sir?" I ask. "Is it possible...that you could let Grim stay here with me? He has a burning desire to attend this school!" I persuaded.

"Come again? The monster?" He asked.

"What are you-" I placed a hand over Grim's head with a quick shush.

"Please! Not to mention...the ghosts could come back any minute..." I tried.

"Hm...it can't be helped." Crowley shrugged. "Very well!"

"Uh-Really?!" Grim's head shot out from under my hand.

"However-" Crowley raises a hand. "I can't simply allow someone, let alone a monster, into school who wasn't selected by the Dark Mirror. Also-" then he turned to me. "I can't let you cause trouble as well here until you return back to your own world."

"Talk about short-lived joy..." Grim mumbled.

"I'm not yet finished." Crowley informed. "Concerning the fact that your soul was called here, the school has to take responsibility as the owners of the Dark Mirror. For the time being, you'll be permitted to stay in this dormitory for free. But, other necessities, you'll have to provide for yourself. Seeing as you have nothing to your name...." I think about my phone, praying it still works. "Here is my proposition..." the way he said that made me think I'll have to do something totally degrading. And I hate stuff that does that to people like me!

I gulped, "And...just what exactly are you going to make me do?"

He smiled. "There's no need to fret. I'll have you do maintenance and odd jobs around campus. From what I could tell, you're very good at cleaning." Yea, that's what you get for having to clean out an art supplies cupboard and dust around the house every Friday for as long as you can remember.

"Would you two like to become the 'handymen' of the school? This way you'll receive special permission to remain on school grounds. You'll also be able to research going home or study whatever you desire in the library."

Yes! Maybe I can find out the reason behind my visions! Awesome!

"For I'm that gracious!"

Yea, less awesome.

"Another thing!" The way he said that made me jolt in my spot. "You're allowed that only after your tasks are done." I nodded.

Grim was really out of it, as he grumbled, "Eeeeeeeh? I'm not fine with this! I wanna wear those fancy uniforms and be a student!"

I rolled my eyes. Jesus, this guy is insatiable.

"It's fine if it doesn't live up to your standards. I can just simply kick you out again." Crowley offered with a shrug.

That seemed to snap the cat out of it.

"Fgna?! Okay! If I have to do it, I'll do it!" He whined.

"We understand, Sir!" I nodded. I'll admit, I'm not happy about the workload on my shoulders, but if the library can help me find out whatever's causing these visions, then I'll have to tolerate it!

"Excellent. Then, you two, starting tomorrow, endeavor to be the handymen of Night Raven College!"

What the hell have I gotten myself into...?

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Half an hour later, I was fed, and I found a decent sleeping room. After Crowley left, I managed to swipe my bag from its hiding spot and haul it to my room.