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Ace Trappola: Solari Echo Scoundrel

An “up and coming” starfighter racer who’s down on his luck, Ace may have pissed off a few bozos by reneging on his deal to fix a race and flying off with the collective winnings. With most of the money gone and more than a few angry mobsters closing in, Ace has managed to escape his just desserts so far by abusing the temporal displacement watch he’s “borrowing” from his older brother, but how long until his time—and luck—run out?

Solari: As a Solari, Ace has the lithe build, glowing skin, hair, and pointed ears typical of his species. His crewmates can use him as a low-level light source in dark spaces. If badly injured or exhausted, his light and colors will dim, but will never extinguish completely. His hair is a gradient of campfire reds to burnished oranges and gingers, off-set by gold toned skin and bright red eyes. Usually wears fire-proof racing jumpsuits with the upper half unzipped and sleeves folded up around his forearms or tied around his waist. Pairs these with form-fitting t-shirts, chunky neon-lined sneakers that cost far more than sneakers should and racing goggles that he wears on his forehead or around his neck more than he does over his eyes.

Echo Scoundrel: Ace has a large watch that he wears on his left wrist, which has a rounded digital screen that extends a good inch off of his wrist. While it does also tell the time, Ace can use the buttons on the side of the device to fast-forward and rewind his own personal time, allowing him to teleport away from danger or into range where he can take an enemy by surprise. He utilizes this and his dual laser pistols to great effect when it comes time to take out enemies. Ace’s Solari heritage also provides him with an ability that lets him revive himself if he is ever knocked down for the count—a handy failsafe if anyone does manage to get the drop on him.

Starfighter: Joker Snatch. A professional racing fighter, small, sleek, and fast. It’s aerodynamic, durable, and has excellent maneuverability, though its weapons systems pack less of a punch. Ace’s baby, most of the funds he earns are diverted into maintaining its heart-red paint job and mechanics.

Yuu: Stardust Human Holo-Star Icon

A streamer who’s struggling to get viewers, Yuu employs their hologram to try to enhance their performances as much as they can before their streams get terminated for nonsensical reasons. With few platforms (and fewer usernames) left to them, streamer XxX_H@nNYuu67_xXx is left wishing that they could film something to get them the support they need…

Stardust Human: As a member of one of the most common species in the galaxy, Yuu’s most notable for being slighter than average for their age range and having lots of freckles on their face and body. They have short, dark hair with long bangs that covers most of their face. Unlike their hairdo, Yuu’s fashion is much more professional, lots of power-shoulder high-collared shirts and turtlenecks paired with waistcoats and wide-legged slacks or skirt/pant combos. Has never shown their collarbones on or off stream, making it a subject of fascination for their fans, much to their concern. Wears their binder whenever they can get away with it.

Holo-Star Icon: As a Holo-Star Icon, Yuu has the ability to channel the cosmic Harmony of the galaxy through their performances while live-streaming. Any donations their viewers make can be channeled into healing or buffing their friends or using higher-powered attacks against their foes. Yuu can also create a pale pink hologram version of themself anywhere on a battlefield which can be used as a conduit/amplifier for their chosen effects. They enhance their performances with a handheld microphone that has neon pink and blue highlights (they also have a laser knife if any enemies get too close for comfort).

Starfighter: The Supervisor. Yuu and Grim share this small starfighter, as Grim is instinctually an excellent pilot but has no opposable thumbs while Yuu possesses the latter, but has never flown any vehicle themself before. A jack of all trades, this vessel is well-rounded and can fill in any gaps needed by the rest of the fleet. It also comes with several built-in cameras that Yuu can hook up their streams to for clearer view of the battles.

Deuce Spade: Jozza Scrapper Juggernaut

Leaving the warm waters of his homeworld and a delinquent past behind him, Deuce is hoping to join a force for justice so he can make a positive change in the galaxy for once! He just hopes that his temper doesn’t get him into trouble first…or his habit of compulsively making contraptions out of anything left unattended near him…

Jozza: Deuce is a member of the aquatic Jozza, who possess shark-like features with fin-like crests on their heads. His skin is a vivid grey-blue over most of his body, with pale grey coloring on his throat starting near his gills and continuing down the front of his torso and abdomen. He has dark blue hair which he tries to part neatly around his fin, sharp teeth, and blue-green eyes. Deuce tries to dress for the job he wants, but his nice-but-durable pants, suspenders, and button-ups usually end up with oil or grease stains. Will often roll up/unbutton the latter, revealing his white undershirt beneath. He wears a chain at his waist with several small mechanical doodads attached that he fiddles with when distracted.

Scrapper Juggernaut: Much to his chagrin, Deuce is often at his most powerful when he lets his temper overtake him and decides to start breaking heads. However, when the red haze descends, his instinct isn’t just to break—he is capable of building himself weapons out of the most innocuous of scraps or modifying items he picks up for deadly effect. Capable of constructing anything from guns to flails, the constructs he builds on the fly can be slightly more fragile and prone to breakage if overused. But the only limit to how many times he can rebuild and reuse the materials they’re made of is their structural integrity. And, if all else fails, his experience in street brawling and powerful jaws ensure he is never without a means to defend himself.

Starfighter: Bet The Limit. A medium-sized fighter which should not fly as well as it does. A retired model that was originally designed to ram straight through enemy shields, Deuce has upgraded the engine to give it more maneuverability, reinforced the rounded chassis’ durability, and embedded several hard-hitting weapons systems, including rockets and a chain harpoon. One of the few fighters which can operate underwater as well as in space.

Grim: Chimera

So you’ve crossed paths with the Great Boss Grim, have ya? Well count yourself lucky, because you’ve just met the greatest legend in the stars!! Or well, maybe not yet, but he knows he’s destined for greatness!! Come and be his minion and he’ll let you share in that greatness!! Fgnah-ha, isn’t he the best?!

Chimera: Grim’s origins are as mysterious as he is, but one thing is clear—his makeup appears to be a merging of traits from several different creatures found across the galaxy, sentient and non-sentient alike. He’s most commonly mistaken for a Bitling by those who haven’t met Bitlings before. Though he shares cartoony-animal proportions with them, Grim is smaller, has blue fire burning in his ears and can spit bursts of it from his mouth, and does not produce tokens like Bitlings do. Bitlings also do not try to eat Cacophony Chips and go into a violent fugue state if denied them like Grim does.

Starfighter: The Supervisor. Yuu and Grim share this small starfighter, as Grim is instinctually an excellent pilot but has no opposable thumbs while Yuu possesses the latter, but has never flown any vehicle themself before. A jack of all trades, this vessel is well-rounded and can fill in any gaps needed by the rest of the fleet. It also comes with several built-in cameras that Yuu can hook up their streams to for clearer view of the battles.

Jack Howl: Laika Splicer Primalist

Jack is one of the youngest recruits for a prominent Hyperdrive team, an increasingly popular sport where wits and brawn are both essential for victory. Despite his initial excitement, the discovery that his team wants to cheat their way to victory, and expects him to utilize his skills to do the same, has him deeply conflicted…

Laika: Jack is part of the Tracker lineage of the Laika, resembling an anthropomorphic white Alsatian. This lineage means that he excels in anything involving tracking or similar tasks due to his keen senses. He has thick white fur, golden eyes, and is on the larger side for his species. Some of the fur on his head has been styled into a spiky mullet. He follows a strict training regimen to ensure he stays in shape for his team, bulking him up considerably. Because of this (and the thick fur), he has a taste for sleeveless leather jackets and flared pants that allow for ease of movement while keeping cool. He also has a love of space cowboy boots, because he thinks they look awesome. Jack wears a leather cord around his neck with the teeth of various non-sapient canid/vaguely-canid-related species knotted into it.

Splicer Primalist: Jack has always had a fascination with wolves and wolf-adjacent animals ever since he was a child, so he focused his studies on learning to understand them, their genetics, and how he could harness their powers. When the need calls for it, he can utilize the teeth on his necklace to extract the essence of the creature it came from and transform himself into one. This transformation can either be limited to certain areas of his body, to enhance certain skills or attacks on the fly, or can be a complete change into the creature he chooses, which allows him to communicate with animals and earn their allegiances to help him out in battle. He also carries a light laser pistol his mother insisted he take before he went off-world, though he will often forgo that for punching or biting an enemy if the need arises.

Starfighter: Unleash The Beast. A medium-sized fighter that bears some resemblance to a wolf’s head. Fast and agile, this fighter excels at herding and harrying enemy ships, darting in to pepper them with blasts before zipping away to escape return fire. Jack can also channel his primalist energies into the ship, giving it temporary boosts of animalistic power when the need arises.

Epel Felmier: Pakku Symmetric Disciple

Epel may still be finding his space legs, but he has one dream and one dream only since he left his snowy, dozy home planet—to make a name for himself as the most badass, most rugged bounty hunter this galaxy has ever seen!! Too many folks see his purple petals and slight build and assume he’s a pushover, but his feet, fists, and his gramma’s staff will show ‘em all different!!

Pakku: Epel is of the Butterwort sub-species of Pakku, meaning that he is much hardier and more adaptable to colder temperatures when compared to his desert-residing brethren. He is slim and shorter than most of his crewmates. His leaves form beautiful rosette patterns on his skin, he always smells pleasantly floral, and his purple petals make up what most species would consider a chin-length hairstyle. He is also always slightly sticky to the touch, and pests will often get trapped in his secretions and nourish him. He favors short sleeveless robes paired with ripped synthetic leggings, reinforced, spiked arm guards, and knee-high, steel-toed combat boots that also protect his shins. He is very proud of his combat boots, and spends a lot of time maintaining them and the staff he inherited from his grandmother.

Symmetric Disciple: Epel was trained by his grandmother to be able to fight in tune with the Harmony of the galaxy, though he struggles sometimes with the “balance” thing she always went on about. He is able to channel both the vital and the somber sides of this cosmic force, empowering his own punches, and kicks or draining the life from his enemies. He is also a master with his gramma’s staff, either using it on its own to give himself extra reach or channeling energy into it to create sword-like beams on either end which can be separated into two weapons by twisting the middle apart. By crew vote, he is not allowed to have a gun due to his abysmal aim. In a pinch, Epel can also inflict caustic damage on his foes by exposing them to an excess of the digestive secretions his leaves naturally produce.

Starfighter: Sleep Kiss. A medium-sized fighter designed to look as though it is made of reflective glass. While probably the slowest of the fleet with weak standard firepower, it more than makes up for it with its incredible durability and powerful (if expensive to replace) rockets that can ensure it takes any hits and keeps coming. The imitator-glass chassis is also capable of reflecting light or laser beams, either blinding enemy fighters or sending their own attacks back at them.

Ortho Shroud: Anitron Hypercoder Gridrunner

On all official documents, Ortho is the youngest son of the rich and reclusive Shroud family, aetheron vassals of the Cavalon Empire. People are often surprised when a robot shows up to their store instead, navigating the Hypergrid to collect games, gadgets and merchandise for his older brother. Though he does see other users and wonder what adventuring like them would be like…

Anitron: A construct built in memory of one long departed, Ortho has pale blue synthetic skin, uncannily lifelike golden eyes and a facsimile of the cyan flames his family possesses in place of hair. The rest of his chassis is white and silver and ball-jointed to allow for fine motor functions, with a clear viewing port over where a heart would be with his Hyperspark visible inside. He has been built to try and mimic the density and durability his aetheron family possesses, though unlike them he has inbuilt lasers and can fly with the anti-gravity thrusters he has in place of feet. His model also has an increased affinity for connecting with/controlling large systems of data both on and off the Hypergrid. He does not need to wear clothes, but his crew have bought him a number of oversized diaphanous puffer coats and vests because he likes how they sparkle and shine.

Hypercoder Gridrunner: Ortho’s expertise with the world of code and data in the Hypergrid means that he possesses the abilities to translate his digital programming to affect physical reality. Utilizing the digipad his big brother designed for him, Ortho can not only summon attacks, items, and creatures from the Hypergrid into the real world, he can copy/paste any missed attacks of his allies to ensure they are redirected to hit the proper target. Ortho can even hack into enemies, even if they are not constructs or digital beings themselves, which can have a range of effects from sabotaging their attacks and abilities to removing any resistances or buffs they have. If all else fails, his older brother did install extremely high powered lasers into his chassis, though he does need to be careful that he doesn’t catch any of his crewmates in the blasts.

Starfighter: The Cerberus. A small empire-grade fighter with high maneuverability and offensive capabilities. The inbuilt lasers and wide-range targeting system of this aether-powered saucer are designed to be lethally devastating, allowing Ortho the bandwidth to either sabotage the controls of enemy fighters or destroy them in one blast. However, it’s low speed and durability means it risks being quickly taken out if enemies manage to score a hit.

Sebek Zigvolt: Half-Raizo Cyberguard Enforcer

Newest addition to the royal enforcers for Prince Malleus Draconia, Sebek is determined to prove himself and make up for his father’s inferior genetics by any means necessary! For him, that means enhancing himself with cybernetic upgrades, destroying his liege’s enemies with his lightning-bolstered baton and arm turrets, and shouting. Lots of shouting.

Raizo: Sebek’s green coloring is unusual for a Raizo, but not totally unheard of (though he will insist he’s “teal blue”). One of the taller members of the crew, he keeps his mint green hair gelled back professionally and his sharper-than-average teeth and oni-like horns polished to a gleaming sheen. The same can be said for the chrome cybernetic enhancements built into his legs, torso, and arm, ensuring they are spic and span, worthy of an enforcer of Malleus Draconia! He is rarely, if ever, out of his official guard uniform, a black leather military-style coat and trousers with glowing neon green and silver linings, specially tailored to fit on and around his more metallic parts. He possesses several tattoos honoring his species’ innate connection to the power of storms, with engravings on his enhancements to continue the inked designs on his skin.

Cyberguard Enforcer: Sebek follows a strict code as an Enforcer to protect and serve Prince Malleus Draconia and his interests, an oath which he had been following in spirit long before the actual words were spoken in flesh. His dedication to this code allows him to imbue extra power into his cybernetic enhancements, giving him boosts of strength, durability, and firepower when facing down those he has deemed enemies of his liege. The gun turrets in his mechanical arm allow him to smite his lord’s foes from great distances, as well as administer aid to allies to his cause. His Raizo heritage also allows him to conduct thunder and lightening into his baton blows and shots, adding a nasty surprise for anyone on the receiving end.

Of course, Yuu doesn’t know everything about their mother. Even with Megami’s stories, there’s quite a bit about the woman’s life that’s a total mystery to them, especially with the Graceys’ slander both pre and postmortem.

For example, they have no idea that their mother was a lesbian and would be shocked if you told them.

Two of them look human enough. An older grey-haired man in flowing wine-color robes with a green jewel at his throat, face stern and pitiless even with a runny nose. A younger man who may be about his own age with half of his black hair dyed white, continuing the monochrome theme with a huge black and white striped fur coat paired with a blood red tie.

And then there’s the guy with the glowing yellow eyes peering at him from behind a bird mask and top hat, purple lips on too-pale skin, with a glittering feathered blue-black coat and golden claws on his gloves?!

No way that’s human, whatever that is!!

“おや?” The bird-man-demon(?!?!) says. And then he launches into the flow of a language that Kim Soleum recognizes, but has not spoken since the one elective course he took in university to round out his credits.

‘If this is a western fantasy setting Darkness…why the hell are its denizens speaking Japanese?!’

Kim Soleum jumps at the sharp crack! of a riding crop hitting leather, which one of the more human men is now pointing at his face?! Sir, even if you say something else angry-sounding and demanding to me, this citizen of Korea still won’t understand you!

“M-my apologies.” He stammers as his mind works furiously to try to remember which Darkness this could be. This isn’t anything like Sekwang Technical High School, nor does it seem to fit any of the locales in “And They All Lived Unhappily Ever After”. “I’m afraid my comprehension of Japanese is rusty, so if it would be possible to speak slower…?”

The three people turn to look at each other, confusion evident on the human-like ones’ faces, clearly having even less understanding of Korean than he does Japanese.

Then the older man with the runny nose makes a gesture and the green gem at his throat glows—!

It feels as though spiderwebs settle over him, sticky-soft and cold, before the melting away into nothing. Wh-what the hell was that?! He’s not been contaminated so soon after being rescued from Braun’s Late Night Show, has he?!

“今は私たちの言っていることが理解できますか?” The wine-robed gentleman asks in a soft, hoarse voice.

“Sorry, ah, go-gomenasai.” Kim Soleum stutters, desperately trying to recall knowledge he has not used in years as he moves into a kneeling position. “Wakari-ra…? I still don’t understand.”

“結局、失敗に終わった。” The flamboyant man in the heat trap of a coat sighs. “やはり、トレイン先生の能力は病によって制限されているようだ。いや、もしかしたら、元気だったとしてもこうだったのだろうか？”

The wine-robed gentleman’s face grows cold and his next words are clipped. “私の能力を見せてやりたいなら、喜んでお見せしよう、若造め。”

The flamboyant man grins, raising the riding crop (why???) again but the bird-demon-man rises from the desk with a dramatic gesture to the pair of them. “落ち着け、二人とも！この客人は明らかに混乱していて、我々に負っている恩義を理解していない。もし彼が我々の監督生と同じく異世界から来たのなら、これは幸運ではないだろうか?”

The three turn back to stare at him. Please don’t look so eager Mr. Bird-Demon-Man it’ll only make your scary side than much worse when this Soleum can’t give you whatever it is you want.

The older man frowns. “これが、あの監督生と同じ場所から来たかもしれないと本気で思っておられるのですか？ それはあまりに馬鹿げた話です、校長先生。まず第一に、この存在は―”

“これは、まさに教育の宝庫と言えるでしょう！この「道具」――おっと失礼、生徒たちが学ぶための「教師」を使って、彼らがどれほどのことを習得できるか、想像してみてください!” The way that demon sweeps around the desk and stands before him gives the image of a crow or raven, about to snatch something shiny. The golden pinpricks glow as they study him.

He, he thinks he heard the word “sensei” in there? That means teacher, right? So then, does this Darkness expect him to take on a teacher’s role given he’s an adult?

‘So long as there isn’t any contamination like in that hellish kindergarten, I guess it’s fine…’

“You want me to be a sensei?” Kim Soleum speaks loudly and slowly, pressing an hand to his chest. “Me? Sensei…dayo n-ne?”

“そうだ、そうだ！ 先生だ、お前は先生になるのだ！ ああ、なんと私は賢く、そして優しいことか！ このような者にまで、救いの手を差し伸べてやるのだからな!” The crow demon seems ecstatic, nodding wildly and gesturing to him vigorously. The demon turns to the flamboyant man. “クルーウェル先生、翻訳薬の調合は先生にお任せいたします。もし監督生が役に立たないとなれば、この意思疎通の不備は実に煩わしいものとなるでしょう。”

The flamboyant man sighs, casting a critical eye over Kim Soleum. “ポーションがこいつにそもそも効くのかどうかという問題はひとまず置いておくとして……何か手立てがないか考えてみるよ。”

The older man’s face twists in disdain, but his bow is formal and respectful. “それならば、これで失礼いたします。私とルキウスが明日、仕事に出られるほどに回復したかどうかは、また改めてご連絡差し上げます。”

“素晴らしい!” The demon claps his claw-tipped hands together. “さあ、あなたです……ミスター外国人！これからあなたが住み、働くことになる場所へご案内しますので、どうぞ私についてきてください！”

Kim Soleum does not want to take this crow-demon’s hand. He’s terrified that he will suddenly lose the limb, or have his throat torn out, or experience a slow, wasting death curse if he does.

But if he doesn’t, who’s to say all that won’t happen anyway if the crow-demon is displeased?

The claws are sharp enough to leave pinpricks in his skin as he’s hoisted upright with more strength than the crow demon’s wiry frame suggests.

“さあ、外国人さん、行きましょう!” With that unintelligible command, the crow demon strides towards the study doors and flings them open, shoes clicking in time with an ornate cane.

Kim Soleum follows once he sees the flamboyant man watching him with a sneer, one eyebrow raised.

High-school age boys in black western-style uniforms fill the halls outside the study, some talking with their friends or hurrying to classes like normal, everyday high school students.

But the majority of them have strange lavender growths sprouting from their heads and exhausted expressions, stumbling around with their eyes directed to the floor, as if the growths are pulling them or something.

The crow-demon sees his expression and flaps a hand with a disingenuous smile. “そんなことはお気になさらず、外国人さん。あれは単なる……一時の流行にすぎませんよ！ ええ、まったく。この愚かな子供たちときたら、自分たちの遊びのために、なんといたずら好きなことでしょう!”

Kim Soleum’s resolve sharpens with understanding. ‘I need to be careful and play along until an escape condition becomes clear to leave this Darkness.’

‘The moment I let my guard down, or let my cowardice slip…’

‘…These demons are definitely going to murder me!!’

The crow demon leads him out of the school, across what seems to be more like a university campus.

Away from the gothic castle-like buildings, down a central walkway with statues of the seven figures in the portraits in the office. Some kind of school representatives or founders? They’re not cute enough to be mascots.

Two look pretty human, four decidedly less so. One is just a lion.

Why???

The whole time, the crow demon is still chattering away, throwing arms out to gesture to this or that structure as if he’s a tour guide.

Never mind that Kim Soleum has no idea what he’s being told, and can’t contribute to the conversation in any meaningful way.

The problem is, no matter how much he’s seeing, he can’t place this Darkness. He’s wracking his brains frantically, trying to recall everything he can from the [Dark Exploration Records], or even if it had a sister wiki in Japan which might have produced this knock-off Darkness he’s in.

If he can’t recall this Darkness, he can’t know its weaknesses. If he doesn’t know its weaknesses, he can’t solve it quickly and escape. And if he can’t do that…

‘I may as well kiss Director Ho’s infiltration mission and the chance of ever getting a Wish Ticket home goodbye…!’

As he worries, it seems they’ve made their way away from most of the buildings. The quality of the path they’re taking has slipped from neat brick to worn cobblestone to trodden dirt.

‘What do I do if this demon leads me somewhere isolated to murder me or cut off my limbs? I still have the Nostalgia Candy, and the Happy Maker auto-injector—if I can escape his grasp, those should let me run far enough away to hide and plan my next move.’

He follows the crow-demon around a bend following a wrought iron fence and a building finally appears. It’s an old stone mansion with a green roof, 3 stories tall…or maybe 4? It looks like someone decided to keep building at odds with the preexisting floors and never was told to stop. For some reason there’s a round room on the upper floors with a pointy spire roof for no clear reason.

‘It looks like something I would’ve designed in a simulation game. When I was eleven.’

A figure is speed-walking away from the building and gradually getting closer to them on the path. He’s dressed in the uniform all the other students were wearing and has his head down, seemingly oblivious.

“ああ、ちょうど今、あなたのルームメイトがやって来ましたよ！” The crow demon waves an arm. “監督生！ 監督生、こっちです!”

The student jerks to attention, body stiffening at the sight of the demon. He begins walking towards them at a much slower pace than before.

He looks young to Kim Soleum’s eyes, maybe just out of middle school. He’s short and slight, enough that his uniform sags at the elbows and ankles. His hair is messy and long bangs cover most of his face. What features are visible are sharp and freckled, pulled tight in wariness.

A good attitude to have when facing a demon like this! But wait, isn’t it strange that a native of this Darkness reacts to a prominent figure like the crow-demon in this fashion?

Unless…this is because Kim Soleum is here?

…

It’s a sensible stance to take towards a strange new adult, for a child, but it feels a little disheartening too…

“監督生、新しい先生にご挨拶をお願いします。” The crow demon gestures between him and the student. “先生もあなたと同じ境遇ですので、仲良くして、新しい環境に馴染めるよう手助けしてあげてください。”

Whatever he said makes the boy jolt to a stop in the middle of bowing. “同じ…？待ってください、校長先生、どういう意味ですか？この方も…?!”

“さて、外国人さん、お部屋へどうぞ!”

The crow demon spreads his hands as if presenting the building behind the fence. “さあ、異邦人殿。ここがお前の宿舎となる。この私が特別に慈悲を垂れ、新装なったばかりのこの場所をくれてやろう―”

“申し訳ありません、学園長。ですが、それは叶いません。” The student raises a hand in a ‘stop’ gesture, as if to forestall what the monster is about to say. “アシェングロット先輩との契約において、この寮は担保として差し出されておりますので。”

The crow demon freezes, then turns to the student. The air feels cold all of a sudden, like a storm is about to break. “担保か?”

“慈悲深い学園長先生が私にこの件の調査を許可してくださったことを、アズール・アシェングロット先輩は、契約した生徒たちを解放するためなら「いかなる手段」をも講じることへの、学園長先生からの承認であると解釈しました。” The student squares his shoulders, looking the crow-demon in the face before bowing his head. “そして、これこそがその「手段」だったのです。”

Kim Soleum almost feels inspired by the show of resoluteness in the teenager. Good on you kid, for telling this monster whatever it is that he doesn’t want to hear so baldly. 10/10 points for guts.

0/10 for self-preservation.

The demon begins squawking like the bird he resembles, pacing around, arms raising and lowering sharply in time with his yelling. Kim Soleum still has no idea what the problem is or what’s being said, but the fierce scolding tone is universally understandable. He even has to take a step or two back to avoid being hit with the end of the crow-demon’s cane.

The student stands there with his head bowed, seemingly unmoved by the tirade being poured onto him.

But the blankness on their face is…off. Someone who truly didn’t care about receiving a scolding would look more annoyed or bored, while someone who felt they were genuinely at fault would naturally show signs of guilt or contrition.

Instead, this blank, mask-like body language, so focused on not reacting to what sound like condemnations, lets him notice other factors. Like the fact that the child’s fists are balled so tightly at their sides that their knuckles are white and trembling. Or the fact that their jaw is clenched hard to let them better tuck their head into their chest, eyes staring down sightlessly.

If anything, rather than a rowdy student being corrected by a teacher, doesn’t this scene resemble an employee enduring a needless chewing out from their boss more??

The child flinches back at a sudden rise in volume and proximity from the crow-demon and Kim Soleum is treated to a flash of grey socks stained a dark rusty brown-red.

“Ah, excuse me,” This feels dangerous, especially when the crow-demon rounds on him with a terrifying anger burning in its golden pinpricks.

But he’s certain there isn’t a person alive who could stand by and watch an adult yell at an injured child, demon or not. “I mean no disrespect, but it would appear that this student is suffering an injury. Would it be better to continue this conversation after they receive medical attention?”

‘And stop making me the unwilling witness to your shouting at students! Any school official with decorum would wait until outsiders had left before issuing discipline! If you’re pretending to be an authority figure, then act like it!’

Even if he isn’t understood, the crow-demon proves his point by resettling his coat and straightening his waistcoat with a faint air of fluster, clearing his throat unnecessarily. It seems like the denizens of this Darkness do put stock in the conventions of courtesy and polite society, or do a good job of pretending to at least.

The student stares at Kim Soleum, mouth hanging open, then bows to him deeply.

“My deepest apologies for not addressing you properly, Seonsaengnim. If you could please excuse the rude question, wo-would you happen to be from 韓-ah, Hanguk?”

!!!

Someone who not only speaks his language in this western fantasy Darkness, but also is familiar with his home country!

“Yes! Y-yes, I’m from Korea. I’m a—” let’s not traumatize the child by mentioning that he enters horror stories for a black company that took away all the progress he’d made towards going back home just yet! “—currently an office worker, for a pharmaceutical company. Do you know where we are right now? I learned a little Japanese in college, but I’m very rusty so I haven’t been able to understand anything so far.”

The student’s face creases in an expression that looks too adult for their age. An unpleasant mixture of regret, worry, resignation.

“I…I’m sorry to say we’re not on Earth anymore, Seonsaengnim. This place is another world, known as Twisted Wonderland. It doesn’t have any of the nations we know, and every one person in five of this world’s population possesses the ability to use magic. We’re currently on the campus of Night Raven College, an all-male boarding school recognized as one of the top two high schools for magic users.” Without changing the respectful and deferential tone he’s using, the teenager continues. “The useless sack of feathers beside you there is Dire Crowley, the illustrious headmaster of this elite school. He’s meant to be helping me find a way to get back to our world.”

Kim Soleum chances a look at the useless sack of feathers, doing his best to keep his face neutral.

‘Student-ssi, is it really okay for you to share your disrespect for that guy so blatantly like this??’

The demon preens, having heard its name and likely assuming from the student’s tone that his words are complimentary.

Well, he’s not going to risk his skin by breaking the illusion.

Kim Soleum puts an impressed smile on his face as he asks, “And how long have you been here?”

“I arrived at this school’s entrance ceremony on August 30th.” The student says, still sounding as though he’s speaking nothing but praise. “The date today is December 2nd.”

What the fuck.

He can feel his jaw twitch as he fights to keep smiling and nodding, to keep his tone light and respectful. “I see. It must be tough.”

“I like to think I’ve adapted, somewhat, thanks to some friends.” The boy says modestly. “In any case, the building behind us is Ramshackle Dorm. I’ve been living here since I don’t qualify for any of the official dorms, so that’s probably why Crowley decided you should take up residence here too, until we can find a way home.”

The student gestures to the building. “Unfortunately, we can’t stay here at the moment, because technically the school doesn’t own this building right now.”

What?

How can a building be on school grounds and somehow be independent of it?

“Well, to be more accurate, this dorm is being held as collateral.” The student explains, folding his arms. “Seonsaengnim, have you seen all the students with anemones on their heads? The frilly purple growths?”

“Yes, I have.” He nods, considering this new information. “They’re sea anemones? How do they survive out of water? What causes their growth?”

“They’re signs of the person’s enslavement for violating a magic contract—all the guys who have them made a deal to ace final exams but since too many contracted and succeeded for everyone to make it into the top fifty, those who didn’t are now forced to obey Dorm Head Azul Ash—”

“監督生!” The crow-demon (Dire Crowley, the headmaster) yells, barging between them and nearly sending him to the ground. “さあ、新しい先生に私たちの学校に対して悪い印象を与えてしまうようなことは、やめておきましょうね？”

“この誤解を解くための後始末に追われて、皆さんの食費手当の支給が遅れてしまうような事態は、私としても絶対に避けたいですから…。”

Kim Soleum has no idea what that means. But with the way the student stiffens again, jaw clenching…

‘The child is being threatened. This demon doesn’t want me to learn anything about this situation, either because he doesn’t want to risk looking bad, or...’

“Ah, don’t worry about explaining further if it’s going to be troublesome for you.” He says, stepping around the demon and smiling at the student. “I think I understand the gist of it—this must affect a significant portion of the students if this guy is depending on you to help him fix it.”

The student bows respectfully to him, tone once again carefully modulated to ‘polite regret’ despite his words. “Yes—so that Headmaster Crowley doesn’t become too busy to cut off my food stipend, he’s gracious enough to rely solely on this Prefect to tackle the issue for him. Isn’t he kind?”

He nods to the crow-demon with a wide smile and says in a voice filled with awed excitement. “What a piece of shit.”

The Prefect’s face spasms against a laugh.

The crow-demon nods, mollified, and tells him. “まあ、君の謝罪のおかげで、ひとまずは丸く収まったようだね。私がこれほど寛大だからこそ、今回の過ちは大目に見てやることにしよう。”

The boy straightens after swallowing his laughter, facing the demon. “校長先生、ご厚意ありがとうございます。一つ提案してもよろしいでしょうか?”

“どうぞ。” The crow-demon waves imperiously in response to their question.

He doesn’t know what the student’s asking, but let’s take stock of the situation while they talk.

This Prefect seems to be a high school student from Japan who, if his words are to be believed, has been stuck surviving in this Darkness for at least four months. He’s fluent in Korean, and seems to have a pragmatic mindset—his explanations were clear and concise, giving as much information as needed to understand a situation without getting too bogged down in details. This could be something he’s been forced to develop, if the adults in this Darkness decided to make him earn his keep by “helping out” and he’s grown used to his situation, but it could also just be his personality.

There is the possibility that he’s a trap created by this Darkness—the trope of a friendly-seeming ghost who can understand you and claims they want to help, only to feed you misinformation and turn on you before you can escape. It is odd for him to be so skilled in speaking Korean at his age, especially with the formal, business-like language he uses. Someone who learned Korean from a relative or from living in the country for a while would speak more naturally than this.

At the same time, he does seem genuinely wary of the crow-demon headmaster, and shackled to his whims. If he is a ghost, then it could be wise to play on that to generate sympathy, alleviate the conditions bothering him, and convince the ghost to lead him to the real exit since he has no way of researching which Darkness this is. And if he is a human…

Kim Soleum may be a coward, but even he’s not craven enough to abandon a fellow survivor to a ghost story without at least trying to save them, let alone a child.

The Prefect turns back to him. “Seonsaengnim, Crowley’s agreed to let you stay in the school infirmary for the time being. The beds there are comfortable and the staff are kind and unobtrusive, so it shouldn’t be an unpleasant experience. By sunset tomorrow, I should have the dorm situation sorted out, so I must ask for your patience until then.”

He blinks. “Ah, thank you for your consideration. But, can I ask, why sunset?”

‘No matter how you look at it, that’s an oddly specific deadline…’

The Prefect gives a wry smile. “Because by then, I’ll either be free from the magic contract I signed to save everyone else, or I’ll be enslaved too.”

!

“Ah, please don’t worry, Seonsaengnim.” The student tries to reassure him with a serious expression. “Even if the plan I have doesn’t work, I’ll do my best to negotiate with that guy so you have a place to stay, I swear.”

No, he’s more concerned with the fact that you could lose your freedom over this than having somewhere to sleep!

‘Isn’t this guy a minor as well? Hey, crow-demon-headmaster, what exactly are you pushing your students into?!’

“Are you sure you’ll be okay?” Kim Soleum asks. “From what I could gleam from the Headmaster, I’m apparently meant go take on a teacher’s role while I’m here, so you can rely on me if you need.”

“Ah, no, I can’t trouble you like that, Seonsaengnim.” The student shakes his head, hands raised. “You just arrived here, I can’t push my problems onto your plate. I still have some pride left, after all.”

‘Is it really pride, or distrust…? Is he trying to hide something from me?’

He glances at the crow-demon-headmaster, who is smiling expectantly at him.

‘Then again, if this guy was the only person who I could rely on while trapped for four months, I wouldn’t have any faith in adults either…’

Better not to push, if he wants to preserve the goodwill he’s accrued. It doesn’t sound like anything’s happening until tomorrow, so let’s fall back for now.

“…all right, if you’re sure.” Kim Soleum peers at the boy. “But please, let me know if there’s anything I can do to help if you need. As strangers in this world, we both need to look out for each other, right?”

The Prefect blinks at him, then his mouth hardens in determination. “R-right! Ah, on that note, Seonsaengnim, please be careful of any magic attacks aimed at you. The people of this world seem to have some kind of innate resistance which means they won’t get hurt too badly, but since we don’t…the consequences for us are much more severe.”

‘Why is that knowledge you feel the need to impart?? Wait, how often do people get attacked in this place for you to have this experience??’

The boy tugs up both of his trouser legs to show off his bloodstained socks. Was he forced to endure some kind of lacerations to his feet? But his shoes appear intact, so how…?

“えっ？” The crow-demon peers down in a state of apparent shock. “なんだこれ？ どうしてこんな怪我を?”

“僕たちが調査をしている最中に、アシェングロット先輩が罠を仕掛けた契約書を置きっぱなしにしていたんです。それで感電してしまって。” The Prefect deadpans. Then, considerately, he translates. “Ashengrotto-seonbae left a trap out for me and my friends while we were investigating today. I’ve never been electrocuted before, but I wouldn’t recommend the experience.”

Electrocuted?!

“はぁっ!?”

“In any case, please excuse me, Seonsaengnim. I need to consult some of my upperclassmen before tomorrow. I leave you in the Headmaster’s capable hands.” The Prefect bows to them both. “校長先生、先生のことは、その確かな手腕にお任せいたします。私はこれから、アシェングロットへの対処について先輩と話し合いに向かいます。それでは、どうぞ良い夜を。”

And before either of them can get a word out, the boy turns and all but sprints down the path back to the school.

“待て、監督生！ 戻ってこい！ 監督生!!” The crow-demon headmaster calls after him. When the student fails to materialize, he pinches the bridge of his mask and mutters, “やれやれ、あのガキのせいで、ストレスで羽が抜けちまいそうだ。”

Kim Soleum still has no clue what he’s saying, and doesn’t like the idea that he might sympathize with this guy’s sentiments if he did.

The headmaster straightens and turns to him with a clap of his hands. “さあ、異邦人さん。こうなっては仕方ありません。ひとまず医務室までお送りしましょう。今夜はカマック先生が、しっかりと看てくださいますから。”

With no other options, Kim Soleum dutifully follows the demon back down the path they came from.

As promised, the infirmary beds are comfortable.

But he would’ve appreciated knowing that, aside from one large, jovial man who keeps trying to offer him suspect pastries, the rest of the staff are ghosts straight out of a western horror story!!

Why are ghosts even staffing a school’s infirmary?? Please tell him they aren’t former patients who died here!

They may leave him alone because he feigned being tired and turning in early, but how is Kim Soleum meant to get any rest with them floating overhead and appearing through walls the entire night?!?

‘It’s impossible! This is the nightmare scenario for a coward like me!!’

Like, yeah they’re rich, but Rook is the only one who is Like That.

Rook Mom: How’s school going honey? We heard you transferred into a new dorm, are you adjusting okay?

Rook: Oui, chère Maman! I have la joie of being close to Vil Schoenheit tous les journées! Oh, it makes me want to sing like a dove! C’est magnifique!

Rook Dad: Well, so long as you’re happy son.

Rook: Merci, mon doux Papa! I shall treasure your words of beauté!

What if.

Linda, Beaumont, could you get the tape measures please? Thank you.

We’re going to get a bit closer to you now, is that all right? Thank you, please let us know if you are displeased or uncomfortable with anything, or if you would like to take a break at all. Now, could you stand up straight for us please, and hold your arms out at your sides? Thank you very much.

Let’s see here…shoulder to wrist on the left is…while shoulder to wrist on the right…could I ask you to slouch a bit for us? Nothing exaggerated, just your normal standing posture, whatever’s comfortable…thank you, that’s excellent…so now this…perfect…is it all right if Linda takes your inseam measurements? Or would you be more at ease if Beaumont took them? …Marvelous, thank you.

May I ask that you please don’t suck in your gut? We’d like to ensure that the garment fits and flatters your figure no matter what you’re doing…eh?

You, you aren’t?…Huh. You really aren’t, are you…ah, my apologies, I’ll just take your waist measurements then. And now Beaumont will measure your wrists…

…Forgive my prying, but you wouldn’t happen to be dieting, would you? No? Hm… Would you be comfortable if Linda took this circumference…? Thank you very much.

Which dorm are you in at Night Raven College, may I ask? …R-Ramshackle Dorm…? Forgive my ignorance, but which one is that? An auxiliary dorm, huh…

Well, that just goes to show what a great school Night Raven College is, to even have auxiliary dorms like that! Please, turn this way for a moment, and…

Thank you for your patience. You did beautifully—if half of our clientele stood as still as you while we were measuring them, our jobs would be much simpler.

Now, we do have a clothing screen just there—if you would feel comfortable changing behind there, we have the Luxe couture you’ll be wearing on the Tapis Rouge. If you need any help putting anything on, please let us know, okay? If you’d like us to wait outside the dressing room curtain, that’s perfectly fine as well.

All finished? Excellent, feel free to come out here…yes, as Mr. Schoenheit thought, it’s all too big, isn’t it?

However, I can cast a little magic to remedy that. Are you all right with me using a spell on you? I promise it will only affect the clothes, not you.

Thank you for your permission. I’ll stop at any time if you tell me to, okay?

Fortune in the future

Means industry in the now

To save nine, let’s make it,

Stitch in Time

There! How does that feel? Is there anywhere that’s too tight? Anything not fitting comfortably?

Hehe, you’re impressed? My Unique Magic, Stitch In Time, allows me to alter the sizes and stitching of any fabric I touch to exactly fit its wearer. I do need to know the wearer’s measurements, and the fabric needs to already be in the shape of the desired garment, but it’s very helpful for any adjustments that our clients may desire.

Hm? …why, Prefect, whatever are you thanking me for? This is just my…

For asking before using my magic?

O-oh. Oh well, that’s no trouble at all, I assure you. It’s just. Just common courtesy…

Ahem, w-well, why don’t we move on to your hair and makeup? Please, come and have a seat here and we can get started.

Hmm…your bangs are quite long—would you be at all opposed if we…? You don’t want them cut, I see. Still, if we used some pins to pull your hair away from your face, would that be something you’re okay with? You don’t mind? Marvelous, marvelous.

We’re just going to comb them and the rest of your hair out before we do so…Do you mind if I spritz it lightly with some water to help with styling? No? All right, I’ll just shield your face and…there we go. I’ll start at the ends and work my way up to the root…gently now…that’s the way…

Have you ever visited the Shaftlands before? Ah, you’ve been to Noble Bell College in Fleur City, I see! I’ve heard that the pastries there are almost good enough to rival the pâtissières here in Maquillaville. And the flowers…are they as beautiful as people say?

Oh? You weren’t a big fan? Well, to each their own I suppose. The Great Seven know that hay fever there must be terrible.

All right, I’m just going to set down the comb and slide this pin in here. And another one…here. Smooth this section out…slide that one in there…last but not least…and how is that feeling? Nothing feels too tight or too loose? The last thing we’d want is for you to get a traction headache on the Tapis Rouge…no? Everything feels comfortable? Marvelous, marvelous.

You do have lovely bone structure. Lots of freckles as well…we can go with a lighter foundation which can color-correct without getting rid of your freckles entirely for a more youthful look, or we can go with a heavier one to cover them up entirely. Which would you prefer?

Excellent. I’m just going to clean your face with this micellar water, to remove any makeup or dust that may be there before hand.

Oh…if you’ll forgive my saying so, Prefect, I must admit I’m surprised by the quality of your makeup…this texture…close your eyes for me please? Thank you…this texture usually speaks to quite…affordable products, tilt your head to the left please, which don’t usually prioritize skin maintenance or smoothness of application. Okay, that’s the removal done, so if you could lift your face slightly please for the moisturizer…lovely, thank you…I’m honestly impressed, with how smoothly you’d blended it, I’d believed you were wearing products of a much higher caliber…eh? Your…stipend…means you need to make do…? I see…well, if it’s not beyond my station, I’d say that you’ve more than ‘make do’, you’ve adapted marvelously…down a bit...Please, don’t thank me Prefect. I don’t deserve such praise for merely speaking the truth.

Okay, now we’re going to use these sponges to apply your primer and your foundation. Please feel free to watch my movements in the mirror to help you recreate this for tomorrow morning…though, as your group will be returning here to collect Mr. Schoenheit’s final accessory before heading onto the Tapis Rogue, we’ll be happy to fix anything up if you would like us to!

Just spreading it evenly here…chin up for me please…there we go. And now for your foundation…starting from your nose and working outwards over your cheeks…sweeping down around the mouth to the chin…and blossoming like a flower over your forehead…wonderful.

Hmm…there do seem to be some darker circles under your eyes here, even through the foundation. Let me grab the concealer, and we can dab a small amount juuust here…there we are. Please ignore this question if it makes you uncomfortable, Prefect, but have you been having any trouble sleeping recently? …Nightmares? Ah, I see. It’s understandable, I also found high school very stressful while I was going. For me personally, I found drinking a valerian and camomille tea blend and having a warm bath before bed did wonders for reducing the number of nightmares I had during school, though I’ve also heard that light exercise like yoga or walking can have the same effect…

Eh? Y-you’ll try it if you can find a bath in your dorm that is functional? But you’re at Night Raven College, why…? Ah, pl-please forgive my rudeness! I’m rambling far too much, please, allow me to apply the setting powder with this brush and then we will move on to your contouring. I’ll gently dust it onto your face here…close your eyes for me quickly…perfect. You can open your eyes again, if you would like. Now, we are going to use some highlight and bronzing to accentuate your cheekbones and your jawline here, giving a bit of emphasis to their lovely shape without over-exaggerating. Please feel free to watch my movements again, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. Let’s see…a dab here…sweep across there…perfect…all right, let’s switch to the other now…down the sides…chin up slightly…and we’ll just blend…lovely.

All right, we’ll move on to your eye makeup now. We will be using this palette here to create a gradient look, using the lighter cream and beige tones to highlight the inner eye, then deepening until we reach the mocha and umber shades at the other end here. We’ll be accentuating this with dark brown winged eyeliner and matching mascara—it’s a cool enough tone that it won’t bring out any redness in your eyes or face, but as it’s warmer shade than true black it will enhance the eyeshadow and help bring focus to your eyes and their lovely color.

Just close them for me now…perfect…let me know if I’m causing you any discomfort during this, okay? Wonderful.

…and the last bit here, marvelous. If you could open your eyes for me please? Ah, you’re looking up already, thank you. Just hold still for me here…that’s one…and that’s the other. The mascara…and done! You look stunning, Prefect.

Now, if it’s all right, there is one final aspect of your look which we would love to ask you about. There has been some discussion among the staff as to whether to finish off this look with a hat or not. This is purely optional, of course, and if you decide you are happy with how you are now, you’re more than welcome to rejoin your friends in the main area of the store.

You’d be interested to see it? Fantastic, Beaumont and Linda will bring it right out. Naturally, we do want to keep the “mysterious” vibe that Mr. Schoenheit outlined in his profile of you…eh? Yes, he submitted profiles for you and each of your school friends. This is what the design team has been using to create your Luxe couture—were you not aware?

Well, it’s the basis behind the design of your outfit;

The club collar of your shirt is designed so that it will not deform or wrinkle with the strap of the ghost camera around your neck, and the shirt’s rich burgundy color complements the browns and golds of the camera itself. The cream silk tie does so as well, with the tie pin ensuring that it won’t jostle or shift unflatteringly as you handle your camera on the Tapis Rouge.

The asymmetry of the fawn wrap coat lends you an air of enigma, while remaining practical with the form-fitting sleeves, a flared mid-thigh hem, and fitted belt cinching it shut the waist. Of course, the emeralds and pearls on the belt and the amethysts in each cufflink, at the lapels, and on your tie pin catch the eye with their sparkle, remaining subtle enough to be classy while still leaving the viewer wanting to know more. (The amethysts also somewhat match Grim-sama’s magic gem, heehee!) The trousers are 3/4 length and slim to allow for ease of movement and invoke a youthful, on-the-go image, especially when paired with the pop of hunter green socks against dark riding boots.

Yes, this look was designed to encapsulate, as Mr. Schoenheit wrote, “a neurotic busybody of a spudling whose actions defy comprehension”…erk!!

I, I meant to say, a conscientious freshman with an air of mystique. Y-yes, that’s what’s written here!

…please don’t tell.

Eh? You’re used to it, so don’t worry about it?

…

…you’re far too kind, Prefect.

Ah, Linda and Beaumont, thank you. As-as I was saying, to bring the look together, we were thinking of finishing it with this hat here. It’s a slightly modified version of a bycocket, a hat which was extremely fashionable in the Beautiful Queen’s time.

While it’s not confirmed whether the Queen’s Huntsman actually wore this particular style of hat, it was quite renowned among hunters and archers alike of the period. A curved brim in the back and sides to provide sun protection to the neck and ears, while in the front it comes to an extended thin point as you can see here. (Though ours isn’t as dramatic as some of the points you can see on historical versions of this hat!) Perfect for keeping the sun out of any hunter’s eyes as they fix their sights on a target.

Hm? Did I say something funny, Prefect? Oh, you have an upperclassman in Mr. Schoenheit’s dorm who enjoys hunting? M-my, you’ll have to tell him about this, I’m sure an associate of Mr. Schoenheit’s will appreciate the history of something like this! Though, even if you aren’t a hunter, this brim will at least shield your eyes while not casting any out-of-place shadows onto your camera lens. The fawn color will match with your wrap coat and trousers, while the burgundy band pairs neatly with your shirt. And, small enough to not be too noticeable here, on the left side of the band— a little hunter green feather.

Would you like to try it on?

Marvelous, here we go…oh. Oh. Oh that, that looks fantastic on you, Prefect! Simply stunning, the way it accentuates your jawline and makes your eyes pop even more! And how well it enhances the outfit…please, please take a look, what do you think?

You like it? I’m so glad! Your sense of taste is exceptional, it’s almost as though this hat was made for you!

Well, with that, we can officially declare your look complete! In this bag here are some smaller containers of the makeup and skincare products we used for you today, plus brushes—you’ll be able to apply this yourself at your hotel, but again, if you have trouble with anything we’re more than happy to touch up anything and everything tomorrow. Your friends should be finished as well, so they’ll just be in the main body of the store through here.