Ilse Gothel

After walking around for a little while, they finally stopped in front of a gigantic door. Inside there was a treasure, floor to ceiling covered in gold and other expensive items.

"Oh my God, Kal! What is this?" Ilse's eyes widened, her mother could never find out about that place.

"My dad wanted me to have it when I left for school," Kalim shrugged. For a moment she thought he was trying to impress her, but he really didn't seem like the type to do that, he was never ill-intentioned or malicious.

"Why don't you choose a piece of jewelry and keep it? As a welcome gift."

"I couldn't..."

"But you accepted Floyd's gift, why can't I give you one?" he pouted. "Please, choose anything you like."

"How about I close my eyes and you choose for me?"

"Okay, no peeking then," he giggled as he went through the pile of shiny pieces of jewelry. He finally settled on a pair of earrings, they were moon-shaped hoops covered in diamonds and amethysts. "Now look."

"Kalim! This is perfect! Thank you so much," Ilse was still ashamed for accepting the gift, especially such an expensive one (if there was one thing she grew up knowing was how to spot real gemstones), but she also didn't want to offend him by not accepting it.

"I knew you'd like it... Now are you ready to go back to your dorm?"

"Yeah, but how-" before she could finish, he whistled loudly, as you do to hail a cab, but instead of a car, a flying carpet rushed towards them. "OH MY GOD!"

"You're not scared of heights, are you?"

"No... I'm kinda used to it."

"Cool, come here then," he jumped on top of the carpet that was hovering low and offered his hand to help her up. "Hold onto me."

Ilse did just that, wrapping her arms around his torso and resting her head on his back. She lived most of her life craving human touch, she was very starved, so she took any chance she could get to hug or hold someone.

She screamed as the carpet flew out of the room, taking them up to the sky, right above the clouds, but Kalim just laughed, enjoying her reaction.

"Don't worry, you're safe," he assured.

"I feel safe... This is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

"I love it too! Whenever you feel like it, just let me know and I'll bring you."

This method did take longer than just going through the mirror, but it was worth it. The stars, the moon, the wind... it was so worth it.

"There, safe and sound," he stopped in front of the Ignihyde dorm.

"Thank you so much, it's been a wonderful night," Ilse tried to tame her curls unsuccessfully. "Can I just ask you a question?"

"Sure!"

"Did you invite Malleus by chance?"

"Oh! I- I forgot," he frowned, guilt filling his eyes. "He's usually so quiet and scary..."

"Since when? He's really funny and very sweet."

"Are we talking about the same person?" he laughed. "You know, head of Diasomnia, tall, scary guy with sharp horns?"

"Yeah, not everyone is what they appear to be, right? He's actually really nice."

"Well, if you say so, next time I'll make sure to invite him, I promise."

"Cool, see you tomorrow?"

"Absolutely."

Before Kalim could take off back to Scarabia, Ilse took his hand and gently pressed her lips to his cheek, making him blush like Riddle on a bad day. His heart gave a flutter and nothing could erase the smile that spread across his face.

"Goodnight, Kal."

"Goodnight," he giggled before leaving.

Walking on cloud nine, she made her way to her bedroom, stopping casually by Idia's door, she could hear him cursing at his game from the lounge.

"Hey there, Iddy."

"Ilse? H-h-hi..." his voice was much softer now. "How was the party?"

"It was great, you should've come."

"Oh yeah... Parties, that's really my thing," he laughed.

"I know you're shy, but I'm sure people would love to meet you, Ids, you're actually a lot of fun."

"O-ooh, t-thank you," how did she have that power to make him flustered every single time? Lucky for him she couldn't see the way his pale cheeks reddened and the flames of his hair went crazy just hearing her voice.

"Maybe next time you can send your tablet, at least talk to them?"

"I'll think about it."

"I'll take it, goodnight, Iddy. See you at the magift selection."

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"So you and Kalim were soaring through the sky in a romantic magic carpet ride and he didn't try to kiss you?" Ace grimaced as they finished their breakfast. "That sounds weird, I would never miss the chance."

"So you wanna kiss me?" Ilse mocked.

"Duh, who doesn't?"

"Don't say that, if Riddle hears it, it's off with your head," Deuce warned. "Besides, I'm sure you don't mean it, we're friends..."

"Oh, you're telling me you wouldn't?" Ace teased.

"Hey, I'm still here! Don't I have a say on the matter?" she folded her arms.

"Of course, but I'm irresistible, right?" he leaned over the table, making kissing noises to annoy her.

"As great as that sounds, I should at least catch up on my schoolwork before I think of having a boyfriend."

"Sorry, I didn't hear anything after as great as it sounds," he grinned.

"Ace! One more and you won't like what happens next!" Riddle warned as he passed behind him.

"It's okay, it's just a joke," Ilse shook her head.

"Hey, Gothel," Jack joined them. "You did really good at practice today, I'm sure you'll get picked for the team."

"Thanks, but please don't call me Gothel, that's how people call my granny and my mom, I hate it," she asked.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't know," he felt horrible, but she didn't seem mad or upset.

"It's fine, I just hope I do get picked. I'm working really hard."

"Hey, Ilse," Idia's tablet floated towards her. "I don't mean... to interrupt, but Mr. Crowley asked you to join us at the mirror chamber for a meeting."

"Me? But I'm not a dorm leader," she shared a confused look with her friends.

"I-I don't know what he wants, but it must be serious."

Scared that she might be in trouble, she followed Idia's voice to the chamber where all the other dorm leaders were already waiting with Mr. Crowley. She felt her entire body freeze, despite the smile on Kalim's face as soon as he saw her.

"Hello, Ms. Gothel," Headmaster Crowley started. "I'm sure you're wondering why we asked you to join us."

"Yeah, kinda," she hugged herself.

"I've heard from several students that you had the intention to join the Ignihyde team for the magift tournament."

"Yes, sir. I've been training for a while now. I think I'm more than qualified to compete."

"I see... but I'm afraid we can't allow it, it would go against the rules of the tournament to have a girl playing."

"What?"

"The rule book states clearly that each team should have seven boys from each dormitory," Riddle showed her the marked page. "Seven boys, no girls allowed."

"But that doesn't make any sense!" Ilse exclaimed, louder than she intended. "I'm a student here just like any of you, why can't I compete?"

"We're just scared you'll get hurt, herbivore," Leona smirked, knowing that sentence was gonna piss her off.

"I'm not a porcelain doll, I can play! Idia, did you agree to this?"

"I... I..." he hated to be put on the spot like that, but he did understand her frustration. "Like Leona said, we don't want you to get injured."

"Okay, so Riddle can play and I can't? Look at him! I'm at least one foot taller and way stronger!" she pointed, making him yelp in disbelief and Leona hide his laughter. "Kal? Please tell me you don't agree with this."

"I'm sorry, Ilse. Magift is not only about strength, it's also about wits... I think you should be allowed, but I was outvoted."

"It can get really brutal, none of us wants to hit a girl," Vil explained.

"Unless you'd want me to make you a potion that would turn you into a boy for a few hours," Azul offered. "I'd be more than happy to."

"No! You're not gonna rope her into one of your contracts," he scoffed.

"Mal... Where's Malleus?" Ilse looked around. "Let me guess, you forgot to invite him?"

"Damn it, I knew I was forgetting someone," Riddle cursed under his breath.

"Would it be possible for Ilse to participate in any other way, sir?" everything that happened the night before. "Maybe as a cheerleader?"

"I suppose that could be possible," Mr. Crowley nodded slowly. "Would you like to cheer for your dorm, Ms. Gothel?"

"If that's all I can get..." she muttered, defeated.

"Marvelous! See? I always find a way because I'm so kind! You're all dismissed."

"Ilse, I'm sorry, I didn't-" Idia tried to follow her, but she pushed the tablet away.

"I don't wanna hear it! You were supposed to have my back, but you're too much of a pushover to speak your mind. You're a coward!"

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"That doesn't seem fair, you're an amazing player," Lilia floated right by her as they walked down the main street.

"Well, they think because of my privates, it's too dangerous for me..." Ilse huffed.

"I'm so sorry, kiddo, but cheerleading is fun isn't it? You get to put on a cute outfit and dance around to distract the players from other dorms."

"So what you're saying is that I can help my team even if I'm not playing?" she mused.

"Exactly, the boys are gonna lose their minds watching you and that gives the Ignihyde team an advantage... If they don't lose their minds as well."

"I'm not this beauty everyone says I am, you know? Ace mentioned that everyone in school wants to kiss me, but I don't think that's true," she laughed.

"You are really pretty, and it doesn't help that most of the time these boys have no girls at all to talk to. Some of them don't mind, I'm sure they prefer the company of other boys, but a good portion of the students really misses a... Feminine presence."

"Lilia, you're impossible."

"Are you perhaps interested in any guys around here?" he tried to sound casual, but there was a very clear ulterior motive for the question.

"I mean... yeah, the school is crawling with cute guys."

"Oh really? Like who?"

"Well, there's Cater, Deuce, Ace... They are all pretty charming. Trey is nice, but I don't think we would ever have any chemistry, we're more like brother and sister."

"Oh, you have a thing for the Heartslabyul boys?"

"Not necessarily, there's also Idia, he's a sweetheart most of the time. Kalim is so dreamy, he would be the perfect boyfriend, and Floyd is just my type, he's so affectionate and funny."

"Yeah? Someone from my dorm?"

"Um... No..." Ilse quickly looked away.

"Really? I feel like you're lying."

"I just don't wanna talk about it."

"Why not? Is it me?" he elbowed her.

"No! I mean, you're cute, don't get me wrong, but you're a bit old for me aren't you, Lilia?" Ilse joked.

"Yeah, I'll have to agree," he shrugged. "So you fancy one of my boys?"

"Malleus is pretty damn cute and he's so nice. Silver is handsome too, but I never had a proper conversation with him, he's always sleeping."

"Mal? Really? Um... Good to know."

"But don't tell him, please."

"Don't worry, my mouth is sealed," Lilia crossed his fingers discreetly in his pocket. "Any of those brutes from Savanaclaw who might have a chance with you?"

"Well, Jack is very handsome and his muscles are certainly nice, not to mention he says he doesn't care about anything, but he does, I just know it. He's been so great helping me prepare for the tournament."

"Just Jack?"

"Ugh, Lilia, I guess I must be some sort of masochist!"

"Why is that?"

"Because I can't stop thinking of-"

"Who? You know you can tell me anything, Ilse, we're friends."

"Leona," she moaned with discontent.

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah, that stupid lion! He has no right being so charming when he's such a dickhead, oh my God! We had PE the other day and he was being such a jerk, but..."

"Um, Ilse," Lilia poked her shoulder.

"He does look nice in that yellow shirt, with his hair in a ponytail..."

"Ilse!"

"He was all sweaty too, that's really hot. I'd love to see him sweaty like that again and..."

"I like where this is going," a deep voice behind her interrupted, followed by a chuckle, sending a shiver through her spine.

"Shit! He's right behind me isn't he?" Ilse asked as if she didn't already know.

"Sorry, I tried to warn you," Lilia laughed.

"So you've been thinking of me, herbivore?"

"In my dreams!" she replied in a mocking tone only to cover her mouth when she realized her Freudian slip. "I mean y-your dreams, not mine, why would I dream of you?"

"I guess a second born prince is qualified to mind the business between your legs after all," Leona teased.

"Don't flatter yourself, Kingscholar"

"I don't have to, you already did that for me, kitten."

"Fuck you!"

"I know you want to... But you gotta warm me up first. How would you want me to get sweaty for you? Running? Lifting? Other activities? Maybe you'd like to watch me doing a few push-ups?"

"Cocky motherfucker, I wanna kill him!" she hissed as he left.

"By the sound of it, that's not all you wanna do to him," Lilia mumbled. "Um, I gotta go, I promised Silver we could watch a movie later. I know he's not gonna watch it, but what sort of parent would I be if I didn't keep my promises, right?"

"Right, I'll see you around."

Lilia rushed back to his dorm, trying to reach the mirror as fast as he could.

"Have you seen Malleus?" he asked a couple of students on the lounge. "I have to talk to him asap."

"He's in his room, I think," one of the kids replied quietly.

And there he was, Malleus was in his room like always, reading a book Sebek recommended about the ancient history of the Valley of Thorns.

"Don't even start, Mal, I'm not telling you about my walk with Ilse," Lilia dropped his hat as soon as he entered the room.

"I didn't ask," he barely looked up from his book.

"Don't insist! I won't tell you she said the school is full of handsome, charming guys and you were on the list!"

"What?" he definitely forgot the book now.

"Oh, now you're interested..." Lilia taunted.

"Did she really say that?"

"Yeah, she did."

"And who are the other boys?"

"Does it matter?"

"I suppose! I'd like to know who's my competition."

"Oh, so you are trying to get Ilse."

"No, I'm merely curious."

"Well, she said Diamond, Spade, Trappola, the weirder Leech, Asim, you, Shroud, Howl, and... That's it."

"It sounded like you were gonna say something else."

"Nope, no one else," now it was his turn to look away

"Lilia!"

"She might've said... Kingscholar. And he might've heard it, and he might reciprocate her interest."

"Oh, I see," Malleus deflated, but he never gave up that easily, he wasn't gonna start now. "Every boy in this school reciprocates her interest. She's not only beautiful, but also intelligent, kind, and clever."

"Aw, Mal... You're in love with her, aren't you?"