Back at Ramshackle Dorm....

The two of us sat on the sofa, hot tea on the table. Jack sighed " I think it's safe to say that everybody with an anemone stuck on their head..." He takes a cup, sips it slowly.

" ...gambled on Azul's contract and lost. The terms of said contract were apparently to place in the top 50.
But with the sheer number of students signin' on most of them never stood a chance of getting in at all. That was Azul's game from the start,"."what an obnoxious situation..." I sighed.

Sipping a cocoa drink I continue" I do find it weird how Grim got over 80, considering how idiotic his brain is,".I mean, c'mon! If you're gettin' good grades off someone else's work, what does that even prove? You're throwin' away a perfectly good opportunity to show others what you're capable of. Frankly, you're cheating yourself." Jack state, holding the cup tight.

"If the rest of the student body here were as principled and tedious...
...I mean, as "serious" as you, it would spare me such grief!" (???)

When the sudden voice appears behind us, I throw my slipper at it hard. The person whine " Prefect Y/N! That hurts, have mercy on old crow like me!"." I throw it again if you don't stop appearing in my dorm room like a thief, crow" I glare.

" You startled me, Headmage" Jack said. Crowley sighed " Sigh* So transpires another year of me being unable to clamp down on Ashengrotto's little "side business."." Side business?" Jack eyes twitch, confused. I stand beside him, staring.

Crowley sighed once more " Azul Ashengrotto: Sophomore. Housewarden of Octavinelle Dorm.
Much like Rosehearts, he is a highly capable student already running a dorm as a sophomore, but...
He's a bit-no, I daresay QUITE a bit troublesome,"." No shit" I said.

" Are you talking about him swindling people? Seems to me like one word from the headmage could put a stop to this whole thing," Jack said. I look at Jack with a face off 'this bitch is useless as a Headmage'. Crowley shocked his head " Ah, but it is precisely BECAUSE I am in a teaching position that I cannot prohibit his actions,".

Jack tilted his head " Why not?"." Here's the thing about those study guides that Ashengrotto handed out to the students. There was no illegitimate activity involved in their production. Nobody snuck looks at test questions or answers beforehand. It was crafted exhaustively by hand, after researching the past century's worth of Night Raven College exam questions and their patterns.
In other words, it's an entirely legitimate study guide," Crowley explain.

" So in other words...those guides aren't from answer sheets from the teacher....it's his own sweat hardwork...we can't count it as cheating as they are not answer sheets..." I mutter. " Hm? Wait... So the problem is that there IS no problem with it?" Jack ask.

" You strike right to the heart of the matter, Howl. As a teacher, I can hardly prohibit a student from crafting an exam study guide via honest work. Nor I can prohibit a student from "kindly" sharing their notes with friends," (Crowley)

" If you did, you'd basically be tellin' students, "no studying" AND "no helping your buds." Grr... Talk about a seriously briny pickle" (Jack)

I sighed " Something must happen the same way last year...,"." Correct, Y/N. Indeed it did. Of course, last year his study guides didn't have quite the reputation they carry this year.
So the commotion was much more contained, relatively speaking.
This year, on the other hand, rumors abounded throughout campus that if one wished to score well on a test, they should visit the Mostro Lounge," Crowley state.

" And I'm guessin' the nasty little caveat in the contract in the event of a breach stayed hush-hush because of that binding NDA." Jack continue, so to Crowley. " So it would seem. Thus did Ashengrotto have a steady stream of students lining up to accept his bargain this year. And the test average across all subjects and years has jumped above 90, much to my chagrin. Of Course, I would be even more chagrinned if all our subject averages were failing grades. But still!" Crowley huffed, hands on his hip.

Jack then ask " Does that mean that there are guys from last year who lost the bet and still haven't gotten their powers back?"." No ..I think this is how Mostro Lounge came in," I said to Jack. He look at me, confused. " You mean?"

" I think the Mostro Lounge is a part of a deal, in exchange for people who lost power in the contract"

" WHAT?!" (Jack)

FLASHBACK....

" Night Raven College is a historic and prestigious institution famed for producing the finest of magicians.

Yet now the campus is replete with students capable of only minor feats of magic-a fact I'm sure you're none too pleased about, Headmage.
Which is why I have a proposal...and it's one I think you will find to be quite beneficial." (Azul)

FLASHBACK END

"That was how he framed it." Crowley stated. Jack huffed " Talk about brazen. I mean, blackmailing the headmage into a deal? No wonder Leona wants nothin' to do with this guy."

"I mean...with the Headmage like him, I say that it's possible to blackmail him"

Crowley sighed " And when he offered to contribute 10% of the proceeds to the school... Why, how could I say no to such a mutually beneficial arrangement?"." Wait so you're gettin' something from it?" Jack stare confused.

" Dear oh dear. I can only wonder what demands he'll make of me this year.
Whatever he wants, I will undoubtedly be forced to acquiesce. What else can I do for our idiotic-ah, that is, our poor, unfortunate students?
My immense kindness always gets the better of me.
Ashengrotto "merely" studies diligently, then shares his rightfully earned knowledge with other students out of the kindness of his heart...
If wouldn't do for a teacher to discourage such earnest behavior.
Why must every student in our school arrive with some ammount of baggage to sort out?! Oooh, woe is meee!" (Crowley)

I glare " straight to the fuckin point, bird. What do you want from me,"." And that's where you come in, Y/N
Would you be so kind as to persuade Ashengrotto to cease this little game of his?" He pleaded.

"NO"

The two gulp as I continued" Last time I checked, I didn't even want to stay in this school. So in a way, you are forcing me here. Why should I do the dirty work, huh?" I glare.

" Incidentally, Ramshackle Dorm's food expenses have been mounting as of late, as I recall," (Crowley)

" I can grow my own food. I have a gardening experience "

" you must be low on cash"

" I'm good at financial, so our money is still stacked"

" W-well I'm still helping you researching your way home"

" It's been 27 chapters, I don't see progress "

The bird kneeling down, whining with a face cover on the floor. Jack whisper " With teachers like this, no wonder our students are the way they are,"." Yeah...stupid" I whisper back.

" Then....what shall I gave you in return for your cooperation" he ask, almost breaking down. I thought for a few seconds. The dorm is fixed, I have wifi, electric, I don't need that much.

I stare at him " alright how about we make a deal just like Azul. You let me open a restaurant"." WHAT!?" Jack and Crowley look at me shocked.

"A-restaurant....."

"20% of what Azul gave"

"Deal!!" Crowley stand up immediately, with contract in hand. I sign it up " I want it done by this week... Do please"." Y-yes, of course.Then I'll be going now, as I am a very busy man. I'm counting on you!" Crowley stated, walking away.

Jack look at me " Boy, you never know when the headmage'll pop up. Okay, so what exactly is your plan here? And why you want to make a restaurant??"." I want to investigate first...and don't worry, the restaurant has its parts " I replied.

" True. A successful hunt starts with learnin' all you can about your target. You actually know your stuff.
Besides, letting Ace and the others stew in the mess they made might help 'em learn something from this,". (Jack)

"You've read my mind"