❝𝘒𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘚𝘰 𝘣𝘢𝘣𝘺 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘷𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘥❞ 

- 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝘆, 𝗔-𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗹

F/n stirred awake and started rubbing the drowsiness away from their eyes. Only to then hit their head on a hard surface. Rubbing the sore spot, they realized that they were standing in pitch darkness. Feeling their surroundings f/n came to the conclusion of being cramped in what seemed like a wooden box. Suddenly feeling claustrophobic they banged on the walls of the box. Banging for what seemed like an hour they instead prepared to ram themselves against the walls in order to break free. Just then a deep voice halted f/n's actions

"Do not fret I'm coming."

The fumbling of metal could be heard through the wooden walls surrounding them. Then a sound of a key being placed into a lock.

"Since I'm ever so gracious I'm letting you out personally!"

Click

Free from the confinement of the box f/n tumbled onto the hard cold floor. The action caused f/n's hood to fall and cover their face. Not recognizing their current clothes, staring at the new attire. The robe was elegant and adorned with intricately designed golden patterns on their sleeves, collar, and waistline.

"Ahem"

Looking up they spotted a masked man with a tall stature. He wore a large coat with black crow like feathers sprouting from the indigo collar. A black top hat with indigo accents was placed neatly on his head. He wore four mirror like accessories one on the rim of his top hat and the rest on his hip. Each accessory had a single key dangling from it. As if his outfit couldn't get even more detailed and complex he wore claw rings on both of his hands.

"It's quite uncalled for to have a student wake up by themselves" The masked figure spoke from above "and not to mention before the ceremony."

"Where am I, and who are you? F/n's voice was laced with concern.

"Oh? Has the teleportation spell disoriented you? Since I'm ever so kind I will inform you of your current situation. I am Dire Crowley principle of Night Raven College we are currently in the chambers of the school." the man replied

"Umm you mentioned a ceremony earlier?" They voiced one of many questions floating around in their head.

"A dorm sorting ceremony takes place in the start of a new school year. Students usually wake up after let out. But you seem like an unusual case." The masked figure replied again.

"But since I do not wish to place you back to sleep, you may wander around in the courtyard until the ceremony begins"

"Did he just consider putting me back into the coffin again? F/n started at the oh so kind principle with a deadpan on their face.

"Oh do come along now" He placed his hands on f/n's shoulders to usher them out of the room, golden talons paced softly on their robe creating creases.

• —– ٠ ✤ ٠ —– •

Sitting on a branch in an apple tree in the courtyard of the aforementioned 'Night raven college' the breeze blew through f/n's hair. The scenery was quite pleasant and spacious. They were alone only accompanied with a small bluebird chirping away on a branch above them. The bird shuffled along the branch and peered curiously down at f/n. Staring back up at the bird f/n stared right into the bird's blue eyes. A few seconds passed before f/n wondered if they had started a staring contest with a bird. "Hey wait a minute do birds even blink?" [1]

Blink

"Well, that certainly answers my question." F/n extended their hand towards the bird, "Hello, what are you doing here alone?" F/n asked in a hushed voice.

The bird looks at their hand quizzically before nudging the side of their hand softly with its head, before hopping on f/n's palm, hugging the bird close to their chest before jumping off the branch. Once f/n was safely on the soft grass they placed the bird back on their palm revealing the bird's mesmerising sapphire coat, it looked as if it was glowing in the dark courtyard.

"Do you have a name?~" they cooed at the little bird.

The bird nuzzled deeper into their hand. The bird's soft feathers accompanied by the bird's warmth felt inviting.

"Hmm, I take that as a no. How would you like the name Apollo?" f/n stated joy seeping through their voice.

The blue creature flew onto their shoulder as if answering f/n's earlier question. "I'll take that as a yes. Hmm?" f/n noticed a white figure run past out of the corner of their eye. [2]

"I'm going to follow them ok?" they told the bird, thinking it was going to fly away. "... you want to come with me? Sure! I don't see why not"

Running after said white haired figure they realized that they were now in a room with a single mirror not just any normal mirror mind you it had a face f/n didn't recognize as their own. They caught a glimpse of the person they were following now in between a large group of people. Weaving through the crowd until f/n reached the white haired male. Slowly reaching out to tap the male on the shoulder "Sorry but do you know what is happening?"

The ruby eyed male whipped around "Oh! We're waiting to get sorted into our dorms"

"Oh okay thank you." They smile slightly before turning around and facing away from the tanned boy. Until a loud gasp came from the male behind f/n. "Is that a bird? Is it real? What's its name?" Spinning around f/n was now faced with an ivory hair male with sparkles radiating off of him. "Oh! I met them earlier in the courtyard. Its name is Apollo, don't you think it's a cute name for them?" f/n replied suddenly matching the energy of the boy in front of them.

"Apollo? It's a very unique name for a bird! Haha! I don't think I've ever met a bird with a name like that! It's nice to meet you Apollo and ... hehe, I don't think I asked for your name." the male smiled rubbing the back of his neck

"Next!" A deep and booming voice bounced on the walls. "Ahh, I have to go now I talk to you later!" And then he rushed in front of the mirror."

"State thy name" the mirror asked the garnet eyed boy. "Kalim Al-Asim!" The boy now dubbed Kalim chirped. [3]

"Hmm, a soul which swirls with gold and amber such a cheerful and creative child belongs in Scarabia" the masked figure in the mirror stated. Kalim joined the rest of the students that were sorted to Scarabia.

"Next!" The mirror spoke again but to f/n this time. They walked to the mirror, the black background of the mirror was now replaced with mesmerising green fire soon a mask appeared. "State thy name"

"f/n l/n" they replied, a cacophony of murmurs exploded in the room. "l/n as in the l/n's?" was what f/n last heard before the mirror spoke again "Hmm, this is an interesting soul ever changing hues of blue and yellow both polar opposites, a child who is both inventive and creative belongs in Ignihyde.

『••✎••』

[1] Birds do in fact blink they have this thin membrane (their 3rd eyelid) which blinks sideways don't believe me google it ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ

[2] Did I try to insert an Alice in wonderland white rabbit reference? Yes, and whos gonna stop me? (。òωó)

I know that Kalim technically enrols in nrc a few months after Jamil, meaning that he doesn't attend the ceremony in his first year. But I like to think that Kalim got the letter really late like the day before the ceremony. So now it's in my story :D

 Cliffhanger? Would you call it a cliffhanger? eh, anyways I hope you enjoyed the first chapter I wrote. I have run out of things to say so I bid you adieu.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ Word Count - 1,407 words