Trey was thrown backward after his attack was countered by the cloaked figure–its scythe swung in mid-air but he dodged it by ducking and made another attempt to lunge at Mary. His citrine yellow eyes held no approachable shine to them, even his overall demeanor changed and he didn't seem to give any concern about the newcomer who blocked him, there was only one conscious thought and that was to plunge this knife into the redhead's chest.

"Tsk" The cloaked figure pushed Mary away, and then she did another swing of her white-bladed weapon and pierced through Trey's torso.

Mary watched horrified in the corner as a black seed came out of Trey where he was pierced, the black lump or stone burst and dripped on the floor, turning into hard shattered gemstones. The Heartslabyul Vice Dorm Head fell unconscious.

"You killed him!" The redhead assumed, shaking nervously.

With the scythe disappearing in sight, a pair of small hands stuck out of the sleeves of the cloak and brought down the hood, revealing a petite girl with glossy pale straight hair. Solemn expression yet serene and she turned to meet Mary's emerald orbs with calmness. "I saved your life"

Familiarity hit Mary instantly upon seeing those dual-colored eyes, she was the girl who tried killing her back in the woods near the Dwarf's Mine. "You..."

Turning away from the other's stare, the mysterious petite girl glanced again at the unconscious Trey. "He is not dead, I only get rid of that thing which suddenly took hold of him, it possessed him to have the urge to kill" She frowned as she picked up a small piece of the black gemstone. "I do not know what is happening yet but I will do my research and eradicate whatever threatens the balance of this world"

"Eh?" Mary tilted her head as if a large question mark popped out.

The other girl sighed, was Mary this slow? "Something is wrong in this world and I need to sort it out" With a wave of hand the black liquid on the floor was covered in powder snow and disappeared.

There were so many lingering questions in Mary's mind, that she didn't know where to start. Standing up and dusting off her skirt she tried to speak whatever came to mind first. "Excuse me, but what are you? And what is your name?"

A shake of her head, "You do not need to know and my identity cannot be known here, it will disrupt the flow of my work"

An idea came to Mary's mind, "Could it be...you're a god in this world?!"

Huh? That was a huge jump, another shake of head from the other. "Not exactly, what do you know aside from making weird conclusions?" Her voice albeit soft was frank.

"I don't...really" A sad smile curved on Mary's face, as she fiddled with the sleeve of her uniform. "When you came in to save me I thought you might be a fairy or something, maybe you can help me find my way home and remember my memories. The only thing I have in possession is my name"

The mysterious figure in a white cloak was quiet for a moment, weighing in Mary's words and suddenly she had a plan that maybe would work better than consulting with Oberon. "Very well, I can help you with your wish, Mary. But in exchange, you will help me in figuring out this trouble. How does that sound to you?"

"Yes! I will be your apprentice!" Mary suddenly felt her spirit lifted up. "Thank you, Snowdrop!" She didn't stop the urge to pull the petite girl in a hug.

Dual-colored eyes widened in surprise, she stiffened at the affectionate gesture. "Snowdrop?"

Nodding, Mary continued smiling. "You wouldn't tell me your name so I thought I'll call you Snowdrop, like the flower...it suits you"

"Is that so? Then, it's only fair I refer to you differently..." Snowdrop paused for a second, "Alright we have a deal, Little Red"

–

'Such souls with overflowing vitality and potential, I cannot–'

A manic grin in the pitch dark, echoing was a sinister laughter that once heard in Twisted Wonderland would be enough to bring sheer terror.

'What it will be like to possess those lives completely and make them follow me as their queen?'

In the endless void where this malignant presence dwelled, she could see everything and how the magic she cast slowly but agonizingly spread everywhere, like a tumor–cells dividing one after another.

'I will enjoy your slow torture and snuff the colors from everyone...mmm'

A lone black seed, it shook and grew roots like sticky veins that latched itself into someone's heart–a parasite.

.

.

.

"OFF WITH YOUR HEADS!"

Cater didn't like this, almost everyone whom Riddle found not meeting his standards or he deemed 'breaking the rule' was instantly with a metallic collar, it was exaggerated. Sure he was strict but this? Their Dorm Leader was acting like a madman.

He decided to just stay out of Riddle's sight for now, "Oh boy this is not going well, I wish Trey would come back soon I need his help"

–

"Ugh, my head–Alice?" Trey woke up, holding the side of his head, and felt like he got hit there but apart from that, there was this lightness in his chest. He was lying on the floor while the redhead was beside him. "What happened?"

Mary handed him a glass of water, "Senpai...you don't remember anything?"

Backpedaling to what he knew, Trey spoke. "We were making tarts, right? And...did I block in the middle of mixing?"

"Ah! Yes, you did! You're very tired, senpai! Thank you for helping us with the tarts" Mary nodded, not telling him a word about what he attempted to do.

Taking the glass from her, Trey drank it and they stood up. "Thank you Alice, I will make this quick so you can taste it after"

The door to the kitchen was pushed open, came inside was the brash trio carrying grocery paper bags and a basket of chestnuts.

"We came across these mundanes who think they're better because they're upperclassmen and shit but we beat their butts to the ground!" Ace proudly narrated, he placed the grocery onto the counter. "This guy–he is freaking nuts!" He pointed at Deuce. "You should have seen him in action!"

Grim snickered, "A brawler! HAHAHA!"

"Not really something to be proud of" Deuce sighed, he started taking out the ingredients they'd add in the mix. "We can't always be fighting like that I don't want to be expelled"

Everyone became so busy having fun with the tarts baking that Mary momentarily forgot about the trouble, she made a mental note of the things Trey did in the pastry because it tasted delicious! Maybe she would try it back at Ramshackle next time!

"I see the pups are having fun, eh?" Professor Crewel was standing in the doorframe, finding this scene quite amusing but also nice. His soft garnet eyes glimmered with adoration, particularly towards the only girl in the group.

Deuce waved at their teacher, "Sir! We were just making some tarts for an event this weekend in our dorm"

"We will clean up after" Trey added.

Professor Crewel gestured for Mary to come over then wiped off some remnants of flour and chestnut shells sticking onto her hair and uniform. "Child, do fix yourself, as a lady you need to maintain your image regardless of what you are doing"

"I will sir," Mary did as she was told and took off any dirt and also smoothened the front of her uniform.

The elegant professor nodded then asked, "How are you holding up? It might be hard right now that you are only interacting with wild puppies and wolves in here but you shouldn't let it deter you in any way"

"I'll be okay, sir and this weekend Grim and I will be going to the event at Heartslabyul like a tea party"

"That so? Then you will require a proper outfit, I will have a dress sent to your dorm, and no, don't give me that look, you cannot refuse it"

–

This was both thrilling and driving her anxiety to the top.

When Grim fell asleep–he got tired of the baking thing and beating bullies–Mary got off the bed and ventured out, she made the ghosts promise not to tell a word to her roommate about it despite their protest and reluctance. Soon, she finally walked out of Ramshackle wearing a coat over her casual dress–it came with the new set of clothes Professor Crewel sent along with the folded map she asked from him. At the back of her mind, she wondered why the elegant teacher gave so much but she never chance to ask.

"This must be it...ah!" Her green eyes lit up as she got the room right, pushing a door further wide, she entered inside the library and was glad it was always available.

The spacious room filled with shelves and walls lined with books had Mary astonished, she almost twirled in glee being surrounded by a lot but she miscalculated her steps and bumped into someone.

"Ooofff–Eh?" Mary tripped backward.

A hand shot out and caught her wrist, "You again,"

"Silver!" Looking him up and down, she saw that he wore a different kind of clothes. He appeared more intimidating. "Why are you here?"

The silver-haired boy may looked bored but he was amused too, "I should be the one asking you that question, Mary"

Flustered, she looked down. "I want to know more about the school and this world, you see, I met a god today..." That sounded insane but she believed Snowdrop was a different kind of living being. "...To get my wish, I will provide my assistance but I cannot be a useful assistant if I don't know a thing..."

Silver didn't laugh at her, "Hm, that sounds quite a task but if you do want to read, you can start with the books over there. It will give you helpful insights about Night Raven College and this land it was built in."

She graced him with a smile, "Thank you Silver!"

"No problem, I will be going now" He was looking for Malleus with Sebek and they still couldn't find where the prince went.

–

Weekend came rolling and it was finally the time for the Ramshackle Duo to attend their first event at Heartslabyul; the dress Mary had on complimented the ribbon Grim wore. Ace and Deuce came to pick them up, a beaming look on their female companion while they carried the box of tart they certain would make Riddle feel better and remove the damn collars.

Arriving at the venue, it was livelier than before and had some funky decorations.

Cater greeted them, smiling whimsically. "You are a fresh sight here, Alice! Look at you!" He held Mary on her shoulders but something sounded off with him as if his cheerfulness was also forced.

This didn't go unnoticed to Deuce, "Senpai is something wrong?" Before they left, he and Trey were doing just fine but now–

"Yeah, what's up? Did we miss anything? I was sure I checked the decorations before I left" Ace stated, looking around.

Grim finally noticed too that amidst the fun and bizarre decorations, the colors, something felt out of place. "You know what? This is like an icing over a grave, that's how it feels right now."

"Maybe if we will present the tarts it will lift everyone's mood!" Mary suggested.

Cater hoped so too, "It's worth the try, let us not make everyone wait and get you all to Riddle-chan"

As they reached the long tables where various snacks and drinks were served, they saw Riddle in his regal King-like garb, he was scowling while his dormmates seated around were acting stiffly.

Mary smiled widely and approached Riddle, "Good afternoon! We got you a present! Ace really worked hard for this, Riddle-senpai! Please enjoy!" She was too excited to read the atmosphere and quickly showed the delicious tarts, placing it on the table.

Instead of joy, the other students around turned to her in fear, going pale and some even felt dreadful.

"The idiot..."

"Now we are dead for good"

"What is she doing?"

And many more negative comments.

Grim furrowed his eyebrows, "Huh? What the heck is wrong with you people? You don't know gratitude or how to say thank you?"

The tarts on the table were shoved away, falling down the grass, and was stepped on.

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?! DID YOU KNOW HOW LONG IT TOOK TO MAKE THAT?!" Grim was beyond furious.

Riddle wasn't listening, his vision was blotted with red and black. One conscious thought only and nothing more. "You broke the rule, fool, you cannot bring this kind of food to this event! Did you not know that?!" An ominous aura spread out from him.

Grim almost growled as he stomped forward, "Who cares?! It is not an absolute rule! What kind of upbringing did you have?! Were you not taught good manners?!"

No one replied, reacted, or did anything.

Even Ace and Deuce's expressions became vacant, only Mary and Grim stood there confused.

Mary stepped backward, nervous. "What is going on?"

"Back off now, Mary, I don't like this" Grim pushed her further while he stood in front of the girl in a defensive stance because the Heartslabyul members started advancing toward them mindlessly.

"Ace! Deuce!" Mary tried calling out to the two, given they spent time together she already considered them friends but right now they weren't answering or budging.

A sinister grin plastered on Riddle's lips, "Rule breakers have no place in a perfect society, you must be removed to avoid disrupting the peace"

Now everyone emitted a black aura and some black liquid trickling out of their ears and edges of their eyes.

Grim met their murderous gazes bravely, "Not on my watch!" He formed a barrier of blue fire around him and Mary as the joint attack against them began.

–

Lancelot Kingsley witnessed the sudden descent of his dormmates and leader to madness, the uncontrollable curse that grabbed their will, plunging them easily under a kind of evil unexplainable. From where he stood the way everyone behaved already contrasted the fun theme of their Unbirthday Event today.

Now they were mindless spawns of dark arts, hell-bent on doing one thing. His blue eyes glanced to the part where Grim was making a barrier to protect himself and Mary but no...Lancelot was keen enough to notice that the rowdy raccoon-cat was mostly shielding the redhead.

The small white rabbit on the ground beside him shifted until became almost the same height as Lancelot. "Why are we not doing anything?" He was a handsome guy with pale blue-white hair and amber eyes.

"Because right now we are simply here as spectators" Lancelot was just as calm as the other male, he turned away from the scene after giving Mary a final glance. "I hate to wait this long but...it's a must"

Blanc Lapin followed him, "Where must we go?"

"To report this to the Headmaster" Lancelot replied.

His companion stared long at his back, "You have such iron control and patience, Lance...even if we both knew how much this is tormenting you" He stated before reverting back to white rabbit form.

--

Lancelot Kingsley

Blanc Lapin