In the cold rain, Hoshi was led to a large, rundown building as the headmage brought her in.
"Isn't it delightful? Right, scoot inside now. There you go." The headmage responded with a wide smile as he quickly ushered her in from the downpour. As they arrived at what looked to be the lounge, he smiled, "This should keep the elements at bay for the time being. Now, I must return to my research. Do try to busy yourself—but don't let me catch you wandering the campus! Ta!"
With that, he quickly vanished into the rain, leaving Hoshi alone.
She looked around. The ceiling leaked—one drop splashed atop her head, then another. The walls had mold and peeling wallpaper. The furniture was dusty, the windows cracked or boarded, though they still blocked the worst of the wind. She didn't need to see the upstairs to know those windows were probably worse.
"It's like a desolate snowscape. Only… with dust," she muttered, brushing the sofa. A cloud of grime puffed up. "I don't even see a clean place to sit."
The sudden roar of rain outside muffled her voice. Looking out through the broken window, she placed her hand lightly on the glass and whispered, "Looks like it's started to rain harder."
Then—SLAM!
The door burst open.
"GWAH! It's pouring out there!"
"Wah!" Hoshi jumped at the voice.
The soaked intruder froze… and then snorted.
"Bwahaha! That look on your face! Like a soggy bat after a bath!"
Grim was right. She touched her face, realizing the roof had thoroughly done her no favors. Water dripped from her hair as she turned to him.
"You're Grim, right? Are you okay? I didn't expect to see you again. I thought they'd locked you out…"
"As if I'd let that stop me!" Grim said, puffing up. "You think a little door's gonna keep ME away? I'm gonna enroll here, no matter what. Got it?!"
She blinked. "Why are you so determined to get into this school?"
Grim scoffed. "Isn't it obvious? I was born for this! I'm a magical prodigy, destined to be one of the greatest mages in history! So I waited… and waited… for the Dark Mirror to summon me… but…"
From the sound of it, he had never been chosen.
"That dumb mirror's got no taste!" he barked. "That's why I came on my own! You humans wouldn't know talent if it bit you on the tail!"
Just then, a droplet landed on his head. "MRAAOO! Hey! Scoot over! It's raining inside now!"
Hoshi moved aside, letting him settle into the only dry-ish spot.
"Bwah! Another hole! These ears are premium quality! I ain't lettin' 'em get soaked!"
"Good luck with that." Hoshi looked up. "The ceiling's riddled with holes."
"Should just fix it with magic," Grim muttered, then paused with a smug grin. "Oh… right. You don't have any. Hah! Totally useless."
"Then you fix it."
"Heh?! You want me to help you? Ha! I don't take orders from randos off the street. You got tuna? Then we can talk."
Before she could reply, thunder rumbled. Another droplet slipped down the back of her neck.
"Yikes, that's cold… Alright, time to find some buckets."
She left the lounge and stepped into a dim, dust-laden hallway. Cobwebs draped from the ceiling. She'd run through the building earlier without fear, but now, alone and quiet, something about it made her skin crawl.
"This place really freaks me out…" she muttered.
Tap… tap…
She froze.
"I heard something—GAH!"
A large, plump ghost floated straight into her face.
"Yee hee hee… Bwahahaha! We haven't had visitors in ages! Wanna be friends? Ahahaha!"
"Gh-gh-ghosts?!"
"Hey, what's all the noise?" Grim poked his head out and froze.
His pupils shrank.
"AAAAAH! GHOSTS! GHOOOOOOSTS!!"
A second ghost, thin and lanky, rose through the floor.
"Everyone ran off ages ago. Couldn't take the heat, huh?"
A third ghost popped up behind Hoshi with a giddy grin.
"Play with us! C'mon, buddy!"
"HEEELP!" Hoshi shrieked.
Grim screamed too—then tried to act cool.
"A-hem! I'm not scared! I'm Grim, master sorcerer!"
He puffed out his chest—and unleashed a ball of blue fire. The thin ghost vanished with a giggle.
"Missed! Heh heh!"
The ghosts began zipping around them, turning it into a game of tag. Hoshi and Grim were pushed and herded like sheep.
"ARGH! They keep popping in and out!" Grim growled, firing randomly.
"You're gonna burn the whole place down!" Hoshi warned.
"Shut it! I don't need advice from a magicless meathead!"
She stiffened. That hit more than it should. But… he wasn't wrong. And if this place burned, they'd lose the only shelter they had. Maybe worse—get expelled. Thinking fast, she blurted, "What if the headmage lets you enroll if you get rid of them?!"
Grim stopped mid-attack.
"Myah…?"
"I mean—think about it. Take them down, and maybe they'll have to reconsider you."
His eyes narrowed, then gleamed with fire.
"Fine. Let's fry these freaks!"
The ghosts cackled and charged.
"M-maybe I can help?" she offered.
Grim growled, "You! Human! Call the shots. Tell me where they are!"
"Got it!" She grinned, pointing. "To your left!"
Grim blasted a fireball—direct hit.
"YES! That's more like it! Just keep calling 'em out, and I'll torch the lot!"
"Phoo! PHOO! Myaaah!"
As she called directions, Grim blasted left, right, center—but ghosts were quick and slippery.
"Missed again! You gotta shout louder!" Grim snapped.
Suddenly, the fat ghost wiggled between them. "Ooooh, secrets~? I want in!"
"MYAAAH! BACK OFF!" Grim panicked, firing wildly.
"Grim, calm down!" Hoshi shouted. "To the right!"
He spun and fired. Another ghost screamed.
"NOW we're talking!" he cheered. "See? Told ya I'm a genius!"
Hoshi smiled faintly—until something flickered in the corner of her eye.
"Grim, behind you!"
"BOO!"
"MYAH?!"
The tiny ghost startled him so bad he fell over.
Hoshi covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. Grim recovered, hissing, "Warn me better next time!"
"Right!"
With clear calls and teamwork, they soon began disrupting the ghosts' rhythm. Again and again, Hoshi broke their formations.
"Behind!"
"PHOO! PHOOOO!"
The fat ghost yowled as he poofed from sight.
"Owowowow! That hurts!" the thin ghost whined before vanishing too.
Grim was on fire now—figuratively. "C'mon, human! What's next? We go all-out? Heh—watch me, MYAHAHA—!"
"WAIT—stop!" Hoshi interrupted.
"You'll burn the place down!"