"Okay, headmaster! We corner the culprit just like you requested!" Grim claimed. "Now, you let us play in the tournament like you said you would?"

"Oh, yes! I did promise that." He remembered. "But it's next to impossible. We've already announced the lineup."

"Eeeeeehhhhh?! That's cruel!! You scammer!" Grim's face turned furious. "Just for that, I'll light up your ass on fire! Ffgnaaa-!" But the headmaster stopped him before he could do as he claimed.

"Hold on, hold on, hold on! Pause in your Lighting things on fire. I'll suggest an idea..." he mumbles to himself. Then smiling, he produces an answer: "How about a special exhibition match? It's like a little pre-match before the games occur; that'll be a chance for you to really show off!"

" 'Show off'?"

"But of course!"

"...That'll do as long as I get to strut my stuff!" Grim agrees.

"But sir, don't we need extra team players?" I put in.

"Of course.... you also need a team for you to play against.... maybe I can get something together at the last minute..."

"Don't tell me you forgot that as well!"

"Actually, we overheard everything!" Ace and Deuce stepped in.

"If you need extra team players, we'll take some spots!"

"And what are you two doing?" Riddle demands. "I thought you both were on team Heartslabyul."

"There's no rule that claims we can't join another dorm's team~!" Ace claims.

Suddenly, Trey starts to laugh. "I've never thought about it before but you're correct!"

"That actually sounds like fun! Can I join Charlie's team to~?" Cater asks.

"You're one of our regular members, Diamond." Riddle denies. Cater made a sound of defeat.

" 'Sides, cheering on our teammates from the sidelines is boring. I'll take whatever chances I can to play!" Ace stands beside me.

"I-I'm not like that! I just purely want to help out my dear friends." Deuce claims standing at my other side.

"Then if you're looking to play with opponents, we'll battle you." Jack steps up.

"Fgna?! Really?!"

"You'd rather play against the teachers?"

"N-n-no! If you guys want to take up the second team position, then it's all yours!" I accept.

"Y'know, you're pretty chill guy." Ace compliments.

"D-Don't get the wrong idea! I just don't want to be indebted to you!" Jack looks around nervously. "But are you guys OK with that?" He looks behind him to face his seniors.

"Ugh, we're already about to pass out but you're up for one more game? Jack, you're a beast..." Ruggie sighs.

"Such a pain.Whatever, just give us all you got, damn herbivores. Even if it's still the beginning, it's still a battle. Be prepared." Leona gives in.

"Phew! What a relief! For a second, I thought I was about to get a three hour long lecture from Trein...." Crowley sighs. "So far, you've gathered four players. Just three more and you can compete!"

"Still not enough? We even got people from another dorm to join us. Why's there only two in our dorm?!" Grim stamps his foot.

"Well, now that you mention it...." I trailed off.

"...ah! I forgot! Residents are those who live in the same dorm, right?!" Grim catches on.

"That's what he said." Ace reminds.

"But there's more than just the two of us living in the Ramshackle Dorm!"

"The ghosts!" I answered.

"Luchessi! You're going to enter the ghosts as the other players?"

"There's no rule against that, is there, Headmaster?" I smiled.

"And they did say that they were good back in the day so it works in our favor!" Grim scurried off. "I'll go and get them! Woohoo! Time for me to shine!"

"Anything goes at this point... can even play properly?" Jack asks.

"I think it'll be fine! And Charlie still playing even if she can use a little bit of magi-" I ran to Ace and slapped his mouth shut before he could continue talking.

"Sorry about that, headmaster! H-he must've been hit in the head one too many times!" I covered for him.

"And I just figured out I'm going to be on live television. The nerves are setting in...." Deuce shakes.

"Uh....right! Let us all head to the stadium!" Crowley announced. "Oh, also: did anyone see a black rock drop somewhere around here?"

"Black rock?"

"You sure you didn't lose anything, Headmaster?"

"No....well, if you can't find it, it's okay. We must hurry before the opening ceremony starts!" He starts walking off with the others.

'I have a feeling that 'you-know-who' got his hands on it before any of us could....' I muttered in my head.

"Hey, Rabbit! Lets get moving." Jack calls out to me. And that's when I realized I was the last one standing in the stadium.

"Oh, right! It's time to rock 'n' roll!" I shout, sprinting off.

—————————

I waited nervously before the pre-match. I walked around in my PE uniform (refer to ch. 1.3), but it had a few alterations. Instead of a plain blue tee, I donned a navy blue jersey with my first name on the back and the team name of "Luchessi" on the front.

My sneakers were now my black and white shoes. But the black stripes were now painted rose gold.

I fidgeted in my spot nervously. I've never been in front a live broadcast. I've only worked with live theater. Dunno if that's the same but still.

No! Cmon Charlie! If you can handle lead roles in high school theater, then you can play a game in front of thousands of people! Who'll be watching you....try and make a fool outta yourself....as you fall and tumble...and fail miserably as a human who's known to 'possess no magic'-

"Charlie." I screamed and swung my hand out, backhanding someone in the chest. I heard an "ow!" And I looked behind me to see Ace and Deuce, preparing to get out onto the field with me. Deuce held his chest in pain.

"Oh my god! Deuce, are you okay?" I worried, walking to him to make sure I didn't hit anything vital.

"Nah, I'm okay....but damn, you really punch hard. Now I know how those Savanaclaw bullies felt...." I blushed embarrassed that he brought that up again. The good news is that: no one told the headmaster, and the bullies were not injured severely. Except for that guy whose shoulder I dislocated.

"Hey, you okay?" Ace asked me. I stared at him and could only shake my head mutely. "What's up?" He smiles casually. But it did little to comfort me. I stared away from them.

"Charlie? Is something wrong?" Deuce puts his hand on my shoulder. I still can't look at them. Because of my nerves as well as the vision I was shown.

"It's...difficult to say..." I whispered.

"Y'know you can tell us anything, right? We can help you. Well, me more than Ace."

"Hey!"

I let out a small laugh, but it goes away soon after. Maybe I guess it won't hurt to tell them...

"I had a vision. When I was fighting those Savanaclaw people." I looked at them both. Their eyes widened.

"Another vision?"

"What was it?"

"I...was in another person's body. I was in a dungeon of sorts, and I was fighting off soldiers. But I wasn't alone. I saw and heard another person nearby. She called me 'sister'....and it ended there..."

The two were silent for a while until Ace spoke up, "You said she called you 'sister'?"

"Mm-Hmm." I nodded.

"Maybe....that was a flashback to someone's life....maybe your life?" Deuce theorized.

"But that can't be! I would've known if I had a past life sooner or later." I denied. "Not to mention, there's still a few more things about my powers that I need to find out. I've a feeling that...there's more to the story of my powers than I believe..." I look down at my hands.

"You think so?" Deuce looks at me unsurely.

"Yes." I nod.

"Maybe...we should tell the Headmaster..." Deuce suggests. But before I could say anything, a voice spoke up.

"No need." We gasped as Crowley appeared behind us.

"Headmaster!" Ace said.

"Did he hear everything?" I whispered. But it seems if he had heard me.

"Yes, I did." He approaches me. "Miss Luchessi, when were you going to tell me you had magic powers? I first had my suspicions when Trappola was about to say something, but I had to hear it from you first." He looks at me.

"At first, I didn't think I had powers to begin with. Like the Dark Mirror said....but..."

"Yes...?" He urges. I breathe in deeply. I had to tell him or things could get more confusing.

"When we traveled to the Dwarf's mine, I unleashed this surge of light that destroyed the monster completely. And when Riddle overblotted...." his eyes widened at that last part.

"So that was you after all?!" He asked. I couldn't say it was Ophelia who saved him, but who else would have the same powers besides me in this realm? I nodded, devising not to make him wait. "And I also used a few enchantments to help the others take down Kingscholar from his corrupted state earlier today."

"Unbelievable..." he whispered. "My dear Luchessi...It seems...that you're more powerful than I expected!" He smiles. "I must see your power during the match. Do you know what it's called?" Oh crap. I never got that far...

"Oh....I-I don't really know, sir..." I lied partially. "I was hoping to find out more information about it eventually. And I'm still trying to master it. I think I'm at the Level C or D tier..."

"Don't worry. I'll allow to do some research and can assist you on your search when you've time, if you wish. But for now, show me what you can do on the field. Good luck!" He gives me an encouraging smile and walks off.

I waited until he had turned the corner, and I sighed in relief, leaning against the wall.

"Wow...well, Bird Man knows about your powers now! You're welcome!" Ace smiles.

"Partially. He partially knows about my powers." I corrected. "And besides... I have a feeling that this is just the tip of the iceberg." The sound of an opening theme valued over the speakers. "That's our cue."

"Lets give them hell!" Deuce stands beside me, and we fistbump.

—————————

Charlotte and her team race out onto the field, as the crowds start to cheer. She heard her team name being calle four from the sound system, and just for fun, she decided to show off a few cheer moves she had learned and a roar of applause came from the audience at her moves. She jogs to line up with the others. Opposite of her were Jack, Ruggie and Leona.

"Time for you guys pay for everything you did to us!" Ace threatens.

"Show us what ya got then!" Jack smirks.

"Wait...a-are the cameras rolling?!" Deuce freaks.

"Is now really the time to worry about the filming?" Ruggie teased.

"Time to show the world what Grim is truly made of!"

"We may be opponents, so don't expect me t'go easy on ya." Leona points at both.

"Nah, it's fine. Besides we Luchessis' always win in the end!" Charlotte throws back. The horn sounds and the games begin!

Grim keeps a hold of the disk while Ace and Deuce step fo the ghosts keep for defense. Charlie decides to take up the rear incase anything goes wrong. Ruggie's attacks fly one after the other. Ace got knocked back so Charlie jumped in to take his place. Her Seer sight was acting up and she saw that Jack was about to attack.

Just as Deuce and Grim flew back, Jack stole the disk, but Charlie was fast on her feet. Running towards Howl, she speaks,

"That's cute. But I don't do cute! Reverberating Notes!" She blasts him with her attack and the fans cheer. Jack gets knocked back but regains his stance. He sends a sly smirk her way.

"Not bad, Rabbit. You'll have to try a bit better."

"Oh don't worry. This little bunny had more up her sleeve~."

—————————

"I'm standing out all over the place!" Grim cheers.

"You don't hold back against the injured." Ruggie nods, wiping the sweat off his forehead.

"Hey Ruggie, keep playing like your exhaust for a bit. Jack, run them around for a while and counter will you have a chance." Leona tactics out.

"Roger."'Jack gives a subtle salute. Unknown to the three of them, Charlotte heard everything.

"Hey guys, they're planning something." She whispered to the two.

"Want us to do something?" Ace asks.

"Just leave it to me!" She winks. As soon as the horn sounds, the boys jump to either side as Charlie takes control.

"Let's turn up the volume! Wall of Sound!" She claps her hands and unleashed a flurry of purple sound waves. The Savana trio scream as they were hurled back by the attack, covering their ears at the noise, but they were drowned out over the audience losing their minds.

"Go! You've got an opening!" The others heed her call as she pushes forward, holding her attack long enough for the others to make their goal. The spectators roar as the first goal was made.

———————

"Alright, our first goal!" Ace throws a fist in the air.

"Pretty good. Enjoy it while it last because were gonna steal that point right back." Leona preps to start for the next half.

"Yeah while you do that, get a load of the super long shot! 'The Great Grim Hurricane!'" As Charlie and the others scattered, Grim prepped to throw a long shot from his spot. Charlie was ready for defense, but an unfamiliar voice called out to her.

She froze in her spot. Did no one else hear that but her? And who was this Astraea anyway?

"CHARLIE!" She barely heard Deuce scream her name when she looked up to see the disk zooming straight for her.

Suddenly without warning, The disc hit her straight in the forehead, and it. Felt. Horrible. Do you know that feeling you get when someone doesn't say anything in a fight and immediately you're head-butted after? It's like that.

She stumbled back, but stayed on her feet. But Her forehead stung. Hopefully it wouldn't leave a bruise. Suddenly, she felt sick. Not in the "in-about-to-puke" sick. But the "dizzy-I'll-faint" sick. Her mind was swarmed with visions and she felt like the earth was tilting. She clutched her head as pain ravaged her mind. Her third eye was acting up in a way she never experienced. And it felt....horrible.

Two stones. One was a bright yellow-red, the other a glimmering bluish-white.

A bottle of gold.

A mirror with....a spiderweb crack?

Dark figures....wearing hoods?

And words on a page in a language too fast to decipher.

And those same glowing eyes appeared....from the face of a darker figure, as it reached a clawed hand out to her.

Her breath quickened. Her body shook. Then she let out a ear-splitting scream. The pain struck every nerve in her body, like her brain was losing total control. Her power started to erupt in a surge of light, and just like before with the monster from the mine, a bright ring of light was unconsciously released. A wave of blinding sun forced the audience to shield their eyes. Even Leona, Ace and the others were too blinded by to call out to her.

The light had vanished soon. And there stood Charlie, her figure stood still, as she stared at nothing ahead of her. She felt like all the energy in her body was drained.

Her hearing felt muted, like her head was underwater. Her vision was blurry, and she could barely make out the panicked voices of her friends, their bodies running towards her as she grew unconscious and crumpled to the ground.

——————————

I gasped as I woke up. I expected to be stuck in a hospital or in Ophelia's den. But....I was somewhere else.

I was surrounded by a dark blue sky of little stars sitting in the air.

I was on a circular platform, enough for me to either sit or stand on. Still in my clothes from the tournament.

"Charlotte!" I turned to see Ophelia walking towards me.

"Ophelia!" I called back. She placed a hand carefully on my head.

"Are you okay, my dear? Are you sick? Injured? Please be alright!"

"I'm okay, really. Physically, at least. But...what-"

"I saw, my dear. I saw what happened. Everything went so well. But then, you froze, and your powers....what happened?"

"As soon as I stood up, I saw all these images pass by me...I don't know what they meant..." I whispered meekly.

I jumped as I saw three spheres of light emerge before us. Imbuing blue, white and yellow auras, they laid in a semi circle before us.

The one who spoke earlier said. The sphere of blue said.

"W-what?! Already! But that can't be!"

The second, white, answered.

"But-"

The third, yellow, spoke.

Ophelia stayed silent for a while. But then nodded silently, and stepped off to the side. The three spheres of light then these to me.

Blue spoke in a warm tone.

"I am she." I nodded.

White instructed calmly.