Twisted Wonderland: Princess of Outworld

Chapter 43 The Setback

Jack and (Y/n) went back to Ramshackle to think about the anemone problem with the students. With them were Meena, Emerald, and the she-beasts. Meena was laying against Misty, Emerald laying on Icy's back, Jack with Nova's head on his lap as he searched her behind the eyes, and (Y/n) was scratching under Cyra's chin from behind and Kiki on her shoulder. Jack and (Y/n) filled them in on what happened at Octavinelle. "I think it's safe to say that everybody with an anemone stuck on their head...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." Jack told as he continued to scratch Nova's head. "I guess that does explain everything. Including Grim's sudden grade rising." Emerald added.

"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 growled angrily. "That I can agree with you, Jack." (Y/n) nodded.

"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!" Suddenly, Headmage Crowley appeared from behind everyone. Which startled them all. "WHOA! Headmage?! You startled me!" Jack puts a hand to his heart. "Have you ever heard of knocking?!"Meena growled. Headmage Crowley sighed as he took a seat. "So transpires another year of me being unable to clamp down on Ashengrotto's little "side business."

"Care to explain what you mean by "side business", Headmage?" (Y/n) crossed her arms, wanting an explanation. "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." Headmage Crowley began to explain more about Azul. "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 pointed out. Headmage Crowley nodded at the statement. "Ah, but it is precisely BECAUSE I am in a teaching position that I cannot prohibit his actions."

"And why not?" Meena raised her eyebrow. "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." Headmage Crowley revealed.

"A century's worth of test questions?! My, that's incredible!" (Y/n) gasped with awe. "I guess that shows he dedicated he can be." Emerald added with a nod.

"Huh. Well, I'll be. If he did that all by hand, the guy's got chops." Jack scratched the back of his neck. He paused when he realized something. "Hm? Wait... So the problem is that there IS no problem with it?"

"You strike right to the heart of the matter, Howl." Headmage Crowley pointed at Jack. "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." He explained. "If you did, you'd basically be tellin' students, "no studying" AND "no helping your buds." Grr...Talk about a seriously briny pickle." Jack lets out a soft growl. He sinks into his seat. "That is most certainly is." Headmage Crowley snapped his fingers.

"Headmage Crowley, didn't you mention "another year". Did you?" Meena asked. "Yes, did something happen last year?" Emerald joined in the questioning. "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." Headmage Crowley explained. "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 added.