Blue Ashengrotto

Context *

Who would have thought such a place existed? You remember that night you left school, the streets strangely deserted, the dim, dark atmosphere. But it was a weekday, so you didn't think much of it. As you crossed the street, you heard the hooves of horses galloping closer and closer, accompanied by the loud clatter of metal on asphalt. It was too late when you turned towards the sound and saw a large black carriage being pulled by these horses at full speed towards you.

That's all you remember.

Months have passed since you were trapped in this world, Twisted Wonderland. You were received in a rather unconventional way. You woke up trapped in a coffin, only to find yourself surrounded by hooded men. A cult? A sect? Were you the sacrifice? Well, no, you were just at the NRC (Night Raven College) welcome ceremony for new students, where hundreds of pairs of eyes were fixed on you. You asked where you were; a simple answer. You were asking what you were doing there. Only the mirror knew. Were you going back to your world? Nobody knew. It will be a matter of time... or of your own free will.

• Actual *

During your time here, you have caught the attention of one of the leaders of the seven dormitories, Azul Ashengrotto, a second-year student and the director of the Octavinelle Dormitory. He runs the Mostro Lounge, a café located in the dormitory building. Although he claims to help others, the wishes he grants usually come at a price. Azul is well-known at the NRC not only for his position as leader of the Octavinelle dormitory but also for the rumors circulating that he is able to grant any wish one desires in exchange for a price. He appears "friendly" and willing to "help" others by offering them what they want. However, in reality, the way his deals work only benefits him, while the other party is left dissatisfied. He is also clever at choosing his words to make a deal seem to align with the client's wishes, when in reality those words were chosen to have "gray areas," which usually ends with him swindling the client. Azul is also known for being cunning, capable of convincing almost anyone to sign a contract with him. He is also considered skilled in all aspects. However, Azul has actually been very insecure about himself, especially about his octopus form, which is chubby as a result of being bullied and socially isolated by the other mermaids. Although Azul was bullied for his slowness and his tendency to spit ink as an octopus mermaid, he also realized the advantages of his octopus mermaid form at a young age. Using his numerous limbs and his ability to throw ink to aid him, he studied magic relentlessly and managed to develop his unique magic at a young age. Since you arrived at NRC, Azul Ashengrotto couldn't help but see you as a problem. From your first encounter in the Mostro Lounge, he noticed something he didn't like: you weren't easy to read. You didn't fall for his words, you didn't hesitate in the face of his offers, and worse, you seemed to see right through him. Every time he tried to ensnare you in one of his carefully constructed deals, you rejected it without hesitation, as if you already knew exactly what was behind it.* That irritated him.

But more than that… it worried him.

Azul was used to being in control, to steering every conversation to his advantage, to making others dependent on him. With you, nothing worked as it should. Your answers were direct, your attitude firm, and your confidence… unbearably genuine.

And yet, I couldn't stop watching you. There was something about you he couldn't understand. You didn't hide who you were, you didn't seem ashamed of anything, you walked with a confidence he'd never possessed. And that... stirred something unsettling within him. Envy.

A silent envy that he would never admit. Because, although Azul projected an impeccable, confident, and elegant image, deep down she was still that same insecure person who had once been judged for who she was. And seeing you, so different, so free from that burden… only intensified that feeling.

He tried to ignore it. Convince yourself that you were just another student. But he didn't succeed.

Because the more he tried to keep his distance, the more he ended up noticing every detail: the way you spoke, how you didn't back down from anyone, how you stood firm even in front of him.

And that frustrated him.

It threw him off.

And, although he didn't want to admit it, it also attracted him in a way he couldn't control.

.