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User @RamshacklePrefect created the chat!
User @RamshacklePrefect titled chat: “History Group Project”!
User @RamshacklePrefect added (5) members!
16:42
[ @RamshacklePrefect✔️]
hello, this is yuu from history of magic class
just to make sure, can everyone say their name and what dorm they’re from?
i’m yuu from ramshackle
[ @aceupthesleeve ]
ace trappola, heartslabyul
hey can i sleep over again
[ @RamshacklePrefect✔️]
??? ace this is a group chat
[ @aceupthesleeve ]
and?
[ @RamshacklePrefect✔️]
yes you can sleep over
[ @DeuceSpade ]
I’m Deuce Spade from Heartslabyul
Ace, where are you? I’m at the dorm
[ @aceupthesleeve ]
dude don’t you remember?? i got kicked out of heartslabyul
[ @RamshacklePrefect✔️]
you didn’t get kicked out, you kicked yourself out
[ @aceupthesleeve ]
no i didn’t
cater-senpai literally kicked me out
[ @JackHowl ]
Jack Howl from Savanaclaw
You guys type too much
[ @aceupthesleeve ]
???
okay rude much
[ @appleapple ]
epel felmier from pomefiore
whats this for again?
[ @RamshacklePrefect✔️]
we grouped up together for the history of magic project
i figured that a group chat would be useful, and we all exchanged contact info
[ @appleapple ]
oh right
[ @JackHowl ]
Is this everyone?
[ @aceupmysleeve ]
no we’re missing the annoying guy
[ @DeuceSpade ]
Ace! Don’t be rude!
[ @RamshacklePrefect✔️]
but ace is right, we’re missing one more person
[ @MalleusDraconiaTowersOverAll ]
Humans! Stop needlessly texting!
I am the retainer of Malleus Draconia, heir to the throne of Briar Valley!
I cannot guard him if you are all here blabbering about nonsense!
[ @aceupthesleeve ]
no way that’s his @
[ @RamshacklePrefect✔️]
.
[ @MalleusDraconiaTowersOverAll ]
I am Sebek Zigvolt from Diasomnia.
You humans will do well not to disobey me during this group project!
[ @appleapple ]
waitwaitwait
who made YOU in charge?
[ @MalleusDraconiaTowersOverAll ]
I am in charge because I am clearly the most knowledgeable on this subject, human!
[ @JackHowl ]
Oi, how do you even know that?
[ @MalleusDraconiaTowersOverAll ]
Typical human, unable to comprehend my reasoning.
[ @RamshacklePrefect✔️]
okayyy let’s not fight please
maybe for now, we shouldn’t have a group leader? since we don’t even have a topic picked out yet haha
[ @JackHowl ]
That’s a good idea
What are the guidelines for the project?
[ @RamshacklePrefect✔️]
“research the great seven and answer this question: what makes them all ‘great’?”
[ @aceupthesleeve ]
wait that’s it?
[ @appleapple ]
that seems kinda easy
[ @RamshacklePrefect✔️]
the guidelines specifically say that we can only use one word to describe all seven of them and we have to do this big presentation
that’s probably where the difficulty comes from
[ @DeuceSpade ]
So they all have to have something in common?
[ @RamshacklePrefect✔️]
i guess
[ @JackHowl ]
This is a year-long project, though
Why did you make a group chat on the first day of school?
[ @RamshacklePrefect✔️]
i figured it would be good for us to get to know each other
[ @aceupthesleeve ]
wait it’s a year-long project?
[ @MalleusDraconiaTowersOverAll ]
Hmph, ignorant human.
Professor Trein clearly stated that this project will span over our whole first year.
Are you as stupid as you are deaf?
[ @aceupthesleeve ]
.
yuu kick him out
[ @appleapple ]
yeah thats hella rude
[ @DeuceSpade ]
But this group chat is for our project
It wouldn’t be good if we kicked out one of the members
[ @RamshacklePrefect✔️]
okay everyone calm down pls
and sebek, maybe consider that us humans have a different perspective than you?
[ @appleapple ]
plus, this is a GROUP project
we gotta work together if we wanna get anywhere with this
[ @MalleusDraconiaTowersOverAll ]
Hm.
I suppose you are correct.
[ @aceupthesleeve ]
plus, as “malleus draconia’s retainer,” you would embarass him by getting into fights with other dorms
[ @MalleusDraconiaTowersOverAll ]
!!
Fine. You humans have convinced me.
We shall work in a group.
[ @appleapple ]
gee thanks for allowing us to work together ig
[ @RamshacklePrefect✔️]
okay!! i’m glad that turned out good!!!
[ @aceupthesleeve ]
anyways, i’m on my way over to ramshackle
[ @appleapple ]
hey i have a question
why do you have that weird collar around your neck??
[ @DeuceSpade ]
Our Housewarden caught him breaking the rules
[ @JackHowl ]
How does that relate to a collar??
[ @aceupthesleeve ]
apparently it’s his unique magic
it completely cuts off all of my own magic
[ @JackHowl ]
That’s
Actually pretty impressive
[ @aceupthesleeve ]
okay yeah
but NOT WHEN IT’S ON ME
[ @appleapple ]
but what rule did u break
or is it bcuz ur the one that broke the chandelier
[ @aceupthesleeve ]
technically that’s deuce’s fault
[ @DeuceSpade ]
Hey!
[ @aceupthesleeve ]
but no, i broke a different dorm rule
a stupid one
[ @JackHowl ]
Rules are rules
[ @RamshacklePrefect✔️]
to be fair, the situation is kind of complicated…
[ @aceupthesleeve ]
thank you!!
[ @appleapple ]
whats the situation???
[ @JackHowl ]
I’m sorry, can we change our display names?
Some of the names are confusing
[ @RamshacklePrefect✔️]
oh yeah! i can change them
User @RamshacklePrefect changed (6) names!
[ Yuu✔️]
is that better?
[ Jack Howl ]
Yes, thank you
[ Epel Felmier ]
aw man i liked my dn
[ Ace Trappola ]
same
[ Deuce Spade ]
Since we’re getting to know each other, what clubs are you all going to join?
[ Ace Trappola ]
oh?? deuce-kun wants to make friends??
[ Deuce Spade ]
Shut up Ace!
[ Jack Howl ]
I’m considering the track and field team
[ Deuce Spade ]
Oh, me too!
[ Ace Trappola ]
well at least jack looks like he’ll be a star player
but deuce, your reasoning for it is lame
[ Epel Felmier ]
we still have time before we have to choose, right?
[ Yuu✔️]
yeah, we have until the end of this week
since club rush is going on all week
[ Epel Felmier ]
thank the seven
[ Jack Howl ]
What about you, Epel?
[ Epel Felmier ]
im joining the spelldrive team
[ Ace Trappola ]
damnnn good luck dude
i’m doing basketball
[ Sebek Zigvolt ]
Hmph. You humans and your performative choices.
[ Jack Howl ]
Can you stop insulting us?
[ Deuce Spade ]
Yeah, it’s getting annoying
Besides, what club are you joining?
[ Sebek Zigvolt ]
For your information, I will be joining the Equestrian Club!
[ Yuu✔️]
is that like
horses?
[ Sebek Zigvolt ]
Obviously, human.
[ Ace Trappola ]
i don’t get why you’re making fun of us for being human
don’t you have the same ears as us?
[ Deuce Spade ]
??
What do ears have to do with anything?
[ Jack Howl ]
Fae typically have the pointed ears
While humans have round ears
[ Ace Trappola ]
^^^
[ Sebek Zigvolt ]
That’s none of your business!
[ Epel Felmier ]
i mean it literally is
ur the one pitchin a hissy fit
[ Ace Trappola ]
he’s what?
[ Sebek Zigvolt ]
Apologies. I will stop being “rude” to you.
[ Ace Trappola ]
top ten lies ever told
but sure i’ll accept the apology
esp since my housewarden won’t give me one
[ Epel Felmier ]
no srsly whats up with ur housewarden
[ Ace Trappola ]
he’s such a stickler for the rules!
and i get it, but heartslabyul has the most useless rules ever!
[ Deuce Spade ]
He has a point…
One of them is that we can’t eat hamburgers on Tuesdays
[ Jack Howl ]
Those types of rules sound redundant
[ Ace Trappola ]
yeah well blame the queen of hearts
since she’s the one who made up all 810 rules
[ Epel Felmier ]
810?!
damn suddenly im glad to be in pomefiore
[ Jack Howl ]
I would take an overbearing housewarden over my own
[ Deuce Spade ]
Your housewarden? Aren’t you in Savanaclaw?
[ Sebek Zigvolt ]
If I remember correctly, your housewarden is Leona Kingscholar, prince for the Sunset Savanna.
[ Jack Howl ]
Yeah that’s him
He’s very hands-off in terms of how he runs the dorm
[ Epel Felmier ]
he sounds so cool
i wish i was in savanaclaw
[ Ace Trappola ]
me n you both
[ Yuu✔️]
while we’re at it, do the rest of you wanna come over to ramshackle?
[ Jack Howl ]
All of us?
[ Yuu✔️]
i mean um
we might as well just meet up in person and get to know each other like that
plus, there’s no extracurriculars going on yet, so i know that no one is busy
[ Epel Felmier ]
im down
i need to get away from my dorm for a bit
[ Deuce Spade ]
I got homework…
[ Ace Trappola ]
dude that homework’s not even due until the end of the week
[ Jack Howl ]
Deuce has a point
It’s not good to let homework build up
[ Yuu✔️]
just bring your homework with you!
we can host a studying session
and plus, no other students will be here since it’s my dorm
[ Epel Felmier ]
count me in
[ Ace Trappola ]
i mean, i was already going to be staying over, so yeah i’m down
[ Deuce Spade ]
I guess if we’re hosting a studying session
[ Jack Howl ]
I have had trouble studying in my own dorm due to the noise
I guess I can come over as well
[ Ace Trappola ]
all that’s left is sebek, right?
[ Sebek Zigvolt ]
I could never leave my liege’s side for something as small as a studying session!
[ Deuce Spade ]
So you’re going to just stick by his side all day??
[ Epel Felmier ]
that sounds annoying
[ Ace Trappola ]
yeah, if i were malleus-senpai, i’d be super annoyed by now
[ Sebek Zigvolt ]
.
[ Yuu✔️]
sebek, just come over and get to know us
and then you can determine if we’re worthy of being friends or not
[ Sebek Zigvolt ]
Fine.
You humans better prove me wrong in finding this a waste of time.
[ Yuu✔️]
okay, i’ll see you all here!
“Wow, this is…rundown,” is the first thing that Jack comments as he enters Ramshackle.
Yuu laughs nervously, glancing at the multiple holes in the roof, missing floorboards, and the countless cobwebs scattered around just the living room. “Yeah…”
“Gee, this is bad,” Epel remarks.
“Oi, henchman, why are there so many random people bargin’ in?” Grim demands from his spot in Yuu’s arms.
Yuu simple shrugs. “I invited them over for a study session. And speaking of studying, you also have homework to do, Grim.”
Grim wilts at that. “I thought you’d forget…”
The door swings open again, another person walking in without knocking. It turns out to be Ace, who is holding a blanket and pillow.
At Yuu’s questioning look, Ace simply explains, “Last night was the worst sleep I’ve ever had. I made Deuce go grab my blanket and pillow from my dorm so that maybe I could have a decent sleep tonight.”
“So wait—what’s the deal with your dorm, again?” Epel asks the redhead.
Ace sighs loudly. As he explains his situation to Jack and Epel, Deuce walks in with Sebek in tow.
Sebek takes a look around Ramshackle and gains a disgusted look. “Human, this place is filthy.”
“I know,” Yuu sighs.
“Hey, what’s this?”
Yuu turns, watching as Deuce reaches under the couch and seemingly grabs something. He fiddles with it for a moment, reaching his arm under the couch to drag something out.
The other freshmen are now watching Deuce pull what seems to be a very dusty book out from under the couch. He wipes the front of the cover, removing some of the dust, and he manages to uncover the title. “‘The Nature of Soulbonds.’ Yuu, what’s this?”
“Has this just been there this whole time?” Ace questions, crouching down to also inspect the book.
Yuu hums, his eyebrows furrowing. “I never knew that was there…”
Deuce flips open a page, coughing as a small dust cloud rises. “This looks like a book about something called ‘Soulbonds.’”
“Obviously,” Sebek humphs, crouching down to also read the words. “It was on the title.”
“What in the world is a ‘Soulbond,’ though?” Epel asks. “I’ve never heard about that. Not even in my old classes.”
“Me neither,” Jack nods along. “Oi, what does it say?”
“‘Soulbonds are a magical link between 2 or more persons,’” Ace reads aloud. “‘Soulbonds are capable of developing between anyone, though not much more is known. Studies have shown that it’s magical in nature, though the exact details are too vague to be studied properly.’ Well this seems useless.”
“A magical link between people?” Yuu tilts his head. “What does that even mean?”
“It says here that it shows up in a bunch of different ways,” Deuce points to the next page. “Some were able to write messages to another by writing on their body, some have a red string tying them to whoever they’re bonded with, some are able to share pain…”
“Woah, that’s crazy,” Epel’s eyes widen. “Look, it says that some bonds allowed people to merge with each other and become a combination of people!”
“This sounds like soulmates,” Yuu says, also reading some of the studies.
“Soulmates?” Jack questions.
“You know…two or more people that are, like, destined to be together,” Yuu shrugs.
“Like a couple?” Ace raises an eyebrow.
“Nono, just like…someone that’s your other half,” Yuu insists. “It can be romantic, platonic, anything.”
“This concept is intriguing,” Sebek remarks. “But why have I never heard of this phenomenon?”
“You don’t know about it either?” Deuce’s eyes widen. “I figured that maybe Briar Valley would have books about this, at least…”
“Well, it says here that it’s a very rare thing that happens,” Ace points to a paragraph. “Only 50 instances have been recorded in history. And this book was written…” He grabs the book, flipping to the first page. “…100 years ago.”
“This must just be forgotten knowledge,” Epel theorizes. “But why would a book like this be here? In Ramshackle dorm?”
“Well, this used to be a dorm on campus, right?” Yuu replies. “Maybe a former student owned this book.”
Sebek takes the book from Ace and Deuce, flipping through the pages quickly. Meanwhile, Ace and Deuce stand up from where they were crouching, Deuce brushing the dust off of his clothes.
“Oh—look,” Jack stops Sebek, pointing at a page.
The group crowds around the book, looking at what Jack is pointing at: a collection of handwritten notes.
“These are the people that were Soulbonded,” Sebek says, skimming through the page. “These are…their accounts on what happened the moment they became Soulbonded.”
“So it’s not something they’re born with,” Yuu says thoughtfully. “And earlier, it said something about it being magical in nature…but what could that mean?”
“This one says, ‘It happened between me and my sister when we both accidentally spilled a failed potion on ourselves,’” Epel reads. “‘We had tried making a potion that would allow us to teleport. After we spilled the potion, we were able to swap bodies at will.’ Woah, that’s crazy.”
“Look at this one,” Ace points out. “‘I Soulbonded with my academic rival at school after we both got into a fight. After both of us fired a spell at the same time, we Soulbonded, and found that we both felt whatever physical pain the other was going through.’”
“Okay, wait—if this is a real thing, then shouldn’t it be happening more often?” Jack inturrupts. “Potion accidents, fights…both of those things happen often. Shouldn’t there be more than just 50 recorded incidents?”
“Well, it did say that not much is known about this,” Deuce shrugs. “Maybe there’s, like, something else that needs to happen between the people.”
“Well, I wanna get to studying,” Epel says, being the first one to break away from the group. He reaches into his bag and pulls out a notebook. “I got a ton of homework, and my Housewarden will be mad if I don’t have it done.”
Jack nods curtly. “I agree—let’s deal with our schoolwork.”
And so, Sebek sets the book down on the couch, and the group of first years change the topic to focus on their studies.
Little do they know, far after the other first years have left Ramshackle and they have all gone to sleep for the night, the Soulbond book glows a bright red color, and six glowing tendrils sneak out of the pages. One buries itself in Ace’s phone, another goes up Ramshackle’s stairs towards Yuu’s room, and the other four head towards the Hall of Mirrors.
And when the six freshmen wake up in the morning, everything has changed.