Some time later, inside the Mirror Chamber, all the dorm heads were sitting around a large round table, waiting for Headmaster Crowley to stop droning on and on about the latest accomplishment the school had achieved thanks to him.

Leona let out a lazy, yet loud and obnoxious yawn. "When is that chatty old crow gonna shut up?" he thought impatiently. Dorm leader meetings like this were already tedious with Crowley's incessant chatter about how kind he was and other such useless nonsense. "Leona, are you even paying attention?" a sharp voice asked.

Leona opened one eye to see the beautiful man, who was named Vil, sitting at his left side and glaring at him in a reproachful manner. Leona shot him an annoyed glare. He already had Ruggie's nagging to deal with. The last thing he needed right now was another nuisance like Vil pestering him about etiquette.

"Tch." Leona gave out an indifferent scoff as he turned his gaze away from him. Seeing that Leona was in no mood to listen to him, Vil just sighed and shook his head in an elegant manner before turning his attention back to the front.

"How long is this going to take? What are we doing here again?" Leona thought. Oh yes, the Inter-Dorm Magift Tournament. It was a tournament held once a year against all seven dorms at Night Raven College. Despite these dull, boring meetings that Leona had to deal with daily, he was excited about the upcoming tournament.

With his innovative strategy, the Savanaclaw Dorm will be the one taking home the trophy this time. "Then, let our meeting about the October Inter-Dorm Magical Shift Tournament commence." Crowley finally said as he stood to the side.

"First, Octavinelle Dorm's Mr. Ashengrotto has an announcement as the manager for the tournament." Crowley gestured towards the bespectacled silver-haired boy sitting to his left. Azul smiled as he stood up. "Thank you, Headmaster." he said, giving Crowley a polite nod before he turned to face the other dorm leaders.

"I'm Azul Ashengrotto, the tournament manager. Thank you for your time." he began with a calm smile. "To begin, for the installation of food stalls around the coliseum venue, all slots for both external enterprises and internal club activities have been filled."

"Oh! Very nice! It's going to be super lively." Kalim exclaimed with an excited grin. Leona almost groaned in disdain. It just happened to be his luck that that spirited ball of sunshine would be sitting right next to him on his right.

The dorm leader of Scarabia may not be pestering like Vil or as sly as Azul, but he was just as annoying in his own cheerful, oblivious way. The sight of Kalim's ecstatic smile and the way his garnet-colored eyes sparkled was enough to make Leona's skin tingle painfully. They reminded him too much of someone back home.

"Royal guests from every country have all been sent their invitations." Azul continued, ignoring Kalim. "General attendance tickets are also selling well. And applications from TV stations and newspapers are coming in like they do every year."

"This tournament is a big deal worldwide. I got super excited for my invitation every year before I came here." Kalim continued before he turned to face Leona with enthusiastic excitement. Leona silently gave him the side-eye. What did that smiling dolt want now?

"Since you're royalty, you would've gotten one too, right, Leona?" Kalim asked curiously. "Maybe we passed by each other when we were little." Leona just nonchalantly shrugged. "...Who knows. I don't care." he said as he leaned back against his chair.

What Leona mostly remembered from the royal invites was the constant, never-ending parade of people that came to see his family. Being in the royal family was honestly exhausting. It was a constant nightmare, having to show up and deal with so many people that were there to get favors.

"I have to make sure my foundation is in perfect form for the jumbotron." Vil said as he pulled out a violet compact mirror from his blazer pocket. "Physical activity means I have to spend that much more time fixing it."

Riddle sighed and shook his head. "Huh...Pomefiore is the only dorm to take timeout to fix their makeup." he said with a half-annoyed expression. Obviously, the team members of Pomefiore would regularly call for timeouts just to fix their makeup. Unless one was a genuine fan of Vil's, it can be such an incredible nuisance.

"How can you all be so proactive about being in front of a bunch of other people? Just thinking about it makes me wanna vomit." a robotic voice mumbled indifferently at the other end of the table.

That voice belonged to none other than the Dorm Leader of Ignihyde, Idia Shroud. Being a recluse, he decided that he would stay in his room and navigate throughout the meeting's conversation through a floating tablet rather than show up in person. He didn't sound too keen about participating in the tournament itself.

Azul loudly cleared his throat, interrupting this off-topic conversation. "Ahem! Everyone, quiet please." he said firmly. "Ah, sorry 'bout that." Kalim apologized. As soon as everyone became quiet, Azul continued to speak.

"As soon as every dorm has decided on their player line up, please make sure to submit all the paperwork." he said as he handed out papers towards each of the other dorm leaders. "If the paperwork is late by even a day..." Riddle then spoke up. "You'll be disqualified, right?" he asked.

"No. I will accept a special processing fee. An express delivery fee, if you will." Azul replied with a smile. His response shocked Riddle as he saw that Azul was planning to make such an unfair rule to specifically punish people.

Riddle narrowed his eyes at Azul. "Huh...I think making a rule for exceptions like that is in bad form." he snapped. Making a rule like that hardly seems fair. "One should always be fair with the rules." That was what he had learned from Alice. "Hahaha! I'm grateful for it though!" Kalim said with a jolly laugh.

"We're getting very off track." Crowley interrupted as he crossed his arms, getting everyone's attention back to him. "As for the tournament bracket...I'd like to share an idea." Riddle glanced at Crowley. "Idea?" he repeated. 

Leona also looked up, his expression now alert. That tone in Crowley's voice... He didn't like the sound of that. "Starting from this tournament, I'd like the dorm head of Diasomnia...Malleus Draconia, to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at this time." Crowley announced.

"Eeh?!" Kalim exclaimed with wide eyes. He wasn't the only one shocked by this news. Vil raised an questioning eyebrow, and Riddle's eyes widened slightly. Even the bespectacled Azul looked mildly surprised.

Leona crossed his arms as he glared at the Headmaster coldly. He knew that Crowley would mention the Diasomnia dorm head at some point. And for him to suddenly induct Draconia into the Hall of Fame like that... "...What's the meaning of this?" Leona asked, his voice a low growl as he leaned forward in his chair.

The Hall of Fame of Night Raven College was the highest honor a student could ever receive in this school, a huge ceremony and their name on the plaque. It could be awarded for any number of reasons, be it academics and/or sports.

Getting inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Magical Shift player meant a guaranteed spot in any of the pro teams. However, honor was also a double-edged sword. Getting into the Hall of Fame also meant that the student was not allowed to play in any more school tournaments to give other students an opportunity to shine.

It was usually an award bestowed upon fourth years when it was time for them to graduate, so for the Dorm Leader of Diasomnia to suddenly receive it in his third year sent a horrifying, sour feeling down the pit of Leona's stomach.

"Since Mr. Draconia entered this school, all dorms that had played against Diasomnia have been crushed without scoring a single point. Diasomnia scored over 100 points, more than 90 percent of which were by him." Crowley explained as he glanced at each of the dorm heads. None of them argued the facts laid out.

"True. When we played them last year, we couldn't make a single move." Kalim said casually as he shook his head sadly. "He's an unparalleled cheat character that completely destroys the game's balance." Idia added. 

"The tournament isn't for mere pleasure." Crowley replied. "In order to discover the next generation of talent, the world pays attention. Regardless of that, no matter who their opponent is, any match against Diasomnia is over before even their own players can strut their stuff. This is an extraordinary exception."

"Ahh, I get it. I wither after seeing this development over and over." Idia said in an informal tone. "To the dorm with many members aiming to join a Magical Shift pro league, Savanaclaw." Crowley said as he turned and glanced towards Leona.

Judging by the look on Crowley's face, Leona had a bad feeling about what he was going to say next. "Savanaclaw is a dorm with a history of victories and has never once been below the top three. Even still, you have lost to Diasomnia in the opening match of the past two tournaments." Crowley stated.

Leona clenched his gloved fist tightly. He knew full well what that crow-brained headmaster was talking about. He didn't need to make him relive those painful, humiliating memories. "This won't leave a strong impression on any scout. And it won't allow for anyone to become a pro."

A cold, dark look enveloped Leona's eyes as he glared at the Headmaster. "...So you're saying that we're just going to get owned again this year?" he questioned, his voice in a low, dangerous tone.

"I'm not saying it because it pleases me." Crowley replied firmly. The glowing yellow eyes behind his mask didn't flinch from fear. "Anyway, I've already received Mr. Draconia's consent on the matter. All that is left is the approval from the rest of the dorm heads."

The other dorm leaders eyed each other with uncertainty. A few of them seemed to nod in agreement. It took every ounce of self-control for Leona to not spring up from his chair. There's no way he's ever going to allow this to happen!

Instead, he gave out a mocking scoff. "Ha, you've underestimated us... Teach. The thing I hate most in the world is being told, "You will never be number one."" Leona said bitterly. "That's not what I'm saying..." Crowley said calmly. "Then what are you saying?" Leona shot back, crossing his arms.

"First, in Magift, it's not about throwing around physical strength. It's about using your head." he said as he gently pointed at his head for emphasis. "I don't think I can beat Malleus in a battle of wits either." Kalim spoke up with a sad frown.

"Hmph, for you, sure. But not me." Leona said quietly. Now that he had everyone's attention, he couldn't let his speech go to waste. Leona made sure everybody's eyes were on him before he spoke again. "Sure, no one is ever going to beat him in a battle of brawn, but brains should be different."

"Ooh?" Azul asked, raising an eyebrow in interest. "The King of Beasts took his place as king through hard work and wisdom. Put that thing between your ears to work. Come up with a way to beat that monster!" Leona continued.

He then smiled. "I bet that the world would admire whichever team did that. Are you really going to pass up a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?" For a brief moment, nobody spoke as they took in Leona's words. He made a fairly good point. Inducting a powerful mage like Malleus into the Hall of Fame sounded unreasonable.

"Even you say smart things sometimes." Vil said, shaking his head with bemusement. "I also think your idea is nonsense, Headmaster. Excluding those with talent... Isn't that just your unconscious bias showing? I hate things like that."

"I agree with Vil on this." Riddle added firmly as he stood up. "Also, as a wizard, I have no intention of throwing in the towel before the battle has even begun." Leona smirked. "I want the whole world to see the aloof jerk's face contort in frustration. Just thinking about it, I could start humming. Y'know?" he said truthfully.

Azul chucked. "Fu fu. Imagine how high the ratings would be." he said with a opportunistic smirk. "Mmhmm mmhmm. We shouldn't exclude others." Kalim added with a happy-go-lucky grin on his face, already on board.

Only Idia was left. "Eh, what's happening here?" he asked in bewilderment from his tablet. "Am I the only one who thinks letting him into the Hall of Fame is fine?" With that, the decision was unanimous. "There you have it, Teach." Leona stated. "We won't be letting Malleus into the Hall of Fame."

Crowley's glowing golden eyes carefully studied Leona, but the young lion continued to stare back defiantly. "My goodness..." Crowley said before he sighed in defeat and shook his head. Guess it couldn't be helped. "Fine, understood."

"However, if the same situation occurs this year, he will be entered into the Hall of Fame next year." he said with a warning in his tone. "Do whatever you want." Leona said, now bored. However, he secretly grinned triumphantly. He had won the other dorm heads over to his side—or at least, the ones who mattered.

"That brings us to the end of today's meeting." Azul said, picking up some documents. "Everyone, please don't forget to turn in your paperwork." He then smirked. "I myself don't mind if you forget though... Fufufu." he chuckled.

Leona tuned out the rest of that bespectacled boy's words as he carefully thought about his plan. He had done what he needed to do. That horned monster will be playing in the tournament...or at least, that was what everyone will expect.

Wits used during the battle were what the other dorms were probably preparing for, that there was some foolproof plan that would bring down Malleus and the rest of Diasomnia. Those fools. The moment they let that monster into the field is when they will lose.

"I can't win against Malleus in a fair fight..." Leona thought. "If Savanaclaw is going to take first place, he needs to be taken out before our match. The plan must succeed, whatever the cost will be."

Moreover, defeating that horned monster, as appealing as that sounds, was not a surefire way to win first place. Another dorm could deviously defeat Savanaclaw if he was not careful with his plan. So, why just stop at Malleus? Why not take everyone else out? The ones who are pros at Magical Shift?

Let them know how much humiliation and suffering he had gone through these past two years. If Leona wanted people to look at him, then he will have to make sure that no one else will be there to take the spotlight. 

Yes. This tournament will be the day when the dragon will fall and the lion will rise, and Leona will make sure the whole world watches that happen. If all goes well, he will finally get what he always wanted. "By the way, today's dorm head meeting... Did we forget to tell Malleus about it again?" Vil then asked.

"Ah!" everyone except Leona all exclaimed in shock. They had just now remembered that they had forgotten to invite Malleus to the meeting...again! How embarrassing!

Meanwhile, somewhere in the school, two students from the Heartslabyul dorm were walking down the stairway. They were discussing the details of the tournament and how everyone was signing up for the try-outs.

Apparently, there were some rumors going around that there was going to be an exhibition before the start of the big game. "It's almost time to decide who's playing in the Magical Shift Tournament, huh." the Heartslabyul student asked his friend. "Have you thought of any spells to appeal to the Dorm Leader?" he asked.

The Heartslabyul student nodded. "Of course I did! I showed it to Mr. Crewel earlier and got his approval. I'm excited to show it to—Ah, whoooaaa?!" he yelled as he suddenly felt his legs move on their own.

Before he knew it, the student suddenly found himself tumbling down the stairs before landing on the floor with a very bad thud. "Oooww.... Crap, that hurts..." he groaned painfully. His friend stood there, shocked at what had just happened before he rushed down to see if his friend was okay.

"H-Hey! Why are you jumping around the stairs all of a sudden?!" he shouted. His friend tried to get up, but he instantly fell back down as he gripped his left leg, letting out a pained grunt. "My leg...hurts...!" he groaned.

"What?! Let's get you to the infirmary!" his friend said. He quickly wrapped his arm around the student's shoulder and helped him stand on his good leg before he took him to the infirmary as fast as he could, fearing that he might have broken his left leg.

As they left, a pair of blue-gray eyes watched them from above. A smirk spread on their face as they let out a laugh. Oh, that was too easy. Everyone else will be even more so. "Shishishishishi~♪" the perpetrator snickered before he left the scene of his crime.

...Drip, drip...! Two spots of black appeared inside the crystal of Leona's pen.