Under normal circumstances, a scholarship to a prestigious academy would be seen as a good thing. But for Klein Croft, it turned out to be nothing short of a death sentence.

Now, of course if he had known the truth about the Academy of Arcana, he would’ve rather slept in his shabby loft for the rest of his life than apply. The newspapers touted it as a place for “skilled individuals” seeking “experience and connections.” What a load of crap! A more accurate description would’ve been: “school where they exploit your talents, force you to slaughter creatures, and make you cook fancy meals for the teachers high-and-mighty selves on Fridays.”

Unlike the weeks that would follow, though, Kleins first day at the academy went rather well. The toilets flushed, they gave beef for lunch and dinner, and the teachers taught of all sorts of Others and spells. Others and spells Klein believed he would never have to witness, at least not for a long time. That, he soon realized, was far off from the truth.

The first attack from the Others happened when one broke out of the basement, crawling it’s way into Klein’s room. It’s 12 tentacles wrapped around his pale throat, and if it weren’t for Akio and the sledge hammer he slept with, Klein would’ve been a goner.

Attacks occurred more frequently as the weeks went on, and that’s when the students realized what was going on. Their school was one of the portals connecting them to the Others, and _they_ were expected to help fight them.

“Klein!” Akio shouted, barging into the room. “It’s our turn for night shift.”

Klein groaned into his pillow, dreading the night and every night after. Each night, the teachers would choose a room to gaurd the basement and make sure no Others escaped. Since room 201’s students were eaten by a five headed Other, it was their turn again.

“Akio, must I go?” Klein exasperated, his voice laced with annoyance. “It’s not like anything will happen two nights in a row. And even if it does, we’d all be screwed anyways.”

Akio sighed, throwing the coat and pistol at the edge of Kleins bed. “The sourcerers will find out if you don’t go, and then you’ll be wishing you confronted the monsters.”

“Those dim-witted teachers can’t tell their arse from their elbow. If they _just_ learned room 201 is dead, they won’t give a damn if I miss a day.”

Plus, Klein thought, I’ll soon be gone. Even if they do catch on, I’ll be far, far away.

“That’s a load of crap” Aiko said, walking towards Klein bed with a scowl. “You think you can just sit out from this?”

“Yes?” Klein’s answer came out more as a question. “I didn’t ask to be picked for this job.”

“Look, I didn’t ask to be picked either. _None of us did. _So quit your whining and let’s go.”

“But-“

“Shut up.”

“Fine” Klein conceded. “But if I’m eaten by a five header Other, I’m haunting your ass, Akio. You can count in that.”

“Oh, how petrifying. You think your ghostly spirit will be scarier than the five headed Other?”

“Wow, thanks for the confidence boost.” Akio offered his hand to help Klein off the bed and pulled him up.

Begrudgingly, Klein slipped his coat on and tucked the pistol by his side. It was heavier than a normal one, brimming with enchantments and protections he barely managed to make.

They walked together with two girls from the West Wing, down the winding stone cooridored and towards the basement. The sound of faint growls and whispers echoed between the slick walls, yet everybody’s sharp and heavy breathes were the loudest sound.

That night, no Others escaped. But that didn’t mean they wouldn’t come the next day, and terrorize the school once again.

_School with eldricth creatures for the win!_

_ (_☝︎_ _՞ਊ_ _՞_)_☝︎

_Didn’t know what to write, I’ll make something better tomorrow or whenever I have time._