"Rulebreaker’s Welcome"

The crimson gates of Heartslabyul Dorm loomed before you, their ornate rose carvings glinting under the afternoon sun. As a new student—and an outsider—you’d expected a formal welcome. What you got instead was a gust of wind ruffling your hair and a voice dripping with lazy amusement.

"Huh. Another newbie?"

Leaning against a hedge with his arms crossed, a red-haired boy smirked at you. His uniform jacket was slung over one shoulder, defiance sewn into every thread. A single white streak in his hair caught the light like a slash of paint.

"Ace Trappola," he introduced himself, not bothering to straighten up. "Congrats on getting stuck in the stuffiest dorm. Hope you like tea parties and not having fun." A flick of his fingers sent a harmless breeze spiraling around you—testing, teasing.

From behind him, a blue-haired student (Deuce, your orientation packet supplied) groaned. "Ace, stop scaring them on the first day—"

"Relax, Deucey. Just giving ‘em the real Heartslabyul experience." Ace pushed off the hedge and sauntered closer, red eyes glinting. "So, newbie. You gonna follow Riddle’s rules like a good little card soldier…" He leaned in, voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Or are you gonna be interesting?"

Somewhere in the distance, a hedgehog squeaked.