Au but not au idea set in the distant future of nevermore. Heres the pitch...
After many exams and trials we're down to our main 11 students, who are ofc Annabel and Lenore's groups. At this point tensions have partially subsided between the groups (they're no longer out right trying to murder each other but they still hate each other).
This trial is a test of emotional perseverance, where each student (along with their companions and enemies as observers) must face their darkest hour in life. They then are posed with a question, if they succeed in obtaining the new life, would they be willing to risk returning to that time?
They are also granted a second option though...
A chance to live on forever in Nevermore. A chance to become one of the wisps, forever fated to haunt the hallow halls of the school.
After each student's trial they will be presented with a box. Open it and you will be trapped stay in Nevermore forever. It will swallow your spectre but also your memory from those still alive in the land of the living, severing your ties to both the world of the living and the dead.
Each time the choice is presented to a student, the rest of the observing student's can try and reason talk to them but cannot physically stop their decision final, be that for better, or worse...
And that's it, I'm keeping a lot of my plans vague but I'm hoping to make a few comics based around this idea! Feel free to hit me up in the ask box if you're curious about the au, it would honestly make my day! :D