Others

Chapter 16

The bell rang, signaling the end of the first lesson. Students headed to the third floor, discussing the assignment and sharing their impressions. Harabi, lost in thought about the previous lesson, followed the general flow, barely noticing how she ended up in another classroom. She couldn’t stop thinking about the blank sheet she had turned in. What could she have written? She had dreams and goals—so why, at that moment, had her mind gone completely blank? No ideas at all.

A voice snapped her back to reality.

“Please, take your seats,” said a strict but not harsh voice.

Harabi looked around. The classroom was spacious, with tall windows letting in soft light. In the center stood tables, each designed for four people. The teacher, a tall man with short dark hair, stood at the board.

“I am your new instructor for ‘Natural Laws of Magic’—Mr. Lim. Dear third-year students, today you will work in groups of four,” he continued, walking between the rows. “I would like you to choose your own teammates.”

The students wasted no time moving around and forming groups.

Without much thought, Harabi approached Rumiya, who was already ready to choose her partners. Rumiya took a couple of steps toward her as well.

“I think the choice is obvious,” Harabi smirked.

Rumiya smiled and was about to look for more teammates when Harabi noticed familiar silver hair in the crowd. Joon. Her face immediately lit up with joy, and she failed to notice how Rumiya’s eyes sparkled for a second.

“Joon!” she called out happily, waving her hand.

Joon turned around, a smile appearing on his face.

“Good morning! Glad to see you! Have you found a team yet?”

“So far, it’s just me and Rumiya. We need two more,” Harabi nodded, stepping closer. “Do you want to join us?”

But then her gaze fell on the person standing next to Joon. Dark hair and pale skin. Zero.

The tension immediately became palpable. Harabi hadn’t realized how her own body tensed up—memories of that incident, when his magic had spiraled out of control, were still fresh in her mind. Rumiya also grew stiff beside her, while Joon shifted his gaze between her and Zero, sensing the situation might become awkward.

Zero, seemingly uncomfortable, turned away and took a step back, as if intending to leave.

“Wait, Mr. Grimmwood,” Rumiya suddenly said, her voice quiet but firm.

He froze but didn’t turn around. His shoulders were tense.

Rumiya bit her lip as if unsure whether she should continue. She glanced at Harabi, who simply observed in silence.

Joon sighed and placed a hand on his cousin’s shoulder.

“We were thinking… that you should finally apologize to Harabi Kurosaki. You know you should.”

Zero flinched slightly, his fists clenching. A few moments of silence passed before he finally spoke.

“I…” He took a deep breath and turned around. His gaze immediately met Harabi’s, and he visibly tensed. He looked away. “I didn’t mean to. It was an uncontrolled surge. But it happened anyway.”

He fell silent, unsure of how to continue. His voice was grim, and even though he tried to sound calm, his gestures betrayed his uncertainty.

Harabi watched him, assessing the situation. Her feelings were mixed. She understood that magical accidents happened, but what mattered was how people dealt with them. She thought his words were an attempt at making amends—but they weren’t enough.

“You don’t have to forgive me. I don’t need that,” Zero continued, clenching his fingers into fists.

Joon nudged him in the shoulder, clearly expecting a different response. Zero let out a heavy sigh and muttered through clenched teeth, “But if there’s a way to make it up to you… tell me what I should do.”

Harabi glanced at Joon, then at Rumiya. Both were looking at her, waiting for an answer, and they seemed almost hopeful. She hesitated before slowly nodding.

“Alright, let’s put this behind us—on one condition.” Harabi extended her hand to Zero. “You help us with the group project.”

Silence settled between them again. Zero looked at Harabi—there was no anger in her eyes, only… hope? He smirked at her naivety, but then realization hit him. He was in the wrong. He sighed heavily and stepped forward.

Harabi watched him expectantly.

Zero nodded, accepting her words. It wasn’t exactly an apology, but she understood.

Joon sighed in relief and clapped his cousin on the back.

“You’re lucky Harabi has such a kind and forgiving heart. I’m honestly surprised she let you join our team,” he said with a light smile, trying to ease the tension.

Rumiya looked at Harabi, silently letting her make the decision. Harabi sighed.

“As long as he doesn’t cause another magical explosion, why not?” she said with a smirk.

Zero sighed but seemed relieved. He didn’t say another word but stepped closer, accepting the decision. He shook Harabi’s hand lightly.

They took their seats at the table, forming a complete team. Joon sat next to Harabi, while Zero sat across from her, shifting slightly away. Rumiya sat beside him but kept her distance. She stole a quick glance at Zero before immediately looking away, clasping her hands tightly.

Mr. Lim waited for the class to quiet down before continuing.

“Now that you have your teams, I will explain the assignment. Your task is to research one of MistLand’s regions and prepare a report on its flora and fauna. Each region has a unique climate and characteristics. You must analyze how magical energy affects nature in your chosen area and present your findings at the end of the week.”

He waved his hand, and a list of regions appeared on the board:

The Frozen Ridge – A cold northern region covered in eternal snow.

The Lost Swamps – Wetlands filled with poisonous plants and thick mist.

The Sunlit Valleys – A warm, fertile region home to rare magical flowers.

The Stormy Cliffs – A rocky landscape where nature’s magic is tied to lightning and storms.

“Teams will choose regions in order. Let’s start with the first row…”

Harabi turned to the others.

“Which region should we choose?”

“Not the swamps,” Rumiya grimaced, sitting stiffly with tense shoulders.

“The Sunlit Valleys seem like the most logical choice,” Zero unexpectedly suggested. “It’s the most stable and safest region.”

Rumiya shook her head sharply. “No.”

Everyone looked at her, but she didn’t explain. Instead, she tightened her grip on her hands and kept staring off to the side.

“The Frozen Ridge, then?” Joon suggested thoughtfully.

“It’s complicated,” Harabi bit her lip. “We’d have to study magical adaptation to extreme cold.”

“The Stormy Cliffs,” she said after a pause. “Lightning magic sounds interesting, and there are probably rare phenomena there.”

“Well, at least it’s not flowers,” Zero remarked dryly.

Rumiya glanced at him but said nothing.

When it was their turn, Harabi spoke. “We choose the Stormy Cliffs.”

Mr. Lim noted their selection.

“Alright. Now your task is to research the region, analyze its unique traits, and prepare a report. At the end of the week, each team will present their findings.”

“Alright, where do we start?” Joon leaned in.

Zero crossed his arms. “We need sources. The library should have books on natural magic.”

“Maybe we should first figure out what creatures live there?” Rumiya suggested, her voice quieter than usual.

Harabi looked at her, then nodded. “Let’s split up. Joon and I will check the library, while you and Zero can look through archives or ask upperclassmen.”

Rumiya stiffened, clearly displeased with being paired with Zero.

“I…” she hesitated but said nothing.

Zero looked at her, as if trying to understand her reaction, but didn’t question it.

“Alright,” he simply said.

They agreed to meet after class and went their separate ways, each lost in thought about the upcoming project.

Harabi and Joon left the classroom, heading toward the library. There were still twenty minutes before lunch, and they decided to make good use of the time.

Harabi slowed her pace, inhaling the cool, slightly dusty air infused with the scent of old pages. Rows of towering bookshelves stretched upward like ancient trees in an enchanted forest, while the soft glow of green lamps on the tables created an atmosphere that was both cozy and mysterious.

She loved books. They held entire worlds hidden between their pages—unlike reality, where everything was so complicated and messy. Her fingers instinctively ran along the spines: thick encyclopedias, time-worn scrolls, collections of stories about great mages of the past…

“You look like you’re at home,” Joon chuckled, watching her.

“Libraries are places where no one is in a hurry. You can just… exist here,” she replied with a gentle smile.

“Well said.”

They chose a table near the window. Outside, the treetops swayed lazily in the wind. Joon sat across from her, resting his elbows on the table.

“So, about Zero?” Harabi asked quietly, careful not to disturb the silence of the library.

Joon hesitated for a second before speaking.

“Are you sure you don’t mind working with Zero?” Joon suddenly asked.

“Well, since he offered to help, why not?” Harabi shrugged. “Although… Rumiya doesn’t seem thrilled.”

“Not surprising,” Joon sighed. “He does have a way of leaving an odd impression.”

Harabi glanced at him, waiting for him to continue.

“Harabi, you do realize that people change when they get their powers, right? Sometimes for the better, sometimes… not.”

“You make it sound like everything is already decided.”

“Not everything, but magic… it’s not just a tool. It’s a part of us. And for some, it’s not a gift—it’s a test. Or maybe even a curse.”

Harabi tilted her head slightly, studying Joon. He always seemed open and good-natured, but now there was something cautious in his voice, as if he was balancing on the edge of what could be said and what should remain unsaid.

“Did something happen the day Zero got his power?”

Joon smiled, but something flickered in his eyes—something hidden.

“It’s a family matter,” he said gently. “Don’t dwell on it, okay?”

“Was it… something really terrible?”

He didn’t answer right away. His expression turned thoughtful, but then he leaned forward, intertwining his fingers.

“I just don’t want you to see him… as an enemy. He does that well enough himself.”

“Do you think he really regrets what happened?”

“Of course. He just doesn’t know how to show it.”

Harabi fell silent, recalling how Zero had avoided her gaze. There was something… broken in his voice.

“If he ever wants to talk, I’m willing to listen,” she said softly.

“You’re too kind, you know?” Joon smiled again, but this time it was different—warm, with a hint of sadness.

“I just want to understand people.”

“Then be prepared—understanding can sometimes be painful.”

They fell into silence as the quiet rustling of pages filled the library, as if agreeing with his words.

Harabi immersed herself in reading. She had chosen a volume on rare magical phenomena, but her thoughts kept drifting back to her conversation with Joon. He was holding something back—it was obvious. But not because he didn’t trust her. More like… he was trying to protect Zero.

She stole a glance at Joon. He sat, hunched over the pages, a faint smile on his lips as if lost in another world. Moments like these suited him—when he wasn’t just the cheerful guy everyone knew, but calm and focused.

The bell rang.

Joon looked up, stretched, and set his book aside with a smile.

“Lunchtime. Shall we go?”

“Yeah…” Harabi reluctantly closed her book, memorizing the page number.

They left the library, step by step returning to the noisy, lively world of the academy.

“Have you decided where you’ll eat?” Joon asked, glancing at her.

“Not really. I usually grab something and eat in my room or in the garden.”

“Then join me in the cafeteria. I promise I won’t make you sit in the crowd,” he said with a playful wink.

Harabi smiled slightly. It was easy with him.

As they entered the cafeteria, they were met with familiar noise. The place was packed with students, voices blending with the clatter of chairs and cutlery. Harabi followed Joon, trying to keep up with his sudden shift in mood.

“Joon?” She quickened her pace to catch up with him.

But he was already heading toward the cafeteria entrance. In the crowd, she spotted familiar chestnut-colored hair and immediately understood who he had seen.

Rumiya stood near the doorway, hesitating as if unsure whether to step inside. Next to her was Zero—his face unreadable as always, arms crossed, his whole stance radiating indifference.

“Rumiya! Zero!” Joon called out cheerfully as he approached them.

Rumiya flinched, as if caught off guard.

“Oh… Joon…” She looked at him and forced a tense smile.

Zero didn’t even glance at his cousin. Instead, his scowl deepened.

“What are you doing here?” Joon asked, tilting his head.

“I… I was just looking for Miki,” Rumiya shifted uncomfortably.

Zero scoffed but said nothing.

Almost as if summoned by name, Miki appeared moments later, carrying two trays. Walking beside her was Damien, effortlessly balancing two more trays with food.

“We’re already here!” Miki chirped as she approached. “I figured you wouldn’t want to fight through the cafeteria crowd, so Damien and I brought food for everyone.”

“We?” Rumiya echoed quietly, glancing between her and Damien. Annoyance flickered in her eyes, and for a moment, it looked like she rolled them.

Damien only smirked, as if he knew exactly what she was thinking.

“Well, it was my idea,” Miki continued, “but Damien wasn’t too keen at first. Still, I needed help.”

“Of course,” Zero muttered, eyeing Damien with obvious dislike. He stepped forward, taking two trays from Miki while openly ignoring Damien. “Here, before you drop them.”

“And where exactly are we supposed to eat?” Damien asked Miki with mild irritation.

“The rooftop!” she announced without hesitation.

Everyone exchanged glances.

“The rooftop?” Harabi repeated.

“Yes! It’s quieter up there, and no one else will be around!” Miki beamed.

“You sure?” Joon raised a brow.

“Absolutely!” Miki turned to Rumiya. “Rumiya, let’s go get the Redhart twins and Tatsuki! It’ll be more fun with them!”

Rumiya clearly wanted to object, but Miki had already grabbed her hand and dragged her away.

“We’ll be quick!” she called over her shoulder before disappearing through the door.

Harabi sighed, looking at the remaining group.

“I’ll go find Tatsuki. Miki and Rumiya probably won’t convince her,” she said.

“Then we’ll head to the rooftop,” Joon added, deftly picking up a tray.

Zero seemed like he wanted to say something but changed his mind.

Damien gave the group a skeptical look but followed anyway.

As they climbed the stairs, Harabi couldn’t ignore the tension in the air. Joon smiled as if oblivious—or pretending to be—while Damien and Zero exchanged sharp glances.

Harabi hoped the food would help lighten the mood.

When Joon, Zero, and Damien reached the rooftop, they were greeted by a light breeze and an open space surrounded by concrete barriers along the edges.

Joon stepped forward first, smiling as he set his tray on one of the low parapets.

“Great, now we just wait for the others,” he said, brushing off imaginary dust from his sleeves.

Zero lowered the trays he was carrying and silently sat on the edge of the roof, crossing his arms over his chest. He immediately leaned back on his elbows, but his tense gaze did not escape Joon. Damien, on the other hand, remained standing, leaning against the wall and lazily gliding his eyes over the open space.

“So why did you even come with us?” Zero suddenly asked, narrowing his eyes at Damien.

Damien smirked, as though he had been expecting this question.

“Consider it a gesture of goodwill,” he replied with a chuckle.

Zero snorted, but something sharp flashed in his eyes.

“From you? Don’t make me laugh.”

Joon, sensing the rising tension, quickly tried to lighten the mood by laughing.

“Hey, hey, let’s just eat, alright? No arguing, okay?”

But Zero just snorted and turned away, while Damien, instead of responding, lazily sat down next to him, crossing his legs.

For a few seconds, they remained silent, but then Damien lazily threw out,

“So, are you still mad about me being around Miki?”

Zero slowly turned his head toward him.

“I don’t care whether you’re with her or not. I just don’t like your face.”

Damien smirked, as though he found it amusing to watch Zero, but there was a cold challenge in his eyes. He slowly stretched his legs out and leaned back, interlacing his hands behind his head.

“You’re too tense, Zero. Relax.”

Zero just gave him a glance before grabbing one of the trays and indifferently starting to sort through the food.

“You’re too full of yourself.”

Damien grinned.

“I just know you won’t be able to do anything.”

Zero placed the bottle of water on the concrete floor with a dull thud, turning his head toward him.

“You’re that sure of yourself?”

The wind on the roof picked up slightly, rustling both of their hair. Joon swallowed nervously, realizing that their tense conversation could escalate into something more.

“Well, well, let’s not ruin our appetite, huh?” he said with a smile, though it was a little strained, trying to keep the lightness in his voice.

Damien tilted his head slightly, as though weighing whether it was worth continuing to provoke Zero.

“I’m just stating a fact,” he finally said, still lazily, but with a hint of mockery in his tone.

Zero turned away, as if he was tired of the conversation, but his clenched fists on his knees said otherwise.

Joon felt the air between them heating up, despite the cool wind that tugged at his hair.

They sat on the roof, surrounded by gray concrete, with plates in front of them, but the food remained untouched.

Somewhere below, the voices of other students could be heard, along with laughter and footsteps, but up here, the tension hung in the air like a taut string.

Zero slightly squinted, his gaze sliding over Damien, then he quietly snorted, leaning back.

“You know,” he said, “you’d do well to have a little less arrogance.”

Damien smirked, not looking away.

“And you, a little more determination.”

Their gazes met, frozen in silent opposition.

Joon sighed, grabbed the bottle of water, and took a big gulp.

This lunch was going to be even longer than he had anticipated.

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