The Black Swan

Chapter 10: Square One?

It has been a week since Yoonie and her teammates met up with the leader of the Queen's Shield. As a result of the loss of her powers, Yoonie had no choice but to undertake the order given by Eunbi. Her final decree: Yoonie will be allowed to stay in the faction, though in secret. She will dedicate the rest of her days in order to learn how to harness her new power - Dark Magic.

The Royal Castle... But why would the Battle Mage tutor reside here? Could she really be that powerful?

Yoonie greets the attendant at the front gate of the violet castle, handing over a deed made by her faction's leader to allow her entry. The written document was a dummy agreement with a frivolous excuse for Yoonie to enter the castle and meet up with Chaewon. Eunbi figured that the only way Yoonie could learn Dark Magic without fear of nosey eavesdroppers and whistle-blowers, was to cover it up as an official assignment commanded by Eunbi herself.

A servant of the castle emerges from behind the front doors. She bows courteously towards the lone Yoonie, gesturing for her to follow.

Unless...

------(Flashback)------

"It's a mysterious art that I've never personally understood... Maybe Chaewon will be able to help." Eunbi mused while Minju was occupied with collecting Yuri's memories of their investigation of the Nightmare Monarch. The operation had turned south as the trio found themselves separated - but it was Lia who managed to sought help and return with a squad of twelve from the Full Moon - a secret operative under the Jang Kingdom that was more skilled in confronting enemy threats.

"Kim Chaewon? You mean, the Ice/Lightning Partisan?" Lia could not hold back her admiration at the figure in question. "I've heard so many things about the famous Battle Mage tutor."

"Unlike tutors teaching at the Academy, Chaewon specialises in managing a unique array of students. But fret not - I will see it that you will be able to partake in her classes as well." Eunbi assured her.

"Thank you, High Lady. So will she be able to understand the elusive nature of the Dark Magic I now possess?"

"Dark Magic is relatively unheard of in this day and age, Yoonie. There might be a chance that even the highly-learned Chaewon is unable to help you: so you must help yourself get out of this mess that you're in."

"What about my mentor, Lady Sakura?"

"That shall remain unchanged - Sakura will always be the most fitting mentor to help you understand the ways of the faction: treasure that - and her."

Yoonie nods her head in agreeance. There was a wave of gratitude surrounding her for all that the leader had done for her despite her folly. Yet, something irked her: why had the leader been so understanding in helping her? A part of her felt that she had done little to be deserving of such compassion, much less from someone of such high power.

"All done," Minju announces, before taking her leave, careful not to draw much attention to herself.

"Kim Minju, huh?" Yuri murmured, rubbing her right temple with her fingertips, as if warding away the weary feeling of having her memories read. "What a unique magic she has."

"Indeed," Eunbi agreed, "it is even said that your last name might bear some sort of link to a common ancestry - and the kind of powers you have. And if you haven't noticed, both Minju and Chaewon bear the last name, 'Kim'."

Yuri and Lia turned towards Yoonie in instinct.

"What?"

Yuri raised her eyebrows at Lia. "Oh Yoonie, it's nothing."