A mysterious thief grabs hold of one-half of an ancient artifact that threatens the lives of the wizarding community. Byulyi, a magical law enforcer bands together with Jungkook, her mentee, and Jin, a peculiar time-traveling wizard, to collect piec...
London glittered from the balcony of a flat. Behind the tiny lights of the city, the sky was soft indigo with just the right amount of pink. The sound of a lazy piano was heard below from the pub. It signaled the end of the workweek where glasses clanked, and men and women laughed.
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A few flights of stairs above, Yongsun turned off the kettle and poured two mugs full of hot water. She scooped a dollop of honey and mixed it with a bag of chamomile tea. Dressed in pink yoga pants and a light cardigan, she leaned over the door frame and observed her two roommates.
Byulyi sat down with a distressed exhale, feeling the ache from her limbs and back. That evening, she set aside her usual office wear and chose a comfortable pair of blue pajamas and a white t-shirt. To complete her look, she had pain patches on her ankles and elbows.
"How bad is it?" Byulyi asked her sister, Seulgi.
"Moderate sprain and a few contusions," Seulgi crumpled up the pain patches and lightly hovered her hand over her sister's elbow.
For most people, it looked like the Healer was examining an injury, but to Byulyi she could see the nonverbal healing spell. To her, it was like a seafoam green ribbon wrapped around her limb in a continuous motion. Like a worn-down sweater weaving itself back, she could feel her ligaments set to their place and cool down from inflammation.
When they were younger Byulyi tried to explain the ability to her siblings. Minhyuk only thought she was lying and Seulgi thought it was a useful gift. Byulyi knew her younger sister was just trying to make her feel better.
"Thank you, Seulgi-yah," Byulyi commented, immediately stretching her arm.
Seulgi sighed, and her eyes narrowed. "You still need to rest. What was it this time?"
"Fell off my broom and into the River Thames?" Byulyi said the last part in a murmur. She pursed her lips and looked towards the window. Another scolding.
"Eonni-!"
"Gomawo, Seulgi-yah. What would we do without you? Join me when you're finished. Okay, Byulie?" Byulyi was grateful for Yongsun's interruption.
"Anytime, Yongsun-eonni," said Seulgi. Before her older sibling could stand, she placed a gentle hand on her sister's knee. Her eyebrows creased together. "I worry about you, Eonnie. Please be careful. Always."
"I will Seulgi-yah," she gave her little sister a cute pat on the head and nodded.
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As Byulyi stood up to leave, she took a moment to observe Seulgi organize her medical books.
After scouring the city for a flat that was both comfortable and fit their budget, they came across a building complex that used to be a shoe factory. The rooms were small. Just enough to fit a single-sized bed and squeeze in a wardrobe against exposed brick walls. For the past four years, the three females called it home, and for the first time, Byulyi was going to be away from it.
She took her gaze away for a moment and looked at two photographs pasted on Seulgi's vanity mirror. One was a moving picture of her and her siblings, all grown up at Seulgi's graduation as a Healer. Another, one she held dear, was of her parents dressed in their wedding formals with flower petals being showered over them. They smiled and waved at her, but what was to be a piece of happy memory was bittersweet as Byulyi traced the burnt edges of the photograph.
Seeing that her sister was getting ready for bed, Byulyi went out to the balcony. Yongsun handed Byulyi her hot tea, and both relaxed their elbows on the railings.
"So you've been chosen. Congratulations, soon-to-be Lead Auror Moon!"
"My mentee has to give me a shining evaluation first, Yong."
"Aigo. Enough with the false modesty. C'mon. C'mon," Yongsun bumped Byulyi's shoulders.
Holding back was an impossible feat when it came to her eonni. Byulyi put her mug down and stretched her arms in the air with a large smile playing on her lips. "I'm going to be a Lead Auror!" she breathed in a lungful of chilly air and brought down her arms. "I've wanted this for so long."
"And you deserve it too! Yeolobun, my friend here is going to be promoted!" Yongsun yelled to the pub patrons who drunkenly raised their glasses.
Seoul, South Korea. Byulyi thought. Her mind was reeling with the prospect of visiting her homeland. While Kim Yongsun thought of tteokbokki and visiting family during Chuseok, Moon Byulyi had never set foot on Korean soil.
"Maybe it's fate that it's Seoul. I know the destination is random, but it could be destiny, you know," Yongsun started.
"If you're talking about destiny. I'll be sure to find a wide-eyed Korean boy for you to date," Byulyi chuckled.
"Jinjja, this girl. You know what I mean," Yongsun pouted her lips before adding. "Make sure he's cute. And you, when was the last time you went on a date, huh?"
"My life's too busy as an Auror, and besides, I have you and Seulgi-"
"And the criminal from last week, yes. You're always working."
"Alright. Alright. I know where this is going," Byulyi gave a shoulder bump. "Don't worry about me, Yongsun."
"I think this program will be good for you. Trust me."
Both girls clanked their mugs and savored the few moments they had together before the big night.
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