Upside Down, Around, & Absolutely Absurd | TXT FF ✅

0.7: To Bond Is To Dedicate

The Lake Of Mist was exactly what it sounded like. A lake entirely made of mist & seemed to have no bottom. Headmaster Choi lead them to the Circle Of The Houses that rested close to the lake, not too far from the institute. The Circle Of The Houses essentially were short tree-stumps that had each house' name magically carved into them with candles sitting in the center. "수빈이 형이요.연준이 형이요. 먼저 집에 촛불을 켜주세요," (Soobin...Yeonjun... Please light your house candles first,) Headmaster Choi called upon them.

Beomgyu taking his place with Soobin since they were the only two in the same house. Taehyun & Huening Kai followed after lighting their house candles. Headmaster Choi stood next the lake. A bright hot fire erupted within the center of the stumps. "AHHHH !" Kai jumped back slightly feeling the heat more intensely. The fire couldn't burn you, but it was very intense.

A few minutes had passed before the fire subsided leaving bracelets for the five of them. Bracelets that represented their respective houses. "Are we expected to wear these during our time at the institute ?" Beomgyu had asked as his eyes remained glued to his bracelet. Headmaster Choi offered a smile. The kind of smile that Soobin wasn't even used to seeing. One of guidance. "Yes. You are to wear these bracelets. It shows your dedication to your houses."

Taehyun pointed at the lake. "호수는 어때요? 우리가 탐험을 해도 될까요?" (What about the lake ? Are we allowed to explore it ?) Quickly Headmaster Choi' expression became panicked & all traces of his previous smile gone. "You must not explore the Lake Of Mist. It is strictly forbidden." The lake seemed like a friendly enough space to explore, but it was highly dangerous. With good reason too.

Soobin then explained why the lake was off limits since the other four were a bit confused. "There are rumors that the mist would suck you in & drown you while your mind wanders. It can break apart who you are showing you parts of yourself you either wanted to never know, or brought forth everything you've been avoiding. Complete transformation of person. Loss of true self."

"Promise you'll stay away from the lake." Simultaneously they all instantly agreed, "우리는 호수에서 멀리 떨어져 있을 것을 약속합니다." (We promise to stay away from the lake.) They were now bonded with their bracelets. Headmaster Choi walked them back to the institute before dropping them at their rooms.

Soobin was last, of course. "You had your mother & I worried. Had you felt sick as soon as you arrived for your sorting test ?" His father was being cordial. Soobin knew otherwise than to believe it was because he cared deeply about him. It was all for appearances, right ? "그게 걱정되세요? 난 알아차리지 못 했어요." (You care about that ? I hadn't noticed.) His father strained a smile as they walked the halls. He didn't drop Soobin at the Lycan dorms alongside Beomgyu.

"You need to keep yourself in line, Soobin. I can't help you if you wish to act this way..." His father honestly couldn't understand why his son was acting in such a way. However, he never really payed much attention to his son anyway. The institute' image always was a priority above all else. Even his son. Hell, his older brothers got more respect from his father than he did.

"It isn't an act, Headmaster..." The conversation fell silent as they made their way back around to the House Lycan dormitory. Anyone roaming the halls has now peeped that Soobin was son of the Headmaster. So he got many stares before he disappeared into his dorm.

This is where things get weird...