idk bro gimme a break

ITWT - Chapter 11 (raw)

Opening his eyes, the dread sat over his chest. Just like any other day, his goal never changed.

Jake is the same as ever.

Doing his routine, eyeing Jay, waiting for any sign.

The same question is stuck in his mind. Will Jay ever come back?

As usual, he wasn't able to keep track of Jongseong all day.

Niki began pestering him once again. He wonders why the younger suddenly went back on his job, Jake was sure he was occupied with something else lately.

Jake didn't think too much of it.

But in a blink of an eye, as if it was orchestrated beforehand, Jake lost sight of Jongseong for the rest of the day.

It wasn't anything new.

But what worried him is he hasn't seen the prince as well.

Niki continuously talked.

From his favorite sculpture to sword stance, he kept rambling.

Then comes the realization, the morbid reality of why Niki suddenly reappeared, Jake isn't too naive.

He solved the mystery.

.

Heeseung is a strange man, that's all Jay could assess.

Chanting a spell would have been an easier route, yet here he is, drawing a circle on the floor. He is using symbols, which are usually used by witches. It's considered dark magic. Jongseong learned a few of them back then. It shocked him, the prince brought him to a witch. They are notorious for being evil. A decree was issued to forbid any dark magic in the land, they kept control by putting a barrier all over the kingdom.

It's shocking to know its usage wasn't completely obliterated.

"I don't usually do this, but since you mentioned something about going far back than your current age, I might have a hard time breaking the barrier" Heeseung explained while throwing a bunch of seeds in the circle.

"Barrier?"

Heeseung, without looking at Jay, didn't let the questions hinder his progress and answered "Memories are complicated, traveling in them requires more power. Between the brain and everything else, there's a shield protecting our minds, we study how to puncture that shield without breaking it"

No one really knew this fact. Outside the noble walls, memory magic is considered elite. That's all there is to it, no one knew what exactly they do. It's an information meant hidden from everyone. But with recent information, that knowledge obviously comes with power. Hence why the only ones who are aware of it fact are the royal family and the families who practice it.

Why did Heeseung tell him this information so casually?

"Alright, time to start" Heeseung went inside the circle and turned to Jongseong

"Get in" He instructed

Jay doesn't know whether to trust Heeseung fully or not. This could be the prince's ploy into making him submit under him. It's always been a risk to trust the prince. But since he's already here, might as well trust Heeseung for a while. Besides, there's no other path into this.

This is his only shot.

Jay stepped inside the circle.

Heeseung reached out both of his hands, Jay naturally held it and looked at Heeseung, with confusion.

"Relax, you're doing fine" It must have been obvious Jay was shaky. It's all new to him after all. "I'll cast the spell now, you may close your eyes"

Why?