Win No Matter What

CHAPTER 31 - WITHOUT A TRACE

Yoongi is standing at his desk, rapping his fingers on the tabletop with eerily clear enunciation. Anyone who knows him will know that he is currently deep in thought. Up until thirty minutes ago, his bracelet had been pulsing discreetly as it had done for the past week. This was causing Yoongi to frown and wonder whether Ji Min had gone off the grid. The bracelet has now gone silent, which means the tracer he put in Ji Min's last recovery elixir wasn't being detected anymore, which also means Ji Min has been nowhere near the Academy for the last half hour.

This is not good. He'd better not have done anything stupid, especially with Rumi. It's bad enough his condition has been getting worse, now I have to worry about them both. Where are you Park Ji Min?

With no time to waste, Yoongi leaves his room in search of Nam Joon. Ten minutes later, all the Bangtan guys have gathered in Nam Joon's room, discussing the next steps.

"Yoongi hyung, are you sure Ji Min isn't still on Academy grounds? What if he's just wandered really deep into the forest and the tracer is simply glitching?" asks Jung Kook.

"Jung Kook, as I'd explained, since I am the one who created that tracer, it will be fully functional regardless of how deep into the forest Ji Min wanders. If it's not responding, then he's not deep in the forest, but probably deep in another realm," replies Yoongi, whose patience is running thin.

Jung Kook avoids asking Yoongi any more questions, opting instead to give Seok Jin a meaningful look. They both know how irritable Yoongi can get when his elixirs are the topic of discussion. Nam Joon then steps in, "Seeing as we haven't seen either Ji Min and Rumi since yesterday, let's assume they are both together and therefore both missing. We know that they were both going to explore the library before we had changed our plans. So I think that's the first place we should search. All of us except Tae Hyung and Ho Seok will go to the library." Looking at them, he instructs, "You two will stay here and help Principal Bang to get all the students back home safely. Make sure every student has left before briefing the rest of the teachers on who or what will be visiting us soon."

The mood has now become sombre and the air feels heavy. Tae Hyung and Ho Seok rush over to the Main Hall to help Principal Bang who is currently explaining to the fifth years that their exams have been postponed. Most of them are jubilant, few are crying at the wasted opportunity, and some are insisting on staying to help their teachers.

"But Principal Bang, is it something to do with malspirits? Is that why you're sending us home early? Are they going to invade the Academy? We want to help! Madam Min made us research them so we're pretty much experts. You'll need all the help you can get to fight them off!" claims Min Ho.

"Yes, please Principal Bang, we're stronger than you think. Madam Min has been teaching us really well, we can defend ourselves and the Academy," adds another student. Principal Bang beams proudly at his students who are willing to help in any way they can. But he knows that what they will encounter is too dangerous, and potentially life-threatening, for young adults to be exposed to.

His thoughts are interrupted by Ho Seok who has heard the whole conversation. "Principal Bang, if I may make a suggestion. Min Ho and his friends are the best in their class (yes I know his organisational skills are questionable). My classroom is opposite Madam Min's and I've seen what her students can do. They are actually highly competent at the advanced spells. Maybe if we keep back a handful of students, with their parents' permission, it will allow us to cover all our bases. And we'll be sure to keep an eye on them at all times."

Principal Bang looks doubtful but considers the suggestion. He doesn't know which teachers have actually pledged themselves to Lord Luciferous and so whom he can actually trust, outside of the Bangtan guys, is hard to determine. He is, however, confident that these students in front of him now are genuine. He has seen them grow over the last five years and knows that they are nothing but loyal to the Academy, its staff and their peers. At this moment in time, Principal Bang is filled with pride at what the Academy has accomplished in terms of fostering well-rounded, honourable young men and women. After what seems like an eternity to everyone in front of him, he responds, "Alright, Min Ho. You and some of your friends can stay, but we will decide on who can help us. We are very grateful for your courage, but, you will be under the strict supervision of Masters Jung, Kim, Jeon and Min at all times. You will absolutely, under no circumstance, wander off anywhere by yourselves."

"What about Master Park and Madam Min? How come they won't be supervising us?" asks the ever-astute Min Ho.