Flames | NCT

Chapter 5

The last thing Renjun expected was to be walking into Mark's house that day, the three of them going straight for his father's study. Renjun and Minjee watched as the male raised his hand to knock on his father's door just for it to swing open.

"About time." Mark's father said, inviting them in. "What took you all so long?"

"I'm still working on the portal spell." Mark said, slightly shaking his head. "It's not as easy as I expected."

"If it's easy than something's wrong." The Wizard Coven Leader said as he sat them down at his meeting table. "Now tell me why you're here."

Renjun felt the two others stare at him so he took a deep breath before explaining.

"We think Haechan's bewitched but we need proof that his symptoms really connect to bewitchment." Renjun told the Coven Leader.

"So you're looking for a book?" Mark's father asked. They nodded their heads.

They watched as Mark's father rubbed his temples. "I was afraid you were going to say that."

"Wait why, don't we have some in the library?" Mark asked. The Coven Leader shook his head.

"No, dark magic is strictly forbidden. Most of the books were burned." The Coven Leader informed them.

"Wait, you said most. What about the other ones?" Minjee asked.

The Coven Leader's eyes darkened.

"You'll need to go to Hell for those."

...

"Jisung!" Jimin called out to the boy waiting in the halls for the girl. He smiled as he stood straight, placing his phone in his pocket.

"Ready to go?" Jisung asked. Jimin nodded and Jisung was surprised when she linked her arms with his.

"I'm so ready." Jimin said as they walked towards the agency building. "Jisung, you don't know how happy I am that we're training together. If the agency didn't change that, I would be stuck with those stupid twins alone."

Jisung chuckled. He was glad to be with Jimin again but a part of him felt bittersweet. Yes, it was great to be with Jimin, but at the same time, he began training with the seniors, who were going to be mentoring them this year.

Jimin stopped them halfway there, pulling Jisung back. He turned to look at her.

"What's wrong?" Jimin asked, worry filling her face.

"Nothing." Jisung lied but Jimin saw right through it.

"Don't lie to me, Ji. You know you can tell me anything." Jimin insisted.

Jisung was trying to come up with another lie but failed miserably the second his eyes met Jimin's.

"I just kind of feel... held back, you know?" Jisung said, scratching the back of his neck. "Like I completed my initiation mission three years ago and did the duo's last year but I'm still getting mentored... again... and it's with agents I trained with."

Jimin nodded her head. "Yeah, I can understand that. Maybe you should talk to Taeyong?"

Jisung shook his head. "But then I won't be training with you."

Jimin gave him a small smile before linking their arms again, continuing to walk.

"It's just the twins and Nari, nothing I can't handle." Jimin said, reassuring him.

"Oh really now?" Jisung said, raising an eyebrow. He earned a light slap from the girl.

"I can, but sharing the pain is easier." Jimin said, smiling as they entered the agency building.