Summary:

Joshua thought his life was filled with wonder—magic at his fingertips, a love shared with the most captivating man in Serene Hightower Academy. But like all tales, his too was destined to take a darker turn.

In a world woven with spells and secrets, every story needs its villain. And with the arrival of The Duke, the fabric of Joshua's world begins to unravel. The very magic that once brought joy now brings uncertainty, and the future is clouded with shifting alliances and broken dreams.

As the stakes rise, Joshua and Seungcheol's love is put to the ultimate test. Will their bond endure the weight of the world's chaos? And for Mingyu, heir to the throne of Carat Land, can he protect both his destiny and his heart, even as the shadows of war and betrayal close in around him and Jeonghan?

***

It's a perplexing romance in a messy situation, presently it's fascinating.

*Inspired by Harry Potter.
* Part I: The Society of The Shadow belongs to the series "Carat Land and the magic of the odd"

Note: Although this fic is inspired by Harry Potter, I've made an effort to create a magical world that stands on its own. As a result, some laws, rules, and even spells will differ quite a bit from the ones in the Harry Potter universe.

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Chapter 01. Everything was wonderful
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Alone in the quiet shadows of a world that wouldn't accept them, hiding in plain sight.

A foreign-blood wizard and a noble heir, two souls bound by a love neither could fully grasp nor abandon. They had shared stolen moments in secret woods, enchanted lands, and rooms where whispers became the only truth they could trust–

A forbidden romance.

Joshua, a foreign-blood wizard, president of the a secret society in Serene Hightower Academy, was the last person anyone would imagine falling for Choi Seung Cheol— a pure-blood, the golden heir of one of the most powerful families in the realm. The very same Choi Seung Cheol whose name was spoken in hushed tones of reverence and fear. And yet, here they were.

Joshua's heart raced as he leaned back against the pillows, the room dark save for the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the window. Outside, the world was still, but inside this quiet room, a secret simmered—

It was messy, tangled, and more complicated than he could ever have imagined. And yet, it was so utterly fascinating. It was a secret that Joshua and his lover kept hidden from the world—though they did their best to keep it under wraps, their bond was undeniable.

"Cheol ah..." Joshua whispered.

Seung Cheol paused mid-motion as his fingers ran through Joshua's hair. His gaze softened, and for a moment, there was no heir to the most powerful family in Carat Land, no student of the prestigious magical school, no expectations—only them. Only this.

"Do you ever think about what would happen if anyone found out?" Joshua asked, his voice barely more than a whisper now, as though the very act of speaking the truth would make it real.

Seung Cheol's fingers tightened slightly in his hair, pulling him closer, as though he was afraid to let go. "Every day," he admitted. "But you and I both know that we love to keep this relationship hidden from everyone."

Joshua smiled. "I love when you know me so well."

The tension between them wasn't just the pull of a forbidden love; it was the weight of the world, the knowledge that everything they were doing was a risk. A dangerous one.

Seung Cheol didn't answer Joshua. Instead, he pulled the youngster closer, his lips brushing against his forehead, his breath warm against his skin.

Joshua closed his eyes, allowing himself to sink into the embrace, the quiet intimacy between them filling the room. This, despite everything, despite all the reasons they shouldn't be together, was where he felt the safest.

-

If people knew who shared those whispered moments with Joshua in the dead of night, they would be shocked. After all, it was Choi Seung Cheol. The very last person anyone would expect Joshua to be with.

But Joshua's life had been full of extraordinary events since the day he discovered magic existed.

Joshua had been born into a wealthy family, the kind that seemed to have it all. But at 15, he discovered something even more extraordinary: he was a wizard. His family didn't believe him, leaving him to fend for himself. He left everything behind, traveling alone to Carat Land—the birthplace of all magic. There, he had been welcomed into a magical school, an invitation from the headmaster himself.

It should have been perfect. Magic, freedom, power—and Seung Cheol by his side. But even in a world of wonder, things could go wrong. And they did.

Every story had its villain, and this magical world was no different. This one, however, was worse than anything Joshua had ever imagined.

"The Duke," people whispered—always in fear.

Joshua had heard the rumors, of course. The Duke was said to be an ancient, royal figure, someone who had disappeared during the Great War over a thousand years ago. The stories were hazy, but the fear was palpable. No one had actually seen him, but his presence was everywhere.

-

"You don't think the Duke could be... a lady, do you?" Joshua mused aloud, his fingers lightly trailing through his hair as he lay back on his bed.

Seung Cheol, who had been sitting across the room, turned his gaze toward him, a smirk playing on his lips. "Where did that idea come from?"

Joshua chuckled, the sound light but uncertain. "I don't know. I just—" He stopped himself, unsure of why the thought had crossed his mind. The Duke was a mystery, a figure of power and darkness, and no one knew what he really wanted.

Seung Cheol raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "Have you met the Duke?"

Joshua gave a nonchalant shrug, though there was a flicker of unease behind his eyes. "Has anyone actually met this man? Or is it just a regular bad guy story?"

Seung Cheol's expression hardened slightly. "You're serious about this, aren't you?"

"I am." Joshua met his gaze, his tone quiet but firm. "There's been talk. About what he wants. About how he despises anyone who isn't pureblood. About how he'll wipe out anyone who doesn't follow his rules."

The room grew silent, the only sound the soft rustling of the sheets. Seung Cheol's gaze softened for a moment, and he stood up, walking toward the bed.

"You shouldn't worry about that," he said, his voice calm, giving compliments to comfort Joshua. "You're one of the strongest wizards I know. You've got nothing to fear."

Joshua felt the warmth of Seung Cheol's presence as he sat beside him, but the truth lingered in the back of his mind. The Duke was dangerous. And he had made it clear he would spare no one.

"Shouldn't you be worried about your parents? I heard there were conflicts in Grimblehawk and Bloomfield. People are dying..."

"They'll be fine." Seung Cheol let out a sigh. "They have Protectors and one of the strongest Guardian Creatures by their side."

While they both stared at the ceilings, clockwise slowly moved. The night seemed to last a little longer as time passed.

Seung Cheol suddenly turns to glimpse Joshua's lovely face in the dim light. His eyes catch a hint of sadness, his fingers tracing Joshua's hair. "I don't care about anyone else. I only care about... you."

Joshua's chest tightened, but he couldn't help the smile that tugged at his lips. "Why? I can take care of myself."

If there's one thing Joshua is certain about, it's his ability to fight and exist alone. He's not the type of person who would die after being abandoned in the woods. He would battle wolves and demons, cleanse all ghosts by himself if necessary. Surely, his secret society shares a strong bond, and they will fight alongside him for the greater good.

"I know you can," Seung Cheol whispered, his voice low, his arms wrapping around Joshua's waist as he pulled him closer. "But there's a dangerous man with great magic out there. Please keep in mind that he despises your blood. And I would rather kill myself than see you..."

Joshua's heart skipped a beat at his words, but he pushed the thought away. He was used to fighting alone, used to being strong. But there was something about Seung Cheol's words, something in the way he held him, that made the weight of it all feel even heavier.

Seung Cheol wrapped his arms around Joshua's waist, reached the top of his head and enjoyed the familiar shampoo scent. Feeling his lover's presence is such a blessing.

Joshua closed his eyes for a moment, his hand curling into a fist at his side. "I miss the good old days," he murmured, his voice barely a whisper. It took him a long time to observe and accept the truth–

No kids are allowed to remain outside after nine o'clock in the evening. No student is allowed to return home for Christmas unless their family is properly secured. Teachers push their students to practice more and tests cannot be cheated in any way. More Guardian Creatures are summoned. More Protectors arrive under the Queen's order.

Seung Cheol's hand stroked his hair gently. "I miss them too," he said softly.

Before everything became a battle for survival, before the world outside their walls grew darker. Now, it felt like every step they took was drawing them deeper into a tale of death and danger.

Seung Cheol tenderly touched the boy's hair. He soon realized that Joshua's voice had became imprinted in his mind.

"Everything was wonderful." His little lover says.

And he responses:

"Indeed."

It used to be.

But for now, Joshua would hold on to the comfort of Seung Cheol's arms and the warmth of their shared moments, knowing the world would continue to change around them.