New spell unlocked:

"Phantotis is a common spell that will unlock a door that is ours..." - Joshua.

***

Two days later, Joshua can finally return to class. He wanted to get out of bed sooner, but Seungcheol definitely disagreed. Jeonghan came to visit in the evening and met Seungcheol every time. They exchanged greetings but never talked more than five words. Joshua had no idea that would make them feel so weird, so he decided to spend lunch with both of them to make them feel more comfortable.

Fortunately, it worked well. Given that they are both Warriors, Jeonghan and Seungcheol grew closer.

Sadly, Joshua was unable to help Jeonghan and Mingyu. The two had a major problem, but it appeared that they couldn't resolve it at this time. It had already been six months. Joshua can't help but think that Jeonghan is concealing his true feelings for Mingyu.

The best friend never admitted it, not even with Joshua. But it's clear that Jeonghan can't let go of his past romance.

Eventually, Jeonghan and Mingyu built up an odd vibe whenever the four of them gathered. It didn't appear to bother Seungcheol. But it's driving Joshua insane.

One week later, after facing the mysterious Blackcoat Lady, Joshua and Jeonghan have managed to get over their trauma. They could fulfill the task they promised Miss Sandra at last.

They returned to the hallway in the middle dimension in search of the Hidden Library.

Everything was great until Jeonghan couldn't stop Joshua from asking Mingyu-related questions, such as:

"Did you guys talk?"

"Did you see his face when he spotted you from afar?"

"Don't you have anything to say?"

"Why don't you tell The Prince that you still like him?"

Finally, Jeonghan was the one going nuts. He screamed:

"Can you please just SHUT UP and focusing on our mission? FOR MERLIN'S SAKE!"

Joshua stared at him for a few seconds before opening his mouth. He couldn't be offended at Jeonghan; he was only shocked since Jeonghan became enraged when he mentioned Mingyu.

Joshua grinned. He knew his best friend too well to pretend nothing happened.

"Very well." He went on to say, "But if our spell can't open this door, we need help from Seungcheol and Mingyu."

Jeonghan looked around and sighed briefly. He couldn't protest Joshua's plan considering that they were stuck on what to do next. Seungcheol had the ability to kill the blackcoat lady, so it was clear that he could help opening the door on the right. Mingyu may have learnt magic from a top warrior, therefore they would require his support in difficult situations.

They may encounter some threats along the road. Finding the truth might land them in unanticipated jeopardy.

The best friends were standing in a freezing hallway with snow falling from above. The longer they stood here, the lower the temperature became. Jeonghan noticed Joshua's hands trembling and his lips turning pale.

"I don't know if we are heading in the right direction." said Jeonghan.

"What? The hallway has only two doors. The left one leads to our meeting room, so the right one must be it." Joshua then lowered his voice. "Perhaps..."

After a series of recent incidents, Joshua began to second-guess his decision. He was eager to learn the truth, but he was also anxious that they might get lost on their quest. They're simply students, after all. Instead of traveling to the middle dimension and attempting to pass through a magical door, they should just stay in their dorm, attend class as needed, and practice magic with their friends. They aren't even sure the Hidden Library exists. It's not that they doubt Miss Sandra; the situation's just too puzzling.

"Phantotis." Joshua pointed his wand at the doorknob, but nothing happened. Jeonghan even charmed Portaotis as he envisioned the Hidden Library.

But no matter how hard they tried, the door remained locked.

"It won't work. Let's go back to the dorm first, then try again later." Jeonghan said.

"This is so frustrating." Joshua sighed. "Phantotis is a common spell that will unlock a door that is ours; of course, it won't work on this one. Why am I still doing it?"

Jeonghan noticed his best friend's disappointment and pallor as if he were ill. Finally, he stated:

"Alright. We'll discuss it with Seungcheol and Mingyu. Hopefully, they will know what to do."

"Seungcheol doesn't know about our secret group." Joshua was concerned.

"I'm aware of that. This is why you have to talk to him first." Jeonghan pointed out.

This prompted Joshua to come up with an ambitious plan. He tried to appease his boyfriend's rage by making a cherry dessert and going for a late-night moonlight walk with Seungcheol. He thought it was wonderful, or it appeared to be.

Seungcheol picked up on anything strange about Joshua immediately since he was extremely sensitive when it came to the boy. Joshua only bakes when he is worried. They were also not the type of couple who would go for a late-night stroll around the lake. Because of the group classification, Joshua had a panic attack the last time they were here.

He hated forcing Joshua spoke about the situation. That was why he waited and waited.

He eventually heard the youngster say:

"Miss Sandra and I have a secret."

Seungcheol came to a halt as soon as Joshua mentioned Miss Sandra. That was the moment Joshua regretted telling the truth. The most obnoxious thing was that he couldn't escape it. Before entering the middle dimension and freezing in front of that mystery door, Seungcheol needed to know.

"We formed a secret group of students. We haven't given it a name, but it was fantastic at first; it grew larger till recently. The Duke effect broke us down. Miss Sandra was so busy that she couldn't properly care for it; the burden is now on my shoulders."

"Is this Miss Sandra idea?" Seungcheol asked with a grimace.

Joshua studied his expression before nodding.

"Yes. But I adore it, Cheol. Jeonghan came in and was quite helpful. Our group is just interested in learning new spells and practicing magic together."

"Did you know that Miss Sandra has a group of wealthy students who also want to learn new spells and practice magic together?"

Joshua noticed a peculiar expression on Seungcheol's face. He gradually recognized that his boyfriend knew far too much but never proactively disclosed it.

"What do you mean?"

Both of them had their gaze locked on one another. They began to examine the other person's mood as they evaluated what was going on. Love, in some ways, has made them more cautious when assessing the other person; even their behavior is managed with a certain awareness.

"I'm one of them. But she abandoned us a few months ago." Seungcheol eventually revealed what was hidden behind the curtain. "She was harsh, so none of us want her back."

To summarize, they both held secrets. They just don't know which is worse.

Seungcheol could be trusted, but Joshua was skeptical about how much of what his boyfriend stated was true. The thought stung into his brain slowly. As the ache in his temples grew, Joshua frowned.

"Miss Sandra has said nothing about the other group, and she was nice to me." He said it firmly.

"That is why I am now telling you the truth. I understand she was busy. But she abandoned us, Joshua. I don't know how close you two are, but that's what I learned about Miss Sandra. She lit the fire, then let it burn out. That's exactly what she does."

Joshua's mind shattered. He heard a breaking crash next to his ear. He tried to push the thought aside, but Seungcheol's words stayed with him. It hurt so much that he prayed that Seungcheol was lying.

Joshua abandoned his family and traveled alone to Carat Land. He was, indeed, a loner. The only person who was almost like his parents was Miss Sandra. She is not only a teacher, but she is also a light guiding him in his darkness. Miss Sandra was always there to look after him during his first few months at this school, even before he met Seungcheol.

Joshua abruptly withdrew his hand from Seungcheol's grip. He was one step away, but the eyes refused to let Seungcheol approach any closer. Neither of them has any idea how the table turned so swiftly.

Love should have been a raging fire that never exploded like a bomb.

In such a short length of time, they stared at each other, bewildered.

"She left you; that doesn't mean she would do it to me." Joshua made a remark.

Seungcheol was frustrated, but he urged the boy to listen regardless.

"You can't trust her since this is what I've learned. She gathered the students for her own purposes, and she doesn't care about us."

"No. She genuinely cares for me." Joshua grinned half-heartedly, half-crying, tossing aside Seungcheol's words like a stubborn child.

"Oh really? What did she inquire this time? What task did she give you? It seems interesting yet challenging enough to get you to tell me the truth, I bet."

"It was... hard." Joshua exclaimed with difficulty. "But it's true that I need your help."

"And?" Seungcheol asked, trying to contain his fury.

"I can't reveal everything before you calm down and listen."

That's when Seungcheol went completely insane.

"Gosh! Joshua!" With anger, he yelled. "Why do you expect my understanding when you refuse to talk???"

"You keep secrets and make rash decisions. And now you're mad at me???" Joshua couldn't see Seungcheol's hand clenched as his face was reddened and he had nearly broken into tears.

The worst part is that neither of them knew why everything turned out this way. With their chaotic, jumbled thought, they were unable to perceive things properly.

There's no breeze or singing birds; it's a gorgeous night in complete silence. Before the moment died, gray moonlight veiled their faces and both of them progressively regretted everything they'd just shot at each other.

Seungcheol had finally acknowledged that Miss Sandra was an important person to Joshua; even he couldn't compare to her. But acceptance was not the same as satisfaction. As a result, it still triggered him.

He used to believe that this love was unbreakable and that no one loved Joshua more than he did. Miss Sandra was no exception, thus he didn't have faith in her. But it was clear that didn't break Joshua's faith in her, and he had no authority to erase it or make it fade.

Seungcheol eventually lowered his voice and said:

"I can't stay mad. At the end of the day and the next, I shall always be in love with you. If you want to do something insane, I want to be there. Either to help you or protect you, I'm fine with it."

Joshua's heart sank as he caught sight of his look. A memory flashed before his eyes, in which Seungcheol was nothing more than a lifeless corpse. He was drained after the conflict and regretted the ridiculously broken trust. Whatever Seungcheol said about Miss Sandra, Joshua would still be in love with him. At the end of the day and tomorrow, it will be just like that.

A chilly breeze pulled him out of his state of mind. The feelings firing in his throat forced him to utter it aloud:

"Oh God... I'm... I'm sorry. I had no idea what I'd just said."

Joshua said with shaking voice. He soon failed to keep the distance when a hand gently patted his hair. The boy slid into Seungcheol's arms and felt the familiar warmth embrace him. He tightened his grip on Seungcheol then drew his face closer, kissing his lips.

In just a moment, he murmured:

"I'm going insane. But I love you."

At the end of the day, it'll always be Seungcheol who comforts his blazing fire downward.