The World of Elm
Imperfection
Y/N
Are you alright, Minho?
Minho
Hm?
The two of us had walked in silence down the empty halls.
Minho
Want to take a guess?
Y/N
I-
It was a stupid question to ask though I didn't know what else to say in that moment.
Minho
...I'm fine, don't worry.
Y/N
Ah-
I felt Minho's hand gently comb my hair. It's like he was trying to comfort me.
Y/N
If you don't mind me asking though...I was wondering how Changbin's abilities worked.
Minho
Mm. They're a bit similar to Hyunjin's, though Hyunjin is much more stable.
Y/N
You guys mentioned something about his aura.
Minho
Mhm, something only light and dark mages have. You can think that there's an invisible barrier around them.
Minho
Once someone crosses that barrier, they will most likely fall under the aura. For dark mages their aura usually brings out your worst.
Minho
All the things you were angry...upset over...comes right out. In Jeongin's case, I guess he's still insecure being around Felix.
Y/N
That sounds crazy...though I don't think being around Hyunjin ever made me feel any better? Not in a rude way but you know-
Minho
He can switch it on and off, as well as change its radius. Changbin could do the same if he just practiced more.
Y/N
Oh... This really makes me think he's not a bad person though.
Minho
Yeah?
Y/N
Yeah. He's working on it like the rest of us, right? I don't think we should look down on him for tha-
Chan
SAY IT AGAIN ASSHOLE-
Seungmin
Chan, get off of him-!
Y/N
Chan and Seungmin...?!
Minho and I ran to where the commotion was happening.
Chan
I don't care if you had no control over it, who the hell runs away like that?!
Changbin
If I stayed it would've only gotten worse, I was literally looking out for him!!
Seungmin
Chan, let it go please-
Minho
HEY. What's going on?
Minho walked over and pushed them all away from each other.
Minho
We could hear you guys from down the other corridor.
Chan
You expect us not be upset? He's acting like he shouldn't have even cared in the first place.
Y/N
...Are you alright Changbin?
I glanced over at Changbin, who looked at me with widened eyes. He quickly changed his expression into a frown afterwards.
Changbin
I'm perfectly fine. Can you guys leave me alone?
Seungmin
We should be saying that to you.
Changbin
Sheesh...whatever.
We watched as Changbin formed a puff of black smoke in his hand and threw it towards the ground, the smoke filling up the whole area.
Chan
He's running *COUGH* away again!
Minho waved his hand in the air, clearing out the smoke. Changbin was gone.
Y/N
A smoke bomb-
Minho
Do not do anything you will regret.
Minho pat Chan's shoulder.
Minho
Let's go see how Jeongin is doing.
Seungmin
I hope Felix is okay too...knowing him he must feel really bad right now.
Chan
...
We made our way over to the medic's without another word.
When we entered the room my jaw dropped. It was like they had a whole hospital but much nicer!
Each room contained a hospital bed, a bathroom, kitchen, and a little seating area for guests.
Hyunjin
Welcome in.
Hyunjin was resting on the couch reading a novel. Felix was seated beside the bed where Jeongin lay, a heavy frown on his face.
Seungmin
How is he?
Hyunjin
They said he should be fine, I just need to purify him every hour or so. Apparently his body consumed too much darkness.
Chan
Felix, you good?
Chan walked over and rest his hand on the boy's shoulder. Felix looked up at him with sad eyes.
Felix
I didn't realize I was stressing him out to this degree...
Minho
None of us would have known, he never spoke up about it. It's not your fault so you shouldn't feel bad about it.
Felix
...but still...
Felix quietly wiped the tears that were beginning to form in his eyes. Chan gave him a big back hug, trying his best to comfort him.
Minho
Will you be reporting him to the headmaster?
Hyunjin
Changbin? No, I will not be. I was thinking at this point...we cannot depend on the headmaster any longer. It's up to us now.
Hyunjin
We should put Han and Changbin on watch.
Y/N
Wait- ...I think this is just something that can be talked out. Changbin didn't mean-
Hyunjin
If we could've talked it out we wouldn't be like this right now Y/N.
Y/N
That's...true...
Hyunjin
Our intention is not to hurt them, do not get me wrong.
Seungmin
It's not?
Hyunjin
...No. I believe Changbin genuinely has no control over his abilities. Han was able to notice that sooner.
Minho
Everyone was once out of touch with their abilities, but don't you think Changbin's been like this for a little too long?
Hyunjin
Everyone learns at their own pace. I would think that if his intention was to hurt anyone he would have done so by now.
Seungmin
...but he did hurt people...
Hyunjin
It was out of his control.
Seungmin
That's not an excuse!!
Y/N
Er- There has to be something we can do.
Hyunjin
I've personally tried to help Changbin before, but as you can see he wasn't very appreciative of it.
Y/N
Hm...
Jeongin
Soon...
Chan
!!
Felix
Jeongin, you're up?
Jeongin
Soon...
Hyunjin
Is the food okay? I tried to warm it up for you again.
Hyunjin ran his hand through Jeongin's hair as he watched the boy eat.
Jeongin
Mhm..
Jeongin had woken up a few minutes ago, though he seemed a little out of it. We quickly brought him the food Hyunjin prepared for him.
He kept muttering the same word.
"Soon"
Minho
How much longer until you need to purify him again?
Hyunjin
I'll do it after he finishes his food. It can drain him out.
Seungmin
Jeongin, how are you feeling?
Jeongin
...Soon...
Y/N
Soon...what does he mean?
Jeongin slowly looked up at everyone, his eyes making their way over to Felix.
Jeongin
...He's coming for you.
Felix
...
Hyunjin
Jeongin, finish your food.
Hyunjin quickly took the bowl and spoon from the boy and attempted to feed him himself.
Jeongin kept his eyes on Felix, making Felix look away.
Chan
...We'll be heading to class. Make sure you purify him.
Chan gently tugged on Felix's arm so they could leave together. Felix just nodded and followed along.
Seungmin
Jeongin...
Minho
It feels like Changbin's abilities are improving...not in a good way.
Minho
Are you sure you just want to sit around like this, Hyunjin?
Hyunjin
...
Kozy
Hey Kozies, sorry for the delay for this chapter! I've been having a lot of family issues and juggling work at the same time.
Kozy
Because of the overwhelmingly positive comments I decided I would try and post this story on Wattpad to reach an even bigger audience!
What do you guys think?
Anywho, I hope to have the next chapter posted sometime today or tomorrow. Thank you all for your continuous support. Stay safe! <3