Afternoon -Thursday, 6th January

-----

The notebook in front of Jamil was empty despite Master Crewel's lecture about the various kinds of synthetic potion. His hand was still holding on to his pen, but he made no movement to write ever since the beginning of the lesson. His eyes darted from the blackboard to his phone was set beside his book. Jamil was hoping it would ring or vibrate from a new message. But he got nothing. No calls. No messages. Still no sign from Kalim.

He barely registered when he looked up again, lost in his own worries, and the class was almost empty. The writing on the board had been erased, the dust of chalk still stick there. A couple of students was still chatting at their table exchanging notes that Jamil didn't get. Azul himself just finished typing on his phone, a foreign smile on his face before he stood up and left the room. Jamil grabbed his phone from the table, glancing at the screen briefly. Still so sign from Kalim. He sighed and opened his phonebook, looking at the numbers and landing on a certain number of an older sister figure. Maybe he would be more open toward her than him? He sighed again and pressed the number, bringing the phone to his ear as the other line connected not a few seconds later.

["Hello, Jamil."]

He released a breath he didn't know he was holding. At least there were more people he could contact. "Hey, Vidya. Can I ask you something?"

["Sure."]

Jamil drummed his fingers onto the table, arranging some words in his head so it sounded less bad. "Has Kalim ever said something to you?"

There was a hum on the other line before she answered. ["I don't think so. But I remember during the new year, he did say something weird."]

"What did he say?"

["He asked me whether he had been a nuisance at me or not. Jamil, is he okay?"]

Jamil sighed. He let go of his hand and flopped back down to the bed. "I'm tired." He turned to the side, ignoring the pain, and pulled his blanket over his head. "Go away. I need to rest."

He didn't get an answer, which was good. Maybe that thickhead finally gets the message. A few moments of silence before he heard the sound of footsteps. It was gentle at first before it took off on a run.

"I'm..." Jamil curled his fingers. "I have to go. Thank you, Vidya."

["Yeah. Just call me if you need anything."]

Jamil nodded. "I'll remember that" Jamil pressed the end call button and sighed again, pressing a palm to his face. Is Kalim okay? He has to be. That kid can bounce back without losing a rhythm. He's just being overdramatic. This is just his rebellion phase that's all.

A pair of hands slammed in front of him, making him jump in his seat. Looking up at the owner, he came face to face with a redhead with glaring grey eyes. Jamil huffed. "Riddle."

"Jamil." Riddle nodded as a greeting. "We need to talk."

-----

Riddle has closed the door of his bedroom behind him once both of them entered his prefect bedroom. Nobody would disturb them. Jamil was looking around, seemingly impressed by the tidiness of the red-accent room. Riddle looked at him from his spot, noticing the longer cape used to be worn by the Scarabia prefect. So it was true from what he had been hearing about Jamil taking Kalim's position in his absence.

Jamil turned around at him, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "So, what do you want?"

Riddle sighed as he pushed himself from leaning against the door. "I need to know what happened during the winter holiday."

Jamil frowned. "Is it because of your two dormmates?"

"Who don't remember anything at all." Riddle had been doing some research. Like Jonah, Ace and Deuce didn't remember anything at all about Scarabia, not even the reason why they were there.

"I think Grim called me first," Ace frowned, "but...I can't remember why?"

"The headmaster did come to me," Deuce said, "something about the captain, but I'm not sure."

"Yeah," Ace nodded, "I remember you picking me up. But after that...? None. Strange..."

"One day we had a video call and the next day no signal," Riddle continued. "Something happened between that gaps." He walked closer to Jamil, leaning toward his face despite being shorter than him. "And someone mentioned something about overblot."

Jamil rolled his eyes. "Did Jonah tell you that?"

Riddle frowned. "You're not denying."

"So what if it was true that I overblotted?" Jamil groaned. "What's done is done. You can't do anything about it."

"But I can still ask how nobody seemed to remember that."

"You can argue that nobody remembers your overblot. Looks like the magic words are true."

Riddle hummed. Tales of Night Raven College stay in Night Raven College, as they say. "But there's a difference between an outsider not hearing about the news and a witness not remembering the news at all." Riddle paused again, taking the Scarabia Prefect's clothes on Jamil once again. And then, he asked, "Something happened between you and Kalim, hadn't it?"

Jamil gritted his teeth behind his closed mouth. "Did Jonah tell you that as well?"

"This also explains why Kalim suddenly disappeared from the school. What did you do?"

"This has nothing to do with you."

"I'm allowed to be worried for my friends." Riddle's voice was low and threatening. The sweet scent of rose started to fill the room. "And I don't take it lightly if someone hurts those who I care about when it wasn't their fault."

Jamil didn't say anything for a while. Riddle could see the blazing spark in his gray eyes, whether from anger or pure annoyance he couldn't grasp it. Jamil's fingers curled into a fist, trembling as if he was about to lit his fire. But he was in Riddle territory and he knew Jamil knew well not to mess with another dorm.

Finally, through his gritted teeth, Jamil spat, "I'm done talking to you."

He pushed Riddle aside, stomping straight to the door. Just as he ripped the handle, he came face to face with the Heartslabyul's vice prefect who was about to knock on the door with something in his hand.

"Am I interrupting something?" Trey asked. He must've seen Riddle's glare, thus he stepped forward, forcing Jamil to re-enter the room again.

Riddle approached them. "What's wrong Trey?"

"Oh. I have a letter for you." He pulled out one of the things he was carrying. It was a letter with no seal addressed to Riddle. The other thing was a small parcel with a blue bow.

"How?" Jamil whispered in shock. Riddle glanced at him before taking the letter. Ripping the envelope, Riddle took out the paper with a neat had writing on him and began to read it out loud.

Dear, Riddle Rosehearts

I hope this letter finds you in good health. My name is Jacob Orion Columbus from Royal Sword Academy and a friend of Jonah Argentum.

Recently we've been trying to contact him and all of our acquaintances in Night Raven College but we got some problems. None of our attempts went well. Fire-mail got burned out, phone calls can't be reached, even Che'nya (he said he's your friend, that's why I'm sending this to you) can't walk out of the forest. We're suspecting that the barrier had become stronger, but I have my other suspicion.

Recently we had a transfer student from Night Raven College named Kalim al-Asim. I don't want to blame him for the suddenly lost connection with your academy, and it could be a coincidence, but forgive me for assuming the worse.

This letter was my last attempt at contacting the school. If this letter somehow reaches you, can you please ask someone in charge to fix the barrier? Also, can you also tell Jonah to send a letter through the fire-mail, just in case I need to send more and can't do it without a phone? I just need to make sure he's okay and doesn't disappear again. Thank you.

Sincerely, Jacob Orion Columbus

Riddle blinked. What the heck...What is this?

"Royal Sword Academy..." Riddle turned to Jamil whose eyes widened and breath ragged. "He's just at the end of the island..."

Kalim is in Royal Sword Academy? And they're unable to contact them? Not even visiting them? NRC was being isolated from the world?

Before he could stop himself, he whispered, "What did you do?"

Jamil didn't answer. Or maybe he couldn't. He didn't make a sound as he ran out of the room, leaving Trey and Riddle alone, equally confused.

"Should we tell someone?" Trey asked.

Riddle looked down at the letter. Jacob Orion Columbus did ask for them to lower the barrier, but Riddle knew the risk of a sudden magical attack from outside. But the barrier was so strong to the point it was isolating them.

"I'll talk to the headmaster about this matter, but," he turned to the door of his room, "I think this is something that they have to solve all on their own."

-----

Jamil ran straight from Heartslabyul, his heart beating hard against his chest, straight to the gate. But just as he was about to run to the forest, he found himself stopping, unable to move his legs further. But he didn't want to stop. He wants to get out of this school and crosses the island to get Kalim back.

Kalim. Kalim is still on this island. Kalim is just on the other side of the island. Kalim is still here.

It was as if a strong invisible force was pulling him back. No matter how hard he tried to take a step forward, the school was pulling him back. He couldn't stretch out his arm past the gate. He couldn't even breathe by standing so close to the exit. But his mind was still raging with Kalim.

He had to go to Kalim. He had to see Kalim. He had to-

What was he supposed to do?

He stumbled back, landing on his butt and panting hard. The front gate was wide open, mocking him. He can't get out. This dumb magic school is preventing him from getting out. This fucking spell is holding him back from getting to Kalim-

And then what?

He blinked.

What are you going to do after getting Kalim?

He...He never thought about it. He was too caught up with trying to find Kalim that he never knew what to do next. Royal Sword Academy is a good school, right? Kalim is safe there. Jamil isn't supposed to be worried about it. Why would Kalim do such a thing?

"But... You're going behind Senior Kalim's back. You're betraying him."

"Well, sacrifices must be done."

"You're gonna crush his heart, Viper." Jonah's voice started to tremble. "Don't you have feelings?"

"And what about my feelings?" Jamil asked back and it was Jonah turned to be speechless. "How come a brat like him can get whatever he wants and not me? Because he's rich while I'm poor? Rich boy privilege, my ass."

The hand beside Jamil's head slipped along with the angry mask Jonah had been wearing. Now, he looked sad. Brow furrowed and bit his lips with a watery eye. "Viper, I know you're pissed off," he said, voice soft. "You're angry at everything, I get it. But betraying him won't solve anything. It'll only cause pain between the both of you. I know what it's like. Don't make the same mistake as I do."

This is what he wants, right? Then why isn't he at peace?

He picked himself up from the ground. The gate didn't move an inch. With a heavy sigh, Jamil turned around and walk away with clouds above his head. He didn't get this. What is this feeling? Why isn't he happy?

He never realized that he passed the Hall of Mirror but instead took the wrong turn to Ramshackle Dorm. Jonah's dorm. He didn't remember what happened, but...If he could help Riddle, Leona, and Azul, maybe he could help him in sorting this out.

Walking up to the door, he knocked a couple of times. There were footsteps and the sound of the door opening. Jonah was behind the door and a familiar smell hit his nose. "Senior Viper?"

Jamil sighed. "Can you lend you a hand for me, One-Eyed Captain of Ramshackle Dorm?"

Jonah was silent for a while before opening the door wider. Ran to the first step of the stairs to the second floor and shouted, "Grim! The curry needs shimmering for a while! Why don't you hang out with Ace and Deuce for a while?"

Someone shouted back, "No!"

"Invite them here or something!" Jonah shouted again. "I have some business."

A loud groan could be heard. "Ugh...Fine!"

Jonah nodded. He turned to Jamil again. "Come on. I have hot water. I'll make some honey tea as well."

Jamil followed silently toward the Ramshackle's kitchen. It was smaller than Scarabia's restaurant size, but it was homely. A pot of delicious delicacy shimmering on the pot. Jamil watched as Jonah put a tea bag into two mugs and poured some water, before going back and forth to the rice cooker for some rice and scooping some of the curries. He placed it in front of Jamil before running back to the mugs.

Jamil stared at the food. Curry was his favorite. Picking up the spoon, he took the first bite. It was good. So good. It was spicy on the right spot but doesn't burn his throat. He savored the flavors, chewing slowly to let everything sink in. It reminded him of home, of his family. His mother would make him some curry when he was feeling down. He remembered when she stopped for a while, because of the incident when someone poisoned Kalim's curry and he tested it. He remembered the pain in the stomach, the failed attempts of breathing, how his body felt hot and cold, and he would fade in and out of unconsciousness. The days seemed to blur when you were ill. And when he woke up the first face he saw was...

"Jamil!" The high-pitched voice sounded so close and a body was thrown at him. He coughed. He could hear sobbing and felt white hair tickling his cheeks.

"K-Kalim..."

Kalim pulled back. His cheeks were red and so were his eyes. But he was smiling so wide that Jamil was worried he would split his face. "Jamil...You're awake..."

"You're...Here...?"

Kalim nodded. "All the time."

His mother would say that Kalim visited him every day and would help in watching over him to the point he often fell asleep at his bedside.

"Senior Viper? Do you want a second?"

Jamil looked up. Jonah was watching him, holding his mug while his own was placed next to his plate. Looking down, he realized he had eaten all his curry. He didn't feel any sickness, which was good. He shook his head.

"Can I ask something?" Jamil asked. Jonah hummed and nodded. Jamil could ask anything. He could ask how to fix this uncomfortable feeling in his stomach or ask him to write a letter to his friends to be given to Kalim. But instead, what came out from his mouth was, "Do you still work at Mostro Lounge?"

Jonah blinked in surprise. Jamil didn't mean to ask that honestly, but maybe he could figure out Jonah's mind.

"I know what it's like. Don't make the same mistake as I do."

"Senior Azul and I haven't talked about it yet," Jonah said, "I don't really need extra money because I have financial support now, but just in case because Grim has a big appetite."

"Do you still want to work for him?" Jamil asked again.

Jonah shrugged without any second thought. "Sure, why not?"

"Why? After everything? Do you have even a tiny bit of hate against him?"

Jonah shook his head. "Why would I?"

Jamil let out his huff, feeling an annoying headache was coming. "Why wouldn't you? He hurt you, didn't he? You have the right to hate him."

"And I hurt him too." Jonah's voice was calm and at peace. "We're both are at fault here. In fact, I think I did the worse thing. Senior Azul was just doing what he thinks is right, but I'm the one who went against him."

"So everything that happened was your fault?"

Jonah sighed. "Partially, yes. But I won't deny that he hurt me too. We treated each other horribly back then. But, I moved past that."

"How?"

"I've forgiven Senior Azul and I'm willing to trust him again." There was a smile peaceful slime on his face. "Just like how I'm willing to trust Senior Leona after disintegrating my arm. Just like I'm willing to trust Senior Riddle after mocking my parents. But that doesn't erase the fact that I'm not blameless. I also make mistakes that I regret and I apologized to him. It's his decision in the end. I've made mine."

He didn't get this. Why did Jonah make it sound so easy? It was a foreign thing for Jamil for someone who had been living under the pressure that he would be blamed for his master's every mistake. He couldn't feel anything but anger. "That's stupid."

"That's called 'forgiveness', Senior Viper," Jonah chuckled. "If the person you hurt is willing to give you a second chance, then don't waste that."

Jamil was silent before looking down at his empty plate again. "There's no way he would forgive me." He found himself whispering.

"How would you know that?"

"He left without a word. He nearly gave me a heart attack." He clutched his spoon hard as his voice rose. "He's just across the island right now and I can't even call him!"

Jonah was still calm. "Have you tried walking to him?"

"Why would he want to see me if he choose to transfer school without my knowledge?" he shouted and Jonah didn't seem afraid.

"Maybe there are more reasons than you think."

Jamil rolled his eyes. "A dumbass like him wouldn't think that hard."

Jonah sighed. "You know...After I woke up from the whole contract fiasco, the only thing in my mind is Senior Azul's well-being and how much I've hurt him." His smile slipped a bit. "I know I can't approach him because of the curse, but I still want to be close to him. He was just a phone call away. But I still keep my distance because it's still his decision to forgive me or not."

"You think Azul has forgiven you?"

Jonah looked up at him again with a returning smile. "I think he has."

"How do you know?"

"He doesn't have to say it out loud." Jonah chuckled. "Sometimes a hug is loud enough."

"Jamil!"

"Kalim..." Jamil coughed. Kalim flinched and pulled back slowly, allowing him to sit up. His brows furrowed. "Why are you crying?"

Tears dripped down from his ruby eyes and Kalim made no attempt to wipe them. "I-I'm so glad you're alive...I'm so happy-" He sniffed and dove again, hugging Jamil, not so tight knowing his body is still healing. "I'm sorry..." he whispered, smiling shakily. "I'm sorry for never realizing your feeling. Can we...can we still be friends?"

Jamil uncurled his fingers. There was no way Kalim would forgive him like this...