Bound by Magic

Chapter 3: Shifting Sands

The academy was alive with magic the next morning as Jennie walked briskly through the campus, her gaze sharp and focused. She was determined to push aside her conflicted feelings from the previous day. Magic was her domain, her comfort zone, and she needed to reclaim control. She had trained too hard, sacrificed too much to let her emotions disrupt her progress now.

Still, thoughts of the prophecy haunted her. Soulmates whose magic was meant to enhance each other's powers? It felt too fantastical, too convenient. Jennie prided herself on being realistic, grounded, and above all, independent. She wasn't interested in being tied to someone-especially not Jisoo, the very person who, just the thought of, made her feel an odd twist of emotions.

Jisoo arrived at the practice arena just after Jennie, her calm presence in stark contrast to Jennie's restless energy. Their first task today was to face the upcoming Trials, a series of tests every student at Aetherium Academy had to pass to advance to the next level. The Trials weren't just academic-they were about survival, skill, and teamwork.

"We should probably discuss how to coordinate our spells for the Trials," Jisoo began cautiously, sensing Jennie's guarded mood.

Jennie barely glanced at her, adjusting her gloves with a scowl. "We just need to get through it. You focus on your magic, I'll focus on mine."

Jisoo frowned, her voice soft but firm. "That's not how we'll pass the Trials. We need to synchronize, or it won't work."

Jennie's irritation bubbled to the surface, her temper flaring. "Look, I don't need you to tell me what we 'need' to do. I've been doing just fine on my own."

Jisoo met her gaze steadily. "But now you're not on your own. And the more you try to fight it, the harder it's going to be."

Jennie turned away, her jaw clenched as she struggled to control the swirl of frustration inside her. It wasn't just Jisoo's words-it was the truth of them. She had built walls so high that even the idea of relying on someone else felt like betrayal. But deep down, there was a part of her, a small and fragile part, that feared the vulnerability that came with partnership.

Before Jennie could respond, the doors to the practice arena burst open, and a familiar voice rang out.

"Well, well, if it isn't the dynamic duo." Lisa strolled in with her usual swagger, a mischievous grin plastered across her face. Seulgi and Joy followed closely behind, their presence bringing an air of lightness that momentarily dissipated the tension between Jennie and Jisoo.

Lisa clapped her hands together. "I've got news for you two. You've been assigned to the first round of the Trials this weekend."

Seulgi raised an eyebrow at Jennie's tight-lipped expression. "You look thrilled about it."

"I'm fine," Jennie muttered, crossing her arms defensively.

Jisoo, sensing the need to change the subject, turned to Lisa. "What about you? Have you and Chaeyoung been practicing?"

Lisa smirked. "Of course. We're a well-oiled machine. Teamwork makes the dream work, after all."

Joy snorted, bumping Lisa's shoulder playfully. "Dream work? More like chaos waiting to happen."

The group's playful banter was a temporary distraction from the growing tension between Jennie and Jisoo. As their friends continued to joke and tease, Jennie found herself slipping into the background, her mind once again wandering to the Trials and how unprepared she felt to face them with Jisoo. There was too much unsaid between them, too much friction.

And yet, when she glanced at Jisoo from the corner of her eye, Jennie couldn't help but feel a flicker of something unfamiliar-a pang of curiosity, or maybe even guilt, for pushing Jisoo away. She hated that part of her was beginning to wonder if Jisoo was right. That maybe, just maybe, Jennie was fighting too hard to keep her walls intact.

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That evening, after their group practice had wrapped up, Jennie found herself wandering the academy grounds alone, her thoughts heavy. The sun had set, casting a cool, silvery glow over the castle-like buildings. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of rain on the horizon.

As she walked, Jennie's mind drifted back to her time with Taehyung. He had been confident, almost cocky, much like Jennie was herself. Their relationship had started fast and burned bright, but the intensity had quickly become overwhelming. He was her first serious boyfriend, and for a time, she had believed they were meant to be.

But Taehyung had always pushed for more-more time, more attention, more commitment-and when Jennie couldn't give it, things had started to fall apart. Their last fight had been explosive, with hurtful words exchanged and accusations thrown. The end had left Jennie scarred, not just by the breakup itself, but by the realization that she couldn't trust herself to open up again.

Now, here she was, years later, still carrying the weight of that failed relationship and using it as a shield to keep people at arm's length. And Jisoo-who was calm, patient, and unfailingly kind-was unknowingly chiseling away at the armor Jennie had so carefully constructed.

The sudden sound of footsteps behind her pulled Jennie from her thoughts. She turned quickly, her defensive stance returning, only to find Jisoo standing there, her expression unreadable.

"Hey," Jisoo said softly. "I saw you leave. Thought I'd check on you."

Jennie's first instinct was to snap back, to tell Jisoo she didn't need to be checked on. But something in the gentle way Jisoo stood, not too close, not too far, stopped her.

"I'm fine," Jennie muttered, though her voice lacked its usual bite.

Jisoo took a step closer, her eyes searching Jennie's. "I know this is hard for you. And I'm not here to force anything. But I think... we need to trust each other if we're going to get through this."

Jennie clenched her fists at her sides, struggling to keep her emotions in check. "I don't need anyone's help."

Jisoo's gaze softened. "Maybe not. But that doesn't mean you have to go through everything alone."

Those words, simple as they were, hit Jennie harder than she expected. Her defenses faltered, just for a moment, and she hated how much truth there was in them. She had spent so long building her walls, convincing herself that she didn't need anyone. But standing there in the fading light, with Jisoo looking at her like she understood, Jennie felt something shift inside her.

"Why do you care so much?" Jennie asked quietly, her voice barely audible over the wind.

Jisoo's answer was just as quiet, but it carried a weight that made Jennie's heart stutter. "Because I believe in you."

For the first time in a long time, Jennie didn't have a sharp retort. She didn't have anything to say at all.

Jisoo gave her a small, understanding smile before turning to leave. "I'll see you tomorrow. We'll figure this out together."

As Jisoo walked away, disappearing into the shadows of the night, Jennie stood frozen in place, her mind and heart at war. She had always prided herself on being strong, on never needing anyone. But now, for the first time, she was beginning to wonder if maybe she was wrong.

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