The three of them looked at one another.
The door had opened—but a frigid air was flowing out from within, and for a moment they hesitated.
Yet unable to resist their curiosity, they stepped inside.
Thick darkness filled the room.
The small flame of the lantern could not illuminate every corner.
They looked around, but at first glance, there seemed to be nothing.
“Shall we go back?”
Izaac said regretfully, turning toward the corridor—when Paul, peering deeper inside, murmured,
“—There’s a staircase.”
“What…?”
Izaac stopped and changed direction, moving farther in before glancing back.
“You’re right. There’s a staircase leading down.”
Leah swallowed.
“W-What should we do?”
“We’ve come this far. Let’s go down.”
Izaac said it lightly, and Paul let out a breath.
“Well… I am curious.”
Leah felt a flicker of fear.
But I’m curious too…
“I’ll protect you, Leah.”
Paul’s words, spoken as he looked at her, made her cheeks grow warm.
“Okay.”
They squeezed each other’s hands tightly.
“Let’s go.”
Izaac started down the stairs, and the other two followed.
The farther they descended, the colder the air became.
At the bottom of the long staircase stood a single door.
It bore patterns similar to the previous one.
“There’s a magic circle here too,” Paul murmured.
Izaac pushed against the door with his hand.
“As expected, it won’t open. It’s sealed tight.”
The three of them placed their hands upon it and released their magic.
The patterns shifted color, and with a low sound, the door slowly swung open.
It was a small chamber.
Inside, against the wall, stood a pedestal. Resting upon it was a small square box—about the size one could hold in both hands. A magic circle was drawn upon it as well.
“What is it?”
The instant Izaac reached out to pick up the box, the white container began to rattle on its own.
What—
Was something alive inside?
Startled, the three of them tensed.
The strange box toppled to the floor.
When Paul picked it up, the lid sprang open, and a jet-black stone, the size of a fist, rolled out.
“A stone?”
As Izaac moved to pick it up, Paul grabbed his hand and stopped him.
“Don’t, Izaac. The presence filling this building—it’s coming from that.”
But the stone brushed against the back of Paul’s hand.
He let out a low groan.
“…!”
“Ugh…!”
“Paul? Izaac?!”
The moment Leah touched them, a sharp jolt shot through her.
—!
Her entire body burned as if set ablaze.
Her magic swelled violently, then burst outward.
An instant later, her body turned ice-cold, and dizziness made the world spin.
Paul and Izaac seemed to be in the same state.
All three of them felt violently unwell.
Frowning deeply, Paul picked up the stone and placed it back into the box.
“Let’s get out of here. Both of you.”
He urged Leah and Izaac outside.
They shut the door behind them and climbed the stairs.
Once back in the corridor, Paul closed that door as well.
They hurried along the passage and emerged outdoors.
Paul looked at the two of them.
“Are you both… alright?”
“Yes…”
“I’m fine…”
In truth, they felt dreadful—but they answered that way so Paul wouldn’t worry.
“What about you, Paul?”
His complexion was pale. He, too, was clearly unwell.
“I’m fine. I’m sorry. We shouldn’t have come this way.”
“I was the one who said I wanted to. You don’t need to apologize,” Izaac replied. “I’m sorry.”
“I wanted to try it too… Paul, I’m sorry.”
“No… But that building is forbidden. Please don’t tell anyone about what happened.”
“Understood.”
“Alright.”
Paul gave a faint smile.
“I’ll walk you home, Leah.”
“No, I will. My house is next door. Paul, you should go back and rest.”
Leah was worried about Paul as well, so she nodded in agreement with Izaac.
“Yes. Paul, Izaac can take me.”
If Paul came, he would have to walk much farther.
“I’ll walk you. There’s something I want to tell you, Leah.”
His cerulean-blue eyes shimmered quietly.
Since he insisted, Leah set off with both Paul and Izaac escorting her home.
They stopped first in front of Izaac’s house.
“See you,”
Izaac said, heading inside.
Leah and Paul paused by the flowerbeds.
“Leah.”
Paul reached out and took her hand.
Her heart leapt.
“Paul?”
“I want you to marry me someday.”
“—What?”
Caught off guard by the sudden words, Leah looked up at him.
“—Marry…?”
“Yes. When we’re grown, I want you to be my bride.”
Heat flooded her entire body.
“I’ve always loved you.”
He clasped her hand tightly.
“I want to protect you. When we’re older… please marry me.”
