"And why would I do that?" Stephen asked sharply, eyeing Cynthia.
Cynthia hesitated before repeating Kelvin's question. "What if the ritual doesn't work?"
Stephen scoffed. "And why wouldn't it?"
Jessica cut in, her tone firm. "The ritual is designed to reveal the truth. There's no way it'll fail."
Stephen turned to Cynthia, suspicion creeping into his voice. "Where is all this doubt coming from? I leave you with him for a few hours, and suddenly he's twisted your mind?"
Cynthia's expression darkened. "You know, that's exactly what he said about us. 'You people and your twisted ideas.' Not his exact words, but close enough. Look—he knows things he shouldn't. Have we stopped to ask why? He says we die in the ritual, according to his vision. Even if he's lying, can we really be sure? And death... are we ready for that? Wouldn't performing the ritual against his will break the code?"
The room fell silent.
Then, a voice echoed from the doorway.
"There's no need for the ritual."
Everyone turned sharply.
Kelvin stood at the entrance—relaxed posture, sharp eyes.
"If you want answers," he said, "I'll tell you where to find them. But only if you promise not to do the ritual. My knowledge is mine and mine alone. I share what I choose—with whomever I choose. It's not yours for the taking."
Stephen's jaw tightened. "How did you—" He turned to Cynthia. "Did you—?"
"No, she didn't," Kelvin interrupted. "The librarian came to take a book. She let me out. I told her you locked me in, so… you guys have some serious explaining to do."
Jessica narrowed her eyes. "What exactly are you hiding in that head that you don't want us to know?"
"None of your business. And that's the point," Kelvin replied. "I didn't just pick Haloville out of all schools to transfer to in the middle of the year. I'm here for a reason."
Stephen folded his arms. "And what's stopping us from taking that information by force?"
Kelvin smirked. "Your code. And you're not a strong enough witch, Jessica. If you try the ritual, it'll fail—and you'll fry your brains in the process. And as it happens, you're here for the same reason I am. I don't trust you, and you don't trust me—but you need me, and I need you."
"Why should we trust you?" Jessica shot back.
"I don't care whether you trust me or not," Kelvin said calmly. "I'm telling you—the moment you perform that ritual, you die. How do I know? The same way I know Victor's father has been haunting his dreams, or that Emilia has a personality disorder—and her other side takes over when she fights."
The group exchanged uncertain glances.
"How do you know all this?" they finally asked in unison.
Kelvin smiled faintly. "I can tell you more. What do you say? Partners?" He let the question linger, then shrugged. "I'll give you time to think about it."
With that, he walked out, leaving them speechless.
Cynthia hurried after him. She had taken an interest in him—there was something about his calm defiance that intrigued her. And she knew they needed him. But protocol demanded the ritual before anyone joined. Still… partners.
"Wow, you sure left them speechless," she said when they stepped out of the library.
"Them? Whose side are you on?" Kelvin asked, confused. "And don't tell me you're on mine—because you're not."
"If you're so sure, why are you asking me?" she teased.
Kelvin thought of a witty comeback but found none. "It was rhetorical," he muttered.
"Oh, okay. But how can partners be on different sides?" Cynthia asked, smiling slightly.
"Did you just chase me down to ask that?" Kelvin asked, tired of losing verbal battles.
"Yes and no. Listen, I agree with you—but it's against our code to admit someone who hasn't done the ritual," Cynthia explained.
"Then I won't join you," Kelvin said flatly. "I'll be a partner. And when this is done, we go our separate ways."
"There is no 'done' until we get out," Cynthia replied. "We protect the school, hunt and kill as many monsters as we can, and keep trying to find a way to end it. Do you know how many people have come before us and tried? Even the greatest of us—the one who got the closest—died."
"Interesting," Kelvin said. "So what, you have a lineage of Golden Circles? Which, by the way, is a lame name. Whoever came up with it?"
"No," Cynthia said with a small laugh. "Each batch changes the name to suit them. When Stephen's batch ends, we'll change it. But for now, this is us."
"So Stephen came up with it," Kelvin smirked. "Not surprised."
"Look, we don't have to like you, and you don't have to like us," Cynthia said. "But we can work together."
"Okay," Kelvin said with a blank face.
"So… what was that you said about Emilia's split personality?"
"Wait—you didn't know?" Kelvin asked, surprised. "Oh, so that's why you came after me. None of you knew. Guess the ritual doesn't reveal everything after all."