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Chapter 28
Jaelin hesitated for a moment after opening her book and glanced up at Lionel.
Lionel noticed the look and immediately changed his expression, lifting the corner of his lips.
It didn’t matter. It wasn’t something that concerned him.
He had plenty of work to do. Slipping off his jacket and loosening his tight tie, Lionel even unbuttoned his cuffs and set them aside on the desk.
He likely never let himself appear disheveled in front of other students due to his obsession with perfection, but with Jaelin, it didn’t matter.
Jaelin, having seen him like this many times, seemed unconcerned.
Leaning comfortably against the sofa, Lionel spread out his assignment. The only sounds in the library were the occasional turning of pages and the scratching of pen on paper.
The quiet, peaceful time continued. They spoke no words, each immersed in their own tasks.
After a long while, Lionel finished his assignment, closed his book, and stretched his stiffened body.
Night had grown deep. It was about time to wrap up and head home.
Silently setting down the fountain pen in his hand, Lionel propped his chin on his arms and looked up at Jaelin.
Had she encountered an unsolvable problem? Her usually smooth forehead was slightly furrowed.
“How’s your preparation for the magical beast practice test?”
Startled by the sudden question, Jaelin lifted her head from the book as if it had sunk into its pages.
She met Lionel’s gaze directly, unsure how to respond, fidgeting with her fingers.
“Y-yes. The formula I created worked, so I think I can use it in the test. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to execute the plan perfectly, though…”
Her voice trailed off. She had been training with Nathan and Adrian in preparation for the exam, but she didn’t feel confident.
“It’ll be fine. It’s your own strategy. Or is there another reason you’re worried?”
Jaelin lowered her gaze slightly and fiddled with the corner of her book. After a brief hesitation, a small voice escaped.
“I-I’m scared… of the magical beasts. I’m worried about encountering them.”
Blinking a few times, Jaelin continued.
“If everything goes according to the plan, it should be fine, but… if something goes wrong and I encounter a magical beast… I just can’t help worrying.”
“Hmmm.”
Lionel tapped a finger in a steady rhythm as he considered her words for a moment, then spoke.
“Do you want me to help?”
Lionel led Jaelin to the control room inside the holographic arena.
He discreetly covered the handle with one hand so Jaelin wouldn’t notice, then unlocked the door in one smooth motion.
In the center of the room was a large circular platform, wide enough for four or five people to stand around.
It was a holographic board that allowed one to observe the arena’s events at a glance and simulate parts of the terrain and magical beasts.
“Wait here for a moment.”
Lionel placed Jaelin in front of the board and approached the controls.
Although the console was filled with countless buttons and levers, Lionel knew exactly what to manipulate.
He powered on the inactive console and pressed a few buttons. Immediately, a cluster of rainbow-colored lights appeared on the circular board before Jaelin.
At first, it was just a mass of light, but it gradually took shape.
Though only a silhouette, Jaelin immediately recognized what the light would become.
Her tongue froze, and her blood ran cold.
Her thoughts scrambled, she couldn’t think at all, and her body felt unreal, stiff and unable to move even her fingers.
She didn’t want to see it. No, she couldn’t. As the light transformed into a magical beast, Jaelin squeezed her eyes shut and lowered her head.
Once the hologram fully formed, Lionel removed his hands from the controls and slowly circled the board.
The magical beast on the board breathed as if alive. Lionel traced its surface slowly with his fingertips.
“Holograms are amazing. They can make earthly things feel completely real. So vivid that even the sensation of touching them is replicated. Though, there’s really no need to make them that real.”
Lionel pulled his hand away and turned to Jaelin.
“Do you want to touch it? I’ve set it not to attack, so nothing will happen.”
Despite Lionel’s words, Jaelin couldn’t lift her head. Frozen like a statue, she was trembling.
Seeing her shaking fingertips, Lionel realized she was afraid.
He stepped closer, moving near her. The distance between them was very close. The cool, yet gentle night breeze from the open window tousled Jaelin’s hair, causing the linen curtains to billow.
Lionel’s scent, reminiscent of a forest after rain, mixed with the spring night air and enveloped Jaelin.
She forgot the magical beast in front of her. All she could feel was her own breath, her heart, her entire being, ready to burst.
Thankfully, it was dark, Jaelin thought. Otherwise, Lionel would have seen the flush on her face.
A calm, low voice whispered in her ear.
“Don’t be afraid.”
Lionel’s large, firm hand took hers.
“What’s in front of you is just a hologram. Made to the same size and feel as the real thing, but that’s all it is.”
His palm was so warm it nearly burned her, and only then did Jaelin realize her own hands were cold and stiff.
Lionel slowly lifted her hand, as if giving her a chance to retreat. Very slowly.
“There’s nothing here that can hurt you.”
Jaelin’s fingertips touched the beast’s body, causing her to shiver and step back.
“Do you want to stop?”
The suggestion was irresistibly sweet. Jaelin hesitated. She wanted to stop. She wanted to run.
‘Does it really have to be now?’
She knew eventually she had to face her fear. That was the only way to move forward.
But her fear of magical beasts was so deeply ingrained that it had become fossilized within her.
‘Next time. Not now. But when is the next time? Will I keep avoiding it forever? I can’t run away forever.’
After all, she would face them in the practice test anyway. Better to see them now.
‘It’s okay. I can do this.’
Taking a deep breath, Jaelin bit her lip and shook her head.
“N-no. I’ll continue.”
Lionel guided her hand again. Her fingertips touched the beast’s body once more.
‘It’s going to be terrifying.’
But instead, it felt warm and soft under her fingers.
She instinctively lifted her gaze from the floor. A small gasp escaped her lips.
“Ah…”
It was a three-horned unicorn.
Unlike other magical beasts, it wasn’t grotesque. It was beautiful. Hard to believe it was even a magical beast.
As the unicorn shifted its weight to maintain balance, its long, silky tail swayed gracefully and its hooves clicked against the floor.
It was vividly lifelike.
The unicorn blinked, its long silver eyelashes fluttering. Jaelin was captivated.
“It’s beautiful…”
She gently stroked its silver muzzle. The unicorn sniffed her hand and pressed its nose against it, nuzzling insistently as if urging her not to stop.
“It’s ticklish.”
A small, clear laugh escaped her lips.
“It seems to like you.”
“It’s so beautiful… I can’t believe it’s a magical beast that could harm people.”
“The appearance isn’t everything.”
Jaelin nodded quietly, agreeing with Lionel.
“Do you want to ride it?”
Startled by his suggestion, her eyes widened.
“R-ride it? A magical beast?”
“Yes. The unicorn is the only magical beast that can be tamed by humans. Once tamed, it stays loyal to its master for life. No one’s actually tamed one, so it’s just a legend.”
“I-I see…”
“So, try riding it.”
“O-okay.”
Encouraged again by Lionel, Jaelin climbed onto the holographic board.
She struggled to mount the unicorn, holding its flank, but it was far too tall.
Watching her fumble, Lionel chuckled.
“I’ll help you.”
“I-I can do it myself…”
Struggling to get onto the unicorn, Jaelin looked at Lionel through her tangled hair.
“Really?”
Her eyes scanned the unicorn’s back—it was far taller than she was, with no stirrups. Climbing it alone seemed impossible.
Seeing Lionel’s playful smile, Jaelin slumped her shoulders and gave up, not wanting to embarrass herself further.
“N-no.”
She stood quietly before Lionel. His large hands wrapped around her waist and lifted her effortlessly.
