Another perfect morning passed—sunlight streaming through my windows, birds chirping like they were paid to be annoying, and my daily routine completed without incident.
Which, frankly, should've been my first warning.
I was on my way to the library for lessons when something… wrong caught my eye.
A lump.
No—more like a void with fur.
It sat near the hallway pillar, unmoving. Pitch-black. Perfectly round.
"…Why does that look like it'll bite me if I blink?" I muttered.
I glanced around. Empty corridor. No maids. No guards. No Selene hovering like my personal shadow.
Curiosity won.
I poked it.
The "furball" unfolded.
And stared back.
White fur shimmered into existence, soft like moonlight. Its body was fox-like, but smaller—sleek and light. Two tails swayed lazily behind it, tipped in faint gold sparks. Four ears twitched at once, and its golden eyes locked onto mine like it was judging my entire bloodline.
I flinched. "Rude."
Before I could step closer, the library doors creaked open.
"Good morning, Lady Evelyn."
Tutor Lioren stepped out, hands folded neatly, glasses perched on her nose.
I turned back—
The creature was gone.
"…Young miss?" Lioren's voice sharpened. "Are you unwell?"
I plastered on a smile. "Never better. Just… greeting the air."
She gave me that look—the one adults use when they decide to pretend a child isn't suspicious.
Lessons began.
History. Politics. Magic theory I already half-knew.
I tried to focus. I really did.
Then—
THUD.
A book fell from a shelf behind me.
Tutor Lioren paused, retrieved it, and returned it neatly. Meanwhile, I finished the last equation on my worksheet—
—and froze.
The creature sat on my desk.
Grinning.
"Oh no," I whispered. "You did not just respawn."
Its ruby-tinted eyes sparkled.
Then it grabbed my worksheet in its mouth and bolted.
"HEY—THAT'S GRADED—!"
I was already chasing it.
"Lady Evelyn, do not shout—!"
Too late.
The creature leapt up shelves, bounced off ladders, and zipped between aisles like it paid no rent and feared no consequences.
Up close, I saw it clearly now.
Not a cat. Not a fox.
A Luminox—a rare spirit-beast known for illusion magic, trickery, and a personality problem.
"YOUNG MISS!" Tutor Lioren shouted. "Stay back—it could be dangerous!"
I opened my mouth to say it literally stole my homework—
When the Luminox's eyes flared.
Magic surged.
The window exploded outward.
And the creature leapt through it.
"…Oh, you've got to be kidding me."
I jumped after it.
Glass cut my sleeves. Wind rushed past my ears. Tutor Lioren's voice faded behind me as I ran—too fast, too far, too deep.
The forest swallowed me whole.
I stopped only when my lungs burned.
Dark trees. Twisted roots. Silence thick enough to choke on.
I spun in a circle.
"…Lost. Great. Fantastic. Ten out of ten decision-making, Evelyn."
I dropped onto a fallen log with a groan.
"That stupid glowing furball—who steals paper anyway?!"
Right on cue, it appeared.
The Luminox sat before me, tail flicking.
No worksheet.
"…Did you eat it?" I demanded. "Because if so, you owe me emotional damages."
It tilted its head.
Then spoke.
In a man's voice.
"Eat it? Please. I only needed it to lure you."
I yelped, slipped backward—
—and fell.
Pain shot through my ankle as I landed hard.
The Luminox hopped down after me, laughing—a sharp, mocking sound.
"What a disaster. Honestly, who sent you here?"
I clenched my teeth. "Careful. I bite."
"Oh? The brat speaks."
I grabbed its paw and flung it aside.
It shrieked. "MY FUR—!"
I tried to stand.
Pain.
Sharp. Unforgiving.
"…Of course my ankle's sprained," I hissed. "Why wouldn't it be."
"You're unbelievable," the creature snapped. "Do you know how rare my coat is?"
"Lick it clean," I shot back. "You look like you would."
It burst out laughing.
"I am not a beast."
I rolled my eyes. "You've got four ears and two tails. Pick a struggle."
"Tsk. Insolent child."
"Fine. Since you won't tell me your name, I'll name you."
Its eyes narrowed.
"…No."
"I've decided. You're Sassy."
"SASSY?!" it screeched. "That is an insult to my lineage!"
"You kidnapped me with homework," I said sweetly. "We're even."
I limped away using a branch as support.
"Wrong direction," Sassy said.
"Then guide me," I snapped.
Before it could respond—
A howl split the air.
Two wolves emerged—massive, black-furred, eyes glowing yellow with magic.
My blood ran cold.
I couldn't run.
I couldn't scream.
I braced myself—
—and was suddenly lifted.
"Don't look," a familiar voice whispered.
Magic erupted.
Fire. Lightning. Screams.
When I dared to open my eyes—
A man stood before me.
Blue hair. Golden eyes. A beauty mark beneath one eye.
Power radiated from him like a storm.
"…Wow," I breathed. "You're illegal."
He laughed softly.
"Tsk. I suppose playtime's over."
Light engulfed me.
Darkness followed.
---
I woke in my bed.
Safe.
Whole.
Selene entered moments later.
"Good morning, miss."
"…Selene," I said slowly. "Hypothetically—if I were almost eaten by wolves yesterday—would you know?"
She smiled politely. "You returned to your room after lessons, saying you felt unwell."
Not a dream.
Not a hallucination.
I clenched my fists under the blanket.
I'm finding you, I thought. And when I do—Sassy—you're explaining everything.
---