The third morning began with a dream that felt far too real.
Ji-hoon woke up gasping for air. In the dream, she—or more accurately, Lirael's body—stood in the middle of the academy's dark training room. No other students were present. There was only Rylan Storm, shirtless, his chest muscles glistening with sweat, his sword thrust into the floor. The young man approached without a word, his hands touching Lirael's slender waist before moving slowly upward beneath her heavy breasts. His fingers pressed and squeezed gently, and Ji-hoon felt a sensation so intense she nearly screamed in the dream. Her body reacted wildly—nipples hardening, inner thighs trembling, and a shameful dampness between her legs.
Then, Rylan whispered in her ear: "Professor... you've been waiting a long time for this, haven't you?"
Ji-hoon woke up exactly as Rylan's lips were about to touch her neck. The blankets were tangled, and purple hair clung to her sweaty face. Her chest heaved rapidly, and her night bra felt much too tight. She sat up immediately, pressing her hand to her chest as if she could stop her racing heart.
"It's just a dream... just a stupid dream," she muttered repeatedly. But the body did not lie. Her underwear was wet. Truly wet. Ji-hoon felt a burning shame that reached her ears.
She hurried to the bathroom, turning on the cold water completely. Ice-cold water drenched her skin, but the heat in her lower abdomen did not immediately fade. She stood under the shower for nearly 20 minutes, trying to wash away the feeling. "I'm a man. I'm not interested in guys. Especially not an 18-year-old kid who is clearly a harem protagonist."
But Lirael's body had its own memories. Years of being single after Alaric's death. No man's touch. No intimacy. This body was like... it was starving. And that dream felt like opening a door that had been locked tight for years.
As she stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her body, Elara was already knocking on the door. "Mama? You took so long in the shower. Breakfast is ready!"
Ji-hoon took a deep breath. "Yes, in a moment, sweetheart."
She dressed faster than usual today—choosing the most "covered" outfit Lirael owned: a long-sleeved black blouse with a high collar, a long vest that reached her thighs, a wide A-line skirt that didn't overemphasize her hips, and a thick dark grey professor's coat. She even wore a thin scarf to cover her neck—as if it could protect her from gazes.
"Too paranoid," she thought. But after last night's dream, she didn't want to take any risks.
***
At the academy, there was a special schedule that day: the "Individual Potential Evaluation Session" for first-year students showing signs of extraordinary talent. Only 12 students were called, including Rylan Storm, Sophie the cute healer, and a prince from a neighboring kingdom named Leon Valtor—a boy with golden hair, an arrogant attitude, but an A-rank light magic affinity.
The session was held in an underground training room—totally enclosed, without windows, illuminated only by pale blue light crystals. The walls were lined with anti-eavesdropping and anti-sound runes. This meant whatever happened inside would not be heard or seen from the outside.
Ji-hoon was one of the three professors tasked with overseeing this session, alongside Prof. Mira (a senior healer) and Prof. Darius (a large, swordmaster teacher with a thick red beard).
As the students entered one by one, Ji-hoon sat in the high observer's stands, her legs crossed tightly, her professor's coat pulled close to her chest. She tried to look cold and professional.
Rylan entered last. His eyes immediately sought Ji-hoon in the stands. A small smile appeared on his lips—a smile that made Ji-hoon shiver again.
The session began with individual evaluations. Each student had to demonstrate one signature move in front of the professors.
Sophie went first. The small girl with short brown hair was nervous but managed to create a 3-meter radius healing circle that healed simulated wounds on a practice dummy. Ji-hoon gave a slight nod. "Good, Sophie. Your control is stable."
Leon Valtor followed. The prince showed off Light Judgment—a blinding beam of white light that turned the training target into ash. Arrogant, but powerful. Prof. Darius laughed loudly. "This kid is going to be a threat in the tournament!"
Then came Rylan's turn.
The young man stepped into the center of the arena without a weapon. He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them—his blue eyes glowing faintly like lightning.
"Multi-Element Burst," he said softly.
Suddenly, five elements appeared simultaneously around him: fire, water, wind, earth, and lightning. All of them swirled wildly, then fused into a purplish-black energy ball the size of a basketball. He threw it at the target—a powerful explosion, but perfectly controlled, only destroying the target without damaging the walls.
The room went silent for a moment.
Prof. Mira clapped softly. "S-rank is indeed no joke..."
Ji-hoon remained silent. She knew that move—it was one of Rylan's signature moves in the game, usually used around Chapter 40. But here, in the first week, he could already do it?
Rylan turned toward the stands, his eyes meeting Ji-hoon's directly.
"Professor Vespera... was my demonstration satisfactory?"
His tone was polite, but there was a teasing undertone that only Ji-hoon caught.
Ji-hoon replied flatly. "Enough. Return to your position."
After everyone finished, the professors went down to provide individual feedback. The large room now contained only the three professors and the 12 students.
Prof. Darius oversaw the boys, while Prof. Mira oversaw the girls. This left Ji-hoon to give feedback to... Rylan and two other male students.
They moved to a small side room—a private consultation room also sealed with soundproof runes.
Ji-hoon sat in the professor's chair, with Rylan in front of her, about a meter apart. The other two students had finished earlier and left.
Now, it was just the two of them.
Ji-hoon opened her notebook. "Your affinity is extraordinary, Mr. Storm. But you rely too much on raw strength. Emotional control also needs practice."
Rylan leaned slightly forward. Elbows on his knees, eyes unblinking.
"I agree, Professor. That's why I need... more intense guidance."
Ji-hoon stared sharply. "That can be arranged through the official schedule."
Rylan gave a thin smile. "I don't like waiting for the official schedule."
The air in the small room felt heavier. Ji-hoon smelled the faint scent of lightning and a young man's sweat. Lirael's body reacted again—a throb in her chest, heat rising to her neck.
"Mr. Storm," Ji-hoon said coldly, "respect the boundary between teacher and student."
Rylan rose slowly. He was tall—about 185 cm—and standing up forced Ji-hoon to look up slightly even while sitting.
"I respect you, Professor. More than you think."
He stepped one step closer. The distance was now less than half a meter.
"I know you're a single mother. I know you're strong. I know you're... lonely."
Ji-hoon stood up suddenly, the chair sliding back with a harsh sound. Her body trembled—not from fear, but from anger mixed with panic.
"Enough."
But Lirael's voice came out softer than intended. Almost like a sigh.
Rylan did not back down. His eyes briefly dropped to Ji-hoon's chest—though covered by the thick coat, the curves were still clearly visible.
"Forgive me if I overstepped. But I cannot lie to myself. You are the most fascinating woman I have ever seen."
Ji-hoon clenched her fists. Her pride as Park Ji-hoon screamed: Hit him! Kick his crotch! But this body... this body was shivering with pleasure hearing those words.
She backed up until her back hit the wall.
"Get out. Now."
Rylan stared for a long time, then nodded slowly.
"Very well, Professor. But this isn't over."
He turned and left, leaving Ji-hoon alone in the small room.
Ji-hoon sank to the floor. She was gasping for air. Her right hand unconsciously touched her neck—where Rylan had almost kissed her in the dream. Her skin was hot.
"I... almost gave in just now," she whispered in horror. "This body... wants to be touched."
She closed her eyes, trying to remember her former self—the ordinary Korean man, thick glasses, messy hair, living alone in a cramped apartment.
"I am not Lirael. I am Park Ji-hoon. And I won't fall into the arms of that damn harem protagonist."
But in her heart, there was a small whisper growing louder: "But it felt... so good to be looked at like that."
***
POV: Prof. Mira
I have taught at this academy for 18 years. I know the kind of looks the male students give Lirael. But Rylan Storm's gaze today... it was different.
It wasn't the gaze of a high school kid going through puberty. It was the gaze of a mature man who knew exactly what he wanted.
And what's more worrying: Lirael looked... shaken earlier.
Usually, she is cold, calm, like an ice queen. But after the private consultation session with Storm, she came out of that small room with a red face and a somewhat shaky step. Her coat was pulled tight as if she wanted to hide something.
I approached her in the underground corridor.
"Lirael? Are you okay?"
She gave a forced smile. "Just tired. These first-year students... they are so energetic."
I didn't believe her. I know Lirael hasn't been close to a man for a long time. After Alaric died, she shut herself off. But her body... her body is still that of a 34-year-old mature woman with healthy hormones. And now there is an S-rank youth who is clearly targeting her.
I touched her shoulder gently.
"If anything is bothering you, let me know. I can help... or at least listen."
Lirael looked at me for a moment. Her dark purple eyes looked... fragile.
"Thank you, Mira. But I'm fine."
She walked away, her buttocks swaying slightly behind the wide skirt. I sighed.
"That girl... or rather that woman, is about to be hit by a storm. And that storm's name is Rylan Storm."
***
That night, at the villa.
Elara was asleep. Ji-hoon sat at her desk, staring at a pile of ungraded assignments. But her mind wasn't there.
She opened a secret drawer in the desk—a drawer only Lirael knew about. Inside was a small box engraved with locking runes. She opened it with a fingerprint.
Inside: a silver locket with a purple sapphire. A wedding gift from Alaric.
Ji-hoon held it. Lirael's memories came flooding back: their first night, warm embraces, soft kisses, bodies merging under the moonlight.
This body suddenly yearned for that. Not Ji-hoon—but Lirael.
She closed the box firmly.
"No. I won't give in to these memories. I have to remain me."
But as she lay in bed, her hand unconsciously touched her own chest. Fingers traced the curves of her breasts above her bra. The sensation was soft, warm, tempting.
She pulled her hand away quickly, turned over, and pressed her face into the pillow.
"Tomorrow I will be stronger. I have to be."
Outside the window, the night wind blew gently. And in the distance, in the first-year dormitory, Rylan Storm stood on his balcony, looking toward the hill where Professor Vespera's villa was located.
He smiled in the dark.
"Professor... tonight you must be thinking of me."