I nodded with determination when I sensed someone approaching from behind. Turning toward where Asrein was looking, I saw a cheerful-looking young man approaching, carrying a basket in one hand and a stack of papers in the other.

“Professor, you’re back already?”

His brick-colored hair curled in waves, with freckles dotting his nose and cheeks. His youthful face suggested he had barely reached his twenties.

Despite his young appearance, his exhausted expression – one that seemed to bear the weight of the world – immediately identified him as Jin, the graduate student Asrein had mentioned. When I gave a slight nod in greeting, the young man cast a curious glance my way.

“This person…”

“From today, they will be assisting with my research.”

“Really? Is that true?”

Life suddenly returned to his previously half-dead expression. I understood his feeling perfectly – it mirrored the relief of a new part-timer arriving during a busy shift. When I nodded empathetically, Jin’s mouth fell slightly open with emotion. Though we hadn’t exchanged any words, a strong sense of camaraderie already connected us. Setting down my luggage, I introduced myself cordially.

“I’m Tae-oh. I may be lacking in many ways, but I look forward to working with you.”

“Likewise! Ah, I’m Jin.”

His previously clouded sky-blue eyes transformed into the clarity of an autumn day. Jin looked ready to climb onto the roof and shout “Freedom!” After quietly observing our brief greetings, Asrein spoke to Jin.

“This is their first time at Angelus University, so I’d like you to guide them to the dormitory.”

“Yes, Professor. Leave it to me!”

His response burst with energy. Afterward, Asrein took only the documents Jin had brought and entered the research lab. Though I found myself alone with a stranger in the quiet courtyard, no awkwardness lingered. The moment the lab door closed, we made eye contact and nodded simultaneously. Without needing explanation, we left the research lab area together and headed to a secluded garden. The instinct to escape a professor’s line of sight remained universal among graduate students, regardless of which world they inhabited.

After setting our belongings on a bench, Jin glanced around cautiously before asking.

“So, did you know the professor from before?”

“Well… not really. It would have been presumptuous to claim such an acquaintance.”

“Why’s that?”

“I used to work under Count Ameli.”

His tired eyes suddenly flew wide open.

“You worked under Count Ameli?!”

“Haha, yes. I was literally a servant.”

“So you studied in your spare time while working for the Count?”

Working for the Count? What a frightening suggestion. I immediately shook my head and firmly denied it.

“No. I would sometimes read books while pretending to clean the study. That’s how I came across the professor’s book about magical creatures. Through various circumstances, I had a chance to demonstrate that knowledge before the professor… and thankfully, he seemed to value it.”

“Oh my…”

I nervously glanced at Jin, concerned he might resent me for what could appear to be unfair hiring. His shoulders trembled while he covered his mouth with his delicate hand. Just when I thought he was suppressing anger, he lowered his hand slightly and spoke.

“You must have had it rough.”

In Jin’s eyes, I saw not pity or sympathy, but the solidarity of a fellow comrade. Feeling guilty for my misunderstanding, I smiled faintly and said.

“You must have been exhausted managing two labs by yourself, Jin.”

“Ah, don’t even mention it. But it was okay because it was Professor Asrein and not someone else. He only calls on you when absolutely necessary. By the way, should I call you Tae-oh… sir?”

“Please just call me whatever’s comfortable. I’m just a commoner without even a surname – is it really okay for me to call you by name?”

I asked carefully, worried about committing a social faux pas. Jin shrugged casually, seemingly unbothered.

“It’s fine. I’m just Jin – from a fallen noble family.”

His laughter rang so cheerfully that I momentarily doubted my ears. Who would discuss their family’s downfall with the casualness of mentioning a neighborhood supermarket closing? Unable to either laugh along or take it too seriously, I just rolled my eyes. Jin seemed accustomed to such reactions and quickly changed the subject.

“Anyway, I’m so glad you’re here. Really! If you need anything, just let me know anytime!”

Jin thumped his chest confidently.

“First, I’ll show you how to get to the restaurant.”

Having bonded quickly over our similar circumstances, Jin gave detailed directions with the enthusiasm of a theme park employee. The restaurant with tables spaced about 3 meters apart, the library that dwarfed the small study in the villa – numerous other facilities existed, but the vast grounds made it impossible to see everything in one day. The campus tour proved so engaging that I nearly forgot about my heavy luggage during our return to the garden.

“I’ve shown you the places you’ll visit most often, so you should be fine for now. You’ll probably go to other places with the professor anyway, so don’t worry. I’ll give you a map tomorrow too.”

“Thanks, Jin. I shouldn’t get lost now.”

“This is nothing.”

I smiled at Jin’s playful shrug and asked.

“Where are you headed now?”

“Ah, I finally have some free time, so I was going to the backyard.”

“The backyard?”

“Actually, I keep rabbits as a hobby.”

Jin revealed the basket he’d been carefully holding. Under the green cloth lay fresh grasses. I recognized common plants like thistles and dandelions, along with some unfamiliar stalks.

“Wow, are you going to feed them?”

“Yes. I meant to go this morning, but work piled up.”

“Can I come along? I’ll help if you don’t mind.”

“Of course you can!”

Jin nodded enthusiastically while covering the basket again. Following him to the backyard, I recalled a colleague who kept succulents in the lab. They’d bought the plants hoping for a healthy hobby to counter their constant confinement in the dreary lab. Predictably, the plants withered within days, having absorbed all the negative energy from the lab. Pushing aside these gloomy thoughts, I asked Jin.

“Are we allowed to keep animals if we get permission?”

“Of course. We even have magical creatures here, so regular animals are definitely fine.”

“M-magical creatures? Here on campus?”

“Yes. But you probably won’t encounter them often.”

Wait. ‘Won’t encounter often’ meant… they weren’t completely absent? So we might actually see magical creatures here? Did they roam around this place like deer on country roads?!

Fear of potentially encountering dangerous magical creatures mixed with excitement at the prospect of seeing them, regardless of risk. Noting my animated expression, Jin asked curiously.

“Have you never seen a magical creature before?”

“Just once, a long time ago.”

“Ah~ then you’re in luck. You’ll meet one soon.”

What? What did that mean? Surely the rabbits weren’t magical creatures? Before I could ask about his meaning, Jin had already hopped over the fence to the backyard. Contrary to my concerns, about a dozen perfectly normal(?) rabbits played in the field covered with soft grass. Watching these white balls of fluff munching on grass as big as themselves with their slightly protruding snouts brought relief. Jin handed me a handful of grass from the basket.

“Please spread these around so the ones in the corners can eat too.”

“Okay, I’ll go over there.”

I set my luggage down by the fence and distributed treats around the area per Jin’s request. Perhaps tired of eating just grass, several rabbits quickly ran toward the treats. I felt foolish for worrying that magical creatures might lurk among these adorable creatures.

While looking around with a warm smile, I noticed a jet-black rabbit particularly isolated in a corner. The rabbit, far removed from the group, remained motionless even after seeing the food. Since it didn’t flee at my approach, it probably wasn’t afraid of humans… Among the white and spotted rabbits, could this completely black one face ostracism because of its color? Concerned, I took the most appetizing dandelion and approached, kneeling on one knee.

“Come on, eat this. See the others eating? It’s nothing strange.”

Though I murmured words it couldn’t possibly understand while waving the grass, the rabbit stayed perfectly still. Moving a step closer, I noticed the black rabbit had red eyes typically seen in white rabbits. A strange magical energy emanated from those eyes, which gleamed like polished rubies. With the sunset behind it, the rabbit’s eyes glowed ominously from within the shadows.

“…Huh?”

That’s when realization struck. That rabbit… no, that rabbit-like thing hadn’t moved since making eye contact with me. The other rabbits in the field twitched their noses dozens of times even while eating treats. In contrast, this rabbit showed no signs of breathing, let alone sniffing. Then what exactly was it…

An indescribable strangeness sent chills down my spine. I froze, paralyzed by the aura emanating from a creature no bigger than my hand. Though I desperately wanted to deny reality, those blood-red eyes continued their unwavering stare.

That’s when it happened.

“Is something wrong?”

Jin’s voice called from far away. Finally releasing my held breath, I managed to turn around. Jin was running over with the empty basket in hand, looking completely normal. Carelessly dropping the dandelion, I stood up and said.

“Oh, no. I was just trying to give some extra food to this one since it wasn’t eating.”

I gestured awkwardly behind me with a nervous laugh. Jin stepped to the side and carefully observed the area behind me. However, his gaze wandered around like he was looking at an empty field. No way. It couldn’t be. While my lips twitched with growing unease, Jin confirmed my fears.

“Who are you talking about?”

“What? The black rabbit right here…”

I hurriedly turned around and pointed to where the rabbit had been. But the field was empty. Moreover, the dandelion I had thrown down had also vanished.

“I don’t keep any black rabbits though?”