She awoke beneath the wing of daylight—a black cat with green eyes, the wind gently brushing through her fur.
"Meow."
The cat rose and looked around.
She was standing atop the academy's clock tower. The scenery was breathtaking, and students filled the grounds below.
The cat stretched her body backward, gripping the surface beneath her paws in a morning stretch.
Whoosh.
She leapt from the top of the tower and landed safely on the ground.
She began walking through the grass and trees until she passed a group of students. There, she caught sight of Eugene and Fred talking near the gate.
She continued on for about five minutes until she reached the alchemy laboratory—a large building on the eastern side of the academy.
It was square-shaped with a dome above it, painted sky blue with golden accents, surrounded by tall trees and a massive red iron door.
The cat climbed up between the trees.
"Try not to break any of my branches," one tree said in a cautious, warning tone.
"Hahaha, as if she could break one of your branches," another tree nearby replied teasingly, its red leaves rustling with playful seriousness.
"What is wrong with you? Why would you want her to break my branches? If you're still angry, I told you—the wind moved my branches and broke yours," the first tree protested irritably.
The cat glanced at them as they argued. Some of the other trees laughed, while others tried to calm them down.
She climbed higher until she reached a window overlooking the interior.
Inside were Professor Adelaide and Idris, preparing the classroom for the lesson.
The cat tilted her head, taking in a wide view of the academy.
Her gaze fell again on Eugene and Fred, now walking toward the academy's exit.
Then she noticed another open window from which a wonderful scent drifted.
By nature, Afghan cats possess sharp and swift senses.
The cat leapt from the building and began heading toward an apartment.
As she walked, she passed by Ralph, who was lying quietly on the ground, gazing at the sky.
She continued on and saw Alex leaning against the clock tower wall, holding a red flower. He plucked its petals one by one, murmuring softly as though whispering to himself.
She kept going until she reached the window from which the delicious scent emerged. She jumped between tree branches and windows until she arrived.
Peering inside, she saw dim lamps, a cool and quiet atmosphere, and a neat, orderly apartment.
A kitchen light was on, and a faint humming sound came from within.
The cat entered and landed on a soft, fragrant bed. Then she jumped down, left the room, and found the kitchen immediately to her left.
Inside stood a girl with long hair and a medium height, wearing a black nightshirt and pink floral pants.
She was facing away, cooking.
The cat approached and stood on the table near her.
"Huh?"
The girl turned in surprise, but she quickly smiled and gently stroked the cat with her fingertips.
Reem spoke in a soft, calm voice.
"You seem hungry, aren't you?"
The cat nodded.
"Hehe, you're a clever cat."
Reem laughed lightly and returned to her cooking.
Liuman soup—a soup known for being light on the stomach, improving digestion, warming the body, rich in nutrients, and delicious in taste.
Reem turned off the heat, took two bowls, and served some for herself and some for the cat.
She went to the window in her room and placed both bowls there.
She began sipping with a spoon while the cat drank her soup.
Reem tilted her head slightly and gently stroked the cat again.
"Ah… I truly miss my cat," she said, her voice heavy with sadness.
"She was beautiful, gentle, and unique—just like you."
Her thoughts drifted back, specifically to Melissa's birthday.
Melissa had once asked her with curiosity and interest,
"Why do you love cats so much?"
Reem had replied quickly, though with a trace of sorrow and longing:
"Because she was my mother's cat. After my mother died, she stayed with me. I was only five years old then. I became deeply attached to her—especially after my mother passed away."
Reem sank deeper into her memories.
Inside a warm wooden house lit by glowing white candles, her father sat on a chair reading the news. Her mother sat near the heater, while Reem and the cat rested in her mother's lap.
"You're such a sweet cat!"
Little Reem hugged her cat tightly, smiling brightly.
"Haha, dear Reem, don't hug her so hard—you'll hurt her," her mother said. Her voice carried the strength of a warrior against illness, yet it was filled with tenderness and warmth.
Reem sank further into memory.
In the middle of rolling hills, a torrent of rocks surged toward her as she ran after her cat.
When she turned her eyes and saw the rocks, someone rushed in front of her and embraced her.
At that very moment, the rocks fell.
It was her mother.
Reem had been just a child. There was a massive pile of rocks above her mother's body.
Her mother's final words were:
"Knowledge is stronger than anything else."
Reem remained in her mother's embrace for hours beneath the rocks. The shock was too great for her to speak or even cry.
She returned to the present.
Her face tightened, her lips lowered slightly, and her expression grew somber.
The cat moved gently within her arms.
Reem smiled faintly, took the cat in both hands, and lifted her as though she were a small child.
"You're clearly an Afghan cat. That breed is known for being especially sensitive to the emotions of those around them."
She placed her index finger lightly against her lower lip, thinking for a few seconds.
"I think my cat was Afghan too—but a different lineage. Specifically, a desert Afghan."
She looked at the cat with a gentle, beautiful smile.
"What do you think about becoming my cat?"
Reem set her down, and the cat walked toward the bowl.
"Meow… meow."
The cat circled the dish.
"Hahaha… alright, I'll make you food. That's what you want, isn't it?"
"Meow."
"Okay—but you'll have to tolerate my busy schedule and how often I'm out."
"Meow."
"Haha, I'll take that as a yes. Now drink your soup before it gets cold. It won't taste as good once it cools."
Reem took another sip with her ornate silver spoon lined with gold.
Her gaze drifted outside and fell upon Eugene and Fred returning toward Eugene's apartment.
Eugene was talking animatedly, moving his hands a lot, while Fred smiled and laughed.
Reem smiled faintly to the side as she took another sip.
"It seems their bond has grown stronger."