CH 230

As a child, there had been a moment when the yearning for a genius girl who recognized Adrian’s talent on the street developed into love. Eleonora’s dream world had fascinated him at once. Her utopia had soon become his dream world.

But there had been no one to accept it, so there’d been no place for love. Love had gradually lost its initial innocence and turned into mechanical blindness.

“At this point, you’d understand no matter how stupid you are. Stop getting in my way, Ari. I’ve had enough. If you don’t like it, you can back off.”

And at times like this, his love was soaring. Adrian cupped his fists so tightly that the veins on the backs of his hands were clearly visible.

Eleonora watched as the model process stopped moving. She gripped the empty cup between her hands, and nearly slammed it down onto the table next to her. Spinning on her heels, she walked over to the door that led to the workshop where the process took place. But she soon stopped, perhaps because she changed her mind, and she turned around to Adrian, her eyes full of emotion.

Eleonora approached the window where Adrian was sitting. Having spent most of the day gripping pens and tools, her calloused hands ran through his blond hair. The touch was friendly, but there was no warmth in the voice that followed.

“Ari, you know you’re getting arrogant, right?”

Adrian became hot and bothered whenever Eleonora came around.

“You call this arrogant?” He asked in a sunken voice. “Is it arrogant to want you to stay away from dangerous research?”

“Adrian.” Eleonora sat down at the windowsill opposite him. “What’s the matter?”

“You could die.” Adrian blurted. The area that Eleonora wanted to touch was Adrian’s major field of study: spiritual magic on the human soul. That’s why Adrian knew exactly where a wizard should never touch. He reached up and gripped Eleonora’s hand, gripping it between his own hands

“Ellie, you shouldn’t touch the bonds between the body and the soul.” He said, his voice full of urgency. He pulled her hand down and pressed a kiss into it. “Please, don’t go too far. You said you want to plant a nucleus that replicates the soul in addition to the original memory and knowledge data. In theory or whatever, that is possible; in actuality, it is close to impossible. The risks are high.” Adrian looked up at Eleonora, whose eyes were beginning to water. “The body, it can recover even if it deteriorates. But the soul is different. When it takes damage, it cannot go back to its original state. Ever.”

“All I have to do is make it to where I don’t get damaged.” Eleonora licked her quivering lips. “How hard can it be?”

“It is completely impossible, Ellie. Damage starts immediately after the soul leaves the body. One mistake and you are brain dead. The possibilities of waking up again are less than one in one thousand.” After Eleonora remained silent, he pleaded to her. “Don’t do it. I don’t want to lose…”

Shortly before his increasingly intense emotions burst, Eleonora reached out and kissed him deeply. Adrian was stunned for a few seconds, before deepening the kiss and closing his eyes to enjoy the kiss. Eleonora knew how to handle Adrian quite well. Whenever he said something she didn’t like, she would kiss him as if it were a redemption.

He pushed down and grabbed her arm, but they only became more entangled. Her body was pushed back and her signature rose-scented breath was paralyzing with every exhale.

The kiss was long and dense. When they eventually broke apart, out of breath, Eleonora wiped his wet lips with her fingertip.

“I don’t fail, Ari.” She whispered into Adrian’s ear. “I promise.”

“El…” Adrian closed his eyes and turned away. He felt a hand cupping around his chin. Opening his eyes, looked back at Eleonora as she stroked her thumb over his cheek.

“But what you said is right, to some extent. Don’t worry. I’m not saying I’m going to start right away, but I will try it after I’ve had enough theoretical work.” Eleonora breathed a heavy sigh. “I feel like I’m wasting my life, just sitting around doing nothing when I can be out there doing so much. And I know you are worried about me. I didn’t mean to say you are arrogant. I’m sorry.”

“Then promise me…” Adrian murmured, embracing the warmth that was coming toward him, “Just don’t do anything stupid. I don’t want to lose you.”

“You won’t lose me, Ari.” Eleonora  kissed him again, and Adrian could feel himself melting into her touch. All was calm and well.

He hoped that everything would be alright.