Chapter 149: Chapter 149- Faction
Julian studied the tattoo carefully, his eyes narrowing. The design seemed to radiate a faint, restrained power, similar in nature to his own slave mark.
As his gaze lingered, Beatrix broke the silence with a dry remark. "Don’t stare at it like some pervert."
Julian’s voice came low and edged. "Who marked you?"
Beatrix’s expression stiffened, her tone firm. "I can’t answer that. If I do, the mark will activate, and I’ll be dead before I finish the sentence."
Julian tilted his head slightly, considering her. Then he asked, "Can I touch it?"
Her brows lifted in surprise, and she gave a short, almost amused laugh. "That wasn’t part of the request."
Julian didn’t flinch. "I won’t know if you’re lying unless I test it myself. For all I know, this symbol could be nothing but a trick."
Beatrix’s lips quirked into a half-smile, though her eyes stayed sharp. "And what exactly do you think you’ll learn from touching it?"
Julian leaned forward just a fraction, his voice steady and uncompromising. "If we never try, we’ll never know."
Beatrix exhaled sharply, her arms crossing as if to shield herself. "Julian... we were once teacher and student. Don’t you think this kind of action is... deeply improper?"
Julian’s brow furrowed. "What do you mean by that?"
"I can’t accept such a request," she muttered, her eyes sliding away.
"I said I would only touch the mark," Julian replied evenly. "What did you think I was planning to do?"
A faint flush crept onto Beatrix’s cheeks despite her efforts to remain composed. "Still... it doesn’t change the fact that it feels wrong."
Julian leaned back slightly, his gaze unwavering. "Then it seems you’re the one imagining something immoral."
Her lips pressed into a thin line, frustration mixing with embarrassment. Finally, with a huff, she snapped, "Fine. Touch it if you must. But if your hand strays anywhere else, I’ll make sure you regret it, Julian."
Julian, hearing Beatrix’s reluctant consent, gave a faint, satisfied smile. "A wise decision," he said as he stepped closer, his hand slowly reaching toward her.
Beatrix’s breath quickened, her pulse visible in the flush of her cheeks. Panic flickered in her eyes, and just as Julian’s hand was about to touch her, she blurted out, "Wait—!"
His hand froze midair. He studied her sharply. "What is it now?"
Beatrix steadied her breathing, forcing composure back into her voice. "We should change places first... it’s too exposed here. Not safe."
Julian cast a glance around at the empty street, shadows dancing beneath the lamplight. After a moment, he lowered his hand. "Fine," he said curtly. Without argument, he followed as Beatrix led him toward a more secluded place, away from wandering eyes.
’Why did I even bring him somewhere more secluded... what a fool I am.’
Beatrix glanced over her shoulder at Julian, who followed her without hesitation. Inwardly, her thoughts churned in frustration. ’My intention was only to make him believe I came from a larger faction, to intimidate him... but somehow, everything has slipped beyond my favor. He doesn’t seem threatened at all. Since when did he become like this?’
Julian’s voice suddenly cut through her spiraling thoughts. "I never expected you to be an infiltrator for another group."
Beatrix exhaled slowly, masking her unease with forced calm. "That’s only because survival demands it."
Julian tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing with faint amusement. "Oh? I thought you were here as some spy, sneaking into the enemy’s stronghold, gathering secrets."
Beatrix’s lips twitched, her patience cracking. "Do you think I’m some kind of chunii?"
Julian blinked at her flatly. "...No?"
"I’m normal," she shot back, her tone caught somewhere between defiance and embarrassment.
Julian smirked faintly. "It seems you’re the only one who actually believes that."
"I am normal," Beatrix snapped back. Then her eyes narrowed and she jabbed at him without hesitation. "And you, you’re even more of a chunii than I’ll ever be. Always carrying that katana everywhere, acting like some brooding hero, and surrounding yourself with girls. If anyone’s chunii, it’s you."
Julian blinked, taken aback for a moment before a low chuckle escaped him. "I didn’t expect this..."
Beatrix straightened a little, oddly proud of finally landing a strike with her words. But her pride was short-lived when Julian added, his tone sharp with mockery, "I didn’t expect to be called chunii by someone who’s the very definition of it."
Her face burned with frustration. "You should really take a look in the mirror before talking like that."
Julian’s smirk deepened, his voice slow, deliberate. "But isn’t what I said true? Even back then, when you were still a teacher, your presence lacked authority. And that flashy style of yours, all the little accessories and attention-grabbing details... they made you anything but normal."
Beatrix’s cheeks flushed, a mix of embarrassment and irritation. "Enough," she muttered, her voice tight.
A heavy silence settled between them.
Julian broke it softly, his tone curious. "Was it... difficult?"
Beatrix froze at the question, eyes darting away as if searching for an answer in the dimly lit street. After a moment, she sighed, her voice low and almost defeated. "Yes... very difficult. I never imagined I’d make it this far."
Julian stayed silent, simply listening to her words, letting the weight of them hang in the air between them.
They slipped into a narrow alleyway, the pale glow of the streetlamps no longer reaching them. The walls closed in, shadows thickening until it felt as if the world itself was holding its breath.
Beatrix leaned back against the cold stone wall, crossing her arms over her chest as though to shield herself. Yet her flushed face betrayed the calm she tried to project. "Here," she whispered, her voice low but steady. "No one will see us."
Julian stepped closer, his presence filling the confined space. His eyes never wavered from the strange tattoo marked across her skin. "Good," he said flatly, his tone more command than acknowledgment.
For a heartbeat, silence stretched between them, heavy and charged. Then, slowly, Julian raised his hand again, his fingers hovering just above her skin.
Beatrix swallowed hard. "I warned you... if you go too far—"
"I won’t," Julian cut her off, his voice deep, unyielding. "All I need is proof. If this mark is what you claim it to be, I’ll know."
Her chest rose and fell rapidly, the nearness of his hand almost unbearable. She turned her face away, biting back words she didn’t want to say. "Then... do it."
Julian’s fingertips finally descended, brushing against the edge of the tattoo, and in that instant the air seemed to tremble around them.
As Julian’s hand touched the tattoo, a faint pulse of foreign energy ran through him, proof that the mark had been placed by someone else. Perhaps, he thought, the person was trying to extend their influence through it.
Beatrix, blushing and fidgeting, asked softly, "Is it... not over yet?"
Julian realized he was still holding the mark, his eyes tracing the curve of her body beneath the lab coat. "I’m certain now," he said slowly, "this is someone’s skill."
Beatrix adjusted her coat nervously, her cheeks deepening in color. "So... do you believe me now?"
Julian shook his head slightly. "Not yet. I want to hear everything, every confession, without anything hidden. Weren’t you the one who came to me asking for help?"
Julian added, his tone sharp, "Or... are you trying to threaten me?"
Beatrix, still slightly flustered, replied, "My original intention was to clear up any misunderstandings... and to invite you to join my faction."
Julian raised an eyebrow. "A faction...? Is the leader of that faction the one who placed this tattoo?"
Beatrix shook her head, her expression serious. "I’m sorry, but I can’t speak about that. If I do, it would be considered betrayal."
Julian pressed further. "Be more specific."
Beatrix’s hands trembled slightly as she explained, "If I speak about the faction, the mark activates and I’d die instantly. Because you revealed it without me saying anything, I’m still safe... And yes, I also intended to threaten you, because if I bring someone strong into my faction, I’d be set free... it’s like a trade."
Julian said, his voice calm but firm, "I see... seems I’ve been too lenient with you."
Beatrix shrugged, a mix of frustration and resignation in her tone. "What can I do? I want to live freely too, you know."
Julian nodded slightly. "Alright... the important thing is that all your actions are clear now."
Beatrix tilted her head, eyes narrowing slightly. "So... do you intend to help me?"
Julian’s gaze hardened. "Help? Why would I help someone who’s lied to me and even tried to threaten me?"
Beatrix blinked, a little taken aback. "Huh... really? You won’t help me?"
Julian shook his head, his tone steady. "I don’t want anything to do with factions or whatever. Besides... after this, we have to face the Sky Whale."