Chapter 59 My Exclusive Mount
Evelyn's POV
A Phoenix with a wingspan of 30 feet, breathtakingly beautiful.
Its feathers were mainly gold and red - the outer layer of its wings a blazing crimson, like burning sunset clouds, while the inner layer was a dazzling golden color, shimmering with a sacred glow in the sunlight. The edge of each feather had a faint fiery halo, as if it itself were a work of art made of flames.
On top of its head was a tuft of snow-white crest, standing proudly and radiating a holy aura. Its tail feathers were long and gorgeous, streamlined at the ends. When spread out, they looked like a burning river of stars, trailing brilliant streams of light behind it - stunningly beautiful.
Its beak was golden yellow, sharp and pointed. When slightly open, you could see golden heat waves surging inside. Those eyes were a blazing orange-red, carrying an ancient majesty and intimidating power that made you afraid to look directly at them, yet you couldn't help wanting to get closer.
Its talons had a dark golden sheen, hard as diamonds. Right now they were gently gripping the ground, leaving several deep scratch marks, showing the power it was currently holding back.
So this was... Kane's true self? This was the boy who always looked at me so softly, who worried about me, who was always so quiet?
I stared at Kane, even feeling like I forgot to breathe for a moment.
So beautiful.
This kind of beauty carried the power of destruction and rebirth, beautiful beyond all my imagination.
"Kane, you're not scary at all!" I looked at it, reached out my hand, and gently stroked the soft and warm golden feathers on its chest. The texture was surprisingly smooth.
"Kane, do you know... your feathers are really beautiful, like the most expensive fur coat, and with built-in temperature control." I leaned close to its ear and said softly, my voice carrying laughter.
"And I'm so jealous of you, having such a beautiful real fur coat. It must be really warm in winter, right? Way more comfortable than my down jacket."
Just then, Kane let out a small puff of fire, like a sigh that was both powerless and doting. The flames scattered into little sparks and vanished into the air.
He lowered his body slightly, his huge wings spreading to both sides. Something was flowing in those orange-red eyes - I couldn't quite tell what, but I vaguely felt he was waiting for me, not commanding, but waiting for me to walk over on my own.
"Well then, I'm coming up!"
I took a deep breath, thinking about how to climb up.
I felt the surroundings suddenly become quieter. Bruce stood not far away, arms crossed, that mocking cold smile hanging at the corner of his mouth, as if waiting to see me screaming and falling down in an embarrassing mess.
And a few of the classmates who'd been soaring around up there had also touched back down, all of them staring wide-eyed like they were watching some kind once-in-a-lifetime show.
I ignored those gazes and reached out to grab the thick layer of feathers on Kane's back.
The texture was incredible - not dry like ordinary bird feathers, but more like the finest silk, with a slight elasticity. I stepped on the base of his folded wings and climbed up using the leverage.
Kane was very cooperative. He even tilted his head slightly, using that sharp golden beak to gently hook my collar, helping me steady my balance and giving me a boost onto his back.
Finally, I was sitting astride his back.
It went so smoothly that I felt surprisingly agile, and the excitement made my heart race.
Kane's back was really broad. I shifted a little, wrapped my arms snug around his sleek neck, and pressed my cheek against his warm feathers.
"I'm ready!"
I patted his neck, feeling the muscles in his back tense, as if responding to me.
The next second, his huge wings suddenly beat downward.
A fierce whirlwind kicked up out of nowhere, blasting so hard I could barely keep my eyes open. Then this sudden rush of weightlessness hit me.
"Ah!"
I couldn't help but cry out, not from fear, but from the strange sensation, a feeling I'd never experienced before. I held onto Kane's neck for dear life, my knuckles turning white from the force.
The wind roared in my ears, and that feeling of possibly falling at any moment made my whole body tense.
I could feel Kane's body trembling just a little, he was trying to comfort me in his quiet, wordless way. And honestly, the ride wasn't nearly as rough as I'd pictured.
Just a few seconds later, that heart-stopping feeling of weightlessness disappeared, replaced by an unprecedented smoothness.
Looking down from the sky, the originally tall school building now looked as small as building blocks. The lawn in the courtyard became a green carpet, and those classmates who had looked so fierce before were now like ants on the ground.
The wind was strong, but there seemed to be an invisible barrier around Kane's body, blocking out all the cold. His feathers radiated a constant warmth, like a huge heater, wrapping me tightly.
The cold I'd imagined didn't come. I gradually got used to the feeling of flying.
I stretched out on his warm back, watching the world get smaller below me, and felt this rush of excitement and freedom I couldn't quite put into words.
"Kane, this is so much fun!" I patted his neck and shouted.
Kane tilted his head slightly, those golden eyes reflecting my flushed, excited face. He let out a clear cry that pierced through the clouds, as if responding to my cheer.
"I absolutely love the feeling of flying!" I relaxed, holding onto him with one hand while waving the other in the air.
I couldn't tell if I was just imagining it or if Kane really was happy, but I heard these short, cheerful cries from him, like there was a laugh hiding in them.
Then, out of nowhere, he folded his wings and traced a beautiful arc through the air before stretching them open again.
We were like a golden arrow, diving toward the distant lake.
Faster and faster, the wind screaming in my ears, but I still wasn't afraid. This thrilling feeling, this feeling of controlling the sky was addictive - or maybe it was because Kane was there that I was so bold.
He did a beautiful spin in the air, then hovered steadily next to the library tower.
"This is where you and I often hang out. Being able to see it together like this feels so different!"
I couldn't help saying, chattering away and talking to him like usual.
"Kane, you fly so steadily!"
Kane looked even happier than before. He lifted his head, and that little tuft of snow-white feathers on top shone bright in the sunlight.
We circled in the air several times.
I bet Bruce was standing on the ground with a livid expression.
"Kane, I think time's up. We need to go back!"
I patted Kane's neck. Kane let out a low cry, probably responding to my words.
He adjusted his posture and began to slowly descend.
When he landed, he folded his wings on purpose and crouched way down low so I could climb off more easily.
I let go and tried to jump down from his back.
But...