✨ Moonlight Misfits – Volume 5 ✨
Fantasy • Love • Comedy • Web-Novel Style
By "Sabbir Ahmed"
Asteria's first day of "official magical training" in the Moon Court began with three rules:
1. Don't destroy anything important.
2. Don't set anything on fire.
3. Actually, don't touch anything at all.
By noon, she had broken all three.
The training arena—a floating platform surrounded by shimmering constellations—looked peaceful. It stayed peaceful for exactly forty seconds.
"Focus your energy," instructed Master Lyren, a stern moon mage with eyebrows sharp enough to slice fruit. "Channel the power within."
Asteria held out her hands. You can do this, she told herself. Nice, calm magic. No explosions.
Her magic responded with a cheerful BOOM, launching Lyren backward into a star pillar.
Kael rushed over, torn between concern and pride. "You vaporized his eyebrows! That's… actually impressive."
"Kael," she whispered urgently, "am I in trouble?"
Lyren staggered up, smoke drifting from his face. "Training. Has. Concluded."
As they left the arena, Kael grinned. "Could've been worse."
"How?"
"You could've blown up the entire platform."
"Don't give the universe ideas!"
Back in the palace courtyard, Asteria tried to soothe her embarrassment by feeding Puff. The dragon-cat accepted snacks while judging her life choices.
But her peace ended when a young moon noble approached. Tall, elegant, annoyingly handsome—he radiated the aura of someone who had never failed in his life.
"Prince Kael," he said coolly, "and… the Starweaver."
Asteria forced a smile. "Hi. Sorry about the explosion smell. That was me."
Kael stiffened. "Asteria, this is Lunevar. My cousin."
Lunevar gave a polite bow. Too polite. "The Court whispers about your power. Some call it destiny."
Asteria shrugged. "Some call it a hazard."
He smirked. "Perhaps. But the prophecy binds you closely to the royal bloodline. Very closely."
Kael stepped between them immediately. "Back off, Lunevar."
"Oh?" Lunevar's smile sharpened. "Protective, are we?"
Asteria blinked. Protective? Kael?
Before she could question him, the palace bells rang—a deep, echoing sound.
Lyren limped out dramatically. "The Moon Oracle summons Asteria. Immediately."
Asteria groaned. "Great. What now?"
Kael took her hand. "Whatever it is… we face it together."
And for the first time, Asteria wasn't afraid of destiny—
she was afraid of how much she wanted to stay by his side.