Back to the Present
Luna sat alone in her small room. The oil lamp on the table cast a gentle glow, reflecting softly off the necklace she had just taken off. The blue pendant lay quietly on the wooden surface, shimmering as if it were staring back at her.
"I still can't believe it…" Luna whispered. "What Miera told me… it feels like a lie. Like a story made up to scare a child."
Her breath trembled. "But… it's the truth."
Restlessly, she traced a circle on the table with her index finger. A small magic circle appeared, glowing with a faint purple light. In the next instant, a black cat jumped out of it—her familiar—its tail swaying lazily.
"You called for me, Luna?" the cat asked, stretching casually.
Luna looked at it with a troubled expression.
"The royal family… they did something cruel to the Meyer family in the past. But the Prince is kind to me… and the King too. I can't bring myself to hate them completely."
She bit her lip.
"But… how can I thank people whose ancestors killed my family?"
The cat fell silent for a long moment. Then—far too confidently—it puffed out its chest.
"Alright! Leave it to me!"
Luna's expression instantly turned pale.
"Eh? W-wait! Don't do anything weird!"
Ignoring her warning, another magic circle appeared beneath the cat. Light flooded the room.
"DON'T!!" Luna screamed.
BOOM!
A burst of magical wind sent Luna stumbling backward, her hair a mess as her chair toppled over.
When the light faded, a humanoid man stood in the center of the room—pale skin, black hair, cat ears perched on his head. He grinned widely.
"Well? Cool, right?" he said, flashing a toothy smile.
Luna covered her mouth, eyes wide with fear. She stepped back again and again.
"W-why did you transform!? I didn't ask for this! You're scary!"
With a pitiful, half-teary expression, Luna clenched her fists to her chest.
"P-please… turn back into a cat…"
But the humanoid only leaned closer, staring at her like a cat about to pounce on its toy.
"Come on… just say it," he teased.
"Say it quickly. 'I want to thank them.'"
Luna trembled, her cheeks turning red in embarrassment and fear.
"I-I won't… I-I'm embarrassed!"
"Say it!"
He curled his fingers like claws. "Say… thank you!"
Luna let out a small scream and covered her face with both hands.
"I DON'T WANT TO! STAY AWAY!!"
The humanoid laughed in satisfaction as Luna rolled to the side, hugging her pillow like a frightened kitten.
---
That night felt endlessly long for Luna. After everything she had gone through, she finally fell into a deep sleep in her simple room. In her arms, Aether—her black cat familiar—was also fast asleep, trapped warmly like a fluffy pillow.
In her sleep, Luna murmured softly, her voice sweet and sleepy.
"Aether… you're so naughty… you bullied me…"
Still asleep, her hand suddenly lifted and gently patted Aether's head, as if scolding him without realizing it.
Aether opened one eye slightly, his expression utterly flat—like a cat questioning the meaning of life.
"Was I… too much?" he muttered quietly.
With a lazy movement, he carefully slipped out of Luna's arms. Her body shifted slightly, but she didn't wake. Aether climbed onto her shoulder and curled himself there like a small black blanket.
"This human… is really troublesome," he whispered before closing his eyes.
In the quiet, warm room, Luna and Aether slept together—Luna with a faint smile on her face, and Aether curled around her shoulder like a tiny night guardian.
That night ended in peaceful silence, as if the world itself had granted them time to breathe after all the chaos.
---
The next morning was bright and lively. Merchants busied themselves with trade, magic academy students rushed toward the gates, and guards opened the kingdom's doors to visitors coming and going.
Inside the classroom, Luna opened the door and stepped in lightly.
"Good morning," she said.
Rey and the others immediately turned toward her.
"Luna, how was your time at the palace yesterday?" one student asked.
"Yeah! Did you meet the Prince? He's really handsome, right?"
"I bet he likes you. You're cute too," another added.
Luna panicked instantly. Her face went pale, her body stiffened, and her brain worked at full speed searching for a safe answer.
"E-eh… The Prince's brooch… reflects light very beautifully. So when I think about how light reflects from it…"
She didn't get to finish her sentence.
The classroom door opened quietly.
The Prince stepped inside—standing directly behind Luna.
"That's why I wasn't thinking about the Prince," Luna continued innocently, completely unaware.
"So… he's not that important."
The entire class froze.
Mouths hung open. Eyes widened. Someone choked on their own breath. Rey covered his face with his hand.
"L-Luna…" one student whispered, pointing behind her.
Luna turned around.
"Eh…?"
The Prince stood there with a polite smile—but his eyes clearly said I heard everything.
"Lady Meyer," he said calmly,
"Is speaking with me—or doing anything involving me—so unimportant to you?"
Luna completely panicked. Her fingers twitched like she was casting the wrong spell, her face burned red, and she stammered.
"Hah?! N-no! That's not what I meant! I mean—!"
She looked left and right, desperately searching for an excuse. All eyes were on her like an audience watching a tragic comedy.
Finally, with confidence that absolutely did not match the situation, she declared loudly:
"I can talk properly with Your Highness because… of your brooch!"
The entire class nearly fell out of their chairs.
"YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO SAY 'BECAUSE OF THE PRINCE,' NOT THE BROOCH!" several students shouted in unison.
Luna could only smile stiffly, clutching an imaginary veil that didn't exist, praying for the ground to swallow her whole.
---
In the Kingdom of Alcarius, the central capital of the interregional alliance, grand buildings towered over the bustling streets. The city never seemed to sleep, filled with citizens, merchants, and nobles alike.
Inside the palace, the doors to the main hall opened slowly. A middle-aged man stepped inside—thin mustache, dressed in simple traveling merchant attire. He bowed respectfully before the king.
"Good morning, King Xin Albatros."
King Xin nodded lightly. "Good morning, Rada. What is your report?"
Rada inhaled and spoke seriously.
"In Farmedas, I witnessed a large-scale attack. However… there was something even more significant. A member of the Meyer family is still alive."
King Xin raised an eyebrow slightly. "Is that so?"
Rada nodded firmly.
"I saw it with my own eyes. Thunder Vein magic—the signature power of the hero from two hundred years ago—appeared in the sky. There's no mistaking it. That girl must be a direct descendant of the Meyer bloodline."
King Xin crossed his arms, his gaze sharpening.
"So it's finally confirmed."
"That is all the information I can provide for now."
Rada bowed once more. "I will be returning home."
"Back to the Eastern Dynasty Empire?" the King asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
King Xin smiled faintly. "Then send my regards to Tenma."
"Of course," Rada replied before turning and leaving the hall.
After Rada departed, King Xin leaned back against his throne. His left hand tapped lightly against the armrest, his eyes deep in thought.
"So… the Meyer lineage has not faded," he murmured.
"This will change many things."