In the quiet, hidden garden behind Lupusrica Academy, Luna sat calmly on a stone bench, absorbed in a book of ancient, intricate spells. The midday sun filtered through, warming part of her seat with a soft glow. Despite her calm expression, she was waiting for someone, her gaze steady and unbothered by the world around her. Soon, a figure appeared through the trees.

"Luna," Katya called quietly, approaching her soundlessly.

Luna looked up, closing her book gently and gesturing for Katya to sit beside her. She had sensed Katya's approach, expecting her arrival.

"Did you find the information I asked for?" Luna asked, her voice even.

Katya nodded, a hint of pride showing in her expression. "Yes, I've gathered a good deal about Madalyn Naventhius," she replied. "As we know, she's the youngest of the Naventhius family, one of the most respected Pillar families in Aurelius."

Luna gave a subtle nod, urging Katya to continue.

"She has two older brothers," Katya said, careful not to miss a single detail. "The eldest, Marcus Naventhius, commands the elite Regalizen battalion under direct royal authority, giving him considerable influence within the kingdom."

Luna listened intently, noting the implications of Marcus's position. He was a formidable name, but learning of his rank only reinforced the potential threat.

"And the second brother?" Luna asked, her voice steady as her mind processed each word.

"Enzo Naventhius," Katya replied. "Although he doesn't hold the same rank as Marcus, he's still part of the kingdom's elite magical forces. Not someone to underestimate—every member of this family seems to be bred for excellence in magic."

Katya paused, watching Luna, who remained calm and unshaken. "And as for Madalyn," Katya continued, "she's impressive in her own right. All her achievements at the academy are her own, without relying on family connections. It's… unusual, even for a Pillar family."

Luna nodded, urging Katya to go on. She wanted to hear everything, down to the last detail.

"The Naventhius family possesses a unique, inherited magic—the power to manipulate light spectra," Katya explained. "With it, they can create powerful magic attacks, known across Aurelius as the strongest offensive magic. They're ambitious and ruthless when pursuing their goals."

Luna absorbed this, thinking over the strategic implications. Light manipulation, she mused. It explained much, especially the family's reputation as the kingdom's top offensive magicians.

"It sounds like a highly structured family, filled with ambition," Luna murmured, her lips curling into a faint smile. Closing her book, she looked at Katya with a steady gaze.

Katya hesitated, concern clear in her expression. "Luna, you know how this family operates. If Madalyn starts getting close to you or digging into your past, it could be dangerous for us. She might share her family's ambition," Katya said cautiously.

Glancing toward the academy windows that overlooked the garden, Katya added, "Honestly, I'm really worried. Letting Madalyn watch your movements is a risk we don't need."

But Luna merely smiled slightly. "Don't worry, Katya," she said softly but confidently. "She's ambitious, yes, but she's not a threat right now. For now, she's only curious and investigating. She has no evidence."

Katya frowned, still uneasy. "You seem calm about this. But if something goes wrong…"

"I understand your concern, Katya," Luna replied, her small smile unchanged. "But I don't want to rush things or make her suspicious by being overly cautious."

Katya sighed, knowing she couldn't press further. She knew Luna well enough to trust her rational mind. "If that's your decision, I'll respect it," Katya said, though worry lingered in her tone.

"Still," she added, "if Madalyn gets too close or tries to threaten you, I won't just sit back. I can't let you face this alone."

Luna's smile softened. "Thank you, Katya. But please, for now, don't draw her attention or block her path. It would only make her more curious if we acted suspiciously."

Katya took a deep breath, nodding. "Alright, if that's what you want," she finally said. "But I'll keep an eye on you from a distance. If anything changes, or if Madalyn acts strange, I'll report to you right away."

Luna nodded, grateful for Katya's loyalty. "We just need to go with the flow, Katya. This will all pass soon enough, and Madalyn will lose interest."

Katya watched Luna closely, searching for any sign of hidden worry. But as usual, Luna remained serene, confident in her choices.

Before leaving, Katya gave her one last glance. "Alright, Luna. I just hope you're really safe and not underestimating Madalyn. She *is* a Naventhius, after all."

Luna looked up at the fading midday sun warming her face. "Don't worry, Katya," she said softly. "I know my limits. After all, I don't need to overreach to handle someone who hasn't even figured out what they're truly after."

With a quiet nod, Katya left Luna in the garden. Luna reopened her book, reading with her usual calm. Yet beneath her steady expression, her mind was weaving various possibilities and plans.

Luna knew that dealing with someone from the Naventhius family wasn't to be taken lightly. Still, there was no need to rush. She felt confident that Madalyn's interest was a temporary distraction.

As Luna returned to her seat in the classroom, she was greeted by Aria's broad smile. With bright eyes, Aria instantly invited her to lunch as usual.

"Luna, let's go to the dining hall! They say there's a special dish today," Aria beamed, waving her hands excitedly as if fearing Luna would decline.

Luna smiled faintly and nodded. "Alright, Aria," she replied calmly. Though she preferred quieter surroundings, Luna found these lunches with Aria a pleasant routine.

Walking side by side to the dining hall, Aria chatted on about the recent lesson, upcoming assignments, and a few lighthearted rumors. Luna listened, occasionally joining in. They arrived just as others began trickling in to find seats. After gathering their food, they found a quieter spot in the corner, allowing Luna a little space from the usual clamor of the dining hall.

As Luna had expected, it wasn't long before Akira and Kurumi appeared, waving and quickly making their way over to them.

"Heeei, Luna! Aria! Mind if we join you?" Akira asked with a friendly grin.

"Of course! Sit down!" Aria replied enthusiastically. "You must have been looking for an excuse to come over here anyway, right?" She laughed, glancing at Kurumi, who stood shyly behind Akira but still managed a small smile.

"What? Not at all! I just wanted to socialize," Akira shrugged, settling in next to Aria while Kurumi took a seat beside Luna. "I think lunch is more fun when we're all together."

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Luna smiled slightly, observing the dynamic between them. Aria seemed to be getting closer to both Akira and Kurumi, chatting easily as if they had been friends for a long time. Kurumi, while quieter and more reserved, also seemed friendly enough. But what caught Luna's attention was how Kurumi always stayed close to Akira, even when he engaged with others.

They chatted lightly about classes and assignments, the conversation flowing easily until, as usual, Akira shifted the topic toward magic.

"Luna," he said, looking at her with excitement, "I'm still curious about how you control your magic so well. I mean, your Interferer magic seems really impressive. You must have some special technique, right?"

Luna regarded Akira calmly, a faint smile gracing her lips. "That's just an assumption, Akira. I'm just a regular Interferer from Neoforge. Nothing special," she replied softly, remaining modest.

Aria chuckled and added, "Luna is always so humble. But you're right, Akira! She looks so cool when she's focused!"

Akira laughed and looked at Luna with admiration, while Luna maintained her calm demeanor, as if their comments meant little to her.

"But look at you! You have a unique tranquility," Akira emphasized, his gaze locked on Luna. "I'm serious. Every time I see you, you seem so composed. No one else can maintain such self-control. You seem almost regal!"

Luna smiled softly, replying in her usual tone, "Thank you, but I'm not doing anything special." Inside, she recognized how easily people were captivated by the facade she created, how those compliments unknowingly served as a mask, separating her from anyone who tried to get close.

Aria, suddenly intrigued by a new angle, whispered to Akira, "You know, the way you look at Luna… it's almost like something out of a romance novel!"

Akira blinked, caught off guard, his cheeks flushing slightly, while Kurumi quickly interjected, looking flustered, "Aria, don't be silly! Akira's just admiring her technique, right? No need to embellish."

"Ah, come on, Kurumi," Aria protested with a laugh. "Who wouldn't be impressed by Luna? Only a fool wouldn't be interested!"

Luna listened to their banter, letting them drift into their playful conversation. Yet, from the corner of her eye, she noticed someone sitting not far from them. At another table, Madalyn Naventhius was watching them intently. Her sharp gaze tracked their every movement, particularly Luna's, though Luna pretended not to notice.

Madalyn sat alone, feigning interest in her book while keenly observing their group with a scrutinizing eye. Luna sensed that Madalyn's curiosity ran deeper than mere interest; there was a suspicion lurking behind each of Madalyn's glances. Still, Luna chose to remain calm and act oblivious.

Meanwhile, Akira continued the conversation with Aria. "How did your alchemy assignment go, Aria? Did you finish your experiment?"

Aria nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, I wrapped it up last night. It turned out to be easier than I thought!" She glanced at Luna. "Luna helped me understand some of the tricky parts."

"Oh, of course," Akira chuckled. "Luna is super helpful, isn't she?"

Kurumi, usually quiet, chimed in seriously this time, "Maybe you should be careful with how much you rely on Luna, Akira. Don't let yourself fall behind."

They all shared a small laugh, and Akira responded nonchalantly, "Don't worry, Kurumi. I'm learning through my own hard work too. But I wouldn't turn down some tips from Luna, would I?"

Luna smiled faintly, giving the impression that she was accustomed to their camaraderie. Although she recognized that her kindness could lead others to depend on her too much, she saw it as an effective strategy to maintain good relations with everyone.

From a distance, Madalyn continued to observe the laughter and smiles exchanged among the group. From the outside, they appeared to be a close-knit group of friends enjoying their time together in the cafeteria. Yet behind their laughter, Madalyn couldn't shake the growing curiosity she felt about Luna. For Madalyn, there seemed to be something hidden behind Luna's calm demeanor—something she was determined to understand, even if she hadn't yet fully grasped it.

"I think she's just an ordinary girl," Madalyn muttered to herself, trying to calm her thoughts. But deep down, she knew that Luna was more than that. But is she really just an ordinary girl? It seems I'll have to find out for myself.

When the final bell rang for the day, Luna and Aria calmly packed their belongings, ready to head home. The classroom buzzed with chatter, but suddenly fell silent when Madalyn Naventhius appeared in the doorway. Madalyn stood there with a cold expression, radiating an aura that made everyone go quiet. Aria, spotting her from a distance, hurried over to Luna, whispering anxiously.

"Luna! Why is she here? Did something upset her?" Aria's voice trembled as she glanced at their classmates, whose faces were filled with fear, avoiding Madalyn's piercing gaze.

But Luna seemed completely unfazed. Her expression was as calm as ever, as if Madalyn's arrival was just another ordinary occurrence. Meanwhile, Madalyn stepped closer, her strides measured and deliberate. She stopped right in front of Luna and spoke in a tone that sounded more like a command.

"Luna," Madalyn said, locking eyes with her. "Do you have a moment? I need to discuss something. Come with me."

Aria looked at Luna, panic etched on her face. "What are you doing, Luna? Are you really okay? Why does she want to talk to you? Did you do something to upset her?"

Luna merely offered a faint smile and replied softly, "It'll be fine. I'll go."

As Luna began to walk away, Aria tugged on her shirt tightly, unwilling to let her go alone. "I'm coming with you. I won't let you go alone," she whispered, fear evident in her voice but laced with determination.

Gently, Luna touched Aria's hand and said, "I'll be okay, Aria. Don't worry."

Reluctantly, Aria released her grip, though her heart was heavy with anxiety. Luna nodded, then followed Madalyn as she turned and led the way out of the classroom. They walked through the now quiet corridors of the academy, heading toward a secluded part of the building that was rarely frequented.

Madalyn didn't say a word during their walk, and Luna followed her in silence, observing each step with composure. Then, without warning, Madalyn stopped. In a swift motion, she turned, her hand raised, and energy crackled in her palm, glowing like a sharp, thin sword. She aimed her hand directly at Luna's throat with lightning speed, as if ready to strike her down in an instant.

But for Luna, time seemed to slow. She watched Madalyn's hand move, the glimmering light flashing swiftly. Yet Luna remained still, standing in place, her expression betraying nothing as she focused on Madalyn's movements.

Just as Madalyn's hand was about to make contact with her neck, the light in her palm abruptly flickered out. To Madalyn's eyes, it looked as if her hand had been severed. The detached piece fell to the floor, blood pooling and spilling out. A wave of excruciating pain shot through her, leaving her speechless and ghostly pale.

Madalyn froze, her heart racing, and with trembling hands, she felt a sharp pain as if the injury were real. Her eyes widened, breath caught in her throat, panic washing over her as she stared at the severed piece of her hand lying on the ground.

Unable to utter a word, Madalyn sank to the floor, cold sweat beading on her forehead, still clutching her arm where the cut should have been. As her breath grew heavy, she finally mustered the courage to look at her arm—and to her shock, it was perfectly intact, unscathed.

Confused and still trembling, Madalyn looked around, her fear palpable, and her gaze landed on Luna, who stood calmly before her, watching with an expressionless face. The realization of Luna's presence only heightened her anxiety. She tried to compose herself, pushing back her bewilderment.

With a quivering voice, Madalyn managed to speak, "W-who are you really, Luna?"

Luna offered a faint smile, gazing at Madalyn with a calm demeanor before replying in a soothing yet gentle tone, "I'm just a regular Interferer student. Nothing more, nothing less."

Madalyn furrowed her brows, disbelief washing over her. Her entire body still shook, and her eyes reflected skepticism.

Luna gently extended her hand toward Madalyn, offering assistance to help her up. Madalyn looked at the hand warily, a fresh wave of fear creeping back in. Luna's smile seemed soft, but in Madalyn's eyes, there was an unsettling mystery, hinting that Luna was far more dangerous than she had assumed.

"I… I don't need your help," Madalyn replied, her voice still trembling. She quickly stood up, brushing Luna's hand away. Without another word, she turned and walked off, leaving Luna with a whirlwind of thoughts. Each step felt heavy, her mind racing back to the recent events.

In the empty corridor, Luna watched Madalyn retreat with an unreadable expression. Her gaze was serene, a faint smile gracing her lips—one that was difficult to interpret. That calmness made her seem all the more enigmatic in the quiet hall.

On the other hand, Madalyn hurried away, still clutching her arm as if it were injured. The sensation of fear haunted her, even as she tried to convince herself that she was fine. Everything had happened so quickly, and the realization that it was all an illusion only deepened her confusion. She felt as if she were facing someone entirely different, someone who could penetrate her mental defenses just by standing there, composed.

Midway home, Madalyn paused, trying to catch her breath. Her thoughts swirled, and for the first time in her life, she felt something profound for a girl from Neoforge named Luna. It wasn't just curiosity or interest; it was a blend of fear and caution she couldn't shake.

"An illusion… She could easily kill me if she wanted to," she murmured softly, trying to process what had just transpired. The Interferer magic that Luna wielded had struck her so effectively, and it was clear that this was no ordinary ability for someone in her class.

Deep down, Madalyn knew that this encounter was just the beginning of something larger. Yet, while the urge to investigate further began to take root, a strong warning echoed within her to be careful. Getting too close to Luna meant facing risks she might not be ready to confront.

***