Lux and I looked at each other as we both did some light stretching. She was glaring at me as she anticipated I was likely about to win yet again. Just because I was likely to win didn’t mean I was going to take this seriously. I ran through what Krahinn and I practiced mentally as I tried to map out what to start with. Krahinn was utterly insistent that I use as he had to show off his genius. That pretty much gave me the opening move. Maybe I should see if I could juggle Lux the entire spar? It might make Krahinn happy; it would definitely upset Lux. I let out an annoyed sigh. This was going to be so dirty. I summoned my sword, activated my , and engaged my . was very key to keeping the combination going. Sorry Lux, this is about to be brutal.

“I’m ready.” I declared. Mom looked at Lux who gave a confirming nod.

Mom signaled for us to begin. Lux immediately camouflaged as she began casting two . Interesting. Unfortunately for her, I did ask Krahinn about this. I began using , sensing the outline of Lux. I’m a bit annoyed that I didn’t think of it sooner. Krahinn had tears coming out of his eyes when I asked him he found it so funny. Let’s get this going. I descended upon Lux, who despite being invisible, gave off a sense of surprise as I swung at her. Her confusion was palpable when nothing happened. I immediately used to the side, acting like I was dodging her , before kicked in. With , I could cast the instant the delay of was over. I swung up, timing my swing with where Lux was about to be. She let out a surprised yowl as my sword launched her into the air. I can only vary the delay between two and three seconds currently, but it's more than enough. I jumped after her, manifesting several daggers of that I threw. I delayed two of them, aiming them way away from her current position as I climb up using . Lux quickly rotated, making a to deflect the dagger with. I went to cast on her, using again to immediately bring her to me. My eyes were starting to get a bit warm from maintaining .

Lux reacted fast, moving at blinding speed to try and kick me. I slid her kick, using again as I slashed her. Lux was about to use some I didn’t recognize. Lux. I’m sorry. I used on the to make it cast immediately before she could aim it. Something that resembled a shooting star burst out, launching into the castle. Lux tried adjusting, but the delay was up, sending her flying into my delayed daggers as I kicked her further up into the air. Lux used to pivot back down, trying to kick me as she prepped some . I again used to make them fly off before they were more properly cast. My was taking a beating. No wonder Krahinn made me practice casting more efficiently. I used three times in a row, which gave Lux a temporary reprieve. She shortened the casting of her , going for quick ones I couldn’t disrupt. She unleashed , which I used the combination to erase. I began casting before using to move where Lux was about to be. Lux caught on, attempting to kill her momentum when the first delay ended, which stopped her right in front of my , blasting her to where I now was. I made a wall with to catch Lux, as the remaining two delays ended, slamming her into the unyielding .

Her bones were clearly creaking from the force of my attacks, but she refused to give up. I pivoted into a kick, slamming her into my wall again. I alternated in to bounce her repeatedly off my wall. She managed to catch herself, but lag time was up as she was now getting dribbled like a ball against the wall. Lux went to reinforce her body. reinforced attacks. She kicked off my wall. with to launch her back against it. At no point did I relent long enough for her to attempt to cast a . After a solid minute of barraging her with attacks, I swung down with . Lux whizzed through the air, where Ipnerslei caught her while killing the momentum. Lux undid her camouflage, looking furious. Ipnerslei set her down as I undid . Lux was visibly shaking from all the damage as I began rubbing my face. Stupid . Why does it overheat so easily? I realized my entire family was gob smacked. Luna was looking between Krahinn and I, processing what she had just witnessed. Even Nautilus looked stunned as I landed. Krahinn was cackling loudly, celebrating like he just won.

“I am the great Krahinn! There are none better than me! That was awesome! Okay Nil, I’ll give you credit, you did manage with my help to learn that in a somewhat short time span.” Krahinn cheered. Ipnerslei and Lux both were giving him a wildly disapproving stare.

“No one likes a sore winner, Krahinn.” Ipnerslei snapped at him as he was beginning to dance.

“Did you not see that? That was innovation!” Krahinn retorted. I walked over to Lux as I shook my head to make sure she was alright.

Are you okay? I asked her. Lux let out a bit of a sigh as her shoulder slumped a bit.

I figured you were about to use something horrible. I’m fine, except for the bird brain gloating. Lux answered. She definitely looked a bit disappointed.

Sorry about him. I apologized, wishing Krahinn would just stop talking.

How does that work? Lux probed, as she clearly was mentally formulating a counter.

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I hit you, and then for several seconds it’s like it never happened. Once the delay is up, the attack actually happens wherever I originally connected. I explained. It probably could be used a little differently, but that’s all I was capable of for now.

Time cheats. Lux grumbled as she began healing herself.

It’s my specialty. I teased her. Lux swatted me in response. Fair enough.

I think I am going to take Ipnerslei’s offer. I. I just can’t catch you here. I need something and all I know is it’s not here. Lux told me, sounding quite frustrated.

I understand. I assured her. Lux nuzzled me for once.

“What was that?” Papa inquired. I realized, my entire family looked like they were questioning reality.

“The kind of ability obtained from an and a .” Krahinn answered, still smiling.

“How did he improve that much in so little time?” Uncle Nez checked as he clearly mentally replayed the spar in his head.

“It really wasn’t all that much; there were numerous small errors that were fixed. Just when you add up all the tiny thing wrong it looks like a lot.” Krahinn explained with a shrug. He was still smiling from ear to ear.

I mentally replayed the spar with Lux; my overheated so easily. It was probably the point I needed to improve on the most. Krahinn from what I could tell easily juggled between nine without much effort. He even could make large, projected eyes float around. That latter part might be because he’s an . Lux told Ipnerslei something mentally who gave an understanding nod. Her frustration at the growing gap between us was apparent. I know Luna recently felt more inclined to get stronger as well. I felt something odd in my chest as both of them were working hard to get stronger on my behalf. Is it my fault they got wrapped up in all this? Luna poked me in the cheek.

What’s going on in that head of yours? Luna inquired, looking at me.

You and Lux both are trying so hard to get stronger on my behalf. You got wrapped up in this disaster because you are people in my life. I explained. Luna glared at me.

Nil, we made our choices. It’s not your fault that a maniac takes offense to you being born. Don’t blame yourself. You don’t give yourself enough credit. Nil, you have no idea how much you matter or make my life better. Luna told me. That odd feeling got more prominent.

I do? I checked. Luna smiled at me.

You do in your own ways. Don’t blame yourself for the actions of others. Luna assured me.

Thank you, Luna. I told her. She was smiling at me still.

Let’s spend some time together later. We can go to one of the gardens after lunch. Luna suggested. This odd wave came over me.

Okay. I agreed, smiling back at her. Krahinn flicked a pebble at my forehead.

“Ow!” I snapped at him, rubbing where the pebble hit.

“Focus.” Krahinn snapped at me with several of his eyes glaring at me.

“What?” I inquired, trying not to be too irritated by him interrupting my conversation with Luna.

“I wanted to discuss Lux, Orga, and I visiting Phestia for a while.” Ipnerslei informed me. My family clearly looked conflicted about the suggestion.

“Where is Phestia?” I checked, wondering where that was.

“It’s where Hoggdin is from. It’s free of the influence of the Void King, and a great environment for her to get stronger.” Krahinn explained, looking less than thrilled.

“Why do you look so displeased?” I probed. Krahinn made a face but refused to elaborate.

“Because he’d have to ask Hoggdin for a favor, which he currently refuses to do.” Ipnerslei sighed. That didn’t surprise me whatsoever this was Krahinn’s reaction.

“That is only happening if Nil wins our wager.” Krahinn said immediately. His face was obvious not to press on this.

“Regardless, we should rewrite the contract between Lux and Nil.” Ipnerslei stated as she was clearly glaring at Krahinn.

“We’d like to discuss and think about this a bit before committing.” Mom told them politely.

“I feel we need to discuss a lot.” Dad added. It’s hard to blame them on that.

“That is understandable. Now Lux, let’s go practice some more.” Ipnerslei replied. Orga nodded along, as the three of them vanished.

“I’ll be back in a day or so. Have fun.” Krahinn yawned as he vanished.

“Do you two mind us discussing and gathering our thoughts before moving forward?” Mama checked as the rest were clearly processing the day.

“That’s fine.” I agreed. Luna nodded in agreement.

We all went our separate ways, and Luna looked at me expectantly. I used to bring us to the Night Garden. It was early morning, so it didn’t look as good as it usually did, but I liked the one tree by the pond. The pond was calm, looking like glass. There was a soft breeze making the lilies that surrounded the pond sway softly back and forth. It was a nice, lightly cloudy day. The autumn air was crisp and cool, making the garden pleasant. Luna sat down by the tree and tapped her lap. I laid down, setting my head on it. She began gently stroking my hair which felt really pleasant. It was pleasant and cozy as usual with Luna.

“Good boy.” Luna teased me. I looked at her as she was grinning at me.

“I’m not your dog.” I shot back. Luna added in rubbing her hands along my horns a bit.

“Someone laid down on command.” Luna taunted. She enjoyed teasing me on this a lot.

“Uh huh.” I deflected, nestling my head in a bit.

“It’s okay Nil. I want to be better, be stronger than I was. I made my choice, and I’m standing by it.” Luna assured me. These odd tingles went through me.

“Thank you.” I told her. Luna’s fingers felt so nice as she stroked my hair.

“You don’t have to thank me for dating you Nil, nor do you need to thank me for wanting to stand by you.” Luna replied. Her voice sounded so pleasant.

“But I want to.” I retorted. Luna made me feel so warm.

“I know Nil. You are the best.” Luna said with no hesitation. I leaned into her a bit more.

“Came back in time to befriend me. Try and become Empress.” I teased her, leaning my head into her lap more.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself you sappy dork.” Luna shot back. At no point did she stop stroking my hair.

“I’m not.” I told her. I could tell Luna was smirking at me.

“You are such a dork.” Luna chuckled. Her felt so pleasant as we laid there.

“You keep staying by me. You chose the dorkiness.” I taunted her. Luna chuckled a bit.

“You caught me.” Luna agreed. Spending time with her like this was so pleasant.

“I’m just. I have no idea how to convince Krahinn to be my . I’m not sure I can win without his help.” I confessed. Luna assuredly kept petting my head.

“Don’t worry about that. Just focus on now. Come on, let’s just enjoy the moment.” Luna told me. I relaxed more into her.

“Okay.” I agreed, as she began telling me how we needed to go dancing again.