"Sorry for the trouble today, Theos," she said.

The sun dipped below the horizon, its golden light fading. Stalls across the Imperial Capital began packing up, the street losing its daytime bustle. Though nightlife would soon stir, for now, pedestrians drifted away like scattered leaves.

"No trouble at all. I actually enjoyed it. Thank you for spending the weekend with me, Caina."

Theos replied with perfect courtesy.

Both were legitimate heirs of imperial dukes, acquainted since childhood galas. Their ease was natural—no stiff postures, no forced smiles.

Moyu Manatsu simply played the third wheel, staying silent. Noble conversations weren’t her arena.

Likewise, Mellu the maid held her tongue.

"Caina."

Theos suddenly called to the girl behind Caina.

"Hm?"

Moyu blinked, caught off guard.

"May I borrow three minutes of your time? Privately."

His tone suggested something personal.

"Sure."

She recalled his last private talk. This wasn’t about romance—she trusted that much.

"Master..."

Mellu’s lips tightened, but she watched helplessly as her master led the girl aside. Knowing Theos’s principles, she swallowed her protest and resumed her duties.

Away from Caina and Mellu, Theos turned to face her. Moyu waited quietly, letting him speak first.

"Lunorette, do you remember your power fading in the Death Forest? It returned later, but... why did it drop right before defeating that assassin? And why did you lose to me before?"

Guilt prickled Moyu’s chest.

*So that’s his ‘private matter’...*

How could she explain that the original Lunorette’s power faltered because *she’d* hijacked the body? Even after absorbing Lunorette’s core energy to beat Xiejit, controlling this body remained messy.

As she hesitated, Theos sensed her reluctance.

"You needn’t tell me. I understand—it’s important."

He wouldn’t press further. It wasn’t gentlemanly.

"Just know this: I crave a fair fight. I’ll never challenge you when your strength wavers. Your secret’s safe with me."

He’d wounded her before, yet Moyu had to admit—he embodied noble grace. He’d kept her weakness silent.

*Such integrity... I’d trust him as a friend.*

"Then I’ll take my leave. Apologies for wasting your time."

"Theos, I—"

She reached out.

"Tomorrow, I’ll challenge you again. And I *will* defeat you fairly."

He spoke without turning.

*His obsession?* Moyu thought. *Winning.*

Theos Fodisar hungered for the academy’s top rank. Only by crushing the current champion—Lunorette—could he claim it.

*Typical noble pride. Honor over life.*

"Mellu. Let’s go."

"Yes, Master Theos."

As their figures vanished, Moyu stared at the sunset, her thoughts churning.

"What’s wrong, Xiao Mo?" Caina asked gently.

"What kind of person is Theos?"

"Interested in him?" Caina teased.

"No. Just... wondering."

Moyu shook her head, her gaze sharp with unspoken thoughts.

"Is winning truly that vital to nobles?"

Night deepened. Moyu’s time here dwindled—by dawn, she’d return to her world, not to revisit until the day after.

Back at the academy, it was late. After grabbing dinner outside, they entered their dorm still in street clothes. A knock interrupted them.

They exchanged glances. Caina opened the door.

"Yo! Back from your fun outing?"

A red-haired girl pouted, eyeing their cute outfits. "No invite for me? Rude!"

"Jealous you weren’t asked, Saria?" Caina chuckled.

"Damn right! Traitors!"

"Really? I heard you were buying flowers with first-year Josephine last night..."

"..."

"Saria? You look pale. Fever?"

"Ahaha! Lovely weather today—"

"It’s nighttime."

"..."

"Anything else to confess?"

"...Caina. My homework’s blank. Can I copy yours?"

*Classic Saria.*

Caina saw right through the fake jealousy—Saria just wanted answers. Her combat skills were stellar, but academics? She always borrowed Lunorette’s notes.

"Come in. I’ll *teach* you."

"Eh? No copying?!"

"Own your work~"

*Déjà vu.*

Moyu remembered begging her friend Yuki for homework copies back home. (Yuki rarely complied.)

"Oh! My homework’s also—"

She froze. *Magic assignments exist here too?!*

*No way I’m doing homework in another world!*

...This would be a sleepless night.

***

Moonlight bathed the training ground. A white-shirted boy gripped a wooden sword, sweat dripping from his brow. Shattered dummies littered the grass. His heartbeat thundered.

"Master, you’ve exceeded your usual limit," Mellu urged in her maid uniform.

Theos waved her off, chest heaving. Sweat slicked his hair, glistening under the moon—a sight that’d make any girl swoon.

"I know my weaknesses. Without effort, I can’t beat her."

He steadied his breath. Eyes sharpened. *Slash.* Another dummy split. Sweat soaked the grass.

*Xiejit’s attack showed me my powerlessness.* Against the empire’s might, he was insignificant. Only Lunorette’s strength saved the princess. *Never again.*

Mellu watched, wordless.

When the last dummy fell, Theos finally lowered his sword.

"I’ll draw your bath. Rest now," Mellu pressed.

He relented—likely tired of his own sweat. As Mellu hurried to the manor, Theos tossed the sword aside. Moonlight carved his silhouette.

Back in the hall, he toweled his neck. Footsteps echoed behind him. He didn’t turn.

"How are you?"

The man’s smile held decades of weariness.

"Does it matter?"

Theos threw the towel down, voice icy.

"A father may care for his child."

Duke Fodisar’s smile turned bitter.

"I know. But—"

Theos’s fist clenched, trembling. His patience frayed.

"I know I shouldn’t burden strangers with this... but—"

*Slam.* His fist hit the wall. The duke flinched.

"I’m tired. Of *this*."

He uncurled his fingers, sighing. Grief thickened his voice.

"I hate who I’ve become."

The duke ached watching those narrow shoulders—bearing curses, duties, a legacy too heavy for one boy.

"I’ll break your curse. Lean on me, just a little."

"Father."

Theos turned abruptly.

"Teach me Military Magic."

!

The duke froze. One moment, despair over curses; the next—this demand. He struggled to catch up.

"I refuse. Anything but that."

"It's too early for you to learn this now."

He had no desire for his child to live a life of killing at such a young age.

"Child, you're back?"

Just as the two stood locked in stalemate, a beautiful young woman descended the stairs. Seeing Theos standing there, her face lit up with delight.

She moved with poised grace, her features bearing a trace of resemblance to Theos. An air of nobility flowed naturally from her.

"Mom... Mom..."

Seeing his mother, Theos didn't know what to say and could only lower his head slightly.

"Child, I've been waiting for you. Come, let's sit down and eat properly."

Meeting his mother's expectant gaze, Theos couldn't find an excuse to refuse. Her gentle warmth had cradled him since childhood. Denying her request felt impossible.

"Let's set other matters aside for now. You can at least accept this," Duke Fodisar said with a smile.

Theos said nothing, stepping forward a few paces in silent agreement.

"I'll take a bath first, Mom. Can you wait for me?"

"Of course. Tonight, you can be your true self—this is your home."

Theos smiled but didn't speak.

The moon above the duke's mansion shone brilliantly, the house lights glowing warm and cozy...