Another morning came and all of them were in the dining room for breakfast. For this day, Akiro chose to eat with them. He said that he already finished his paper works for the whole week.
Luna began to wonder. She wanted to know his secret because he still looked dashing even though he spent many hours working. There are no dark circles under his eyes, and his hair was combed neatly.
While she's busy thinking deeply, he didn't notice Akiro's voice.
"Luna?" he continued.
At this time, Luna was startled and looked hastily at him.
"I'm sorry, what is it?" Luna asked.
Akiro didn't mind repeating his question. For all he knew, her mind could fly anywhere, and anytime.
"How are the books I recommended?" Akiro said.
He didn't ask if Luna did well because when it comes to reading he's sure that she could study it very well. Instead, he asked if the books were helpful and contained enough knowledge for her curiosities.
"It was much more detailed compared to the books I was allowed in the library. I previously read a book about controlling magic and the books you gave me helped me understand some complicated terms," Luna answered.
"And I practice controlling magic," she added.
Akiro wasn't sure if he heard right then abruptly stopped eating.
"Practice controlling magic? Aside from the pocket watch?" he asked.
Luna suddenly thought that she was supposed to keep this a secret. She couldn't help but bit her lip. She's learning it so she could have element power and especially her research about the lightning element.
Since others were eating with them, Akiro only said the word pocket watch and not time powers. Ryle knew about Luna's situation but the two kids did not.
"Y-yes," Luna said.
She began to wonder if she shouldn't be doing that. Even so, she did it with care to prevent any major things from her body. Akiro's half power was still with her and she should take caution so his plan would go well.
Akiro didn't ask anything after that. Ryle soon began to chatter with the two kids until they finished eating.
Akiro told her to follow him to the study room before he talked with the two kids.
"I want to know when did you start learning about controlling magic," Akiro said.
He sat in his chair and a study table was in front of him filled with books and papers on the right. Luna who was in front of him was told to sit in a chair on the left side of the study table.
"I happened to try it when we were in the White Castle Hotel. It was the time that we already solved Claret's situation," Luna answered.
"So it was that long ago. That answered my question about why you are so excited about reading books. However, it could be good nor bad," he said.
Luna's eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean?" she said.
She couldn't help but be anxious. Her heartbeat was a lot faster than usual. Akiro looked at her worriedly but his usual blank face immediately returned.
"First, that magic you released wasn't from my time powers. To make sure, I wanted to see it personally," Akiro said.
Luna nodded and raised her hand. She pointed them at the left chair. A sudden gust of magic continued to flow through her veins. Soon after, a huge amount of magic substance appeared.
Luna was a little tired but nothing serious had happened and she could still move a lot comfortably.
After that, she restored it. It is bigger than last time. The amount it was increasing was very noticeable. She read that magic's growth has a measuring tool because it grows slowly over a year but her case wasn't exactly like that.
It's now thrice the size of a human which was previously the same size as one average human size.
Akiro remained silent after confirming what she holds. Moreover, she was completely fine after releasing that amount of magic. A normal beginner could only dream of having such huge amount of magic.
'This girl..' he thought.
"Goodness, it's good that you didn't pass out after controlling that huge amount of magic. You're a mage Luna but I'm confused. Why are you living on earth all this time?" Akiro said.
"Of course, it's because I was born there," Luna said.
She knew where this was going but still chose to remain silent.
"You shouldn't be Luna. I'm very sure. You belong here," he said.
"You mean there's a problem between worlds?" Luna asked.
"I don't know for now. My powers these days are limited, very, very limited and it wasn't connected to the half the time powers with you. It's a different case," Akiro said.
Luna just learned a thing about Akiro and herself also. She started to fear it a little.
'Why am I even here? I haven't read any books that a person from another world was able to be transferred here,' Luna thought.
She began to be confused. She started to think if she should just stay in Vermillion and never leave. The longer she stayed here, the stronger her attachment was and so were her magic powers.
A sudden excitement rose from Luna's heart. She couldn't help but think that if not for her mother, she wouldn't go back.
'Right, why would I even go back to where my nightmares are?' Luna thought.
For now, she wanted to find a way to talk to her mother. Somehow, her life was like a jigsaw puzzle that started to form piece by piece.
Her life was always filled with confusion. Her family's a mess but now, Luna suddenly gained the answer when and why her family started to break apart.
Luna had only memories of ten years old onwards. She shook her head. She refused to remember any events that include any member of her family aside from her mother.
'My family is only mother,' she thought.
They were finally happy then this happened. She only got to spend a year with her mother away from the rest of the family. It's the reason why she desperately wanted to go back to the day she was transferred here.
Luna looked at Akiro with her serious expression.
Akiro was sure that he saw hatred in her eyes. Her dark side, it was very attractive that he wanted to see more.
'How did a kind and calm minded person hid such a past perfectly. The last time I checked, she was trembling weak because of darkness and nightmare,' he thought.
"It's fine. I don't want to go back anyway but I want to find a way to talk with mother and if possible, bring her here. I don't mean right now but please help me find a way," Luna said.
"I wouldn't be able to do it now but that wasn't entirely possible I promise. You just need to practice and practice so you can help me in many ways," he said.
Her serious side vanished immediately and sighed in relief.
"Thank you," she said.
Her smile radiated across the room. She felt very happy. It was like she was offered a new life while allowing her to meet an important person in the past soon.
Akiro sighed deeply and stood up from his seat. He hugged her as a friend would do and patted her back.
"Calm down lady, I can feel your emotions mixing up. You've done well all your life and I can feel it. You're still too young, enjoy your life here," Akiro said.
Luna's body was stiff. She's not used to being this near with the opposite gender. She hastily let go of him after a while with her slightly red and flustered face.
"I will," she said.
Luna looked sideways. She knew Akiro's cold attitude but he's capable of comforting a person even better than her.
"I-is there any more questions?" Luna asked.
She was still trembling slightly and it was not because of her family but because he's still too near.
"There's none. Rest well for today. Your practice shall resume tomorrow," Akiro said.
He opened the door for her and watched her walked away to her room.
"I shall make sure you're living well under my care," he whispered.
He suddenly felt like a guardian today and there're two more kids he wanted to talk to.
--To be continued--