In a large, well-lit classroom, about thirty people were present. The rows of organized desks created spacious aisles leading up to the whiteboard.
Standing out was a woman teaching, with shiny black hair, a cool demeanor, and glasses that didn't hide her beautiful red eyes. She was Mathematics Professor Mergan Hand. Known for her strict discipline, Mergan was both feared and respected. She demanded the best from her students, not tolerating distractions or disrespect.
As Professor Mergan conducted her class, she glanced to the corner of the room; a momentary look of irritation crossed her face. In the farthest corner, a young man was deeply asleep, oblivious to the lesson.
His name was Yuh Lander; he had black hair and eyes, a handsome face, and wore a blue jacket, black shirt, and black pants. He had a carefree and lazy personality, which deeply annoyed Mergan. Yuh came from a noble family, but his aversion to responsibilities led him to seek escapism even during an important class.
Professor Mergan's patience wore thin, and she decided to take action. With a quick, precise gesture, she threw a chalk towards Yuh. Engrossed in his deep slumber, Yuh didn't notice the chalk flying towards him. With surprising speed, the chalk hit Yuh squarely on the head, producing an audible thud in the room.
"Ouch!" Yuh exclaimed, abruptly awakened by the intense pain.
"Who's the jerk who threw that chalk?" Yuh asked, looking furious.
"It was me," replied Professor Mergan.
"Why?" Yuh asked, looking hurt.
"Do you think this is a place to sleep?" she snapped, losing her patience.
"Sorry for dozing off in class, but why didn't you wake me up? I could have lost my memory, you know?" Yuh tried to justify his behavior.
"Then pay attention in class." The teacher stopped conversing with the student and resumed her lesson, ignoring the murmurs of the other students.
This time, Yuh didn't fall asleep. Despite being very sleepy, he paid attention to the lesson until the end.
When the bell finally rang, Yuh grabbed his backpack and headed home. He walked along the sidewalks, observing the hustle and bustle in the streets, where cars, buses, and various vehicles were coming and going. Besides the streets, there were people, buildings, houses, and shops. Nova Work City was a dynamic place, divided into 5 districts, each with its own characteristics.
The districts were divided as follows: 1 - Noble Families, 2 - Rich Families, 3 - Middle-Class Families, 4 - Lower-Class Families, 5 - Slums. Yuh's family, the Landers, belonged to the noble families. When he turned 18, to escape his responsibilities, he decided to buy an apartment in District 3, where he could live more anonymously and carefree.
As he walked towards District 3, Yuh reflected on his choices. He knew his family expected more from him, but the pressure and expectations suffocated him. His mother was always worried, his father disappointed, though he never openly showed it. These memories haunted him, even as he tried to escape them.
After 30 minutes, he arrived at his apartment, opened the door, and walked in. He saw a woman sitting on the couch. She was beautiful; her blue hair was like the night sky, her blue eyes resembling stars. She was wearing a blue dress. At that moment, she looked like a divine goddess of stars.
This woman lived with Yuh. Her name was Luna Stell. Upon seeing Yuh, Luna walked towards him and, with an incredibly quick gesture, pulled him.
"Why is your forehead bleeding?" She asked, with an incredibly serious and cold expression.
Yuh, seeing this expression, felt a little intimidated and began recounting the events of that morning. He explained about the class, Professor Mergan, and the chalk incident. Listening to this, Luna nodded and said:
"You deserved it. Who told you to fall asleep in class?"
"It was unintentional," Yuh replied, knowing lying to Luna was futile. She knew him too well.
"Lie, I know you," Luna said.
"You know me? Tell me what I'm thinking now," Yuh challenged, trying to change the subject.
"Sleeping, watching anime?" Luna responded without hesitation.
"No, you're wrong. What I'm thinking now is how to punish a woman who doesn't stand by her handsome roommate," Yuh said, sitting on the couch and pulling Luna onto his lap.
"How are you going to punish her?" Luna asked, shyly entering the game.
"How about a spanking?" Yuh replied and gently slapped her buttocks.
"Ah," Luna moaned softly.
"You're cute, you know? Most of the time, you're like an ice statue, but now you're an angel. Don't tell me you're a masochist?" Yuh joked.
"I'm not," she said embarrassed.
"Doesn't seem like it," Yuh replied, starting to stroke her blue hair. He knew behind that cold facade, Luna was a caring and protective person.
"And you seem to have a split personality. One moment you're lazy and don't care about anything, the next you're all dominant," Luna began questioning Yuh, trying to understand his behavior better.
"Which one do you prefer?" Yuh joked.
"The lazy one. I like you lying on my lap," Luna replied.
"It seems like, besides being a masochist, you have a 'mommy' tendency and want to treat me like your boy toy," Yuh teased.
"Yes, come here." Luna used her aura and paralyzed Yuh, then made him lie down with a gesture.
"It seems the tables have turned now. I'm the dominant one, and you're my good boy," Luna said, with a victorious smile.
"That's unfair. You used power. Without that, you wouldn't stand a chance," Yuh replied, frowning.
"That's just an excuse," Luna retorted.
"Then teach me cultivation. Let's see if I can't turn the tables," Yuh said, determinedly.
"You don't have the talent for cultivation," Luna said bluntly.
"I want to try," Yuh insisted.
"Why?" Luna asked, curious.
"I want to become strong," Yuh replied sincerely.
"What else? You have three wishes. I'm an immortal, seeing through people is easy for me," Luna said, no longer the same. She seemed like an immortal who could uncover even the deepest secrets.
"My first wish is to become strong. The second, I want to protect my family. The third, I won't say," Yuh replied, looking away.
"Ooo, look into my eyes, Yuh Lander, and tell me: if you become strong, what will you do? Will you protect people? Become a tyrant? Stray from the right path? Will you lose yourself with a bunch of women?" Luna asked, her voice serious.
"I'm not a hero, nor do I have a complex, but I'm not a psychopath either. My motto is: if it's possible to save, I will save. But I will never sacrifice myself to save someone. I have a family. Even though I left home to avoid responsibilities, I still love them. My mother is waiting for me to come back home. My father, even though he doesn't like my personality, has never criticized me or disliked me. He even sends me money every month so I can continue my quiet life. And about women, if I lose myself, it will be because of you, Luna."
"Ooo, you're acting cute now, you know? And the other two?" Luna asked.
"I'll lose myself for them too," Yuh said, smiling.
"You're starting to lose yourself for women," Luna said, with a hint of jealousy.
"Relax, my heart is big. I can give love to all," Yuh said.
"Did you know that in the end, those who want a lot end up with nothing?" Luna said, with a serious look.
"I know, but that's for someone else, not Yuh Lander, the future number one cultivator, hahaha," Yuh said, jokingly trying to lighten the mood.
"Oh, that's interesting. I want to see how you'll do that with your talent," Luna said, challenging Yuh.
"I'll try. And even if I fail, that's okay. I wouldn't mind being the gigolo of a beautiful woman," Yuh said, laughing.
"You talking like that, I might just fall in love," Luna said, smiling.
"Then fall in love," Yuh said, bringing his face closer to hers.
"Can you handle it? After all, I'm a goddess and you're a mortal. If you last 2 seconds before going dry, you can celebrate," Luna said, her voice low and teasing.
Yuh, hearing this, felt his body sweat. He didn't want to be sucked dry, and worse yet, dying after 2 seconds would be pure humiliation. Trying to change the conversation, he said:
"I can handle more than you think. But let's save this conversation for another day, shall we? I'm exhausted."
"Coward," Luna teased, but with a hint of affection.
"Realistic," Yuh corrected, giving Luna a gentle kiss on the forehead. "But I'll prove you wrong one day."
"We'll see," Luna replied, stroking Yuh's hair. "Now go take a shower. You're all sweaty."
Yuh got up and headed towards the bathroom. While the hot water fell on him, he reflected on his conversation with Luna. After thinking, he sighed, washed himself, and stepped out of the shower.
Feeling refreshed after his shower, Yuh dressed in comfortable clothes and went to the living room, where Luna was now preparing something in the kitchen. The aroma of food filled the apartment, bringing a sense of home.
"You cook too well for an immortal goddess," Yuh joked, sitting down at the table.
"Someone has to take care of you," Luna replied, placing a plate in front of him.
As they ate, the conversation flowed lightly, but there was a question lingering in Yuh's mind that he needed to address.
"Luna, why do you think I have no talent for cultivation?" he asked, breaking the silence.
Luna looked at him, her expression serious. "Your meridians are blocked without the proper technique. Cultivation would harm you."
Yuh felt the truth in her words, but also a flame of determination ignited within him. "I won't give up. I'll unlock my meridians and cultivate."
Luna smiled. "Alright, if you won't give up, then neither will I, nor the others."
"Thank you," Yuh said, his voice firm. "I will become strong, protect those I love, and maybe do some good in this world."
Luna reached out and held his hand. "Relax, I'll find a way to enable you to cultivate."
"You two seem to be having a fun conversation," a female voice resonated through the room, interrupting the moment. Yuh and Luna looked towards the door and saw a young woman with white hair and purple eyes, wearing a mischievous smile on her face.