The Secret Moon Garden
Vibrant flowers in every hue first caught their eyes, adorning the garden in a dazzling display. Even Ludenberg Lavante, who had little interest in flowers, found himself overwhelmed by the sight. More than that, these blooms carried faint traces of divine power. Ludenberg, lacking divine power himself, couldn't sense it... but Ashytara could.
Was there such a mystical place? Bound to dorms, shops, and classrooms, neither had ever dreamed of it. No guided tours led here—it was a true secret garden.
What surprised them most was the scenery inside. As they crossed the threshold, day turned to night, stars twinkling overhead. Some sacred law formation must be at work; despite the sun high in the sky, dawn's serene darkness blanketed everything. True to its name, the Moon Garden brimmed with Lanur's sacred laws everywhere.
"This place...?"
The confident, smiling Dalia Retiu didn't answer. Instead, a familiar voice did.
"The Moon Garden. We tend flowers that bloom mainly at night. I got permission from the academy to create it. I came thinking someone else might be here... and it's you two honored guests. One excepted."
Her hunch was right. The disheveled light blue hair and fatigued light blue eyes evoked overworked upperclassmen pulling all-nighters for research.
"Hello. I'm Seia Shahain, second-year theology student with the Lanur Church. An honor to meet you, Princess Ashytara, Young Duke Ludenberg."
"Ah, hello, Senior Seia. Drop the formalities. This is Solemnute Adem."
"Even so... we won't be here forever. Respect for first meetings is basic."
"We're fine with it."
"Yeah, Seia, you're too stiff."
"Senior Dalia, this is just proper etiquette."
Ashytara and Ludenberg bowed awkwardly at Seia's honorifics. Elsewhere, they'd shrug it off, but she was the first senior at Solemnute Adem to address them so formally.
Seia's reason was simple: avoiding future trouble. As a commoner, she'd be vulnerable post-graduation—no need to make enemies. Even in a classless academy, student status vanished outside, leaving her exposed.
Not everyone was friendly like Mion Altis, who openly antagonized them. Her Altis ducal family, second only to Lavante, enabled that boldness. Seia lacked such backing; clashing with nobles could spell disaster.
Of course, that was history now. Her near-miraculous feats for Lanur made caution unnecessary. Still, old habits from the slums died hard—survival demanded vigilance.
"Just speak casually, senior."
"Alright... I'll do that."
At Ludenberg's polite tone, Seia relaxed, nodding and switching to casual speech.
"Anyway, Senior Dalia?"
"Yeah?"
"Why bring them to the Moon Garden?"
"To hang out!"
"Out."
Seia pinched Dalia's soft cheek as she replied innocently.
"Ow ow ow... stop!"
"I told you before. This isn't a playground. It's my research project—I poured a year into it and begged the dean for permission. You know the hassle?"
"Hehe, true, but it recharges my energy here..."
"Lucky I'm not training or researching today. Otherwise, I'd be mad."
"Joking, joking. Real reason's different."
"Then spill it. You wouldn't wander aimlessly—you're busy."
"Wanted to introduce these two. Great kids. First student council members I've seen work this hard. Super capable!"
"You should've led with that. I get the intent, but why now?"
Seia rubbed her temple, head aching.
"You planned to rest after yesterday's Piercing Arrow demo, right? Perfect timing."
"Of course I need divine power recharge here... Senior, I need rest. I appreciate the kind, pretty, cool juniors intro, but consider my situation."
"That rough?"
"Yes. Not for nothing it's one of the Six Heroes' sacred laws. I'm proud of my divine power among peers... but one use wrecked me. Barely stood at awards. Skipped breakfast recovery—stuck resting here."
"Sorry... didn't know it hit that hard."
Dalia deflated; Seia sighed resignedly.
"Good intentions—no need for that face. Anyway, nice to meet you two. Sorry I'm not at my best."
"No, it's fine."
"No problem."
Seia smiled at their waves.
"Thanks for understanding. Super tired now... need more sleep. For the tour, ask Senior Dalia. I'll nap... greetings later. Sorry."
"Uh, sure."
Seia, eyes half-lidded like she'd collapse, crawled into the flowers and lay down amid them.
"Senior Seia okay?"
"Yeah. These hold Lanur power—burying in them aids recovery."
Ashytara's puzzled query got a reassuring nod from Dalia. The trio settled on a large chair inside.
Ashytara marveled, scanning around. Even common flowers pulsed with refined Lanur divine power.
"Amazing. All these flowers hold Lanur divine power?"
"Yep. Seia worked hard creating it. Dean said no private plots, so she took every task to prove herself. Insane effort."
"Then straight-up asked the dean?"
"Haha, no. Started with Professor Irina Jericho; word reached dean. Professor adores Seia—tried pulling strings, got chewed out."
"By the dean?"
"Yeah. Dean said no favoritism unless all students approve. She slaved through tasks, earned recognition from dean and profs. Then this garden."
"What tasks... even private plot approval?"
"Yep. Open to others, but dean's strict: don't mess it up. Seia barely maintained it last year. Impressive kid."
"Ah. Why bring us here? To meet Seia?"
"Partly. You need a good rest spot too. Built-up fatigue, right?"
They nodded at Dalia's words—and her point. Minds eased strangely. A pleasant languor seeped in.
"Seia built it through hell... but not alone. Professor Irina helped; Priestess Daphnen too. Even laid sacred law formations for mental fatigue relief. Feeling drowsy?"
"Yes."
"That's your mental exhaustion fading. Upperclassmen hit it post-exams. Festival emptied it now; normally, a few around."
"Ah..."
"But Star Tower later... can't sleep now, right...?"
Ashytara eyed Dalia wistfully, fighting sleep for festival fun with Ludenberg.
"Nap an hour; I'll wake you. Better after."
"Ah..."
Reassured, they surrendered. Professor Irina's touch made it insanely effective.
"Drowsiness on arrival means you're wrecked. Sleep. Wake you later."
Ashytara and Ludenberg's eyes drifted shut. Languor won; they slept.
'Sleep well. Really beat, huh? Makes sense—shouldered seniors' loads steadfastly.'
Dalia peeked, rising. Their faces, worn from trials, looked too serene—like they'd craved this.
Ashytara leaned on Ludenberg; he on her. Dalia smiled warmly.
"Cute."
She sat nearby, gazing quietly. Soon, Star Tower opens... fun chaos, especially for first-years. Not just stargazing.
Dalia smiled.