Luna's First Day

***** Narrator's POV *****

Luna sat nervously at her desk in a noisy classroom full of excited first year students. She was excited to finally socialize with other kids her own age, but at the same time she was incredibly nervous. She had never studied magic before. What if she had no talent for it and was a burden on everyone else. What if she failed and couldn't pass this class? Therese would be so disappointed! Luna knew that she couldn't afford to let that happen. She was going to give her very best effort to make Therese proud!

Being one of the first to arrive, Luna had made sure to pick out the best seat in the classroom. Center desk in the first row. Right in front of the teacher's desk.

Strangely, as more and more students filled in the classroom, the desks around her were the last to fill.

'They must all know each other. They probably all grew up around here and just want to sit together', She reassured herself.

Eventually, the teacher walked into the room and the class around her quieted down.

"Good morning everyone. My name is Abigail and, as you should all be aware, this class is 'Introduction to Magic'. Successful completion of this class is a prerequisite for any and all future classes covering any subject related to magic."

"Before we begin, why don't we all take some time to get to know each other. I'll start. As I said before, my name is Abigail. I am an Advanced Class Earth mage, though I have some experience in all the schools of magic. I studied magic at the Asura School of Magic in Ars. After graduating I moved to Ranoa to further my studies and eventually my talents were recognized and I was offered a job as an instructor here."

"Now then. Could each of you please introduce yourselves? We'll start with you and proceed clockwise", she said as she pointed to the boy in the front row on the far right.

The boy's name turned out to be Aiden, followed by a beastfolk boy named Gars and a cheery young elven girl named Rose.

"Hi! My name is Rose. So far I've only learned a couple beginner tier wind spells, but I'm excited to learn more! That's why I came to this school after all!"

Rose laughed at her own comment while giving a cutesy smile.

"I grew up in the Elven City of Maielle. I showed talent in magic from a young age, so I was sent along with some other elven prodigies to this Academy to learn from the best! I love all things cute, especially flowers, and my favorite hobby is horseback riding. I look forward to getting to know everyone here and hope we can all get along!"

As Rose sat back in her seat, suddenly everyone's attention shifted onto Luna who was next in line.

Nervously, Luna stood up from her seat and gave it her best shot to introduce herself to the class.

"H-hello. My name is... Luna. I'm from... er... Milis. I... well... My mom is a temple knight, so... I like to... uh... Huh!?"

Rose suddenly slapped Luna on the back, startling her.

"C'mon! Just tell us what you like to do! What do you do for fun?"

"Oh yes. I do enjoy shopping with Mother. I always look forward to when we get to visit Rudeus and Aunty Zenith. And... uh. When I'm at home I do enjoy studying the scriptures."

Relieved that her turn was over, Luna quickly sat back down in her seat.

"Now that wasn't so hard, was it?", Rose said with a laugh.

"N-no... I guess it wasn't."

Luna smiled and blushed as she looked away after saying that.

The rest of the class, the teacher spoke further in detail about what this class was about and what the students could expect to learn this year. Much to many of the students' dismay, they would not be learning any magic spells or incantations in this class. Instead, they will be discussing the very basics of magic and mana and the specializations of each of the schools of magic. This class was intended to guide the students into choosing what classes are best suited to their interests for the future.

When the class period had finally ended and Ms. Abigail formally gave permission for the students to leave, Luna turned to Rose and excitedly told her that she looks forward to seeing her again tomorrow.

"Yeah, for sure! I'll see you then!"

Later that day, Luna was waiting in line to pick up her food at the cafeteria when the person in front of her in line struck up a conversation with her.

"Are those demon eyes you have there?"

Luna looked behind her confused, thinking he must be talking to somebody else.

"No, you silly. Your eyes. Are they demon eyes?"

"Wha-? No! Of course not!"

"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you."

"Uh, that's ok. You didn't offend me."

Now that Luna took the time to look over the boy she was talking to, she became incredibly flustered.

Everything about him was beautiful. He had long, pointed ears partially hidden behind his silky golden locks. He was thin, but at the same time quite muscular. Not the type of muscles like that of a hulking bodybuilder, but more like a lean athlete. He was also very well dressed. He wore a green jacket overtop of a white shirt that was embroidered with green nature themed decor. He also wore tan colored pants and long, white boots that reached up to his calves.

"I'm Halfort, a first year. Nice to meet you!", he said as he reached out his hand.

Luna took a couple seconds to recover from her daze before she realized the situation and reached out her hand, grabbing his for a very light handshake.

"Your eyes really are beautiful though! They remind me of my mother's. She had the most beautiful demon eyes."

"Oh. They do? T-thank you. I'm, Luna. I'm also a first year."

"Is that so? Maybe we're in some of the same classes then!"

"That would be great", Luna said excitedly. "What classes are you taking this year?"

"I'm taking Introduction to Swordplay, First Year Economics, Noble Etiquette, and World History. I'm really only excited for my swordplay class though! I want to master all the sword styles and one day become a world famous adventurer!"

Halfort struck a heroic pose as he said that last line. Luna couldn't help but giggle at his antics.

"That's amazing", Luna praised him. "I want to be an adventurer when I graduate too, just like my hero! Maybe we can join a party together!"

"Definitely! It's a promise!", Halfort said as they both started laughing.

"What about you? What classes are you taking?"

"Me? Um, I'm taking Introduction to Magic, World Cuisine, Nature Studies, and World History."

"You have world history in fourth period? With Professor Jaelt?"

"Uh, yes. I think that is the professor."

"Oh, wow! Looks like we do share a class! I guess we'll see each other again later today!"

"Y-yeah. I'm looking forward to it!"

Luna continued chatting with Halfort while they waited in line, and since neither of them knew anybody else here, they decided to sit together on the second floor. (Well, Luna knew Rudeus and his gang that sat outside, but she didn't see the need to tell Halfort that just yet.)

By the time Luna had made it to her next class, Nature Studies, she was so excited she had completely forgotten her nervousness from before. She introduced herself to the class confidently when it was her turn and happily took notes as the professor lectured on.

While she was walking to her final class of the day, World History, she couldn't help thinking about how she had to get there quickly so she could find an open seat next to Halfort.

'I can't wait to tell Therese about my first day and the friends I made!'

Back in her days serving at the Milis Church as the Blessed Child, she had several followers that she called her friends. Truthfully though, it wasn't the same feeling as meeting these new friends at the Academy. Her followers in Milishion doted over her constantly and praised everything she did, but that was their job. Even if their feelings were genuine, at the end of the day they had no choice but to be nice to her.

This was different. These people could truly be called her friends. It wasn't the Blessed Child that they liked, it was Luna herself.

When she finally reached the classroom, she looked around to see if Halfort had arrived yet. It didn't take long for her to find him, and... to her surprise... Rose was sitting right next to him as well! She was chatting with him as if they were best friends.

"Luna! You're here!", Halfort called out and waved to her once he saw her. Luna ran up and sat down at an open seat in the next row in front of Halfort and Rose before someone else could claim it.

"Rose, I can't believe you're taking World History too! Do you two know each other?"

"Yeah. I've known Rose here since we were both little kids. We grew up in the same village."

"Wow, what are the odds!", Luna laughed. "I can't believe I met both of you separately without even knowing!"

"I know, right?", Halfort laughed as well.

When Luna looked over to Rose, however, she noticed that her usual bright and cheery attitude was gone. Instead she had her arms crossed in front of her with an annoyed look on her face.

'Is something bothering her?', Luna wondered. 'Hopefully it's not something I said...'

That was when, on a whim, Luna did something she shouldn't have. Without putting much thought in the matter, she used her special ability as a Blessed Child as she focused into Rose's eyes.

Luna's perspective changed as she peered into Rose's thoughts. Suddenly, she was back in the School cafeteria. She was sitting at a table... watching... herself? Luna realized that Rose had been watching her as she was chatting with Halfort. For some reason, as she saw this memory, she could also sense how uncomfortable it was making Rose feel.

Luna focused as she peered deeper into Rose's thoughts. A decision she would soon regret.

The scene changed once again to Rose and Halfort walking in the Hallway together on the way to the very classroom they were in now.

"She wants to go adventuring with you? Ha! That's Hilarious!"

"What do you mean?", Halfort asked her.

"Didn't you see how fat she was? There's no way she can keep up as an adventurer. She'd just hold everyone back! I bet she's never even spent a single night away from her luxurious bed."

"Hey, C'mon now. That's mean", Halfort complained.

"But it's true!", Rose said with a laugh. "On top of that, she has a horrible stutter, haha. C-cant.. y-you even s-s-speak p-properly? Hahaha!"

That was it. Luna didn't want to see anymore. She couldn't take it.

"Luna? Are you alright? What's wrong!?"

Halfort was concerned as tears welled up in Luna's eyes and she couldn't help but begin crying profusely. He reached out to grab her shoulder, but before he could reach her, Luna turned around and ran out of the classroom.

"Let her go. I told you she was a weirdo", Rose said as she grabbed Halfort's wrist when he was getting up from his desk.

Luna didn't care. She just wanted to go home. She's never been so humiliated in her life! She didn't want to see any of these people ever again!

She ran out of the classroom as fast as her legs could take her. She continued down the hallway until she finally made it outside the building.

Completely out of breath, she stopped right outside panting for air, gathering the attention of many students who happened to be passing by. Of those students passing by, they notably included Rudeus.