Chapter 9 - Struggles

While Lunaria was engrossed in her training in the southern forest, she didn't notice a young girl observing her from a distance.

The girl, with disheveled white hair and bruises scattered across her body, watched intently from afar. She appeared to be around twelve years old.

Her arched brows sharply contrasted with her gentle eyes, while her small lips quivered in response to the distant echoes of mana explosions.

Night had fallen, and the capital gates had already closed.

Due to the late hour, anyone arriving after closing time would be left to camp outside the gate, including tourists and visitors.

Strangely, the girl in question had no belongings with her.

The only remarkable item she possessed was her robe, bearing the insignia of a griffon—the uniform of one of the academies in the capital.

To provide some context, the capital housed three academies:

• Virtus Academy, where students trained to become knights or honed their combat skills

• Celestia Academy, an institution for aspiring magicians

• Cadentia Academy, primarily for those interested in studying bureaucracy and administrative works.

All citizens of the kingdom were welcome to pursue education in any of these three academies.

Upon graduation, individuals could choose to serve the kingdom or apply their acquired knowledge for personal independence. The sigil awarded after graduation acted as a symbol of trust and recognition.

Now, returning to the main point, the girl in question happened to be a student at the Celestia Magic Academy. She had been granted a scholarship due to her potential to become a mage, which filled her with unexpected joy.

She was a girl living in the slums, devoid of parental care. However, the other residents of the slums proved to be remarkably compassionate, sharing their food with her. They formed a tight-knit community akin to a big family, united by their willingness to assist one another, even in the face of poverty. Their kindness and support were something she deeply appreciated.

Being intelligent for her age, she had finally uncovered a clue as to why her parents had abandoned her. It was a secret she intended to keep, fearing potential aggression from others.

Finally, when she mustered the courage to enroll in the academy for a change, she unexpectedly gained admission as a scholarship student.

This situation evoked both happiness and sadness within the slum community. They recognized the girl's intelligence and believed in her potential for future success. However, they couldn't help but feel a sense of loss as their 'adorable little sister' had to leave the slums and reside within the school grounds. There was a fear that she might forget about them once she achieved success.

To their surprise, even with her little success, the little girl remained connected to her roots. The generous allowance provided by the scholarship enabled her to lend a helping hand to everyone in the slums from time to time. She continued to interact with her slum family, surprising them with her unwavering commitment and support.

Everyone in the slums was filled with happiness, but unbeknownst to them, the little girl chose to keep her problems to herself, not wanting to burden or worry them. It was her way of shielding them from unnecessary pain. Going back to the slums to interact with them is her way of relieving her troubled heart.

The main source of her problems stemmed from her commoner background, but she didn't feel ashamed or shy about it.

Regrettably, even within the confines of a prestigious academy, not all aspects of her experience were positive. Her commoner background made her a target for bullying by the nobles.

One such instance occurred after classes had concluded earlier, when they deliberately took her outside the capital to use her as a practice target.This cruel treatment served as a stark reminder of the prejudice she faced as a commoner among the privileged elite.

She was fortunate enough to learn the basic barrier magic skills taught at the beginning of the semester.

When the three nobles cast their magic, she chanted the spell for the barrier magic simultaneously.

Unfortunately, the protective dome of magic that encased her proved to be short-lived as one of the nobles' powerful spells managed to penetrate her barrier, blasting her away with immense force. The excruciating pain left her incapacitated, unable to stand for quite some time.

To her dismay, the nobles callously dismissed the entire encounter as "boring," showing no concern for her well-being. They callously abandoned her in that desolate place, leaving her alone and in agony, with no one to offer assistance or comfort. It was a stark demonstration of their indifference and lack of empathy towards someone they considered beneath them.

Meanwhile, she struggled to rise to her feet, her left leg burned by magic, and the cuts all over her body made her feel a stinging pain.

This had become an everyday occurrence for her, and she had gradually grown accustomed to it. While she yearned for change and to become stronger, she couldn't afford to stand out, fearing the scrutiny of other nobles and the potential suppression that might follow. Moreover, she didn't want her secret to be discovered, the same reason why her family abandoned her.

As she contemplated her unfortunate life, she heard the distant sound of mana explosions.

Intrigued, she followed the source of the noise and stumbled upon a mesmerizing sight.

A stunning lady was practicing magic. Despite repeated failures, she refused to give up, unleashing a powerful wave of mana, fully aware that it wouldn't work.

This scene left a deep impression on her. She yearned to be like this resilient woman who never ceased trying.

With an admiring gaze, the little girl witnessed an unbelievable sight.

'Whooaah she was flying!'

Her eyes sparkled with admiration, as though she beheld her idol. She was as excited as the girl she was watching.

She watched attentively, afraid to miss any details.

But then, her idol came crashing down.

Though it lasted merely three seconds, the stunning lady had undoubtedly succeeded in invoking the flying magic.

Fearful of interrupting her, the little girl remained at a distance, observing the beautiful lady who tried so fervently, as if her life depended on it.

Soon enough, the sun rose again.

The little girl remained captivated, refusing to grow bored by what she had witnessed.

As the south gate swung open, the graceful lady ceased her incantations. She elegantly donned her robe and made her way towards the capital, her purpose evident in her stride.

Observing this, the little girl felt a surge of determination coursing through her veins. She rose to her feet, more resolute than ever before, and decided to follow the captivating lady into the heart of the capital. There was an unwavering resolve in her eyes as she embarked on this unexpected journey, eager to uncover the secrets and possibilities that awaited her within the bustling city.

•••

Lunaria arrived in front of the internet cafe, too exhausted to notice that she was being trailed by a young girl.

Upon entering the shop, the girl's gaze fell upon Luke, who was occupied with his hands fiddling around a small box behind the counter. His attention was absorbed in the task at hand.

As she approached, Luke, who had been engrossed in a game on his console, turned his head to meet her gaze.

Upon seeing her, Luke turned and remarked, "You're here," as if he had foreseen her return.

'This man indeed knows everything! He knew that I had a problem and would return here!'

Lunaria, however, misunderstood his words, unaware that Luke simply assumed she was a computer addict who would come back for her daily dose of the internet.

Luke noticed Lunaria's injuries when she removed her robe. Concerned, he remarked, "You must have had a tough time."

Based on her earlier departure, Luke concluded that she had left the previous day due to personal reasons. Sympathy welled up within him, and he regarded her with a warmer expression.

Misinterpreting his words once again, Lunaria fought back the tears that threatened to escape. She felt a sense of helplessness overwhelm her. No one understood the extent of her efforts to master the Flying magic, despite her persistent struggles. In that moment, she believed that the man standing before her might be the only one who truly comprehended the depths of her dedication and hard work.

Interrupting their silent exchange, Lunaria's stomach growled.

Ku-hum.

She gave a fake coughed, attempting to hide her embarrassment.

Luke offered a suggestion, "How about a meal for 2 gold coins?"

Instantly, Lunaria's eyes brightened, her mouth watering at the mere thought of it.

"Yes, please!"

Luke decided to order her a new set of meals, but he also needed to earn a living.

*Cough, cough.

Selling food proved to be quite profitable, he thought.

Luke browsed the system shop, opting for the single meal category in the food section. It cost a gold coin for a single meal. For him, it wasn't the most economical choice, considering he typically chose the three-meal combo or the full-day meal package that included breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all for just one gold coin.

Nevertheless, this time he would only 'slightly' overcharge her, considering the hardships she seemed to have faced.

Suddenly, a substantial amount of food materialized on the counter table.

He selected a Full English Breakfast, a hearty meal featuring eggs, bacon, sausage, black pudding, baked beans, grilled tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms, and toast.

The aroma filled the shop immediately, causing both of them to unconsciously gulp.

'Hmm, maybe I should try this next time. I can just earn more credits by scammi— *cough,cough selling foods to this rich elf.'

Luke contemplated trying this approach next time, glancing at Lunaria as he entertained thoughts of extorting her.

Suddenly, their attention was drawn to a presence.

A small head peeked through the door, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she surveyed the food on display.