Chapter 58: Public Enemy Number One
Although he was still far from being an expert warrior, he was now proficient with six out of the ten basic stances of the Martial Arts that he chose. This made him feel that he was making great progress, which motivated him to do better.
Sweat poured from every pore of Ethan's body as he continuously swung the Pitchfork in his hands.
He had been spending a lot of time inside the Training Grounds of the Dud Manor, where its members could exclusively train after their classes ended.
Chloe was quite unhappy about this because she was unable to spend much time with Ethan like she used to. However, she understood that whenever her cousin was focusing on something, he would give it everything he got until he was satisfied with the results.
Since Ethan was doing his best to train, Chloe didn't slack off on her training either.
It was not only the two of them who had been doing their best to train. After the Martial Hall had been opened, all the First Years had suddenly entered a training phase in preparation for their first Practical Tests that would start in less than three weeks.
The Mission Hall would open at that time and it was also the students' main source of merit points, which they would receive upon completing the missions that they had accepted.
"Good work, Ethan," Luna said as she handed the handsome teenager a towel, and a flask of water.
Ethan had just finished his cooldown routine after an intense practice which left his clothes drenched in sweat.
"Thank you, Luna," Ethan replied as he gratefully accepted the towel, and the flask that was given to him.
Luna eyed the blue-haired boy with a smile as he wiped the sweat off his face.
"Tomorrow is the day of the full moon," Luna stated. "After dinner, we will head to the place where I secretly view the stars when I am alone. It is not that far from the Academy, and it is in a very secluded spot. Even if the ceremony were to create fluctuations of magic power, we will be outside anyone's perception… at least, I hope that we will be.".
Ethan nodded. He had been waiting for the night of the full moon ever since he met the Chesmire Cat.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the blue-haired boy wished every night that the next day would be the night of the full moon.
Now that the possibility of using Magic was just a sleep away, the handsome teenager simply focused his attention onto his training, to take his mind off things.
"By the way, Luna, I don't see you preparing for the Practical Tests," Ethan commented. "Are you that confident of your chances of clearing the missions?"
Luna smiled after hearing Ethan's question. Since she couldn't use any magic aside from the days of the full moon.
"I am part of an Octo Party," Luna replied. "My team is a pretty balanced team, and although I feel guilty about this, all I need to do is follow them whenever we go out on missions. The most I do for them is prepare tea, and help with the cooking.
"For some reason, they were fine with it. I have been with them for the past year and, by now, we have grown so close to each other that looking for another party is difficult."
Ethan nodded his head in understanding. If Luna was in his party, he would also do his best to not let her be in any danger. She was that kind of girl.
The girl that you would want to protect with your life.
"Since tomorrow will be the night of the full moon, can you tell me more about Moon Magic?"
"Of course. But, before that, you should take a shower and change your clothes first. It will be best to talk about this when you're not drenched in sweat."
The blue-haired teenager blushed because he had completely forgotten that he had just finished his training.
After bidding his goodbye to Luna, Ethan hurriedly went back to his room to shower and choose some comfortable clothes to wear.
Half an hour later, the two of them met in the small garden outside of the Dud Manor where several benches were placed.
"Some people think that the full moon lasts for only a day," Luna said as she looked up at the moon in the sky. "But truth be told, the so-called full moon only lasts for an instant."
Luna then raised her right hand towards the sky as if to hold the moon in her hand.
"Moon Magic isn't magic that only lasts for a day," Luna continued her explanation. "As long as the moon is in the sky, Moon Magic can be used. Even now, the power of the moon courses inside my body."
It was at that moment when a sad smile appeared on Luna's face, which made Ethan wonder if there was a deeper story behind her being unable to use her Magic to the fullest.
"You may not know of this, but Wizards, and Witches, have these so-called Magic Circuits that are inside our body," Luna stated. "If a part of it is broken, the flow of Magic Power in the body can experience many difficulties. You see, my Magic Circuit has a flaw."
The angelic beauty then placed her hand over her chest, near her heart.
"This flaw is located at the very center where all of my magic power flows, which is near my heart," Luna said. "Because of this, the mana leaks out of my body, making me unable to harness it and use it as magic power.
"Only on the days of the full moon when my entire body is brimming with Magic Power does this hole become obsolete. To give you an example, let's say that a jug of water has a big hole in its bottom, making any kind of water that you put inside it leak rapidly, unable to be used.
"However, if what you are pouring into that jug of water is the entire ocean, even if the jug is leaking, there is an infinite supply that can still be used. That is what my body is like."
After hearing Luna's explanation, the blue-haired teenager felt a pang of heartache for the angelic beauty, who seemed to have long accepted her fate.
Perhaps, seeing his sad expression, Luna giggled and told him that everything was fine.
"Like I said earlier, although the full moon only lasts for an instant, I am able to use Magic for up to three days" Luna commented. "Why? Because here on Earth, we can see the full moon for up to three days."
"Is Moon Magic powerful?" Ethan asked out of curiosity.
"Very powerful," Luna replied in a firm tone filled with confidence. "You could even say that if all the Pillars of the First Years fought me on the day of the full moon, they would not be able to win against me even if they all cooperated with each other."
Ethan didn't know if he should believe Luna or not, but since she sounded very confident about it, he decided to ask her for a favor.
"Can you show me the full extent of your power tomorrow?" Ethan asked. "I want to see how strong your Magic truly is."
Luna pondered for a bit before nodding her head. "It won't hurt even if I show it to you."
Truth be told, Luna was also looking forward to showing Ethan her true power. For some reason, she wanted to show him what she could really do.
This was the first time she felt this way, and even she didn't understand why she was feeling this way.
Because both of them were looking at the sky, Ethan wasn't able to see the faint flush that had appeared on Luna's face, which raised her charm considerably.
If only Luna's party members could see her right now, all of them would definitely tie up Ethan and roast him over an open fire.
They were the hardcore members of Luna's fans club, and any guy who tried to get close to their angel would become their public enemy number one.