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Above the snow-covered mountains stood a mansion of refined architecture, surrounded by other similar buildings. All structures in the area were made of a white material that appeared noble, technological, and resilient — at first glance resembling only polished marble or some rare and luxurious white wood.
The surrounding area had a cold climate, with snow constantly falling and layering over rooftops, roads, and sidewalks.
However, cleaner bots roamed steadily along the paths, swiftly removing accumulated snow. Their routes were calculated, keeping the streets and walkways always clear, as if the snow had never settled at all.
On the elevated balcony of that immense mansion perched atop the hill, a lady sat on a carved seat, calmly flipping through a thick, ornately bound book.
Curiously, the snow did not approach her, as if the weather itself respected her presence.
Her eyes shifted between the aged pages and the distant landscape of the white-covered mountains, contemplating the contrast between words and horizons.
The scenery gently unfolded before her eyes.
Luna wished to remain there, unmoving, free of worries — but the memories drawn from Rinn during rest lingered in her mind.
She laid the book, still open, across her lap, near the soft fabric of her pale blue dress, as light as a fine linen shirt.
— Let's try again.
Luna's words floated in the cold air, and then her index finger moved gently to the right. The book's pages followed the motion, sliding as if pushed by an invisible breeze.
She smiled faintly while playing with the magic she conjured, while her other finger performed the gestures necessary to activate the theory of equivalent exchange.
With its activation, the ice particles falling around her began to shatter into tiny bluish fragments only she could see — traces of concentrated mana.
The atmosphere was saturated with mana, allowing her to manipulate it freely, as long as she obeyed the law of equivalent exchange.
The process was straightforward: sacrifice a pure natural element, convert it into mana, and from that, weave magic with her own hands.
It was a fun process, especially in a region so rich in natural fuel for magic, where the cost was practically nonexistent.
Luna raised her index finger above her chin, pointing at one of the distant mountains, her gaze locked on the faraway target.
For a few seconds, she channeled mana intensely, absorbing every flake of ice around her, disintegrating them into pure magical energy.
When she felt the mana had reached sufficiency for activation, she absorbed it and released it all at once.
A compact sphere of condensed air, shaped like a small ball, shot forward with fierce speed, slicing through the wind like an invisible arrow.
It traveled nearly 750 meters before dissipating in the final stretch, spent by the distance.
Despite losing power along the way, it would have been lethal to an adult if that small palm-sized orb had struck within 400 meters.
— Doesn't seem as strong as last time... Weapons still pack more punch, even if aiming's a bit trickier. Maybe a smaller projection pistol would offer better range.
Luna murmured, already reaching a logical conclusion. She wanted to head to her small mechanical lab to build a projection pistol, as she had done on similar occasions.
Technology, in many aspects, still outperformed magic — though most mages refused to admit it.
Anything related to mechanical engineering was looked down upon by them — as if robots, weapons, and devices were mere tools for ordinary people trying to mimic the magical gift they would never have.
To many mages, technology was nothing but a cheap imitation — a silent insult to the arcane art they wielded with pride.
At that moment, a soft knock echoed at the transparent glass door of the balcony, followed by a warm and gentle voice:
— Luna, my lady, come. You mustn't be late, you need to join the house's representative. Everyone's waiting.
It was Inara speaking.
She smiled with calm, her hands clasped in front of her dress, patiently waiting outside for a response.
But no response came.
Luna remained seated, her eyes fixed on the book in her hands, completely ignoring the presence of the maid beyond the glass.
That door could only be opened from the inside — meaning that without Luna's command, no one would enter.
— Please, my lady, don't ignore me. — Inara insisted sadly, pressing her palm to the glass. From outside, she could see the young woman's silhouette, marked by a resigned expression. — They're waiting for you... everyone cares.
Upon hearing those words, Luna shut the book with a sharp snap and let it fall to the floor of the balcony.
— Everyone cares about me? Don't be ridiculous.
She spoke with a moderate tone, but her voice betrayed her calm — there was veiled anger, ready to overflow.
— I'm not being ridiculous, my lady. Everyone truly cares for you... But you shut yourself away for reasons no one understands.
Inara replied at once, her brows drawn downward in clear displeasure.
Luna frowned at those words.
Something in the way they were spoken bothered her deeply — especially coming from that person.
She stood up firmly and, in silence, walked to the balcony railing, sitting lightly atop it.
The wind catching her long silver hair.
— "Reasons no one understands," is that it? Funny hearing that from you, who's been by my side since I lost my parents.
She spoke coldly, then continued with an irritated voice, though still trying not to let the emotions leak through her words:
— Ever since my older brother took control of this house, I've been a hostage. I can't leave the mansion, I have no freedom. I'm kept like a prisoner... I can't even choose books, clothes, or food for myself. Do you seriously think that kind of behavior is normal?
— Your brothers only fear for your safety, my lady.
Luna narrowed her eyes at the pitiful response, her fingers gripping the railing as her body leaned back slowly, as if daring gravity itself.
— They don't fear for my safety.
She finally replied, bringing her fingers to her furrowed forehead, feeling tension pulse through every thought.
Why am I even arguing?
She asked herself in silence, aware that no words would change anything.
In the end, that dialogue would make no difference, nor would it bring answers.
What she could do was keep moving forward.
With a restrained sigh, she leapt from the railing, landing softly on the balcony floor.
Then, she extended her hand and pressed the button on the wall, releasing the door's lock.
— Come on, I don't have all day.
— Yes, my lady.
Inara replied gently, quickening her pace. She took Luna's hand with care, accompanying her with light steps and respect as they walked side by side through the mansion's corridors.
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