Luna slammed her bedroom door harder than necessary, startling Mayo and Matilda who were preparing her bed for the night. Her shadow wolf slid like liquid ink into her shadow to rest.
"Is everything alright, my lady?" Matilda asked, noting the subtle blush coloring Luna's cheeks.
"Of course it is," Luna strode to her vanity, deliberately avoiding to see her face in the mirror. "I'm just thinking about tomorrow's strategy. We need to make sure we crush Klein once and for all."
Mayo exchanged a knowing look with Matilda while folding the sheets, their practiced movements betraying years of service even at their young age.
"Oh, is that all it is?" Mayo smiled mischievously. "Nothing to do with a certain boy with an adorable face who…"
"Mayo!" Luna spun around, her blush deepening. "I've told you it's not... it's not like that. If I find baby faces cute, it's... it's purely an aesthetic appreciation."
"Of course, my lady," Mayo's smile widened. "Totally aesthetic. Like when you stare during training or when…"
"One more word," Luna narrowed her eyes, shadows stirring around her feet, "and I'll send you to serve Liora and Larissa. I'll keep María, who at least knows when to keep quiet."
"Oh, but my lady," Mayo laughed softly while fluffing the pillows, "we all know Larissa would never allow it. She's quite... attached to her current friendly relationship with her. So I'm afraid you're stuck with me."
"Mayo," Matilda intervened with a gentle but firm tone, "I think that's enough for today. Our lady needs rest for tomorrow."
Luna sighed as she sat at her vanity, allowing Mayo to begin brushing her hair. The repetitive motion seemed to calm her nerves.
"Tomorrow we can move more actively in the mist and attack for real," Matilda commented while closing the curtains. "We won't let that arrogant brat even get close."
"Don't overdo it too much," Luna frowned. "The noble maiden facade could…"
"Oh, that facade?" Mayo giggled. "My lady, with all due respect, that strategy failed long ago. There are too many eyes in the academy, too many informants, and they already know you're here."
"It's true," Matilda nodded. "In the end it did no good that your uncle denied you the will o' wisp egg or the mineral fairy one. Even with the black egg as the most discreet option, the risk ended up being for nothing…"
"It doesn't matter," Luna studied her reflection, her shadow wolf barely visible as a dark silhouette behind her. "This companion turned out better than I could have hoped for. A direct line from my father's family's best knights brought it to gold rank so I can…"
Her fingers unconsciously traced her wolf ear that her beast manifested, a soft smile playing across her lips.
"And tomorrow," she continued, her voice taking on an icy edge, "we're going to show Klein and his father they can forget about that ridiculous arrangement. No matter what my uncle wagered, I won't be a prize to elevate their horrible family's status."
"Especially since your heart already has another own…" Mayo began.
"Mayo!" Luna and Matilda exclaimed in unison.
The maid raised her hands in surrender, though her playful smile remained intact. "I'm just saying that a certain boy with glowing mushrooms…"
"It's a misunderstanding," Luna stood abruptly, her blush returning. "And if you continue with that, I'll really consider asking María to take your place."
"As you say, my lady," Mayo executed an exaggerated bow. "Though we all know María is terrible at hair-brushing and that you'd never…"
A knock at the door interrupted her teasing. All three tensed instantly, their playful atmosphere evaporating into sudden alertness. They hadn't felt the presence till now.
"Who is it?" Matilda asked, her voice transforming into the servile tone appropriate for a common noble's maid.
"Message for Lady Luna," a voice responded.
Luna exchanged glances with her maids. The shadow wolf silently slid toward the door, ready for any eventuality.
Morning began as always with Ren and Taro absorbing their daily crystals. The glow of Taro's shell was increasingly intense, a sign that the cultivation was progressing well along its intended path.
"Are you sure about this? They say that's the weaker version." Min played nervously with his snake as they walked toward the shop. "I don't want to waste resources if…"
"Trust me," Ren smiled while his mushrooms pulsed softly. "Your snake is freshwater. Traditional methods waste resources using marine components that actually change its nature to one with less potential."
"And the night lily extract will really work?"
"Better than marine coral and moon algae," Ren stopped in front of the counter where Jessy waited, her cat ears perking up at their approach. "And it's much cheaper."
"Ren!" Jessy's cat ears twitched with enthusiasm. "More materials for your nests?"
"Not today," Ren shook his head. "My friend needs night lily extract. One hundred units."
Jessy consulted her manual while her tail moved thoughtfully. "Let me see... yes, we have it in stock. One thousand points for the hundred units."
Min nearly choked. "Only a thousand? But marine coral costs…"
"Five times more," Ren completed. "That's why few use the lily extract. Many assume more expensive ingredients are better."
While Jessy prepared the order, Min took out his crystals. He had quite a few after months of mining, though most were small.
"You should deposit some, your trunk is full too," Ren suggested. "The bank can…"
"Don't even mention it," Min shuddered. "I don't want to see Theodore's look when he compares my tiny deposits to your... plate investments."
"The plates are from the prince," Ren and Taro responded in unison, causing Min to roll his eyes.
Back in the room, they found Liu sitting on his bed, his night bat fluttering above his head, casting dancing shadows on the walls.
"Finally decided to risk it all?" he asked, seeing the materials.
"Yes," Min spread his crystals on the table. "Though I still need the elemental control rune."
"Those are expensive," Liu whistled. "Like fifteen thousand points."
"I have time," Min shrugged. "A hundred days to get it. For now..."
Ren was already examining the crystals one by one, his mushrooms pulsing as he analyzed each piece with precision.
"Not this one," he discarded one. "Too small. This one yes, the mana quantity is perfect."
"How can you...?" Liu began to ask, but stopped himself. After so many times he'd learned not to question Ren's knowledge about beasts.
After half an hour of meticulous selection, Ren had separated the hundred best crystals, each one gleaming with promise.
"Ready?" he asked Min, who held the first crystal nervously in his trembling hands.