Luna’s First Magic

After wrapping up the first day’s experiment, Vivian finally had some free time in the evening to spend with her daughter.

Outside the tent, in the small courtyard bathed in the glow of sunset, Luna was happily playing.

The lingering sunlight painted the sky a warm orange and draped the yard in peaceful light.

Vivian sat on a long bench, watching Luna chase butterflies.

The sight eased some of the tension that had been coiling inside her chest.

“Luna, be careful not to fall.”

Lucia gently reminded.

“I won’t!”

The little girl answered confidently.

Her steps were indeed much steadier than before; the demon bloodline gave her remarkable physical growth.

Just then, a beautiful butterfly with wings shimmering in rainbow gradients fluttered right up to Luna.

It circled her teasingly twice before darting upward and landing delicately on the branch of a low ornamental shrub, wings trembling slightly.

Luna stood on tiptoe, reaching as high as she could, but it was still out of reach.

“Butterfly…”

She pouted, stretching her little arms.

The butterfly stayed perched, as if mocking her.

Luna grew anxious.

She waved her hands frantically.

“Come down! Luna wants to catch you!”

Vivian smiled wryly and was just about to stand and comfort her daughter when something extraordinary happened.

A sphere of magic suddenly formed in Luna’s palms.

It was a strange grey orb, deep as darkness yet warm as light.

It hovered before her, radiating a soft glow.

Drawn by the sphere, the butterfly drifted downward, finally pulled completely inside and sealed within.

“Mommy! Mommy, look!”

Luna excitedly raised the orb containing the butterfly, completely unaware of how astonishing her feat was.

“Luna made a ball!”

Vivian and Lucia froze, then rushed over.

“Luna, don’t move. Stay just like that.”

Vivian said softly, carefully studying the sphere.

She could clearly sense the power within: a perfect fusion of light and darkness, far beyond mere mixture, true harmony.

“This child…”

Lucia murmured, eyes wide with shock.

“She’s barely over two years old…”

They had seen glimpses of talent before, but neither had expected Luna to manifest basic spellcasting ability in just a few days.

“Luna, how did you make this ball?”

Vivian crouched down and asked gently.

“Just… like this.”

Luna tilted her head, puzzled by the question.

“Luna wanted the butterfly to come down, and then the ball appeared.”

“Are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

Lucia asked worriedly, checking her daughter over.

“Nope!”

Luna shook her head.

“The ball is very good. It doesn’t hurt Luna.”

She tossed the sphere into the air.

It traced a graceful arc and obediently returned to her hand like a loyal pet.

“The ball can fly too!”

Luna giggled happily.

Vivian and Lucia exchanged a glance, both seeing shock and concern mirrored in the other’s eyes.

Shock at how far beyond imagination Luna’s gift was.

Concern that such rapid awakening might bring danger.

“Luna, shall Mommy teach you how to control the ball?”

Vivian offered.

“Yes! Yes!”

For the next while, Vivian and Lucia carefully guided Luna in handling the power.

They discovered she had astonishing control over the fused energy.

She could make the sphere grow or shrink with ease, direct its movement, even shift its nature: warmer and healing, or sharper and destructive.

“Try changing it into a different shape.”

Vivian encouraged.

Luna stared intently at the sphere, her little face full of concentration.

Slowly, the orb began to deform: first stretching into an oval, then shifting further until it finally became a tiny rabbit!

“Bunny!”

Luna clapped excitedly.

“The ball turned into a bunny!”

The magical rabbit looked utterly lifelike; it even hopped around like a real animal.

“That’s amazing…”

Lucia praised sincerely.

“Her imagination and mana control are incredible.”

“Yes.”

Vivian whispered.

“Her potential may be far greater than we ever imagined.”

In that warm moment, Vivian suddenly felt the prickling sensation of being watched.

She whipped around toward the courtyard wall.

A blurry figure vanished in an instant: Carol’s flesh puppet!

“Damn it…”

Vivian cursed under her breath.

She had forgotten to revoke the previous access pass.

“What is it?”

Lucia noticed her reaction.

“…It’s nothing.”

Vivian shook her head.

“Just an old friend. Not a big problem.”

She scooped Luna into her arms and kissed her forehead.

“You did great today, Luna. You learned to control magic. Keep working hard, okay?”

“Mm! Luna will work hard!”

The little girl happily wrapped her arms around Vivian’s neck.

Vivian held her daughter close, breathing in the soft milky scent, joy and worry tangling inside her.

Luna’s talent far exceeded expectations.

This fusion of light and darkness was both powerful and unknown.

And Carol’s spying rang like an alarm bell, reminding her that every move in Evernight might be watched by hidden enemies.

“Luna, you’re tired from playing. Time to go wash up and sleep.”

Vivian pushed her thoughts down and spoke lightly.

“Mm, okay.”

Though reluctant, Luna tightly clutched her bunny-shaped magic orb, unwilling to let it dissipate.

Back inside the tent, Vivian personally bathed Luna, dressed her in soft pajamas, and tucked her into a small bed covered with warm blankets.

Lucia softly hummed a soothing lullaby; the ethereal melody seemed to carry calming magic.

Soon Luna was asleep, clutching her “magic bunny,” a sweet smile on her face.

As the little mistress slipped into deep slumber, the unconsciously sustained mana faded.

The lifelike bunny dissolved into gentle motes of light that slowly vanished into the air.

The trapped butterfly regained its freedom, fluttered twice inside the tent, then slipped out through the slightly open window into the night.

Only after watching their daughter’s peaceful sleeping face did Vivian and Lucia finally breathe a sigh of relief and step outside.

“That watcher…”

Lucia asked in a low voice, ice-blue eyes filled with worry.

“Who was it?”

“An elven friend named Carol. An extremely sharp and insatiably curious scholar.”

Vivian nodded gravely.

“My oversight. I once made certain deals with her for the territory’s safety.”

“What Luna just did… she probably saw it.”

“An elf? A scholar? Is she a threat?”

Lucia’s hands unconsciously clenched.

“Not for now.”

Vivian calmly analyzed, trying to reassure her.

“Carol is fundamentally a knowledge- and profit-driven academic.”

“Until she fully understands the nature, value, and risks of Luna’s ability, she’ll observe, evaluate, and gather information rather than act rashly.”

“Besides, we have an agreement binding her. This was at most overstepping boundaries, not open provocation.”

“I’ll immediately revoke all remaining access and issue a clear warning.”

“…I hope you’re right.”

Lucia was quiet for a moment before nodding slowly, though the worry in her eyes did not fully fade.

She glanced toward where their daughter slept.

“I just want Luna to grow up safe and happy.”

“I know.”

Vivian said softly.

“I will do everything in my power.”