The city of Thirtos shimmered under the dance of three moons—Garnet, Aquamarine, Amesti—each casting its own magic across steel towers, floating bridges, and neon-lit plazas. In the moonlit garden of the Hanging District, Rinoa’s breath sent soap bubbles drifting up into the electric sky, their delicate surfaces reflecting the city’s endless lights and shadows. The children had scattered, their laughter echoing through the air, leaving Rinoa in a rare moment of quiet.

  A sharp sadness flickered in her gaze, even as she forced a gentle smile.

  “Hernandez,” she said softly, almost hesitantly, as he approached her, “this place... it feels so alive tonight, doesn’t it?”

  “Yeah,” he replied, his voice low, filled with curiosity. “But you seem different too. Like the city’s magic is showing a side of you I’ve never seen.”

  Rinoa glanced at the bubbles, watching them float away. “What do you mean?” Her whisper held a cautious tone, as if she feared the answer.

  Hernandez took a step closer, his eyes searching hers. “There’s a softness about you—something real. It’s like... you’re not just the strong Rinoa everyone knows.”

  She paused, the bubble wand hanging limply in her hand. “It’s hard to show that side, especially when everyone expects me to be... invincible.”

  “But I see it now,” he said with a lopsided smile, “here in this moment. You’re brighter, kinder. Maybe I just never noticed before.”

  Rinoa shook her head slightly, a small smile breaking through. “You’re teasing me, aren’t you? Don’t think I’m easy just because I’m not scolding you for once.”

  “I’m serious,” Hernandez replied, earnestness in his tone. “When you agreed to come here, I felt both shocked and delighted. It might not be a date, but it feels important—like our hearts are connecting in this magical place.”

  With thoughts swirling in her mind, Rinoa couldn't help but grin, the city’s lights twinkling in her eyes. “Maybe you’re right. This night… it feels like a beginning.”

  Rinoa chuckled, shaking her head. “Come on, Hernandez, you’re just pulling my leg. Don’t think I’m all soft just because I’m not giving you a hard time today.”

  He met her gaze, sincerity in his eyes. “Honestly, I was surprised and thrilled when you chose to join me here. Even if this isn’t really a date, it feels like I’ve discovered something truly wonderful. Like time has stopped for just us. Just for a heartbeat.”

  Rinoa's lips quirked up in a delicate half-smile. “So, you’re content? Just being here with me?”

  “Absolutely,” Hernandez responded, his eyes glimmering beneath the enchanting blue glow of the garden lanterns. “But I know you have your reasons for being here beyond just me. You’re helping me with my thesis, after all. Most wouldn't bother. I… I just want to express my gratitude, Rinoa. You’re remarkable.”

  Heat rushed to her cheeks as she looked away, feigning interest in a bubble drifting upwards until it burst in a gentle shimmer.

  “Humans aren’t flawless, Hernandez,” she murmured, her fingers fidgeting with the delicate stem of the wildflower crown woven by the children. “People often call me strong or special—but no one really is, not on the inside.” The stem broke with a soft crack, and the crown tumbled from her grip, petals dancing down to the stone path, glowing in the moonlight.

  For a heartbeat, Hernandez was quiet, his expression thoughtful. Then, with tenderness, he knelt, gathering the fallen crown like it was a rare gem, turning it in his hands with reverence.

  “Why don’t you try giving me your hand?” he suggested gently, extending the crown back toward her.

  “I’m not sure about this,” she said hesitantly, her hand lingering in the air.

  “Just trust me,” Hernandez urged, guiding her fingertips to the flowers set gently in her palm. His fingers brushed against hers, and for a fleeting moment, a warmth sparked between them—something genuine and unforced.

  “Humans may not be perfect,” he continued, his voice softening, “but that doesn’t mean we can’t be human. Sometimes, that’s all we really need.”

  Rinoa pressed her hand tightly against her chest, feeling the delicate crown nestled between her fingers. With closed eyes, she embraced the moment, the energy of the city enveloping her—the vibrant lights of sigil-lit bridges, the subtle hum of mana turbines, and the electric pulse of magic that seemed to pause just for her.

  When she finally opened her eyes, the weight of sadness had dissipated, replaced by renewed clarity and strength.

  “I never thought you’d be so understanding, or so stubborn, Hernandez,” she said, a genuine smile breaking free at last.

  He grinned, a wave of relief washing over him. “I’m full of surprises, you know. But really, you should think twice about Elbert’s request.”

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  Rinoa shot him a frown. “What do you mean by that?”

  “I just… I can’t shake the feeling that dark magic isn’t for you. It’s too risky.” His voice took on a rare urgency, tension threading through his words. “Whatever Professor Elbert tells you, it’s just not worth it.”

  Rinoa’s expression softened, a flicker of appreciation mingling with her stubbornness. “So you’re genuinely worried about me? Or is it just jealousy because I might spend more time with Elbert than with you?”

  He felt heat rise to his cheeks. “Probably both. But come on—are you really going to go through with it?”

  Her eyes sparkled, a blend of challenge and vulnerability. “Will you still help me, even if I decide to try it?”

  He nodded firmly, the determination set in his jaw. “Of course I will. I’ll always be there for you.”

  A gentle breeze stirred the magical vines overhead, casting enchanting patterns of light around them. The cool night air carried the scent of the sea and ozone, alive with the symphony of enchanted fireflies dancing in the twilight.

  “Hey,” Rinoa said, suddenly intrigued, “what made you want to join my expedition to gamma? You could have just aced the other exams and been done with it.”

  Hernandez hesitated, his thoughts tumbling in his mind. “It’s… complicated. Part of it is definitely you, but there’s more to it.”

  “It’s okay if you don’t want to share,” Rinoa reassured him, her voice soft and understanding. “The night is long. We can just savor this moment under the Garnet Moon.”

  He gazed up at the brilliant red orb hanging above the city, its light cascading down in shimmering waves. “You know,” he said, “it’s actually about the Garnet Moon. Kind of.”

  She tilted her head, curiosity sparking in her eyes. “What do you mean?”

  Taking a deep breath, he continued, “The Garnet Moon is stunning, but there’s this legend. People say when the supermoon rises, the magic in this city… it shifts. It grows stronger. They say the garnet stones actually glow. And if you stand beneath its light, it can heal wounds no other magic can reach.”

  Rinoa listened intently, entranced by the spell of the myth. “Do you really believe that?”

  He shrugged, a hint of shyness in his demeanor. “Maybe. My grandmother believed. She used to tell me that moonlight was the only magic she ever trusted. Sometimes… I want to hold on to that kind of hope. That’s why I want to see it myself. To find a real garnet under the moon.”

  Rinoa smiled softly, her heart warming at his words. “That’s so beautiful. I hope you find what you’re searching for.”

  A sudden chill swept through her, sending a shiver down her spine. In that moment, a flash of half-remembered vision gripped her mind—a man’s silhouette beside the shining waters of Lake Chaos, his face a blur. Pain abruptly pricked at the back of her eyes.

  “Rinoa?” Hernandez’s hand found her shoulder, his expression laced with concern. “Are you alright?”

  She blinked, trying to shake off the disorientation. “I’m fine. Just… a bit dizzy, I guess. The moonlight feels intense.”

  He noticed a tear on her cheek, glistening in the neon and lunar glow. “Are you okay, Rinoa?”

  She quickly wiped it away, forcing a smile. “I’m really fine. Just... lost in thought for a moment.”

  He gently squeezed her hand. “You know you can tell me anything. If it hurts, I want to help.”

  She opened her mouth to respond, but suddenly the night erupted in blinding red light.

  A shockwave rippled through the garden. Gasps erupted around them as people collapsed, paralyzed by the energy. The air vibrated, thick with ancient, alien magic.

  Hernandez staggered, his legs buckling. “Rinoa… what’s going on?”

  Fear laced her voice. “It’s a mana surge—some kind of paradox. Just stay calm, alright?"

  She knelt next to him, her hands glowing with a blue-green light as her healing magic swirled around him. “Paralysis paradox,” she muttered, her brow furrowing in concentration. “Just hold on…”

  The city’s emergency wards flickered on, illuminating the garden with harsh orange light as security drones zipped overhead, searching for the source of the disturbance.

  From the plaza's heart, a shadow began to take shape—a figure in a jet-black cloak, hovering inches above the ground. Though its face was obscured, its presence felt like an impending storm.

  The children screamed and scattered in all directions.

  The figure’s voice cut through the tension, smooth yet dripping with sarcasm. “Well, well. Am I interrupting something special? Your little date, perhaps?”

  “Who are you?” Rinoa shot back, her eyes blazing with defiance. “What do you want?”

  The shadow let out a hollow laugh that seemed to echo off the plaza walls. “Oh, it’s amusing, really. Seeing you play the hero while I linger in the shadows, consumed by envy.”

  Hernandez struggled to rise, his body betraying him as he croaked, “What do you want with Rinoa?”

  The figure drifted closer, its cloak trailing wisps of magic—darker than the void, shimmering with a dangerous allure.

  “Why is it always you in the spotlight, Rinoa Alfrenzo?” The voice dripped with jealousy, shifting tones that felt oddly familiar. “Why does the moonlight always find you?”

  Rinoa straightened, her resolve unshakeable. “If you’ve got a problem with me, then reveal yourself. Stop hiding behind your borrowed tricks.”

  The figure drew back, the shadow growing denser for a moment. “Such bravery. But remember—this isn't just any place. This is Thirtos. Here, everyone wears a mask. Everyone keeps their secrets. Even you, Rinoa.”

  For just a heartbeat, Rinoa's fingers flickered with energy, ancient Gaia glyphs intertwining with modern script, a blend only found in Thirtos magic-tech.

  “I’m not afraid of you,” she declared, her voice unwavering.

  “You should be,” the figure warned, leaning in closely. The hood slipped, revealing a flicker of glowing eyes—red, blue, and purple, like the moons overhead.

  A ripple of magic surged through the crowd, and security drones honed in, their sensors locking on the figure. But their spells? They were swatted away like pesky gnats.

  “I came to warn you, Rinoa,” the shadow murmured, a hint of urgency threading through its tone. “This city is about to become a battleground. Not for gold, or land, or power—but for memory itself. You're part of this, understand? Tell your council. Tell your friends. The real story is about to begin.”

  As quickly as it appeared, the figure dissolved, smoke trailing into the night air. The red glow vanished, leaving only the ordinary moonlight illuminating the frightened, half-paralyzed crowd.

  Rinoa let out a shaky breath, her strength wearing thin. Just then, Hernandez staggered upright, concern etched on his face as he reached for her.

  “Are you alright?” he asked, his voice trembling.

  She nodded, though her mind raced with thoughts. “We have to go, Hernandez. Something… something big is coming.”

  He met her gaze, determination in his voice. “Whatever it is, we’ll face it together.”

  The city's heart pulsed on, magical and mortal, ancient and new—Thirtos, caught between the glimmer of three moons and a dawn filled with uncertainty.