It was 01:20 PM.

The weather was chilly, and the snow field stretched before Leon as he walked past a mountainside.

After the battle, Leon and Alice were all worn out, so they decided to take an hourly break.

But that short break had shown Leon many things.

He was asking himself as he walked. But there were too many holes in his theory; he just couldn't put his finger on just one definite deduction.

It seems to him that Shin Kataino's words meant something more than they sounded.

But Leon closed his mind for now. Talking about all that stuff in this book could create suspicion in the real world.

"Heh."

Leon let out a chuckle. He was one hundred percent sure that Eula was watching him right now.

And he knew that after this exam, she would ask him several questions regarding the 'Skill' he just used.

Leon had no choice; it had to be done, and more than that, Leon still wouldn't mind if everyone knew about his [Skill Disintegration] skill.

He wasn't here undercover, so except for hiding only his Light affinity, he would not hide anything else.

Why would he?

If he concealed what he can do, what would he gain? Their pity? Their mockery?

No.

Old Leon had had enough of being looked down on. It was Haru who was here this time.

If the gods themselves wish to stare, let them. If the world wishes to doubt, let them choke on their doubts; he won't give a fuck either way.

With that in mind, Leon thought.

'Honestly? Hiding power is so overrated. All it does is invite people to think you're weak. I really pity those who do that without any reason.'

If one doesn't flaunt it, what's the point of having it?

A low laugh left his throat as he thought.

'Besides… power that hides itself isn't power at all. It's just cowardice wearing a mask.'

After taking a turn, Leon finally saw Lumina.

She was sitting on the cold snow, her knees close to her belly, staring at the empty scene from that cliff.

"..."

She was facing off against him, and because of that, Leon didn't get the proper look at her face.

He didn't know what expression she was making.

Scruuss– Scrusss–

Leon dragged his feet to her. Standing just beside her, he glanced down at her crouched figure.

Around her, the wind passed her face, making her moonlike white hair dance with grace.

"Hu…"

She unconisly held her hair and tugged it beside her ears, and in the process she finally noticed Leon.

"How are you feeling?" Leon asked, walking a step towards her and glancing down at her.

"I… don't know." Lumina's answer came; her face looked cold, pale, and almost calm.

"But, if I have to put it in words, I would call it a winter without end. I feel cold, heavy… yet at the same time, quieter. Maybe this is what it means to love someone enough, that even in their absence, you carry them as calmly as you can. Otherwise, the loss devours you, not the memory."

Leon listened; he understood what she meant, but even so, he asked,

"And why is that?"

Miss Lumina kept her gaze on the empty white field. "What do you mean?"

Leon's voice lowered.

"After what happened to him… have you never felt like crying?"

"Cry?" Lumina's lips curved into something caught between a smile and a frown. "And what would crying even give me?"

Leon fell silent. He wanted to answer, but the words stuck in his throat.

Lumina spoke instead. "Besides, he would not have liked it if I cried. He always hated it."

"Crying makes one stronger," Leon said after a pause.

"Indeed, you are right," Lumina replied softly, "but at the same time, it makes you look weaker too."

Their thoughts contradicted a lot, like ice and fire.

Silence settled for a moment before Lumina let out a faint, bitter smile.

"Heh, I have to admit it, if he were here, you two could have been good friends. Your thoughts match more than you realise. And I always stood against his way of thinking."

Leon closed his eyes. "I highly doubt that."

He stepped closer, crouching down beside her.

"I heard it. Like repels," he said quietly. "And opposites attract."

"..."

Lumina turned her head, and their eyes met, her crimson gaze wavering against his golden one. Her lips parted, then pressed shut, before she finally muttered,

"He—hey, don't phrase it like that. You are giving me wrong ideas."

Leon almost chuckled. "Haha, don't worry, I respect you."

She narrowed her eyes at him.

"So? Why are you here? Don't tell me it's to console me." She added quickly, "Look, I'm fine."

Leon shook his head.

"No. Not at all. I'm just here to pass you a message."

"A message?" Lumina tilted her head. "From who?"

Leon didn't give the name. Instead, he let his voice shift, mimicking the man's familiar manner and warmth.

"He said: No matter how harsh life becomes, always walk a straight path. If there is a road, then there must be a destination. Trust yourself… and trust me too. Because for you, I will always be waiting."

His voice dimmed at the end, words nearly trembling away with the cold air.

Lumina's lips parted in disbelief. "Wh–who did you hear this from?"

Leon looked at her calmly and replied with a smirk. "From the source himself, of course."

"Huh… I don't know what to say…?"

But before she could press further, Leon let out a chuckle. And as he did, he saw Miss Lumina in tears the very next second, both her crimson eyes spilling, her lips quivering, her hand clenching over her heart. She said nothing. She simply let it flow.

Lumina's breath shook, a faint sniffle breaking through her silence as she wiped the corner of her eyes.

Without warning, she extended her hand toward Leon, the white blade glinting like frozen moonlight.

"Here."

Leon tilted his head. "...What?"

"Don't act dumb. I know you want this," Lumina said, her voice steady again.

'Damn, she figured it out.'

Leon chuckled under his breath. "Well, yeah, but what about the demons? Aren't you going to use it in the fight?"

A thin smirk curved her lips. "I don't need it. A normal blade is more than enough. In the end, any weapon can become godly if the wielder knows how to wield it."

Leon studied her for a moment.

Then she added, almost challengingly,

"Take it before I change my mind."

"...!"

Leon had reached out quickly, and his fingers held the Moonblade for the first time.

"Thanks. I'll use it well."

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