I really don't like mornings.
Especially this morning.
"Leanaaa, wake up already or I'm dragging you out with your blanket," Mom called from downstairs.
I groaned, wrapping myself tighter in my blanket. "Five more minutes…"
"Leana."
That tone. That was the "I'm about to destroy the Earth's rotation if you don't get up" tone. I immediately jumped out of bed.
"Coming!" I yelled, rushing to the bathroom.
Today was the first day of the Hunter Academy—the place where future heroes, dungeon explorers, and ego-filled nobles trained. It was supposed to be prestigious, powerful, and totally serious. Which made me wonder why I was even here.
Mom could solo every dungeon on Earth if she wanted. Grandma could model for a galaxy and still look perfect.
And me? I just wanted to nap and eat cake.
After brushing my teeth and tying my hair into a short, messy ponytail, I put on the new uniform Mom made me—gray with silver trims, the colors of the Moon family. It looked simple, but it could probably block an atomic bomb if needed.
When I went downstairs, Mom and Grandma were already waiting.
"Eat your breakfast before you go," Mom said, handing me a small bento box shaped like a crescent moon. "I made sweets too."
My eyes lit up. "Chocolate pancakes?"
Grandma winked. "With syrup imported from the Moon Garden."
"Best family ever," I mumbled happily, hugging them both before heading out.
---
The academy was massive.
Like, floating-city massive. A blend of old European design and futuristic energy—silver towers, floating platforms, crystal barriers keeping monsters out. Humans walked around like ants, but the pressure in the air was thick.
"Hunter Academy, huh…" I whispered. "Let's see what kind of idiots show up here."
I stepped through the gate, and instantly, everyone stared.
"Who's that?"
"She's tiny… but wow, that aura."
"Wait, her eyes—are those glowing silver-blue?"
I ignored them and kept walking. Being stared at wasn't new. The Moon family stood out everywhere we went.
"Oi, shorty!"
I stopped walking. Great. I didn't even need to look to know who it was.
"River Sun," I muttered, turning around.
He stood there, perfectly dressed in his golden-trimmed uniform, surrounded by two lackeys. His slick blond hair practically screamed arrogant noble.
"Well, well, if it isn't little Leana Moon," he said, smirking. "Didn't expect you to actually attend the academy. Thought you'd be too scared to show your face."
I tilted my head. "Scared? Of what? Your face?"
Laughter rippled through the crowd. River's expression twitched.
"You—! Watch your mouth, runt."
I smiled sweetly. "Oh, don't worry. I can't watch something that low."
The crowd went silent. Even his lackeys flinched.
"You dare insult a member of the Sun family?" River barked.
I sighed, walking closer. "River, you've been pestering me since the last time we met. Maybe try focusing on not embarrassing your family for once."
He gritted his teeth. "You think you're better than me?"
I leaned forward slightly, my eyes glowing faintly under the sunlight. "I don't think I'm better, River. I know I am."
The air trembled. Just a faint pulse from my presence made everyone in a ten-meter radius stop breathing for a second.
River's knees nearly buckled before he caught himself. I smiled again, brushing past him.
"See you in class, sunshine," I said, waving without looking back.
---
By the time I reached the main hall, a girl at the reception desk smiled nervously.
"Y-You must be Leana Moon. Your registration has already been approved by the headmaster."
"Headmaster?" I asked.
"Yes. He… uh… said your mother told him not to make you take the entrance test."
Of course she did.
I sighed. "Figures. Alright, just point me to my dorm."
As I walked away, I could hear whispers following me again—curiosity, awe, maybe fear. I didn't mind. Let them talk.
Because deep down, I knew something big was coming. The dungeons were growing stronger. The world was changing.
And soon… everyone would know what it truly meant to be a Moon.