The Girl Who Dreamed Beneath the Moon

A girl named Miyuuki was born in Hanaki Village, located on the outskirts of the Land of Shadow Veil.

A cool breeze drifted through the fields, carrying the scent of wildflowers across the sleeping village. Most of the houses had already extinguished their lanterns, and the only sound that remained was the gentle chorus of insects hidden among the grass.

Yet one figure remained awake.

"Just one more try..."

Miyuuki tightened her grip on the wooden training sword in her hands.

Sweat dripped down her forehead as she stood alone in the empty field behind her grandmother's old house. Her arms ached. Her legs trembled.

But she refused to stop.

"Again."

She swung.

The wooden blade cut through the air.

Too slow.

"Again."

She swung once more.

Most people in the village would have given up long ago. After all, everyone knew Miyuuki possessed no magic. Everyone knew she had no noble blood. Everyone knew a girl like her could never become a Lunar Knight.

At least, that's what they said.

Miyuuki lowered her sword and pouted.

"I'll become one anyway."

The words left her mouth with stubborn determination. The moon above seemed to shine a little brighter. As if listening.

Miyuuki sat down in the grass and stared toward the night sky. Countless stars glittered above her.

She said.

“It's so beautiful."

A small smile appeared on her face.

"Just wait for me."

“One day, I would prove it to the people of this village. That I could enter Morthalis Academy. And I would become a Lunar Knight! “

“No matter how impossible it seemed. No matter how many people laughed at me. I will use my own power to reach my goal. “Miyuki, sigh...

She raised her arms, and she stretched both her hands.

“That is for today’s training. Well, I have to go now before the chief finds out that I am gone. "Miyuuki returns to the chief house and gets ready for tomorrow’s daily task.

Miyuuki gazed at the moon one last time before leaving.

Her grandmother used to tell her that no matter how dark the night became, the moon would always shine somewhere above the clouds.

Whenever she felt lonely, she would come here.

Whenever she felt discouraged, she would train here.

This small abandoned house was the only place where she could truly be herself.

Miyuuki smiled softly.

"Grandma..."

She tightened her grip on the wooden sword.

"Just watch me."

"One day, I'll become a Lunar Knight."

With renewed determination, she turned and began walking back toward the village chief's residence.

Above her, the moon silently watched.

And somewhere beyond the stars, fate had already begun moving.

TOMMOROW - MORNING

The sun had barely risen when Miyuuki woke up.

As usual, she began her daily chores around the village chief's house. She swept the floors, cleaned the windows, prepared water for the household, and completed every task assigned to her.

Despite the exhausting work, Miyuuki couldn't stop smiling.

Today, she planned to visit the village library.

The entrance examination for Morthalis Academy was drawing closer, and she wanted to study as much as possible. Deep down, Miyuuki believed she possessed magical power like everyone else.

She simply didn't know how to use it yet.

With a bucket in hand, Miyuuki hurried toward the kitchen to fetch water.

Lost in thought, she failed to notice someone approaching from the opposite direction.

Bump!

"Aah!"

The bucket slipped from her hands, splashing water across the floor.

Miyuuki's eyes widened.

Standing before her was the Village Chief's daughter, Sayuri.

Drops of water stained the expensive dress she was wearing.

Miyuuki immediately lowered her head.

"I-I'm sorry, Miss Sayuri! I didn't mean to bump into you!"

Sayuri stared at the wet stain on her clothing.

Her face twisted with irritation.

"Sorry? Is that supposed to fix this?"

She brushed the water from her sleeve with disgust.

"Do you have any idea how expensive this outfit is?"

"I-I'll clean it right away!"

"Honestly, you're so clumsy."

Sayuri crossed her arms and glared down at her.

"You spend all your time dreaming about Morthalis Academy when you can't even walk properly."

Miyuuki lowered her gaze.

Sayuri smirked.

"Don't tell me you're still planning to take the entrance exam."

Miyuuki clenched her fists.

"...I am."

For a moment, Sayuri looked surprised.

Then she laughed.

"You?"

She shook her head.

"That's impossible."

"Morthalis Academy is for nobles, talented mages, and future Lunar Knights."

Her eyes narrowed.

"Not for a servant girl with no magic."

The words stung.

But Miyuuki remained silent.

Sayuri turned away and said.

"Know your place, Miyuuki."

As she walked off, Miyuuki slowly looked up.

Her chest hurt.

Her hands trembled.

But her determination remained unchanged.

One day...

She would prove everyone wrong.

After Sayuri disappeared down the hallway, Miyuuki quietly cleaned the spilled water.

Her hands trembled slightly.

The words still hurt.

Not for a servant girl with no magic.

Miyuuki lowered her head.

Then she suddenly laughed.

"Hehe..."

If she listened to every person who told her she couldn't do something, she would have given up years ago.

Slowly, she stood up and dusted herself off.

"Then I'll just have to work harder."

After finishing her chores, Miyuuki grabbed her notebook and hurried toward the village library.

The entrance examination was getting closer.

And she had no intention of losing.

Little did she know that her journey toward Morthalis Academy and the truth of her destiny was about to begin.

The Village Library was one of Miyuuki's favorite places.

Whenever she had free time, she would rush there with a notebook in hand and spend hours reading anything she could find.

History books.

Magic textbooks.

Stories of heroes.

She read them all.

Today was no different.

After finishing her chores at the Village Chief's house, Miyuuki hurried through the village and pushed open the library's wooden doors.

The familiar scent of old books greeted her.

Miyuuki smiled and said.

"I'm back."

She immediately made her way toward a shelf near the back of the building.

A section she had visited countless times before.

The section dedicated to Morthalis Academy.

Carefully, she pulled a large book from the shelf and placed it on a nearby table.

The cover read:

"The History of Morthalis Academy."

Miyuuki's eyes sparkled with excitement.

Morthalis Academy was the most prestigious magical institution in the Kingdom of Aurelia.

Founded over two thousand years ago by the Astralis Dynasty and the Seven Noble Clans, the academy served as the center of magical education throughout Aetheria.

Many of the kingdom's greatest heroes, scholars, generals, and mages had graduated from its halls.

Most importantly, it was the primary path toward becoming a Lunar Knight.

The Lunar Knights were the elite protectors of Aurelia.

They defended the kingdom from monsters, magical disasters, and threats that endangered the people of Aetheria.

To many children, they were heroes.

To Miyuuki, they were an inspiration.

She carefully turned the pages.

Images of towering academy buildings filled the book.

Beautiful stone structures stood beneath banners bearing the symbol of the moon.

Students from every corner of the kingdom gathered there.

Many came from noble families.

Others were descendants of the Seven Noble Clans.

Only the most talented mages could earn admission.

For commoners, acceptance was incredibly rare.

Miyuuki stared at the illustrations.

Then she smiled.

"I'll get there someday."

Her voice was quiet.

Yet filled with determination.

The librarian chuckled from across the room.

"You still haven't given up on that dream?"

Miyuuki shook her head immediately.

"Never!"

The old librarian laughed.

"You really are stubborn."

Miyuuki placed both hands on the book and looked at the image of Morthalis Academy once more.

One day.

She would walk through those gates.

One day.

She would study beside talented mages and noble students.

And one day,

She would become a Lunar Knight.

Even if nobody believed she could.

Even if the entire village laughed at her dream.

Miyuuki would never give up.

For the first time in her life, she felt that her future was waiting somewhere beyond the borders of Hanaki Village.

And that future began at Morthalis Academy.

–The Next day–

Miyuuki's eyes shot open.

Her heart pounded against her chest.

The nightmare had returned.

She found herself gasping for breath as tears slowly formed in her eyes.

In her dream, she had seen her grandmother again.

The warm smile.

The gentle voice.

The small house where they had once lived together.

Then she saw it all disappear.

The day her grandmother passed away.

The day she became alone.

"...Grandma..."

Miyuuki quietly lowered her head.

The room was silent.

Only the pale moonlight entered through the window.

For several moments, she sat there, allowing herself to cry.

Today was an important day.

Yet she could not stop thinking about the person who had supported her more than anyone else.

Eventually, Miyuuki wiped away her tears.

"No."

She shook her head.

"Grandma wouldn't want me to be sad today."

Taking a deep breath, she stood up.

Today was the day she would leave Hanaki Village.

Today was the day she would travel to the capital and take the entrance examination for Morthalis Academy.

Quickly, she packed her belongings.

There wasn't much.

A few spare clothes.

A notebook filled with study notes.

A wooden sword.

And a small pouch containing the money her grandmother had left for her.

It wasn't much.

But it was all she had.

After finishing her preparations, Miyuuki stepped outside.

The village chief stood near the entrance.

When he saw her bag, he scoffed.

"So you're really going?"

Miyuuki nodded.

"Yes, sir."

The chief crossed his arms.

"Hmph. Don't get your hopes up."

"You'll fail anyway."

Several villagers nearby laughed.

"She's really going?"

"A commoner?"

"Does she even have magic?"

"What a waste of time."

Miyuuki lowered her head.

The laughter echoed around her.

But she remained silent.

She had heard these words countless times before.

The village chief smirked.

"When you fail, don't expect a warm welcome when you come crawling back."

Miyuuki tightened her grip on her bag.

Then she smiled.

"Even if I fail, I'll know I tried."

Without waiting for another response, she continued walking.

Behind her, more laughter followed.

But she refused to look back.

As she reached the edge of the village, another carriage approached.

It belonged to Sayuri.

The chief's daughter sat comfortably inside, dressed in fine clothes.

Several servants accompanied her.

When she noticed Miyuuki walking alone, she laughed.

"You're seriously planning to walk all the way to the capital?"

Miyuuki nodded.

"Of course."

Sayuri shook her head.

"How pathetic."

The carriage moved forward.

Before disappearing down the road, Sayuri glanced back one last time.

"Try not to collapse before you get there."

The carriage disappeared into the distance.

Miyuuki simply smiled.

Then she continued walking.

Alone.

The journey to the capital took three days.

Three days of walking.

Three days of sleeping beneath the stars.

Three days of pushing forward despite her aching feet.

Whenever she felt tired, she remembered her dream.

Whenever she felt lonely, she remembered her grandmother.

And whenever she felt like giving up, she remembered the words of the villagers.

She would prove them wrong.

Finally, on the third day, the capital came into view.

Miyuuki stopped in her tracks.

Her eyes widened.

The city was enormous.

Towering buildings stretched toward the sky.

Magical lights illuminated the streets.

Countless people moved through bustling marketplaces.

Colorful banners decorated the roads.

The entire city felt alive.

For the first time in her life, Miyuuki was speechless.

"So this..."

She smiled brightly.

"...is the capital."

Excitement filled her heart.

This was where Morthalis Academy stood.

This was where her future awaited.

After spending some time exploring the city, Miyuuki eventually found a small inn where she could spend the night.

The room was simple.

But to her, it felt perfect.

As she lay in bed that evening, she stared up at the ceiling.

Tomorrow.

The entrance examination.

Tomorrow.

Her dream would finally begin.

Unable to contain her excitement, Miyuuki hugged her pillow and smiled.

"Just wait for me, Morthalis Academy."

And with that thought, she slowly drifted to sleep.

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