"Kyu!"
A small, high-pitched sound cut through the air, breaking the heavy silence between Astron and Maya.
"Kyu!"
Astron's eyes snapped up, his senses immediately sharpening, while Maya's gaze followed the source of the noise. There, just a few paces ahead of them, a small creature appeared, stepping cautiously out from the shadows of the ancient trees. It was delicate and ethereal in appearance, with a coat of soft, luminescent white fur that seemed to shimmer faintly in the dappled light of the forest. Its frame was small and lithe, resembling a squirrel but with features that marked it as something far more mystical. Its large, expressive eyes blinked curiously at them, and a long, sleek tail swayed gently behind it.
Astron studied the creature for a moment, intrigued by its almost otherworldly presence. "What is that?" he asked, his voice low, though not in alarm.
Maya's eyes widened, a flash of recognition crossing her face. "You are that cutie."
She immediately remembered the creature that she had seen at that time. Her memory, while not as strong as a genius, was still particular. That is why she immediately realized that this was the creature that she had seen at that time.
"Senior?"
"Ah…..Maya mumbled as she realized that she had been rather keeping silent. "A Lunaphen," she whispered, her tone filled with awe. "I can't believe it."
"Lunaphen?" Astron repeated, his gaze still fixed on the creature.
Maya nodded, her voice hushed as if not to startle the creature. "They're incredibly rare and shy. A type of monster that's usually hidden deep within nature's most untouched places. They're highly sensitive to the presence of others, especially humans, and it's almost unheard of for them to willingly approach anyone."
The Lunaphen took a tentative step forward, its round, bright eyes never leaving the pair. Despite its apparent wariness, there was a sense of curiosity in the way it regarded them.
Maya couldn't help but smile at the sight. "Even I've only seen them a handful of times, and I grew up in this forest. They're creatures of the moon, linked to lunar mana flows, and they usually hide during the day. For one to come out and approach us like this… it's incredible."
"Lunar mana?"
Astron mumbled, remembering.
But just as the words left his lips, the small Lunaphen, with a sudden burst of energy, darted forward. Astron's eyes narrowed, instinctively sharpening, but he felt no hostility from the creature. It was fast, but its movement wasn't aggressive. Before he could react further, the Lunaphen leaped gracefully and landed lightly on his shoulder.
Astron remained still, his body tense but not alarmed. The creature, now perched on his shoulder, gazed up at him with wide, innocent eyes. It was as if the Lunaphen was studying him, its soft, luminescent fur glowing gently under the forest's filtered light. There was a strange sense of calm that radiated from it, an aura of purity and serenity, as though it were a living embodiment of nature itself.
The Lunaphen's long tail curled around Astron's neck as it looked directly into his eyes, its expression curious yet peaceful. For a moment, Astron felt an odd connection with the creature, like the Lunaphen was drawn to something within him, something beyond the surface.
Maya, standing nearby, watched the interaction with wide eyes. She had seen Lunaphens before, but never like this. It was rare enough to even spot one, let alone have one willingly approach and interact with a human. She couldn't help but smile wryly at the scene. freewebnøvel.com
"They don't willingly approach humans, right?" Astron asked, still keeping his gaze on the Lunaphen as it settled comfortably on his shoulder. The creature seemed content, its large eyes reflecting the same soft glow of the moonlight.
"That's how it's supposed to be," Maya replied with a bemused smile. "But even I didn't expect this to happen. Lunaphens are known to be shy and avoid human contact, no matter how peaceful a person might be." She tilted her head slightly, her expression growing more thoughtful. "Unless you are like me."
"Like you."
"This little one had approached me before."
"Hmm?"
"At that time, I was just training to balance my vampiric side, meditating in this forest. This little one was the first Lunaphen that willingly approached me at that time."
Maya looked at Astron with a thoughtful expression, her eyes reflecting a sense of nostalgia. "This little one must have sensed something in you," she said softly, her voice filled with a mix of curiosity and certainty. "Otherwise, it wouldn't have approached you like this. They don't just interact with anyone."
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