"Who are you?" I asked.
"Outsiders may only address me as the Court Witch," she replied smoothly, her violet eyes studying me through her round spectacles. "However, you may call me Luna."
She maintained a flat composure and started to take off her boot. Yet, that calm detachment only made me feel flustered.
"Cut the games, Luna," Clara interjected, stepping forward. "You are a reasonable person. Name your price for helping us this time."
"I want him," Luna stated plainly, slipping her black-stockinged feet into the backless slippers. "Lend him to me. Leave him in my cabin for my research... and perhaps a few other matters."
"Excuse me?" I bristled. I had zero interest in whatever Other Matters she had in mind. I had consumed far too many fantasy novels not to recognize this trope: lure the naive protagonist in with grand promises, only to strap him to a stone slab like a lab rat. Not a chance in hell.
Before I could voice my refusal, Clara stepped directly in front of me, cutting the witch off. "No. Not him."
"I have profound curiosity regarding this curse and its underlying mechanics, yet my research demands a subject," Luna said, tilting her head slightly. "Permit me to study him. That is my sole condition."
It made logical sense. From their perspective, I was an anomaly from another dimension.
Clara, however, stood her ground, radiating fierce possessiveness. "No. He is mine. I will state this once more: I will not permit anyone to take him away."
"Why?" Luna asked, raising an eyebrow. "I can swear upon the name of Ordanis that his health and well-being will remain entirely uncompromised. Does that put your mind at ease?"
To be fair, despite knowing the risks and suspecting this witch might be hiding a sinister true form behind her charm, Luna was undeniably articulate and captivating. Had I not had dozens of fantasy stories and games, I might have fallen for it on the spot.
"No," Clara refused flatly. "I will not accept these terms."
"And why is that?"
"This is between him and me. It does not concern you."
"Between the two of you?" Luna sounded puzzled. "I helped you find him, didn’t I? And you have barely known each other for a handful of days. What could you possibly share between yourselves?"
Clara faltered, struggling to find words. She cast a sideways glance at me, her eyes carrying a faint trace of a plea for help.
Part of me wanted to mock her. Especially for how coldly she had treated me on the ride here. Yet, looking at the crimson hair spilling across her hood and the way she stood firmly between me and the witch, I swallowed my pettiness.
I needed to play the part of the devoted wingman; besides, I had zero intention of letting Luna get her hands on me.
"Stop pressing the issue," I finally spoke up. "I’m sticking with Clara. She might be a bit cold at times, but I'm not leaving her side. Give it up."
Clara's cheeks flushed. She looked back at me, a satisfied warmth in her gaze.
[Clara Affection increased to 45]
Hah! Knew it.
Luna remained calm. She took a step closer, adjusting her glasses. "In that case, negotiations are at an end. Without a research subject, I cannot assist you."
"Actually, I have this," I said, reaching into my sweatpants and pulling out my smartphone. "If you need an object of study, a physical artifact brought from another world should do, right?"
Clara glanced at the glowing glass slab but did not stop me.
Luna stepped forward to take the phone. As her fingers brushed mine, she leaned in, her breath brushing against my ear in a low whisper: "She is not what she looks like."
My brow furrowed, but I held my tongue.
Clara noticed the exchange. "What did she say to you?"
Without missing a beat, I relayed Luna's words directly: "She said you aren't what you seem. To be honest, I have no idea what that means."
Why bother guessing when I could just let the two of them confront each other?
Sadly, the dramatic standoff I expected didn’t materialize. Clara narrowed her eyes, casting a hostile look at the witch. Luna, on the other hand, sighed and gave me a look of disappointment.
[Luna Affection decreased to -5]
Well, figures... It was a bit of a shame, though. Luna was undeniably cute, and getting on her hostile side felt like a missed opportunity. If they had just been close friends, I wouldn't have had to pick a side.
"This object will suffice as my subject," Luna announced, turning back to the scarred wooden table. "However, if you expect any findings, the standard protocols still apply."
"I am aware. Name the terms."
Luna explained that since she was denied a live subject for research, the alternative required Clara and me to undergo a shared memory projection.
This would allow her to test the depth and resonance of our soul tether. Once the crystal orb recorded the resonance data, she could proceed with unraveling the spell's structure.
"Shared memory?" I asked. "How does that even work?"
Luna opened a creaking wall cabinet and retrieved an opaque glass vial. "You will drink this, lie down face-to-face with your foreheads touching, and let my spells and the orb handle the rest."
"So, you'll be watching our memories too?"
"I hold no interest in your ordinary secrets, rest assured," Luna said dryly. "I require an exact measurement of your soul resonance to measure the true power of the curse."
I had no desire to let Clara see the embarrassing reality of my past life. Clara appeared even more hesitant than I was, which brought Luna's whispered warning back to the surface.
What kind of game is this witch playing?
"Allow us a moment to confer in private," Clara requested.
Luna gave a slight nod, returning to her wooden chair to flip through a dusty book, her expression as unreadable as ever.
Clara pulled me aside. "Luna always claims what she sets her eyes upon. She will not abandon her underlying objective so easily."
"You think this ritual is a trap?"
"Promise me one thing," Clara said, her purple eyes locking onto mine. "No matter what you see in my past... do not abandon me."
"Huh?" I offered a weak chuckle. "Okay, I was about to ask you the same thing. Hearing it come from you makes it sound a whole lot scarier, though."
"This is not a matter for humor," Clara insisted. "Promise me."
"Alright, I promise. But I really need you to promise the same. Don't leave me once you see my memories."
"I promise."
With our terms settled, we turned back to Luna and agreed to proceed. We climbed onto the rough wooden cot in the corner of the room.
She was tense, but I was practically shaking with anxiety. Sighting my distress, Clara reached out and gently took my hand. "It will be alright."
"Right."
Luna stepped up to the bedside, handing us the potion.
I tried to lighten the mood with a joke. "This isn't poison, is it?"
"All potions carry a measure of poison," Luna replied.
"Huh?"
"I will weave a restoration spell over you if necessary; do not worry," Clara whispered, squeezing my fingers.
We tilted the bottle back, swallowed the bitter draught, and turned to face each other.
I pulled her closer, pressing my forehead against hers.
Breathing in the same rhythm, I caught the faint scent of her skin once more. Then reality hit me: I should have taken a damn shower before leaving the keep. I'm a complete idiot. I could only imagine how miserable my stale sweat must smell to a noblewoman.
Yet, a resonant thought bled directly into my consciousness: His scent is so distinct... strangely captivating...
Our internal thoughts overlapped suddenly. Startled, my eyes snapped open. Clara's eyes flew open at the same moment, locking onto mine, both of our faces burning red from the exposed thoughts.
"Close your eyes," Luna's voice echoed through the dim room. A soft glow began to merge around her fingertips. "Brace yourselves."
Wait... my mind raced in panic. Not this shit again—
A violent surge of arcane energy ripped through my skull, and the world collapsed into pitch-black oblivion.
[Magic Resistance increased to 7]
[Poison Resistance increased to 5]