Ciar focused his mind, reaching out for the essence he knew would be present. When he found it, he wrapped it in his Void Power, control it, bending it to his will. Time shifted around him, and the orbs spinning through the air slowed mid flight. He focused, grasping each orb with the essence, trying to change each orb's rate individually. Several minutes later, he released his hold on the essence and relaxed. The orbs resumed their usual speed as they orbited around him. He sighed, annoyed at yet another failure. It has been three days since Hendricks's offer, and Ciar had devoted himself to his training. Currently, he was making use of a magical item called an orbital simulator. The device consisted of three orbs and a central cube. The orbs, when the device was activated, rotated around the cube at a constant velocity. Ciar was attempting to train his Time Manipulation by slowing each orb to a different speed. he would hold the cube in his left hand, allowing the orbs to rotate around him. Then, he would grasp the time essence and attempt to slow the orbs. He had been trying for two days now, and still had not succeeded. He was not used to this failure. When he was still in the Oblivion, he had never had to work so hard. Skills and magic came to him on a whim, and skill levels came just as easily. He simply had to use the skill to blow up a world or two and it would max out. Now...it was different.

Shutting of the orbital simulator, Ciar shut off the training shield and headed downstairs. For the past three days he had shut himself in his room, not contacting the outside world and ignoring his classes completely. He wanted, no, he needed that Endo, and he would not waste time learning basic things in class that he could already do. He had even neglected to go out with Luna, not wanting to waste any time. He had decided that, despite needing to advance Udo as quickly as possible, his other magic was just as important. If he was to win the tournament at the end of the year, simply knowing how to perform an advanced martial art would not suffice. He needed a diverse power base, especially with his spells. Ciar walked over to the desk in the corner of the room, sitting in the soft leather chair. He focused his mind, and grabbed the pen from the desk. The pen began to move, writing the alphabet out on the paper in front of him. His hands firmly placed on his thighs, Ciar controlled the pen with just his Psionic Magic, honing his control. At first the pen moved shakily, drawing barely legible symbols. Slowly, the pen began to move smoother, the letters become smoother and easier to read. Just as he was about to draw the last symbol, a knock on his door startled him. The pen shook violently, scribbling over several letters before dropping to the desk. Ciar slammed his fist into the table, and irrational anger coming over him. As the desk split down the middle, he raised his voice, shouting at the person outside.

"What do you WANT!?" He screamed. A quiet voice answered him, nervous, slightly afraid.

"Umm, Ciar...it's Luna. I was wondering if you wanted to come out and talk with me? You've been in their ever since the tournament, I-I never even got to congratulate you...I'm worried about you Ciar...is everything alright?"

Ciar paused, calming himself before responding.

"Everything is fine Luna...I'm fine."

"Well, that's good, its just...I haven't seen you in three days and...I miss you." She said. Ciar froze, stunned at the pain in her voice.

'She is truly worried about me. Does she truly love me? Care for me? I know we have connection, and she's special to me...but the Endo. I will live long past what she can...I'm immortal...at least I think. I really shouldn't get attached...but...this feeling. Maybe it would be fine? She does sound really worried. Maybe just for tonight.' Ciar thought, torn between his desire for power and his strange feelings for Luna.

After a moment, he made his decision. Rising from his chair, he walked to the door, opening it. Luna stood outside, dressed in a beautiful evening gown. Upon seeing her, Ciar stumbled on his words, shocked at what he saw.

"Wh-what did you do with your hair? When did you cut it?" He said, staring at the hair then now fell to just above her shoulder, instead of all the way to her waist.

"I cut it...two days ago." She said, slightly hesitant, as if something was gnawing at her. Ciar knew what it was. Of course he would not know she had cut her hair. He had shut himself in his room, obsessed with his training and clearly ignoring the girl that he was sure loved him, or at least had feelings. He shifted his feet, looking at the ground as he responded.

"Luna...I...it's just..." he stammered, somehow unable to form the words. Before he could finish his sentence Luna interrupted him.

"I know, Ciar. You want to get stronger after that last fight, push yourself beyond the top people of our class...but, you can't obsess over it, it's unhealthy. Now," she said as she jabbed his ribs with a finger, "you best go get cleaned up and changed, I will not be going out with someone who smells like that."

Ciar smiled at her, thankful for her decision to move past the issue. Turning quickly, he rushed to get changed. Smoothing the suit one last time, Ciar returned to the door.

"Well, Luna, shall we go?" He asked, tilting his head slightly. She simply smiled in response, turning to walk down the hallway. Ciar hurried to catch her, walking beside her down the hall.

"You know Ciar, I think I deserve something a bit special tonight, don't I?" She said jokingly.

"Correct you are, Miss Luna." Ciar smiled as he opened the door to exit the dorm building.

The night outside was quite, and the park in the central square was nearly deserted. Ciar and Luna walked amongst the trees, silently enjoying each other's company. The couple eventually found their way to a bench positioned next to the fountain in the center of the park. Sitting down, Ciar linked his hand with Luna's as they leaned back, staring through a break in the trees at the sky above. As they sat, Ciar wondered if this was what it was like for his parents. If Isaac and Mariam had felt this way when they were together. If they had enjoyed silent outings under the stars, or dinners together late at night. Luna shifted beside him, resting her head on his shoulder. Finally, she spoke, her voice soft in the night.

"You know, these are the times I think I treasure most. When I'm away from everything, not pressured by those around me or being inspected by some stranger. When I can just sit here and relax, not worrying about school or magic or life. In fact, I think these moments are more magical than real magic. This is the real magic, being able to be content with your current situation."

Ciar nodded, closing his eyes as he leaned into Luna. "I think you're right," he said before suddenly sitting up, looking at Luna, "but when did you become a philosopher?"

Luna laughed shortly, her eyes meeting his. "Well, I'd Like to say that I've always been one, but I think the last three days really transformed me, amazing what some alone time can do." She said, her voice slightly edged. Ciar paused, his face turning serious once again.

"I'm sorry, Luna. I'm sorry I locked myself in my room. I should have come out and talked to you, I shouldn't have ignored you."

Luna didn't respond at first, choosing to scoot into him once again, resting her head on his shoulder. Several painful seconds later, her response came.

"Well, are you at least going to tell me why you are suddenly obsessed with power? I knew you wanted it before, but locking yourself up for three days is weird, even for you."

"Well, you see, Director Hendricks offered to give me the Endo if I won the tournament at the end of year. That weapon, it's good enough to make anyone go crazy, I think."

"Well...it's true that weapon is quite the technological marvel, and it is quite good. But...please Ciar, your natural progression will be enough for you to win the tournament, I can feel it. Just, please don't lock yourself up again Ciar, I don't think I can live through three days again...I don't even think you ate anything."

Ciar slid his arm around her, his other hand reaching out and gently turning his face toward his. He looked deep into her eyes, losing himself for a moment in her moons of silver.

"I won't do it again, Luna, I promise you that."

Ciar stared at the ceiling of his dorm, his mind running over the events of the night. He Luna had forgiven him for what he did, but something still troubled him. It wasn't something about Luna, no, it was something about him. Tonight he could almost feel something inside himself change. Before tonight, while he had felt a strong connection to Luna, he had always looked at her with a sense of detachment. She didn't know what he truly was and she would die of old age long before he even got wrinkles. She was mortal, and he was immortal. He had lived 50 million years as a emotionless void, detached from not just this world, but other worlds as well. He had slowly become accustomed to feelings as he had grown up, but this was something new. he knew that tonight he had felt love for the first time. Mariam and Isaac, while he cared for them, he did not truly love them. They had raised him in this world, taught him to read, gotten him accustomed to living as a mortal. However, they had not loved him for what he truly was. They had loved him because they believed he was their child, and it is natural for a parent to love a child. He had been cognisant from the moment he came to the world, and as a result had not developed an infant's natural love for its parents. Now, though, he had felt something with Luna. They way she had rested her head on his shoulder, insisted he not train so hard, snuggled against him as they stared at the stars. Something had definitely changed, but Ciar fell asleep knowing that it was not for the worse, but for the better.

-------------------------------

Basic Time Manipulation has reached (lvl 4)

Basic Time Manipulation has reached (lvl 5)

The basic ability to conform the essence of time to your will.

-5% Void Power cost to all time spells

Basic Mind Manipulation has reached (lvl 5)

The basic ability to conform the essence of mind to your will.

-5% mind essence cost to mind abilities and spells

Basic Telekinesis has reached (lvl 4)

Basic Telekinesis has reached (lvl 5)

+15% to mind essence power

Ciar glanced once more over the messages he had received during today's training session. Two days after his night with Luna, he had finally succeeded in both of his tasks. He had controlled each orb individually, slowing each to a different rate. He had written the entire 32 symbol alphabet of the Fellites with perfect penmanship. It seemed both of these feats were quite strenuous, as both of his manipulation skills, along with telekinesis, had advanced to level 5. It seemed upon reaching level 5 with a skill, another bonus was added to the skill. Both his manipulation skills had originally had no effect, but now both lowered to cost of his skills. Telekinesis, which should have moved from a +9% to a +10% had jumped to a +15% to mind essence power. Ciar knew that his increased the strength of his individual mind essence, allowing him to lift heavier objects with less essence.

Pulling a loose shirt over his head, Ciar exited his room and headed down to the training room. Now that Director Hendricks had informed his teachers he would no longer be attending class unless he wished, he did not attend his Body Training course. Instead, he had decided that he would train his body by himself, whether it be in his room or in the training room. As he entered, he scanned room for Ryle. Not seeing him present, Ciar headed to a corner, selecting some weights from a rack as he passed. Two hours later, Ciar exited the training room, his shirt sticking to his chest. Heading back to his room, Ciar washed himself and changed clothes before checking the time. It was 8:00 PM, so he still had several hours before he would go to sleep. He had met with Luna for breakfast that morning, so he had the evening to himself. Having made a new discovery with skill levels, Ciar decided he would get all his manipulation skills to level 5 as quickly as possible. Having the reduced cost and extra control would help him learn spells much more easily in the future. Ciar decided upon using gravity magic for his next training session. He knew he could already lift himself briefly, or at least slow his descent, but he had yet to truly lift anything else. Picking a pen from his desk, Ciar placed it on the floor of the training area. Grasping the gravity essence around him, Ciar attempted to use it to raise the pencil. He tried to draw power out of the essence as he wrapped it around the pencil, trying to weaken the gravity and let the pencil rise. Three hours later, Ciar gave up. He was sure that he was misunderstanding something about gravity magic. He had thought it could work something like time essence or mind essence, where you wrapped it around the object in order to manipulate that object with the essence, but it seemed he was wrong. Placing the pencil back onto his desk, Ciar decided to ask Sir Cyrus tomorrow how to properly use gravity magic. After all, asking for assistance every once in a while was not something he was afraid of.