A NEW REUNION (PART 3)

A Few Hours Earlier

Golden sunlight streamed through the windowpanes, casting a warm glow across the room, while the sweet melody of birdsong gently roused a female elf from her peaceful slumber. Her ears twitched slightly at the sound, and a soft sigh escaped her lips as she slowly blinked awake, savoring the serenity of the morning. She stretched her body and turned to the side, seeing a black-haired human man still fast asleep. Slowly, she rose from the bed and opened her bedroom window. The fresh morning air and gentle breeze greeted her face. She softly combed her messy hair before heading to the bathroom to wash her face and change her clothes.

After getting ready, she went to the kitchen to cook breakfast. The aroma of food filled the room, waking the man.

By the time he had dressed and come downstairs, breakfast was already served. The two enjoyed their meal heartily. Once finished, they left the house together, walking side by side toward their workplaces. The elf woman parted ways midway and continued her journey to the Adventurer’s Guild. In the morning, the place was bustling with adventurers scrambling to pick up quests.

"Good morning, Miss Rania. You're here early. Can I help you with something?" asked Winda, the Guild receptionist.

"Good morning, Winda. I want to ask you something," Rania replied.

"About what?"

Rania pulled out a vial containing a silvery white liquid and placed it on the table.

"I want to know who submitted this potion yesterday."

"Oh! I think it was your aunt."

(Aunt? Did Aunt Rima come back?!) "Are you sure?"

"I’m certain. Her face and figure resemble Miss Rima. If I’m not mistaken, her name was Lunaria. Yes, Lunaria Oberyth."

Rania’s body stiffened, and her heart pounded as she heard that name. Her eyes began to well up with tears.

"W-Where is she now?!" she shouted, slamming the table, startling everyone nearby.

"I-I don’t know. I’m sorry," Winda replied nervously.

"Did she say anything besides leaving the potion?"

"Say something? Mm... Oh, right! She asked about the location of Dewata Lake."

(Dewata Lake?!) "Thank you!"

Rania rushed out, leaving Winda confused. Miss Rania is never like this. Who exactly is Lunaria Oberyth?

From the Guild, Rania sprinted toward Dewata Lake as fast as she could. The sun had begun to rise when she arrived at the lake’s edge. The breeze carried the scent of moss and fresh water, reminding her of bedtime stories told by Aunt Rima. Filled with anticipation and a racing heart, she went straight to the cabin and opened the front door, her hands trembling slightly as countless memories flooded her mind. Standing before her was the silver-haired woman she had long awaited. At the sight of her, Rania trembled and her knees gave out. She collapsed to the floor, tears streaming down her cheeks as she cried uncontrollably.

After some time, her sobs began to subside. They moved to the sofa near the fireplace. Rania was still sniffling as she hugged her tightly. Lusserina, looking indifferent, merely prepared some warm tea before returning to her work.

"Mm... Rania?"

"You remember me, Mom?! Ahh... you still remember me! I thought you wouldn’t remember me..." Rania cried in joy.

(Sorry! If she hadn't said "Mom," I might not have remembered. She was just a child back then, and now she's a grown woman. No wonder I didn't recognize her right away.) Luna thought.

"Ah, yes... I really didn’t recognize you at first."

"What do you think, Mom? I’ve grown into a beautiful woman, haven’t I?"

"Yes... you’re very beautiful now."

"Of course I am, just like you... I’m your daughter, after all!" she said, hugging Luna again.

"..."

"Where have you been all this time? Why no news? I missed you so much..."

Luna then told her everything that had happened.

"I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you needed me. I also regret not being able to see you grow up."

"I never imagined something like that could happen to you. But I’m so happy you're back now. By the way, where's Dad? I don't see him."

"Dad? (That person?!)" Luna frowned, surprised and confused by Rania’s question.

"Yeah... Is he hiding? Or don’t tell me he’s out flirting again?!" Rania said as she got up to check the house.

"Uh... Umm... Rania..."

After Rania finished checking the house...

"Rania... He’s not here."

"What do you mean, not here?"

"He’s not here. I came back alone."

Rania’s heart clenched at those words. Once again, tears fell uncontrollably. Luna came over and embraced her tightly. Without realizing it, Luna’s eyes also began to tear up.

"I’m sorry, but I don’t know where he is. When I woke up, I was all alone."

"Mm! It’s not your fault, so you don’t need to apologize. If you made it out safely, I’m sure Dad is safe too and will come back to us," Rania said, smiling again after wiping her tears.

"Yes, let’s hope so."

"By the way, how have you been, Rania?"

"Me? Hehe, I’m the headmistress at Nuzantra Magic Academy now."

"Really? I’m proud of you. How about your siblings?"

"Them... It’s better if you hear directly from them, hehe."

"Rima and Lusserina must have played a big part in raising you all, right?"

"You’re wrong, Mom. Not just them. We're who we are today also because of you."

"??"

"We owe who we are now to the items and knowledge you left behind. So the three of you all played a big role," Rania said with another smile.

Suddenly, a knock was heard at the door. Lusserina went to open it and found three men standing outside.

"Are you expecting visitors, Mom?"

"No. Lusserina! Who is it?"

"Envoys from the kingdom, Madam."

"!"

"What would you like us to do with them, Madam?"

(What do you think she’ll do?!)

"Let them in."

"Yes, Madam."

Three men entered the room. Leading them was a large, light-gray-skinned Draconian in uniform, followed by two men Luna had met the day before.

"Miss Rania?! What are you doing here?" asked the Draconian, looking surprised.

"What do you mean? Of course I’m here to see my beloved mother!" she said, hugging Luna’s arm with a smile.

"Mother? Has Lady Rimaria returned?" the Draconian frowned in confusion.

"No... Aunt Rima hasn’t come back yet."

"Aunt? Why are you calling her aunt? Isn’t she your mother?" he asked, even more confused.

"Who said that? She’s like a second mother and raised me, but she’s not my birth mother. This is my real mom!" Rania pointed to Lunaria.

"EHH?!!"

(So we misunderstood all this time...!)

"Forgive my rudeness! I didn’t mean any offense. I am Deva, Commander of the Nuzantra Royal Knights. I apologize for the disrespectful behavior of my men yesterday. It was due to a lack of information about you. I hope you can forgive us."

"Yes, I forgive you."

"So, what brings the royal envoys to my mother’s house?"

"The Kingdom of Nuzantra plans to hold a celebration to welcome your return—"

"No need. That would just be a waste of taxpayers' money."

(Flat-out rejected?!)

"Then how about a private tea gathering with the royal family?"

"..."

"When would it be held?"

"The kingdom wishes to hold it as soon as possible, provided Lady Lunaria is not too busy."

"..."

"Can I come too, Mom?"

"O-of course, Miss Rania is welcome to join," Deva quickly added.

"What about your work?"

"Don’t worry... I always make time for you, Mom."

"But don’t neglect your duties. Responsibility comes first!"

"Yes, Mom. I understand."

(Unbelievable... Miss Rania, always so elegant and composed, now looks like a little girl asking to go shopping with her mom...)

"How about midday three days from now?" Deva asked.

Luna looked at Rania beside her, who nodded in response.

"Very well. We’ll be there."

"Thank you, Lady Luna. We’ll take our leave now. Sorry to disturb you."

After they left, Rania suddenly remembered something.

"Oh right, Mom! You submitted this yesterday, didn’t you?" She pulled out a bottle of silvery white potion.

"Yes... why?"

"You can’t just hand out Elixirs like this in public!"

"But it's just a potion..."

"Yes, a potion made using ancient, long-lost techniques that can instantly heal serious injuries is regarded as an Elixir in this era. Such magic is no longer reproducible by modern alchemists, making these potions incredibly rare and highly regulated. You can’t go handing these out carelessly, understand?"

"O-okay, I understand."

"Good. As long as you understand. Oh, and now you’re an adventurer? Are you planning to destroy a country or something?"

"Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?"

"Well, you suddenly became an adventurer..."

"That’s because I didn’t have a single coin on me at the time. I only had potions and food supplies. So I registered as an adventurer."

"I see... I thought you were going to start another war."

"..."

"Ah, I’ve been here too long. I need to go, Mom. Let’s have dinner together tonight to celebrate your return. I’ll inform my siblings."

Rania left the cabin. On her way, she sent a telepathic message:

(Emergency! Meet at the usual spot this afternoon!)

On the other side, the only sounds were chirping birds and the wind tousling Luna’s silver hair. She stood on the back porch, staring blankly at the lake, thinking about the "father" of her children.

Is he the one from those memories? What really happened to me? I thought this was a game turned real, but could this be a parallel world based on the game itself? And I’m merely borrowing this world's Luna's body. If that’s true, then it explains why I have memories that aren’t mine. Perhaps they belong to this body’s Luna.

Luna looked at the platinum ring on her finger.

This... if I’m not mistaken, it was a gift from him, right?

It was a ring she received from her partner-in-crime, a fellow player she had fought countless battles with during her gaming days. They had shared not only victories and hardships, but also a bond that went deeper than she ever admitted. The ring was a symbol of their unspoken connection, one that now stirred memories both magical and melancholic. It was crafted from rare materials, with Gogonit as the base—a metal better at conducting magic than Orichalchum.

When Luna accepted it, it was because of its ability to enhance her magical power, not as an engagement ring.

Or was that what he meant all along? If so, then why didn’t he say anything?

Luna’s expression darkened, frustrated by the lack of answers. As she stared out at the lake, she furrowed her brows upon seeing something in the distance. Then, a smile appeared on her face.

That place?! I thought it didn’t exist. Was it too dark last night to notice it?

As if she had just discovered hidden treasure, Luna quickly took off and flew toward the center of the lake. The cool breeze rushed past her ears, carrying the faint scent of freshwater and moss, while the gentle ripple of waves echoed beneath her. Her heart beat faster drawn by the mysterious glimmer ahead.