In a hidden place where they had emerged from the portal…
Without warning, two men suddenly attacked them, unleashing powerful strikes.
However, Lucy sensed it immediately and quickly formed a barrier.
They were Zodiac Fragment Vessels.
"Let's finish them quickly. We need to knock them out or paralyze them so we can absorb the Zodiac Fragments inside their bodies," Luna said firmly.
"Why don't we use the same method you used before to paralyze a Vessel?" Lucy suggested.
"That only works on weaker vessels," Luna replied.
She stared at the two enemies, her expression turning serious.
"Based on their mana… they're on a different level. Most likely, they've already absorbed power from other Vessels."
"Huh…?" Ken muttered in confusion.
"I'll explain later. For now, focus on defeating them. Treat this as part of your training," Luna said.
She then glanced at Ken.
"One more thing—don't release your scythe. It will attract even more Zodiac Fragment Vessels."
"Yes, Auntie," Ken replied.
The two enemies summoned their magical ice swords and charged at the same time.
Their movements were incredibly fast—
—but Ken managed to evade them with precision.
Meanwhile, the other Vessel engaged Lucy and Luna.
Lucy summoned her Divine Magic Sword, its light controlled and restrained to avoid releasing too much mana.
She dashed forward and attacked.
The enemy immediately defended, barely holding their ground against her strikes.
At that moment—
While the enemies were busy defending against Lucy and Ken's attacks, Crescent emerged from Luna's body and opened on its own.
Its pages flipped rapidly… before stopping at a specific spell.
"Fall back, both of you!!" Luna shouted.
Lucy and Ken immediately retreated.
Luna raised her hand and spoke the spell written in the Grimoire—
"Tenfold Gravitas."
Instantly—
A terrifying force pulled everything downward.
The ground cracked beneath them as gravity intensified.
The two Fragment Vessels were crushed under the pressure, their movements slowing to a crawl—
as if their bodies weighed ten times more than before.
Before they could counter the spell—
Luna moved.
She raised her hand toward them.
"Lumen Devouris."
A surge of energy erupted.
The two Vessels screamed in agony as something was forcibly pulled out of their bodies.
A blue light burst forth—
The Zodiac Fragments.
They were immediately absorbed into Luna.
The two Vessels collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
Ken and Lucy stared in awe at the blue light radiating from their enemies, their eyes wide with shock.
Ken's brow furrowed as he asked, voice tinged with curiosity and confusion,
"Why… why is the light coming from them a different color? It's not like the last time we fought."
"That's because the power of a Fragment Vessel originates from a specific Zodiac," Luna explained calmly.
"Just like me, a Fragment Vessel. My power comes from the Zodiac Cancer, which has the ability to control gravity—so I can manipulate gravity as well."
She looked at the two of them.
"And after drawing mana from you, I also gained the ability to use light and dark magic."
Ken and Lucy were left speechless.
Three types of magic…
Luna's power was overwhelming.
"We should call an ambulance for them," Ken suggested, glancing at the unconscious bodies.
"That would be best," Luna agreed.
"But first… heal the broken bones of those two," Luna said to Lucy, her tone calm but firm.
Lucy cast a healing spell.
Crescent quietly returned to Luna's body.
And the two immediately healed, though they remained unconscious.
After that, the three of them began walking home.
When they arrived—
Ken's mother was already waiting outside the gate, arms crossed and clearly upset.
"Where have the three of you been?!" she demanded. "You've been gone for five days without even contacting us!"
The three froze.
"…Huh? Five days?!"
"Where exactly did you go? And why are you so shocked about how long you were gone?" she continued.
"You didn't even tell us where you were going—you just left!"
"…Go inside. Your grandmother has been waiting for you."
As they entered the house, Lucy glanced at the calendar—
Her eyes widened.
Tomorrow… was a school day.
Ken and Lucy both slumped, their energy completely drained at the realization.
"…We have school?"
They looked like they had just fought another battle.
Luna and the others couldn't help but laugh as they all sat down to eat.