Limitless Summoner: Rise of the Soul God

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Luna giggled, her eyes shining. She looked up at him, her face full of pure innocence and joy. "Big brother, do you have a name too?"

Ethan blinked, taken aback by the question. "Of course, I do." He was about to say Ethan, but then he stopped. Not that he did not trust her, but she was just a small child. What if she blabbered it to someone innocently?

That reminded him. Had he introduced himself to the old hag? Heck, she did not even bother with his name until now, and she had already accepted him as her student? He scratched his head, not knowing what to think of it.

"Big brother, what is your name?" The little girl was getting impatient.

He glanced down at Luna, her wide, expectant eyes looking up at him. He had to think fast. A name. He needed a name. Something common, something forgettable—

"Leo," he said finally, the name rolling off his tongue with surprising ease. "You can call me Leo."

Luna tilted her head, repeating it softly. "Leo?" She said it again. Then her face lit up with a bright, beaming smile. "I like it! Big brother Leo!" She giggled, twirling in excitement. "Leo and Luna! We match!"

Ethan let out a chuckle, relieved that she accepted it so easily. "Yeah, I guess we do."

Luna clasped her hands behind her back, rocking on her heels. "Leo is a strong name! Like a lion! Raaaawr!" She raised her tiny hands like claws, pretending to pounce at him.

Ethan smirked, ruffling her silver curls. "That's right. So you better stick close to your big brother Leo, okay?"

She nodded eagerly. "Mhm! Always!"

"So shall we finish up our work here and head back home?"

"Yes. Yes." Luna nodded her head vigorously.

"You take this half, and I will take the other." Ethan smiled wryly, knowing full well that the little monster was going to be done way ahead of him. Thankfully, she did not seem to be capable of doing spirit magic, which helped his ego. "Am I comparing myself to a little child now?" He mentally slapped himself for being childish and moved onto his set of crops.

If his skills were weak, that meant he simply had to work that much harder to become stronger. There were bound to be more powerful people all around him in this strange new world. His so-called master, for example. He couldn't even fathom just how strong she was. Or the kingdom mage. He needed to become stronger faster.

When he stepped out of this city again, his minions shouldn't be the ones protecting him.

Ethan took a deep breath, pushing all thoughts aside as he focused on his task. The water flowed from his hands in thin, controlled streams, barely above a trickle, but enough to soak the roots without drowning them.

He needed to make sure he didn't mess up, especially since the old hag hadn't yet parted with her grimoire. Glancing to his side, he saw Luna hopping between the rows, effortlessly watering her section as if it were a game. He let out a sigh and started.

They worked side by side in silence, the only sounds being the gentle trickle of water and Luna's occasional hums of a tune he didn't recognize.

Surprisingly, they finished quicker than he had expected, and when he stepped back to admire their work, he had to admit—it looked good. The herbs glistened with moisture, the soil dark and rich from the careful watering. Even Agnes would have to admit they did a decent job.

Luna clapped her hands together, beaming. "We did it, big brother Leo!"

Ethan smirked, stretching his stiff shoulders. "Yeah, not bad for a couple of amateurs." He glanced at the sky, noting that the sun was beginning to set. "Alright, time to head back. Let's go before the old hag sends someone after us."

Luna giggled, grabbing his hand without hesitation. "Okay! Let's go home!"

The two of them weaved through the crowded streets and navigated their way back towards Agnes's house, keeping to the quieter paths to avoid unnecessary attention. The last thing Ethan wanted was for some nosy city guards or worse, the wrong kind of people, to take notice of Luna.

As they walked, Luna happily swung their intertwined hands back and forth, completely unaware of the tension brewing in Ethan's mind. His eyes constantly darted around, scanning faces, alleys, rooftops—anywhere a threat could be lurking. He hadn't forgotten about the men in red cloaks. He hadn't forgotten that someone had put Luna in chains.

The sun had dipped below the horizon by the time they reached the inner quarters. Now they just had to cross a couple of streets, a couple more blocks and they will be inside the familiar old house that no one would think twice to look for.

However, all of a sudden, Ethan froze. He felt a sudden chill crawl up his spine. He did not know why, but he turned towards his right, towards the tavern where there were tables and chairs outside, and that was when he saw him.

Seated at a dimly lit corner table, half-hidden behind a large tankard of ale, was a man Ethan did not recognize. There should be no reason why the two of them know each other. But the single glance he exchanged with him told him everything he needed to know.

The man, for some reason, had recognized him. Maybe he recognized Luna. Her silver hair was under her hood, but some stray curls wandered outside. Maybe he just had a hunch, and he wanted to check. It did not matter.

Ethan knew he only had a matter of seconds. Proving his point, the man already started getting up from the chair. He was wearing a guard uniform.

Ethan clenched his fists. He needed to act now. It was now or never. He simply had a second to make his move. He saw the knife on the table and he instantly knew what he had to do.