"Hmm... Isn't this a bit too much? Let's dial it down a little."
"Actually, just to be safe, let's dial it down even more."
"Er... maybe even a bit more?"
After bidding farewell to Acheron, Lumina returned to her room.
She raised her small, pale-pink fist and repeatedly practiced against the Dream Pool, gradually reducing the power contained within her small fist.
"Hmm... That should be about right, right?" Lumina muttered doubtfully, then cautiously struck the Dream Pool.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Ripples surged from the point where Lumina's fist landed, followed by sounds like shattering glass. Cracks radiated outward from the center of the ripples, and before Lumina's eyes, a dreamlike, bustling metropolis materialized.
Even after the emergence of the grand metropolis, the cracks continued to spread relentlessly, transforming the entire room into a fragmented world in mere moments.
"No, this is way too weak!"
Startled by the unexpectedly massive disruption she had caused, Lumina immediately activated the power of Abundance to repair the damage.
Fortunately, the power of Abundance was omnipotent, making the restoration of the shattered Dream realm effortless.
"Phew... I hope, maybe, perhaps no one noticed?"
After restoring the Dream realm to a size just large enough for her to enter, Lumina wiped the nonexistent sweat from her forehead and muttered uncertainly.
The commotion she'd caused had indeed been rather significant. If anyone had noticed... well, Lumina would have to resort to the physical version of the memory erasure technique.
Without dwelling further on the matter, Lumina stepped forward and entered the Dream realm.
"Hmm?" Upon arriving in Penacony, Lumina seemed to sense something, directing her spirit toward a narrow alleyway.
Recognizing the familiar aura, a faint smile curved Lumina's lips. A barely perceptible green light sprang from her fingertip and darted into the alley.
Once the green light had its prize, Lumina's smile deepened. She strode purposefully into the alley.
"Hey, let me ask you something," she called out. "Is your way of getting a girl's attention really just brazenly stalking her? You've been following me ever since I arrived in Penacony. If this is your method, then congratulations—you've succeeded."
In the alley, a petite figure with black hair, sakura-colored eyes, and a modified yukata was firmly restrained by Lumina's power.
"Um, ha ha ha... If Lady Sparkle said she was just passing by, would you believe her?" Sparkle chuckled awkwardly, her eyes adopting a pleading expression like that of an innocent, adorable little girl.
"I believe you. Of course I believe you," Lumina nodded earnestly at Sparkle's absurd claim.
"Don't be so quick to doubt me! I really— Huh?"
Sparkle had been about to fabricate another excuse, but her words froze mid-sentence.
What did this woman just say?
Did she believe it? She actually believed it!
Seeing the look on Sparkle's face, Lumina smiled and casually released the restraints binding her.
"My apologies. You're free to go. If you were just passing through, then it was my mistake."
Lumina offered a faint smile, not only letting Sparkle leave but also apologizing.
"Ah?" Even the formidable Lady Sparkle couldn't help but feel bewildered by Lumina's actions.
Is this Lumina a fool? A naive do-gooder?
Considering the rumors about her circulating throughout the Cosmos, combined with their brief encounter, Sparkle concluded that such a possibility was quite plausible.
In Lady Sparkle's mind, plans for her next scheme were already taking shape...
But this wasn't the time for contemplation. Without another word, Sparkle vanished in a flash.
"Heh, does she think I'm a fool? Or perhaps some kind of saint?"
Watching Sparkle's retreating figure, Lumina chuckled softly, pulled out her small notebook, and began scribbling something inside.
Unbeknownst to Sparkle, a tiny green wisp of light slowly drifted into her body...
Lumina's Grand Plan for Penacony:
1. Get Acheron to tell me that name herself (still working on it)
2. Break Aventurine's composure (nearly achieved)
3. Teach Sparkle a lesson (severity determined by the number of times she lies; currently 1 time)
4. ?