Okay upon reread the flashback feels easier to digest. I was wondering at what point it felt like the series was getting ???, but to my surprise, it didn't this time. That said, I wish the editor didn't push for the past so soon because the execution came off pretty awkward. The most important things I've learned is that scenes change like crazy so catch on or get lost, and that Lis literally can't stop himself from loving. It's in his nature to be a (doomed) yearner and denying that just makes his magic growth stop. Aka, denying himself only makes him weaker to overcome his fate as Ruin. I won't hold him too badly on that.
For Elroy and Rudolf, it gets a bit messy with her love story. It's instalove with charm mixed up. Also when Elroy tried to break it off, Rudolf sang his heart/charm out and Elroy couldn't deny the overfeeling passion. Basically love so strong he couldn't resist. On some level thats very sweet, on another hella shady. Also this could be so dangerous when we head to our main couple.
I'm rooting for Lis, his romantic feelings are fast yet still naturally built. On the other hand, Luna's feelings are much more vague that it's hard to get fully on board. I get the sense she loves Lis, but not romantically. To a degree, she sees a younger version of herself in him, understands his craving for connection as her own. Her loneliness is healed by him being around, and she definitely is happy the way he adores her so. That said, we seldom get her thoughts on Lis besides worry for his welfare. Very much so that one would think Lis has no shot.
The thing is that chapter 17 and 28 exist. 17 or a bit early is probably where I'd pinpoint that Luna knows Lis's feelings. And ya'll can I say I'm overanalyzing but shoujo bubbles exist in 28 for a reason. I don't think Luna is actually put off by Lis's love so much as the circumstances around it. Even when she gets kissed by adult dream Lis, it takes her a bit to start shutting down. The way the king and green mage's story is set up is made to parallel Lis and Luna. In that sense, we can directly parallel Elroy's trampling of his own heart as Luna doing the same, especially after Henri, the first love that she almost ended up killing. All to say, that might be why we don't get Luna's thoughts on Lis's affections, asides from, yknow spec wise not looking the best for a semi immortal witch to start laying the moves on a 13 year old looking boy.
And theres timefuckery about here. Just a theory considering we see an adult Lis once in a dream but I smell your habits Higuchi. The only other question we have left is--- How does the magic nature change when a Black Witch falls in love?
All in all, still loving the vibes, art, and worldbuilding. I like LIs, he's a funny lil guy that is still with a chunk of his memory gone. Luna is adorable and I like her lots, but I want to see into her noggin of what she really makes of all this. She's really duty focused and quiet but instead of inner thoughts, we have to infer what she's thinking through her expressions. It's nice but let me see more of that deep loneliness, lol. Can't wait for the anime to air and the next chapter.