A sudden flash of blue light blinded everyone as a manarail was stopped with a loud screech.
The metal cabin, full of passengers going about their business, was suspended at a certain altitude above the ground.
Naturally the people started panicking, though some were still recoiling from being blinded.
One of these people was Cyril Felling. A young man with sharp features, blue eyes, black hair. He looked just like a normal human, if a little cold.
From childhood till now he was a bit more sensitive to mana than most, and his eyes were still in pain from the magic flash that just went off.
He didn't panic, only patiently waiting until his sight returned while enduring the energetic voices around him.
He was still rather confident in the meticulous constructions of the Empire. He had no doubt that they were safe.
Sure enough, soon the vague blue glow of mana on the floor returned. This magical creation was slowly coming back alive.
The doors of the next cabin opened, and workers went through, explaining the situation.
"Everyone calm down. We lost contact with the main mana vein and had to make an emergency stop. Don't worry, we already switched to the backup, and the manarail, after a bit of time, will continue as normal."
With confirmation of safety, some people immediately erupted in gossip, venting their frustrations and speculating about the cause.
"I can't be late today! You must start the manarail as soon as possible!"
"It must be these 'Lapis' guys doing trouble again! Can't they just give it a rest already! Why must they be so damn annoying to us regular folk..."
"I know, right! They constantly scream about the evil's of using mana, that it corrupts the world or whatever, but all I see is them exploding public transport!"
Finding comfort in having a common enemy, the people soon calmed down.
Cyril also thought it might be 'Lapis' responsible for this incident.
Bunch of lunatics. All they do is cause destruction... He thought with frustration, his vision slowly starting to return.
Because of this, he will probably be late.
"Hope we'll make it somehow. It would be such a pity to miss the entrance ceremony of Ailanthus Academy..." a pleasant female voice, like music, called out from the side.
"What? Who are you, how did you know I was..." Having finally regained sight, Cyril turned his head to look to where the voice was coming from.
However he saw only a middle-aged man staring back at him with fear and confusion. Clearly it wasn't him who spoke right now.
He looked around and found no one who could have been talking to him.
"Sorry," said Cyril, slightly embarrassed, though his calm face made it hard to tell. The man nodded his head, then tried to ignore him.
I was definitely talking with someone just now... Cyril thought with some lingering confusion.
After some time, the manarail started moving.
The voice didn't come again. Though it was not a big deal to mishear a voice, for some reason it appeared special to Cyril.
After hearing it, the world around him looked the same as it ever was, yet something was very different. Or maybe it was only how he felt that changed?
Cyril could do nothing else but put this small incident behind him and relax in his seat; there was still quite some distance left.
...
Near the Ailanthus Academy, a young woman with medium-length auburn hair and a pair of deep black eyes was walking on foot, contemplating something important.
"I have about 10 years. That's plenty of time; take it slow..." She seemed to be reassuring herself.
"There is nothing I can do about it. People can manage on their own. This is fine." With that, she took a deep breath, her face growing calm.
As she approached the entrance, an old man in a simple black robe could be seen waiting there.
Upon noticing her, he came over with an uncharacteristic speed for his age and enthusiastically greeted her.
There, before the gates, they briefly spoke.
The old man was showering the girl with praises, thanking her for something she had done.
It turned out the young woman was called Myra. She was a genius from a village outside the city—no wonder the old man was so impressed.
It was rare to meet a person from the outside, and especially one worthy of enrolling here.
Soon the conversation was finished; the white-haired man left as swiftly as he arrived.
The girl observed his departure with a complicated look.
"If only I had arrived a bit sooner..." Myra whispered to herself.
With that, she started making her way towards the main building, her footsteps heavy.
Meanwhile, not far from her, Cyril was observing the academy grounds, idly listening to gossip.
The young woman who just left stood out to him for some reason, he couldn't help but pay attention to her actions.
What is wrong with me today? Am I just nervous before enrolling?
He quickly switched his attention back to the main academy building
It looks more like a castle, only bigger than usual; knowing the Empire, maybe it did have this role in the past...
"We were late after all."
Suddenly, the voice from the manarail rang out again.
Cyril immediately turned in its direction and this time found a young woman standing there, looking at him with a smile.
She was dressed in a black suit jacket, a matching skirt, tights, and heels, with her black hair falling past her shoulders. Her red eyes were like rubies.
She was the most beautiful woman Cyril had ever seen in his life, almost uncannily so.
"Is there something wrong, Cyril? Oh, it seems we haven't talked much before. Consider me your best friend. I will always be on your side."
Each word she said was confusing to Cyril. He never saw her in his life, but she acted like they knew each other and were even good friends.
As surprise passed, Cyril quickly voiced his confusion. "Who are you? I don't think I ever saw you before. How do you know about me? And where were you back on the manarail?"
The woman didn't say anything for a second. She looked awkward, as if he had asked something extremely obvious.
"Well, I don't really know anything. Shouldn't it be like this? I think we'll make a great team together."
After saying that, she reached out her hand, asking for a handshake.
"What...? What are you talking about? This isn't funny." Cyril tried to slap her hand away, but his arm passed straight through her, as if she weren't there at all.
"Oh, I guess we can't touch each other." There was disappointment in her voice.
What is happening right now? Am I crazy? There must be some explanation here!
"Is this some kind of advanced spell? Stop doing this and let's talk normally," said Cyril while looking around.
He discovered that some people passing by started paying attention.
There was an uncomfortable expression on their faces, and they quickly looked away, afraid to meet his eyes.
Why are they looking at me like that? It can't really be... Wait, is that?
He noticed that a new person just came close, and it was someone Cyril knew.
It was a handsome, blond-haired man in extravagant clothing; there was a tired look in his eyes.
"Hi, Cyril. Long time no see. You hadn't told me you were going to enroll here. At least that's some good news." He said with a relieved smile and continued while raising his brow.
"But now tell me what got you so upset that you started arguing with yourself in the middle of the street?"
He was one of the few friends Cyril had. His name was Edmund Morley, but he preferred others to call him Ed.
So he can't see her? Am I the only one who can?
"Hello, Ed, I just thought I was the only one here. I never expected to be late to the opening ceremony of the academy." Cautiously, replied Cyril, half-probing, trying to hide any possible abnormalities.
Then he quickly asked, "But I also never expected to meet you here. Why did you decide to enroll in Ailanthus of all places?"
With a face full of helplessness, Edmund started talking, venting all his frustrations. "Of course I don't want to be here! But my dad forced me to come, saying it's finally time to make something of myself. I am really not suited for this! Fighting is your thing! I am more of an... an artist!"
"Wow, he is really annoying, isn't he?" said the mysterious woman with audible disgust.
Cyril could only ignore her for now.
"Ed, let's go inside quickly. I am tired after traveling. My only wish right now is to store my things and rest." He calmly said.
I don't have time for idle chatter. First I'll move in, then, hopefully, there will be a private place for me to figure out what is happening.
"Yeah, a private room sounds nice."
She can even hear my thoughts! This is not good...
"Come on. There is nothing to hide between us."
Desperately trying to pretend nothing is wrong, Cyril hurried on, leaving Edmund behind.
"Hey! Wait for me! My servant is not far behind with my baggage! I can't abandon my stuff!" He yelled in a hurry.