The group gathered in the backyard of the academy early in the morning. The grass was still covered in dew, and the sun had just started to rise. Waiting for them was something they didn't expect a big, shiny, metal box on wheels, glowing with a soft blue light.
"What... is that?" Rika asked, her ears twitching as she looked at it.
"It's huge," Regulus said, slipping a little on the grass but trying to act like it was nothing.
Elyra tilted her head. "It doesn't look like a carriage..."
Rei stepped forward slowly, his eyes widening in recognition. The shape, the design, the smooth surface and closed doors. No way...
He approached it and asked, "So this is... a prototype?"
Their teacher, who was standing next to the van, nodded. "Yes. This was made by Falinhai. He calls it a 'van.' It runs completely on magic no horses or beasts needed. Inside, there are beds, food, even a bathroom. It's meant for long trips."
Kajala tapped the side of the van and raised an eyebrow. "Beds? Inside that thing?"
The teacher nodded again. "Yes. Your mission is to go to Hallin Way. It's a two-day trip on foot, but with this, you'll make the journey faster and more comfortable. The guild will drive it."
Rei put his hand on the side of the van, a smile starting to form. He hadn't seen anything like this in years at least not in this world. A car... in this world? He never thought he'd see one again.
The others were still looking at the van in surprise, peeking through the windows and muttering, but Rei was just happy. It felt like a little piece of his old world had come back.
Everyone ran back to their dorms to pack. Rei grabbed his sword, some clothes, and a few bandages just in case. He stuffed everything into a small bag and threw on his red jacket.
Kajala was already waiting outside the van with his arms crossed, grinning. "Hope you all brought snacks. I'm driving."
"That's what I'm worried about," Rika muttered, holding her bag with one hand and a small box of jerky in the other.
Elyra walked up with her dark navy cloak fluttering in the wind, her staff strapped to her back. "Let's just not crash."
Regulus dropped his pack twice before finally getting it on his back. "I call the top bed!"
Everyone threw their bags into the back storage, and the van doors shut with a soft click. Inside, the van was nicer than expected soft beds lined the walls, a shelf full of food and water, and a small bathroom at the back. It even had windows.
Kajala jumped into the driver's seat and looked at the glowing blue orb in front of him. "Okay... let's see how this works." He put his hands on the controls, and the orb lit up.
With a soft hum, the van slowly rolled forward.
"We're moving!" Rika cheered, sticking her head out a window.
Rei sat near the middle, looking around. It was still wild to him a moving car in this world. Guess magic really can replace anything.
As the van picked up speed, the trees outside blurred past, and the road stretched ahead of them. Their journey to Hallin Way had officially started.
The van rolled through the dirt road, leaving the tall towers of the academia behind. The hum of magic-powered wheels filled the air, and the group started settling in.
Kajala kept one hand on the glowing orb, steering with a big grin. "This thing's actually pretty fun! Kinda like riding a beast... but smoother!"
"Please focus on the road," Elyra said, holding onto the wall. "You almost hit that tree five minutes ago."
"I didn't hit it, though!" Kajala laughed.
Rei sat near the window, watching the woods pass by. It was quiet out here. Peaceful. He leaned back and let out a small sigh. "Still crazy this thing even exists..."
Rika was already laying on one of the beds, tossing a small knife up and down. "I could get used to this. Traveling without walking? Finally."
Regulus was in the corner, snacking loudly on dried fruit. "When do we eat real food?"
"You're already eating," Elyra said with a sigh.
Hours passed like that small talk, light naps, and the soft glow of magic lighting up the van when the sun started to set.
That night, the van parked beside a wide river to rest. Kajala hopped out first and stretched. "Alright! That's enough driving for today."
"Good," Rei said, stepping out and cracking his neck. "Let's eat."
They set up a small campfire beside the van. Rika roasted something on a stick, Regulus accidentally dropped his again, and Elyra warmed tea with a small flame spell.
"This is kinda nice," Kajala said, looking up at the stars. "Almost makes me forget we're going to fight corrupted knights."
Rei looked up too, then glanced at the van behind them. "...Yeah. Almost."
After eating, they climbed back in and got ready for bed. The gentle rocking of the van as it powered back on lulled most of them to sleep.
They were halfway to Hallin Way and the real mission hadn't even started yet
The next morning, the soft hum of the van stirred Rei from sleep. Light peeked through the curtains. Kajala was already back at the front, hands on the orb, whistling as he drove.
"Morning," Rei muttered, rubbing his eyes.
"Morning!" Kajala chirped. "We're almost there. Another hour or so."
Rei stretched and looked around. Rika was curled up in a blanket with one eye open, Regulus was still snoring loudly with a pillow over his head, and Elyra was sitting up reading something quietly.
"Didn't think traveling could be this easy," Rei said.
Kajala grinned. "Magic vans. Who knew?"
As the van crested over a hill, the town of Hallin Way finally came into view. It was smaller than their academy's city stone buildings, narrow streets, and smoke rising from chimneys. Flags of green and silver waved in the wind. Knights stood by the entrance gates, but they looked tired wounded, even. Bandages wrapped around arms and legs, and their armor was scratched and dented.
"That's our place," Elyra said, standing beside Rei.
The van pulled into the town slowly. People turned to stare, confused and amazed by the strange vehicle. Some children even ran after it.
Rei stepped out first. The air smelled of wood smoke and something faintly burnt. Soldiers sat in rows outside the medic tent, some missing pieces of armor, some missing limbs.
"They've been through a lot," Rika said, unusually quiet.
A woman in a long green coat approached them. "You must be the team from the academy," she said. "I'm Commander Vetra. We're glad you're here."
Rei nodded. "We're here to help."
Vetra looked at them all young faces, bright gear, and hopeful eyes and gave a small smile. "Good. You're going to need that hope."
Behind them, the van powered down with a soft hum, and the sky above Hallin Way grew heavy with clouds.
Something bad had happened here.
And it wasn't over yet.
They followed Commander Vetra through the narrow paths of Hallin Way, past tents, watchtowers, and tired faces. Eventually, they reached a small hut near the edge of a forest. It looked old but solid, with smoke gently rising from its chimney. A wooden sign hung above the door, swinging in the wind: Squad Rest Quarters.
"This is yours for now," Vetra said, pushing the door open.
Inside, it was cozy. A big table sat in the middle, surrounded by wooden chairs. There were two bunk beds on each side of the room, a shelf of supplies, and a fireplace still burning warm. Everyone dropped their bags quickly.
Regulus flopped onto a bed without thinking. "Finally, not moving!"
Kajala looked around. "This place is kinda nice, right?"
"It'll do," Rika mumbled, already checking the corners for traps out of habit.
Vetra sat at the table and opened a folded map. "Let's go over the situation. These corrupted knights what we call the Kalkormators have been attacking supply lines and capturing soldiers. No one knows why yet, but it's been getting worse."
She pointed to a dark spot on the map. "They're hiding in the old ruins east of here. I need you to scout that place. Don't engage unless you're attacked. We need to understand what they're doing."
Rei leaned in, studying the map. "Any idea how many?"
"No clue," Vetra said. "But they're strong. Some of our best fighters got injured just trying to hold the town."
Kajala glanced at Rei. "Sounds like a real mission, huh?"
Rei nodded. "Yeah... let's do this right."
Vetra stood. "Rest up. You leave in the morning."
As the door closed behind her, the hut went quiet. The fire cracked softly.
"We're really doing this," Elyra whispered.
Rei sat back in his chair. "Yeah. No more training missions. This is the real deal now."