A Gloomy Future

Inside the Witch's Mansion at 99 Crown Street, Lightwind Harbor.

Shirley was lying bored against the windowsill, gazing absentmindedly at the view of the street outside.

Peace and order had returned to the city-state. Though many people were still troubled by "dream aftereffects," the Lightwind Harbor incident had clearly caused far less physical damage to the city than Pland and Frost. At least on the visible surface, most people's daily lives had returned to the familiar tracks.

Children ran cheering through intersections where the blockades had been lifted, holding brightly colored pinwheels as they raced down the streets beneath the brilliant sunlight.

It was nearly noon. Phenomenon 001 hung high overhead, while many beautiful blue rooftops across the street basked in the sun. From time to time, Knowledge Guardians in guard uniforms could be seen standing on high ground, vigilantly and seriously observing the neighborhood.

"Yawn..." Shirley stretched lazily and glanced at Nina beside her. "What have you been doing since early this morning?"

Nina sat behind a small table near the window, head lowered as she scribbled and drew in a large notebook. In her other hand, she held a glowing "fireball," occasionally bringing it to her mouth for a small bite. Without looking up at Shirley's question, she replied, "Mechanical design. I'm taking it to the custom workshop afterward..."

Shirley listened in a daze, unable to resist leaning over to look at the dizzying array of gears and connecting rods in Nina's notebook. She looked at her study-loving friend in utter confusion. "...Didn't the old man say he wrote to Pland and arranged for you to withdraw from school? You won't have to take exams anymore, so why are you still working so hard?"

Nina immediately looked up and stared seriously at Shirley. "It wasn't withdrawal. It was