A week later.
As night fell, the lights of distant towns gradually came on, answering the first stars appearing in the sky.
In the tranquil night, the Magic Energy Railway raced along the tracks, passing majestic mountains, dense forests, and peaceful lakes.
Inside the carriage, the lights illuminated the dark-brown solid-wood floors and antique bronze ironwork. The elegant lacquered walls seemed as fresh as ever, quietly recounting the traces of time.
The passengers stood or sat, their conversations intertwining. Ladies dressed in formal gowns took small sips of wine, its deep ruby red gleaming like a jewel, and whispered with their companions. In one corner of the carriage, many young people chatted eagerly, their eyes filled with longing and anticipation for the Protos imperial capital.
The conductors wore neat dark uniforms as they made their routine rounds through the carriage. From time to time, someone would call them over, and they would stop with polite smiles to ask what the passengers needed.
In a first-class compartment near the front of the Magic Energy Railway, a young man and a girl sat by the window.
The young man's clothes combined retro style with elegance. His white long-sleeved shirt had black trim at the collar and cuffs, while his close-fitting beige sleeveless vest was divided by dark-brown stripes into a diamond-shaped checkerboard pattern. A dark-gray long coat hung beside the wall. It had a large lapel and two slanted pockets, giving it an airy, mysterious quality.
These Northern Continent-style clothes had been tailored for Lanchi by the old tailor in Lilom City who made clothes exclusively for Viscount Francis.
At that moment, he sat quietly in the carriage, reading a book.
Across from him, Zestira had already changed into the standard uniform of Protos Royal Magic Academy.
If Zestira put on a