On a Saturday morning at the end of February, the imperial capital, Helrom, was awakened by both the cold wind and the first glimmers of dawn. Every corner of the streets was suffused with a faint white radiance. Although the air was bitterly cold, the city's pulse had already begun to beat.
In the middle of the main avenue through the bustling city area, magic-powered vehicles began surging through the streets like a tide at full speed. Signal lights blinked at the intersections, guiding vehicles and pedestrians forward in orderly fashion. The crowds wove together like fine threads, forming the texture of the city. Street performers stationed themselves along the pedestrian streets, displaying their talents and drawing the attention of citizens and tourists alike. The roadside shopping centers and skyscrapers glimmered in the sunlight.
Every so often, there was an entrance to an underground magic-powered railway station, from which the hum of machinery mingled with the chatter of passengers entering the trains.
In the South District of the imperial capital, near Protos Royal Magic Academy, the bustling Commercial District gained a few more young faces every weekend.
In a café on an upper floor of a shopping-center building, the sound of coffee beans being ground rang out alongside the sweet fragrance of caramel. Inside, frost flowers had formed on the windowpanes, and employees in black aprons carefully wiped them away with towels. Quite a few customers were already seated on the dark-brown high stools, holding freshly brewed hot coffee as wisps of white steam rose from the cups.
Off to one side of the café, a low wooden round table sat quietly with two hot drinks and several books stacked upon it.
Two people sat talking on the single-seat sofas on either side. Amid the noisy surroundings, they seemed like