I’ve only been in this world for a short while, but I could tell that this world was advanced. Or rather…it’s advanced in another way compared to Earth.

Although there were some similarities here and there, the different types of technological or…magical things vary.

The same goes for this train I’m currently on. It’s a train…but it levitates on magical runes in a vacuum. The ride was super smooth, and most of the trip was…rather, fun?

It’s a little strange, especially when Noel explained things to me. He appears to know some of this stuff. But what’s strange is that, while these advanced things exist, they still use more traditional transportation methods, such as carriages dragged by tamed beasts.

—Everything in the city is…like day and night compared to what’s used outside—or so Noel said.

However, his reason was sound when he said that it was because most of the mass transportation in this world is powered by massive magical generators.

For instance, the city I’m currently in is powered by a system called Diloth Sphere. Well…technically. Noel said something about every major city getting ‘data’ from the imperial city called Ilifel, which hosts the Diloth Sphere.

I don’t get it. Why get ‘data’ from one city? That data is also used to run every generator in The Empire, meaning they’re useless without that data.

…when I think about it. It’s quite scary. What if the city stops getting the data? Then the generator is useless as a…well, generator. But all the hardware is there…? Just…what?

The generator not only provides magical energy to the whole city, but it also powers one of the most important infrastructures this world has. And that’s the Rileos Mana Deconstruction.

The Sage Rileos created it, and its primary purpose was to deconstruct mana, an anti-magic device. But Rileos’ device could be altered, and in this city specifically, it deconstructs or annihilates certain types of mana or spells.

Tough, there are exceptions, such as infrastructure or approved technology.

All of this…

…it gets me all tingly on the inside!

I’ve always loved magic and fantasy, but I’ve also been into tech!

So, just hearing about how it works on a surface level, I got excited! But before I realised it. I had arrived at our destination.

“…you’ve not changed at all, Freja,” Noel said while holding his laughter.

“What about it?” I replied.

“…is it the Lich trait, or are you actually…mad at me?”

“…..”

“…anyhow, since we’re here, do you want to…visit Miu in the academy before we head out?”

“…I want to, but she’s not feeling that well, is she?”

Noel looked a little troubled. But he didn’t say anything. I’ve always known that she was still a bit sickly, even after getting a lot better. So, I decided to change the subject.

“Is this where you stayed?” I asked while looking at the rather tall buildings.

We were in a labyrinth, though…I didn’t expect that they had trains going down. At least only until here, at the city of scholars.

Noel shook his head. “No, we’re only temporarily here for an exam.”

“…right, you joined the military.”

“Hmm, I feel like you’re judging me a little…”

“Hmph, you can be an investigator that way, I suppose.”

“…well, I have a different goal now though,” Noel unexpectedly said.

…what does he mean by that? Didn’t he always want to be an investigator like Dad?

I glanced at Chely, and our eyes met. She happily smiled back and then returned to her conversation with Saint Amethely.

“…does it have anything to do with her?” I hesitantly queried.

“Yeah,” Noel bluntly replied.

“…you’ve changed.”

“Do you really think so?”

“I’m your sister. Who knows better than me?”

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“…Mom?”

“…..”

“…..”

“Not your girlfriend?”

Noel chuckled. “You really thought I was going to say that?”

“Who knows…it did seem like you’ve lost some brain cells since we last met.”

“Ouch…aren’t you a bit harsh?”

…He’s right. My attitude is…not good at all. I’m aware, but. What about Miu? How does she feel about this?

“Is…Miu really doing okay?”

Noel grinned and said, “She’s doing fine; she’s actually popular and is one of Luna’s close friends.”

“What are you talking about? Mi-chan has always been popular. I’m surprised you didn’t fall for her for real during the ‘we’re dating’ phase, but you were actually fakes.”

“We grew up together like a family, like…how was I supposed to?”

“…I guess that’s how you saw it.”

I unconsciously glanced at Chely. There was no way she didn’t hear us talk. But…unexpectedly, she didn’t react at all.

Noel seemed to have caught what was on my mind and said, “We already spoke about it; actually, it was the first thing I said on our date.”

“…what are you? An idiot?” I asked in astonishment.

“Ahaha…” Noel laughed it off and affectionately stared at Chely. “You know, I really thought I sabotaged my chances at the time as well. But I’m glad I was honest. Otherwise, I don’t think she’d be able to handle it.”

“…..”

“I’ve only known Chely for a while, but…I came to realise she was more fragile than what’s shown on the exterior. I think you share the sentiment as well, don’t you?”

“…Isak—”

I’ve known about his insecurities. But he was never as vulnerable as to show me how he once looked. But that wasn’t important. He was working to improve himself.

He always had a strong front in front of me. He rarely smiled but would when we went out to eat delicious food. He’s also a scaredy-cat despite his serious look as well.

—I still like him.

— :::: —

I met the boy named Aska, had a little talk with him and thanked him. He was prettier than I expected—now that he wasn’t covered in mud. He still had a cool aura around him—as when I first saw him in the forest.

But then again, Aska never had a soft look on him. I assumed he was the loner type of girl who’s too self-important to give other people her time.

Well, as it turned out, it was a boy.

And now that they were done cooking and all… I had to ask.

“U-Um…Aska, how…has Isak been?”

“…what?” Aska replied. He cutely tilted his head a little before saying, “…you have a crush on him? Ugh… better give it up. He says he wants a girlfriend but never actually gets one. So…I don’t think he’s actually looking for one. Sorry.”

…huh?

Why was this his reply? I just asked how Isak was, as in, how’s he doing? But to get a reply like this meant…

“Do…many girls ask for him…?”

Aska had a complicated look as he sighed. “Well, the guy’s popular. So many more times than I can count, even when we hang out together—I basically have to pretend to be his girlfriend just to get some girls off of him. Then again, I’m just returning the favour, I guess…”

“…..”

“Just to be clear,” Aska firmly said. “WE’RE NOT LIKE THAT.”

Somehow…he’s a little more intimidating than I thought… Not what I expected when we met earlier. He seemed meek and shy—rather… He seemed nervous.

“I-I see… But that’s not what I meant… U-Um… Isak and I were a couple…”

“…..”

Aska went quiet, not uttering a single word. He stood there frozen and seemed to have realised something.

“…were?” he hesitantly asked.

“Y-Yeah…”

“The hell…” Aska seemed a little annoyed and sulked. “That guy never told me…” he uttered.

I felt my heart ache a little when he said that. I mean…Isak wanted to keep it a secret, but it did make me a little sad that he didn’t even seem to have mentioned or hinted about me to his closest friend…

Probably having seen my troubled expression, Aska asked, “I…may be wrong, but…why did you guys break up…?” It was as if he was onto something.

…this guy’s sharp…

“I… I saw a sneak photo of you two from one of my friends…she had a crush on him as well. At the time, I was too worked up to get angry at her for taking a picture of someone, especially my boyfriend. But she didn’t know. In the end, I couldn’t say anything.”

Aska had an annoyed look on his face as he heard my explanation.

“You broke up because of that? A single photo…?”

I glanced at Noel, and even he sighed.

…why are you sighing? You knew that wasn’t the case! Stupid brother!

“N-No…that’s not it. I…wanted to talk to him about it, but…I was afraid he’d break up with me.”

“Then how did you break up…?” Aska asked.

“I…I happened to see you two together when I was in town… I wanted to approach you, but some guys were hitting on you when you were alone. It was then Isak came and helped you out, you linked arms with him, and… Then your other friends commented on how nice of a boyfriend Isak was… It was then I ran away…and broke up with him.”

Everyone awkwardly looked away, and Aska stood there stunned. He lightly scratched his cheek.

“Um…somehow…I’m really sorry about that…”

Finally, I couldn’t hold it in anymore. Tears ran down my face, and it was warm for once, unlike my below-average body temperature.

“I…I didn’t want to believe he cheated on me; I wanted him to tell me who you were. I… In the end. It was a misunderstanding! I…I just wish I had talked to him rather than running away… But I couldn’t. It was too painful…”

Aska had a look of disbelief. “Ooh…geez, not only is she his Ex…but it all happened because of our dumb habit…what the hell…”