As we stroll through the city, frozen yogurt in hand, it’s hard not to get lost in the atmosphere. The streets are bustling, full of life, and it feels oddly comforting despite how alien this world is. There’s something about the mix of old-world charm and modern convenience that reminds me of the Japan we always wanted to visit. Sure, this isn’t Japan, but with the traditional architecture, the energy of the city, and the people walking around in a blend of casual and cultural wear, it scratches that itch in a way I never expected.

“This place is unreal,” Jiho says, taking a bite of his yoghurt. “It’s like all the cool parts of Japan mixed with a bunch of fantasy elements. I mean, we’re basically living in our dream city.”

“Yeah, but we still need to find a place to stay,” Abel reminds us, with a slight smirk on his face. “This mall isn’t gonna be home.”

I nod, pulling out my new phone. The screen is sharp and responsive, and after a few taps, I pull up the map feature. It’s weird using a phone that feels so familiar yet alien at the same time. “We should probably message Narkul, let him know what’s going on. But first, let’s see if we can find a hotel or something for the weekend.”

Isak, balancing his yoghurt in one hand and his new phone in the other, chimes in, “You think there’s any place that’s not booked out? I mean, this city’s huge, and if it’s as important as Narkul made it sound, it’s probably packed.”

“Maybe,” I reply, scanning the map. “But we’ve got money, so we’ll find something.”

We sit down on a bench by a fountain, the sound of water trickling down into the basin below helping me focus as I start setting up my phone. The map pulls up quickly, showing a sprawling city grid with locations we can explore. I start thinking about how many places there must be in this world to discover, from hidden markets to ancient ruins Narkul hinted at. The idea is both exciting and overwhelming.

Jiho, setting up his phone next to me, gives me a casual nudge. “You’re gonna need Narkul’s number, right?”

I blink, and before I even ask, Jiho rattles off the number perfectly from memory. “It’s burned in here,” he says, tapping his temple with a smirk.

“Of course you memorised it,” I say, shaking my head as I enter the number into my phone.

“Show-off,” Isak mutters, though he’s grinning.

Once I’ve saved Narkul’s number, I quickly pull up the contact and send him a message, explaining that we’re getting things sorted and looking for a place to stay. As I wait for his reply, I notice the map feature has a built-in guide for local accommodations.

“Look, there’s a bunch of places nearby,” I say, pointing at the screen. “We’ll just check out the best-rated one.”

“Sounds good,” Abel says, finishing off his yoghurt. “Let’s get settled before we start dreaming about exploring the rest of this world.”

We all nod in agreement. It’s been a long day, but at least we’re starting to get our bearings. As I finish setting up my phone, I can’t help but feel a small thrill of excitement. This world has a lot to offer, and despite everything, I’m ready to dive in headfirst.

After checking out a few hotel options, we quickly realize something pretty wild—this world has 7-star hotels. Seven. We didn’t even know that was a thing. And of course, all the top-tier ones are on the east side of the city, near the center, while we’re stuck way out west. Typical.

“Great,” Isak sighs, staring at the map on his phone. “We’re nowhere near the fancy stuff.”

Abel looks over my shoulder at the map. “Guess we’ll need to figure out how to get across the city, then.”

“Shouldn’t be too hard,” I say, pulling up what I hope is this world’s version of Uber. To my surprise, it’s just… Uber. The same app. Somehow, that’s comforting in a weird way. “Let’s just get a ride. We’re living the high life now, right?”

Jiho raises an eyebrow. “Hopefully, the Uber drivers here don’t drive like maniacs.”

I laugh, tapping the button to call for a ride. Within minutes, a luxury Uber pulls up—a sleek, futuristic-looking car that screams “rich people ride here.” We pile into the back, and the moment we sit down, we’re hit with the smell of leather and some fancy air freshener that’s probably imported from another galaxy.

The driver, a dark elf with pointed ears and striking silver hair, turns around and greets us with a smile. His accent is a little strange, like someone from multiple cultures mashed together, but he’s friendly. “Evening, gentlemen. East side, right? I’ll get you there in no time.”

We settle into the plush seats, the comfort almost unreal after the day we’ve had. Isak stretches out like he owns the place. “This is more like it.”

“Yeah,” Jiho says, leaning back and closing his eyes. “If this is what life’s gonna be like from now on, I can get used to it.”

The ride’s smooth, and as the city lights pass by outside the window, I can’t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. Sure, things are weird here—really weird—but for now, it’s all good. We’re in a nice car, heading toward a 7-star hotel, and the future seems wide open.

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As we cruise through the city, the dark elf driver makes small talk, telling us bits and pieces about the city. His voice is soothing, and his pleasant demeanour makes the ride feel even more relaxed.

“First time in the city, huh?” he asks, glancing at us in the rearview mirror.

“You could say that,” I reply with a smirk, thinking about how strange our journey’s been so far. “But so far, so good.”

He chuckles. “You picked a good time to visit. The city’s thriving. You’ll have plenty to see and do.”

I nod, glancing out the window again. This world might be more than we expected, but right now, it feels like we’re headed in the right direction—literally and figuratively.

As our sleek Uber drives through the heart of the city, the dark elf driver continues acting like our personal tour guide. His voice is smooth, with that strange but pleasant accent that keeps us all hooked.

“So, boys,” he says with a grin, glancing at us through the rearview mirror. “Welcome to Sanzu, the crown jewel of education and culture. You picked a good place to explore.”

We all lean in, intrigued, as he starts pointing out different spots along the way.

“Over there,” he gestures to a grand, ancient-looking building with towering spires that look like they’re channeling some kind of energy into the sky. “That’s the Arcane Institute of Boundless Wisdom. It’s the top-tier magic academy in the entire world. You’ve got people from all species, all talents, learning everything from elemental control to ancient enchantments.”

Isak’s eyes widen, his face pressed against the window. “Dude, magic school. Can you imagine going there?”

Abel, ever the calm one, adds, “I’m guessing you wouldn’t last a day, Isak.”

The driver chuckles. “It’s not for the faint-hearted, that’s for sure. But if magic’s not your thing, we’ve also got the Nexus Academy of Techno-Science.” He points to a futuristic-looking building made almost entirely of glass, with holographic projections surrounding it. “It’s where the best minds in science and technology come to break the boundaries between science fiction and reality. Robotics, AI, interdimensional theory—you name it, they’re on it.”

Jiho raises an eyebrow. “That place sounds like a hacker’s paradise.”

“And if you’re more into the physical arts,” the driver continues, “there’s the Ironclad Martial School of Combat and Strategy.” He points to a massive fortress-like structure built with reinforced steel, designed to look as intimidating as possible. “People train there from all over, mastering everything from hand-to-hand combat to weaponry. They even have instructors from different regions teaching specific techniques. If you want to be a fighter, that’s where you’d go.”

Abel nods in appreciation. “That sounds like my kind of place.”

As we pass by each school, the driver points out even more fascinating details. There are art schools, schools for diplomacy, and even academies that focus on history and archaeology, each one looking more unique and grand than the last. The whole city feels like it’s dedicated to every field of learning and expertise imaginable, and as the driver talks, we start to realize just how diverse and intense this world really is.

“Every school here has its own traditions and specialties,” the driver explains. “You’ve got the best of the best from all corners of the world studying and working together. Sanzu is known for cultivating the next generation of leaders, inventors, and fighters.”

As we drive further into the heart of the city, the dark elf gestures toward a massive, intricate structure perched on a hill overlooking the sprawling metropolis. “That up there is the Imperial Palace of Tenryu,” he says, pointing out a stunning multi-tiered palace with curved roofs and ornate wooden panels, glistening in the late afternoon light. “It’s where the ruling family resides. They’ve been here for generations, overseeing the city’s development and maintaining peace in the region. Pretty impressive, huh?”

I glance at the palace, and my heart skips a beat. The structure is massive, yet it has a certain elegance to it. The sloping roofs, the detailed wooden beams, the layered stone foundations—it looks exactly like a traditional Japanese palace. For a second, I wonder if we somehow stumbled into an alternate version of Kyoto or something.

“That place looks... familiar,” I murmur, mostly to myself.

“Yeah,” Jiho says, leaning forward to get a better look. “It’s like one of those old palaces we used to see in history books. Not exactly, but close enough.”

I nod, feeling a strange sense of nostalgia. We may not be in Japan, but it’s clear that this place has a similar architectural style—something I never expected to see in a world full of demi-humans and magic schools.

“And over here,” the driver continues, pointing toward a row of beautifully crafted cathedrals, “these are the Sacred Cathedrals of Akatsuki. They follow an ancient architectural style, a mix of spiritual significance and timeless craftsmanship. They’re massive structures, towering above the surrounding buildings. People from all walks of life worship there. They say the mana around those places is so strong, it can heal the sick and give strength to the weak.”

The cathedrals are breathtaking. Their wooden frames, curved roofs, and intricate carvings remind me even more of Japan. The wood is a rich, dark brown, polished and well-maintained, and the rooftops are made of delicate tiles, almost like the ones we saw in old photos of temples in Kyoto. It’s uncanny, yet beautiful in its own way. These cathedrals aren’t just places of worship—they’re a testament to the craftsmanship and spiritual heritage of this world.

Jiho nudges me. “You thinking what I’m thinking?”

“Yeah,” I say. “It’s almost like we’re in some weird mix of Japan and fantasy land.”

We all stare in awe as the car moves through the city. The palace, the cathedrals, even the streets—all of it feels familiar and foreign at the same time. It’s like the best parts of home mixed with something completely new.

We pass over a massive bridge, and beneath it, the Sanzu River winds its way through the city, cutting through the landscape like a shimmering snake. It’s wide, clear, and beautiful, reflecting the skyline in a way that feels almost magical. I can’t help but think of the Sanzu River from Japanese mythology—except this one is far more alive and central to the city’s pulse.

“And one last thing,” the driver says, pointing out a massive statue in the center of a large square. It’s a statue of a legendary hero, sword raised high, carved from gleaming white stone. “That’s the monument to the Great Protector. Legend has it he saved the city from destruction centuries ago. People still visit the statue to pay their respects.”

We exchange glances as the city unfolds around us, each new sight more incredible than the last. It feels like we’ve just scratched the surface of what Sanzu has to offer, and already, it’s blowing our minds.

As we pass another stunning building, I can’t help but feel a strange excitement bubbling inside me. There’s so much to explore, so many possibilities here.