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Wendale was a small town, lacking both an alchemist workshop and a mana weapon shop, which made it a less attractive destination for most hunters. Though occasionally hunters would pass through to visit family or friends, the town relied heavily on hunters from nearby cities like Alma to handle the more dangerous monsters lurking in the surrounding forest.
But one day, a rumor spread like wildfire through the town: a young female hunter with a silver staff had single-handedly cleared out all the medium-sized or larger monsters near Wendale in just half a day.
Inside the local school, a group of children whispered excitedly between classes.
“Hey, did you hear the rumor?” one kid asked, his voice hushed with excitement.
“You mean the female hunter, right? She’s awesome!”
“My brother’s a hunter, and he said she was super fast! She took down the monsters in one hit, just zooming through the forest!” another kid added, eyes wide with awe.
“Wow, really?” a smaller kid replied, almost in disbelief.
“Of course it’s true,” came a voice from the door. The kids turned to see Renn leaning casually against the doorframe, her signature mischievous grin on her face.
“Sis Renn’s back!” one of the kids yelled before darting over to hug her. The rest of the children quickly followed, swarming her with hugs and excited chatter.
“There, there, I told you I’d be back, didn’t I?” Renn said, laughing as she ruffled a few heads. “Where’s Mr. Witz?”
“He’s out! We don’t know where, though!” one of the kids piped up.
“Hmm, I see. Well, I’ve got to check in with a few more people. I’ll catch up with you little rascals later, okay?”
Her words were met with mixed reactions—some kids begged her to stay longer, while others reluctantly nodded. Eventually, she managed to make her way out of the classroom, waving them off as she left.
Her next stop was the town smithy. The blacksmith, who had gifted her the spear before she left, looked astonished when he saw the gleaming silver staff slung across her back. Though he had insisted the spear was hers to keep, Renn returned it with gratitude, despite the wear and tear it had accumulated during her battles near Alma.
After leaving the smithy, she made her way to the bakery, where she spotted a familiar group gathered inside—Mr. Witz, Aisha, her mother Oliver, and Aisha’s father Eric, who had just returned from a delivery run to Kaska.
“Whoa, Renn! Look at you!” Eric called out as soon as he saw her, eyes widening as he took in her new look. “I missed a lot while I was away!”
“I was here when she left, and even I’m surprised!” Witz added, his gaze sweeping over her.
“Ahehe…” Renn chuckled awkwardly, rubbing the back of her head.
“You really look like a real monster hunter now!” Aisha said, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
“It’s all thanks to you guys,” Renn replied with a warm smile. “But I’ve gotta head back to Gramps’ place now.”
As she turned to leave, Oliver’s voice stopped her. “How long are you staying with us, Renn?”
“I’m not sure…” Renn admitted, turning back to face them. “I have to head somewhere else soon.”
Renn then explained how she had recently discovered that she was a descendant of Garland, and that she was planning to travel to Veledot in search of her real parents.
“Wow, Renn…” Eric said, clearly impressed.
“That’s a long journey,” Aisha remarked, her voice tinged with concern. “You’ll have to cross the border to get there.”
“Yeah, but I’ll manage,” Renn replied confidently. “Don’t worry about me.”
After a bit more chatting and farewells, Renn left the bakery, making her way toward Tou’s house. The sun had already begun to set by the time she arrived in town, casting a golden glow over the rooftops as she walked through the familiar streets. Having spent the better part of the day clearing out monsters from the forest, she was ready for a well-deserved rest—but there was still one more person she needed to see.
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Renn pushed the door open cautiously and stepped into the mayor’s house. Tou sat behind his desk, a letter resting on the wooden surface before him, his expression as calm as ever.
“Welcome back,” Tou greeted, his voice steady as Renn approached.
“Hey, Gramps…” Renn muttered, her eyes briefly darting toward the letter.
Tou rose from his chair, pacing slowly around the room. “Two weeks, and you’re already a different person. You really are a natural hunter.”
Renn watched him silently, her senses tingling. He knew. It made sense—he was the mayor, after all. News traveled fast in a small town like Wendale.
“You’re heading to the western region, aren’t you?” Tou asked, as though he had seen straight into her mind.
Renn sighed, her shoulders relaxing. “You always know what I’m thinking.”
“It’s alright if you don’t want to return here after this.”
His words hit her like a sudden gust of wind. Renn’s breath caught in her throat. Tou, the man who had found her as a child, raised her, was saying this?
“W-what are you talking about?! Gramps!” Her voice shot up, the disbelief sharp and stinging.
Tou’s gaze softened, a deep sadness flickering in his eyes. “…I’ve watched many children grow up here, and many of them leave. Wendale is a small place. It’s not where you’re meant to spend the rest of your life.”
Renn’s heart pounded, her pulse loud in her ears. “Y-you knew… you knew I was Garland’s descendant, didn’t you? That I’m… royalty?”
Since Velle had suggested she might be linked to Garland’s lineage, Renn had wrestled with the idea, never fully accepting it. Growing up as the mayor’s adopted daughter was the only life she had ever known. Now, hearing it from Tou, the person she trusted most, brought tears to her eyes.
“Of course I knew,” Tou said quietly, his voice carrying the weight of the past. “I found you in the forest, but you weren’t alone.” He turned his back to her, gazing out the window at the darkening sky. “Your parents were there.”
“What?!” Renn’s voice wavered, her knees nearly buckling under her.
“They asked me to take care of you. They had a dangerous mission ahead of them. I could see it in their faces—the desperation behind their smiles. After that night… they never returned.”
The world shifted beneath Renn’s feet, her mind spiraling into chaos. Her parents had been there? Alive? And left her willingly?
Tou returned to his desk, his voice growing more serious. “A couple of days ago, I received a letter from an old friend. He’s a monster hunter. He doesn’t know I’ve long retired.”
Tou stepped closer to Renn, his old, weathered hands holding the letter as if it were fragile. “But you could go in my stead.”
“You… were a hunter?” Renn asked, her voice barely above a whisper, struggling to grasp the new information.
Tou chuckled, shaking his head. “Not quite. I wasn’t out there fighting on the frontlines. I advised them, studied monster patterns, and trained younger hunters. I was well-known back in the day, believe it or not. Hohoho.”
Renn blinked in disbelief. “You never told me any of this.”
“It was a long time ago, before your time. Besides, with mana weapons now commonplace, my role’s become obsolete.”
A quiet moment passed between them. Renn shifted her weight, still trying to piece everything together. “So, you want me to go meet your friend?”
Tou handed her the letter, his expression unreadable. “Yes. He’s asked for help dealing with a rise in illegal mana weapon use out west. Underground hunters causing trouble. He needs backup to stop them. This letter will vouch for you.”
Renn glanced at the letter in her hand, then back at Tou. “Shouldn’t the king or queen be handling this?”
Tou smirked, his eyes glinting with a mix of pride and amusement. “Hah, good question. Why don’t you go find out for yourself… your highness?”
Renn’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “W-what are you saying…?”
Her voice trailed off as she stood there, grappling with her identity, her duty, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead. She had always known she was different, but this… this was too much. Still, a quiet determination began to settle in her chest.
“I’ll do it,” she finally said, her voice stronger, clearer.
Tou’s expression softened into a proud smile. “You have my blessing, Renn. Leave whenever you’re ready.”
The path before her was clearer now, if not a little daunting. Renn resolved to spend one more day in Wendale, catching up with the locals and sharing the tales of her adventures in Alma. But in her heart, she knew her journey was only beginning.
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The next morning, as the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, Renn was already up and preparing to leave. Clad in her gear, she gripped her silver mana staff, Esperanza, tightly in her hands. After a quick farewell to the guards stationed at the town’s entrance, she began her trek westward.
As she walked, her mind wandered to Aisha. She had hoped to ask her friend to come along, but Renn knew deep down that Aisha was content in Wendale, baking bread and following in her parents’ footsteps. Still, Renn made a silent promise to herself—she would come back. No matter what she found in Veledot, no matter what the future held, she would return to Wendale.
Since Alma was southwest of Wendale, Renn figured it wouldn’t hurt to pay a quick visit to Velle and Mint at the workshop before officially setting off for the western border.
When she arrived, Mint’s face lit up with excitement, thrilled to see Renn again after just two days apart. Velle, on the other hand, remained her usual composed self, barely showing any emotion.
As they sat together in the workshop’s hall, Renn decided to bring up the mission Tou had given her. “There’s something going on out west. Illegal mana weapons.“
Velle raised an eyebrow, her voice as calm as ever. “Ah, illegal mana weapons. Makes sense.“
Renn leaned forward. “You know something about them?“
Velle nodded slightly. “You’re aware that mana weapons need to be infused with Mana to function, right?“
“Yeah,” Renn replied, not sure where this was going.
“Well,” Velle continued, “that doesn’t mean only we alchemists can do it. Some scholars who manage to get their hands on the right tools can infuse Mana into weapons outside of workshops. The problem is, they’re often poorly crafted and prone to malfunction.“
Renn frowned. “Then why would hunters even bother using them?“
“Price,” Velle said flatly. “The tools these underground groups use are cheap. The Mana they infuse likely has low wave matches, making the weapons inferior to the ones we produce at Alchemist Corp. But they’re still far better than regular weapons and way more affordable.“
Renn nodded slowly, the pieces starting to fall into place. “Makes sense.“
Mint, who had been listening quietly, suddenly perked up. “Did your foster father tell you where exactly in the west you’re supposed to go?“
Renn pulled out the letter from her pocket and shook her head. “Not really. He just said to go to Veledot first, but nothing specific about where exactly.“
If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Unfolding the letter, the three of them crowded around it, reading together.
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Dear Tou,
It’s been a long time. How are things going over there? Sorry to hit you with a request in my first letter, but I really need backup in the west. The underground hunters have become a bigger problem than we initially thought. There’s a chance there’s a factory somewhere around Veledot producing these illegal weapons, and I need all the help I can get to handle it. Hopefully, your connections are still strong, like back in the old days.
Best wishes,
Willo
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“Wait… Willo?” Velle muttered as they finished reading, her normally composed expression giving way to a flicker of surprise.
“You’ve heard of him?” Renn asked, curious.
“He’s quite well-known,” Velle replied, adjusting her glasses. “Especially in the western regions. His reputation as a hunter is no joke.”
“Yeah!“ Mint chimed in, her eyes wide with excitement. “I’ve heard of him too! Hunters talk about him all the time—he’s supposed to be super strong! Like, legendary strong!“
“R-really?“ Renn’s voice wavered.
Her mind began to drift, piecing things together. So, Tou’s old friend was a famous hunter? And if someone of Willo’s caliber was asking for help, then things out west must be even worse than she’d thought.
“Don’t be so nervous,” Velle said, noticing the tension in Renn’s expression. “You’re not exactly helpless. Thanks to Esperanza, you’ve got plenty of power at your disposal. And as long as other people are on the job too, you’ll be fine.”
Renn felt herself relax a little, taking comfort in Velle’s calm, logical words. “Yeah, you’re right. Say, can’t you contact the king or queen of Veledot about all this?“
“The Alchemist Corp isn’t directly tied to the royal families,” Velle replied, pushing her glasses up. “Howl’s case is special since he’s a monster hunter. That gives him some ties to our world, but we don’t typically deal with royalty.”
“I see.” Renn rose from her seat, folding the letter and tucking it back into her pocket. “Well, I guess this is it. I’m really going this time.”
“Be careful out there, Renn! Sister Mint will be cheering for you from here~!” Mint said in her usual bubbly voice, flashing a bright smile.
“Make sure you visit Demwell, northwest of here,” Velle added, her tone as neutral as ever.
“Demwell? Why, what’s there?” Renn asked, curious.
“I won’t spoil it.”
“Wha—?!“ Renn started, but Mint quickly chimed in.
“Oh, right! You definitely need to go there if you’re heading to the border!” Mint added with a knowing grin.
Renn tilted her head, a bit confused by their cryptic responses. “Demwell, huh…?“ She couldn’t quite piece together why they were being so secretive about it, but she trusted them. Demwell was a bit of a detour from Alma, but it was still along her path. If they both suggested it, there had to be a good reason.
“Alright, I’ll check it out,” Renn said, deciding to trust their judgment. With a wave, she grabbed her staff and made her way toward the door.
Demwell was a fair distance from Alma, but if she moved quickly, she’d be able to reach it before nightfall. Setting off without any further delay, Renn left the workshop, the weight of her new mission settling on her shoulders.
The first few hours of Renn’s journey weren’t too lonely. She passed by several hunters not far from the road, their grunts and the occasional clash of weapons filling the air. More than once, she spotted groups struggling to bring down monsters that lurked in the deeper parts of the forest. On each occasion, she stepped in to help, dispatching the creatures with ease. Though it felt good to lend a hand, the constant delays weighed on her, wasting precious daylight.
As the hours dragged on, the hunters began to disappear, retreating toward Alma as the sun dipped below the horizon. Renn picked up her pace, the fading light driving a sense of urgency. Spending the night in the middle of the road was not something she was eager to experience.
The path was marked with signs guiding her toward Demwell, but they offered little comfort. Renn had no real idea of how much farther it was. And with each passing minute, the sky grew darker, the warm hues of twilight giving way to the cold blue of night.
Before long, the eerie chorus of the nocturnal world crept in, filling the silence. Renn’s steps slowed, no longer brisk but deliberate and cautious. It wasn’t the dark that bothered her—she had heard enough stories to know the monsters prowling the roads at night were far more dangerous than those of the day.
Her eyes flicked from shadow to shadow, but all she saw was the vast emptiness, save for the occasional glow of fireflies dotting the path. The moon’s pale light offered just enough visibility to keep her moving forward, but the thought of how exposed she was made her stomach churn.
Renn sighed, muttering under her breath, “Should’ve just stayed in Alma for the night and left at dawn…”
Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden glow off the side of the road. Through the thick forest, beyond the trees, she spotted a flickering light. A campfire?
She gripped her staff tighter and moved toward the light cautiously, her heart pounding faster with each step. The closer she got, the more she could hear—voices, faint chatter, and bursts of laughter cutting through the quiet.
Carefully pushing past a cluster of bushes, she found herself looking at a small, cozy campsite. The warm glow of the fire illuminated a group of hunters, about a dozen of them, both men and women. Their laughter died out the moment they noticed her presence, and an uneasy silence fell over the camp.
Backpacks and supplies were scattered across the grassy clearing, which had clearly been prepared with care. The ground had been flattened, wide enough to comfortably accommodate the whole group for the night. The hunters, now watching her with wary eyes, didn’t speak, waiting for her to make the first move.
“Um...“ Renn stammered, unsure how to break the awkward silence. “Hi, I’m on my way to Demwell, but then it got dark—”
“Ah!“ A man in a worn leather outfit spoke up, his eyes lighting up in recognition. “Are you from Alma? Come, join us!“
He motioned to an open spot around the campfire. Hesitant at first, Renn eventually complied, sitting down among the group. As soon as she did, the hunters resumed their conversations, the tension dissolving as they realized she was just a lost traveler.
Renn’s gaze drifted over the group, taking in her surroundings. Each hunter had a mana weapon close by, their tools of the trade resting casually within reach. Some were absorbed in light conversation near the fire, while a few preferred to linger further from the heat, keeping watch at the edge of the clearing. Despite the initial welcome, Renn kept her senses sharp—there was no telling what kind of hunters these people were.
“Whoa! Look at that staff!“ one of the hunters suddenly exclaimed, pointing toward Esperanza.
“Wait... it has four mana cores?!“ another chimed in, his voice brimming with curiosity.
Renn winced internally. Being the center of attention was the last thing she wanted right now.
“Oh, uh, most of them are just normal jewelry!“ she said, forcing a laugh, trying to downplay it as much as possible. She scratched her head nervously, hoping they’d buy the lie.
“Eh, is that so?“ one of the hunters murmured, eyeing her staff with suspicion, though his interest soon seemed to wane.
Further away, two hunters sat together under a tree. The man, with long silver hair, leaned lazily against the trunk, his blue eyes half-closed as if lost in thought. Beside him was a younger woman, her sharp yellow eyes contrasting with her medium-length green hair, which was held back by a simple hairband. She sat with her knees pulled up to her chest, gazing quietly into the fire, seemingly disengaged from the rest of the group.
“Her parents sure are rich, judging by how beautifully crafted that staff is,” Yufi muttered, her sharp yellow eyes tracking Renn’s exchange with the other hunters.
Quin, still leaning against the tree, glanced over, his silver hair catching a flicker of firelight. “The strength of a hunter depends on their mind and body, not just the tool they wield.“
Yufi rolled her eyes, a smirk playing on her lips. “Yeah, yeah. You always talk like an old man, Quin.“
“They are wise words from my father,” Quin replied, his tone calm but firm. “Do not speak ill of them, Yufi.“
She sighed, letting the conversation drop, the shadows from the campfire dancing along the trees around them. In the quiet that followed, their eyes instinctively scanned the dark forest, always alert, always ready.
Back by the fire, Renn leaned in, feeling more at ease after blending into the hunters’ conversations. She decided to ask some questions of her own. “So, are you all heading to Demwell too?“
One of the hunters laughed. “Oh no, we’re from Demwell.“
“Eh? Did you spend too much time hunting, then?“ Renn asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Not really,” another hunter chimed in, shaking his head. “We planned to stay out here. We’re hunting a rare, wanted monster.“
“A rare, wanted monster?“ Renn echoed, eyes widening. “In the middle of the night?“
“Exactly. It’s not massive or strong, but it’s quick—really quick,” one of the hunters explained. “It only comes out after dark. The bounty’s high because even finding it is tough. Some alchemists want to study it, I guess.“
Another hunter chuckled. “The way it zips around, even just spotting it is worth some coin.“
“Pipe down,” a voice cut through the chatter. All heads turned to the edge of the clearing, where Quin now stood, his longsword unsheathed, gleaming faintly in the dim firelight.
Yufi glanced up from her spot beside the tree, a grin tugging at the corner of her lips. “What’s up, Quin? You see something?“
“...It’s coming,” Quin said, his voice steady as his eyes narrowed toward the trees.
The campfire atmosphere shifted instantly. The hunters quickly rose to their feet, weapons in hand. Renn followed suit, gripping Esperanza tightly.
A strange, eerie noise suddenly pierced the air—high-pitched and unnerving, like a distant siren wailing through the forest. The sound was unsettling, crawling up Renn’s spine.
“W-what the...?“ one of the hunters stammered, eyes darting around.
Before anyone could react, something small zipped through the clearing, too fast to track. It was nothing more than a blur, the leaves rustling violently in its wake.
“It’s here! The Siren Flash!“ one of the hunters shouted, raising his weapon.
This creature, known by its codename Siren Flash, had earned its name from two key traits: the eerie, siren-like cry that heralded its arrival and its blinding speed, moving so fast that catching sight of it was a feat in itself.
Renn’s heart pounded in her chest as she scanned the trees. She could hear it—the unnatural screeching sound as the creature whipped through the air—but could she see it?
With Esperanza in hand, Renn activated the enhancement core, feeling the rush of mana flow into her muscles. Her body became lighter, stronger, faster—though she knew there was a cost. Enhancement Mana, while amplifying her physical abilities, placed a strain on her body. Every second spent overclocking her strength added hidden damage, making it a power best used sparingly.
The eerie wail of the Siren Flash echoed through the dense forest, circling the group. It was impossible to pinpoint exactly where the creature would strike next.
“What now, Quin?” Yufi asked, her mana bow at the ready, her eyes darting toward every shift in the shadows.
“We wait,” Quin replied, his gaze never leaving the flickering campfire. “The fire is disorienting it, making it angry. It’ll lash out soon.”
He wasn’t wrong. Moments later, the Siren Flash zipped through the group, a blur of speed. Several hunters grunted in pain, clutching fresh wounds as the creature slashed past them. They couldn’t block or even react in time to its rapid, unpredictable attacks.
Renn tried to track the creature’s movement, but it was almost impossible. Its erratic pattern made it seem like it was everywhere at once. She remained on the defensive like the other hunters, waiting for an opening that never seemed to come. Quin and Yufi, farther from the campfire, weren’t being targeted as aggressively.
“Hey, Quin! Do something!” one of the hunters shouted, frustration creeping into his voice. He winced as another attack narrowly missed him. “You were the one who told us to set up the campfire here!”
Quin remained silent, his sharp eyes following the rapid blurs of the Siren Flash. His focus was unwavering as he waited for the right moment. Yufi shifted nervously, her grip tightening on her bow, unsure if she should take a shot or wait for Quin’s signal.
Suddenly, a giant, translucent hammer materialized above the campfire. The glowing weapon took everyone by surprise, including the Siren Flash. Renn had summoned it with one of Esperanza’s cores, and the timing was perfect. The Siren Flash, moving too fast to stop, slammed directly into the hammer’s massive head. The impact was devastating, its screech cutting off abruptly as it was knocked out of the air.
For a moment, there was stunned silence. The hunters stared in disbelief, and even Quin’s eyes widened, his calm composure finally shaken. But he recovered quickly.
“Yufi, shoot!” he commanded, his voice sharp and clear.
Snapped out of her shock, Yufi notched an arrow and released it in one smooth motion. The arrow ignited mid-flight, turning into a streak of flame as it hurtled toward the stunned creature. The fireball hit its mark, slamming into the falling beast and engulfing it in flames.
Renn, seeing the Siren Flash was now grounded and unable to fight back, dispelled the hammer. The other hunters rushed forward, encircling the downed monster. The Siren Flash, no longer a terrifying blur, was revealed to be a small bird-like creature, its feathers now singed from the fire.
“We... we did it,” one of the hunters breathed, clutching a wound on his arm, his voice filled with disbelief.
“We caught the Siren Flash!”
The clearing erupted in cheers, the tension that had hung over them all night finally lifting. As the group celebrated, Quin and Yufi exchanged a look with Renn. Though the hunters shared in the victory, it was clear that the three of them had turned the tide of the battle.
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The next morning, the group returned to Demwell to collect the bounty. As the coins were evenly divided, Renn pocketed her share, feeling a subtle sense of pride. Taking down the Siren Flash was no small feat, and she knew this would mark a step forward for her as a hunter.
After leaving the alchemist workshop, Renn noticed Quin and Yufi standing off to the side, deep in conversation. Curious, she made her way over to them.
“The bounty looks a lot less impressive when it’s split between so many people,” Yufi mumbled, eyeing the small bag of coins in her hand.
“It was necessary,” Quin replied calmly. “Without them as distractions, the monster wouldn’t have exhausted itself enough for us to strike. And the girl, too.”
“You mean her?“ Yufi asked, smirking as she noticed Renn approaching.
“Hey!” Renn greeted with a wave. “I heard you were the one who picked the camp spot. Thanks to you, I didn’t end up sleeping in a random bush, so... thank you.” She bowed slightly, a bit awkward but sincere.
Quin’s expression remained unreadable as he glanced at her. “Hunting monsters is our duty as hunters. You don’t need to thank us.”
Yufi, on the other hand, gave Quin a playful nudge with her elbow. “Yeah, not a big deal, really. Right, Quin? Anyway, it was fun! But now that we’ve got our money, we’re off. See you around, rich girl!” Yufi waved with a teasing grin as she turned to leave.
“R-rich girl?” Renn echoed, blinking in surprise. Her? Rich? She couldn’t help but feel flustered by the comment, wondering if it was because of her staff.
As the two hunters disappeared into the busy streets of Demwell, Renn refocused. Now that she was here, it was time to explore the city and figure out what Velle and Mint were hinting at. There had to be something special waiting for her.
Walking through the streets of Demwell, Renn took in the sights. The city was larger than Alma, bustling with more people and vendors, but nothing really stood out to her at first glance. It was just another city, or so she thought.
But then, as she turned a corner, her eyes widened in awe. A long, massive vehicle stood before her, its metallic surface shimmering with Mana energy. Renn’s jaw dropped. “Wow...“ she muttered under her breath.
Curiosity led her closer to the nearby station, where she approached a worker in uniform. “Excuse me, what is this?” she asked, her gaze still locked onto the enormous machine.
The man smiled, clearly used to reactions like hers. “This is a mana rail station, miss. That vehicle you’re looking at is a mana train.”
Renn blinked, her fascination growing. “Can I go to the western border with this?”
“Of course,” the man replied kindly. “The mana rail connects cities across the continent, passing through most of the major towns and capitals. In fact, all four capital kingdoms have a mana rail station in their cities.”
That explained why Velle and Mint insisted she come to Demwell. Walking all the way to Veledot would’ve been ridiculous compared to the speed of the mana rail. She smiled to herself, grateful for their advice.
With her decision made, Renn purchased a ticket for the mana train. It was a bit pricey—ten gold coins or a hundred silver—but thanks to the bounty from the Siren Flash and the previous monster, she had more than enough. Pocketing the ticket, she boarded the train.
The interior was mesmerizing, unlike anything she had seen. Soft, glowing lines of Mana ran through the walls like living cables, casting a faint luminescence over the carriage. It felt almost surreal, like stepping into a world from a storybook. She found a seat and marveled at the comfort of it all.
As she settled in, her gaze wandered to the opposite row of seats. Two people sat across from her. Something about them seemed familiar, but she couldn’t quite place it at first.
The woman suddenly turned her head, locking eyes with Renn. Recognition hit them both at the same time.
“…Ah.” Renn and Yufi exclaimed in unison, staring at each other in surprise.
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