We had finally come out of the forest, still on the path, far from having arrived. As we ran, we could see steep mountains in the distance.
A mountain range whose peaks were covered with a thin layer of snow. Between the crevices of this range, a railway line could be seen.
We then started following this route, trying to maintain a stable speed without losing our rhythm.
"Hey, Alden, look."
While running, Azimus motioned for me to look ahead. I could see the head of a locomotive.
"Something's not right..."
I had noticed it immediately, and Azimus agreed with me.
"What are we going to do? he asked.
As if testing me. Of course, what I was going to do was obvious.
---
Inside a locomotive speeding along the mountain tracks, an incident occurred. The locomotive itself made no noise.
It did not run on steam. It was a masterpiece of matronic engineering, transforming ambient matron energy into mechanical energy to enable movement.
Of course, its efficiency was low, and an external power source was necessary, but this locomotive remained a technological marvel. Passengers did not even feel the usual discomforts of travel.
A young boy was inside cabin number 105, in other words, the second carriage.
His presence there was no coincidence. It was proof enough that he was well-off.
The second carriage was perhaps not at the same level as the first, but it was surprisingly luxurious and completely different from the others.
It had everything: plush seats, luggage storage space, and even a device that allowed control over the cabin's atmosphere—temperature, lighting, etc.
However, the boy had only one suitcase. He wasn't carrying much.
Seated on one of the chairs, he swung his legs back and forth. His gaze, through the window, rested on the vast landscape he was seeing for the first time, his attention captivated by the mountain range.
For him, this was all a first.
"I can't believe it… It's like a waking dream."
The boy's name was Dieh Örb. Once an ordinary child of society, he now knew that what awaited him meant he could no longer pretend to live a normal life.
"I'm really on the train to the capital..."
"Well, now I can finally relax. I've never experienced such quality service in my life… Should I order again?"
Örb was heading to the capital of a great and powerful kingdom.
With him, he carried a pamphlet, a brochure from Xerx Academy, which he was reading attentively.
Xerx Academy was located in the capital. No one could blame anyone for being curious and showing interest.
"Incredible! he muttered while reading the brochure."
He was in a cheerful mood.
"I never thought I'd have the chance to go to the capital… And knowing that Xerx Academy is there only makes me more excited!"
As he focused on the brochure, the door suddenly opened. The movement was so smooth that, had his eyes been closed, he wouldn't have noticed someone entering cabin 105 of the locomotive.
A stunning woman stepped in, seemingly in her twenties. She had a graceful figure and wore a black suit that suited her well, though it did little to hide how well-built she was.
A rare beauty.
The young boy looked at her. He couldn't help but be drawn to such elegance. But as soon as the woman's gaze met his, he quickly looked away.
Örb was surprised and didn't know how to react. The beautiful woman smiled before saying:
"Hello!"
Örb timidly nodded before greeting her in return, all while discreetly observing her from the corner of his eye as she took a seat.
He was slightly nervous, but he didn't want it to show. Since they would now be sharing this space, he wanted to avoid any awkwardness.
Örb struggled to respond calmly and, despite the fact that he was blushing against his will, he buried his gaze in the brochure he was holding.
"Oh, the Xerx Academy brochure?"
A soft feminine voice came from the other side of the brochure. The boy lowered it slightly. He couldn't help it.
"Yes… he replied. It was indeed a brochure about Xerx Academy."
"Well, it's a very prestigious institution with a great reputation! she said, likely trying to start a conversation."
"Yes, I've heard about it a lot… This academy is a dream for all kids my age."
"Oh, really? My name is Lys. Are you, by any chance, a new student at the academy? Are you traveling alone?"
"Ah…"
Örb was a little embarrassed to be talking with such a beauty, but he would feel miserable if he left her to talk by herself.
"I'm sorry. My name is Dieh Örb. I'm traveling alone, and I am indeed a new student, ma'am. May I ask how you knew?"
Lys glanced at the brochure in Örb's hand. He quickly realized it was simply a deduction. Embarrassed, he looked down at the pamphlet.
He immediately wanted to change the subject.
"Did you change cabins? I didn't think anyone would come while the locomotive was already in motion.
"I took the wrong cabin. I was supposed to be in 105, but I can be a bit absent-minded sometimes..."
"One of the train attendants kindly explained the situation to me, so I came here!"
"Miss Lys, may I ask where you are headed, if that's not too intrusive?"