Lys laughed before responding to the young Dieh. It was a laugh that could be interpreted as friendly, which slightly reassured Dieh: the woman before him was not someone difficult to deal with.
In response to Dieh's question, she replied:
— It seems we have the same destination!
She smiled slightly before adding:
— I have been appointed as a professor at Xerx Academy. That's why I couldn't help but be curious upon seeing a new student.
— Wow...
Dieh was so astonished that he lost his breath.
Xerx Academy was not a dumping ground where anyone could come and go as they pleased. It was the Steel Lance, where the elite trained, those who, in one way or another, were meant to contribute to the world.
He often wondered whether his enrollment in Xerx was a waking dream or an illusion. The fact that he felt such awe was proof of how prestigious Xerx truly was.
It was only natural that those responsible for training the students were themselves part of the elite.
And this woman, Lys, who was looking at him curiously as if he were a cute child, was one of them. The thought of doubting her words never even crossed his mind.
— You seem young, Miss Lys. I thought the entire elite was made up of older people.
— Yes, but I was just recently appointed to my position. No need to be so stressed. And you seem quite talented yourself. Joining the academy isn't easy, or so I've been told!
— No, Miss… I was just lucky. In fact, I was barely selected.
— Professor Lys… murmured Dieh.
For some time now, he had felt as if he were living in a dream. A series of strange incidents had unfolded around him. First, there was Xerx Academy, and now, this unexpected encounter with a professor.
Moreover, this woman was both beautiful and young. The moment he saw her, he knew she was different from the women he was used to seeing in his hometown. Instead of calming him, this realization only made him more anxious.
— Don't worry. Even though I'm a new professor, I can assure you that Xerx's system is one of the best. If you were accepted, there must be a reason. I hope you'll work hard.
Dieh nodded, unable to continue the conversation. He picked up the brochure and resumed reading.
He wanted to ask more questions, but he thought it wiser to remain quiet. The journey was long anyway—he would surely have another chance to satisfy his curiosity.
Lys, who watched him awkwardly trying to focus on his reading while stealing glances at her, smiled slightly before looking out the window.
She wasn't much of a talker, but she was a little bored. That's why she had started a conversation with Dieh. However, she was already running out of topics. If she forced it, their exchange would become a mere question-and-answer session.
She began to think.
Suddenly, a strange sensation ran through her body. Her instincts had never failed her before. She knew something was about to happen.
She furrowed her brows.
As if he had sensed something, a shiver ran down Dieh's spine. He slowly lifted his head toward her.
Even though he hadn't seen Lys's expression just now, something about her made him uneasy. When Lys noticed his reaction, she was pleased—Dieh had a good sense of danger.
— From now on, you must...
Lys was focused and was about to finish her sentence...
But a violent tremor shook the train.
Despite all the stabilization mechanisms, the impact was strong enough to knock Dieh off his seat.
The cabin trembled violently.
Lys, however, remained completely still, her posture and appearance impeccable. Meanwhile, Dieh struggled to sit back up, gripping the seat's handle tightly to regain his balance.
— What's happening?! Dieh shouted in disbelief.
For a moment, he even wondered if everything had been going too well—like a trap set by fate to mock him.
Now that it had happened, Lys finally completed her sentence as if nothing had changed.
— …stay close to me. It's an attack.
— An attack… on this train? Dieh asked, his face as pale as a sheet.
— This train is a symbol in itself, and most of its passengers have special status. It's a luxury train. Many wealthy individuals are aboard. It's only natural to think that this could attract thieves…
She paused before continuing in a grave tone:
— But even common thieves would understand that attacking this train is madness. So the only possibility is that…
— It's a terrorist attack, Dieh muttered, still in shock.
Lys crossed her arms and smiled slightly—a sign that he had guessed correctly.
Whoever attacked this train must have had a purpose beyond mere wealth. But for now, she had no idea what was truly unfolding.
She narrowed her eyes, lost in thought before making her next move.
Creating an impact strong enough to shake this train required significant power. Lys knew that this cutting-edge train was surrounded by a complex web of enchantments, designed so that passengers wouldn't even feel the train's motion. To shake it like this, the attackers had to be well-prepared.
— Miss Lys, if what you're saying is true… shouldn't we hide? Who knows what could happen?
— Hide? Perhaps... But for now, stay close to me. Let's go!
— Yes!
Lys stood up and opened the door. She would protect Dieh if necessary, but she knew that hiding was pointless. First, she needed to assess the situation.
They left their cabin.
Outside, they could see other passengers rushing toward the secure rooms.
Dieh was about to follow them, but Lys stopped him.
— Stay close to me!
At this point, if the threat was beyond what the security team could handle, then hiding in those secure rooms was no different from being buried alive.
Just then, the corridor door was violently thrown open.
It had been blasted off its hinges and flew past Lys and Dieh.
Lys simply shifted her foot slightly, dodging it with minimal effort, as if she hadn't moved at all.
Dieh, on the other hand, jumped to the side.
— Why are you still here?
The man who had entered spoke in a harsh tone. His appearance was refined, but his furrowed brow and piercing gaze radiated hostility.
— ???
Before Dieh could say anything, a magical circle lit up along the man's entire arm.
As if the patterns were engraved directly onto his skin, his clothing glowed with a crimson aura.
The magic formula was flawless.
A red light rapidly formed, and in an instant, a scarlet bolt of lightning shot across the room.