Chapter 401: Meeting

Puuuuuuuuuu…

The noisy train station.

From beyond the beautiful lattice fence, the sound of a sharp steam engine echoed.

As the train approached, the signal gradually faded, replaced by the hissing and clanking of machinery.

“Everyone, please take out your tickets! Take out your tickets!”

As the train puffed out smoke and entered, the station staff guarding the fence straightened and shouted.

The middle-aged station worker with a stylish mustache raised his voice to match his black uniform, but people in the back of the line didn’t pull out their tickets, distracted or chatting amongst themselves.

It wasn’t surprising.

The station was a paradise of noise. Even without the sound of the train, the distant shouts were drowned out by the large crowd gathered there.

All that could be heard was chatter among the people and the wheels of handcarts carrying loads of luggage.

Maybe that’s why the station worker ordered a younger employee, who seemed to be his subordinate, to spread the word about taking out the tickets.

“Please take out your tickets! Please!”

The young worker shook a bell and pleaded with the passengers, prompting similarly dressed passengers to take out their tickets.

Thanks to this, the passengers quickly passed through the ticket check and entered the fenced area to board the train.

“Hmm… We might be waiting for a while.”

Kevin mumbled as he stepped out of the taxi and saw the long line.

Although it was clearly just a mutter, Alain, who had unilaterally come to meet them from Loculi University, answered on his own accord.

“No need to wait. Just follow me.”

Alain walked forward confidently. Erard, who also came along to greet them, signaled with a friendly smile for them to follow. Kevin and Terence exchanged glances and decided to follow.

Naturally, Yareli and Oliver followed behind as well.

“Please line up,”

said the station worker firmly to Alain as he walked ahead, ignoring the line. He clearly didn’t like people cutting in line.

Instead of responding, Alain pulled out his ID and showed it. The previously stern station worker visibly hesitated before instantly clearing the way.

“Ah… My apologies. Please proceed.”

The station worker remained polite, but his feelings of discomfort were visible. Other passengers shared similar sentiments.

They glared at the group going first despite arriving late. Their gazes were more hostile and aggressive than the impoverished people of Randa.

“Pay them no mind,”

Alain from Loculi University said to Oliver, who had paused momentarily.

Oliver followed, and Alain offered an apology mixed with frustration.

“I apologize if it startled you. There are more people like that these days… foolish and envious. We have to be cautious even when exercising our rightful privileges. As a fellow Gallosian, it’s embarrassing.”

Oliver wanted to ask what exactly those ‘rightful privileges’ were, but sensing it wasn’t his place to speak, he simply nodded.

Fortunately, Kevin did express curiosity, saving Oliver from having to ask.

“What exactly are these rightful privileges?”

“The privilege of boarding the train without waiting in line. Loculi University contributed considerable technology and funding to the creation of this train,”

Alain said proudly as he stopped in front of a train.

It looked similar to a regular train but with slight differences in appearance. To the eyes of a black mage, it was noticeably distinct.

There was a significant aura of magic coming from the engine section.

It was definitely a unique train.

“They’ve combined a standard steam engine with a magic engine.”

Kevin immediately deduced.

“Oh, you have quite the eye…”

“I read about it in the newspaper. This is the Ezapreco Express, right?”

Alain, who had been sticking to conventional politeness, genuinely beamed for a moment.

“Yes! That’s correct… The Ezapreco Express. It’s the fastest train in existence, incorporating the latest technology.”

Kevin nodded in agreement, and his approval was genuine.

Oliver, also familiar with the train from the newspaper, silently acknowledged it as well.

The Ezapreco Express utilized a new engine meshing pure magitechnology with standard steam. The new engine significantly cut down on coal consumption while multiplying output by several times, all based on a small amount of magic stone.

Though it was a dangerous technology prone to overload with excessive output, the newspaper reported it had been a success thanks to the backing of King Louis of Gallos.

He had little interest in the train itself, but the uproar in the media over the railway companies in Randa doing nothing left a lasting impression.

The falling stock prices were merely a bonus.

“Seeing it in person is something else. Truly impressive.”

“Thank you for your praise. Honestly, we’re very proud of this work. It’s a precise blend of engineering and magic. A flawless union of science and magic!”

Alain spread his arms wide like pulling a zipper, his voice brimming with pride and passion. Even without the eyes of a black mage, it was clear…

After all, a mage is a mage, no matter the geography. It’s only natural to take pride in your organization’s achievements.

Having completed his boast, Alain, with a noticeably relaxed demeanor, pointed to a particular seating area.

First class. Car 0.

“Come, board. I secured these premium seats for our esteemed guests. Enjoy the finest seating on the new pride of Gallos, the Ezapreco Express.”

***

Car 0 of the Ezapreco Express, the most luxurious section.

As Alain described, it truly was an opulent seat.

Even the first-class seats offered generous space and a pleasant environment, but the expansiveness and splendor of Car 0 were on a wholly different level.

“Of course it’s different. It’s the only seat of its kind on the entire train. Would you like some wine?”

Alain proposed as he opened a shelf on one side of the spacious compartment.

The shelf was stocked with wine, magical spirits, and other liquors along with snacks.

“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll pass.”

“It’s already included in the ticket price, so it’s free. Since the ticket costs ten times that of first class, it’s worth indulging.”

“Even so, we’re here to apply to Loculi University, not to enjoy a vacation.”

Terence seemed a bit disappointed but nodded, agreeing with Kevin.

Seeing this, Alain wasn’t offended; instead, he smiled.

His expression and attitude then transformed, filled with goodwill and respect.

“That’s a relief. It’s the proper attitude, of course, but such attitudes are rare these days.”

“Is this a pass for the test?”

Kevin’s slightly sharp question made Alain apologize.

“I apologize if it seemed that way. We only wanted to welcome our guests from the Tower of Magic and, at the same time, show off Loculi University’s technology. I wasn’t trying to test you, so please don’t misunderstand. Personally, it’s reassuring to know.”

Sincerity. Oliver discerned it with his black mage’s eyes, and Kevin saw the same, refraining from pressing further.

“How did you know we were coming? We didn’t specifically request to be met.”

“Even Loculi University has its eyes and ears. It’s not something we’d need to investigate. We just found out that the Tower of Magic was sending an advance team. Somebody let it slip.”

It was sincere.

Indeed, the Tower of Magic was an alliance of multiple schools. It wasn’t strange for someone to have whispered it.

“Given the current situation, it was only natural to assume you’d travel by ship rather than the more dangerous airship, and if by ship, you’d arrive at Renkal… So, if our sudden reception was unexpected, please understand. It’s just that, given the times, we also had to be cautious.”

Considering the times… That seemed to have many implications.

“I understand. And Loculi University, I know, has no ill intentions. I hope you also understand; this friend here just tends to be a bit overly serious.”

Terence interjected, putting his hand on Kevin’s shoulder. His characteristic friendly demeanor eased the tension.

“But you can trust his skills. His work is always thorough.”

“Coming from a member of the Roer Family, that’s reassuring.”

“You even knew who we were?”

Alain pointed to his sleeve, where the cufflinks were.

Noticing this, Terence checked his sleeve and realized he had attached cufflinks with his family’s lion emblem.

“Ah… This is embarrassing.”

“It’s a common mistake.”

“Thank you for your understanding. My name is Terence of the Roer Family.”

“It’s an honor to meet a great lion.”

“I’m far from being called a lion… This here is Kevin Dunbar, Master of Elemental Studies, and the lady is Yareli Iceeye of the Iceeye family. Finally, this young man here is Xenon Bright.”

“Ah, yes, I’ve heard of each of you… You all were active there, weren’t you?”

Alain intentionally kept his wording vague, as mentioning Lake Village seemed to pain him.

“Yes, it seemed better to send experienced people… though we’re still just the advance team.”

“No, not at all… I fully understand how crucial an advance team is in preparing the ground for the main forces. Depending on their capability, it can determine whether the main group can operate immediately upon arrival… Speaking of which-”

As Alain was about to broach the main topic he had been subtly alluding to, Kevin interrupted.

“-Can you tell us how the situation is progressing?”

Kevin’s timing was so impeccable that it didn’t even seem rude.

Alain swallowed his question and answered.

“I can’t go into detail since the university will brief you, but I can give you a rough outline. Will that be alright?”

“Of course,”

Kevin responded.

***

‘So this really is an express train.’

Oliver thought while watching the scenery flash by. Less than two hours had passed, and the express train had already brought them from the harbor city to the capital, Ravely.

Considering the speed of the train, it wasn’t surprising.

Just as Alain from Loculi University boasted, the Ezapreco Express was truly fast.

With just a few chüffs and clatters, the trapezoidal shape of Renkal and its coastline had long disappeared, leaving them rushing like the wind across wide fields towards the outskirts of Ravely.

Because of this, Oliver could now see the large factories standing on the outskirts of Ravely.

‘This is quite different from Randa.’

Oliver thought as he scanned the factories on the city’s outskirts and the entire view of Ravely in the distance.

The capital of Gallos, Ravely, was as vast as Randa, but it had a distinct difference.

Unlike the systematic and dense structure of Randa, which moved like a single machine, Ravely’s urban structure was chaotic like a swarm of creatures, lacking any sense of order.

The swirling city layout, with a U-shaped river cutting through and the buildings circling it like a snake devouring itself, was evidence of this.

“It’s because of political turmoil. The city plan changes every time the government shifts.”

Yareli whispered softly. That explanation made it easier to understand the seemingly chaotic city structure, as if many people had scribbled on it.

“How many times has it changed?”

“Five times.”

Oliver was amazed. He pondered how it could have changed five times and wondered if he should study Gallos’ history as well, not just its language.

Just as Oliver started to feel a slight sense of regret, the train blew its whistle once more.

A familiar sound. It was a signal that the train would soon arrive at the station.

The passengers who had been napping on the train began to wake up and gather their belongings to prepare to disembark.

The conversations between Kevin, Terence, Alain, and Erard also stopped for the moment.

“Thank you for the discussion. We’ll hear more details at Loculi University.”

Kevin, who had carefully listened to Alain’s words from start to finish, spoke formally and seriously, in contrast to Oliver, who had been distracted by the outside view.

Alain, satisfied with Kevin’s attitude, nodded appreciatively.

“Yes, understood.”

Chüff, chuff, chuff.

The sound they had heard before boarding echoed again as the train gradually slowed and came to a halt.

Bodies slightly leaning forward.

People who quickly regained their balance began opening the cabin doors and gathering their belongings to disembark.

“So, what do you think?”

As everyone disembarked, Kevin came over to Oliver, pretending to gather his things, but actually starting a conversation.

He was asking what Oliver thought of Alain’s explanation, to which Oliver answered based on what he heard and saw.

“Most of what he said was true. At least as far as he knows. The rest he isn’t entirely sure of, but there was no malicious deception.”

“So I wasn’t wrong.”

Kevin, the mage using the Black Mage’s Eye, muttered. He was pleased with his achievement but soon furrowed his brow in doubt.

“So, is it true that there might be an internal conflict with the Flesh Cooks?”

Glancing back at Alain, Oliver replied.

“Personally, I find it hard to believe, but it wasn’t a lie.”