At the platform level of the Magic Energy Train Station in the imperial capital, Herram, the early winter morning was tinged with a faint ray of dawn.
Although the sun had not fully risen, the pale blue sky began to refract light, giving the city-state, filled with towering buildings and ancient architecture, a touch of comforting warmth.
Today was the first weekend after March.
There was a faint white mist on the rails, ford by the dew evaporated from the previous night, making the nearby Demon Energy Train unusually quiet, with only occasional hoots and chanical sounds startling people.
Standing on the platform, near the station sign, was Lanci. He was dressed in a diamond-striped waistcoat, and draped over him a dark gray cloak. He looked up at the titable on the holographic screen, then shifted his gaze to the distant end of the tracks shrouded in fog, seemingly convinced that he would soon see the incoming train.
"Hi."
At that mont, a familiar voice broke the silence around him.
Lanci turned around.
He saw Sikder standing before him.
She wore a slim white shirt with a sleek jacket and a black skirt, that made her look efficient and elegant.
"Good morning."
Lanci greeted the Bishop of Hegemony.
The two of them had agreed earlier, that once he finished his week-long work at the Protoss Royal Magic Academy, they could embark on a journey to the Northern Nirvana Branch.
Of course, this was a task given to them by the temple of the Nirvana Knights at the capital, who were both newly ordained Priests of Nirvana.
Although they had never seen each other at school, Lanci was quite confident that Sikder had been observing him while disguised as a student.
The platform level was not yet busy. The sound of the clock striking six echoed from afar, with only a few early passengers rushing about.
Their unmoving figures at the edge of the platform seed particularly peaceful.
"Where is your cat?"
Sikder looked at Lanci’s hand and then his black scarf.
He clearly had two freshly bought pet tickets in his hand. One had turned into his scarf, the other was still hidden.
Lanci did not speak, he just lowered his head to look at his own shadow.
Then his shadow began to tremble.
It seed Cat boss was terrified.
Or rather, it would rather die than stay with the Bishop of Hegemony.
The Black Fox, however, appeared completely unaware of Sikder’s strength or weakness, not on guard against her at all.
"It’s too scared."
Lanci turned his gaze to Sikder with resignation.
"It’s normal, if I don’t disguise my presence or contain my aura, even powerful magical beasts would be scared off by ."
Sikder did not seem bothered and appeared to accept that she naturally repelled animals with her presence.
"The cat is a bit timid to start with, it might be more attached to familiar old people."
Although it was unclear if Sikder also wanted to pet Little Black Cat, it seed that she had little hope of encountering Cat boss unless she used forceful ans.
"I see."
In the midst of their brief exchange, a distant rumble of tal wheels and iron rails could be heard.
The sound gradually intensified, from the initial faint echoes to a more distinct resonate. Amidst the rumbling, a ray of golden light revealed itself in the dense fog in the distance, the spotlight of the arriving Magic Energy Rail Train.
As the Magic Energy Train glided into the platform with swift and solemn grace, the unique feel of magical energy vibrations spread throughout the platform. It wasn’t until several dozen seconds after it had co to a complete stop that smoke-like mist rose from the top of the train, and the doors slowly opened, revealing its luxurious interior.
The Temple of the Nirvana Knights, had bought them adjacent seats, and it was known to them even without checking.
After boarding, Lanci and Sikder moved through several carriages until they found their seats.
Thick curtains covered the windows on both sides, but through the gaps, the foggy scenery outside could still be seen.
Lanci glanced out the window, seemingly sowhat attached to his academy in the imperial city, whilst Sikder picked up a magazine, ready to browse through it.
She seldom embarked on such journeys.
So now, she could appreciate the leisure, even needing to find ways to kill the ti.
Finally, it seed as though Lanci had let go and decided to focus on his new journey.
"Sikder, you must take good care of , you know, I’m only a Fourth-order Auxiliary."
Lanci smiled slightly, saying to Sikder.
Sikder was keen to return to her abilities from her teenage years.
Most of the opponents she t at the Fourth order couldn’t even stand a single punch from her, leaving a daunting impression on the others at the sa order, even when Sikder had suppressed her power back to the fourth order.
"I should clarify with you first, I’m just your companion now. While theoretically I could save your life, I won’t stop you from committing suicide. I know how to respect other people’s fate. Whenever I conclude that you’re about to do anything that’s more likely to kill you than keep you alive, I won’t follow your lead."
Sikder turned her head to look at him, without a trace of sympathy, and said bluntly.
"..."
While still maintaining his polite smile, Lanci’s expression temporarily lost its dynamism.
It seed that making the enemy hit him and then having Sikder help to defeat the enemy instantly was not feasible.
"Also, when I judge that the enemy is far stronger than , I will make a logical judgnt as a Fourth-order warrior. For example, when it’s ti for to run, I’ll choose to run, and also decide whether to abandon you or take you with ."
Sikder continued to explain her rules of engagent to Lanci while also making a disclair, in other words, if Lanci got himself killed rashly, don’t bla her for it.
"Under what circumstances would you take away with you?"
"That would depend on the degree of danger in the situation, and also the affection level of this identity, Sikder, towards you."
"Huh?"
Lanci had never heard of such a situation before.
"So, correspondingly, you must also cherish and protect ."
Sikder put down the newspaper, patted Lanci’s shoulder, and confird.
"Why do I have to protect you?"
Lanci was confused. How did it turn out that he needed to protect Sikder?
"If I’m not happy, I might leave the team. You have to consider your teammates’ feelings too."
Sikder said this seriously.
Lanci was lost for words.
You are really conscientious, aren’t you?
If I didn’t ask the details now, would you try to pull the wool over my eyes later?
"..."
Seeing that Lanci was silenced,
Cat boss felt that Lanci finally t his match.
Not only did she not take the bait, after making a round based on her fantastic logic, she turned the tables.
"... Alright."
In the end, Lanci reluctantly agreed.
He understood Sikder’s logic.
She focused on doing the minimum and would not allow Lanci to exploit any loopholes.
The more he thought about it, the angrier and more violated he felt.
If she couldn’t help, then why bring her along?
No, he had to play dead.
The the of this Northern trip was a desperate one.
She only ntioned dying earlier, she wouldn’t follow his crazy plans.
Then, as long as there was a one in ten chance of survival, he could still mobilize Sikder!
It felt wasteful not to make use of her Archbishop-level destructive power!
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