Alex and Sherry left the academy and booked a cab to the airport.
Beside Alex, Aurora materialized—but something about her seemed different. Her normally vivid presence was lighter, almost fragile, her form more translucent, as though a breeze might scatter her. Her dark black hair shimmered faintly under the sun, and her golden eyes sparkled with childlike wonder as they flitted from one sight to the next, eagerly taking in the world beyond the academy walls.
Alex frowned, his gaze lingering on her semi-ethereal form. "Aurora, what's going on with you? You look... thinner. More ghost-like."
Aurora turned to him with a bright smile, twirling in place as though testing her newfound lightness. "Oh, this? It's nothing to worry about." She clasped her hands behind her back, her voice cheerful. "My soul is sustaining on your mana now—about one-fifth of what I used to. That's all."
Alex raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"It's fine! Really!" Aurora's smile widened as she spun again, her translucent hair catching the sunlight. "Besides, Alex, I'm finally outside! Everything's so different now. I missed so much being cooped up for so long. It's like stepping into a whole new world."
Her semi-transparent state did little to dim her excitement, and Alex couldn't help but smile at her childlike enthusiasm.
"You're like a kid seeing the world for the first time." Alex teased, his voice warm.
Aurora spun around, puffing out her cheeks in mock indignation. "I am not! I just appreciate beauty when I see it." She crossed her arms with an exaggerated huff, floating slightly away as if to make a point.
Reaching the airport, Alex and Sherry found their mode of transportation—a grand airship. It was a marvel of magic engineering, an impressive fusion of magic and technology.
The ship's sleek hull was crafted from lightweight yet durable materials, designed to withstand the rigors of flight without sacrificing flexibility. Large mana stones were embedded along its frame, glowing faintly as they served as the ship's primary power source.
The airship relied on intricate gravity and wind magic to stay effortlessly aloft. For propulsion and navigation, it employed fire magic to generate thrust and wind magic to steer and adjust its course with precision.
Aurora floated higher, circling the vessel with a critical eye. Her golden gaze sparkled with curiosity and excitement as she inspected every detail.
Alex followed her gaze, sharing her admiration. 'Wow! Magic-powered airships, so cool!'
The journey to Solara City would take about a day. The airship, much like a luxury cruise ship, was equipped with various facilities for relaxation and entertainment, ensuring passengers could enjoy their time onboard.
As they settled into their seats, Alex couldn't help but glance out the window at the vast wilderness stretching below them. A thought tugged at him, and he leaned toward Sherry. "Is it safe to travel like this?"
Sherry spoke, her tone calm and reassuring. "It's one of the safest ways to travel." she explained. "There aren't many monsters capable of flying this high, and with most routes carefully scouted ahead of time, we avoid any known dangers."
She continued, gesturing toward the faint shimmer surrounding the ship. "These airships are equipped with high-level magic barriers. As long as we stay on the established paths, there's little chance of running into trouble."
Alex nodded, taking comfort in her explanation, though a small part of him remained vigilant. Aurora, meanwhile, drifted around, her excitement undiminished.
Sherry was no stranger to travel. She had frequently journeyed since she was a child, making airship rides feel familiar, almost routine. For Alex, however, it was an entirely new experience—his first time flying in both his lives.
Aurora, in contrast, seemed surprisingly indifferent to the idea of soaring through the sky. She floated lazily beside Alex, her expression one of mild disinterest. "Flying's not that big of a deal." she remarked, waving a translucent hand dismissively.
Before Alex could comment, Aurora looked at him with an eager grin. "Come on, Alex! Let's go explore the airship. There's bound to be something more exciting than staring out the window all day."
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As the airship began its descent, the sprawling city of Solara came into view. It was larger and far more vibrant than Lunar City.
After disembarking, Alex, Sherry, and Aurora made their way to their accommodations—a grand establishment named The Silver Crescent Inn. Its elegant architecture and polished facade spoke of luxury, a stark contrast to the rugged world outside.
At the reception desk, Alex encountered something entirely new—a demihuman. The receptionist was a beastfolk from the Catkin tribe, her feline ears twitching occasionally, while her tail swayed lazily behind her as she worked. Her striking yellow-green eyes gave her an almost otherworldly charm.
"Welcome to The Silver Crescent Inn!" she greeted them warmly, her melodic voice carrying a soft purr. "I'm Layla. How may I assist you today?"
Alex blinked, momentarily caught off guard. He had heard about beastfolk but had never met one before. His gaze briefly fixated on her twitching ears, his curiosity evident.
"Uh, we have a reservation." Alex said, quickly recovering and handing over the confirmation slip.
Layla's sharp eyes caught his lingering curiosity, and she flashed a playful smirk. "First time meeting a Catkin?"
Alex scratched the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed. "Yeah... It's fascinating, honestly."
Layla chuckled lightly, her ears twitching. "We get that a lot. Don't worry, I don't bite. Unless, of course, I'm provoked."
The playful remark caught Alex off guard, and before he could respond, Aurora's laughed, "Good thing she didn't mistake you for a pervert. You were staring pretty hard at her ears."
Alex coughed, ignoring the spirit's commentary, while Layla efficiently processed their check-in.
This part of Ashkart Kingdom's borders were surrounded by untamed wilderness, a vast expanse teeming with dangerous monsters, which made travel and trade perilous.
On the other side of the kingdom lay the Zardian Dominion, a harsh dictatorship infamous for its rigid laws and severe discrimination against demihumans.
Even within Ashkart Kingdom, demihumans were a rare sight, even though here there was no discrimination against them.
◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆
It was their second day in Solara City, and Alex and Sherry were fully immersed in the joy of exploration.
The air was filled with laughter and the hum of activity as they wandered through the city's vibrant streets, taking in its sights and sounds.
The city bustled with life—the sun bathed the scene in warm golden light, making it feel almost idyllic.
But then, the atmosphere shifted.
The bright sky dimmed unnaturally, as if a shadow had fallen over the city. A sharp, crackling sound broke through the lively ambiance, unnatural and foreboding. Heads turned upward, confusion and unease spreading through the crowd.
High above, the sky seemed to fracture. A jagged rift tore itself open, glowing with a menacing, otherworldly light. The edges shimmered and crackled, pulsing with an energy that felt alive—and hostile.
Gasps and screams filled the streets as panic rippled through the city. People ran in every direction, their cheerful day suddenly shattered by terror.
And then, without warning, tragedy struck. The peaceful vibrancy of Solara City was shattered as the unknown force unleashed its fury upon the world below. In an instant, everything changed.