Most of the time, they were quietly gazing at the scenery outside the window.
Motionless.
Strange yet beautiful sceneries flashed before their eyes at high speed and then vanished in an instant.
After a day's ride, it was now noon on the second day.
Lanci propped his chin with one hand, moving his gaze from the fast-changing outside view to the clock in the carriage.
As sparse buildings and pastures with a suburban appearance started to show, Lanci felt they were not far from their stop.
"Tata, what's your understanding of the Shadow World?"
Finally weary of the view, he turned to Talia and asked a question.
As a randomly triggered quest of highest difficulty yet to be fully unveiled where he came from, Lanci found a trove of information about the "Shadow World" in the books of this world.
However, the mysterious "Shadow World" was far more complex than he'd understood. In this real world, it had become a dangerous quest with countless variants.
The Ichrite Magic Academy he was headed to was originally established with the goal of training talents capable of conquering the Shadow World.
Naturally, the entrance exam would have something to do with it.
"Ignoring the Shadow World or failing to conquer it would trigger a natural disaster somewhere in the world, but completing it would bring power and wealth."
Talia's eyes didn't move as she responded succinctly.
Before she agreed to be Lanci's teacher, no matter how he asked her about Magic Cards, she always responded in this manner.
Lanci nodded without further questions.
Just as the book described.
To the people of this world, the Shadow World was a double-edged sword.
Conquering the Shadow World would yield substantial rewards, including the core materials needed for crafting Magic Cards and naturally powerful Magic Cards superior to human-made ones.
But failure would lead to a natural disaster somewhere in the world. Ignoring it would result in the Shadow World's automatic closure after a certain time limit and would also cause a disaster in the real world.
That's why all countries and major forces in the world strive to cultivate talents good at conquering the Shadow World.
"The Shadow World... they appear without warning in fixed or random entrances in this world, and they are projections of historical moments of this world or alternative ones,"
Talia added.
Perhaps as an obligation of being a teacher, she would add a little more when asked about Magic Cards, but just a little.
Both of them were already accustomed to this stop-and-go conversation style.
"I see..."
Lanci muttered thoughtfully.
The books in the Border Library noted that the Shadow World would gradually open with infinite number on a regular cycle. Each may have different timelines and worldviews, some simple and easy, others dangerous.
Once inside the Shadow World, people would assume unpredictable new identities to act out historical moments.
This resulted in any weapon, attire, and ordinary Magic Tools being unable to be brought into the Shadow World.
Except for — Magic Cards that are bound to the soul.
This was also the reason why Magic Cards became the mainstream tool in this era; they provided indispensable help when raiding the Shadow World.
On this thought, there seemed to be an inexplicable cause and effect relationship between the Shadow World and Magic Card. The raw materials for Magic Cards needed to be produced in the Shadow World, but having Magic Cards made it easier for people in the real world to conquer the Shadow World.
I can't help but wonder how, in the initial emergence of the Shadow World, ancient beings in the pioneering era were able to overcome these hellish quests without Magic Cards...
"We've arrived."
Talia's voice, much like droplets falling onto a frozen lake, interrupted Lanci's thoughts.
He looked out the window to find the scenery had slowed to a halt, revealing a station whose rooftops were constructed from reddish stone.
High towers at either end gave the building a majestic splendor, the rich decoration inside, marbled pillars, murals, and stained glass windows reflecting the weight of its history.
Distinct from the Border City-State of Nanwantina, this royal city named Ichrite managed a grand flourish while retaining many historical elements.
Lanci didn't hesitate for long. He collected his carry-on from the luggage rack and followed Talia off the arrived train.
...
Walking through the main hall of Ichrite Central Station, the din of noise gradually faded into the distance.
Lanci and Talia reached a spacious square and boarded a sightseeing carriage, thus commencing a fresh journey through the city.
The mid-afternoon sun showered the carriage, casting a gentle sway and a pleasant leisureliness.
From a distance, they could see tulips and lotus flowers crowding together in the Royal Botanical Garden, the various shades of foliage appearing like a misty veil, brimming with life.
The clatter of hooves echoed on the ancient cobblestone streets while the wheels hummed in motion. Even seated in the carriage, Lanci could glimpse Ichrite's unique architectural style: grand houses, red brick walls, pointed rooftops, and intricately ancient carvings.
The carriage passed by a winding canal, gentle ripples emerging on the water's surface in the tandem of the breeze, reflecting the willow trees swaying softly against it.
"Once we reach the academy, shall we take a stroll together?"
Lanci turned his head and asked Talia who was seated beside him.
"What do you think?"
Talia counterquestioned in response to Lanci's seemingly friendly, yet audacious invitation.
Since she had promised to protect Lanci, she really didn't have a choice, even despite not having a clue who wished to kill Lanci after these three months.
All she knew was that Lanci was indeed telling the truth when he said, "Someone wants to kill me".
Mid-route, the carriage crossed an ancient stone bridge. The spotted beige bricks bore testament to the ravages of time. Below, the canal water lapped gently against the stone piers, creating a soothing sound of water. Above, a flock of seagulls circled the sky, soaring freely.
"I have no choice, going to the academy today is of utmost importance to me."
Lanci closed his eyes, shrugged and reasoned.
Unlike the Alchemy College and Magic Engineering College, both the Knight College and Sage Academy begin their admission process with a preliminary evaluation - an attribute test.
If one's personal attributes show insufficient potential, they might be directly disqualified from the formal examination.
Since both Knight College and Sage Academy aim at cultivating scarce talents who can conquer the High Order Shadow World, every entrant's actual combat qualities are strictly evaluated. After all, venturing into the Shadow World not only puts the challenger's own life at great risk, but also concerns the survival of their companions and their ability to protect the world from calamities, hence the stringent entry tests for these colleges.
Past the attribute test, the first part, the formal examination comprises the second step, which uses an artificially simulated Shadow World to assess students' practical coping abilities. The third and final test is a functional combat test arranged by the college.
After a detailed study of the colleges, Lanci eventually decided to switch from Alchemy College to Sage Academy, which specialized in magic combat.
Because his innate attributes didn't really give him any chances of becoming a physical combat professional, he had little hope of passing the first hurdle at the Knight College.
"..."
Talia didn't speak again.
She was well aware of Lanci's itinerary and plans, and also knew about the examination format he would be facing.
However, despite her accumulated wisdom as one of the long-lived species, from her travels through the Demon World and numerous human kingdoms, she still couldn't pinpoint Lanci's exact combat profession.
She decided to leave this headache to Ichrite Academy.
After all, she wasn't the one facing the repercussions.