"Oh, well, let's not delay any further. We should head out now," Janne said suddenly, though she felt a bit hasty in her eagerness.
"Oh, alright," Satoru agreed, curiosity tinged in his voice. He was eager to see what her home would look like, as it might very well become his new place of residence.
As they stood up from their seats and began to leave, Satoru noticed a few curious glances directed at him from the strangers nearby.
He was somewhat puzzled. Had their conversation been too loud?
The thought made him feel a bit self-conscious.
Although this place was named the Glorious Archive—a title suggesting grandeur—it was essentially a library.
He felt that their earlier discussion might have disturbed others, at least in the context of his previous life.
As they stepped out of the Glorious Archive, they were greeted by a breathtaking view of the mountain bathed in the soft glow of twilight.
The sky, a deep indigo, was dotted with stars that shimmered like diamonds scattered across a velvet canvas.
The mountain itself, silhouetted against the darkening sky, was wrapped in a gentle, misty veil that caught the last rays of the setting sun, creating a serene gradient of purples and blues.
The distant peaks, outlined by the faint light, seemed to rise majestically, their edges softened by the encroaching darkness.
The air was crisp and cool, carrying with it the faintest scent of pine and earth.
The moon, a luminous crescent, hung low in the sky, casting a silvery sheen over the landscape.
As they gazed upon the scene, the tranquil beauty of the mountain, with its undulating slopes and shadowy crevices, felt like a timeless masterpiece—an inviting and serene panorama that promised new adventures just beyond its majestic silhouette.
"So, is this what you call Astralsya?" Satoru marveled, at a loss for words as he took in the breathtaking beauty of the landscape.
"Yes, it truly is beautiful, isn't it?" Janne remarked with a hint of amusement, noting Satoru's awestruck silence. She could understand his reaction, remembering her own initial awe when she first arrived in Astralsya.
Satoru soon regained his composure.
"Let's go, it's getting late."
"Yes, and tonight's breeze is quite lively," Janne replied.
Satoru glanced at her, and in that instant, the wind gently lifted her lustrous white hair, causing it to flutter like silk ribbons in the night.
The moonlight played upon her tresses, highlighting her serene and elegant face, creating an ethereal aura around her.
It was a moment of pure, unadulterated beauty, where time seemed to pause, and the world held its breath to witness the grace of this extraordinary girl.
"Did you know?" Satoru asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
"Hm? What is it?" Janne turned to him, puzzled by his abrupt question.
"Your long white hair is truly beautiful," Satoru remarked casually, as if he were commenting on the weather.
"Is... is it? Well... thank you," Janne replied, taken aback by the unexpected compliment. She could only smile awkwardly, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush. The simplicity and sincerity of his words left her momentarily speechless.
Despite her initial surprise, a gentle warmth spread through her chest. After all, who wouldn't appreciate such a genuine compliment?
Soon, the two walked out of the Glorious Archive, both tacitly agreeing not to mention the slightly awkward atmosphere from moments before.
They continued their journey in silence until they passed through a massive city gate, marking their complete departure from Astralsya's area.
With that, they began heading towards Janne's home.
"Look, that's my house. Though now, it's ours, hehe," Janne said with a playful smile as they reached a small cliff. Below, a quaint wooden cabin came into view.
"Come on, we're almost there," Janne urged, pointing towards the cabin.
As they drew closer, Satoru noticed that the cabin was not as small as he had initially thought.
It was a charming two-story structure, with a small veranda extending to one side, providing shade for the seating area below.
This space seemed perfect for enjoying a post-meal dessert, offering a cozy retreat from the elements.
The cabin's rustic charm and welcoming ambiance hinted at countless serene moments waiting to be shared.
"Make yourself at home," Janne said warmly as she led Satoru inside the cabin.
The interior of the first floor was inviting and cozy.
From the front door, Satoru could see a staircase to the left, leading up to the second floor.
To the right, there was a soft-looking sofa paired with a small coffee table, creating a comfortable and welcoming seating area.
Further back, there was a small door that presumably led to the kitchen.
The cabin's interior, with its warm tones and thoughtful layout, exuded a sense of tranquility and homey comfort.
Additionally, the decor predominantly featured white as the main color, with black as an accent, creating a striking visual contrast against the overarching wooden aesthetic.
It felt like a fusion of medieval charm and modern elegance, a blend of styles that surprisingly complemented each other.
This harmonious combination made Satoru appreciate Janne's taste, realizing their aesthetic preferences were remarkably similar.
"Tea or coffee?" Janne asked nervously, watching Satoru as he took in the decor of her home. She couldn't quite gauge whether his scrutiny indicated approval or distaste.
Personally, she felt that the boldness of her interior design was a risk that had paid off, at least according to her own aesthetic sensibilities.
Satoru, noticing Janne's uneasy gaze, realized that his prolonged scrutiny might have inadvertently pressured her.
He offered a reassuring smile, sensing that Janne seemed unusually concerned about his opinion.
He found her reaction endearing, a touch of nervousness that made her appear even more charming.
"A cup of coffee would be perfect," Satoru said with a warm smile. He then added, "By the way, your home is beautiful." He chose not to embellish his words with elaborate compliments, believing that sincerity was the best approach.
"Alright... Wait, really?" Janne was about to head to the kitchen to make Satoru a cup of coffee, but upon hearing his compliment, she felt a warm glow in her heart.
"Of course it is," Satoru affirmed with a reassuring smile.
Janne swiftly made her way to the kitchen, leaving Satoru with a fleeting glimpse of her graceful back.
Seated on the sofa, Satoru pondered over the myriad thoughts swirling in his mind.
"Here's your coffee," Janne said, placing the steaming cup on the coffee table before taking a seat on the sofa across from Satoru.
"What's on your mind? You seem so troubled," Janne asked, her gaze softening as she observed Satoru's contemplative expression.
"I've been pondering what kind of place Astralsya really is," Satoru replied, his voice tinged with curiosity and uncertainty.
"Ah, I see. Essentially, Astralsya is a vast academy," Janne explained, her tone both patient and kind. "It includes a variety of facilities for entertainment, learning, competitions, etc. In my view, Astralsya is like a city. The mountaintop is just the surface; the landscapes within the mountain are truly breathtaking. I think you'll be amazed."
Seeming to realize that Satoru might be unfamiliar with the details, Janne added, "Don't underestimate Astralsya or think there's nothing special. It's one of the foremost academies within the Seraphius Empire, which is the territory we're currently in."
She continued, "And the Seraphius Empire is incredibly powerful—only a few empires can rival it." Janne elaborated, trying her best to provide Satoru with essential information so he wouldn't be out of his depth.
"Ah, thank you. That's very helpful," Satoru replied with a grateful nod.
Satoru tried to gather all the information he had learned so far to make sense of this new world.
....
Astralsya: This is a massive academy that includes various facilities for entertainment, study, and even exams. Janne described it as a city, with the mountaintop being just the tip of the iceberg. The scenery inside the mountain is said to be even more spectacular.
Seraphius Empire: The empire they are currently in, and where Astralsya is located. Janne mentioned that the Seraphius Empire is extremely powerful, with only a few other empires able to rival its strength.
System: Everyone seems to have a game-like system feature that can be activated by calling it up in their mind. Satoru has already used this system to become friends with Janne.
Marianna Janne: A white-haired girl who lives in a wooden house on the mountainside. She has shown Satoru great kindness and trust, inviting him to live with her. Her smile is particularly enchanting, making Satoru feel warm and at ease.
Glorious Archive: The place they were previously in, which is similar to a library and part of Astralsya.
......
With these pieces of information, Satoru began to form a preliminary understanding of this new world.
He realized that he was in a powerful empire, with a friendly companion in Janne, and that the world around him was complex and full of unknowns.
Seeing Satoru deep in thought, Janne simply smiled, saying nothing.
She watched him intently, as if she were admiring a piece of art.