London Victoria Station.
When Li Xiang arrived, he was struck by the size of the crowd. It was rare for him to see so many people in London, though that was likely because the Clock Tower's twelve departments were located on the outskirts of the city.
He quickly found the ticket counter and joined the long line. As he waited, he grew more and more bored, watching the line slowly move forward.
Finally, it was his turn, just as the station's clock struck twelve noon.
"One ticket to Oxenholme for September 28th, on the soonest available train," Li Xiang requested.
"Please wait a moment." The young man behind the counter smiled politely. After checking his computer, his face shifted to an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry, sir, but all tickets to Oxenholme for today are sold out. I suggest booking for tomorrow or finding an alternative mode of transportation."
Li Xiang rubbed his nose in mild disappointment. "Bad luck, I guess," he muttered. "Alright, thanks." He turned to leave, considering other options—perhaps taking a bus or ferry, or if all else failed, asking Max for a helicopter ride.
"Please wait, sir."
The voice came not from the young man but from a woman standing behind him. She wore a warm, charming smile, and her demeanor was sincere. The young man at the counter immediately stood up and greeted her with, "Manager."
'A manager? She looks so young,' Li Xiang thought, surprised. He was certain he had never seen her before.
"Is there something you need?" he asked.
"We provide special treatment for special individuals," the woman said, still smiling. "Please follow me to the VIP lounge."
She stepped away from the counter and approached Li Xiang, gesturing for him to follow. He studied her carefully. She had a soft, elegant appearance that was less typical of Western beauty and more aligned with Eastern aesthetics.
Li Xiang flicked his hand subtly, sending a nearly imperceptible breeze her way. 'Not a mage,' he concluded with a smile. He nodded and replied politely, "Ladies first."
The woman maintained her graceful smile as she led him to the VIP lounge, where she turned on the lights. "Would you like some coffee, sir?" she asked.
"No, thank you," Li Xiang replied, waving off the offer. "I'm in a bit of a hurry, so can you tell me what you meant by 'special treatment'?"
"Allow me to introduce myself first—Melody Knowledge," she said.
"Knowledge?" Li Xiang raised an eyebrow. The Modern Magecraft Theory Department at the Clock Tower was also known as the *Department of Knowledge*, and the Knowledge family were its patrons.
"That's right," Melody confirmed with a nod. "As a student of the Modern Magecraft Department, you belong to the group we provide special treatment for."
Before Li Xiang could ask another question, she continued, "You need to get to Oxenholme, correct?"
"Yes."
"The Knowledge family runs a special train service that can take you there."
"Really?" Li Xiang blinked, pleasantly surprised.
"Of course," Melody said with a sweet smile, "but it will cost you."
"..."
Li Xiang now understood why the Modern Magecraft Department never seemed to have enough funds to renovate its medieval buildings.
"How much?" he asked.
"666 pounds."
"What?" Li Xiang stared at her in disbelief. "You're charging me 666 pounds for a three-hour train ride?"
In Western cultures, 666 is often associated with the devil, and now Li Xiang was beginning to wonder if she was indeed some kind of demon in disguise.
"Can't we negotiate? After all, the Knowledge family sponsors the Modern Magecraft Department. We're practically family."
"Alright, 66 pounds then," Melody replied, tilting her head slightly, still smiling.
'Is she some kind of bargaining genius?' Li Xiang was utterly baffled.
However, 66 pounds was a much more reasonable price, so he nodded in agreement.
Melody retrieved a ticket from her coat pocket and handed it to him. The ticket clearly listed the departure and destination, as well as the train number and price.
London to Oxenholme, BR666, Seat 6 in Car 6, for 6 pounds.
"6 pounds?" Li Xiang repeated in surprise.
"My father taught me a bargaining trick: start with a price that's hard to accept, then lower it drastically. It works like a charm," she explained, her smile unflinching.
"..."
Li Xiang let out a sigh. 'Has she been reading *The Complete Works of Lu Xun*?'
With no other choice, he handed over 66 pounds under Melody's impeccable smile.
"Please follow me," she said as she led him through the station to platform 6.
Li Xiang couldn't help but shake his head. 'Just how obsessed is this family with the number 6?'
"Please enter here," Melody instructed, pointing to a column at the end of the platform.
Li Xiang frowned as he touched the smooth surface of the pillar. He sensed a faint trace of magic. Glancing at Melody, he infused his hand with mana, creating a small magical circle around his wrist.
In an instant, he was teleported.
He found himself in a dark, deep railway tunnel, standing on a deserted platform not far from the tracks.
'Are they seriously imitating *Harry Potter* with their own version of platform nine and three-quarters?'
About six minutes later, an old-fashioned green train chugged into the station. Li Xiang walked to the sixth car and stood by the door, which opened with a hiss of steam.
A woman in a sharp black uniform greeted him. Her makeup was bold, her eyes enchanting, and her figure strikingly attractive. When she saw Li Xiang, her eyes misted slightly, and her frosty demeanor melted into a dazzling smile.
She gave him a small bow, and for a moment, Li Xiang felt a chill as his gaze flickered briefly downward.
'Can't these attendants dress properly? This is too distracting for passengers,' he thought as he quickly averted his eyes.
"Ticket, please," she said in a voice as sweet as honey.
Li Xiang felt a subtle jolt, as though he'd been shocked. He handed her his ticket.
After checking it, she stepped aside. "Please, come in."
The car was completely empty. Li Xiang found his seat, number 6, and settled down.
The train soon began to move, picking up speed. Sunlight gradually streamed into the car as they left the tunnel, brightening the space.
With nothing to do, Li Xiang grew bored.
"Beer, soda, mineral water, peanuts, sunflower seeds, porridge. Sir, would you like anything?"
Li Xiang looked up to see the same stunning attendant pushing a snack cart. He remained silent for a moment. 'A woman this beautiful, selling snacks?'
"I'll have a Coke, please. Make it cold."
"Of course." She smiled sweetly, retrieving an ice-cold Coke from the bottom of the cart.
Li Xiang was pleasantly surprised. "Thanks."
"Anything else, sir?"
"No, that's all."
"If you need anything, just give us a call." She handed him a small card, placing it on the table before him. "Any service you need, at a fair price."
"???"
'What is going on?'
Li Xiang stared at the card, watching the attendant's graceful figure disappear through the door. He picked it up and examined it.
The card was simple. It listed a phone number and the words "Fair price, no cheating."