The Mana Rail hummed as it raced through fields of swaying grasses and rolling hills, its windows casting glints of fading daylight across the plush interiors, the next day dawned. Tobe leaned back in his seat, his cat ears twitching slightly as he watched the passing scenery. Beside him, Miri sat cross-legged, scanning a folded map provided by a train attendant. They'd spent the past few minutes talking in half-whispers, the idle chatter of travel softening their usual energy.
"You think we'll run into Yuka and Jun again?" Tobe asked, his tone casual, though his eyes flickered with curiosity.
"Maybe," Miri replied, glancing a bit back at Tobe. "It'd be great to have the whole team together again… feels like it's been ages."
Her lips twitching into a rare smile before returning her focus to the map. They had been studying the routes and stops of the Mana Rail, trying to determine the next destination worth exploring. While they'd made no concrete plans, the map's colorful illustrations—landmarks, grand castles, bustling cities—made the choice difficult.
Their discussion was interrupted by a soft chime, followed by a clear, authoritative voice over the train's intercom: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is Conductor August Munth. If you're feeling hungry, please feel free to visit our dining hall located in the second car. We have a full buffet and a wide selection of beverages. And thank you for riding the Mana Rail."
Tobe's ears perked up, a delighted grin spreading across his face. "A full buffet? We have to go!"
Miri chuckled, giving a small nod. "Sounds like a good idea. Let's check it out."
Together, they stood, making their way down the narrow aisle toward the second car. As they stepped into the dining hall, they were met with the warm aroma of freshly prepared food. The room was bustling, filled with travelers lining up at the buffet, talking and laughing as they helped themselves to the lavish spread. Tobe's eyes widened at the selection: fried meats, golden roasted vegetables, pastries glazed in honey, and dishes infused with magical spices that shimmered in the light.
Not one to hold back, Tobe eagerly filled his plate to the brim, piling it high with everything he could reach. His plate soon looked more like a hill of food than a meal. Meanwhile, Miri served herself a modest portion, balancing her choices with careful precision.
As they sat down to eat, Miri spotted many people that caught her eye— she saw Decem Munth, the youngest member of the Munth bloodline, who was currently piling food onto his own plate with a smug, satisfied look. Nearby, another figure sat: the royal guest from earlier, a young woman with an elegant demeanor, accompanied by two bodyguards. She was sampling a selection of sweets while her guards kept watch, their gazes sharp and alert.
Back at their table, Tobe and Miri spread the map between their plates, continuing their discussion over bites of food. "So… if we go here, that'll be close to the coast," Miri pointed out, tracing her finger across the map.
"But if we go north to Fyrenheid…" Tobe mused, looking at a snowy region depicted in pale blues and whites, "we might find some rare artifacts or creatures. Plus, it'd be nice to see some snow, it'll be just like visiting Hokkaido."
Miri nodded thoughtfully. "All right, Fyrenheid it is, then. Looks like it'll take us about two days by Mana Rail."
They finished their meals, Tobe having devoured his mountain of food with impressive speed, and Miri neatly clearing her plate. Tobe gathered their dishes and returned them to the dining car, while Miri stayed behind, idly flipping through a pamphlet she'd picked up about the Mana Rail's history.
"Built on ancient mana channels by Munth's finest engineers," she read aloud, captivated by the tale. "The Mana Rail draws on these channels to provide uninterrupted energy throughout its journey…"
She continued reading, the peaceful atmosphere lulling her into a state of calm. But as the Mana Rail pulled away from a small station, the tranquility was suddenly shattered. A dark, silent flare shot into the sky, arcing over the train before dissipating into a shadowy mist. Above the Mana Rail, a dark portal swirled open, releasing a group of many masked figures onto the roof.
One of the bandits—a tall, muscular man clad in dark armor—motioned to the others, his voice a low growl. "Remember, our target is the Princess of Riscone, Tulia Riscone. Spread out, and stick to the plan. No mistakes."
The bandits split into groups, each assigned to infiltrate different sections of the train. Some moved toward the rear, others approached from the middle, while the leader and a few others remained at the front. With a grim nod, the leader raised his hand, signaling the start of their attack.
Inside the train, Miri glanced back up as muffled explosions sounded from both ends of the car. Windows shattered, and the doors to each car were blown open as bandits burst inside, weapons drawn, shouting threats at the passengers. Panic ensued as passengers screamed, ducking into their seats or huddling on the floor, their faces pale with fear.
"Dear Passengers! Bandits have infiltrated the Mana Rail, their instructions are to keep still on your seats or else they wont hesistate to show any mercy, dear passengers, please just follow these instructions, I repeat, follow these instructions for your safety! The Mana Rail won't be stopping unless ordered to, I'm sorry...." the Conductor blared out throughout the whole Mana Rail.
Tobe nonchalantly checking out his newly unlocked Race Ability
Miri, calm and calculating, raised her hands in a show of surrender as several bandits approached her. But she wasn't defenseless. A sly smile tugged at her lips as she activated her newly unlocked ability,
In the midst of the chaos, Tobe formed a shape with Aqua Control, crafting a spinning turret of water, an aqua minigun, its pressurized blasts mowing down bandits as they charged forward. He turned, firing short, controlled bursts, carefully avoiding any civilians. His spell formed a tight radius of protection, forcing the attackers back, one by one.
The royal guest, Princess Tulia of Riscone, had drawn attention from her attackers, and her bodyguards were fighting to keep her safe. One guard wielded a rapier with swift, precise strikes, while the other conjured barriers to protect nearby passengers. Amid the fray, a figure dressed in the uniform of a train attendant passed by them. Mistaking her for a harmless member of the staff, the guards let her through—only for the supposed attendant to reveal herself as a demon in disguise. With a smirk, she unfurled her wings, snatched the princess in a swift motion, and smashed through the nearest window, flying toward the head of the train.
In another car, Decem Munth was fending off his own attackers, casting arcane spells that crackled with energy. He stood alongside another adventurer, the two of them holding their ground. Decem's fingers sparked with lightning as he sent bolts surging toward the bandits, each one striking with pinpoint accuracy.
Meanwhile, Tobe and Miri had fought their way through most of the middle car, both of them moving in seamless coordination. Miri's shield deflected an incoming attack before she countered with slashes that left her opponents sprawling.
Tobe dodged an overhead swing, ducking low and casting Explosion Impact at the attacker's gut. The blast sent the bandit flying, and Tobe immediately followed up with Mana String, pulling another assailant into his path. He flipped over the bandit and unleashed a water blast using Aqua Control above the bandit slamming the bandit directly to the ground.
By the time they reached the front car, they found one of the princess's bodyguards slumped against the wall, his face pale with shock.
"What happened?" Tobe demanded with urgency.
"The princess… she's been taken…" his voice strained. "They took her… to the front… you'll have to climb up from right there!"
With determination, Tobe climbed up jumping fromwall to wall to reach the top of the train, pulling Miri along with him as they reached the roof. The night air was frigid, whipping at them as they made their way forward, where a line of bandits blocked their path.
Ahead of them, the leader stood, his broad frame silhouetted against the night sky. Near the front of the train, the demon disguised as an attendant held the unconscious princess, locking her in a steel cage, she then drew out her spear.
Tobe and Miri exchanged a nod. They advanced with precision, their movements swift and decisive. Miri deflected a blow with her shield, countering with a slash that knocking her opponent back. Another bandit lunged at her, and she sidestepped, swinging her shield in a smooth arc to bash him to the ground.
Beside her, Tobe ducked under a sweeping blade, casting Aqua Control to form a sharp, spear-like stream of water that he drove into his opponent. As the bandit stumbled back, he followed up with Fall Lightning, bolts of energy crackling around him as they struck multiple targets with deadly accuracy.
At the very front, the false train attendant drew out her spear at the ready, and the bandit leader snarled, equipping his knuckle dusters. "You'll have to go through me if you want the princess back!" he bellowed, his voice carrying over the sounds of the battle.
The train rattled under the force of battle as Miri barely raised her shield in time to deflect the spear thrust of the false train attendant—a demon disguised as a train attendant. Sparks flew from the clash, and Miri staggered back a step, adjusting her grip on her shield and unsheathing her sword in one swift motion. Her eyes narrowed as she focused on her opponent, who held the spear with deceptive elegance, her smirk somewhat taunting Miri.
The false attendant lunged forward, twirling her spear with incredible speed, her attacks coming in a whirlwind of jabs and strikes. Miri sidestepped, parrying each thrust with her sword while keeping her shield up, ready to deflect any sudden move. She alternated between blocking with her shield and countering with her blade, forcing her opponent to pivot and reposition constantly. Her mind was sharp, each strike calculated, her movements a flawless dance between defense and offense.
The attendant feinted low, aiming for Miri's knees, but Miri anticipated the move and elevated her shield just in time. The spear clattered harmlessly off the reinforced surface, and in one fluid motion, Miri swung her sword upward in a counterattack. The blade met air as the demon dancer spun away, grinning with delight.
"You're quick, knight! But how long can you keep this up?" the attendant taunted, her voice a sultry whisper amidst the chaos.
Miri's determination flared. "Long enough to slice you to pieces!" she shouted back, tightening her stance. With a sudden burst of energy, she charged, leading with her shield to create an opening. The attendant blocked the incoming strike, but Miri quickly followed up with a precise cut aimed at her midsection.
The demon parried deftly, but Miri's follow-up was already in motion. She pivoted on her heel, allowing her momentum to swing her shield around for a powerful shield bash aimed directly at the attendant's side. The impact echoed like thunder, and the demon staggered, momentarily off balance.
Seizing the opportunity, Miri pressed the attack, striking with a series of quick, precise sword slashes. Each swing was met with a clash of metal, sparks illuminating the fierce determination in her eyes. The attendant grunted, twisting her spear to counter Miri's strikes, but the knight's relentless pressure forced her back.
As they danced across the train's roof, Miri felt a surge of adrenaline. She was in her element, the rhythm of battle igniting her spirit. The false attendant, however, was no ordinary foe. With a fierce determination, she regained her footing and launched a powerful thrust aimed at Miri's chest.
Miri quickly raised her shield, feeling the force of the impact reverberate through her arm. Gritting her teeth, she took a step back to gather her strength. The attendant used this moment to execute a spinning attack, her spear a blur as it whirled towards Miri.
"Is that all you've got?" the demon sneered, confidence dripping from her words.
In a flash, Miri shifted her stance, blocking the incoming spear with her shield and countering with a diagonal slash aimed at the attendant's shoulder. The blade made contact, but the demon pivoted just in time to avoid a more serious wound.
"You'll have to do better!" Miri remarked, determination burning bright in her eyes.
The attendant, now more cautious, danced backward, recalibrating her strategy. Miri used the moment to catch her breath, keeping her shield raised, ready for the next onslaught.
Suddenly, the demon attendant lunged again, this time with a flurry of rapid strikes, each more aggressive than the last. Miri's heart raced as she parried and dodged, narrowly avoiding a thrust aimed at her face. The air crackled with tension as they moved in a deadly ballet atop the moving train.
Meanwhile, Tobe faced a different challenge. He watched Miri handle the demon with grace but knew he had his own battle ahead. He turned slowly, a comical, exaggerated gesture, he before realizing the bandit leader—a massive figure with muscles rippling beneath his ragged clothing—was charging toward him.
With a smirk and a shout, the bandit leader swung his fists with reckless abandon, each blow like a thunderclap as Tobe ducked and weaved, narrowly avoiding the brute force. The air filled with tension as the bandit's fists came crashing down, sending vibrations through the train.
"Is that all you got?" Tobe quipped, dodging left and right, his movements light and agile.
Taking a moment to focus, Tobe used Mana String, a spell that solidified a part of the bandit's mana into a visible string. He yanked hard, pulling the bandit forward. The larger man stumbled, losing his balance, and Tobe seized the chance.
"Reconstruct!" he yelled, slapping a palm onto the floor of the train. Instantly, a slab of the floor morphed surrounding the entire hand of the bandit leader, attempting to stick the bandit's hand to the roof. But the leader was too strong, pulling his arm free and tearing a gaping hole in the train roof. Tobe's eyes widened, and he quickly ducked, avoiding debris that fell around him.
"You'll pay for that!" the bandit bellowed, anger fueling his rage. He swung again, fists like cannonballs aimed directly at Tobe's head.
With agility that seemed almost feline, Tobe ducked and dodged, "Sorry! I don't do donations!" Tobe remarked smuggingly, relying on his speed to evade the heavy blows. Each swing of the bandit's fists sent shockwaves through the air. Tobe could feel the tension mounting, knowing he had to act fast.
"Alright, how 'bout this!" Tobe yelled, raising his hands and bringing them down. "Fall Lightning!"
From the sky above, lightning struck down, aimed at the bandit leader. The attack was spectacular, illuminating the train in a flash of blinding light as electricity crackled around the brute.
The bandit staggered back, stunned but not defeated. He growled, his eyes burning with fury as he shook off the shock. "You think that will stop me?"
"Not if I can help it!" Tobe replied, a grin spreading across his face as he prepared for another round.
Meanwhile, the fight between Miri and the false train attendant intensified. The attendant, regaining her footing, thrust her spear forward, aiming for Miri's throat. The knight, anticipating the move, dropped low, sweeping her leg to trip the demon. The attendant leaped over Miri's outstretched leg, landing deftly a few feet away, eyes glinting with mischief.
"Impressive! Take this!" The demon spun her spear, striking the ground and launching herself into the air, her form a dark blur against the morning sky.
Miri raised her shield instinctively, just as the attendant descended, spear aimed directly at her. With a grunt, Miri sidestepped at the last moment, narrowly avoiding the deadly strike. She retaliated with a sweeping arc of her sword, the blade glinting in the sunlight.
The attendant barely evaded, but Miri's blade grazed her arm, and the demon hissed in pain. "You'll pay for that!" she snarled, fury igniting her movements.
Miri felt the momentum shift, her resolve strengthening. "I'll do whatever it takes!" she declared, determination shining in her eyes.
Tobe, meanwhile, continued his dance with the bandit leader, who had finally slowed down, wearied by the onslaught of spells and dodges. The brute took a wild swing, but Tobe ducked again, laughing. "But seriously, Is that really all you've got? You're pretty slow, big guy!"
"Shut up!" the bandit yelled, charging again.
Tobe quickly spun, launching Mana String to entangle the bandit's feet, causing him to trip and crash against the ground. With the bandit disoriented, Tobe summoned a blast of water, shaping it into a formidable spear with Aqua Control. "Let's see how you handle this!" he yelled, launching the water spear forward.
The attack struck true, knocking the bandit back, shattering his armor a bit, and causing him to stagger. "You think you can beat me with water tricks?" the bandit scoffed, but his bravado was fading fast.
"Maybe not, but it'll buy me time!" Tobe grinned, readying his next spell.
The train roared forward through the now night sky, Miri clashed with the lithe demon whose spear danced through the air with deadly grace. Miri's heart raced, adrenaline coursing through her veins as she dodged and parried the swift strikes, but the demon's agility was overwhelming. Each thrust forced Miri to retreat, her sword singing through the air in counterattacks that often fell short.
Suddenly, the demon attendant's spear struck true, knocking Miri's sword from her hand. The blade clattered away, leaving Miri with only her shield. Gritting her teeth, she relied on her trusty partner, Bastion, for protection. "Bastion!" she called out, feeling the familiar warmth of her shield resonate at her command.
"On it!" Bastion replied increasing its defense, as the demon lunged forward, a flurry of thrusts aimed directly at Miri. Each impact reverberated against the shield as Miri used every ounce of strength to maintain her defense.
With a swift glance around, Miri spotted her sword just within reach. As the demon prepared to launch another barrage of strikes, Miri seized the moment. "Now!" She stabbed Bastion into the metal ground, and he morphed into wall form, blocking the incoming thrusts. Miri quickly leaned down, extending her fingers toward her sword.
With a desperate pull, she grasped the hilt, feeling the familiar weight return to her grip. "Bastion, activate your merge form!" she asked, breathless.
"Understood master," Bastion replied, creating a slot just in time for Miri to slot her sword's blade in. The instant she did, a surge of energy coursed through her, a melding of their powers. The sword shimmered as Bastion integrated with it, and Miri felt her abilities heighten.
With a silent roar of determination, Miri reactivated Defense Up, Agility Up, and Strength Up. She surged forward, charging the demon with newfound speed. Her swings were now quicker and stronger, catching the attendant off-guard. Each strike met resistance, but Miri pressed on, the demon struggling to keep up with her relentless assault.
"Let's end it!" Miri yelled, her sword a blur as she launched into a series of slashes, pushing the demon back with each powerful swing. The attendant, flustered, attempted to evade and counter, but the merged power of Miri and Bastion made it increasingly difficult for her to maintain her footing.
Meanwhile, Tobe faced the Grey Veil Bandit Leader, Tobe ducked and dodged, using every ounce of agility to evade the bandit's onslaught. In the chaos, a wild punch sent the cage containing the princess careening off the train, flying towards the precipice of the bridge.
"NO!" Tobe shouted, his heart racing as he saw the cage tumbling toward the edge. In a desperate act, he focused all his energy and reached out with Mana String, connecting with the unconscious princess's mana just in time to pull it back toward him.
With a powerful heave, he used Reconstruct to meld the cage bars into the side of the Mana Rail. The cage clinked and settled, safe for the moment, but Tobe realized he was still in danger. The bandit leader's fists were swinging again, and Tobe hastily rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the incoming blow.
Regaining his footing, Tobe retaliated. "Woooaah! That was too close!" he declared, channeling his magic into Mana String once more. Gripping the strands of mana, he launched himself forward at high speed, a comet of determination.
With a surge of power from his gloves, Tobe adjusted his mana output, his body glowing with energy. "Explosion Impact!" he shouted, slamming into the bandit leader with a force that sent the brute reeling backwards. The leader crashed into the train's structure, momentarily dazed.
Breathless but unyielding, Tobe charged back into the fray, adrenaline fueling him. He glanced at Miri, who was now fending off the demon with unrelenting ferocity, and he felt a swell of confidence.
As Tobe caught his breath, he noticed the Mana Rail approaching a series of railings on the bridge—if they collided with the cage, it would be sent tumbling into the depths below. "Miri!" Tobe shouted, panic lacing his voice. "I'll need your help!"
Miri, sensing the urgency in his tone, nodded. "I'm on it! Just hold on senpai!"
Tobe waited, timing the moment perfectly. As the railings approached, it collided with the cage, sending the cage flying off, Tobe jumped off the train, narrowly dodging the bandit leader's strike as Miri's blade parried the attack away, now temporary leaving Miri to fend off simultaneously against the bandit leader and the demon train attendant.
Tobe soared through the air, stretching out his hand to grab the cage, he managed to take hold of the cage and with all his might, he focused his gaze on the train, feeling the pulse of magic surge through him. "Mana String!" he shouted, aiming at the distracted bandit leader and designating him as the anchor, unknowingly.
With a powerful yank, Tobe propelled himself back toward the Mana Rail, pulling the cage along with him. He soared through the air, reaching the side of the train, Tobe slammed his palm onto the surface again, using a controlled Explosion Impact to blast a hole into the side of the Mana Rail, creating an entrance, but unfortunately, the impact ultimately destroyed his right mana glove.
Panting heavily, his clothes a bit torn up, he pulled out a Mana restoration potion from his Space Space storage spell, gulping it down to recharge his energy. A wave of warmth washed over him, and he felt a new spell spark to life within him—
But as he glanced behind him, frustration crept in. "Can't I catch a damn break?" he groaned, slamming his rright palm down to create an uncontrollably thick metal wall separating him from the bandits approaching from behind, and noticed the conductor being taken hostage by another Bandit, but were staggered due to the recent explosion, Tobe took his chance and blasted a cannon of pressurized water at the staggered bandit, ultimately freeing conductor August Munth.
With the cage safe and the conductor free from captivity, Tobe turned his attention to freeing the princess. He concentrated on his newly learned spell, carefully melting the bars of the cage with flames that danced on his fingertip. As the metal twisted and melted away, he felt a surge of hope.
after melting the cage's bars he turned to face the conductor, Tobe then directed the conductor to not stop the train just yet and watch over the princess as he aimed his finger upwards shooting out a fully charged Firas Bolto, a massive explosion erupted, attracting both Miri and the demon's attention. Tobe had blasted a gigantic hole into the train's roof, directly above the bandit leader. The explosion disoriented the bandit leader a bit, giving Miri the opportunity she needed.
"Hey! Focus! I am your opponent here!" she yelled, charging forward with fierce determination. The demon turned just in time to see Miri's blade descending.
With one swift motion, Miri slashed forward, continuing her assault as the demon struggled to regain her composure. Miri's agility and strength, bolstered by Bastion, made each swing more difficult for the demon to block or evade.
Tobe noticed the bandit leader staggering from the earlier blast. Using High Jump, he leaped up from the hole into the air. "EAT THIS!" he screamed with fury.
While still mid-air, Tobe gathered his mana, shaping a massive uncontrollable lance of water with Aqua Control. With one swift motion, he launched the aqua lance straight at the bandit leader. The water struck with incredible force, shattering the bandit leader's armor, sending the brute tumbling backward, disoriented.
Landing deftly on the roof of the Mana Rail, Tobe quickly placed his palm down once more, reshaping the metal beneath him into a massive hand that captured the bandit leader, pinning him down.
But danger was fast approaching, the demon train attendant was preparing a swift thrust aimed directly at Tobe's back. Yet, in a flash, Miri intervened. She seemed to teleport, but it was her speed unmatched, as she smacked the demon's face with the blunt side of her blade.
The demon staggered but flipped mid-air, regaining her footing, although Miri was already in motion again, unleashing a flurry of slashes with relentless precision. Each strike pressed the demon back, forcing her to retreat.
And with one powerful, determined swing, Miri brought her sword down, shattering the demon's iron spear in half. The demon cried out as Miri's blade slammed her down to the roof with a thunderous impact.
"Now, Tobe Senpai!" Miri shouted, her voice filled with urgency.
Tobe, still focused, activated Reconstruct again, slamming his palm down to keep the demon pinned down to the roof.
With the conductor freed, the princess saved, and the bandit leader captured, they stood victorious.
Hours after the battle, the dust had finally settled. Tobe, Miri, and the rest of their group stood victorious, hailed as heroes by the rescued passengers and the authorities who had swiftly secured the captured bandits. Each bandit, including their defeated leader, was shackled and prepared for transport to the nearest prison facility.
As they secured the bandit leader, he revealed they were part of the notorious Grey Veil crime syndicate. Tobe raised an eyebrow, muttering, "Grey Veil, huh? You guys again…"
The bandit leader looked up, confused. "Again?" he asked, a bit rattled.
Tobe grinned. "That's right. We took down another one of your crews back in Seturia!"
The bandit leader's face paled. "You mean… you're the ones who brought down Urlos's crew?"
"That's right!" Tobe said proudly. "And remember this: the next time you see us, you'll know who you're up against. We're Cheery Black! And we're not afraid to beat you guys down every time!"
As Tobe's words echoed with pride, a new voice interrupted—a gentle, regal voice that drew everyone's attention.
"Brave adventurers, words cannot express the gratitude of my kingdom," she said. "For saving me and the passengers, you have earned the eternal thanks of Riscone."
Tobe and Miri exchanged glances, slightly embarrassed but humbled by the praise. "Your Highness, we were just doing what needed to be done," Miri replied, trying to bow gracefully.
But the princess was not finished. She straightened and continued, "As a princess of Riscone, I insist on showing you both proper gratitude. You will come to my kingdom, meet my father, and be celebrated for your bravery."
Tobe and Miri began to stammer polite refusals, each trying to wave off the honor. But Princess Tulia's expression turned stern, her tone becoming that of a royal decree. "As a member of the royal family, I insist. Riscone owes you both a great debt, and I will see that you are honored properly."
Realizing they couldn't refuse a royal request, Tobe and Miri nodded in agreement, smiles creeping onto their faces awkwardly. And so, the next chapter of their journey pointed toward the High
End of Chapter Stats of our Young Adventurers:
Tobe Lvl 52 - (Race Abilities: High Jump, Cat-like Instinct) (Spells: Mana String, Explosion Impact, Fall Lighting, Space Space, Aqua Control, Reconstruct, Firas Bolto)
Miri Lvl 48 - (Race Abilities: Halo Flash, False Judgement) (Skills: Strength Up, Defense Up, Agility Up, Slash, Pierce, Shield Block, Shield Bash, Shield Rush, Bastion Wall Shield, Bastion Weapon Integration)