Taro, Eiko, and Yoshirata leaned against each other, resting after the intense battle with the demonic rabbits. The swaying of the carriage and the rhythmic clopping of hooves on the dirt road had lulled them into a deep, peaceful sleep. Outside, the forest gradually thinned out, giving way to open plains, but the three friends were oblivious, lost in their dreams. The mercenaries, now relaxed after the earlier skirmish, exchanged quiet banter, glad to be near the safety of the city.
Suddenly, the carriage came to an abrupt stop. The horses neighed, stamping their hooves as if sensing something new in the air. The scarred mercenary riding alongside the carriage glanced back, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the change in scenery. He dismounted, dusting off his worn leather armor, and stepped toward the carriage, parting the thick curtains with a rough but careful hand. The sunlight streamed into the dim interior, casting a golden glow on the sleeping faces of the three youngsters.
He gently tapped them on the shoulder, his touch firm but kind. "Hey, wake up, kids," he said in a low voice. "You're going to want to see this."
Yoshirata was the first to stir, groaning as he slowly opened his eyes. He blinked a few times, trying to shake off the sleep that clung to him like a heavy blanket. "Uh, uh… what's happening? Are we under attack again?" he mumbled, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand as he stretched, letting out a big yawn.
The scarred mercenary chuckled, shaking his head. "You silly kid, always thinking about trouble. No, we're not under attack. We've arrived at the city where the academy is." He smirked, flicking Yoshirata's forehead with one finger.
"Ouch, that hurt!" Yoshirata exclaimed, rubbing his forehead, which had turned a bit red from the flick. He glared playfully at the mercenary, who grinned back with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Are your eyes cleared now? Come on, take a look outside," the mercenary said as he fully pulled back the curtains, allowing the sunlight to pour into the carriage.
Yoshirata leaned closer, his eyes growing wide as he peeked outside. What he saw took his breath away. He quickly turned, grabbing Taro and Eiko by the arms, shaking them awake in his excitement. "You two, wake up! You've got to see this!"
Taro and Eiko groaned in protest, their faces still slack with sleep. "What is it…?" Taro mumbled, half-opening one eye, while Eiko let out a small, irritated grunt, burying her face into her arm as if trying to block out the light.
Yoshirata, too excited to care, dragged them both closer to the window, practically shoving their heads toward the opening. The sunlight hit their faces, making them squint and wince at the sudden brightness. They rubbed their eyes, blinking rapidly as their vision adjusted, and then they finally saw what Yoshirata had been so eager to show them.
In front of them stretched a magnificent cityscape unlike anything they had ever seen in their fifteen years of life in the village. Towering stone walls encircled the city, their surfaces covered in vibrant banners fluttering in the breeze. Beyond the walls, they could see the tops of tall buildings with ornate, pointed roofs that sparkled in the sunlight, their tiles painted in vivid shades of blue, red, and gold. The grand entrance gate was open wide, welcoming travelers, and the road leading inside was bustling with people—merchants pulling carts, travelers from distant lands, and guards in gleaming armor standing watch.
Taro's jaw dropped as he took it all in. "Whoa… this place is incredible," he breathed, his sleepy demeanor vanishing in an instant. He pressed his face closer to the window, staring out at the vibrant scene with wide, amazed eyes.
Eiko, too, was speechless for a moment. Her expression softened as she gazed out at the city, her lips curving into a small smile. "I never imagined it would be this beautiful," she whispered. "It's like something out of a dream…"
The three of them leaned together, sharing the window space as they continued to take in the sights. The city was alive with color and sound-street performers playing lively tunes, vendors calling out their wares, and the laughter of children running along the cobblestone streets. It was a stark contrast to the quiet, simple life they had known in their village.
The scarred mercenary watched them with a grin, his rough exterior softening for a moment as he saw the awe and excitement on their young faces. He cleared his throat, snapping them back to reality. "Alright, enough gawking. We need to get moving. The academy's not far from here, but the streets can get crowded, and we don't want to be late."
Yoshirata nodded, still buzzing with excitement. He pulled back from the window, grabbing his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. "Let's go, then!" he said, his voice filled with eagerness.
Taro and Eiko exchanged a glance, their earlier fatigue forgotten. They quickly gathered their things, following Yoshirata's lead. The three of them practically bounced with anticipation, their exhaustion replaced by a surge of energy as they prepared to step into the city for the first time.
As they hopped out of the carriage, the scarred mercenary gave them one last flick of his hand. "Stick close, you three. This is a big city, and it's easy to get lost if you're not paying attention."
"We will!" Yoshirata replied, giving a mock salute.
The three friends stepped onto the cobblestone road, their eyes wide as they looked around, trying to take in every detail at once. They could feel the energy of the city vibrating through the air, a feeling that made their hearts race with excitement and a hint of nervousness.
"This is it," Eiko said softly, her voice almost drowned out by the noise of the crowd. "We've really made it."
"Yeah," Taro agreed, a grin spreading across his face. "The academy's just up ahead… Our new life starts here."