Glenn and Violet walked together through the massive city. To Glenn, the place looked straight out of a science-fiction setting. The ultra-futuristic environment reminded him of works set decades into the future.
The city was composed of countless towering buildings covered in luminous panels and massive screens. Various walkways intertwined overhead, giving the impression of being trapped in a giant game of Mikado.
Impressive…
Curiously, vegetation was abundant at ground level. Various palm trees added a more natural touch to the overwhelming industrialization of the area.
A multitude of futuristic gadgets could also be seen, reinforcing the sense of a hyper-modern world.
Glenn was stunned by this discovery. He had always assumed that a world where magic was prevalent would lag behind technologically. Yet, the opposite was true—magic seemed to have propelled technological development far beyond anything in his former world.
Violet walked a few steps ahead before turning back to Glenn.
"Coming, Glenn?"
Her casual approach caught him off guard.
"To where?"
"Well, at least let me show you around the city a bit."
"That's kind of you, but I can manage on my own. Don't worry."
"Uh, since I brought you here, the least I can do is act as your guide—especially since you're a foreigner."
"Yeah, though it feels like I'm being treated like a lost kid in a store."
"Well, you're tall, and we're probably the same age, so there's no real issue."
I see she enjoys sarcasm.
Glenn joined Violet and accepted her offer to guide him. In hindsight, it was a very beneficial situation for him—he wouldn't have to wander aimlessly for hours in a place he barely understood.
Violet began showing him around the main district of Helios, located at its center, surrounding the teleportation portals. As in most large cities, there was an impressive variety of shops. Breweries, hotels, convenience stores, barbershops, industrial outlets, florists—even tobacco shops.
So people even managed to invent cigarettes here.
And of course, there were the massive shopping centers where it was possible to find practically anything in the overloaded mall galleries.
"The main shopping center is called the 'Grand Commercial Center of Helios,' or more simply, GCCH. That'll be our first destination."
"You're even planning to shop for me? That's almost too much to ask."
"I like to think I'm helping someone in need who would be homeless without me."
"Thanks, though put like that, it's a bit pretentious."
"You're not wrong."
As they walked, Glenn and Violet passed a technological surgical clinic. Based on the signage outside, the clinic specialized in using advanced technology for cosmetic purposes, including a cellular treatment system that could make a person look decades younger.
"I was wondering, Violet, how old are you? It'd be funny if, with your appearance, you were actually 60 years old—or even older."
Glenn openly glanced at the clinic, then back at Violet with a mischievous smile.
"That would be pretty funny, but sorry to crush your hopes—I'm only 21. I imagine you're about the same age?"
Hmm, too bad. While I'm relieved she isn't secretly a grandmother, that would've been amusing in its own way.
"Not exactly. I'm a little older—I'm 25."
Violet seemed slightly surprised by Glenn's age.
"Oh, you look so much younger—that's funny."
"I guess you could say that."
***
Violet led Glenn to a clothing store, where he had the opportunity to try on numerous outfits, all covered by Violette.
After spending some time browsing through the aisles, Glenn chose a modern outfit that was popular among the residents of Helios. He settled on a black-and-white jacket that was both comfortable and flexible. He also picked out new shoes to match his top: simple white sneakers that helped him blend in with the locals.
"You really wear that kind of outfit well, Glenn."
"You think so? I guess I'll go with this, then."
He also selected several T-shirts, pants, and spare underwear, making for quite a large haul of items.
To carry everything without hassle, Violet suggested Glenn buy a spatial ring.
According to her explanation, this artifact allowed for the storage of an impressive number of items in an extradimensional space. What made the ring especially practical was its connection to the wearer's mind, requiring only a simple mental command to retrieve the desired object.
"Are you sure this isn't too expensive, Violet?" Glenn asked.
"Oh, don't worry about that. It's just a bit of shopping," Violet replied nonchalantly.
Glenn, for his part, was stunned by Violet's reaction. He knew that this kind of shopping represented a significant expense. He was starting to wonder if Violet had a certain status or level of wealth that she hadn't mentioned.
***
After several hours of shopping, they finally exited the GCCH. Outside, the afternoon was far advanced, and the streets were noticeably busier.
People finish work at set times, just like on Earth.
"I was thinking—you don't have a place to stay, do you, Glenn? If you want, I know a nice spot where you can sleep."
"You're inviting me to your place? Thank you, that's very kind of you."
"No need to thank me. Let's just say it's part of my debt to you. Besides, you're a complete stranger here, and you don't have many bearings yet. That said, we're not really going to my place. I'm not on good terms with my family right now."
"Oh, I see. Do you have a specific place in mind?"
Violet paused for a few seconds, thinking.
"Hmm, there are plenty of hotels and restaurants, but I don't think they're good enough."
She must have high standards if even the numerous hotels in the city don't meet her expectations. Not that I'm complaining—it works in my favor.
"We'll go to the best inn I know. Plus, it's far from my family."
"You really have that many issues with your family?"
Violet's expression shifted slightly; she seemed more agitated and less optimistic.
"Yes."
Her curt response made Glenn decide to drop the subject.
The two made their way to a metro station to travel more quickly. The metro felt both familiar and very different from what Glenn knew. While the technological foundation was similar, everything was fully automated, with no need for conductors. Furthermore, whereas the metro in his old world could cover a few dozen kilometers at most, here in Helios, it could traverse several hundred kilometers with ease.
According to Violet, Helios was not just a city but as vast as an entire nation, with a population exceeding one hundred million people.
Seated on a chair facing large windows, Glenn had a stunning view of the sunset illuminating Helios. The city gradually sank into darkness, revealing a different side of itself. Thanks to advanced lighting technologies, the city was now bathed in a soft yellow and pink glow.
It still feels like a dream. A dream I haven't woken up from. What a strange sensation. I hope I'll get used to it quickly.
After a long journey, the two young travelers got off the train. The atmosphere had shifted dramatically. While the previous area felt like a perfect utopia, this new environment exuded a darker, more menacing aura.
The passersby seemed more on edge, and many of them stared at Glenn and Violette. At first, Glenn paid little attention, assuming social inequalities existed in every world. But he eventually realized that the hostility wasn't rooted in wealth disparity.
Violet, though simply dressed, had stored her armor in a small spatial ring. She now wore a completely ordinary city outfit, with no distinguishing marks indicating her social class or group affiliation.
Even so, something about them seemed to irritate the passersby, though Glenn couldn't figure out what it was.
Violet, however, didn't seem bothered by the ambient hostility. She maintained a stoic expression, exuding an air of confidence and charisma that gave Glenn a sense of security.
She seems… stronger like this, so different from the way she acted in the forest earlier.
After several minutes of walking through this tense atmosphere, the condition of the buildings around them progressively worsened. While the city still retained a modern aesthetic after they left the previous district, the constructions became increasingly neglected. Many of the buildings appeared to be under construction but were likely abandoned. The materials used for housing grew less durable and visibly cheaper.
"Uh, are you sure this is the way to your place?" Glenn asked, a hint of hesitation in his voice.
Even though he trusted Violet, he was starting to wonder if she might be a vagabond. After a brief silence, Violet turned her head toward him, as calm as ever.
"Don't worry about that. I know the path, trust me."
"You know that's hard to trust nuh ?"
"Yeah, yeah."
As they continued walking along the dimly lit alleys, something strange caught Glenn's attention. Even though the poor lighting made it hard to see, the movement was distinct enough to raise his suspicions.
Glenn approached the area where he had noticed the disturbance. After a few seconds of adjusting to the darkness, he made out three people surrounding someone lying on the ground. The person on the ground appeared to be a young woman, perhaps a teenager, bruised and visibly mistreated.
"What d'you think you're doin' with that, you little shit?"
One of the thugs yelled at the poor victim on the ground.
What, a young girl ?
Before Glenn could intervene, one of the aggressors turned toward him, locking eyes. It looked like he was whispering something to the others. After a moment, he shouted aggressively:
"Hey, you! You son of a bitch! What are you looking at?!"