The train rocked gently as it sped across the countryside, its rhythmic clatter blending with the soft hum of magic-infused engines. Outside the window, rolling hills stretched under a pale blue sky, speckled with clouds like cotton.
Inside, it was warm. Quiet.
Rei sat with his chin in his hand, eyes unfocused as the scenery passed. Kajala, for once, wasn't talking. He was busy rummaging through a cloth-wrapped bundle he'd pulled from his satchel.
"Hey," Kajala said, holding up two wrapped rice balls and a small bundle of dried meat. "Want one?"
Rei blinked, then nodded. "Sure."
Kajala handed him a rice ball and sat back with a stretch. "I made them this morning. They're probably terrible."
Rei took a bite.
They weren't terrible.
In fact, they were pretty good — simple, but filling, with a sprinkle of herbs inside that reminded him faintly of his foster father's stew.
He didn't say anything, but Kajala watched him chew with exaggerated suspense, tail flicking lazily behind him. "Well?"
"They're fine," Rei said.
Kajala beamed. "That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said about my cooking."
They ate in silence for a few minutes. Rei didn't mind the quiet. The warmth of the food settled in his stomach, and the constant thrum of the train began to lull him into a half-doze. He didn't realize how tired he was — mentally more than anything else. Years of training. Years of not knowing. Years of being… less.
And now this.
Knight school.
A new city.
New people.
He hadn't asked for any of it — but here it was, rolling toward him on steel rails and clouds of steam.
Kajala finished his food, wiped his hands on his scarf, and looked over. "Hey… do you think they'll like you?"
Rei raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"The others," Kajala said, leaning his head against the window. "Your new classmates. The instructors. The guilds. People can be kinda… cruel when you don't have magic."
"I've noticed," Rei muttered.
"But I dunno," Kajala said, voice a little softer now. "You're not like them. You feel different."
Rei didn't reply.
He didn't need to.
The train began to slow.
A whistle blew in the distance, long and low, echoing across the open land.
Kajala stood, brushing crumbs from his lap. "Come on. We're here."
Rei stood, slinging his bag over his shoulder again, the wood of his practice sword tapping softly against his back.
He followed Kajala to the exit, and when the train pulled into the station, steam rose in thick white clouds, curling around iron pillars and polished cobblestone platforms.
Beyond the veil of steam, the city revealed itself towering stone spires, glimmering mage lights floating in the air, markets bustling with noise and color, and at the far end of it all… the black-stone gates of the Knight Academia.
Rei stared, quiet.
Kajala grinned, stepping down onto the platform and turning with a sweep of his scarf.
"Welcome to Valebright."
The city was alive in a way Rei had never experienced.
Everywhere he looked, there were colors and sounds — glowing crystals suspended in midair to light the streets, carriages drawn by lizard-like beasts, merchants shouting over each other as they sold enchanted trinkets and steaming food from open stalls. It was a strange mix of medieval and magical, like a storybook caught halfway through modernization.
Rei stuck close to Kajala as they moved through the crowd. The fox-eared knight-in-training didn't seem to have a destination — he was too busy poking his nose into every window and waving at random people as if he knew the whole city.
"Smell that?" Kajala said, practically bouncing on his heels. "Roasted root skewers with honey glaze. I'm getting us some."
Before Rei could protest, Kajala had darted into a food stall and returned moments later with two wooden sticks lined with thick slices of golden root vegetables, caramelized and steaming.
"Eat," Kajala ordered, shoving one into Rei's hand.
Rei took a cautious bite.
Sweet. Salty. Crispy on the outside and soft inside. He found himself taking another bite without thinking.
Kajala grinned. "Told you."
They walked and ate, the city flowing around them like a river of motion and noise. For a while, it felt… peaceful. Normal.
Rei found himself looking at the people. Everyone wore some hint of magic — a charm on a necklace, glowing tattoos, floating familiars. Even children played with elemental toys — little fireballs and water spheres chasing each other through alleyways.
He alone had none of it.
No spark.
No light.
And yet, for once, it didn't seem to matter.
Kajala was still talking — about the city, the school, the best food stalls near the academy, and some rumor about a ghost in the east wing dorms. Rei only half-listened. It was enough to just walk and breathe and not think too much.
Eventually, they reached a wide stone bridge that arched over a narrow canal. The water below shimmered with soft green light, fish with lantern bellies drifting just under the surface.
Kajala stopped and leaned on the railing, looking out over the water. "You know," he said, a little quieter now, "this place used to scare me when I first came."
Rei glanced at him. "Why?"
"Too big. Too loud. Too many people expecting you to prove something." He looked down, his smile softer now. "But then I met some good folks. Friends. Guildmates. They helped me feel like I wasn't alone."
Rei didn't respond at first.
Then, quietly, "You think I'll find that?"
Kajala looked at him with a little smirk. "You already did. I'm amazing company, remember?"
Rei snorted. "You're something."
"See? That's practically a compliment!"
They lingered on the bridge for a while longer, letting the noise of the city hum around them like a lullaby.
Then Kajala pushed off the railing with a stretch. "Alright, newbie. We've wasted enough time. Let's go get you checked in."
Rei nodded, fingers tightening around the strap of his bag.
The city behind them, the academy ahead.
And somewhere deep inside… the clock still ticked.