After a couple more seconds of enduring Cyril's cold gaze, Myra evasively glanced to the side.
"I need to talk to you about something, it's important."
"There is a ruin near my village. I want to do it there."
Cyril was about to say no, however, her last words forced the denial back in his mouth.
A ruin?
These ruins from the past must belong to demons...
"...Fine. When?"
Myra's face brightened up, and she straightened her back.
"We still have a few days before the studies begin, so how about right now?"
It's a long journey...
After a short contemplation, Cyril nodded.
"But what about Ophelia? She probably expects you today."
That's too bad. She will be fine.
"I'll have to gather a few things first."
With her hands behind her back, Myra waited while Cyril gathered his belongings, on her face a happy, if a little tired, smile.
...
After spending most of the day riding a manarail, Myra, followed by Cyril, exited near the edge of the city.
Here, so far away from the Tower, their surroundings lacked any of the tall buildings or blue lights shining from crystals.
Mana usage grew conservative, and the bleaker colors became even more prevalent as a result.
By the time they arrived here, the sun had almost disappeared from the sky, giving Cyril just a little bit gloomier picture.
There are so many people...
Coming and going from every possible direction was a dense crowd of humans. Some were selling something, others walking in a hurry with numb faces.
"There weren't that many people in the city center... They are like ants."
Many just sat in groups near their small box-shaped houses, discussing gossip.
"Have you heard of the attack on the Tower?"
"It's horrible. Are demons back?"
"My grandpa told me they lived in constant fear of a sudden attack, we won't be like that, right?"
The majority discussed the same thing, between them was an almost palpable feeling of worry and anxiety.
Cyril absentmindedly listened, their noise ringing clearly in his ears.
"Welcome to the east edge of the city! There are a lot more people than you expected, right?"
Myra called out with mischief, bringing him out of it.
"Magical talent is actually quite rare. And without it, you will not go far in the Empire. I kind of think the outside would've been better for them," she said with a wry smile.
Cyril only gave her a glance without saying anything.
The butterfly on his shoulder also stayed quiet, her compound eyes cautiously observing the anxious crowd around them.
In a moment, Myra led the way through the sea of people, efficiently navigating her way through.
Cyril carefully went after her, keeping silence with a frown on his face.
Eventually they've arrived close to a giant metal wall reaching high into the sky.
The number of people around them reduced, and armed guards became more frequent. They warily eyed the two students and an insect.
But as they've noticed the Ailanthus uniform, the looks in their eyes changed, and they nonchalantly moved elsewhere.
"Now we just need to buy some tickets..." Myra mumbled as she observed the wall.
"Aha," Soon she pointed to a ladder leading into a station inside of the wall. A display hung above the entrance with rails depicted on it.
Still keeping his silence, Cyril followed her up the ladder and through the entrance.
As soon as he walked into it, the noise and bustle of the outside went quiet.
Cyril breathed a sigh of relief and massaged his temple. The butterfly on his shoulders fluttered her wings energetically, as if stretching them.
"It's just too noisy out there."
"Two tickets, please." As he recovered, Myra quickly approached the booth near the entrance.
Behind it sat a guard in a messy posture, on his face an expression full of boredom.
"Where to? What purpose?" He lazily muttered.
"Wood Station, visiting home... With a full meal, please."
After a moment Cyril walked up to them, catching sight of the guard placing two red tickets on the counter.
"You are in luck, there is a train soon."
With that he relaxed back in his chair and pulled out a magazine, completely missing the red butterfly hiding on Cyril's shoulder.
Myra turned around with the tickets in hand, a shine in her eyes.
"Let's go."
...
Passing a few rooms, Cyril and Myra reached a wide platform with an open wall revealing the outside world.
Fields of green grass as far as the eye could see.
Cyril stood, momentarily stunned by the view, the butterfly on his shoulder almost wanting to fly out there.
"Stay with us, Morpho!" A concerned voice quickly held her back.
"There it is, the train." Myra presented with her arms a mechanical transport that Cyril missed at first.
It was a long chain of bulky metal cabins placed on two rails.
"Reminds me of the manarail a bit... Its sickly, bigger brother."
A few station workers walked back and forth from the cabins carrying some boxes.
"It might be a bit loud and shaky, but this thing uses way less mana." Myra explained with a nod and walked towards a particular cabin, Cyril following after her.
She put the ticket close to a panel by the doors, and they were opened, letting her pass.
Cyril repeated this process, and they were inside. It was a corridor wide enough for two people to walk side by side, with doors at certain intervals to the sides.
"Do they not have cleaners in this place?" Rhamn winced at the sight of dust and dirt present in the cabin.
"Welcome, dear passengers." Exclaimed a balding worker as he came over.
On his face was a strained smile as a bead of sweat rolled down his forehead.
"I couldn't help but notice your uniforms. If you don't mind, our train has a VIP section. I think-"
"No need." Cyril coldly interrupted, making the worker flinch.
"We are fine with our compartment, thanks." Myra lightly bowed and walked ahead.
Cyril followed after her, ignoring the still-frozen worker.
"We don't need these handouts."
They soon reached a small room with two benches and a table between them.
The old leathery seats of the benches were in rough shape, torn in places.
Nonchalantly taking a seat there, Myra turned towards Cyril, a nostalgic spark in her eyes.
"Have you ever been outside the city?"
He finished observing their somewhat cramped room and met her inquisitive black eyes.
"..."
"...When I was a small child, but I don't remember anything from that time."
"Oh, I didn't know."
"Why should you know?" Rhamn gave Myra a suspicious glare.
Cyril ignored her.
Was my mother from some village? Are demons living among humans out there?
He settled on the leathery bench, trying to ignore its poor shape, and looked out the window. The butterfly flew off his shoulder and settled on the windowsill.
"Do you have any problems with demons outside of the city's walls?"
Myra shook her head, her auburn hair shaking with it.
"Not at all. Aside from some stray ghouls, demons mostly leave the villages alone."
They only want the Tower after all...
At this moment the doors of their compartment were flung open, revealing two men in business suits, one of them clenching a briefcase.
"Oh, sorry."
Under the students' wary eyes, the man in front was about to close the door, but he was stopped by his companion.
"No, this is good as well."
"What? Let's not-"
His companion leaned closer and whispered something.
Though Cyril managed to hear it just fine.
"Look at their uniforms. They are from Ailanthus, the guy also looks like a noble! This could be a good meeting."
"He is giving me the creeps. Are you sure?"
"Quiet, let's not waste this luck."
"Hmph! Leeches everywhere."
The two men looked at Cyril and Myra, their faces full of politeness.
"Can we share a place and talk for a bit? Not every day one can encounter students from such a prestigious place here."
Cyril's cold blue eyes stared mercilessly at the men, making the smiles on their faces twitch.
"Sure! Take a seat here!" Myra exclaimed and got up from her bench, moving to Cyril's side.
Cyril only crossed his arms, not objecting in any way.
"Great! Thank you, young heroes."
The two men cautiously walked closer and took a seat opposite them. The briefcase was kept on the knees.
"Hello! My name is Tony." He had black hair and black eyes, with a handsome face that carried a slight smirk.
"Mine is Tom." He had a square, stoic face, coupled with his high height and broad shoulders, he reminded Cyril of bodyguards many nobles kept around.
Having introduced themselves, the two kept an awkward silence for a second, avoiding Cyril's curious glance.
"So, why are you going outside the city?"
The men looked at Myra as if finding their savior.
"Our company sent us on a trip at the last minute. I should've been at home during this time..."
"What company would do something like this? And right after a demon attack."
"I know, right? Damn Rennock Trading Company, your heart is too black!"
Oh? I've heard that name before...
"It's the same company that found Ambrosia! The one that thief stole and we consumed!"
With a loud screech, the train soon started.
Their car began to shake, passengers shaking with it, as the view outside the window started slowly moving.