On the Spirit Continent, magitek trains still partly rely on steam power, which means they don't run very fast.
As a result, traveling from Fusion Academy back to the Carlos family's fief town, Lukao, takes about half a day—roughly six hours.
This led to the rise of a cultural phenomenon: magitek train journeys.
In Miles's original world, train trips were a thing too—snacks and drinks, a seat by the window, and scenic views paired with light bites created a special kind of charm.
"Hey, where's my tempura shrimp?!"
"No idea~ (chomp chomp~)"
"The shrimp tail's sticking out of your mouth, Ren-chan!"
"Nope, you're seeing things (slurp)."
"Ugh, this is why I hate eating with you, Ren-chan!"
Even though they attended the same school and were inseparable friends, Aisha rarely ate with Irene in the cafeteria—for one simple reason:
Her childhood friend ate way too fast and always stole food. Aisha could never keep up.
Getting her tempura shrimp—the star of the bento—snatched away was proof Aisha wasn't really in the mood to eat.
On the last day of break, Aisha received two pieces of news that made her emotions particularly complicated.
Not even the normally soothing scenery outside the train window could lift her spirits.
The first was an announcement made to all of Fusion Academy:
The final results of the Inter-Academy Ranking War, held in the Sacred Ground of Spirits for third-years, had been released.
Led by Alester-senpai, Fusion Academy surged ahead in the rankings, at one point overtaking both Synchron Academy and the reigning champs, XYZ Academy.
It finally looked like the age of Fusion Summoning was about to rise, and this would be the year Fusion Academy took home the long-lost championship trophy.
Even third-years and their instructor, Fisher, believed it was all but assured.
Then, without warning—
Alester vanished.
"Vanished" might not be accurate. According to Mr. Fisher, Alester voluntarily withdrew from the tournament and disappeared without a trace. With their leader and strongest Duelist gone, Fusion Academy's third-years still fought hard, but the other two academies weren't pushovers.
Though they lasted until the end, their accumulated points were overtaken after Alester left.
The Academy's best shot in years was extinguished by the selfish departure of its strongest fighter.
Surprisingly, this year's winner wasn't even XYZ Academy, who had dominated for several years.
Synchron Academy claimed the crown this time.
Using a Sword Soul deck themed around ancient Eastern blades, Duelist Izumi Taketake led Synchron Academy past Fusion and then overtook even XYZ.
His final duel's chant—"Great Spirit Peak, Mountain Dragon Blade! Cleave the star-demon and stabilize the heavens!"—became legendary among Synchron Academy students.
A loss was still a loss. It was unfortunate, but Fusion Academy had placed third before. They'd just work harder next year.
Sadly, there'd be no Alester next year.
No one at Fusion Academy knew where he went.
According to a rumor, someone heard him mutter about returning to the "Capital" to retrieve something.
And that capital of the Livorden Kingdom… was also the source of Aisha Carlos's current turmoil.
Unlike the public first announcement, the second piece of news was known only to a few, including Aisha. She had heard it from Irena.
Luca Slint, who had been imprisoned in the Capital's First Prison for half a year, was being transferred back to her home country by the Slint family.
Officially labeled a transfer, the reality was closer to a release. As the granddaughter of the Slint family head—one of the Varian Empire's Three Great Houses—Luca's "transfer" was functionally a bailout.
Aisha and Miles had expected this day to come. Just not so soon.
Only six months in, and Livorden had already agreed to send back someone convicted of a Shadow Game Duel.
Even Irena's estimate had been at least two to three years.
They had even asked Kaima Seth about it, since it was the Seth family who had originally arranged Luca's imprisonment.
What they learned was even more shocking. Because of Kaima's trust, she confided in them:
Reigun Seth, the current head of the Seth family, had privately made an agreement with the Slint family head.
One condition of that agreement was Luca Slint's transfer back to her home country.
In a nation with noble hierarchies, a Duke's authority is comparable to royalty.
Returning one mere criminal home? If Reigun gave the word, it wasn't even an issue.
However, Luca was meant to be a bargaining chip—used by the Seths in international negotiations.
To use that chip in just six months… Whatever Reigun traded for must've been an irresistible offer. Even Kaima felt uneasy.
It was supposed to be a joyful return home after a year—but even as the train arrived, Aisha's heart remained heavy.
Only when she stepped off the magitek train and breathed in the familiar scent of home soil did she begin to feel a bit healed.
So this… is the feeling of returning home.
After saying goodbye to Irene, Aisha wheeled her not-so-heavy suitcase through Lukao alone.
Lukao, the Carlos family's fief, was a farming village focused on grain crops.
The Carlos family, as feudal lords, treated their people with kindness. Relations were harmonious, and their agricultural tax was said to be the lowest in all of Livorden.
During planting season, they even donated seeds to struggling families.
Though the Carlos family lacked powerful Duelists and was seen as a declining house within the kingdom—
In Lukao, they were deeply respected and loved.
You could feel it from the villagers' warm welcome:
"Miss Aisha, you're finally home for break! We missed you~"
"Young Lady, try this year's radishes—crisp and juicy! If you like it, I'll bring a whole basket tomorrow!"
"Take some of our freshly pickled garlic too, Miss Aisha!"
"And here's some bread we just baked! Give some to Miss Alice too… Hey! Don't run, Miss Aisha!"
'I can't carry all this!'
Unable to refuse the villagers' enthusiasm, Aisha's free arm was quickly piled high with hometown goodies.
She had no choice but to bolt with the armful of offerings.
Even so, the townspeople's affection only grew stronger.
Many chased after her with more gifts, aiming to hand them over to the household staff at the Carlos mansion.
"So Aisha… you really are a noble lady, huh?"
At Fusion Academy, Miles had never really felt it.
But now, hearing everyone call her "Young Lady," he finally realized: his host, Aisha Carlos, truly was a noble.
It also reminded him just how rare Duelists were in this world.
Compared to those born with Spirit Eyes—the chosen ones—ordinary people made up the vast majority.
"Huff… finally home!"
Chased all the way to her door by eager villagers, Aisha was saved by the household maids.
Panting from the unexpected cardio, Aisha's modest chest rose and fell as she caught her breath indoors.
"I did it! Yes!"
Leaning back against the door, she pumped her fists with adorable enthusiasm, like she'd just cleared a major milestone.
"I finally brought Mr. Miles home!"
Miles said, "Hey, hey, your inner voice is leaking out, Lady Aisha."
Hearing the noise, a creaky floorboard signaled someone approaching from the library.
Wearing black-rimmed glasses, Alice emerged.
"That voice… so it really is you, Aisha."
With pure white hair and emerald eyes just like Aisha's, her delicate features combined with the glasses gave her an elegant, literary aura.
Alice Carlos, in her casual at-home wear, looked quite different from how she usually appeared in public.
Graceful and gentle, like a noble bookish girl.
"Alice-onee-san! It's been so long—I missed you so much!"
Instantly, Aisha jumped into her sister's arms, hugging her slender neck.
Alice patted her head and smiled helplessly. "It hasn't been that long. We just parted a week ago. You're being dramatic again."
"That's what you call 'a day apart feels like three autumns'! Heehee. Are Mom and Dad home?"
"Silly girl, didn't I tell you last week? Father and Mother are away on business. They might make it back for New Year, or maybe after."
That's why Alice had rushed back to Lukao after the festival. With the year-end approaching, someone had to oversee even the tiniest local affairs.
"I see… Too bad I won't get to see them right away."
Aisha's ahoge drooped as she rubbed her sister's cheek, making Alice giggle.
"I'll go unpack in my room then."
"No need, Aisha. You'll need that luggage tomorrow anyway."
"Huh? You mean these bags?"
"Yup."
Adjusting her glasses, Alice explained:
"I've wrapped up the year-end tasks—it's time to head out."
"Head out? To where?"
This was the first Aisha had heard of any travel plans. She had just gotten home!
"The Capital."
All noble families in the Livorden Kingdom must send representatives to the Capital before the New Year to report on the year's affairs:
Harvest yields, finances, population changes, and any disasters or wars—an annual formality.
Usually, Aisha's parents handled it.
However, with them away this year, and Alice now of age, she took on the task.
There was, however, another reason.
At year's end, once all noble houses gathered in the Capital, a grand social gathering was held.
Officially, it was for building relationships between families.
Unofficially, it was a battlefield of prestige—an arena where families competed for recognition before the royal court.
And the weapon of choice?
In the past: knights and duels.
Now: Duelists and cards.
Victory in duels determined prestige across the entire Spirit Continent.
At the gathering, each house brought its strongest Duelist to defend their honor against other challengers.
The Carlos family, lacking Duelists, was always at the bottom—mocked, unable to even respond to provocations.
But this year would be different.
Though not yet graduated, Aisha's enrollment at Fusion Academy made her a certified Duelist.
She could now fight for the family's honor.
"We leave for the Capital tomorrow, Aisha."
Noble warfare without gunpowder—Alice had already made her decision.
Now that her sister had the strength to defeat even the Seth family, there was no reason to wait.
This year…
They would reclaim everything the Carlos family had lost.
The shame.
The scorn.
Everything. They would take it back.
...
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