The train pulled into the capital's Grand Central Station just past noon and its brakes hissed as it slowed to a stop beneath the vast arched roof of glass and iron.
Sunlight filtered through the high windows in pale winter shafts, catching on drifting dust and steam from the mana engines.
Klein and Claire stepped down onto the platform with the rest of the crowd.
Klein shouldered both their bags without asking, leaving Claire free to look at the surroundings.
"It's bigger than I remembered," Claire murmured as she turned in a slow circle.
"You've only been here once. That field trip in second year."
She nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips "Everything felt huge then. Still does."
They followed the flow of passengers toward the main concourse until they emerged into the proper capital.
Brandon's gaze condensed 'The capital is indeed big... feels different than playing it in a game.'
Claire instinctively moved closer to Klein as they navigated the crowded streets.
"We should find a place to stay first," he said, looking around at the signs.
Claire nodde her head "There's a district near the academy with cheaper inns. I looked it up before we left."
They took a public mana-tram which went west toward the academy quarter.
The ride gave them their first real view of Grayhaven Academy itself in the distance, a fortress-city of towers and walled gardens perched on a hill overlooking the capital, wreathed in perpetual mist and protective barriers.
Twenty minutes later, they stepped off in a quieter neighborhood of narrow cobblestone streets lined with three- and four-story buildings.
Claire looked at her mobile, and they soon navigated to the inn they were planning to stay.
Inside, the lobby was warm and dimly lit.
A middle-aged woman with iron-gray hair tied in a bun looked up from behind the counter.
"Rooms for two?"
Looking at her, Klein replied "One room is enough. We will be staying for seven days."
With a nod, the woman replied "Fifty credits a night for a room, breakfast included. Upfront for the week."
Klein took his bank card and swiped it, paying the money.
The woman slid key across the counter.
"Room 3B. Third floor, end of the hall."
They thanked her and climbed the narrow stairs.
Room 3B was small with a single large bed with thick quilts, a single window overlooking the street, a wooden desk, and a tiny wardrobe.
A rune-heater glowed softly in the corner, chasing away the chill.
Claire flopped onto one bed with a sigh "It's… nice."
Klein set their bag down and opened the window slightly to look outside 'Finally, I am at the capital... Ravenhand. The heart of the Crownfall Empire.'
In this world, there are three great continents across the known maps; the frozen wilds of Nordreth to the far north, the trade-heavy archipelago of Sailen's Reach across the eastern sea, and the central landmass where everything truly happens in the story... the Union of Chateaus.
The Union had once been a loose alliance of noble houses and city-states, bound together after the Great Collapse. Over centuries it had coalesced into the Crownfall Empire.
And now they are in the capital of this empire.
The main story happens in this Grayhaven Academy, which is situated here.
Klein rested his forearms on the windowsill and looked at the academy's outer wards in the distance.
His gaze lowered as he remembered Julius... the ever-smiling and kind guy.
Looking at Klein, Claire asked, "What happened? You are staring out at the window."
Turning to her, he shook his head "Nothing, just thinking about the future."
She sat on the bed and looked at him "Well, I am also nervous... but let's give it our best shot."
"Even if we lose, we can smile with satisfaction that we gave our best.'
Klein sighed in his heart 'But.. I don't have that level of liberty right now. I need to enter Grayhaven no matter what.'
'Julius has been dead for a month... I don't know how much has the story spiraled from the original route ever since then.'
'So I need to enter the Academy before Act 2 so I can push the story back to its original route...'
He looked up at her with a smile "You're right. Best shot, no regrets."
Walking to her, he sat beside her on the bed "Let's go to the library here later."
Claire nodded her head "Hmm, the first phase of the transfer exam is the theory examination, so we need to pass that."
Klein's expression turned grim 'Fuck... books and studying. I hate it.'
But he has to do it, because he should not just 'pass'.
He needs to get good marks and excel in the exam.
Because the second-year students were split into classes by performance; standard, advanced, and the elite class
And he is aiming for the 2nd-year elite class, because that's where the main characters are.
'Urgh... this is going to be pain in the ass.'
'Fortunately the old Klein is quite a nerd, and with my game knowledge, if I put in some effort... I can do it.'
'Also my dual elemental affinities will also give me some points.'
He closed his eyes with a sigh 'Fuck you... Julius.'
For a moment they just sat in silence, and the rune-heater's soft glow painted warm light across their faces.
Claire leaned her head against his shoulder again, "One big bed," she said after a while, a teasing note creeping into her voice.
"Guess we're sharing again tonight."
Klein smiled dryly "Well we planned to get a single room to save our credits. Just one more week of staying here."
"Bear it until then, Big Sister."
Upon hearing this, she giggled "Why are you saying it as if having one bed is a hassle? I am happy to sleep with my little brother in bed."
She shifted closer, wrapping both arms around his hand and hugging it to her chest "Also for this cold season, it's better to stay close to you... it will be warmer."
He shook his head helplessly "Yeah, yeah... just say you want to use me as human heater."
"Hahaha..."
---
Lying on the bed, Klein stared at the ceiling, thoughts circling his mind. 'Tomorrow, we need to go to the Library as the first thing in the morning.'
His gaze narrowed 'In the capital, there are many opportunities... but those come later.'
'For the time being, let's focus on entering Grayhaven.'
As he was thinking, he turned his head on the pillow, and his eyes softened as they landed on Claire.
She was curled on her side, facing him, one hand tucked beneath her cheek.
The quilt had slipped down to her waist sometime in her sleep, exposing her shoulders to the chill.
Her breathing was slow and even with her lips slightly parted.
Klein reached out carefully and tugged the thick quilt higher, pulling it up over her shoulders and tucking it gently around her.
At the slight movement, Claire stirred.
"Hmmm..."
A soft, sleepy sound escaped her lips as she shifted closer until her forehead rested against his chest and one of her arms draped loosely across his waist.
Klein's thoughts froze, but then he gently hugged her back.
With that, he closed his eyes, letting her warmth guide him to sleep.