Overwhelming Firepower

The conductor stood near the entrance of the carriage, dressed in a dark uniform trimmed with brass buttons that gleamed in the morning light.

Alexander handed over the two paper tickets Mina had carefully purchased at the wooden booth.

The conductor glanced at them briefly before pressing a small metal punch against each one. The sharp click echoed crisply as tiny crescent-shaped holes appeared near the corner.

”Second carriage from the back,” the conductor said. ”Seats are first-come, first-served.”

Mina nodded quickly and tugged lightly on Alexander’s sleeve as they stepped forward.

The inside of the train was warmer than the cool morning air outside. The scent of polished wood and faint coal smoke lingered in the cabin. Sunlight streamed through the rectangular windows, casting long stripes across the narrow aisle.

The cheaper carriage was not luxurious. The seats were simple wooden benches with thin cushions laid across them. Overhead racks held small luggage, and the walls were plain, without decorative carvings like the front cars, rumored to house nobles and merchants of status.

But to Alexander and Mina, it still felt incredible. It was just a few years ago that travel to their village was quite difficult, but now, due to this train, they can reach any part of Norvaegard within a day.

Mina slid into a seat near the window before anyone else could claim it and quickly gestured for Alexander to sit beside her. Once Alex sat down on the seat, Mina sighed as she looked outside.

”The train truly is a wonderful thing. If it were a few years ago, we would have needed to have paid more and could not have returned home for years if we passed the exam. Now we can return whenever we want.”

”Yeah,” Alexander responded while also looking outside the window.

The train gathered speed steadily after leaving the village behind. The rhythmic clatter of steel against rail settled into a steady pattern, almost hypnotic in its consistency.

Mina barely moved from the window. Fields passed by in long green stretches, broken occasionally by small clusters of houses or grazing livestock. Streams flashed silver beneath narrow bridges. Forests came and went like dark green waves.

It didn’t take too long for them to reach the capital city of Norvaegard, Caelhart.

Eventually, the conductor walked through the aisle once more, checking the punched tickets of those who had boarded later.

”We’ll be arriving at the Capital shortly,” he announced.

The train continued its steady approach, the outer districts of the Capital coming into view beyond the glass windows.

Stone buildings rose in tighter clusters than anything found in their village. Taller watchtowers marked intersections. Workshops lined the rail corridors, their chimneys releasing steady plumes of smoke.

Then Minaexcitedly nudged Alexander. ”Look, above us.”

He followed her gaze upward. Above the Capital skyline, several massive airships drifted through the sky.

Their hulls were reinforced with dark wood and bands of metal, and faint runic engravings glimmered along their sides.

Large propellers rotated steadily, producing a low hum that reached even through the train’s glass.

From below, the airships flying through the sky seemed so incredible. The sky, which only a few humans could touch, had now become something anyone with enough coin could reach.

They were heading in and out of the so-called docking tower. From below, the towers did not look like mere structures.

They rose from the earth like colossal pillars carved for giants, their foundations anchored in pale stone while their upper frames were forged from dark iron ribs that curved toward the sky.

Massive circular platforms extended from their heights, each one inscribed with layered runic arrays that shimmered faintly in the daylight.

Even though it was their second time seeing this scene, it still amazes them. Caelhart felt a completely different world compared to their tiny village.

The train rolled beneath the shadow of one of the docking towers, and for a brief moment, the sunlight dimmed as an airship passed overhead.

From this close, the vessel seemed less like a machine and more like some tamed sky-beast, its vast envelope stretching proudly against the wind.

The train then finally reached Caelhart’s station, which was considered to be the second grandest station in Norvaegard.

A vast arched canopy stretched over the platforms, constructed from interwoven beams of dark iron and reinforced glass panels that captured the morning light. Sunlight streamed through the curved ceiling in fractured brilliance, scattering across polished stone floors below.

The iron framework was not crude or industrial; it was shaped with deliberate artistry, its supports engraved with subtle runic motifs that shimmered faintly when steam drifted past them.

As the train eased fully beneath the canopy, the sound shifted. The open sky’s wind gave way to a cathedral-like echo. Steam hissed in long white plumes that curled toward the glass ceiling before thinning into mist.

The clatter of metal against rail reverberated in layered rhythm, blending with the calls of porters and the low murmur of hundreds of voices.

Multiple rail lines stretched outward in perfect alignment, branching into distant platforms where other trains rested.

Some were sleek passenger engines painted in deep royal colors. Others were broad freight carriers stacked with sealed cargo crates marked with merchant insignias.

Tall iron pillars lined each platform, topped with glowing crystal lamps that remained lit even in daylight, their pale blue cores humming softly.

Overhead, suspended signs marked departures and arrivals, their lettering etched into polished metal plates.

Nobles in tailored coats stepped carefully across the platforms, escorted by attendants carrying luggage.

Merchants argued over manifests beside neatly stacked cargo. Soldiers in uniform patrolled in pairs, their armor reflecting the filtered sunlight. Students, some in fine garments, others in modest attire like Alexander and Mina.

Beyond the rail lines, large archways opened toward the city proper. Through them, glimpses of Caelhart’s skyline could be seen, spires, watchtowers, and the distant silhouettes of airships docking against the horizon.

Mina stood slowly as the train doors opened, her earlier excitement returning in quiet waves.

”It feels bigger than last time,” she murmured.

”We can admire it later; we have to move now. The test might start.” Alexander said while holding Mina’s hand and pulling her.

”...” Mina looked at the hand pulling at her and blushed a little, but she did not say a word.

The two exited the train station after going through a few knights guarding the entrance, asking for identification.

Once that was done, Alexander let go of Mina’s hand, who looked a little disappointed.

Mina cleared her throat and adjusted the strap of the small satchel slung over her shoulder, pretending nothing had happened.

The two then started running through the busy streets of Caelhart. It was at that moment that Alexander stopped in his tracks as he heard a certain sound in an alleyway.

”Why did you stop?” Mina stopped running as well and looked at Alexander.

”I heard someone calling for help.”

”Let’s just tell a guard and-” Mina was not able to finish her sentence when Alexander enveloped himself with his aura and started running towards a certain alleyway.

Seeing what Alexander did, Mina gritted her teeth and sighed as she too enveloped herself with her aura and dashed behind Alexander.

Once Alexander was in the alleyway, the voice he heard became clearer. There was the sound of someone hitting something, and a muffled scream.

Alexander turned a hard right in the middle of the alleyway and saw three grown men beating up a young man around his age.

”Stop!”

Alexander shouted, making the three men stop what they were doing, and looked at the new arrival.

The three men turned toward Alexander, annoyance flashing across their faces. One of them, taller than the others and clearly the leader, clicked his tongue.

”This doesn’t concern you,” he said flatly. ”Walk away.”

The young man on the ground coughed, blood staining the corner of his lip. He tried to push himself up but failed.

Alexander stepped forward instead of retreating. ”It concerns me, I can’t just turn a blind eye to you people hurting someone.”

The tall man frowned; he felt like this kid with the broadsword would become troublesome. ”This brat owes us.”

”Then speak with him,” Alexander replied. ”If there’s a dispute, there are ways to settle it without this.”

One of the other men scoffed. ”And who are you supposed to be? Why are you even bothering us for this brat that you obviously never met?”

”It doesn’t matter if I know him or not. I’m simply someone who doesn’t like seeing people getting beaten up.” Alexander answered.

The leader’s expression hardened. This was starting to get truly annoying. ”Last warning. Leave.” The leader’s voice became very threatening as the three men glared at Alexander.

Alexander’s gaze did not waver. ”I can’t.”

Alexander did not use his aura, but his presence, his resolve not wanting to back down, of wanting to save the one being hurt, could be felt.

Mina arrived a moment later, stopping just behind him. She didn’t need to ask what was happening, but just looked at the situation; she knew what Alexander wanted to do. She was about ready to grab her spear.

The three men hesitated. Alexander looked at each of them in turn. They didn’t know who Alexander was, and based on his clothes, he didn’t seem like someone from a great background.

”You don’t have to make this worse,” he said. ”Walk away now, and this ends here. No guards, no punishment. Just leave, please.”

If possible, Alexander did not want to harm these people. Despite their looks and what they had done, surely they too have good reasons for their actions.

The alley remained silent for several long seconds. The leader stared at Alexander, searching for hesitation.

He found none of it. There was no arrogance in the young man’s stance. No hunger for a fight, nor an attempt to provoke.

There was only one thing he could feel, and that was Alexander’s resolve. The kind that did not bend.

The injured boy coughed again on the ground, breaking the tense silence. The leader clicked his tongue as he closed his eyes in annoyance. ”This ain’t worth it.”

The leader then spat at the boy, coughing up blood. ”You lucked out.”

The leader stepped back, and the others followed suit. Before they left, the leader once again looked at the boy and spoke.

”This matter isn’t done. You must settle your debt.”

Alexander did not move as the three men brushed past him. The leader looked at his face and Mina’s, as if trying to memorize what they look like.

The trio then disappeared toward the street. Alexander watched them as they left his line of sight.

Once the three men disappeared, Mina, who was tensed up and ready to strike, sighed as the tension left her. Alexander approached the injured boy.

”Can you stand?” Alexander asked gently.

The boy nodded weakly. Alexander helped him up, and the boy leaned on Alexander’s shoulder.

”Why?… Why did you help me? I don’t even know who you are,” the boy asked quietly.

”Does helping someone need to have a reason?” Alexander replied with a gentle smile on his face.

The boy looked down, ashamed. ”... Thank you...”

”You’re welcome,” Alexander enthusiastically replied. Mina, who was walking behind them, had her lips curved upward as she shook her head.

Alexander helped him out of the alley and toward the main street where guards were stationed nearby.

He explained briefly to the guards what had happened and watched as the boy was escorted safely to a nearby healer.

When everything was settled, Mina folded her arms and looked at him. ”We are definitely going to be late.”

Alexander glanced in the direction of the Royal Academy. ”Then we’d better run faster.”

Alexander did as he said and started running faster than before. Mina sighed as she ran after Alexander. ”You’re impossible.” She murmured to herself as the smile on her face brightened a little.

The two of them dashed forward through the crowded streets, the Academy gates drawing nearer with every step.