Trafalgar was sitting beside Cynthia when Aurevane finally appeared beyond the window.

Cynthia had been watching the outside for a while, her attention fixed on the city as the train slowed on its approach. Trafalgar, meanwhile, had his thoughts elsewhere for a brief while.

’Caelum disappeared a while ago. I imagine he needs to prepare himself before entering the place, and judging by what I can see, getting inside will not be simple. If I need to contact him, I will use the Shadowlink Echo, but for now I will let him do what he does. Let’s see what Aurevane has waiting for us. Hopefully Selara’s master really is here. I have a lot of questions for him.’

Cynthia, on the other hand, was clearly amazed by the city.

It was the first time she had seen a place like this, and she did not bother hiding her reaction. Her face was close to the window, eyes bright, voice lifting every time a new structure appeared beyond the glass.

"Look at that, Trafalgar. Can we go there? It looks like a real castle."

Instead of looking outside, Trafalgar found himself watching her.

It was strangely captivating, seeing Cynthia smile like that, happy in a way that did not need armor around it. She was usually stronger in the face than in the voice, always with that firm attitude that made it easy to forget she could be this openly excited.

Apparently, she noticed his lack of answer.

Cynthia turned from the window and met his eyes.

"Are you paying attention to what I’m saying?"

She probably thought she had caught him off guard. But she has not.

If life had taught Trafalgar anything, it was how to pay attention to several things at once. Surviving as a Morgain, dealing with nobles, assassins, monsters, politics, and Selara’s lab disasters had been very educational in that regard. Painful, often. Useful, always.

"That is probably where the main event will be held," Trafalgar said, looking toward the structure she had pointed at. "So yes, the castle should be important. Though it looks more innovative than traditional. More modern."

Cynthia’s expression changed immediately.

She looked pleased that he had actually been listening.

"We’ll be here for a while," she said, turning back toward the city with renewed interest. "I also want to buy some things. Maybe something for Barth. Is there anything you want to do here?"

Trafalgar leaned back slightly.

"See what they have. Maybe there will be something interesting to buy."

The train slowed to a steady pace of around twenty kilometers per hour, about twelve miles per hour, as it approached the city.

Trafalgar looked through the window now.

There was no snow here. They had left that region behind hours ago. The weather outside was warmer, with sunlight falling across the rails and trees gathered along the outer road. From a distance, Aurevane looked far more comfortable than the storm they had crossed to reach it.

’Good thing I packed clothes for different weather.’

The train entered a long tunnel cut through the outer wall.

The wall itself was massive, pale stone reinforced with layered formations. It did not look like a wall built for decoration. It looked like something meant to stop people, beasts, and foolish ideas from getting inside. Above it, a translucent barrier curved over the city like a faint dome, visible only where sunlight touched it at certain angles.

No flying in, then.

Someone with a barrier-related class, or several someones, had built that thing to make sure even the air was not an easy path into Aurevane. Watchtowers rose at intervals along the wall, each one manned and connected by glowing lines of mana.

’This reminds me of the mountain where my family’s Sword Graveyard is located.’

Different purpose, different style, but the same feeling of controlled access.

You did not simply walk in.

You were allowed in.

Once the train passed through the tunnel, more of the city came into view.

Aurevane was not large, but it was dense with purpose. Buildings rose in distinct districts, each one shaped around a profession or specialty. Alchemy halls with glass roofs and green-gold lamps. Engineering houses with copper frames, rotating vents, and chimneys releasing carefully colored smoke. Beast-related compounds with reinforced enclosures and heavy gates. Medical towers, auction houses, supply depots, small laboratories, and private buildings that probably hid more secrets than they showed windows. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Because of the event, the streets were full of stalls.

Not cheap festival stalls, either. These were displays arranged by people who wanted money, reputation, or both. Ingredients sealed in crystal. Polished monster bones. Vials floating in suspension boxes. Weapon parts. Scrolls. Small devices that clicked, spun, breathed steam, or hummed with mana.

This was a grand event for people who wanted to show what they had produced.

And, naturally, for people rich enough to buy things they had no business touching.

The train finally reached the station.

Selara raised her voice from the front of the wagon.

All the students were there again. After what had happened during the attack, no one had much interest in wandering through the train alone anymore. Even the third-years, who had tried to act above fear, had quietly returned to the academy wagon and stayed there.

"We have arrived," Selara said, clapping her hands once. Her clothes were repaired enough to be presentable again, though Trafalgar knew better than to believe that meant she was calm. "Everyone, follow me. Do not separate from the group yet. First, we will go to the place where we will stay during our time here, and I will explain a few things once we arrive."

Trafalgar stood and picked up his suitcase.

Cynthia followed beside him.

Caelum, knowing him, was already somewhere inside Aurevane wearing some other face, in some place no one would think to search. That was probably for the best. If the city was this guarded from the outside, the inside would have its own locks.

The mission had officially begun.

Finding Selara’s master.

If that man was anywhere in the world right now, this was one of the best places he could be. Aurevane had gathered more than thirty thousand important people for an event of worldwide importance. Alchemists, engineers, researchers, merchants, nobles, smugglers pretending to be investors, and investors who were probably worse than smugglers.

A perfect crowd for someone who knew how to hide behind brilliance and money.

Trafalgar adjusted his grip on the suitcase and followed Selara toward the exit.

’Time to get to work.’