The next morning came pretty clean and deceptively peaceful for what was about to happen not too long after.
Sunlight crept over the Academy spires in soft gold bands, glinting off enchanted glass and floating walkways. The world looked ordinary, too ordinary, like it was holding its breath.
Albedo stood on the boarding platform, hands in his coat pockets, breath fogging faintly in the cool air as the floating train eased into place with a low, resonant hum.
The Aetherline Express was a sleek thing, silver body segmented by glowing mana rails beneath it, hovering several meters above the ground as arcane repulsors stabilized its weight. Carriages drifted into alignment soundlessly, doors sliding open with practiced precision.
It was created recently, with the goal of giving students more options to move to, from or throughout the Academy Campus.
Students boarded in clusters, chatting, laughing, complaining about early lectures.
