"Ahhh!!" a woman screamed, clutching her chest in shock.
The scream broke the silence which was hung in the air. One of the passengers stepped backn while pointing at Ryu.
"Y-you...took them all down by yourself.."
"huh?!" Ryu, who was cleaning his hand, blinked his eyes in confusion.
"They were the one who attacked first," he said calmly as the matter of fact.
"A-an Awakened!!" One of the passengers said.
The moment he said, everyone looked at Ryu. Its obvious that a normal human can't move like this, even for an adult. An awakened can only have this much capability.
"Thank god...I was scared."
"We are saved."
"But how bandit able to enter the train?"
The passengers began murmuring among themselves, voices with full of awe and fear.
"Thank you!!"
The moment Ryu was going back to his seat,a little girl came forward.
"Hmm?"
"Thank you for saving us."
Ryu turned to look at the mother and daughter who were bowing.
"Its nothing. I just can't stand it, thats all." Ryu said while smiling, and dismissing it as nothing.
The mother and daughter went back their seat, after thanking him again.
Just as he was contemplating, a faint rustlimg came from outside. His eyes narrowed.
'More of them?'
Ryu gripped his sword.
As he was going to strike, a voice enterd his ears.
"Everyone, calm down."
A firm commanding voice echoed.
Ryu paused mid step, as several figures enterd through the fron train door. The man leading wore a sharp blue uniform adorned with silver insignia.
The man stepped inside the train, his gaze sweeping across the cabin. His shaarp eyes landed on the unconscious bandits lying aacross the floor. A faint smirk tugged his lips.
"So this is where they ended up," he said, his tone carrying a hint of relief. "Finally caught these rats. They've been plaguing this route for weeks."
He turned slightly, gesturing to one of his subordinates. "Secure them and treat the wounded. Make sure none of them slip away again."
"Yes, Captain!" one of the soldiers saluted and immediately began tying up the fallen bandits.
The captain's expression softened slightly as he addressed the passengers. "Apologies for the delay, everyone. You're safe now. These criminals won't be troubling anyone anymore."
There was a brief murmur of gratitude among the passengers.
Then, the captain's gaze swept across the room once more
"Though…" he said slowly, his eyes narrowing with curiosity, "judging from the scene, it doesn't seem we were the ones who took them down."
His words drew every passenger's attention. Heads turned. Murmurs rose. And then, as if moved by instinct, every eye in the carriage turned toward Ryu.
The young man sat quietly near the window, his sword resting by his side. His calm expression contrasted sharply with the bloodstains drying on his sleeve.
The captain raised an eyebrow. "You there," he said, stepping closer. "Were you the one who handled these men before we arrived?"
Ryu hesitated for a moment, then sighed softly. "They attacked first. I just defended myself."
The captain's lips curved into an intrigued smile. "Is that so?" he said, studying Ryu for a moment longer.
"Not bad… judging by the aftermath, you are an awakened and going for the academy right?"
Ryu stayed silent, only offering a faint, polite nod.
The captain chuckled under his breath, clearly amused by the young man's composure. "Interesting," he murmured. Then louder, "Name?"
"Ryu, huh?" The captain's gaze lingered for a moment, then he gave a curt nod. "Well, Ryu — you've done a fine service today. I'll be sure to mention this to the division report."
As he turned away to oversee the bandits being taken out, a subtle thought flickered through his mind.
'That boy… there's something strange about his aura.'
He glanced over his shoulder one last time. Ryu was staring out of the window, lost in thought.
'Maybe I am overthinking.'
The captian shakes his head and exit the train.
After a moment, the train start moving. But Ryu mind was elsewhere.
'Awakened Association's huh.' The moment he saw the silver insignia, he remembered. An elite enforcement unit that operated across the human domain.
While Ryu was lost in thought, a pair of sharp icy blue eyes was focused on him.
***
"Dear passengers, we have arrived at Arcaneum City. Please gather your belongings before leaving the train."
The pleasant voice of the announcer pulled Ryu out of his thought. he rubbedd his eyes, and got up from his seat.The moment he exited the station, his breath hitched.
A city of light and womder strecthed across the horizon.
Arcaneum—known as The City of Knowledge and Power—was unlike anything Ryu had ever seen. Gigantic spires of white stone reached toward the clouds, their tips wrapped in faint rings of floating glyphs. Roads paved with crystal shimmered under the glow of mana lamps, while sleek magi-cars glided through the streets without wheels, powered by arcane energy.
Above the city, suspended platforms floated gracefully in the air, connected by glowing bridges that pulsed faintly with blue runes. And in the distance—like a divine monument—stood the enormous white citadel of the World Academy, its walls inscribed with countless runic circuits that gleamed softly under the sun.
Ryu's lips parted slightly as he stepped off the train. "So… this is Arcaneum," he muttered in awe and wonder.
"Fuck!! I knew the city where the World Academy situated would be amazing, i didn't thought of this. Straight out of fantasy." Ryu exclaimed.
Ryu breadth in and out, as he feel the air. The air was diffenrent here. Dense with mana. Around him, other passengers marveled at the sight, snapping pictures, chattering in awe.
Ryu adjusted the strap of his bag, his silver eyes reflecting the radiant skyline.
"World Academy!! Here I come." he whispered to himself.
But somewhere within the bustling station, the same pair of icy-blue eyes that had watched him before, watched him.