Shura stumbled out of the graveyard.
Rain slicked stones beneath his boots, and the gray sky pressed down on him like a weight.
"I… I can't catch everyone," he muttered, breath ragged.
He looked up. The streets of Aethelgard stretched wide before him. The train station was still far, and the echo of the departing whistle hit him like a hammer.
"I'm late… I can't—"
He ran. Full speed.
Every step was soaked, slipping, stumbling—but he didn't stop. Not for the rain. Not for the mud. Not even for his aching lungs.
The massive station loomed ahead. Its stone pillars glinted faintly under the stormy sky. A train sat ready to leave, steam hissing, wheels trembling.
"Holy sh—"
He slowed for half a second.
Only now did he truly see it.
Aethelgard.
The tall crystal towers reflecting morning light. The layered bridges. The banners flowing from high balconies. The enormous rail system carved into white stone.
"…It's beautiful."
He hadn't noticed before.
He had been too busy asking questions.
Too busy chasing answers.
He looked back once more.
"I'll come back someday," he murmured.
"Not to fight. Not to train."
"Just… to look."
Another thought struck him.
"I've only seen two kingdoms out of six."
He laughed breathlessly.
"How massive is this world?"
And then—
The train whistle screamed again.
"Oh shit."
He ran.
Collision
As he rushed up the platform stairs—
He crashed into someone.
Hard.
He stumbled back.
A tall man stood before him.
Long dark hair. Face partially covered. Presence… heavy.
The man steadied him with a gentle hand.
"Be careful."
His voice was calm.
Low.
Controlled.
Shura blinked.
"S-Sorry!"
And ran off without another thought.
The man watched him go.
Silently.
Reunion
Shura jumped into the train just before departure.
"I made it!"
Everyone looked at him.
Orin folded her arms.
"You almost didn't."
Ren shook his head slightly.
Zenkyou didn't even react.
Shura dropped into his seat.
"Bro, this kingdom is insane."
He started rambling.
"The architecture, the rail system, the—"
"Lower your voice, idiot," Orin muttered.
Shura huffed.
"It takes forever to walk across!"
"I've been here for months and I've traveled more distance than the entire Country of Light!"
Juro smiled softly.
"I would have liked to see your surface."
He leaned back.
"But I'm old. I might die soon anyway. Hahaha."
Shura's expression dropped instantly.
"Master… don't say that."
His voice was small.
Zenkyou snorted.
"Don't worry. That old scum won't die yet."
Juro laughed louder.
The tension eased.
Aestral Connection
Suddenly—
A faint glow appeared on Juro's hand.
An Aestral message.
Shura's eyes sparkled.
"Whoa. That's amazing. Can I learn that?"
Juro raised an eyebrow.
"It only works through Viora."
"If you resonate with someone, you can connect."
He extended his hand.
"Try to feel my Viora flow."
Shura closed his eyes.
Concentrated.
Again.
And again.
Then—
"…I feel it."
Juro smiled.
"Now absorb a little. Just enough to create a link."
Shura tried.
Failed.
Tried again.
And suddenly—
A faint thread formed.
His eyes shot open.
"I did it!"
He tried with Orin.
Then Ren.
Then Zenkyou.
Then Yura.
Small threads.
Weak.
But real.
"I can send messages now!"
A pause.
"…Wait."
He blinked.
"How do I send one?"
Everyone stared at him.
Ren leaned back.
"You're the curious genius, right? Figure it out."
They started laughing.
Shura groaned.
Yua
Shura glanced at Yua in Juro's arms.
"…What about her?"
The mood shifted.
Orin looked serious.
"We've lived with you for years, Master. We don't even know."
"She's around twenty, right?" Orin added.
"Why don't we know anything?"
Juro's expression softened.
"No need to ask yet."
"I'll tell you when the time comes."
He placed a hand gently on Yua's head.
Shura moved closer.
He spoke to her softly.
Even though she couldn't answer.
He listened.
Even though she couldn't speak.
"…I have a secret," he whispered.
"I'm going back to the surface someday."
"I'll show you the sky."
"The sun."
"The moon."
"Clouds."
"I promise."
Something faint flickered.
A thin connection.
Shura frowned.
"Master… I can't feel her Viora."
Juro nodded.
"That's why she cannot speak."
"Cannot walk."
"She lost hope."
A pause.
"But recently…"
He looked at her quietly.
"Her Viora has started to respond."
Hope.
Even if small.
Inside Juro's mind—
His fist tightened.
Whoever runs those black markets…
As a Member Night Fang, I could destroy them.
But they shift locations daily.
Schedules change.
Someone powerful is protecting them.
His jaw clenched.
Academy
Shura turned toward Yura.
"So what's next?"
"I return to the Academy," she said calmly.
"Holidays are over."
She sighed.
"I hate it."
"Why can't I just take quests?"
"As a student, I'm limited," she continued.
"I can only accept non-lethal missions."
"That's why I train with Zenkyou outside."
Zenkyou blinked suddenly.
"Oh right."
She pulled something from her coat.
"Here."
Shura caught it.
"…What is this?"
"Your Academic ID."
His eyes widened.
"I didn't apply—"
"You're lucky," Zenkyou interrupted.
"Empress Rose personally approved it."
"…Wait what?"
Shura stared at the card.
"What happens at the Academy?"
Yura answered calmly.
"Survival theory."
"Combat control."
"Research."
"History."
"Relics."
Ren smirked.
"Perfect for you, curious brat."
Shura grinned.
Maybe this world had more answers than he thought.
The train began to move.
Stone faded into distance.
Aethelgard grew smaller behind them.
Juro stood slowly.
"That's enough talking."
"Rest."
"We'll reach Ossuarium soon."
Shura leaned back.
For the first time—
He wasn't chasing something.
He was moving toward it.