Kael made his way down the main steps of the academy, pulling his bag along with one hand and adjusting his coat with the other. The campus was quieter than usual, most students already off for vacation or dragging their tired selves to their transport gates.
The sun was just beginning to rise soft, golden light spilling over the academy's outer towers.
In front of the teleportation terminal, sleek black vehicles waited like dragons at rest. Among them was a VIP Magic Bus, reserved for high-performing students, rankers, or those with enough merit to qualify. Kael wasn't a noble, but his recent achievements and group ranking gave him access.
The bus's door hissed open as he approached.
Inside, it was even more luxurious than it looked plush leather seats that adjusted to his posture, glowing runic lights that floated like lazy fireflies, and panoramic windows displaying the open sky in perfect clarity.
Kael sat down by the left window and dropped his bag beside him.
The driver a man in a crisp mana-regulated uniform and a calm demeanor turned from his seat and asked, "Destination?"
Kael leaned back and replied, "Yeah. 42 Elmsreach Avenue, West Etherford."
"Got it. Direct route, sir?"
"Yeah. Direct."
The bus hummed softly, hovering upward until the ground below looked like a painting. The academy grounds shrank behind him its towers, sky bridges, domes, and mysterious sectors disappearing into clouds.
Kael leaned his head against the glass, watching the campus fade.
"I've only explored like... ten percent of that place. No wonder everyone keeps getting lost. When I come back, I'm going full explorer mode."
They passed over the edge of the city, the natural forest line giving way to civilization. From the skies, Etherford looked breathtaking: rows of glowing buildings, floating ad-runes, elemental-powered highways, and monorails threading through massive structures.
Kael's crimson eyes followed a group of windriders zipping through a sky track below them.
"No matter how many times I see it... this city really is something else."
The bus curved past the central district and began descending toward the residential areas. Smaller buildings came into view, colorful rooftops and gardens nestled tightly beside each other.
Finally, the bus hovered down. The neighborhood was quiet kids were still asleep, and the only sound was the soft engine whir of Kael's ride.
He stood, nodded to the driver, and stepped out.
The bus floated back into the air and disappeared over the trees.
Kael stood there for a moment, looking at the door of the house he'd grown up in.
"Ah... home sweet home."
He pressed his thumb to the door scanner. It beeped twice before unlocking with a dull click. The door creaked open.
He stepped in.
Quiet.
No smell of burnt toast. No sarcastic voice yelling from upstairs. No Belle.
He dropped his bag at the entrance and looked around the empty living room.
"Guess she's off doing world-class hunter stuff again..."
He rubbed the back of his neck and exhaled.
"Well, I've got one month... and a bunch of dungeons calling my name."