Turbulence Aboard the Magic Cruiser
The final evaluation event aboard the airship was a main storyline spectacle in the game, boasting an overwhelming scale. Vast dungeons, inventive staging, and enemies to match—every element ignited players' sense of adventure, pushing their imaginations to the skies. The scene that first captured the event's charm was none other than—
"Master~! We're floating in the sky!!" Eily pressed both hands to the window, her eyes sparkling as she gazed outside. Her voice brimmed with excitement and wonder.
The view beyond the window fully justified her reaction. The massive ship's deck pierced through the clouds, while below stretched endless plains and rolling waves—a majestic sight hard to believe was real.
"What an incredible view. This is my first time on one of these, too."
Elisha leaned against the window frame as she spoke, her tone calm, but her gaze fixed firmly outside. Her eyes held a quiet admiration she couldn't quite hide.
"Is that... the Royal Capital? It looks so tiny from up here."
Melina tilted her head, her voice laced with unmistakable awe despite her words. The spot she pointed to held the capital's massive walls and dense buildings, shrunken like an exquisite miniature model. The endless blue sky stretched like an ocean, and the familiar landscape below felt strangely alien. The Royal Capital, once so imposing, now appeared small and neat from this vantage.
"Aren't you amazed, Master?" Eily turned to me, still beaming with thrill as she stared out the window, unable to contain her excitement.
"I am."
I gave a light smile in response. But honestly, I wasn't as blown away as they were. After all, flying vehicles existed in the real world too. The only difference here was magic powering it.
This massive Magic Cruiser we were on embodied the essence of fantasy travel. Powered by enormous magic stones, it resembled a passenger liner on the outside, but the powerful magical devices embedded throughout proved it was far more than a mere ship.
We'd boarded this Magic Cruiser because our destination, the Deep Temple Dungeon, lay far from the Royal Capital.
"It's really something. Looks like a regular ship, though."
Elisha glanced around the interior. The wooden floors exuded antique charm, silver accents dotted the space like a noble banquet hall, and light streaming through the windows bathed everything in a warm, serene glow.
"So this is what flying feels like."
Melina murmured her thoughts softly, tracing a tiny water droplet on the window with her fingertip, lost in the mystical sensation.
But one of us wasn't enjoying it: "Ugh..."
Varis huddled in the corner, his pale face and sweat-beaded forehead betraying his misery.
"Varis, you okay?"
I asked with concern. He looked rough.
"Arnold...? Thanks for worrying. I'm f-fine—blegh..."
His words cut off as he retched. It was his severe motion sickness from vehicles—a canon trait.
"I wonder which senior we'll get?"
Eily posed the question idly while still admiring the view, drawing everyone's attention. We all turned from the windows to exchange glances, curiosity building about our new companion and what ripples they'd bring to the journey.
The academy formed dungeon teams of five students plus one senior guide. Such thorough prep was essential—dungeons were deadly, demanding readiness for every contingency. While assessing individual skills mattered, student safety came first, especially after the Lamiel incident derailed midterms and cast doubt on the academy's preparedness.
"Hope it's someone nice."
Rumors had swirled that the big incident might cancel dungeons this year, but tradition won out.
"And if they mesh well with us, even better."
Someone chimed in to lighten the mood, steering talk to our senior.
"Speaking of... what kind of senior do you all want?"
Varis leaned forward, scanning us. A familiar game line—but now with me and Eily here.
"Hmm~ Let's see."
Eily tapped her chin first. After a thoughtful pause, she spoke.
"Doesn't matter much, but not a woman, please."
An unexpected answer. She just didn't want a girl?
"Mm~"
Elisha seemed about to reply. I vaguely recalled the others' game responses—hoping for a capable senior.
"I'd prefer no woman either."
"Same here. Skills don't matter much, but a female senior...?"
Wait, what? These weren't the scripted lines.
"Hey, not that—something about skills—"
"I don't care."
"Me neither. They're all top students anyway; we're not judging them."
"Agreed this time."
Somehow, they all dreaded a female senior, like some shared unspoken discomfort.
"...?"
This vibe spelled trouble. I knew exactly who was coming.
"...What? Something on my face?"
Suddenly, Elisha, Eily, and Melina's gazes locked on me—intense enough to unsettle.
"Sigh, no."
"Don't mind it."
"Just... a bad vibe or something~"
They sighed in unison, exasperated. Baffling reactions. Like I was missing some inside joke.
"Anyway, they should be here soon? Other teams look set."
Varis glanced out, changing the subject. Seniors entered other cabins in the hall, greeting their groups.
"Wonder who we'll get."
Gazes shifted to the door amid tension and anticipation.
And then—creeeak—
In the heavy silence, the door opened. A familiar face appeared.
"Hi! Nice to meet you all!"
Cascading blue hair, translucent blue eyes, a confident, radiant smile. She shifted the room's air instantly, greeting warmly yet boldly.
"We'll be together a few days—take care of me?"
"I'm Lucy!"
There stood the game's final heroine.
"This is A-1 Team~? I'm your third-year senior here to guide your dungeon dive."
Lucy approached with her signature bright smile and easy charm. Her clear, upbeat voice melted the lingering tension.
"Yes, hello! I'm Eily!"
Eily responded first, her warm smile blending seamlessly with Lucy's energy.
"......"
But I caught a flicker of unease in her eyes. They'd just wished for no woman—and here she was.
"I'm Elisha Grain. Pleased to meet you."
Elisha bowed gracefully, elegant poise tinged with subtle wariness.
"Melina Herdinand. Looking forward to the next few days."
Melina nodded calmly, her gaze appraising Lucy with quiet charisma.
"V-Varis here!!"
Varis alone was purely enthusiastic, voice shaky but earnest.
"Glad you're all welcoming me so warmly~"
It could've stayed harmonious. But then—
"Oh? Arnold! What a coincidence!"
Lucy's cheerful voice rang out as my turn came. The room froze solid.
"Pardon?"
Eily nodded reflexively, stunned. The peace shattered.
"I said it just in case, but I didn't think we'd meet again so soon!"
Lucy grinned casually, but her words drew sharp stares—mostly icy ones aimed at her.
"Huh? Master, do you know her...?"
Eily reacted first, worry flashing across her face, eyes flickering as she gauged our connection.
"Wait, you two know each other?"
Elisha cut in bluntly, her eyes sharpening unlike her usual refinement—territorial displeasure evident.
"Who's this now?"
Melina stepped forward coolly, her tone chill. Her lips curved, but was it a smile or a warning?
The once-cheerful group turned the air to ice with one remark. Subtle tensions coiled, filling the cabin.
"Oops? Did I overstep by acting familiar?"
Lucy scratched her head innocently, but her nonchalance only escalated the hostility.
"Master, who is this lady?"
Eily's voice rose, eyes brimming with suspicion and anxiety, glued to me like she feared exclusion.
"How do you know her?!"
Elisha vented openly, hand on hip, ready to interrogate.
"Explain properly!!"
Melina demanded firmly, her sharp gaze blazing with hidden fury and jealousy.
The cabin teetered on chaos. Lucy's innocence clashed with the group's severity, brewing unease.
"Haa..."
I let out a deep sigh. Peace had crumbled so fast. The journey ahead already felt exhausting, shoulders heavy with the weight.