Heart of Transportation
Saint Kras Terminal.
The grandest and most opulent train station in the land, renowned as the only one offering direct service to Central.
Of course, that was precisely why Zien and his companions had come here—to board the train bound for Central.
"Phew, finally off to clear a 5th rank gate, huh?"
"To be exact, it's a virtual gate."
Chris and Kua brimmed with excitement.
But Isabel's face was clouded. Something clearly irked her, and she tugged at Zien's sleeve.
"By the way, why are you the only one in uniform?"
As Isabel pointed out, every student except Zien was dressed in casual clothes.
"You're right. Didn't you see the message from Amy?"
Kua, who had just spoken, wore short sleeves that revealed her pale, translucent skin.
"It's a trip, at least. Uniforms kinda kill the vibe."
Chris, flush with prize money, exuded effortless style even in his light outfit.
Of course, it was nothing compared to Isabel, whose ensemble consisted entirely of luxury brands.
"What can you do? I already wore it."
"It suits you well, though."
Lucia offered words that could have been praise or consolation. Just then, a train glided in with a soft whoosh, pulling up opposite them.
Two attendants stepped off—one man, one woman—both beaming as they began guiding the group.
"Group A, follow me!"
"Group B, you're with me!"
True to form for an invitation from Central, the service was flashy from the station onward. Chris double-checked the roster.
Group A
Zien, Isabel, Kua
Group B
Lucia, Demona, Chris
"See you all when we board."
Chris waved as Groups A and B parted ways. The train, divided into eight cars, stretched out impressively long.
"Group A, your seats are in car 210."
The assigned seats faced each other in sets of three.
Six spots in total, but only one was occupied.
"...Zien?"
And a familiar face at that.
The woman with persistent dark circles under her eyes shared a connection with Zien from their Hyperion raid.
"Senior Marceline?"
"Oh~ Calling me by name this time? So, what's taking you to Central?"
Marceline directed her question at Zien, but it was bright-faced Kua who answered.
"We're the first team tackling the newly developed 5th rank virtual gate! Zien's our party leader!"
"No kidding? Tsk, even active-duty me maxes out at 4th rank gates. Impressive stuff."
Marceline's tone turned self-deprecating, prompting a humble reply from Zien.
"We haven't succeeded yet."
"You'll pull it off. Ah, but riding this train's making me queasy. Ugh."
Marceline's complexion soured.
Come to think of it, she'd struggled with portal sickness during cleanup too.
Train sickness now?
Zien scanned the surroundings, struck by an odd incongruity. For a train to Central, the passenger count was suspiciously low.
"Ugh... I hear the special tea here works wonders for motion sickness. Want some?"
Isabel, glancing at her phone, perked up with interest.
"They got the sweet kind?"
"Probably?"
"I'll have one too."
As Isabel placed her order, Kua shot her hand up a beat later.
"Me too!"
"You?"
Marceline turned back to Zien.
Something about her demeanor struck Zien as oddly tense.
"I'm good."
"Too bad. It's supposed to be delicious."
Marceline sounded genuinely disappointed.
Kua slurped her tea noisily.
"You seem like a proper active-duty Saber, Marceline. How'd you meet our party leader?"
"Zien? Hmm, simply put..."
Marceline lifted her teacup, then set it down.
"I owe him my life. Followed you guys to the tournament for payback... but viewers didn't buy the 'I met him before' story!"
Recalling her chat ban from Amy, Marceline huffed in lingering frustration. Kua's eyes widened in awe.
"Whoa! So you saw me too?"
"You? Obviously. Pfft, that girl beat the tar out of you. Those punches packed a wallop."
"H-Haha..."
Sweet-natured Kua laughed awkwardly at the teasing. Isabel didn't show it, but inwardly, she swelled with pride at the martial arts compliment.
"Told you my skills match the martial arts crew now."
"Right, Isabel!"
Kua naturally offered up her dessert, which Isabel just as naturally accepted and ate.
Their hierarchy had solidified through training.
Marceline chuckled endearingly at the pair, but her expression soon grew serious.
"...The bounty from Broom of Extermination. That was you, right?"
Ever the pro, Marceline's instincts were sharp. Kua glanced around, clueless; Isabel feigned disinterest. Zien's response?
"Doesn't ring a bell."
The contract with Bluma.
Respecting Zien's secrecy, Marceline dropped it with a knowing nod.
Bang!
Suddenly, a man burst in, roughly shoving the door open. He gripped an attendant by the collar.
"G-Guhk!"
"The rest of the Sabers are here, right? Where?"
Terrorist, no doubt. The attendant whimpered and pointed at Zien's group. The man eyed Zien before releasing his grip.
"Hoo! Kek! Kek!"
"More students? No wonder there was no extra security. Lucky us."
"T-Terrorists?"
Marceline shot to her feet in alarm.
But the apparent leader menaced her.
"We know you're just a 4th rank scrub. Don't get in over your head."
Shing.
Swords drawn by the terrorist and his lackey—Magic Tools, unmistakably.
"S-Sabers, why?!"
While panicked Kua gaped, this was Isabel's second rodeo.
"Haa... again?"
"Don't try anything stupid. Cooperate quietly, and no one gets hurt."
The terrorist leveled his blade at Isabel.
"We just need the train. That's all."
His lackey grinned wickedly. This was the sole train to Central, inaccessible by flight or portal. Limited entry points made hijacking ideal for smuggling banned weapons and artifacts undetected.
Unacceptable to justice-driven Isabel.
"Like hell."
Flames erupted from her clenched fist, morphing into gloves—then poof, snuffed out.
"Wh-What? Why?!"
Isabel's eyes bulged.
Kua and Marceline fared no better with their mana.
"...M-Me too."
"Sorry! Me neither..."
Finally grasping it, Isabel gnashed her teeth.
"...What'd they spike the train with?"
The terrorist smirked smugly.
"Not to your taste?"
Zien, calmer by contrast, coolly appraised the terrorist and Marceline before rising.
"Stand down. No more warnings. If you value your life, abandon resistance."
The terrorist aimed his sword; his lackey assumed a stance.
But Zien's Stigma glowed defiantly.
His signature jet-black blade, Heukhyang, pulsed with mana rivaling a 4th rank Saber. Mana alone, that was—add experience and skills, and no peer could match him.
"I'll handle this."
Thrust!
The terrorist lunged at Zien.
Lackey-level skill: solidly 4th rank.
Clang!
Zien parried effortlessly, sending the foe reeling.
The lackey's Stigma flared for a Magic Art, but Zien was faster. Blade met blade again; a kick disrupted balance.
Finisher: hilt to the nape.
"Gahk!"
The lackey convulsed and collapsed cleanly.
"Yay! Don't swing on our party leader! Go, Zien!"
Kua cheered with glee.
Isabel balled her fists, snarling at the leader.
"Crack his skull too!"
But Zien alternated glances between Marceline and the terrorist, then grinned.
"Marceline, you seemed rattled. But as expected of a Saber—you're a fine actress."
"Wh-What...?"
Marceline faltered, but the terrorist merely twitched an eyebrow, eyeing Zien with intrigue.
"...When did you catch on?"
"Suspicion at first."
Zien gestured to the empty seats.
"Renting out an entire train car? That incongruity. But..."
He approached Marceline slowly. She shrank back against her chair in feigned fear. Zien's hand reached not for her, but her teacup.
"You suggested the tea first, Marceline. Yet you never took a sip."
"...Tch."
The terrorist clicked his tongue, glaring at her. Sweat beaded on Marceline's forehead as she averted her eyes.
"Hmph, sharp eyes. As you guessed—we're Sabers hired by Minister Metis to test you."
Irritated, he added grudgingly,
"Dragging busy actives to test students? Can't wrap my head around the minister's call."
Zien and the terrorist locked eyes. Tension crackled in the air.
"Since you saw through the ruse, introductions. I'm Ferma. 5th rank Saber, as you see."
Ferma raised his sword. The mana aura dwarfed 4th rank levels.
Yet Zien, who'd faced 6th rankers Bluma and Illusions, held firm.
"Zien Russel. Student, as you see."
"Zien Russel. You don't think passing the 'terrorist' act qualifies you, do you?"
The train hurtled on.
Scenery blurred past the windows. Ferma mana-reinforced his body, glaring with slitted eyes.
"Subduing the 'terrorists' is just the warmup."
Two swordsmen, Magic Tools in hand.
No more words needed. Only blades clashing.
"Let's finish the exam."
Precisely Zien's forte.