A Conflicting Hope

“Thanks for the lift, Porco!”

“Right back at ya, Claudia!” Porco flicked his hat.

“That doesn’t even make sense. Bye!” she waved at him and Porco left on his horse cart. She went upstairs to check on Marnie. Minichi was taking her pulse. They had carried her to Claudia's apartment from the bar.

“She’s doing fine. I think her blood pressure spiked.” Minichi said to Claudia as she entered.

“How do you know?” she asked.

“Well, I am not sure but that’s the safest assumption.”

“Welp, fair. The doctor should be visiting in an hour. Do you want tea?”

“I’m fine I think.”

“Alright, two cups coming up” Claudia walked towards the kitchen. It was not a separate room, but it was visually separated by house plants. The room was not too big either, probably a student apartment. There were two wide windows and a french window which opened to the balcony. It was nearly evening and soft golden sunlight illuminated the room. One could see speckles of dust floating around like fireflies. The room felt very cozy. It had a feeling of comfort one couldn’t put their fingers on. It reminded Minichi of her hostel room in her first year. It didn’t have a kitchen but it felt like home to them.

Claudia brought the cups. “Did you paint this?” Minichi asked Claudia, pointing towards the single painting hung on the wall.

“That? Yes.” She replied as she took her first sip. “It’s my hometown.”

“It looks pretty nice!”

“Thanks. By the way, I didn’t catch your name?”

“I’m Minichi.” She looked at Claudia expecting her name too. But Claudia kept her cup and said, “Goodness, you’re Minichi! Now, it makes sense. Goodness, I couldn’t figure out why she was freaking out like that. The teleportation thing we were talking about, you remember? She says you’re the living proof that her research is correct. She must have recognised you. It all makes sense now.” She smiled and swayed her head, and picked her cup up.

“I think that’s good news? Also miss, I didn’t catch your name either.” Minichi asked.

“Oh, I haven’t introduced myself yet, have I? How foolish of me.” she started laughing. She looked more relaxed now that she knew her friend was okay.

“Haven’t I heard this before?” Minichi thought.

“I’m Claudia. Claudia Rüben. Nice to make your acquaintance!"

“It’s so bright!” Marnie suddenly woke up. Sunlight fell on her eyes through the windows.

“She’s awake. Wait, I'll pull the curtains.” Claudia kept her cup and stood up.

“Let me do that.” Minichi walked to the windows.

“Oh okay. Thanks. I will get her some juice.”

“Sorry, eh? I caused you so much trouble.” Marnie said after a few sips of the juice and all were seated.

“It’s alright. I’m just glad that you’re okay.” Minichi smiled. “By the way what do I call you?”

“I’m Marnie. You’re Minichi, am I not right?“

“Yeah, you got me. I guess I’m quite famous.”

“Yes you are. I was very excited to see you. I still am.” Marnie smiled.

“Told ya” Claudia snapped her fingers and pointed at Minichi as she stood up to collect the cups.

“What?” Marnie laughed confusingly.

“She predicted that you got very excited when you saw me,” Minichi giggled. ”I heard you’re working on teleportation?”

“Ya, right. I guess I did.” Marnie continued, “You wanted to talk about it in the bar too, right? I kept you waiting. Hehe. But wait, let me just…” Marnie got down from the bed. “I feel like I can walk. Not that bad, actually. Feels like a much needed nap. Want to take a walk?”

“You’re staying right in the bed, Marnie!” Claudia ordered.

“Well too bad,” she laughed. “I guess we have to talk here. So, Claudia over there and I are researchers at the Zenith University of Magic. I have been working on improving the teleportation magic and my studies point to an energy factor in teleportation.”

“Wait wait wait. Does that mean, mana is basically energy?” Minichi asked.

“Well, you could say that. I found that if you somehow give it heat or something, it is able to teleport more mass over larger distances. Although my methods were not really able to channel much energy.”

“Marnie, too much jargon. Explain some.” Claudia called her out from the kitchen.

“It’s fine, I can follow. I used to be in university as well.” Minichi said. Marnie paused for a second to look at Minichi and then continued, “Right. That’s good. That’s actually good to hear. I mean, your experience in university. As I was saying, we need to channel energy into it. If we do that, we can teleport really far.”

“Do you think you can teleport to other worlds?” Minichi asked. Her eyes were intense, suddenly.

“If we can channel enough energy, then yes. But..” before she could finish, Minichi took Marnie’s hands in her palms and looked into her eyes. “Miss Marnie, would you let me work with you? I can help you.”

“Ya sure. Why not? That would actually be amazing. Your skills would be amazingly valuable."

“Yes, I found that electricity works in this world.”

“Electricity? You generated electricity?”

“Yes. In my world, almost everything was powered by it. There were some other sources of energy as well that turned out too dangerous for the people.”

“Yes, actually that would be amazing. I never understood it but having you might turn out incredibly useful.” The two girls started cheering.

“Marnie” Claudia called her. Her voice was deep. “What are you plotting? Minichi was supposed to be helping us end the war. Do you even realise why she wants to work with you?”

“Eh?” Marnie was confused. “What are you planning to do, Miss Minichi?”

“Well, if your research is correct, I would be able to teleport back to my world.”

“And leave this world to rot?” Claudia was upset.

“Claudia,” Marnie murmurs.

“I didn’t mean it that way” Minichi tried to defend herself.

“Then what the hell do you mean? Do you even have any idea how many families got wiped out due to this cold war? Every now and then these damned mana beasts spawn up like mushrooms and almost wipe out entire villages before the soldiers can even arrive. Did you forget what happened the night you came to this town?”

“How did you know..”

“Everyone knows. Do you think you’re a commoner? No one gives a damn? All these people, in every town, are sitting there with the expectation that you’d one day end this horrible war. And you decide to cheat your way out?”

“Claudia, calm down” Marnie murmurs again. Minichi’s eyes teared up a bit, her voice got heavy. She took a deep breath and spoke,

“Shut up. What do you know about losses? You’re a Rüben. I have heard about the Rübens. You’re a noble. Have you ever lost anyone?” Minichi was almost tearing up.

“You two, calm down. This is not a place to fight. Claudia, please calm down. Minichi, you too.”

“Whatever. I knew it was too good to be finally happening” Claudia walks off.

“Please don’t get mad at her, Miss Minichi. She’s not a bad person”

“I understand. It’s not like I want to abandon you guys or something, but I too have a home.”

“I will help you.” Marnie asserted.

“Huh?” Minichi was taken by surprise.

“I said I would help you. Other people may not, but I will.” She looked at Claudia who ignored eye contact in disgust. “Talk about hypocrisy!" Claudia remarked.

“But you need to join the university, Minichi. Otherwise, it would be difficult to work together.”

After some time, Minichi left. She cooled down a bit and asked Marnie to tell Claudia that she apologised. “You should get ready, the doctor will be coming in anytime soon now. Anyway, I hope to see you soon. Bye!” Minichi left.

Back at the castle, she discussed it with Mobi. “While it’s a good thing that you’re considering joining the university, I doubt the Emperor would approve of your intentions,” he said.

“You’re right. I don’t approve.” Gabe overheard them. “But I can still let you go, if you agree to one condition of mine.”

“What is it?” she asked.

“You can join the university to work on teleportation magic but you have to work on your own battle skills or whatever it takes to solve the problems of our world. And you will not attempt to leave before the war ends.”

Both look into each other’s eyes. That is a tough promise for Minichi to keep. “Even if I attempt to leave, there can be no way he’d know. And if I manage to leave, he can’t do anything. I just have to keep improving while I am at it” she thought.

“Okay, deal” she extended one hand, for a handshake but realised it was not a custom of this world and clenched her wrist.

“Welp, that calls for a party then” he smiled.

After a week, she joined Zenith University of Magic. She found that her arrival was being celebrated and many students had gathered to welcome her. At the front stood three students: Marnie, Claudia and Porco.

“Welcome to the Zenith University of Magic, Miss Minichi. I’m the Student Council President, Marnie. I hope you'll have a good time here.”