002

Fourteen days. Exactly two weeks, accurate to the day. Even with several disruptions during the journey, we arrived at the capital station of the Soverus Empire precisely on the fourteenth day.

I can't say it was a pleasant journey. No wonder the rest stops in the Alemane Empire and Kingdom of Polidina needed two days. Yes, two days! It was chaotic there. War! Perhaps we were lucky because public transportation was still allowed to pass at certain times so as not to disturb military activities.

I myself didn't dare to go sightseeing even though my accompanying uncle repeatedly assured me that our transit city was far from the battlefield. Because, just imagine, in the middle of the night above your head there are planes passing at low altitude. The roar of the sound made me anxious about the possibility of the planes crashing or dropping bombs on my inn.

Now it's Monday, August 30th, year 302 of the Romane calendar, or 302R.

After spending 24 hours in this world, I started to worry because this was too long for the duration of a dream. Day after day passed, and I was forcibly led to accept the reality that I had truly entered the world of "Whispers of the Enchantress".

During these two weeks I learned several small details that might not be found in either the comic or the novel:

I hope to know more, but for now I'm prioritizing clarity about this identity first rather than other knowledge. After all, as long as I'm still within the magic academy environment, everything will be new except self-identity. I mean, you can ask anyone about anything except your own name, right?

"Miss, over here!"

My accompanying uncle, Uncle Pasha, waved his hand in front of the station information board. Many things were posted there, so packed with paper that even my junior high school bulletin board felt pathetic. Uncle's index finger traced a map. Not a train route or station layout, but a city map.

"What is it, Uncle?"

"Look," he said while pointing to the name Marilyn Palace. "Marilyn Magic Academy."

"Ooh...."

He moved his finger from Marilyn Palace, following the main road, crossing a river, then arriving at a wide building structure labeled Bittenkey Station.

"About two and a half kilometers from here."

"Very close," I added.

"How about it, Miss? Want to go directly or eat first? It happens to be almost noon."

"Well, even if we leave now, I'm not sure I'll get to eat there."

"In that case, there's a restaurant near here, if Miss doesn't mind walking for a bit." He pointed to a spot on the map.

"Outside the station? Look, there are many food stalls here. Close and not too crowded."

"Miss, I don't dare guarantee the quality—"

I ignored him and walked toward the nearest stall. This stall served fried foods. When I peeked at the vendor, I could see him rolling meat-filled pastries with a stove burning to fry the pastries.

"Sir, one portion of fried food!"

"Sure." The vendor turned to me. He smiled. "Pretty miss, just have a seat first, I'll bring it to you."

I looked for an empty chair as he instructed. As I swept my gaze from table to table, my eyes caught a contrasting figure among dozens of haggard faces of capital city people. She sat with folded arms as if the world was completely beyond her control.

That girl. She's there.

My time slowed as if it stopped then. Various expressions from hundreds of comic pages had imprinted her figure well in my memory. White hair hanging to her shoulders, blue eyes like the ocean, it's impossible for me to misidentify her.

My body suddenly stiffened. Trembling motionlessly. My heart pounded. Blood rushed, climbing to the peak. My eyes were fixed, unwilling to look away even for a moment. Afraid her figure would disappear in an instant, vanishing without knowing where she went.

I wanted to greet her. Wanted to talk to her. Wanted to touch her, hug her, make sure that what was before me wasn't a mirage dancing in my pupils.

"Gloria... Rosalin," her name was spoken by me just like that.

I tried to approach her as naturally as possible, but I couldn't deny I was trembling with happiness. Maybe I was walking a bit fast? I slowed my pace. Maybe now too slow? I raised the rhythm of my feet slightly. Honestly, I couldn't stand wanting to run toward her. However, I was afraid it would startle her, make her fly to the edge of the horizon.

Until I didn't realize, now we were only separated by a pair of tables and chairs. My steps spontaneously stopped. At this point, Gloria noticed me approaching. Her eyes shifted focus, staring intently at me as if assessing the situation.

"G-Good afternoon," I greeted.

She smiled. "Good afternoon."

"May we share a table? Oh! This is my first time in Soverus. I just feel calm to see a girl my age after two weeks surrounded by adults on the train."

"Of course, please sit down." Gloria giggled. "'Welcome to Soverus!' feels inappropriate for me to say. After all, this is also my first time coming to the capital. My hometown is very different from this city. So, it's not like I'm more familiar with the atmosphere here."

I sat across from her. I could see her face. Real and not an image on sheets of paper.

I extended my hand. "My name is Martha. Starting this semester, I'm a student at Marilyn Magic Academy."

"Wow, same here!" She accepted my handshake enthusiastically. Her hand was smooth, cold, and had the aroma of herbs wafting gently. "My name is Gloria. I'm also a new student this semester."

"Is that so? Glad to hear it. Where are you from, Gloria?"

"Porkovey Province, Siberne region. Seven days by train. How about you?"

"I'm from Kastopel, Athamon Empire. Well, with some obstacles along the way, as I mentioned before, it took 14 days to get here."

"Wow, very far! Just imagining it makes my back hurt. Did you come here alone?"

"No way." I gestured with my thumb, pointing to Uncle Pasha who was far behind my back waiting for the fried food to cook. "Someone escorted me."

"I see. That's good. I heard that outside the country tensions are running high. After seeing you, it seems the situation isn't that dangerous, ... right?"

I giggled hearing her impression. "You might be shocked if you saw my face three days ago. My eye bags were dark and my hair fell out every time I pulled a comb through it."

Gloria grimaced. "That doesn't sound like a pleasant journey."

"Well, aside from fighter planes going back and forth overhead, it was an extraordinary experience."

Gloria watched with wide eyes, barely blinking.

"Pretty scary, huh," she said. "I guess my journey from Siberne was nothing compared to yours."

"Really? What obstacles were there during your journey?"

"Well, that's just it. There were only forests on the left and right. There was nothing to do but sleep or daydream."

"That's good, though. Boredom is a luxury," I said.

"What's luxurious about it?"

"Don't you understand? Maybe another time you can join the journey to Kastopel. So you can experience it yourself."

I turned around and raised my hand to Uncle Pasha. He responded by pointing to his left wrist, then raising three fingers.

Three more minutes, then.

"Want to order something else? A drink, perhaps? Uncle Pasha can bring it," I offered.

"No need, thank you. I still have a bottle in my bag," Gloria declined. "Oh, right, Miss Martha—"

"Just Martha. Why are you suddenly speaking formally?"

"W-Well, a student who came all the way from abroad must surely be high nobility. I think it's impolite to just call you by name."

"It's okay, just call me by name. My family is only minor nobility who happen to have connections at Marilyn Magic Academy. Well, in short... the power of inside connections. My condition is too lowly to bear noble status. So please just call me Martha."

Suddenly Gloria covered her mouth with both hands while her eyes widened. Maybe she was shocked hearing how lowly this self is. I myself am actually not satisfied with this background setting for Martha. But what can I do?

"In that case, allow me to call you Martha."

"Of course."