Chapter Text
"What--" Yuri landed on a rather... dreary place. Sunlight clearly shining its warmth and light directly on her skin. It was... a sight she's not used to. A complete nature, virgin and untouched by any urbanization.
"Ow," Montag also landed next to her.
"Ah-ha~ even though that dimensional door is a rather unstable thing, it seemed like we landed safely!" Micah laughed at this situation.
"Wait a minute, Micah, where the hell are we?!" Yuri turned at him.
"Like I told you before, a completely different world, place, than what the LCB encountered." Micah hummed. "I asked you if you want 'training that can make you utilize all the potential of the being that you are' right? Well I’m granting that wish. Your kind, those people exist here too." Micah chuckled.
"So ask them to train you. Don't use EGO or any weapons from the City under their training." Micah warned her.
"As for Montag...." Micah hummed as he turned to the side.
"Montag, where are they?" he tried to ask. “Those flying little things you told me you could see.”
"...? What do you mean where, they are.... everywhere?" Montag looked confused. "Here, there... around your face..?" Montag pointed out at random spots in the air. Something that Yuri cannot see.
"What are you pointing at, Montag?" Yuri tilted her head, even confused, perhaps slightly worried.
"See, I told you!" Micah sighed. "Montag the view you see, those bird-like creatures. They are only visible to common people at an unusual event where they congregate at a certain spot due to something. Most of the time, they are not visible."
".... is it because I'm from Outskirts...?" Montag tried to deduce, eyebrow furrowed. "No one talked, taught me about it. I thought, it’s normal. Tried medical search for it in City. All that came out, eye floaters." Montag said, sighing a bit. "Distortions has different color...." Montag added.
"And you have had this view since you were a child?" Micah asked.
"Yes." Montag nodded.
"If Micah's theory correct, Yuri descendant from Outskirt. Why can't see?" Montag tilted his head to Yuri.
"Your ability to see them wasn’t because you were from Outskirt. To begin with, Yuri's kind has always been bad at perceiving this kind of thing either." Micah shrugged. "At least based on what I have gathered.
"Wait what???" Yuri turned to him as well. "Is that a... bad thing?"
"Not really? I also can't see them. Like I told you, most people can’t see them." Micah laughed, waving her worries away. "They have something to do with nature, with the soul. Even though I'm a being comprised of only soul, I can't really see them either. I can feel them at best, that's all."
"Anyways!" Micah clapped his hands together. "So here's the deal. As I told you before. Yuri will train with the same kind of people as her. Montag, you and I will figure things out with that vision of yours. Not curing it, but finding out your hidden strength, a potential that doesn't exist or widely researched in the City."
"So I'll be training alone then?" Yuri hummed. "A bit worried, but alright," She nodded.
“Not necessarily, you will meet up with Montag again but you will have a different curriculum and teachers.” From under his cloak, Micah summoned a large surfboard-like thing, “Get on it Montag," Micah stepped up on it and as soon as Montag got on it too, they sped up and flew in the opposite direction.
“Let me teach you the wonders of this world~” Micah cackled like a maniac as Montag screamed, clinging between life and death, barely holding onto the device.
"What the fuck was that???" Yuri knows Micah is full of secrets but not even she has seen aerial technology such as that.
Yuri was now left in... some kind of meadow. Alone. In a different world.
Yuri had just realised the problem in this statement.
"WAIT MICAH!!! WHERE AM I SUPPOSED TO GO!?" Yuri screamed, but it was too late. The distant laughter of Micah on the surfboard had taken Montag away.
"....oh no." Yuri could feel a headache start to form. But she's not captain for nothing, so she stood up anyways, looking around. She squinted a bit, not really used to the natural brightness of the place. The only thing close she could compare to was the White Night, but even that couldn't compare to the greenery.
...At least there's no Abnormalities? Her head hurts....
"....Ah? There's someone here."
An unfamiliar voice shouted out, making Yuri jump. Turning around, she's met with....
Red hair. Red eyes. An arm supporting an entire crate.
Huh, so this is what Micah meant?
"Are you okay?" The girl asked, looking concerned. She was just passing by the oasis when she heard a scream in the distance. She sped up (or the Fanalis Equivalent of one, which generally means jumping to the air and landing somewhere near) in case it was someone who needed help.
The girl with bright red hair stared back at her, looking startled, blinking at her with only a grey eye visible. It reminded her faintly of a startled rabbit, or perhaps a leopard, with the immediate defense stance.
‘Is this girl perhaps...?
The one that the Alliance was sending?’
Her golden eye would probably be too sensitive under this sunlight, so she had opted to hide it until she got used to such scenery with her good eye.
"Whoa!" She immediately pulled out a knife at the girl charging forward to defend herself.
"Wait! I'm not here to hurt you! You, uh, were screaming so I came to help you..." Morgiana explained.
"...?" Twas a kindness she's rather not used to. Someone just comes to help her, just like that?
It would be something very Don Quixote-ish but still....
"I'm fine, even if I do, it's not like I have something of worth to pay you anyway," Yuri sighed. She'd rather defend herself than trying to lean into whatever unknown currency this place uses.
"I screamed because the moment... I just realized I was.... separated from my friends." she lied on the spot, not sure what to do. Well, it wasn't technically a lie anyways.
"I see..." she looked at her clothes, eyeing it. She looked like she was thinking deeply. "...My name is Morgiana, I'm sorry for startling you." Morgiana gently let down the crate she was carrying. "I suppose it's your first time in this world, right?"
It took a while for Morgiana to nail down Yuri's outfit, but once she did, she realised who she was talking to. Her outfit was a blue version of the one that Micah wore, though with a lot more accessories.
‘Didn't the one named Micah ask her and Muu about a possible Half-Fanalis just learning they are a Fanalis and how to help them recently...?’ Morgiana furrowed her eyebrows as she tried to recall. 's this the one then?'
"You're sent by the Alliance, if I may presume?" Morgiana raised her hand in a surrender pose. "I'm part of them too, so you don't have to act around me."
"H-huh? First time, I-I guess?" Why would she worded it that way? The girl in front of her worded it as if it's common for people to just... arrive here, or arrive in another world in general.
Morgiana then went to open the crate. The crate was filled to the brim with necessities, from clothes to food and drinks. There's even a few scrolls, made by the imperial siblings of the Kou Empire as an "introduction" to the world, and some made by the Empress as possible identities if needed. It was a preparation package for any incoming visitors, gathered all by her company's leader. Morgiana then took a couple of the clothing out, before turning to Yuri. "First, let's get you out of those clothes. You'll get heat stroke if you stay too long in those."
"Huh, I mean sure... if you think it's safe..." It looked like clothes Nest-dweller would use. Technically Yuri is one as well, but she had never lived in such a lavish easy life to just wear such flimsy clothing...
"Hmmm. Here, I'll build up some changing rooms around the bush. I've brought some wooden separators." Morgiana pointed out.
Yuri begrudgingly went along with her.
"So um... how did you guys know about Micah...?" Yuri asked.
"Hm... I'm not sure how much I can tell to not jeopardize his situation, but essentially we have worked together with him and his Master. In a way, we are his ally," Morgiana hummed.
"But... Micah is from a different world than this....?" Yuri asked again.
"Indeed. He came from a different world. A World that is also different from your world. And that was what made us an ally. Hmm... simply put, after a massive incident that nearly... sent us to a catastrophic, world-ending situation.... the leaders of humans in this world decided that maybe making an alliance with another world is a better choice than isolating oneself or invading another as a war." Morgiana tried to explain.
Yuri had just nearly gotten involved in a Wing War herself. Isolation was also an option that made sense. But still...
"An Alliance huh...." L corp used to work with other Wings such as T corp, R Corp, K Corp and W Corp. But she got the feeling this was a different alliance than that.
"What's the pros of making an alliance with the unknown like that?" L Corp's alliance with other wings was based on mutual benefit.
"Well, to be blunt, the alliance was made on the basis of not attacking each other. To not invade or be invaded." Morgiana said as she waited outside, scanning the area.
"That's quite flimsy isn't it..." How could a governing body, an organization that is on a Wings level trust each other like that was beyond her understanding.
"Well, although with that reasoning, we're also hoping for trade routes to start." Morgiana continued. "There's knowledge that each part of the alliance is interested in, so if negotiations continue, perhaps we can have an expanding ecosystem..."
"So... if Micah is your ally in this alliance.... that means..." Yuri tried to connect the dot. With how he openly calls himself a spy....
'Micah is a spy that is judging if the City is worth it to become part of the Alliance?' Yuri concluded. She'll have to confirm it with the man himself later.
'In that case... he came from a different world. Not this world, not the City, somewhere, far away, beyond even the Outskirts... perhaps like the place the Sinners visited...?' She was in deep thought as she finished wearing her new clothes.
It was very practical. Allowing herself to move easily, while still in the traditional fashion similar to Hongyuan's traditional attire. 2 layered hanfu, with a sash belt and some ropes, perhaps for tying weapons.
"Um.... I still feel rather... insecure without any sort of protection in my limbs..." Yuri peeked out.
"Oh, don't worry, we have arm guards and shin guards as well." Morgiana took out some things from the crate and handed it to her. As soon as she did, she looked like she fits into to this world.
"Oh right, that reminds me."
Morgiana then scavenged through the boxes of scrolls, before taking a book, and some documents.
"Here's a basic guide to this world." Morgiana gave the book to Yuri. "I assume you can read it, I heard it’s translated into one of the commonly spoken languages in the City. We had them translated with the help of some envoys, but if there's anything you need help with, feel free to ask."
"And these," Morgiana spread out the papers. "Are identity documents forms. At the current moment, there's only 2 countries you can claim citizenship in. However, I ask you to read the basics before deciding anything. If you need help constructing a story..." Morgiana pondered. "Well, I'm not very good at that, but I can bring you to someone."
Yuri began reading it, indeed, it’s written in a language that she can understand, mainly used in District 20 and 21. "I heard in other continents it's also called Victorian language..." Morgiana muttered to herself.
"Mm..." Well whatever, Yuri was bilingual to begin with and thankfully the lettering and language construct was familiar to her.
"What 2 countries are those that I'm a 'citizen' of right now?" Yuri asked while she skimmed it. The concept of rukh, magoi, how it's a particle of soul and nature energy itself. Magoi being the energy formed by rukh, that resides in oneself. And when one uses magoi from within the body and orders the rukh to do things for them, like a computer program orders, it's called Magic. Only those who can see rukh can become magician--
'Wait a minute... wasn't this what Montag described? Little birdy things everywhere he sees?' Yuri had finally realized what Montag and Micah meant.
"In this world... magic is prevalent and more researched huh..." Yuri muttered.
"Yes, I heard it wasn't the case in the place you lived?" Morgiana tilted her head a bit. "Though I guessed it was researched heavily in the other cont--Ah!" she clasped her mouth.
"No it's fine, I get the feeling already. The place my other co workers - The Sinners - visited, wasn't another world was it? It was another.... land. A large land, that you call a 'Continent'. Where people with animal ears and magic thrive more." Yuri said calmly.
"You are quite calm despite all the weird revelations..."
"This is the umpteenth time someone said that to me," Yuri laughed at Morgiana's assessment.
"I'm still unsure about the connection of those 'continents' and the City I lived in, nor the connection of my own world to this place or Micah's world. But essentially, even though it's the same world, in the City, only humans are allowed there, thus magic was less researched. That's all I could conclude I suppose."
"You should ask Micah about it, if he is allowed to answer that." Morgiana suggested. Yuri nodded silently.
"At the current moment, 2 countries are able to house you : the Kou Empire, and Reim." Morgiana pointed to the two areas on the guide map. "By default, everyone that comes from another world are allowed a Kou Citizenship. The Empress is a key member of the Alliance, and due to the mixed nature of the Kou Empire, any differences can be attributed from the culture and history there."
"The second is Reim, who is currently being overseen by the High Priest. He's a friend of one of the Alliance members." Morgiana glanced at Yuri. "The reason why he granted this is due to a more personal reason. Likely, the main reason why you are here."
"The reason why I'm here...?" Yuri muttered, looking at Reim. Morgiana nodded, before flipping a few pages to the chapter on Reim. "I assume that Micah has explained a little bit about your heritage?"
"Only a little bit..." Yuri sighed. "He said that he only knew the basics but... all I know is that I'm a descendant of something called the Red Lions? And that red hair and strength is something of a commonality..."
"You're correct." Morgiana nodded. "We're called the Fanalis. I'll explain about our race in detail later, but simply put, Reim houses one of the highest populations of Fanalis due to the Fanalis Corps, a military division that is overseen by the Head Priest. The Leader of the Corps has offered to house you personally."
"That's...." Yuri could feel herself sweating. "That's a lot of high profile people..."
"You'll get used to it." Morgiana pats her head. "If you're unsure what to choose, we have a temporary merchant identity for our company. You'll be training with me solo while we travel to Reim either way. You don't have to pick now either. It's mainly to ease your travels." Morgiana tapped the paper.
"Your... Company?"
"Ah. I'm a part of a trading company. We travel around the world, so anyone we pick up being strange is normal." Morgiana shrugged. "Anyways, are you ready to walk now?"
As Yuri pondered which identity she should choose, she looked down at her attire. “Out of curiosity, where did these clothes come from?” Yuri asked Morgiana.
“That would be the Kou Empire.” Morgiana answered bluntly.
“Then I’ll say that I’m from there,” Yuri nodded.
“Yeah I’m ready. How are we going to get there?” Yuri asked.
“This’ll be part of your first training to fully rely on your body only.” Morgiana said, before packing up her crate with the speed of light. “We’ll run there.”
“What?” Yuri asked and before she knew it, Morgiana left behind a giant crack of footprint on the solid ground and leaped forward.
“What the hell?!” Yuri screamed as she tried to follow Morgiana.
Morgiana didn't just speed up and leave Yuri behind. If she did, Yuri wouldn't have even noticed it.
Morgiana hummed as she ran, looking like she's going on a picnic, slowing down a bit to turn towards Yuri. From the looks of it, the girl isn't exactly aware of her body's changes, so she lets herself slow down, stopping occasionally to check the progress.
Sure enough, Yuri was still running, albeit tiring a bit. She's not used to the feats of strength her body can give.
"Use your whole foot." Morgiana says from afar. "Push the energy down to create momentum."
"H-Hah-How do you-hah- do that!!!!" Yuri screamed, looking overwhelmed, but not yet exhausted. Good, she has the stamina then.
"Relax your shoulders, focus the energy on pulling your leg to the front before pushing down at the ground!" Morgiana replied back. "Don't hold back on the momentum! You've done bursts of speed before, this is a lesson on maintaining it! Use your whole foot as a springboard!"
"E-eh????"
She took deep breaths. Certainly, Outis-ssi mentioned leg forms are indeed rarely used. She would have taken her lesson even with Zigong’s prohibition.
She knew that some Liu Association and Butler Fixers use their legs more often. But that’s for kicking not for… running.
‘Pull one leg forward, put everything into the ground…. Remember that feeling when the Hongyuan walls are closing into you!’ Yuri hissed and did a leap, landing with the other leg. Thank fuck for that knee and shin guards.
“Continue running like that!” Morgiana leaped forward again.
“O-okay!” Yuri took a deep breath. That girl probably was far younger than her and yet she was so used to it. The difference of someone growing into it perhaps?
As the plains started to open up, the oasis then grew into hills, and Morgiana stopped right at the cliff side.
Yuri quickly caught up, trying her best to balance herself at the landing. She took deep breaths, hands on her knees. Morgiana offered her a water bottle, which she took gratefully.
"You're doing well so far." Morgiana nodded. "Still some things to improve, but well enough."
"T...thank you..." Yuri said, finally sighing. She looked out the cliffs, before her eyes widened at what a sight was bestowed upon her.
A city, colorful in cloth and wooden, with lots of people walking around, bartering, trading. The shining jewels and the far away fruits all create a vision of a rainbow.
And most importantly,
Blue.
A wide expanse of blue.
"Is that..." Yuri murmured, eyes sparkling. "The Great Lake...?"
"It's the sea." Morgiana explained, smiling. The awe of the other is a little infectious. She remembered the first time she saw the sea.
"Welcome to the Balbadd Republic."
---
Morgiana taught Yuri how to climb down the cliffs using her bare hands. Yuri struggled a lot, she's not exactly used to climbing in general, but Morgana's coaching helped.
Also thank God that Morgana's reflexes were fast enough to catch Yuri before she fell. Multiple times.
The sea, so that’s what they call the Great Lake. Yuri took note of it.
The bustlings of the business there was something unheard of for Yuri. They are doing transactions directly on the river, with boats as their shops to sell their wares!
The vibe confused Yuri as well. Was this the Nest of Balbadd Republic? But based on the clothing it could be Backstreets. How are they so….
Bright and full of hope, was what came to Yuri.
“There they are.” Morgiana took her to meet a blonde, a blue haired youngster, and a long haired girl. Despite her simple clothing, her skin was well taken care of. ‘She’s definitely a Nest-dweller disguising herself,’ Yuri thought.
“AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!” A familiar voice from the sky arrived and soon the floating surfboard Micah rode on with Montag, now clothing changed, arrived.
“Everything… moved too fast… I was— so high in the sky…. Urghh….” Montag barfed on the spot.
"Oi, are you okay there...?" The blonde haired man looked at Montag with a sweatdrop. "Do you need anything? Here's some water."
"T-thannk.... youu...." Montag shakily took the drink, taking big gulps of it.
Meanwhile, Micah just laughed as if it was normal. "That was fun!!!"
"Is it his first time dealing with Gravity Magic?" The blue haired teen pondered as he kneeled to pat Montag's back. "Doesn't something similar to this exist in the other world?"
"They're from another place, you know." The long haired woman sighed. "Different world. Oh, Morg-chan!"
Morgiana waved, with a tired Yuri who was basically dragging her feet behind her.
"I'm back, everyone." Morg jogged to the center, watching Aladdin help Montag up, while Alibaba talked to Micah. From what Morgiana can gather, they're discussing the purpose of their trip and where they're going.
"You took faster than I expected!" The woman said, looking at Yuri. "She must've been stronger than we thought!"
Morgiana nodded. "This is Yuri. Yuri, this is–."
"Call me Ruby!" The woman interjected with a cheerful tone. "My name is a bit of a mouthful after all~"
"R-right!" Yuri nodded, before turning to Montag. "Um, is... is he...?"
"Motion sickness, most likely." Ruby snickered. "Aladdin is casting a healing spell on him, so he'll be right as rain in a couple of seconds."
What happened to him...? Yuri sweatdropped, looking at her heaving colleague, looking paler than she could ever imagine. “Micah what the hell did you do to him?” Yuri asked.
“Gave him a crash course of who I am for a bit, what this world is like, changed his clothes, gave him the basic guideline to read~” Micah told him unlike Morgiana who waited for her, someone else dropped a safe box for Micah to pick up.
“Then for him to directly experience Magic, like, magic Magic, I took him for a ride!” He laughed,
“Oh right, I guess I should give this product an honest positive review!” Apparently it’s called a hover board. He praised it towards Ruby as she chuckled at hearing it.
“Why would you make him experience that?!” Yuri groaned.
“Also what’s a healing spell? Sorry about this, how much is it?” There’s no way that kind of thing would be free right?
Ruby smiled brightly. "I'm sure the magicians would be delighted to hear all that!"
Aladdin waved it off. "It's fine! No money necessary, you guys are new here after all. Besides, it's just a simple healing spell."
"I feel better...." Montag croaked out. "Thank you...."
"You're welcome!" Aladdin pat Montag's head. "Ah, right! My name is Aladdin. I'm a magician. From the seems of it, I'll be helping you learn the basics of magic until we reach our destination!"
"Montag...." Montag said, slowly standing up. "Ma...gic?"
"Have you read the guide book yet?"
"Not...finished...." Montag shook his head. "Was brought here... told we were.... late...."
"Geez, you could've let him read through it, Micah!" The golden haired man finally came back from discussing something on a device. "Hello everyone! I'm the head of the Sesame Trading Company, Alibaba!"
"He's my husband." Morgiana told Yuri, who blinked before the words truly got processed in her head. Wait. Yuri turned to Morgiana. Married??? This girl, who looks younger than she is, is married???
She knew that some people married young but... seeing it first hand is a different story.
“Let’s rest for a bit before we continue on to the Reim Empire. Montag can use that chance to read more about the book too!” Alibaba suggested.
Yuri stared at Morgiana, at their words, and began asking Micah.
“Hey, Micah… is an Empire some sort of District? How about this… um, what she called it, Kingdom?” Yuri asked
“Something along the line. Based on my investigation, some Districts functioned as a Kingdom a long time ago. If such a place began conquering other countries for their territory, they would be called Empire for their size,” Micah tried to explain, looking a bit considering. “I suppose Hongyuan would count as an Empire by this standard…”
Yuri fell silent, she nodded but also felt out of place.
“Where are we in the Balbadd Republic?” She asked.
“The bustling feels like Nest but the clothing and… sense of crudeness felt like Backstreet,” she hummed
"Backstreet?" Morgiana tilted her head, before turning to Alibaba. Alibaba catches her eye, before trying to remember what Yuri was talking about.
"We're currently at the harbour of the Balbadd Republic. Backstreets are a bit like the slums, right? We're not really in the richer parts, but we're not in the poorer parts either. Somewhere in between, I suppose." Alibaba pondered. "I think the reason why you're confused is that the technology we have right now is behind what your world has."
"Technology?"
"Like," Alibaba gestured to Micah. "You have fully functioning prosthetics that run with only electricity and iron, correct? We don't have them."
"It's a cultural thing." Micah explained, hand on hip. "My body right now is considered one of the most advanced technological things in this world. But if we go back to our world, there's more machinery that runs with much more efficiency. This world, conversely, is much more advanced in soul and magical studies."
"That healing spell?" Micah jabbed a finger at Aladdin. "Is a basic spell that beginners learn. When Aladdin here said it's no problem, he meant it. That spell is literally a dime in a dozen for magicians."
"If you want a better explanation, we can ask the researchers." Aladdin added. "There's a magician who’s allied with the Alliance as well! They were investigating the remnant of… uh, L Corp!"
Micah slapped Aladdin for even mentioning that sensitive information, his eyes glaring daggers at him.
"Well, you'll learn over time anyways." Ruby shrugged. "This is only one part of this world. It is true that the Balbadd Republic, compared to other countries, is a little on the crude side. ("Hey!" Alibaba yelled, before Ruby stuck a tongue out at him.) Other parts have diverse clothing and cultures, even how we walk and talk."
But that did not escape Yuri nor Montag.
“Wait, what that just now?” Montag asked suspiciously.
“Hold on, there’s a magician, someone else who can use and see these… glowing things that Montag can see in the City and they were investigating remnants of L Corp HQ??” Yuri heard from Kinich how many South Devyat Fixer avoided any job going there as much as they could.
“I’ve had the suspicion something from your Alliance has set foot to the City but—“
“Aaaah! Let’s talk about it in the future! Not now! Before we go home but not now!” Micah pushed and ushered them to the restaurant to rest.
"My bad..." Aladdin laughed awkwardly.
Yuri looks like she's about to have an aneurysm. Montag is this close to wanting to shake Micah down for information.
But right now, food.
"I see..." Yuri's head is spinning slightly from the information overload.
“Take your time, you are only here for a few months anyway~ 3 months tops!” Micah laughed.
"I make sure, study well, in those months then," Montag nodded.
Ruby smiled brightly, clapping her hands together. "I'm sure the magicians would be delighted to hear all that!"
"Please let me, repay you, for healing me," Montag came forward to Aladdin.
Aladdin waved it off. "It's fine! No money necessary, you guys are new here after all. Besides, you heard Micah, right? It's really is just a simple healing spell."
Yuri was so weirded out. These people don't need any payment for anything? For free? Sounds like bad luck.
She turned to Micah, unsure about this treatment.
“Let’s just say it’s out of my own pocket.” Micah shrugged it off.
---
In the restaurant, Yuri and Montag are receiving the 2nd shock of their lives.
"This is..." Yuri's hands trembled looking at the food. "What is this array..."
Being in the harbour, that means that most food surrounding the ships are primarily seafood.
Yuri and Montag have never seen the sea in their entire life, and the Great Lake does not have the same ecosystem of this world.
Which means.
This is possibly the first time Yuri and Montag have seen a completely clean fish. Ever. Not a byproduct of a Mermaid, not a contorted Whale. An actual saltwater clean seafood.
"I've only seen fish like this in high end restaurants...." Yuri muttered.
"Is it really that strange!?"
"Yes..."
Although it's not that the fish in the lake are dirty, it's closer to the fact that most fish that are caught near the beach tend to be... at least slightly polluted, or absolute monsters.
"Are- are you sure we can eat this?" Yuri stuttered, thinking about the price for this. It must be really high. Like, monthly wages are high.
"It's fine!" Alibaba tried to calm Yuri and Montag down. "It's on me, okay? This is part of the Envoy Package! It's paid already!"
"How to eat..." Montag looks lost at the array of food.
“Ah, you can choose which one to eat first, I’ll help you with the shelled ones.” Micah decided to step in.
Yuri saw the shellfish and asked if it’s really safe to eat it.
Montag ended up crunching on something hard everyone had to beg him to just spit it out.
At the end of it all, Yuri panicked trying to ask if she can find a way to repay Micah or Alibaba for the meal.
"It's fine, no need to pay us back, Miss Yuri!" Alibaba laughed. "Again, it's all paid for! Consider yourself a guest here!"
"But still..." Yuri looked a bit overwhelmed. "Wasn't it expensive???"
"It's not like I'm giving you an entire 8 course meal, Miss Yuri. Do relax yourself." Ruby chuckled playfully.
"Eight course meal????" This wasn't a fancy meal????
They went to the gate, taking out the identification papers. Ruby then turned before giving both Montag and Yuri a small jade pendant.
"These are for identification!" Ruby explained. "Basically a way of saying that you're Kou citizens! We'll get you proper documentation later."
“By the way, when's our turn for the Teleportation Gate,” Morgiana asked Aladdin.
“Should be soon, let’s head there after this,” They were queued pretty far back in number hence they could spare some time to rest.
“Telewhat?” Yuri asked.
“It’s….” Micah took a deep breath, before saying something in rapid succession. "-something similar like Warp Train to take you somewhere else quickly?”
The dread came to their face.
“Please at least erase our memories…” Yuri meekly begged
As Micah tried to explain the gate warp, the quartet then saw the 2 turn pale very quickly.
"Memories?" Aladdin looked confused. "What? Why?"
"It's just a teleport gate! It's 99.9% safe, don't worry." Ruby patted Yuri's head.
“Okay but there’s no way that it’s that easy without any repercussions right?” Yuri was still unconvinced.
“Eeh, the inventor is a pretty weird person but his inventions are completely safe. Don’t worry about it. Nothing will happen to you that will require memory erasure the moment you arrived or something—“
Micah got head chops in rapid succession by Yuri and Ruby.
“Can you please not describe my elder brother that way??” Ruby sighed.
“Don’t remind me about that in public??” Yuri hissed.
“Ow…” he was too late to deactivate his pain sensor and the double karate chop got to him immediately.
“It will be fine, don't worry.” Morgiana held their hands for now as they entered the magic circle.
“Is this a costly means of transportation too— whoa!” The eight pointed star beneath them shines as golden light covers their sight and soon they appeared in a slightly different room
In an instant, Yuri and Montag were transported.
....with a lot of nausea.
"Eugh!" Yuri could feel herself nearly puking. The warp gate was instant, but the sudden change made her so dizzy and disoriented...
...On the other hand, it doesn’t seem like there were any problems like the warp train?
The nausea is building though. Eugh.
"Sick...." Montag said, feeling his head spin for the 2nd time in the past 2 hours or so.
"There there." Aladdin patted his back.
They took a bit of a deep breath before exiting the place. The next place they visited was far larger, more people. Different hair colors here and there.
“This feels a bit like the Western part of the City…” Yuri muttered.
“Welcome to the Reim Empire.” Morgiana chuckled, “we’ll take you to the Fanalis Corps,”
“I’ll take you elsewhere to learn about magic so we’ll have to ride the gate to a different place,” Aladdin told Montag.
“Eugh….” Montag heaved again. “A-after you recovered. Don’t worry!” Aladdin helped him.
“Try closing your eyes,” Aladdin tried to cast a sound spell. Something that can calm and balance that dizzy semi-circular canal that causes motion sickness... Right, that one. His hands glow slightly, and Montag looked better in a bit.
“Ho?” Micah noticed it. "That was Sound Magic, wasn't it? So she taught you that? It is indeed a practical one.”
"Fufu, she is my teacher, after all!" Aladdin looked proud.
"Oh, wait, that reminds me!!!" Ruby then turned towards the two of them. "The deadline for your papers are in 2 days, go to the Kou Empire, remember that!!!"
"2 days...?" Yuri looked confused.
"For your identities, of course!" Ruby puffed her chest. "You guys are Kou Citizens in this world, but we only have the Jade Pendant for the current moment. Papers are a must, you know! International relations are still a bit of a mess otherwise!"
("As stated by someone from Kou." Alibaba murmured under his breath, snickering. Discretely, Ruby stepped on his feet. Alibaba quickly dodged it.)
"You've been given the papers, right? Just fill out the forms to give it to Ruby here today." Alibaba explained. "Since Mister Montag needs to read the guide, might as well. It won't take long."
Yuri nodded, letting Aladdin come over to heal her as well. She let the strange feeling wash over her, and slowly, the nausea ebbed away.
"We can fill it in the library, they have discrete rooms there." Morg suggested. "It's close anyways."
They were thinking a library means a public library, a small building, or even if it's big, perhaps something like Dieci Fixer's office.
But no, they were taken straight to the Palace. More specifically, the Palace's library.
"Wha--" Yuri's mouth fell out.
"Woah...." Montag nearly ran around but Micah dragged both of them to read the paper (and guideline book for Montag).
Yuri easily signed the paper while waiting for Montag to finish reading them.
"So these little guys are called Rukh?"
"In the continents beyond the Outskirts, they might be called something else, but here, yes." Micah nodded as Montag read more about magic.
"I'm still confused what magic is...." he admitted.
"Magic..." Aladdin started, looking at the book. "...in its simplest form, the creation of something through the Rukh."
"You're a magician, Mister Montag." Aladdin then touched a rukh, unseen by anyone else but them both. "Magicians are born with the ability to see the flow of the world, and by exchanging magoi, you can execute a command to the rukh to create a phenomenon." Aladdin explained further. A single flick, and the rukh glows, creating a small ball of light that makes Yuri look up in awe.
"Magic, in essence, is the study of these commands and the rukh." Aladdin waved off the spell.
He then put a book down. It looks slightly worn down, with a hardcover. The title reads ‘RUKH : The Birds of the Flow’
"Here's a book that can help you. I helped with the manuscript, and it's written by the Chancellor of our Academy, who is also my primary teacher." Aladdin smiled. "To understand Magic, you have to understand what Rukh is. The flow of the world, and what the Rukh does in our natural world."
As that small lecture goes on, Ruby has been reading through the papers, and occasionally correcting the information available, coaching Yuri how to write their language.
"It's close enough." Ruby nodded, before going to her pockets and taking out a stamp, creating a bright red decorative looking seal on the papers.
"There!" Ruby smiled, giving them one copy of the documents. "You're now eligible citizens! If anyone asks, you lost your copy of the documents to a monster, alright?"
“So I guess I don’t have to go to…. Kou Empire in 2 days for now?” They had just traveled to 2 different countries in one day, Yuri doesn’t think she can take anymore than this.
“I suppose it should be okay. I can deliver your citizenship paper here instead then,” Ruby smiled.
Yuri nodded awkwardly. “So um, do I start training now?” She looked at Morgiana.
Montag was a fast reader, he captured all the important points easily. “8 types of magic….” He muttered. “What do I learn first?”
“Come to think of it, what will Micah be doing?” Yuri turned to him.
“Hmm, well, I’ll prooobably be gone by the time you start training. You know, I have my own stuff to do~” He stayed ambiguous as ever.
There was a presence of people looming on the entrance of the library, which Yuri detected and got confused about. Was their arrival that well known??? What’s so weird about them??
"Ah, there they are." Morgiana said, turning to the entrance.
From the gate, a large shadow seems to block the sunlight. The figure, a large imposing man, walked into the lighted area of the library, the golden armor shining, with messy red hair, akin to flames. An intimidating figure that made anyone who sees them hush in awe.
"Morgiana." The large, burly man with kind eyes stepped up. Yuri is stunned, looking at their shared features between Morgiana, Mu and her. A unique hair colour to the exact hue.
"This is Mu Alexius." Morgiana introduced the waving man. "Leader of the Fanalis Corps."
"It's quite nice to meet you." Mu smiled. He looks friendly, a bit like Alibaba. "I'll be housing you personally."
"He's also going to be your second teacher." Morgiana added.
‘Macho…..’ was what the two guests thought.
‘Wait if Yuri trained under them that means….’ Montag had begun imagining Yuri with a build as large as Meursault.
“N-nice to see you! I- uh, It's an honor to be under your care!” Yuri bowed and stared at them. Specifically their eyes.
“You guys truly have red eyes huh…” it wasn’t an ominous blood red like Bloodfiend’s. It's a shade of red similar to … sunset.
“And yours was just like what Micah described as moon-colored!” Muu complimented her.
“I would assume it's just a minor genetic evolution to survive in the Outskirts.” Micah shrugged.
“The other Fanalis of the City I know had eyes like yours too. Though well, she told me her eyes were originally gold but one was badly damaged so her iris changed.”
“Wait there’s someone other than me??” Yuri turned to him.
“Eh, not really important right now~ she’s plenty strong and stout of heart by the time I met her,” Micah waved it off. He can’t really say she’s also a famous person.
"Well, genetics aside!" Mu grinned. "It's good to see another one of us! It's a shame that you can't join our Corps, but consider yourself an honorary member regardless!"
"A lot of Fanalis end up in the Corps, or continue a somewhat working relationship with the Corps." Morgiana explained. "Although that reminds me-- Most of the Corps don't know of your origins. The only one who knows are a select few of the higher ups, specially chosen by the Head Priest."
"So we'll have to engineer a backstory for you three." Mu added, looking at the others. "Yes, you 2 as well. Though the Fanalis Corps aren't one to dig into one's past, it's better to be prepared."
Micah shrugged, “I had mine engineered by Lord Strategist, so you don’t have to worry about me. Montag however….”
“Banishment and amnesia.” he pointed out his facial scar, as if to imply they can use that as an excuse.
“That’ll work!” Aladdin nodded, “We’ll get you the living quarters. For the next few months you’ll be training, Morgiana will be staying here as well.” Mu said, nodding towards Morgiana.
“Eh, ah… alright.” Yuri nodded, knowing she’ll have to go with them later on.
“Well, I’ll be leaving you two on their hands! I’ll be going now as well, so see ya~” Micah took out the hover board again and flew away.
Montag began asking Aladdin what magic should he learn first.
"Hm..." Aladdin looked at Montag, tilting his head. "Well... at the current moment, it should be good to learn magoi manipulation."
"Ma...magoi?" Montag tried to pronounce it.
"The energy that is in your body." Aladdin explained further. "You're from another world, so I'm not quite sure if you're even aware of how Magoi flows. It's also called Qi manipulation in Kou."
Aladdin then went through the library, picking you some books before coming back. He laid a couple of hardcover books and a scroll.
Yuri peeked at the page, before freezing as well.
"Wait, energy in body...." Yuri remembered something before. The few lessons she had with Shi Lanzhen....
"Shin is a power to utilize the energy within you. In order to use Shin, one must clear their mind of all emotions and then tap into their most intense memories and allow the emotions that are invoked by those memories to fill their head."
"Once you have mastered Shin, you can solidify it into Mang, a power enhancing ability that visually manifests as warm rings of light that appear around the weapon being used to attack, but can seemingly be used in a way to strengthen the body as well"
According to her, everyone in Kong Qiu's entourage can use it. It's different from an Effloresced EGO.
"....." Montag who was there during Yuri's training in H Corp glanced back at her. Thinking of the same thing.
'Perhaps it's similar to that?' was their mutual thought
"Yuri?" Muu asked, finding it weird the two of them suddenly fell silent
"Um, it's just." Yuri hesitated a bit. "We perhaps know of a similar concept in our world..."
"Wait, really???" Aladdin looked excited. "What is it like???"
"It's. Emotion." Montag furrowed his eyebrows, trying to find the proper words for it. "Energy from. Intense emotions."
"They form into rings around the weapon or body to intensify the attack." Yuri added.
"Interesting..." Alibaba muttered. "Emotions to power oneself. That does sound similar...."
"We can discuss with the head priest in detail." Morgiana clapped her hands. "Let's move now. We're going to be late."
"Yeeesss." her acquittances answered in motion.
"While we're here in Reim, we can ask Titus to help you perhaps!" Aladdin smiled.
"Titus?" A new person?
"A friend of mine!" Aladdin grinned. "He's a powerful magician. He's usually busy though... but if not, we can probably contact Sphintus, but he's more focused on Life Magic. He's a doctor, you see."
"Aladdin, you should teach him the basics first!" Alibaba laughed. "Let's bring him to meet Lord Titus when he's at least aware of his limits!"
"We're going to meet him at some point anyways!" Aladdin pouted. "Official matters and all..."
"Um..." Yuri raised her hand, like a student in a classroom. "Is this Titus person an important figure?" Yuri asked, looking a bit worried.
"Aladdin is a bit blind to social status sometimes." Alibaba gave a wry smile. "Read your guide book again."
Montag flipped through the book, reaching to Reim only to stare, frozen. "Ah."
The sight made Mu laugh, slapping his hand on his knee. "Important? I suppose the High Priest is an important figure." He said with a shit-eating grin.
Aladdin helped Montag choose the books to borrow, and Ruby finalized the other part of the documents, signed them, and put them away into a folder. Yuri couldn't believe the speed Ruby finished the papers.
"You're getting better now, Ruby."
"Hmph! It's only natural!" Ruby harrumhped, putting a pompous tone. "Such a great one such as I should be able to do this at the very least!"
"Good job." Morgiana then patted Ruby, which flustered her a bit before crossing her arms and looking away, making both wife and husband chuckle a bit.
‘They sure are close huh… kind of reminds me of the Sinners.’ Yuri thought
‘Such a close knit relationship. Not family, not neighbors, just friends…. A concept of relationship purely on trust not on something of mutual benefit….’ Montag thought
‘It really is different than in the City huh…’ both pondered as they continued to walk.
They arrived at a large door, apparently the office of the High Priest.
"Welcome to the Scheherazade Temple." Alibaba started, a smile on his face as he naturally took charge. "This particular temple has been around for over 2 centuries, but was only recently named about a few years ago when the Head Priest was anointed officially and took charge. Named after the late Head Priestess, the temple offers a lot of services, such as healing, training, as well as research labs."
"It's also where the Head Priest works, if you couldn't tell." Alibaba shot a small grin. "It is a temple!"
Yuri is currently sweating buckets, suddenly having to meet someone so great. From what she could gather, it's as if she's meeting the head of a corporation, or even the Head of a nation...
"Don't forget to show respect to the Head Priest." Morgiana added casually, making Yuri's nerves shoot up even more.
As they stood before the doors, Mu was the one who nodded at the guards, who then opened the doors.
Yuri and Montag's eyes had to squint a bit, being met with a splendid marble floor. The ceiling is high, with a chair that was closer to a throne at the center. A window is laid right behind the table, overseeing the entire city.
And most glittering of all, the blonde haired beauty that sits at the center of it, with long lashes barely hiding the bright blue eyes with a beauty mark, loose long blond hair, with braids decorating to the sides.
Yuri and Montag could feel the regality of this man, who was merely reading the papers.
"Ah," the figure looked up, his eyes crinkling to a smile. "Welcome, Alibaba Trading company, and honored guests."
"TITUS!"
"Woah-!!"
Aladdin immediately broke the regal atmosphere by diving to Titus's space, nearly knocking him into the floor.
“…. Is this normal in this world?” Yuri whispered to Morgiana.
“It certainly is not, only Aladdin does this” Morgiana chuckled slightly.
“Is that… a good thing or…?” Yuri asked again unsure what to feel.
“Hmmm, well at least it meant he treated them all as equal despite the position?” Morgiana tried to glance at Mu for an answer.
Montag and Yuri began thinking this might be not a good idea after all.
"Titus--OI ALADDIN!!" A light haired, dark skinned man came inside the room, only to look up and see the mess and immediately bolted to get Aladdin off.
It became a whole ...fight? If you can call it that, because halfway through Titus just started laughing.
"That's Sphintus, the head of the Medical Magicians." Alibaba chirped up. "They were all classmates in the academy, believe it or not."
After the... brawl session? Of some sort, finally the Head Priest stood before them.
"Ehem. Welcome, distinguished guests." Titus said, after patting his hair back into place, looking a tad bit embarrassed. Aladdin is currently being held back and scolded by Sphintus in the corner. ("You're being mean, Sphintus!" "YOU'RE AN ADULT NOW, WHY HAVEN'T YOU CHANGED FROM THE ACADEMY--" "I was just excited!" "NOT INFRONT OF GUESTS--")
"Welcome to Reim, we have been expecting you. I am Titus Alexius, the Head Priest of this Empire. Forgive me for my less than stellar appearance, and the unprofessional display."
"My name is Sphintus, head of the Medicus section of the temple." Sphintus said, now dragging an Aladdin with a big goose egg on his head. "Sorry about that."
Yuri hummed slightly. Their interactions truly reminds her of how the Sinners act. Come rain or shine, they are so blatant and casual even with any sort of higher ups, respect comes later, earned after proven justified for them.
‘It actually kind of made someone who had some normal senses like Outis-ssi and Sinclair-ssi a breath of fresh air because that’s what I’m used to…’ Yuri sighed, remembering how even in school she has a glaring lack of friends.
Montag clapped his hand to shut down the commotion, perhaps he too, had grown impatient at the unnecessary romping between strangers in front of his eyes.
“Nice to meet you. Thank you, letting us study here, an honor,” he said as efficient as usual.
"Thank you for your patience." Titus bowed lightly. "I've heard that one of the guests is of Fanalis Descent, and the other a magician... It's quite an honor to meet one from another world. I suppose that you would want to learn how to utilize your unique strength." Titus tapped a finger on his staff. "I will grant you two full access to the library and the colosseum."
In a flash, the rukh swirls around them, before two small stones appear before both Yuri and Montag, making them jump before gingerly taking it in their hands.
"I'll give the role of guide to the laboratories to my right hand man, Sphintus." Sphintus nodded at Titus, and stepped forward. "And Mu has expressed his own desire to guide you to the Fanalis Corps himself." Mu grinned, stepping forward as well.
"I hope you find your time here pleasurable." Titus then gave a warm smile. "If there's anything that you need, don't hesitate to inform us."