Nighttime, north of the Imperial Capital, Helrom.

The magic-powered railcar had just emerged from a trembling, deep gray rock tunnel. After passing through the winding mountains, it entered a boundless, symmetrical forest of ancient, solemn trees.

The silhouettes of the mountain peaks, along with the occasional flickering lights, made Helrom National Forest Park and the lakes outside the fortress city seem even more profound amidst the train's whistle.

In the distance, the outline of Helrom gradually became clearer, and the city's lights lit up one by one, adorning the sky, as if responding to the scattered starlight in the dark curtain.

Inside the carriage, the clock's hands had just passed seven. Pale yellow light danced on the solid wood decor. Passengers either sat quietly or chatted. The mix of noise and tranquility filled the air as the conductors busily patrolled the carriages, responding to the passengers' various requests in an orderly manner. After each service, they continued their pace with a professional smile.

Hyperion sat by the window, her face, quietly gazing outside, reflected in the glass. A red hair accessory adorned her dark hair, and long strands fell diagonally over her shoulder.

Across from her, Mishulla had already changed into the uniform of the Protos Royal Magic Academy, her pointed ears bearing subtle demonic features.

Between the two, the rustling sound of Mishulla turning pages occasionally broke the silence. They maintained their quiet composure until they were about to reach their destination, Helrom.

Outside, the scenery flashed by, occasionally offering a clearer glimpse of Helrom's lights.

The sound of a book closing broke the silence. Mishulla put the book into her handbag. Although she hadn't finished the *Romance of the Holy War* she borrowed from her sister, she decided not to indulge in it any longer and would continue reading it when she returned to school.

"Sister, don't worry. The Imperial Capital, Helrom, isn't as dangerous as you think. The Rebirth Church can't be as rampant as its Silence branch in the north. At least in school, we won't encounter people from the Rebirth Church."

Mishulla, noticing a hint of worry in Hyperion's expression, comforted her.

She thought her sister might still be uneasy because of their previous encounter in Box Hill Province.

Most of the time, Hyperion wore a composed demeanor, but only when she was with Mishulla did she relax slightly, revealing her true feelings.

"Mishulla... I understand. Thank you."

Hyperion looked at Mishulla, slightly dazed, and then thanked her.

Although they had a brief and thrilling experience at the checkpoint in Box Hill Province, the journey across the northern part of the empire to the central region was surprisingly peaceful.

Being in this comfortable space, she naturally became less tense in front of those close to her.

However, Mishulla didn't know the mission she bore, or the hellish tasks she would face after arriving in the Imperial Capital, Helrom.

Whenever she thought about infiltrating that isolated prison in this unfamiliar city, or even delving into the dark depths that could seal off an Eighth-Order Great Demon, she still felt fear.

But she couldn't confide in anyone. She could only hide this secret task in her heart.

"How is it? Did you enjoy the book?"

Hyperion noticed that Mishulla was starting to prepare for the train's arrival and asked with a smile.

The book that Mishulla had just put away was one that the Ice Witch had lent Hyperion to pass the time on the journey, and later she lent it to Mishulla.

From the start, it was a book circulated from the Protos Empire, so it wouldn't arouse suspicion within Protos. Most importantly, the Ice Witch sealed the [Great Poet of Love] as a bookmark, which could be hidden in the book to pass through security.

"It's quite interesting. Now I don't want to read anything else. I just want to see the hysteria of the loser."

Mishulla crossed her arms with a serious expression and commented.

Although it was set against the historical backdrop of the Holy War era, with completely fictional stories and characters, there were three distinctive female characters in the book. One seemed to have the aura of the main wife, another seemed to have the aura of a losing wife, and the last seemed to have the aura of a born loser.

"Are you talking about the girl who is either eating or holding something to eat in every scene?"

Hyperion asked, puzzled. This book, published by the Imperial Royal Magic Academy Press at the beginning of the year, only had the first part, so it was hard to say who the final winner would be.

"That's her."

Mishulla nodded.

"I think she's very cute."

Hyperion thought that if she were a boy, she would definitely like that female character the most.

"I think the cutest is the younger female lead. If life is a journey, she feels despair and loneliness, but she can dispel those emotions, behaving elegantly, keeping her promises, and possessing a beauty worthy of being cherished in the palm of one's hand."

Mishulla said to Hyperion, her heart full of girlish fantasies.

Once the two started discussing topics related to the book, the short waiting time seemed to pass quickly. Even the minute hand of the clock turned twice without them noticing.

With a slight tremor, the train began to slow down. The stars and lights outside the window gradually slowed their fleeting speed, and the tranquil night was replaced by the lights of Helrom station, which were gradually approaching.

The low hum between the wheels and the rails, which had lasted all night, gradually weakened, signaling the end of the journey.

Mishulla and Hyperion both looked up from the world of the book. The topic ended there as they gazed through the carriage window at the world outside.

On the approaching platform, the figures of people in a hurry gradually became clearer, and the sounds of passengers moving around outside the compartment rose and fell.

"Sister, let's go to the commercial district to buy some things first, then go back to school."

Mishulla looked out the window and then at Hyperion, saying that she always felt that her sister's mood couldn't be completely relaxed after leaving home.

"If we don't take advantage of the weekend to go off-campus, we won't be able to go out again for several days starting Monday."

If possible, Mishulla obviously didn't want to stay in the Protos Royal Magic Academy for even a minute.

The luggage they had checked in at the station earlier had a connecting service from the Protos Royal Academy, which would be delivered directly to their residence.

As noble students, the Earl of Milford had arranged for them to move into a detached mansion in the residential area north of the academy.

After getting off the train, they had almost no luggage with them. If they left the station and walked south, they could reach the Protos Royal Magic Academy in about ten minutes. If they walked north, they would arrive at a very bustling commercial district in the southern part of Helrom, which not only had many famous shops in Helrom, but also had a lot of excitement to see.

(End of Chapter)