Lytheria – Arafat
The train had finally made a stop in the territory of Lytheria—more precisely, in the city of Arafat.
It was a brief halt, just long enough for a few weary students to stretch their legs and wander into the streets in search of souvenirs.
The platform buzzed with activity, yet surprisingly few passengers chose to get off.
Maybe the long journey had worn them out. Or maybe they were just too eager to reach their destination.
Either way, Dante and Shigeo stepped off the train, taking advantage of the short break to get away from the tight compartments.
The local market was far livelier than the station itself. Dante scanned the stands with little interest, somewhat distracted by the heavy heat.
Shigeo, on the other hand, was darting from one shop to the next, clearly thrilled to explore the local tech.
He stopped in front of a phone shop, grinning ear to ear, and waved Dante over.
— "Check this out, Dante! These models are insane. This one's practically a mini laptop. You can do everything on it—even shoot high-def videos!"
But Dante wasn't exactly the gadget-enthusiast type.
All he wanted was a phone for one reason only: to make calls. Simple, direct—that was enough.
Still, Shigeo kept on, enthusiastically listing off the features like a passionate salesman.
— "Why would you want something so basic? Some of these have holographic interfaces, man!"
Dante shrugged, amused. He often felt like an old man in a young man's body when faced with tech like this.
Why overcomplicate things when you could keep them simple? He picked out a basic, no-nonsense phone. Functional and efficient.
After the purchase, they made their way back to the train.
But just as they were about to head to their compartment, someone on the platform caught Dante's eye.
A young blonde girl, her eyes an icy blue, stood surrounded by a small entourage—a horde of girls trailing her like loyal shadows.
Dante noticed her immediately. There was something regal in the way she carried herself, an air of nobility in her posture—and an aura that demanded attention.
It wasn't just her looks that captivated him. No, it was the purity of her energy. A light so clear and untouched it sent a chill down his spine.
What is someone like her doing in Kovalia ?
There was something different about her. And instinctively, Dante wondered why such a person was on this train—headed to Genesis, the academy where students came from every corner of the world.
Shigeo, however, didn't quite catch the vibe.
He noticed the girl, and in his typical naivety, assumed she was just hot from the weather, judging by how red her cheeks had gotten.
He wasn't used to seeing that kind of reaction in someone, but his innocent logic led him to interpret it as something funny.
— "Who's that girl ?" Dante asked, intrigued but trying not to show it.
Shigeo lit up.
— "That's Johanna Beatrice Don Quixote. She's, like, the prodigy of the Don Quixote family. Wants to be a holy swordmaster. She's kind of a role model for young nobles. But… there are rumors about her, y'know ? No one really knows why she gives off that kind of aura. Kinda weird to see her here, huh ?"
Shigeo's words only made Dante more curious, but he quickly looked away.
He didn't want to get carried away by some sudden interest.
He was here for the academy, not to get tangled up in noble drama and their ambitions. He sighed and turned back toward the train.
— "Come on. Let's head back."
---
[Johanna's POV]
That night, Johanna sat alone in her room, her mind restless.
She couldn't stop thinking about the man she had seen on the platform. There was something magnetic about his presence.
She was used to people—friends, family, nobles—being swept up in their own energy. But him… he was different.
Refined. Out of reach. His presence radiated authority, and the energy he gave off was so unlike her own.
She blushed just thinking about him. It had been a long time since anything—or anyone—made her feel this uncertain inside.
She was supposed to be a saint, the perfect candidate for holy swordsmanship, a noble, flawless and composed. She wasn't supposed to feel… this.
But deep down, a voice whispered that she wanted to see him again. She needed to know who he was.
Across the room, her quiet Lytherian roommate was fidgeting with what looked like a stress ball.
Maybe everyone here's a little messed up, Johanna thought. Not just me.
---
The next morning, Johanna woke up early, her heart still full of questions.
She snatched her breakfast tray from the server, barely touching the food. Her mind was elsewhere.
She had one thought stuck in her head : I need to see him again.
She wandered the corridors until she arrived at what she believed was Dante's room.
Some bulky student opened the door. When they saw Johanna standing there, their eyes widened.
One of them practically squealed :
— "The Sainted Swordswoman! You're really here ?! You're so—wow!"
The group of weebs bombarded her with compliments, gushing over her title and reputation.
Flustered, Johanna stammered a few awkward words and quickly slipped away in a mini panic.
After asking a few curious students for directions, she eventually found Dante's actual room.
This time, she took a deep breath and knocked gently.
Shigeo opened the door wide, grinning.
— "Oh! Johanna! What a lovely surprise! What can I do for you ?" he asked cheerfully.
She asked where Dante was, and a female voice called out from behind him :
— "He's on the roof !"
Johanna raised an eyebrow. The roof of the train ? What on earth was he doing up there ?
Still, she decided to follow. She had nothing to lose. Before leaving she said to Shigeo :
— "I hope you clean up after doing your stuff..."
Shigeo was confused then he suddenly understood.
— "No no! It was a demon who subjugated me... Anyway, long story."
---
When she finally reached the rooftop, the wind was sharp and cool, invigorating even.
And there, standing at the top of the world, was Dante. Shirtless. Moving a sword through the air with effortless grace.
He was relaxed, as if this kind of training was part of his daily ritual.
Johanna stepped forward and tossed him an apple.
He caught it without even glancing.
Then he turned. Their eyes met. Her cheeks burned.
He said nothing—just watched her, amused, a slight smirk at the corners of his lips.
— "Spying on me now?" he asked lightly.
— "I came… to thank you. For the show."
— "You always this blunt?"
She shrugged, a little embarrassed.
— "Not really. This is new for me too."
He bit into the apple, eyes still on her. Then sat down casually, legs crossed, laying the sword beside him. He gestured for her to join.
— "You can sit. I promise, I don't bite."
She joined him, cautiously, leaving a safe distance between them. Her gaze locked straight ahead at the horizon.
— "Aren't you cold?" she asked.
He smiled without looking at her.
— "I've had worse."
A moment passed in silence.
Then she spoke, softly:
— "You're not like the others. There's something calm about you… sad, but strong. I've never seen an aura like yours."
He looked at her again—this time, longer. His stare made her squirm.
She can feel energy? he wondered.
— "And you… you're all light. But you look like someone carrying way too much for her age."
She let out a genuine laugh.
— "That's true. Everyone expects so much of me. To be a Don Quixote. To be the next Saint. To be perfect. But sometimes… I just want to be myself."
He paused, then answered quietly:
— "And I'd like to remember what it feels like… to have a noble name."
She turned toward him, caught off guard by the sadness in his voice.
— "You mean… you're hiding who you are ?"
He gave a faint smile.
— "I lie about who I've been… and what I feel."
Silence fell over them again — awkward and heavy.
— "I noticed you earlier," she confessed suddenly. "When you got off the train. It was weird. I didn't know why, but… I felt like I had to talk to you."
— "I did too," he said simply. "I saw you. You blushed."
— "No, I— Blhsysdhs—" She stammered, completely at a loss for words.
— "It was cute."
She looked away, blushing even harder. He smiled — genuinely, this time.
— "You don't have to feel silly."
She bit her lip, unsure.
— "Can we… see each other again ?"
— "That's not up to me."
She laughed, a little more at ease.
— "You're right. No one knows what fate has planned — especially with the entrance exam. But if we pass, we'll probably see each other again."
— "I'll only agree if you bring me another apple."
— "Deal."
She stood up, her heart beating a little slower now — though her cheeks were still flushed.
As she headed down from the rooftop, she turned around one last time.