The Quirk Compendium

Chapter 1: Welcome to Your New Life (2/4)

As I walked through the city, I was in awe with every single thing that is happening. As a country boy in Japan, I rarely visit the big cities. I lived really far from Tokyo at the time. I also had no time since I was always researching and I was stuck helping out my guardian's farm every single day, even after school. Even though there were a lot of workers that she hired for her farm, I thought that it's for the best that I lent her a helping hand after all she's done to me. Despite of what my intentions are though, she never let me help when night time comes. Only her workers are permitted and also herself. I never knew what was the deal until now.

It's beautiful here even in night time. Neon lights glow in every billboard of the street I could find. Public transport and vehicle roads sprawl on the city's ceiling. But it doesn't make it ugly. In fact, it's impressive. There had been many rumors about experimenting to build a layered city for some time before 2025. To think that an island would get there first in 2020. The road is crowded with people. Not only civilians, but also a few are students from the academy. I noticed that we are all walking the same direction. Although to be honest, this was not the common route to the academy the student guidebook was referring us to go. Maybe this is her route. I wanted to ask her, but I think it's best that I just keep quiet after our little event earlier.

"You already knew that we're straying from the common route to the academy, did you?" Interestingly, she noticed what I've been concerned about earlier.
"You figured it out..." I sighed. She's sharp. As expected.
"You must also be very confused on why would someone like me would like to accompany you, right?"
"Well... y-yeah, but that's not-"
"It's fine."

What is up with her? She's acting really strange. This became more awkward and I need to address this. She feels like someone who's leading someone else into a death trap by alluring her prey to come home with her just to be killed later. I mean, of course she wouldn't do that. But now, I'm just curious. But right now, I feel neither of us wants to strike up a conversation. We've only just met after all. These things can't be rushed. However, I just can't help to feel that there's something going on.

After a few minutes, we entered the underground passage to the academy. The academy is on another island west of the island itself. It's not to far so it's still part of the island's city. The city itself is already interesting enough. From what I read online, the city is layered and made into 5 districts. The Royal district, the Uptown district, the Downtown district, the Slum district, and finally the Palace district. The underground passage is located between Downtown and the Slums. It's also beautiful in here, our passage is decorated by LED walls playing advertisements and floor tiles of glass which allows us to see the waters below us and the palace district itself. Sadly, I wasn't researching enough about all the districts before coming here. Maybe I'll just experience it myself.

Apparently, we're using the subway route to the academy. Our academy is literally made to be connected to all 5 layers at once. This allows better routes and access. But this also allows the academy to look like a palace made from dreams. It's already so elegant and beautiful when I looked it up. I wonder how big it is when I see it in person. After a while, we arrived in the subway terminal to the academy.

"Wow..." I was in awe.
"Didn't expect you to be so easily impressed in everything."
"Well of course, everything here is a first to me. It already felt like I'm living in the future."

But I did mean it though, the station we're in is built underwater. This must be the famous "Azuria Subway Station". The only subway station that's built underwater and the only station that accesses the academy. Not long after, the train arrived. We entered and searched for an empty seat. Since it's night time, there's not a lot of people going to the academy. So, getting a seat won't be that hard. We then take a seat side by side and beside the door we just entered. After that the train departs to the academy.