[City of Sparrows]

[Railway Station.]

Choo-Choo!!!

In the early morning of Wednesday, the mana train heading to the capital city roared as it pulled in.

’Why are they so loud....’

The sound was so loud that Mikhail had to put his fingers in his ears.

Dressed in a white linen shirt and black trousers, Mikhail glanced up at the metal behemoth stationed on the track.

He took in a deep breath and glanced back at his family, who had come to see him off one last time.

Everyone was present except Emiliya, who had stayed home.

Jasmine was holding Olivia, who was holding Methew, while talking with Kevin’s mother Sarah.

Off to the side, Eric and Ronic were talking with Edgar, Kevin’s father.

Kevin himself was talking with his little sister, who had small pools of tears in her eyes.

Mikhail sighed inwardly and let out a small smile. ’A happy family.....’

Flick!

He glanced to his side at the sound of a lighter flickering.

Daniel Smith lit up a cigarette while standing by Mikhail’s side.

"Smoking is dangerous to your health, you know." Mikhail said in a soft voice.

Daniel let out a small chuckle. "Don’t worry about my health. Think about how you will survive in a place like the Imperial University."

"I can definitely survive without any problem." Mikhail replied with a shrug. "All I need to do is keep a low profile."

"You sure that’s possible when he is around?" Daniel asked, glancing at Kevin who was hugging his little sister.

The hug lasted only a few seconds before Carol grew embarrassed and slapped him away.

Mikhail’s lips twitched and he scowled inwardly. ’I would beat him up as well if he gets me into trouble.’

He glanced back at Daniel and asked quietly. "Should I pass a message to your family on your behalf?"

Daniel paused for a long second before shaking his head. "I will see them when I come to visit you."

Mikhail didn’t press further and only gave a short nod.

Just as they were talking, a person walked out of the train and stopped in front of them.

He looked at Mikhail and then at Kevin, seemingly trying to match them with his memory.

"You are the students for the Imperial University, right?" He finally asked.

"Yes." Edgar replied on their behalf. "Are you the guide?"

The man, who was in his mid-thirties, nodded and smiled. "Yes, it’s my job to make sure the students on this route reach the university safely."

Edgar nodded and turned to look at the two of them. "It’s time."

Mikhail and Kevin nodded and picked up their bags, which were large like military packs.

Kevin walked towards his family while Mikhail walked towards his own.

He gently stood in front of Olivia, who was holding Methew tightly.

Smiling, he extended his hand toward her. "It’s time for me to go."

Olivia, who had been hiding her face, slowly looked up. Her big eyes had turned puffy as tears dripped down.

"Y-you are leaving?" She said through choking sobs.

"I will be back soon." Mikhail replied softly, extending his pinky finger. "I promise."

The little girl grabbed his finger while Methew jumped up to sit on his shoulder.

Her crying only grew worse as she kept rambling to herself.

Mikhail only smiled, and with a pained heart, he gently kissed her forehead before stepping back.

But before he could leave, Jasmine quickly pulled him into a hug.

"Make sure to eat properly." She said, letting him go. "And make sure to talk with us daily!"

Mikhail chuckled and nodded his head. "Sure, mom."

Jasmine’s eyes began to tear up but her smile only bloomed brighter.

Mikhail then turned towards his father, who was standing beside them.

Eric wasn’t a man of many words, so he just patted his son’s shoulder and smiled brightly. "I am proud of you, son." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Mikhail smiled back and gave him a hug, then talked briefly with Ronic and Kevin’s family before stepping back.

Daniel had moved to stand a little apart while Mikhail walked towards the train.

Kevin was just behind him and the middle aged guide was already inside.

Choo-Choo!!!

The train’s whistle echoed again, signalling departure.

Mikhail and Kevin stood at the door as the train jerked and began to move.

They looked at their families for a long time, waving back at them.

Before long, the station and everyone in it had disappeared from view.

Kevin, who was always ready with a joke, remained oddly quiet as they moved through the railway carriage.

Mikhail asked the guide. "Are there more students than just us?"

The man glanced back and nodded with a smile. "Yes." He said. "Twenty, including both of you."

Mikhail nodded as a thought crossed his mind. ’There are a total of seven railway routes to the capital city. So on average there should be at least 140 students.’

Though these numbers weren’t accurate, Mikhail knew many of the students would be from the capital city itself.

The seating on the train was divided into three classes, with third being the lowest and first being the highest.

The guide led them to the first class, which was nothing short of luxurious.

A group of seven young people around Mikhail’s age were already seated.

They curiously glanced at the newcomers while Mikhail did the same.

Mikhail finally confirmed there was no one else in the carriage except the students.

’Did the university buy out the entire carriage?’ He thought. ’What a waste of money.’

"You can sit there." The guide said. "We will be reaching the capital city tonight, so make yourselves comfortable."

Mikhail nodded and walked towards a seat where another boy was already sitting, reading a book.

Mikhail put his bag down and took the seat while Kevin did the same.

The boy looked up at them but didn’t say a word before immersing himself back in his book.

Mikhail finally looked at Kevin, who had a gloomy expression and slightly red eyes.

"Kevin~." He said in a teasing tone. "Is my little boy crying?"

Kevin flinched and immediately hardened his expression.

"Who is crying?" He said in a deep voice. "Tell him, a lion does not concern itself with feelings."

"I see." Mikhail mumbled softly. "I hope the lion gets fucked by a pack of hyenas then."

Kevin glanced at him and said with a straight face. "The lion would enjoy that."

The boy who had been listening clicked his tongue. "Bunch of barbaric monkeys."

Both of them turned to look at him, and Mikhail got a proper look at the boy for the first time.

He was short, around 5’6, with short silky white hair, white eyelashes and golden eyes.

He was on the lean side, with a face that could be considered beautiful.

Mikhail narrowed his eyes. "I’m sorry, but who are you?"

Kevin leaned closer and whispered. "A femboy."

The boy seemingly heard this and his lips twitched slightly.

He drew in a deep breath and said in a surprisingly deep voice. "My name is Patrick Samwell."

Mikhail suddenly remembered the surname. ’A member of a noble family.’

He extended his hand and replied with a smile. "Mikhail Brightburn, and he is Kevin Ariala."

The young boy looked at his hand and hesitantly shook it.

....His hand was as soft as a feather.