“That’s not enough.” The conductor said, shaking his head and returning the pair of coins to Felix.

“What?!” Felix shouted, “but it’s always been two copper pieces!”

“Time’s a’ changin kid,” The man shrugged, “it's two for buyin’ in advance, three on departure.”

“That’s extortion!”

“It’s the rules now.” The conductor sighed, sticking his thumb out and pointing at a small sign near the ticket booth. “Besides, we’re all booked for the capital today. Sorry kid.”

“Come on,” Felix yelled, hitting his hand against his head, “not like this!”

The capital was days away on foot, and there was no way Felix could make it in time without using the train. He’d saved two copper pieces just for today, but it didn’t matter. There was no way for him to reserve a seat in Grendin since they had no station to buy from.

Even so, Felix hadn’t considered how many people would show up so early in the morning to catch the train. He thought he’d be one of few, and that he’d have a seamless transition from Hinsdale to the capital. An obstacle like this never crossed his mind.

After having spent an entire day traveling to Hinsdale, Felix didn’t intend to give up. Waiting another year to enter The Tower was out of the question. He had to come up with a solution before the train left, using any means necessary. Maybe I can sneak on top...

“What’s all the ruckus out there?” A masculine voice boomed.

The conductor looked behind himself to see the train driver leaning out the window. He seemed to have gotten impatient, and the conductor knew he was in for it. No one was supposed to keep the train behind schedule, not even the driver.

“Sorry cap,” the conductor yelled back, grabbing onto the side of the train, “everyone’s on board. We’re ready to depart.”

The conductor pulled himself up, allowing the driver to get a look at Felix. The driver squinted his eyes at him, and a sign of recognition showed on his face.

“Oi,” he yelled, “aren’t you Felix?”

“Mr.Ike?” Felix asked.

“The one and only.” Mr.Ike laughed, resting his arm against the window he was leaning out from. “What brings yah here kid?”

“I want to take the train to Lithia.” Felix said, “I’m gonna enter The Tower this year!”

“Wow.” Mr.Ike said, raising his eyebrows, “that’s amazing kid! Hop on board and we’ll get you there in no time.”

“Sir!” The conductor yelled back with a hint of frustration, “we’re already booked.”

“Oh, can it already,” Mr.Ike rolled his eyes, “remember that storm from last year, the one that destroyed some of the older rails down the track?”

“Of course,” the conductor answered, “I remember vividly.”

“This kid Felix helped us repair the tracks for next to nothing. The least we can do is give him a lousy ride to the capital.”

“But sir,” the conductor replied, “we’re already booked for the entire day. There isn’t a seat available on this run or the next.”

“Hmm,” Mr.Ike thought for a moment, “We’ve got room in that fancy section, don’t we? Put him in there!”

“Sir, it was already bought out by-.”

“Oh just do it already,” Mr.Ike bellowed, “those prissy pantses can learn a few things from that kid!”

“Bu-”

“Just do it! ” Mr.Ike yelled, pulling his head back inside and slamming the window shut.

The train’s horn sounded, indicating their departure. The train’s metal wheels began to shine light blue as the mana stored in the engine’s core started to seep out, powering the motors.

“I’m just doin my job, man.” The conductor whimpered, shaking his head back and forth.

Felix hopped onto the train as it began to inch forward. He leaned over the side, watching as the wheels turned a darker blue. He’d spent hours upon hours listening to Mr.Ike rave about the history of these trains and how they worked while repairing the tracks.

Felix looked up at the conductor, planning to gloat. However, the conductor already looked like he was about to cry. Felix was unsurprised, as he knew firsthand how demanding the old man was.

“So... where’s this ‘fancy section?’” Felix asked, deciding to leave the conductor be.

“It’s the private car farthest from the core.” The conductor sighed, handing him a key, “Just walk down until you see a sliding door. This key’ll unlock it. Try not to piss them off, will you?”

“I’ll do my best.” Felix insisted, snatching the key as he made his way down the aisle.

The black interior of the train contrasted its silver exterior. Felix took note of the variety of people occupying the train. It was obvious by their weaponry that most had the same goal as him. Bronze and silver adventurers were scattered across the seats, discernible by the colored plates that hung around their necks. He’d been hoping to see a gold-ranked adventurer among the crowd of bunched-up passengers, but he had no such luck.

I guess they’re all with their guilds in the capital, anyway. Felix thought to himself. Making his way to his seat, Felix reached the metal door that separated him, and everyone else, from the 'luxury car.' He wiggled the key into its slot, swiftly unlocking the door. By now, the train had picked up a bit of speed, swiftly making its way outside of Hinsdale.

The door slid open easily as Felix turned the key. The people around him seemed surprised, as he was dressed pretty shabbily to have access to high-class travel. Deciding not to leave any room for questions, Felix slipped into the door, shutting it behind him.

Wow. Felix thought. He’d never before seen just how luxurious the car was. He stood in a small hallway that separated him from the rest of the car, but there were already some stark differences. For one, there was a private restroom to his right, shower and all. Felix had rarely used a proper lavatory outside of Hinsdale, but this easily trumped all of them.

Furthermore, as he looked down the wall, Felix noticed a countertop with an assortment of drinks and food. He’d been regretting not saving any pumpkin bread for himself, but there was some right there, on the counter.

Jackpot. Felix thought, making his way towards the snacks. As he walked out of the hallway, something caught his attention. In the corner of his view, he could see a dark red figure. His attention shifted, remembering that he would be sharing the car.

To Felix’s surprise, there was only one other person in the car. A girl sat at the other end of the room, peering out of the window as the scenery swept by. While her attire was elegant and refined, what Felix noticed most was her expensive-looking bow . The final thing that stuck out to Felix was the dark yellow adventurer tag that hung around her neck. Unlike him, and everyone else on the train he’d seen, she was a gold rank adventurer.

What’s she doing here? Felix asked himself. Even if Hinsdale was a marvel to him, Felix knew it wasn’t the most popular of towns. Being at the end of a lengthy set of tracks that all funnel back to Lithia, the people who visited Hinsdale by train were usually from a nearby town. Surely someone with stature and rank wouldn’t need to take quests so far from the capital. Felix continued to wonder, easily forgetting that he was staring.

“May I help you?” She asked, turning her attention towards him.