Inlander

Neutral Zone

Along the way, only the view of the sea and the beach is visible. Although sometimes interspersed with trees. But from the whole, only the coastline always accompanied them on their journey. Perhaps this is what led to this route being nicknamed the north coast route.

Jim and his friends left home in the morning. They will likely arrive at their destination in about half a day.

The speed of this train is not as fast as an electric train. However, the speed is almost the same as the speed of old trains which still use coal as fuel. The trains in this world are almost the same as steam trains. It's just that this train is driven by fire magic

In the middle of the trip. Aya and Cia, both fell. They are fast asleep. To make matters worse, they both leaned their heads in the middle, towards Jim. They turned Jim's shoulders into pillows to support their heads

Agacia, who was very excited, active and energetic since the morning. But when she was on the train, like not the usual Cia. Even though earlier she was very excited, but Cia has a weakness when she is riding a train. Because she was motion sickness from the train from childhood.

So, as soon as the train was running, she immediately felt dizzy. She could not hold back her feeling of being motion sickness. Among the three of them, Cia was the first to sleep on the train.

As for Aya, it was because this was her first time on the train. So that he still needs to adapt, this is his first experience. Therefore, he still felt dizzy and was forced to choose to sleep to rest.

If Jim was used to riding trains, even in his old world, he was used to riding trains that were faster than this. But the problem is, he struggles to hold his shoulders due to the weight of their heads. All he could do now was patiently prop their heads up to their destination.

Until a few minutes passed, a train safety officer arrived in the middle of the train between several passenger seats.

The stature of this train guard is manly. He wears a dark blue robe and a black hat. He goes around to maintain the safety and comfort of train passengers.

But there was something odd about the train safety officer because he was carrying a sharp weapon in the form of a sword which he tied around his waist. Maybe it's because of security. Because passengers are also allowed to carry any weapons as long as they don't make a scene.

Indeed, in this world, a person carrying a weapon, a sword, arrow or something else is still considered normal, because it is self-defence.

The moment came when the train safety officer lifted right up beside Jim's seat.

Suddenly Jim greeted the train safety officer. He said, "I'm sorry sir, may I ask something?".

The train safety officer responded to Jim's greeting, he paused for a moment and turned to Jim with a fierce face.

It made Jim a little afraid to see his fierce face. "Yes, what is it?". The officer replied with a smile. Suddenly broke everything Jim was thinking. Because behind the fierce officer. It turned out that he was a polite, kind and friendly person. Doesn't reflect his appearance.

Since Jim judged the officer by his appearance alone, Jim was a little ashamed of himself. Because he already taunted someone from the cover without knowing what was in it.

"Excuse me, I have to get off at which stop so I can go to the magic academy?". Jim immediately made his point. Because he didn't want to wake Agacia. So he finds out for himself the location of the stop by asking the train safety officer.

"O… you are not here, are you?" The officer asked back. Instead, he tried to familiarize himself with Jim. He didn't even suspect Jim at all. Because he thought, how could a bad person be surrounded by two beautiful women like him? That's what Jim had in mind

Jim replied honestly without hiding anything. He replied, "Yes sir, this is my first time riding this train".

"Haha ... just calm down I'll help you, to get to the academy, you have to get off at the city stop Freedom land" replied the officer.

"Thank you very much, sir" Jim also thanked the officer.

"Take it easy, I will inform the carriage of this train if you will get to that stop." The officer said casually because this is his job apart from being a train security guard, as well as a reminder if he has entered a stop in the City.

"Thank God, at this rate Cia can sleep peacefully". With a relieved face, Jim calmed down a little now. He no longer needs to think about getting lost.

"By the way, you have a lot of wives, hehe," the train guard asked Jim to joke. How could it not be, Jim and the two women beside him who were sleeping soundly seemed like a happy family. Any man who saw Jim would be jealous because Aya and Cia, besides being beautiful, were also young.

"Haha .. not sir, they are both my younger siblings", replied Jim, who was a little embarrassed, he was forced to lie to the officer.

"Hahaha ... I'm sorry, I'm just kidding, okay I'll continue my job, have a nice day," the officer said with a laugh. Then the officer resumed his duties and patrolled the entire carriage of the train.

When it was felt that the officer had moved away from Jim a little. Jim took a deep breath. He was relieved. Karana is embarrassing if the officer keeps teasing her.

"Thank God," said Jim, who was now breathing slowly. But he was surprised at the train safety officer, seen from his appearance, he was very fierce. However, his attitude turned out to be the opposite.

A few minutes later, Jim felt sleepy, because he was alone there was no one he could talk to.

With increasingly gloomy eyes, Jim finally fell asleep like the others.

After a few hours of travelling. From the end of the carriage, there was a loud voice from the train safety officer. This indicates that the train will soon enter the city of the next stop.

"The passengers ... after this we will enter the tunnel ..."

Because the sound was very loud, it disturbed Jim in his sleep. He slowly woke up and opened his eyes slightly. When he is fully awake.

"Jim, you're awake," said Aya and Cia, they said simultaneously. It turned out that they both got up first.

Thank goodness the two of them didn't bother Jim too much.

Since Cia has awakened, it seems that she has had enough rest, it seems that she is more energetic now. Just like when she was about to board this train, then suddenly she started the conversation. "Look at Jim's window. You will see a beautiful view."

Cia's words made Jim curious, but it was not only Jim who was curious. Ayabelle was also curious. Then the two of them together looked out of the window. "Wow, what a beautiful forest". Said Aya who was amazed at the scene before entering the city.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Cia replied, who seemed she was also very happy and enjoying this view.

Before entering the city of Freedom, you must pass through the mountains. Because, Freedom City is flanked by two mountains, namely the left west and east. So from that before entering the city of Freedom. Must pass through the beautiful forest at the foot of the mountain.

The air, which was slightly hot at first, is now slowly getting cool because the train has begun to pass through the foot of the mountain.

"And something is amazing after this beautiful forest view," said Cia, as if she made Jim and Aya even more curious.

"Wow, is that Cia?" Aya answered, who looked excited. She was more curious after seeing how beautiful the forest was. She thought that after this there was something more beautiful than that forest.

For Jim and Aya to be more curious, Cia said "hehe, later you will find out". Cia smiled mischievously.

After a few minutes, what Cia said happened. Inside the train, what seemed normal at first, now turned into complete darkness. Not a single light passed.

"Here it is," said Cia, who seemed to have known about this incident.

The conditions inside the train carriage were so dark, as far as the eye could see, only black and dark. They can't see anything. They could only grope each other.

This situation took a while, making Ayabelle frightened. However, Ayabelle rarely screamed when expressing her fear. But he just kept quiet and closed his eyes.

In the complete darkness, Jim felt like something was holding him from the side. But now Jim knew that it was Aya who was holding him. He also let it. Because he knew that Aya might be scared. Because this thing is new to her.

Jim could only lightly rub Aya's hair in that dark atmosphere. But it was of little use because Aya began to feel a little calm slowly. Because he feels in this dark state, not alone.

After a few minutes. The train's state returned to normal, the light began to penetrate the small hole in the carriage.

The darkness began to disappear, the sunlight began to illuminate again, but the temperature of the carriage on the train was still cold.

"Aya… you're cheating," said Cia in a loud voice after she found out that next to her, Aya was hugging Jim tightly.

"You take the opportunity in the tightness," said Cia who scolded Aya. Because Aya took the opportunity to hug Jim when it was dark.

Cia's face was a little annoyed and annoyed, even though she knew that Aya was indeed scared. But she felt that Aya was acting cheating

Aya felt the sunlight force her way through her closed eyelids. This indicates that the train's atmosphere is no longer dark. In addition, she heard the screams of Cia who was scolding her.

Finally, Aya slowly began to dare to open her eyes.

After Aya opened her eyes, the train's atmosphere returned to normal. However, in contrast to Cia's mood, she was not normal

Aya saw Cia's irritated and annoyed face.

A few seconds later, Aya realized that she was still hugging Jim tightly. Suddenly she was shocked, she quickly let go of her arms.

"Sorry Jim". With a face full of shame and very red. How to wonder what Aya should do to get out of this situation.

Jim only responded with a smile.

Then Aya tried to give the reason. "Um ... sorry ... it just happened, I didn't mean it. Because it was suddenly dark. I was scared". Said Aya in a low voice and full of embarrassment.

"Huh ..." Cia is still annoyed, she regrets what happened earlier when it was dark he did exactly what Aya did? Why didn't she hug Jim too? Even now Cia is annoyed with herself.

Then Jim said casually "it's okay, it was just a tunnel."

"Tunnel?" Aya is shocked. Again, she got another new term.

"You don't know what a tunnel is?" Cia was surprised at Aya because Aya did not know the outside world at all.

Aya answered Cia's question with a nod.

Jim finally explained to Aya what the tunnel was. And finally, Aya understood why it happened earlier. Aya felt very embarrassed when she remembered that incident.

Indeed, before entering the Freedom City area, you have to pass through the foot of a mountain, and a tunnel. Because to get to the city, they were forced to make a hole in the foot of the mountain and make a tunnel so that the train could pass through it.

If you go by land route, such as horse riding, to get to the city of freedom you have to circle the foot of the mountain. And it takes a long time.

Shortly after that, the train bell rang loudly. This indicates the train will stop.

"All right, passengers, we have arrived at the city of Freedom". Said the train safety officer in a loud voice.

"Yos ... pack your belongings, we'll be down soon". Said Cia, warning Jim and Aya not to die of a single object.

The train speed is slowly slowing down and getting slower. Until finally the train stopped.

The three of them finally walked down the train. Many passengers also get off in this city.

They finally came out of the stopping place.

When they first set foot in this city, something amazing was seen. They all fell silent and stunned.

They were surprised at how beautiful the city was. The entire building is dominated by white, like a snow city. Everywhere is visible only in white.

Moreover, the building is magnificent and tall, like a white palace. And it turned out to be the building of the Magic Academy. The building is very striking.

Aya and Jim were speechless. This was the first time they saw a city this beautiful, even Centrical City was no match. They just looked away and were shocked. They could not stop thinking there was a city as beautiful as this.

Not only Aya and Jim. Cia was also surprised. Even though he had several times set foot in this city of Freedom, still, this city made Cia surprised by its beauty. What's more, Cia also has a lot of memories of this city.

The three of them finally smiled in unison, they were so happy to be allowed to see this white city for life.

Freedom City is a beautiful city, with the nuances of all-white buildings, making this city look clean. Coupled with a fairly cool atmosphere. Making travellers feel at home if they linger here for a long time.

The City of Freedom has received several names. Like a magician city, because this place is managed by a magician council. Some call it the white city because it is as far as the eye can see. Only white buildings were seen.

Some call the Neutral Zone. This is because this territory is neutral territory, it is not owned by any country. This city stands alone. Independent. So that this city is called Freedom City.

The City of Freedom City does not interfere in the conflict between West Meridion and East Meridion. Because, for the sake of the students living in this academy, and the interests of the magic assets residing in this city. So the magic academy management firmly did not follow political conflicts.

Therefore, this city is called Freedom City. Free city. In the sense of being free not to take sides with anyone. Free not to join the conflict.

Not only that, but this city is also very peaceful, there has never been a single crime case that occurred in this city. Because there are special rules that must be obliged for anyone who lives here, which is prohibited from fighting or duelling in this area. Any violation would be strictly punished by the magic academy authorities.

The city is also free of tax fees, even foreign tourists from any country can stay for a long time regardless of where they come from.

However, this city is mostly inhabited by students studying magic at the magic academy. Because this city was once a special territory for a magic academy. But year after year it became the big and beautiful city it is today.

Finally, Cia invited Aya and Jim to take a walk around the white city.