Quest of Automata King

The Devil's First Trip

It goes without saying that everyone is different. Even for people of the same race, there will always be something to indicate if someone is included in ‘their’ people or not. In the end, these differences will also be done the inevitable friction, especially in the society where these races have not always lived in harmony.

But even when the tension keep growing and shrinking among the kingdom, there was never been something as impactful as The Devil’s invasion.

Once a nation located in the far east of the continent, the Devils began their invasion to the neighboring countries, notably, the kingdom of Dwarves, Elves, and Beastmen. Almost suffering defeat, the three countries decide that they would ally with the most powerful race of that time, the human.

Devils may excel at their technologies and magic-machine that they call Automata. But after the Alliance has formed centered around the human with their ‘holy magic’ gifts, the automata army that the Devils have, can’t hold off the counterattack of the alliance.

It all ended ten years ago when Automata King Goettia was slain by a group of heroes from the Kingdom of Foumoda.

The death of Devil’s King mark the end of the bloody war that has caused suffering to the continent. The Kingdom of Devil has been stripped away from their royal inheritance, and now is governed by certain families that act no less than a puppet for the Alliance.

Eventually, the ones who struck the most due to this defeat are the Devil race themselves.

It’s already a public secret that after the war ended, the remaining alliance soldier stationed on the Devils Kingdom did a terrible act in the name of revenge for their fallen comrade. In the first place, Devils live just like ordinary people. They farm, cook, gather meals and also trading.

The alliance soldiers did terrible things. They s*******r, plunder, and even r**e the non-combatant Devils that almost have nothing to do with the war that even has ended. This happened all over the country, making it one of the darkest days in the history of the Devils.

But eventually, ten years have passed since that time. Some of those stories decided to be locked in a box and have never been opened even until now.

One of the better things that left behind post-war, is the fact that these kingdoms have become more open to each other. That’s why in this train station, you can see the member of four races walking past each other normally. Well, almost everyone, except for one person.

Judging from the height, that kid is probably around fifteen years old. Wearing a neat suit, and a special round hat that is designed specifically for the special feature of his head. His skin is dark, so does his curly hair, pair of horns that looked like sheep are sticking out from the top of his head, and don’t forget about the black tail that he has to show from the similarly modified pants.

Ever since he walked past the entrance of the station, every eye that notices the existence of that Devil is either lifting their eyebrow or clicking their tongue in disgust. Some are even whispering about their displeasure of seeing a certain race in this place.

The boy tried his best to ignore those, as he walked toward the checkup counter. The officer is a human, wearing a dark blue uniform. He takes a glance at the boy, before checking the ticket that he has shown to him previously.

“I-I’m sorry sir, but could you tell me where I have to go next?” asked the boy, stammered. The station officer just looked at him with the corner of his eye before asking him with an annoyed tone.

“What? You have never boarded a train before?”

The boy looked anxious at first, he wonder if he saying anything wrong. “N-no, I haven’t,” he said.

“Sigh... Look, I’m too busy to bring you to the platform, so just go to the number with the biggest size of your ticket.” He said angrily as he handed over the ticket that he have signed. Validating that the boy is a paying customer.

The Devil boy accepts his ticket. “Thanks...” he whispered, and then the boy decide to follow that officer’s suggestion.

It’s true, in his entire life, Mui-ken Ikhu has never boarded a train. All he knew about the machine, is from the story from the caretaker of his orphanage, and if it’s not because of the letter that comes out of nowhere, he might be still doing the chore, at one of the poorest orphanages in the Devil’s Country.

“...Hereby, we invite you, Mui-ken Ikhu as one of the first Devils to be accepted at the Academy of Grand Magusica,” Mui murmured one of the lines that he remember from that letter.

At first, Ms. Hellen, his caretaker, and the ten orphans are doubting the authenticity of that letter. They are worried if that is just a scam made by evil people. But the letter is not the only thing that was brought in by the postman.

Along with it, Mui gets a set of uniforms, books, stationery, ships and train tickets, and even a pouch of gulden. The currency that can be used throughout the continent.

Finally, as if the messenger knows that the receiver will not believe his intention at some point. They also include a small brooch made out of white metal. It is shaped like an owl, and very pretty. Maybe the most beautiful thing they have ever seen in their entire life.

‘If anyone on the way to the academy ever doubted your presence, including the staff of the academy itself. This brooch will show them the one who will take responsibility.’ Said the paper of where the metal owl is clipped into.

The letter is ended with a request for him to go to the academy at the designated date. Two months from the day he received the package.

In the end of the day, there he is. Pulling a suitcase with his left hand and a suitcase at the other.

Long story short, Mui-ken Ikhu spend almost a week's worth of journey. Started from the Great River that connect all regions in some sort of water highway, until he finally arrived at the Station of Glasssharp.

One single trip left, and he will arrive at the magic academy, which has always been the place to nurture nobles and people with magic talents.

Back and forth, Mui looked at the platform and the ticket that he grabbed. Big letters of the number ‘9’ were written on that paper, he keep walking until he finally found the train that he is looking for.

In front of him, is a big and long carriage that he has never seen before. Under it is some kind of wheel and other machinery that is placed on top of a chunk of steel.

“Is this... Train?” whisper Mui, amazed with the vehicle that he have never seen before. “Amazing! It’s like a snake carriage!”

Turns out, his awe is loud enough, that people are realized that there is a ‘horn head with nice clothes that probably going to board the train.

If there is anything that he learned from his journey, is that people could be very mean and rude to Devil's race. Horn-head is just one of their slurs, and neither human, elves, dwarves, and beastmen, are looking at Devils with respectful eyes.

Realizing his childish reaction, Mui tips his hat and enter the train with his belonging.

Little did he know about the new life that he will experience at that academy.