Chapter 1: Randell and Mhyv
A bright ray of sunlight passes by one of the train’s windows, revealing a lone anthropomorphic golden tiger sitting at one of the train’s seats. He was writing and drawing on a cheap notebook, using his pencil to either erase his mistakes or to add something within the page.
If there were any onlookers within his room then they wouldn't even understand what he was making. Nonetheless he continues, taking hours of focused work until he puts the notebook on the table, with the pages wide open and places the pencil on the center.
Placing his hands inches away from the pencil as he fixated his gaze on the pencil before saying two words, “ Turned Fries “.
Thin gaseous yellow aura started to manifest from his hands. Wobbling and evaporating slightly until they slowly move to the pencil, covering its surface entirely before they enter the object. And without even a second the pencil poofs into yellow smoke, clearing itself and revealing a singular french fry.
“ Hehe and now we wait~
Do you think it will last more than 1 minute? “
“ Don't know? You just started casting your spell “
Said the black-furred anthropomorphic wolf that's leaning on the golden tiger's back, appearing so suddenly as if he was already there.
The wolf was completely naked with no sexual organ, with eyes white almost as if he were dead, possessing six extremely long bony arms, extremely long boney legs that he had to bend and stretch his knees just to lean on his back.
The two continue to observe the french fry until a minute passes, causing the french fry to poof back into a pencil
“ Damn it! foiled again… “
The golden tiger sighs as he slams his head on the table and slides to the edge. The wolf simply leaves and appears at another seat facing him, making himself comfortable in his new seat by crossing his legs and playing with the pencil, all while saying, “ You know, this spell of yours is good enough for the Entrance Test “
“ Yeah but I want to make it last longer! Like maybe two to three years!!! “
“ Isn't that too much? “
“ Pfft! Mhyv there's no such thing as ‘ too much ‘ so it's only reasonable for my spell TO LAST MORE!!! MOREEEE!!! “
“ Heh, alright drama queen.
By the way, are you going to need this pencil? “
“ Yeah I do, don't worry I already order us some food, even got your favorite “
“ Gasp! pizza, cheeseburger? “
“ PIZZA!!! “
“ Ah Randell, you know me so well~ “
* Knock Knock Knock *
“ Oh that must our food “
The golden tiger, named Randell, opened the door revealing an anthropomorphic red-tailed squirrel waiter holding a whole pepperoni pizza and two soda's, both in a fancy presentation. Randell went ahead and paid her as he put his notebook aside to make room for their meal.
“ Wow, are you really going to eat all that alone kid? “
“ Oh I'm just sharing it with Mhyv “
“ Mhyv? “
“ Yeah my extremely special imaginary friend, he really love greasy foods so I ordered a big one for us “
“ Ugh… “
The waiter looks around at his seat one more time, seeing that Randell is the only passenger using the room. Confused but not wanting to continue the conversation, she decided to excuse herself and leave as she still had a bunch of food left on the trolley.
“ Randell, you do realize that nobody can see me “
“ Yeah but it would be mean not to include you “
“ Honestly… one of these days you mentioning me will get you in to trouble “
“ But it hasn't happened yet so I'll continue to do it until that time happens, anyways let's eat! I'm starving! “
The wolf, named Mhyv, simply shrugs it off as he moves his boney hands on one of the pizza slices and digs in, slowly emptying the large black plate in front of them one by one.
As they eat, Randell's phone rings, causing Randell to check his phone while a slice of pizza is stuffed in his mouth.
“ Yelup “
“ Hi Randell!! “
“ Ow Hwe Mwoum! “
“ what the- why do you talk like that? “
“ Pizwa? “
“ Oh for the God's sake, at least chew your food! “
“ Sorwy twis pwizwa iws swo gwod! “
“ Sigh… Anyways, how are you doing on the train love? Meet any new friends? “
“ Gulp! I've been doing great! Oh and mom this is a train and it's only been three days, I don't think I would form any friends that fast “
“ Oh that's plenty of time to make friends! Back when I was your age I would make a ton of friends on trains, heck it's even the place where I even met your father so you can also find love! “
“ Yeah, yeah, sure mom, is there anything else? How about the restaurant? “
“ Sigh…. sadly business has been going a little slow lately ever since school’s back, sure wish I could have created a spell where I can make summer last a little longer “
“ Well you could if you could have gone to a sorcerer school “
“ Oh that complex sorcery stuff is way too difficult for me.
Almost forgot, when you arrive at Nightfall Town make sure to take pictures and send them to me! “
“ I Will!!!
You said it like a million times! “
“ Well you better not forget because the last time you went to some amazing place you always forgot to take pictures! “
“ Mom I swear to my heart I'll never forget, pinky promise “
“ You're not going to remember it. “
“ Shut up Mhyv of course I'll remember it! “
“ What? “
“ Ehem… I mean as much as I like to chat I'm afraid I'll have hang up, I think I'll be at my stop soon “
“ R-really!?... Well good luck, hope you pass on the Entrance Test “
“ I will mom “
* Beep! *
As soon as the call ended Randell then put it back in his bag and continued to eat his pizza slice in, enjoying its warm, almost spicy, sticky texture with the savory sweetness of the cheese and tomato. But as he eats, Randell notices that Mhyv has already eaten all the pizza slices.
“ Man… you didn't even leave room for me “
“ What do expect, should have ordered more than one pizza “
‘ Damn it…
Well at least I manage to chug in at least three more in my stomach ‘
Wanting to keep his mind from his disappointment, he grabs his notebook and flips through the notes that he's been working with, rewriting every written record, presentation, and multiple graphs that he's been working on for years.
Mhyv, eating the entire empty soda can whole after he finishes his drink notices Randell's unsure look.
He tilts his ears slightly in curiosity for a moment, before dragging the pencil on the table right in front of Randell.
“ Nervous? “
“ Kinda…
It's just… I don't know if I'm making the right decision.
Sure a Monster Academy does teach sorcery, but I don't think I would want to be a licensed sorcerer that specializes in monsters and labyrinths. “
“ Really? and what's wrong with that “
“ There's nothing wrong with being a specialist, there's so many things a licensed sorcerer can do, it's just that I don't really know if choosing to specialize with monsters and labyrinths would allow me to explore my magic at a fundamental level.
I sometimes wonder if I would be better off going to a Sorcery Academy than a Monster Academy…
It's stupid and selfish of me I know. Those types of academies are way too expensive and far away from my hometown, but I just couldn't exactly shake the idea of me choosing the wrong path, just because of my parents financial situation… “
“ … Look… I'm not trained with words.
Haven't been for many years…
But all I can give you right now is this, try using whatever that academy gives you and make a work around to fit your intended goal.
You want to understand your magic, correct? “
Randell nodded in silence.
“ Then try studying labyrinths and monster mana, who knows what you could find from studying specifically their magical aspects.
Finding a work around does work wonders for me at least… “
‘ Use whatever the academy gives you to further your study of your own magic…
I guess I'll try that mindset… ‘
“ Though… What situation does that work for you? “
“ I'm not going to tell you “
“ Why not? “
“ I just don't want to “
“ Come on Mhyv at least tell me one situation “
“ Hmmm… well maybe~ but you do have to do something for me first “
“ Oh… let me guess more pizza? “
“ Not this time…
Don't worry I won't be asking much, all I need from you is to create a spell, a spell that can revive someone back from the dead “
“ Wow…. Not TOO much. “
“ But are you in? “
“ Duh, of course! That stuff is way too crazy not to pass up!
Though I don't think I have enough mana to create resurrection spells “
“ Don't worry I can offer you my mana “
“ Offer your mana? Is that even possible? “
“ Well not a lot of your kind can do it, but I can. Pretty easily in fact “
“ Still, why do you want that spell so badly, is there someone you want to meet? “
“ There is, I just want to meet him again one last time before parting ways “
“ Ah he must be a friend “
“ Oh no he stinks like ass, but he was useful...“
“ Then is he some sort of coworker? “
“ Closer to a coworker and an annoying roommate yes “
“ Well I can't wait to meet your dead friend soon “
“ Heh yeah, and I'm sure he'll love to meet you too “
The two continue to sit on the train for an hour, with Randell finishing his soda and setting it aside to work on his notebook.
Randell was about to do his experiment again using his empty soda can until the train suddenly stopped.
He took a peak at one of the windows and noticed that they're already at the train station.
“ Alright folks we arrived at Nightfall Town Station, passengers who took this stop please prepare to leave your rooms as we’ll leave in about 20 minutes, thank you very much. “