5.2: Snow-Kissed Coffee.

Tara: ...So you’re already in the Arctic? Did anyone go with you?

MC: Don’t worry, I’m just going to relax at Snowcrest. I’ll be back in a few days.

Tara: Really? That’s good... If you kept working so much, they’d need to install an anti-workaholic mechainsm in the watch.

Tara: Have fun in your vacation!

MC: Yeah. I’ll get some souvenirs for you.

I end the call with Tara. Outside, the blizzard has stopped.

The sky appears more vivid than in other places. The dazzling blue hues cascade past the snow-capped mountains.

Station Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen, we regret to inform you that the next train to Snowcrest has been canceled. We apologize for the inconvenience...

We’re currently in the middle of travel season. After hearing the announcement, the people on the platform drag their luggage back to the waiting room and grumble.

After getting Dr. Noah’s contact info from Zayne yesterday, I immediately scheduled a meeting for today.

Watching the time tick away on my phone, I approach the counter, unwilling to give up on my journey.

MC: “Excuse me, are there other ways to get to Snowcrest besides taking the Boreas Express?”

Staff: “We still don’t know if the train has been canceled because of the weather or for another reason. For your safety, please wait.”

??: “One cheesecake and one croissant, please. Thank you.”

A familiar voice reaches my ears. Surprised, I turn around and spot Zayne at a café nearby.

——————————

MC: “...Zayne?!”

His fingers pause over the glass display. Zayne looks at me, but he doesn’t seem surprised.

Zayne: “...It’s you.”

I immediately regret calling out to him. I try to suppress my guilt and wave at him. I pretend it’s just a normal day.

MC: “Why are you here?”

Zayne: “There’s been a new development in Dr. Noah’s research. He asked me to visit him a week ago.”

After answering my poor excuse of a question, Zayne’s gaze shifts back to the freshly baked bread on the counter.

Zayne: “He’s not as young as he used to be and can’t alway do things alone anymore. I help him whenever I’m not too busy with work.”

Zayne: “Would you like to eat something together?”

MC: “Thanks. I’ll... get a sandwich, then.”

Barista: “Sir, the two lattes you ordered are ready. Here or to-go?”

As Zayne is about to pay, I beat him to it.

MC: “It’s on me. Since we’re both stuck at the station, why don’t we keep each other...”

I notice the two lattes on the counter and suddenly realize there’s something off.

MC: “...Why did you get two lattes?”
He makes a soft “mmm” and takes one of the lattes from me. The hot steam shrouds the smile on his face.

Zayne: “Did I say we met by chance?”

5.3: Beyond Expectations.

There is only one flight from Linkon City to the Arctic. It departs in the morning and arrives in the evening local time once a day.

Snowcrest, where Dr. Noah is, isn’t that far from this train station. But because of how undeveloped the transportation system is in this vast, sparsely populated region, we can only take this particular train to go there.

The display screen hanging overhead snows rows and rows of red delay notices. The number of people in the waiting room decreases.

As we wait, my mind recalls the files Grandma left me.

There must be secrets behind it that are connected to me. Maybe it can also explain that explosion.

**********

Zayne: “What are you thinking about?”

Zayne’s voice interrupts my drifting thoughts. I force a smile.

MC: “I’m thinking about what an Aether Core is, and why it was fused with my heart.”

MC: “What if I’m a dangerous experiment that escaped from a secret lab? Maybe armed men in suits will suddenly appear to take me away in a few seconds.”

Zayne listens to my wild thoughts without interrupting me.

MC: “...Well, a few seconds have passed. And nothing happened.”

Zayne: “Maybe you’ll get your answers when we arrive in Snowcrest.”

Zayne gently comforts me, as if sensing my fear.

Zayne: “The Protocore energy in your heart has always been stable. It can form an invisible shield to protect your heart when you’re attacked. You also haven’t become as weak as other patients with Protocore Syndrome.”

Zayne: “In other words, it’s a power made just for you.”

MC: “It was made just for me...?

Zayne: “You won’t have to worry about it anytime soon. You’ll live for a long time, long enough to find out the truth.”

I put my hand over my chest, trying to feel for anything weird with my heartbeat.

Will the person who put the Aether Core in my heart want it back one day?

Station Announcer: Ladies and gentlemen, we regret to inform you that the train to Snowcrest will be delayed until 11:30 A.M. tomorrow. We apologize for the inconvenience...

MC: “Really, it will be that long?”

Zayne: “...I’m not surprised. We’ll have to spend the night in a hotel near the station.”

A group of fully geared hunters rushes past us. The Evol railguns in their hands are glowing blue. They’re clearly charged.

MC: (To be armed and... Is the delay caused by Wanderers?)

Passenger 1: “Let’s get going. Heard Wanderers showed up in the dispatch center.”

Passenger 2: “That sucks. I wanted to see the aurora in Snowcrest.”

They pick up their luggage and follow the very apologetic staff to a nearby hotel.

I stay on the bench. Zayne wants to get up, but stops after glancing at me.

Zayne: “Are we not leaving?”

MC: “Those hunters are on a mission. They must have a way to get to wherever they need to go no matter how bad the weather is...”

An idea pops into my mind. I grab Zayne by the arm and chase after them.

MC: “Let’s help out!”