6 The City of Edgar Brauss: Part 3

Monday, 5:19 A.M. The weather was pretty moderate, but would only get higher as the day went on. The sun was barely peeking out, but it was still rising.

Nakayama Tadashii and his principal, Lea Akayoru, had finally arrived at the warp station. Tadashii studied his surroundings at the warp station.

There were about 8--no...maybe 10 oval-shaped portals doused in black and blue. 5 of which are used for entering and the other 5 are used for exiting. The term "exiting" meant that another entering portal was used to get to this station. Above the portals was a roof-like object that projected shade onto the people below. In front of each of the entering portals existed, at least, 30 to 50 people at the minimum, all lined up in rows and preparing to travel to their next destination.

Both Nakayama and Lea lined up at portal #2, the one with the apparent shortest line, to which the principal then fished around in her skirt pocket. She pulled out a cute, small little coin purse, opened it up, and buried her fingers into it. She pulled out two 50-Eul coins (one of the forms of the world's currency: pronounced "E-YOU-ULL") from the coin purse and handed one of them to the young Nakayama who still carried his suitcases.

"Now, when we arrive at the portal, you are to insert this coin into the slot. There are two warp stations within the school district, one between the first and second school quadrants and one between the third and fourth school quadrants." Lea informed Nakayama. He nodded in response as he held the 50-Eul coin in one hand while gripping a suitcase at the same time.

"Okay then." he said, "So, what about the fourth quadrant of the city? What's over there?"

Lea turned her head to face Tadashii before speaking.

"The fourth quadrant, which we can call the 'right', is a location directly opposite to the school district. Over there exists a large arena that is used for the school district's purposes, including tournaments and games and such. You need not concern yourself with it for the time being."

"A giant area, huh?" Nakayama muttered to himself before returning to a normal volume. "So, something like magic games?"

"You could refer to it as such, there there are several different types of 'games.'" However…" she then almost completely turned around to face him. "Remembering every little detail I've spoken to you is not entirely necessary. You will likely hear and discover more about this city as you stay here, so please do not attempt to cram everything in your brain," she advised before returning to her original stance, staring at the back of someone's head.

"Oh, alright then. I appreciate it."

They eventually inched closer and closer to the portal as the tens of people that once stood in front of them teleported one after another. Finally, they stood in front of a black and dark blue portal, to which Lea then inserted her 50-Eul coin into a silver slot that stood next to the portal. The moment she did, a small projection of the map of the entire City of Edgar Brauss appeared out of thin air. It clearly showed the entire perfect circle of the magic city, and on the map existed several bright red dots.

"Take a look, Mr. Tadashii," Lea instructed, pointing to the projection of the map of the City of Edgar Brauss. Nakayama peeked over her shoulder and scanned over the map. Lea then pointed to a singular red dot that seemed to exist in between two squares. Those squares likely indicated two school buildings.

"The red dots indicate portals to which we are able to warp," she informed. "So, you are to touch it and the portal should switch over to that specific location. If it does not work, or if you click the wrong dot, you are to insert another coin and try again."

"Has it failed to work like that before?" Nakayama inquired.

"It has never failed for me, however, a newcomer such as yourself can make such a mistake," she said as she clicked the red dot in between the two squares. The portal seemed to twitch in reaction. It must have changed locations.

"Now, please follow my instructions and walk through the portal."

She waved her hand across the projection and it disappeared. She began to walk through. The moment she did, it was like her body was drawn in just as effortlessly as the time they walked straight through the gate.

"!!!" Nakayama widened his eyes in reaction. He took the coin that the principal gave him and inserted it into the silver slot.

"Okay, got that done," he mumbled to himself. Then, as if out of some kind of RPG, the projection of the City of Edgar Brauss appeared right before his eyes and he could see the red dots. His eyes traced every inch of the map out of reflex, but he caught himself and drew his attention to the left side.

"I see. So, I just have to click this one and-" he touched the red dot and he immediately looked up at the portal.

It did not twitch.

"...Wha-!?"

It didn't make sense. When Ms. Akayoru pressed the dot, the portal twitched and made some kind of quick buzzing sound. But when he did it, it did none of those things. Why?

Immediately, as if he were having some kind of spastic attack, he began to rapidly click the same red dot. Over and over and over again.

The portal did not twitch.

"What the hell is happening…?" he mumbled to himself. "Doesn't twitching indicate that it switched? I'm clicking it, but it's not moving!"

Suddenly, someone tapped him on the shoulder. He turned his head in response and met the sight of a man a couple of inches taller than him.

"Excuse me, but why are you clicking the same dot over and over again?" he asked politely. He carried neither a frown nor a smile.

"O-oh, uhm…" he stuttered in nervousness. "I'm sorry. This is the first time I've used one of these, and I'm confused on why the portal hasn't twitched. Doesn't that mean it hasn't switched to my destination?"

The man then put on a cheerful smile. "Oh! I'm certain the woman in front of you went to the same place you're trying to go to, yes? There's no need for the portal to switch destinations if it's already locked on." he explained patiently.

"Ah-!" Nakayama began to speak, but he stopped.

He felt stupid.

"Right, I guess that would make sense." he laughed in embarrassment. "Thank you, I appreciate the help."

"No problem, son. Just remember to wave your hand across the projection and walk through."

"Alright." Nakayama nodded before gently waving his hand across the projection, without touching it. As it disappeared, he walked through. The feeling was the same as the gate. No interference. No temperature change.

It felt as if he were walking through an empty door.

Finally, he appeared out the other side with his three suitcases still with him. When he was finally out, he walked forward a couple of steps and met the principal who stood there and waited for him.

"I see you made it through without a problem," she said. Nakayama couldn't tell whether she was delighted or not due to her professional face and tone.

"Yeah, you could say that," he said, gazing at his surroundings.

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