Path of the Unmentioned: The Missing Piece-Chapter 96: Mana Rail 17 [2]

A familiar voice spoke from behind them.

Kyle and Reo turned in unison.

Standing there in the aisle was a young woman with pale blonde hair tucked under a hooded cloak.

She wore large round sunglasses that covered most of her upper face. But Kyle recognized her immediately.

"Eleanora?" he muttered.

She smiled innocently, resting one hand on her hip.

"What a small world," she said lightly. As if bumping into someone on a grocery trip instead of a train to a dungeon hub.

Reo blinked. "Wait, you are going to Eldermere too?"

Eleanora nodded. Her voice smooth and playful. "Mm-hmm. I was just heading out for a little solo dive. Needed to stretch my legs, you know?"

Kyle narrowed his eyes slightly. ’Sure you were.’

She tilted her head. "And what about you two?"

"We are heading to a dungeon too," Kyle said, not bothering to hide the suspicion in his tone.

Eleanora put on a shocked expression. "Oh my! What a coincidence—again! We are going to the same place for the same thing? Fate must really want us together today."

Kyle and Reo looked at each other. Kyle sighed.

"Well," Reo said, chuckling nervously, "I guess we can go together?"

Eleanora smiled brightly. "Wonderful."

She slid into the seat across from them and crossed one leg over the other. Clearly pleased with herself.

As the train began to move and the city slowly rolled by outside the window. Kyle stared ahead with a mix of resignation and amusement.

He wasn’t sure what she was planning...

But one thing was certain. This trip just got a lot more complicated.

———

"So, which dungeon are you planning to go to? Did you think about it yet?" Eleanora asked. Resting her chin on her hand as she leaned forward.

"We are not sure yet," Kyle replied, glancing at Reo. "But we are planning to check out a Grade 3 Silver-ranked dungeon."

"Great choice," Eleanora smiled, sitting up straighter. "There are some good ones near Eldermere. Like the Hollow Pine Caverns which is filled with blind beasts that sense mana. Or the Moss Crypt, lots of narrow tunnels and traps. Oh, and the Amberbone Den if you like insect-type monsters."

As she spoke excitedly. Listing options and sharing her thoughts. Kyle leaned back, half-listening. His eyes casually drifting across the train.

That’s when he felt it.

Someone was staring at him.

Turning slightly. He noticed a small girl peeking at him from the seat across the aisle.

She looked no older than five. She had chubby cheeks that made her look like a little dumpling and wide, curious eyes.

Her short pigtails bounced slightly as she tilted her head. Clearly curious about them.

Kyle’s lips curled into a gentle smile, and he gave her a small wave.

Startled. The girl squeaked and quickly ducked behind her mother’s arm. Her sudden movement caught her mother’s attention and she looked over at Kyle, then smiled politely.

"She’s just shy with strangers," the woman explained.

Kyle chuckled softly. "That’s alright." He reached into his storage ring and pulled out a small chocolate bar wrapped in golden foil.

He leaned forward and held it out toward the girl.

"Here, want this?"

The girl peeked from behind her mother again. Her big eyes locked onto the chocolate like it was a treasure. She hesitated, unsure, looking up at her mother.

Her mother nodded gently. "It’s okay, sweetie. Say thank you to the big brothers and sister."

With small, hesitant steps. The little girl reached out and took the chocolate bar. Then, in a whisper so quiet it could barely be heard.

"Thank you..."

Kyle smiled and nodded. "You are welcome."

The woman looked at them with a curious expression. "You three are really beautiful... Are you nobles by any chance?"

Kyle paused and glanced at Eleanora. He wasn’t sure if she wanted to reveal her background. She gave him a small nod.

"We are not nobles," Eleanora said with a smile. "We are just first-years at Solvayne Academy."

The woman blinked. Her eyes widening slightly. "Oh my... Solvayne Academy? That’s incredible."

Reo gave an awkward chuckle while Eleanora leaned forward and gave the little girl a wink.

"You want to become an Awakener one day?" she asked playfully.

The girl nodded shyly. Her eyes sparkled with wonder. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

"So cute," Eleanora whispered to herself with a giggle.

They chatted for a little while longer. The woman introduced herself as Mira, and her daughter’s name was Anya.

They were traveling to Eldermere to visit Mira’s brother. Who worked with the Merchant Guild.

Mira was clearly impressed and also a bit concerned. When she learned the three of them were going dungeon diving alone.

"Just the three of you?" she asked.

"It’s more common than you would think," Eleanora said calmly.

"At Solvayne, we get proper combat training. But yeah. It’s still not something regular folks try alone."

Mira nodded slowly, still looking unsure. "Well, please be careful. The dungeons around Eldermere are no joke."

Kyle knew she wasn’t wrong. Even a Grade 3 Silver dungeon could kill someone if they weren’t focused or made a single mistake.

In the world of Aevorath. Where monsters roamed and mana flowed like wind. Becoming an Awakener was a dream only a few could achieve.

Roughly 70-80% of people stayed within Iron Rank. Only 10-20% ever reached Gold. And Radiant Rank and above?

That was a level most could only dream of. Only a handful of true elites ever touched it.

No wonder Mira had been so surprised when she heard they studied at Solvayne Academy. One of the top academies in the entire human domain.

The train rattled smoothly on the tracks. Mana lines glowing faintly along the floor.

They passed through a wide valley. Then entered a long, dark tunnel carved through a mountain.

For a moment, everything dimmed.

Then—

Flicker.

The lights on the ceiling buzzed and flickered. Once. Twice.

Click.

Suddenly, they went out entirely.

The carriage fell into darkness.

Everyone froze.

Only the faint glow of the mana lines on the train floor remained. Casting eerie blue shadows across people’s faces.

Then, from the front of the train—

"AHHHH!"

A scream.

Shrill. High-pitched. Filled with terror.

Another scream followed it.

Then another.

It was spreading.

The sound of something crashing. Metal hitting metal. Glass shattering. Then—

BOOM!

A loud explosion shook the entire train.

———