The plane ride to Lekratia was a study in unfamiliar discomfort. Gone were the plush, silent cabins of the Maxford private jets. In their place was the cramped, humming bustle of economy class, a necessary concession to their cover as ordinary exchange students. Exalibar shifted in his seat, looking out the window at the endless cloudscape. "You know, I kinda like this," he mused. "It feels more… real than flying alone. Like we're like everyone else you feel me?"
Sky, sitting beside him, nodded in agreement, stretching his long legs as best he could. "Yeah. And it doesn't feel like the air hosts are only being nice to us because of the family name on the manifest. The smiles feel less… money hungry."
Side eying his brother Exalibar remarked, "They are still paid to be here, you know that, right? It's literally their job."
"Sure, but the intention feels different. Like they actually like their jobs, true hospitality?"
Their philosophical debate on airline hospitality was interrupted by a flight attendant with a genuinely warm smile. "Sir, would you like anything to drink?"
"Just some water, thank you," Sky said politely.
"And for you, sir?"
Exalibar snapped his fingers as if trying to recall a complex order. "Ummm… no, thank you. I'm alright. I just want to sleep."
"Would you like some headphones, then?" she offered.
Exalibar's face lit up with a perfectly executed look of mock surprise. "Yes, I would! But how did you know my name was Phones?"
The attendant paused, blinked, then let out a genuine, startled laugh before handing over the headphones and moving on to the next row.
Sky buried his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking. "Real smooth, Phones."
"Oh, shut up," Exalibar grumbled, putting the headphones on. "You would have done it if you'd thought of it first." He paused, frowning. "Damn. Now I want some water, too."
Sky took a deliberate sip from his own cup. "Suffer."
After a long, monotonous flight, they finally touched down in Lekratia. The air at the airport was different—crisper, carrying a faint, unfamiliar scent. They were picked up by a bland, unmarked shuttle and deposited at a modern, yet nondescript hotel in the capital's downtown. The rest of the team trickled in over the next few hours, and after the muted chaos of settling in, they all collapsed, exhausted by the journey and the weight of their unspoken purpose.
Early the next morning, Exalibar waited in the hotel lobby, the picture of casual ease. He wore an off-white, open-weave knit cardigan over a simple white tank top, its boxy, cropped silhouette relaxed against structured, high-waisted beige trousers. He looked like any other stylish, affluent tourist, which was precisely the point.
Aisha called, stating she and Dylan would scout some "cultural sites" (read: potential data hubs) later. Jack hadn't bothered updating anyone, and Exalibar would be damned before he spent a voluntary second with Ethan. That left Chloe and Jane—the latter brought along because Sky insisted a "normal" companion would help their tourist cover.
Chloe was the first to descend. She entered the room in an olive brown, one-shoulder draped top that flowed like liquid over her frame, paired with high-waisted, wide-leg black trousers that gave her an elegant silhouette. Clear heels and understated gold jewelry completed a look that was effortlessly chic
Exalibar let out an appreciative whistle. "Looks like you finally wore the outfit."
A slow smile spread across Chloe's lips. "If I had known it would make you this happy, I would have worn it sooner."
Sky and Jane arrived together, and the coordinated effort was impossible to miss. Jane looked stunning in a deep navy blue floor-length slip dress with a daring front slit, accessorized with a white CC bag and pearl choker. Sky complemented her in a navy button-down with rolled sleeves and crisp white wide-leg trousers, his look finished with velvet loafers and a sleek watch.
Exalibar looked between them, raising an eyebrow. "Why the matching outfits? Trying a little too hard?"
Sky slung an arm around Jane, grinning. "Couple goals. Unlike *some* people." He laughed, dodging a half-hearted swipe from his brother.
Jane, smiling, gracefully steered the conversation. "So, what's the itinerary for our lovely 'cultural exchange'?"
Exalibar slipped into his cover persona seamlessly. "Well, we're going for a simple tour of the city. Hit some parks, find some amazing local food, and hey—since it's not your first time here, Jane, you can be our guide."
Jane's posture straightened with a hint of pride. She was the only one who had visited before. "It would be my pleasure."
The two couples headed out into the Lekratian capital. The city was a marvel of sleek, minimalist architecture and orderly, clean streets. They visited sprawling public parks with manicured gardens, sampled sweet pastries from a bustling marketplace, and laughed like any other group of friends on vacation.
But the mission never left their minds. As they people-watched from a café terrace, Exalibar and Sky's senses, finely tuned to mana, began to pick up on something deeply unsettling.
The ambient mana levels in the people around them were low. Not just slightly lower than back home, but unsettlingly low. It was as if the most of the population was running on a dimmer switch. They exchanged a subtle, loaded glance.
Notebook, Exalibar signed discreetly to Sky, using an old childhood code.
Confirmed. Way below average, Sky signed back, his expression neutral as he sipped his coffee.
Later, while Chloe and Jane were admiring a street mural, Exalibar pulled out his phone, pretending to take a picture. He sent a secure, encrypted ping to Theo back at home base.
On-site observation. Local mana baseline is anomalously low. Statistically inconsistent with known national averages. Investigating.
Theo's reply was almost instantaneous. Data anomaly confirmed. Public records show normal distribution. Your live feed indicates a probable suppression or drain effect. Proceed with extreme caution.
As the sun began to set, painting the sleek glass buildings in hues of orange and purple, the group returned to the hotel. The day had been pleasant, the cover intact. But beneath the surface, a cold, scientific dread had taken root.
Back in his room, Exalibar stared out the window at the glittering, orderly city. A population with such low mana shouldn't function so efficiently, so… perfectly. It defied the laws of physics he understood.
Low levels, he thought, the puzzle consuming him. But the city runs flawlessly. High efficiency. Maybe, but there is nothing like that And why is everyone here okay with having so little?
The vacation was over. The investigation had begun.