Free Web NovelVictorian Central Station.
The sixty-meter-high glass and steel dome shimmered in the morning light, twelve tracks stretching side-by-side into the distance, as a precision gear clock ticked away at the very center of the dome.
Pavela stood on the platform, gazing at the familiar sight before her.
A month ago, she had ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) started from here as well—back then, she was lying in a wheelchair, wrapped in bandages, being pushed through this grand structure by Eleanor.
At that time, she had just barely survived the battlefield, her body still covered in wounds, and bearing a brand-new name she wasn't quite used to yet.
Now—
She stood in the same spot, dressed in a proper deep-red casual dress, her short silver hair neatly tied back with the ribbon Irene had given her. The wound on her left arm had scabbed over and healed, leaving only a faint scar.
From her appearance, she looked exactly like a Victoriana noble miss.
Pavela sighed inwardly.
—This station was exactly the same as it was a month ago.
—No, not entirely the same.
Her gaze swept across the platform.
There were twice as many station guards in deep-blue uniforms as last time. Patrol posts were stationed every fifty meters, armed with steam rifles and wearing solemn expressions. In the shadows of the dome, she could barely make out several sniper nests.
The terrorist attack from two weeks ago had certainly left its mark.
Five explosions, dozens dead, and hundreds injured.
The Imperial Security Bureau intervened in the investigation, core members of the "Children of Dawn" were arrested, and the planned 9:00 AM attack on the Imperial Parliament Building was thwarted.
The newspapers called it a "grand victory for the Imperial security forces."
Pavela remained noncommittal.
She only knew that since that day, many more patrolling gendarmes had appeared on the streets of Victorian, people in cafes would instinctively lower their voices when speaking, and those once carefree noble young ladies—
"Pavela—!"
A soft weight suddenly lunged onto her.
Pavela's body instinctively tensed for a moment, her right hand reaching for her waist—
Then she remembered she wasn't carrying a dagger today.
"Victoria."
Pavela's voice was as flat as stagnant water.
"Can you please not pounce on me every time we meet?"
"I cannot!"
The blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl refused without hesitation, her arms tightly encircling Pavela's neck like a spoiled, oversized golden cat.
"I haven't seen you for two whole weeks! Two weeks! Do you know how worried I've been? I wrote you—"
"Fifty-three letters," Pavela said helplessly. "I received them. I received every single one."
"Then why did you only reply to three!"
"At least I replied."
Victoria glared at her huffily, her small canines faintly visible.
Pavela sighed.
She found she was completely at a loss with this girl.
When the explosion occurred two weeks ago, Victoria had been standing less than ten meters behind her.
The shockwave had knocked her to the ground, and shattered glass had left several cuts on her arms.
That night, Victoria's father—Marquis Hohenheim—personally visited the Schwartz Family residence to express his gratitude to Eleanor and Pavela.
Supposedly, if Eleanor hadn't pulled the three girls into a shop's porch in time, their injuries would have been much worse.
"Alright, alright, Victoria, don't strangle Pavela to death."
A steady voice came from the side.
Cecilia was wearing a lavender casual dress, her black hair neatly draped over her shoulders, her demeanor still possessing a composure beyond her years.
Her right hand held a small leather suitcase, while her left held a thick book—the cover looked like some sort of academic work.
"How is she supposed to board the train with you hanging on her like that?"
"I can board the train while hanging on her!" Victoria said righteously.
"..."
Pavela decided to stop struggling.
It was useless anyway.
"Cecilia," Pavela changed the subject, "are you two also going to the Royal Knights Academy?"
Cecilia shook her head.
"St. Sophia Academy," she said. "It's in the East District of Eisenburg, half a city away from the Royal Knights Academy."
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"The best girls' academy in the Empire." Victoria finally let go of Pavela, her tone carrying a hint of pride. "Cecilia was the top of her year last year!"
Cecilia lowered her gaze slightly, seemingly indifferent to the praise.
"My grades were just okay."
"Modesty!" Victoria accused. "You clearly got perfect scores in every subject!"
Pavela watched their interaction, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly.
She was still not quite used to this... relaxed atmosphere.
Two weeks ago, they had nearly died in that explosion.
But now, they stood on the sun-drenched platform, bickering over trivial matters as if nothing had happened.
Is this what peace looks like?
—Or rather, is this how normal people are?
Pavela wasn't sure.
Every night, she still dreamed of those explosions, screams, and the smell of blood.
Sometimes it was the explosion on the commercial street.
Sometimes it was the Night of Calderburg.
Sometimes it was even earlier, hazier memories—the days and nights in the Punishment Camp, the pain of mecha probes piercing her spine, the souls she had devoured screaming in the darkness.
She would wake up in the middle of the night, drenched in cold sweat, her heart pounding like a drum.
Then she would lie on her soft bed, listening to the nightingales singing outside the window, slowly, slowly letting herself calm down.
This wasn't a battlefield.
This was Victorian.
She was safe.
—But was she really safe?
She wasn't sure about that either.
"Pavela?"
Cecilia's voice pulled her back from her thoughts.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing," Pavela shook her head. "I was just wondering what the Royal Knights Academy would be like."
"It's huge."
Another voice came from behind.
Pavela turned her head.
Irene was jogging toward them, her dark hair fluttering in the morning breeze, her amber eyes sparkling with excitement.
She was wearing a simple riding outfit—compared to those elaborate gowns, this outfit was clearly more suited for action.
"The Royal Knights Academy is huge."
"There are three training grounds, two mecha hangars, a library—the library is three stories high! Plus simulation combat rooms, theoretical classrooms, dormitories..."
Once she started talking, she couldn't stop, even forgetting to breathe until she was out of breath.
"Oh, right, there's also a massive central plaza where the opening ceremony is held every year. In the middle of the plaza is a statue of the Empire's first Grand Master of The Order. Legend has it that if you touch the statue's sword, you'll pass your exams—"
"Irene."
A steady voice interrupted her non-stop chatter.
"Remember to breathe."
Eleanor walked up from behind, still wearing her signature military uniform, her ice-blue eyes carrying a hint of helplessness.
Irene stuck out her tongue and obediently shut her mouth.
But her eyes were still bright, like a puppy that had seen a new toy.
Pavela watched this, suddenly understanding why Eleanor worried about Irene.
This girl was full of romantic fantasies about the battlefield.
She only saw the glory and majesty of the mecha knights, but had no idea how much blood and how many corpses that glory was built upon.
Just like two weeks ago, when she could still enthusiastically ask Pavela "what the battlefield was like."
And now?
Pavela didn't know if Irene's thoughts had changed at all after that explosion.
But at least on the surface, she was still that passionate girl, full of curiosity about everything.
Perhaps this was the privilege of youth—to be able to maintain a longing for the future even after experiencing terror.
"Is everyone here?"
Eleanor's gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Pavela.
Pavela nodded.
"Then let's board the train."
Eleanor turned and walked forward. "The train departs in ten minutes."
Everyone followed her toward the private carriage at the end of the platform.
Pavela walked at the very back of the group, looking at the chattering figures ahead, a strange feeling rising in her heart.
Victoria was discussing with Irene which dessert shops in Eisenburg were good.
Cecilia occasionally chimed in, her tone flat but her information precise—she was clearly very familiar with that city.
Eleanor walked at the front, glancing back occasionally to ensure everyone was keeping up.
This scene...
Looked exactly like a group of ordinary girls happily heading off to school.
Pavela couldn't help but want to laugh.
This world was truly strange.
A month ago, she was still setting fire to burn Victorian officers to death on the battlefield of Usar.
Now, she was wearing a Victorian noble's dress, heading to a Victorian knights' academy with Victorian noble girls.
If Grigori knew, he would surely laugh his head off.
—Provided he was still alive.
Pavela's mood darkened for a brief moment.
She didn't know Grigori's whereabouts.
After the Night of Calderburg, she hadn't received any news about the 404th Penal Battalion.
Maybe he survived, maybe he didn't.
On that hellish battlefield, living was a miracle, and dying was the norm.
The train slowly started, leaving Victorian Central Station.
The scenery outside the window began to flow past; the bustling streets, towering buildings, and the skyline formed by steam pipes were gradually left behind.
Pavela leaned back against the soft seat and closed her eyes.
Forget it, let the past be the past.
She was now Pavela von Schwartz.
She had a new name, a new identity, and a new life.
And—
"Little Pa."
Irene's voice sounded in her ear.
Pavela turned her head toward the lively girl.
Irene's eyes were sparkling, as if filled with stars.
"We'll be classmates from now on!"
she said, her tone full of anticipation.
"Even though you're a freshman and I'm a sophomore, we can eat together, train together, and—"
"Irene," Eleanor's voice sounded again, carrying a hint of warning.
"Breathe."
Irene stuck out her tongue and shut her mouth again.
But her smile still curved upward uncontrollably, like a puppy that had finally found a playmate.
Pavela looked at her, silent for a few seconds.
Then, the corner of her mouth curled up into a very faint, but definitely present, arc.
"Okay."
She said.
"Let's eat together."
"And train together."
Irene's eyes grew even brighter.
Beside them, Victoria let out an exaggerated gasp: "Oh my god, Pavela smiled! Look, look, Pavela is smiling!"
"..."
Pavela's expression instantly returned to its original state.
"I didn't smile."
"You clearly did!"
"An illusion."
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Victoria stomped her feet in frustration, Cecilia tried to suppress a laugh beside her, Irene had already burst out laughing, and even the corners of Eleanor's mouth turned up slightly.
