The rhythmic clatter of the train wheels filled the air like a lazy heartbeat. We were Osaka-bound, but our real destination was far beyond—somewhere even dreams had to squint to see.
We're finally going… the promised trip.
A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips as I looked out the window, watching the scenery blur past. An amusement park in Celestia… that's where she's taking us. I've been there before, sure, but not as a tourist. Not as someone who could actually enjoy the sights. And for my friends? This'll be their first time stepping foot into that divine city.
I stole a glance at the others sitting nearby. Takashi had his headphones on, bobbing his head slightly to whatever beat he was vibing with. Probably some sentimental rock song about friendship. That guy never changes.
Kaito, on the other hand, looked like a kid on a sugar rush. "Yo, do you think there's gonna be a gravity-defying roller coaster? Like… one that does loops around clouds or something?" he whispered to no one in particular, already practically vibrating.
Yumi sat with her arms crossed, trying to look composed, but every once in a while, her eyes darted toward the window, and that little twitch in her brows betrayed her curiosity.
Takashi slid off one side of his headphones and muttered, "Do you think we'll float or something when we get there? Like, does Celestia have lighter air pressure?"
"You're not a balloon, Takashi," Yumi rolled her eyes.
"Still... it's a city in the sky, right? Has to have its own rules."
I chuckled quietly. So this is what it's like. A normal trip. With friends. I almost forgot how that felt…
Then, just as the quiet conversations started fading back into the train's hum, Mei finally spoke up.
"Well, since you're all dying to know…" She leaned forward slightly with a smug little smile. "This amusement park isn't just any amusement park. It's called Lusteria Heights. It floats on one of the major Celestial Isles, and it's got over a hundred different attractions—sky loops, light-burst coasters, gravity gardens, you name it."
"You've been there before?" Kaito asked, eyes wide.
"Of course," Mei said, casually brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I even got us VIP passes. Free entry, skip-the-line privileges, and access to the Skyfront Lounge."
I blinked. "Wait—free tickets? From who?"
Mei tossed her hair back casually. "Let's just say being a Demon Lord candidate from a privileged family has its perks. They invited me to be a guest of honor, and of course, I brought you all along."
I felt my chest tighten with gratitude—and a bit of awe. Of course Mei would pull this off.
Takashi slid one headphone off. "Does that mean free food too?" he asked hopefully.
Mei laughed. "Unlimited tastings at the Celestial Bites Pavilion. Everything from skyfruit crepes to starlight slush."
Yumi finally allowed herself a small smile. "Alright, this might actually top the last trip."
We stepped off at the little suburban station just outside Osaka, the late‑afternoon sky tinged rose and gold. The air smelled faintly of rain on concrete, and the distant hum of traffic felt miles away.
Mei led us down a winding backstreet, hand‑in‑hand with excitement. Takashi bounced on his heels. "I can't believe we're actually doing this," he murmured, eyes bright as he peered at every storefront. Kaito skidded to a stop at a neon noodle stand. "Last stop before magic land, right?" he joked, sniffing the steam.
Yumi kept close behind Mei, still quietly watching the city around her. Even she couldn't hide the small smile tugging her lips when the alley walls gave way to a simple metal door.
Mei knocked three times with soft confidence. The door swung open to reveal Alden—tall, impassive, dressed in a tailored coat that seemed to absorb the low light. "Welcome," he said, voice calm. "Your portal awaits."
We filed inside a narrow room humming with machinery—gears turning, crystal arrays humming with pale blue mana. Sparks of energy arced along brass conduits overhead. Izumi's breath caught. "It's like stepping into a living engine."
"It has to be," Mei said, sweeping a hand toward the apparatus. "Lusteria Heights sits atop one of Celestia's densest magic fields. Pure spells would fry the ley lines, so everything is mechanized. Our mana powers the machines—never cast directly."
Takashi reached out, fingertips brushing a flickering crystal. "It's warm…almost comforting." He pulled back with a smile.
Alden guided us to a gleaming archway between two pillars, each topped with a glowing orb. Mei nodded, and he placed his palm on the nearest orb. "Ar‑halem," he intoned.
Light pulsed in waves. The air rippled, and before us a swirling portal formed—shimmering blues and golds inviting us forward. Izumi's heart pounded. "It's…beautiful."
Kaito whooped softly. "First in line for Celestia's brand‑new wonderland!"
Yumi exhaled, stepping forward. "Let's go see what dreams look like."
Hand in hand, we crossed the threshold together—five friends stepping into the opening day of the Amusement Park of Joy.
The swirling magic stilled, like ripples on a pond freezing mid-motion, and in a blink, we were no longer in that dark room.
We stepped out of the portal, and—
"Woah..." I barely noticed my lips moving. My voice almost drowned in the soft, otherworldly hum that surrounded us.
A golden-hued sky stretched above, painted with streaks of violet and pastel blue. Strange, glimmering towers spiraled into the clouds like art sculpted from light itself. Floating platforms cruised silently through the air, some of them shaped like boats, others like dragons. The streets were made of silver-streaked stone, with trees that shimmered with translucent leaves, glowing faintly like stardust.
Takashi took a step forward and stared, mouth slightly open, completely forgetting the usual awkward shuffle he does when we enter a new place. His words came out stiff. "I... I didn't prepare myself for this."
"Is this what paradise looks like?" Kaito was practically spinning in place. His eyes darted around like a kid trying to see everything at once. "Look at that building! It's floating! And that street is moving on its own! Man, this is nuts!"
I grinned a little watching him.
Even I had to admit it… this was something else. Last time, I'd only caught glimpses through a window, but now—standing here, breathing this air that seemed too pure to be real—I finally understood what Mei meant when she called this place "the crown of the heavens."
"It's really something, huh?" I mumbled, mostly to myself.
"Hey, do you think we can ride those sky platforms later?" Kaito asked, tugging my sleeve like a little kid hyped up on sugar.
Takashi, still staring like he'd been hit by an illusion spell, muttered, "I feel like I should be wearing a tuxedo or something… I feel underdressed."
I chuckled. "You always feel underdressed, even when you're not."
He gave me a nervous glance and adjusted his collar anyway.
We continued forward, walking slowly, taking in every inch of this majestic world, and while the path ahead led toward the amusement park, for now—we just soaked in the surreal magic of being here.
Celestia… so this is what it truly looks like.
To be continued...