The sky was still hazy with dawn, yet the streets already buzzed with life. Travelers set off on their journeys, shops opened one by one, and vendors claimed prime spots with their colorful wares. The airship terminal was even livelier than yesterday, crowded with nearly as many people as when they’d arrived.

The boarding queue stretched endlessly. Up front, two soldiers lazily checked passengers against a small ledger, just like the day before. But this time, Bak led them straight onto the airship through a separate entrance—no waiting, no inspections.

Mushiyu stole a glance at Ata. *This person really isn’t ordinary*, she thought. *Escorted personally by Royal Court Knights?* Judging by her build and appearance, she clearly wasn’t one herself. Then who exactly was she…?

"The trip to the east coast takes about three days, including stops at other cities," Bak explained while leading the way. "We can explore briefly during those layovers. The airship has entertainment facilities too—feel free to try them if you’re bored. But avoid gambling and ‘medicines’."

"Medicines?" Mushiyu looked at Grace, puzzled.

"A luxury for the elite," Grace clarified. "Inhaling them causes hallucinations and euphoria. They’re expensive, addictive, and harmful. Stay away. If anyone offers you unknown substances, refuse."

"Got it." *So, drugs*, Mushiyu understood.

Inside the cabin, they found their rooms: Mushiyu and Grace shared a double, while Bak and Ata each had singles. The rooms were spacious and well-furnished—soft beds, good lighting, and magic stones providing water and light. There was even a shower-like fixture. When hot water sprayed out, Mushiyu squealed with delight.

"Amazing! They have showers here!"

"Showers?"

"This thing! See? It sprays hot water!" Mushiyu beamed.

"Oh, a magic water source. Only upper-class and premium cabins have these. Others must fetch hot water for bathtubs."

"So we’re in…"

"Upper-class. Premium cabins are rare—usually reserved for nobles."

"Oh."

Mushiyu pressed against the window. The airship hovered in the skyport, making final preparations for departure. Below lay an artificial depression where uniformed workers moved like tiny specks—so small from her high cabin.

Soon, the view outside shifted. Mushiyu felt a surge of weightlessness as the airship ascended. It felt just like an elevator ride.

The ground faded away. Above stretched a brilliant blue sky, clouds drawing nearer.

"Want to see the deck?" Grace asked.

"Yes!"

Bursting with excitement, Mushiyu hurried to the deck. The airship had already gained altitude. Though clouds streamed past, she felt no wind at all.

"No wind…"

"A barrier spell," Grace explained. "The entire ship is enveloped by magic, diverting oncoming wind to reduce drag. It boosts speed and conserves mana."

Mushiyu nodded in understanding, then rushed to the railing. The deck held many passengers—some gazing over the rails like her, others lounging in deck chairs under the sun.

Grace wasn’t worried about Mushiyu falling. Once activated, the barrier filtered everything crossing its boundary. Living beings couldn’t pass through.

At the railing, a faint breeze brushed Mushiyu’s hair and cheeks. *Without this barrier, the wind would’ve blown my frail body away*, she realized.

*So this is a magic airship in another world?* Mushiyu marveled at the difference between realms. She tilted her face upward—and froze.

Rubbing her eyes, she stared intently. Above, the sky seemed veiled by a transparent membrane. Tiny ripples flowed across it like liquid glass, covering the entire heavens—or rather, the entire Heavenly Wonder Continent. The more she strained to see, the hazier it became. *Am I imagining things?* she wondered. *Is there really nothing there?*

"What’s wrong?" Grace noticed her expression and approached.

Mushiyu pointed uncertainly. "Is there… a barrier in the sky?"

Grace followed her gaze, brow furrowing in confusion. Then her eyes snapped wide with shock as she whirled to stare at Mushiyu.

"W-why are you looking at me like that?" Mushiyu shrank back.

"You can see the Gate of the Divine Realm?" Grace asked, voice low.

"What?" Mushiyu blinked, bewildered.

Seeing her confusion, Grace calmed herself. Her expression softened, but her eyes held complex emotions. She sighed. "Don’t tell anyone about this. I’ll explain when the time’s right."

"Oh…" Mushiyu glanced up again. The barrier remained. *Would it look clearer if the airship flew higher?*

Grace looked too—but saw only blue sky and drifting clouds. No one on the Heavenly Wonder Continent could see it.

The Gate of the Divine Realm was a barrier between the Divine Realm and this world. As its name suggested, the Divine Realm was where gods dwelled. Legends said that after creating three thousand worlds, the gods retreated there, letting their laws govern all realms. They only reappeared when those laws failed—to "repair," "purify," or even "erase" broken worlds.

The Heavenly Wonder Continent had supposedly undergone one purification and two repairs. Repairs meant extinctions and evolutions; purifications meant total resets. The order and timing were lost to time, as were the origins of these legends.

What truly were "gods"? Countless great Archmages had sought answers, only to hit an impassable barrier—the Gate of the Divine Realm.

To this day, the Gate remained a concept. No one knew its location, appearance, or how to cross it. Some suspected it lay in the sky, but even soaring to the "void space"—the so-called universe—revealed no gate, no gods.

Grace stole a covert glance at Mushiyu, who was still straining to see the invisible barrier.

*What exactly is Rain seeing?* Grace wondered silently. *Does the Gate truly exist? And if Rain really is this special… what should I do?*