<02/14/1972 – 06:03 | Lennith City, Junon Region, Sprawn Valley>

  Jane didn't report directly what happened on the phone like Danny did. After all, it was Jane's first direct contact with her family since leaving on her journey, and the first time they heard her voice directly. Iya checked in for Jane the last time, so naturally, her parents were totally furious over the phone about not calling in earlier after leaving Fronas.

  Even after Iya's explanations as to why, it just wasn't acceptable. They too know now about her hidden symbol, but they of course don't care about that, as they love Jane Venn. After spending ten minutes of being yelled at on the phone for getting so careless, Jane had to further make promises to call in during her stay outside of the country. And then there was Iya.

  Iya hasn't yet revealed to her parents what happened with her and the Scarlets, but Jane knew about it. After speaking together one last time before seeing Jane off on her vacation, Iya promised to stay safe, while Alyssa would help Iya learn protective magic in the same process. Iona wasn't really happy about Jane just leaving to go somewhere, but it was also harder to talk Jane out of it. She wants to spend more time with her friends that badly, it's almost like an addiction that can't be broken. At least it's different than being addicted to Leray fighting. This way, Iya can continue improving her connection with her parents. As lame as she thought they were before, Iya knew she was just being an idiot at the time.

  After Danny and Jane returned from the entrance of the medical facility, Nyar directed them to one of the shops just to get all three of them to change into outfits that were not as damaged or messed up by the dirt and grime. They didn't however have the luxury of showering since the only hotel with that option required a full night stay, which Nyar was opposed to. Jane had to be the one to make sure that they all switched from dress spheres to normal clothing, since dress spheres would have no magical protection outside of the continent. From the call for permission, Danny's family was fine with the arrangements. Jane's family was okay with them as well, since she reported that Iona would go back home to look after things.

  Jane knew that Iya sure as hell didn't want Jane to go anywhere, especially since the Scarlet matter was never resolved so far. But Iya would be safe back at home, safer now that she was beginning to embrace Leray magic for her own protection, and safe under the careful watch of the agents in Fronas. Danton on the other hand would have that particular situation under control, not that Iya would probably go home and sit still. Jane had personally tasked Alyssa and Iya the proposition of spying on the enemy, which she never really took back as a directive to cancel. Everyone is aware of the danger lurking in the shadows these days. The Scarlets cannot make any sudden moves without involvement with agents, or that of the GA. After having the GA make their bold move of shutting down Alpha Zero, it might make the enemy think twice about their moves, now that the champion of magic is involved against them.

  Alyssa took longer to part ways from Lennith City. She wasn't able to come with such arrangements easily, but promised Jane that she would stay and train really hard, and then ask to battle against Jane when she returns back to Sprawn Valley. Alyssa told her that spying on the Scarlets is a bit too dangerous with Jane leaving, and keeping eyes on Claudia's threatened career was also as important to her. With that, all three of JDT were ready to make way to the Junon airport just south of Eldora City, but there was one little obstacle related to Jane on the way there.

  Since Danton had forgotten to remove the Emergency Drive Status on everybody's licenses, Jane needed to correct hers as well as her friends' licenses in order to normalize their use for Leray battles. But there was on top of that the Exa-travel mode that needs to be activated. For Jane, it was a requirement since she is a full legal resident of Sprawn Valley, and doing this would count as her passport to other nations. Anybody possessing such a license card needs to shift the mode into Exa-travel mode, since digitalized chips are constantly powered within each licensed card via magic. The Exa-travel mode essentially disables the electronic device inside of the card to ensure all of the stats remain unchanged during travel outside of the safe zone, keeping the card safe from the sudden loss in magic.

  Right now, Eldora City is the only place anyone can go to do just that. Even though the time is nightfall now, Nyar had them all traveling the Route 787 bridge on foot. Bicycles wouldn't work since Nyar doesn't have one, nor does he want one for that matter. So Jane had to explain the card situation on the long walk there. They were going to stop in Eldora City anyway, so it works out for her in the end.

  Though since it was so dark outside with the commotion in Lennith City, no Leray challengers or seekers populated the bridge to Route 787, except for the few who were only traveling. Since the cards are still in EDS mode, Jane could very easily turn down any battle without any flaws. Nyar didn't seem like the type of person to condone waiting on her to fight either.

  On top of all that, everybody was totally exhausted. With real time damage and serious injuries only beginning to heal, Danny and Jane both were the ones who still had well revealed cuts and burn marks all over their skin, which still ached to this moment. Those scars warranted that conversation with Nyar during the trip down that road. Taylor somehow healed a bit faster, which may have masked any of Nyar's suspicions that something serious happened, if he had any to begin with.

  The long walk to Eldora City was torturous to all of them, except Nyar who didn't have anything to do with fighting evil deadly monsters and massive dragons all day and night long. Truth be told, Jane was still just hanging in there with her exhaustion levels. Danny was tired too, but Taylor was totally out of it. By the halfway mark to Eldora City, he had to carry her with both arms. Taylor was sound asleep and smug, not realizing that her man was carrying her all the way over an 11-mile bridge.

  Danny didn't seem to be struggling with her though. She was so lightweight that he couldn't believe it. Then again, all of that battle training and heavy lifting with his hammers and sword likely whipped muscles right onto his arms, probably visible if not for his shirt blocking his upper limbs.

  Jane thought it was quite cute that he would do that for her. Luckily, people who are used to Leray magic also have their bodies naturally adjusted so that they can stay awake longer and sleep less often. But that passive skill does require some level of experience and training with that specific effect, one Taylor obviously skipped out on. Nyar wouldn't even have been here long enough to feel such an effect.

  So it was still a long brisk walk to Eldora. Despite how late it was, the air temperature fluctuated between sixty and seventy. Winter was saying its farewell here in Sprawn Valley, not that it became all that cold this year, that much was made clear. As far as Jane knew, spring here was very much the same as the fall season, with less rain and more wind. There was at least five mile per hour wind gusts every ten seconds, not that it was anything cold. The water below them gave the unique ocean scent to the air as it flew around.

  Nyar was mostly quiet through the entire trip, unable or unwilling to say anything or ask anything about their long journey. He must have been even more tired than all three of them due to his jet lag. As for Danny explaining the scars, the report specifically underlined that Jane and Danny went through great lengths to protect Taylor against a few people in a recent crime ring. Technically, it wasn't entirely false, but as far as Nyar was concerned, he wanted to hear no more of it.

  Once they finally arrived in Eldora City, with the noticeable absence in Rontellov who was the city's official gradyent, Jane guided Nyar and Danny to an official Leray center, which is just a fancy name for a large outdoor office area in which at least one Leray agent is posted. Jane handed her license over to the agent describing her situation. Danny found Taylor's license and mixed it in with his own, giving them to Jane as well to complete the process. Nyar didn't seem like he was happy with Danny flashing off his own official Leray license as well as Taylor's, but it was too bad for him. Not only did they learn to use magic, but they received actual training and legality to use it here.

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  "I also need everyone's supply spheres too. They won't function outside of the zone. And since they use multi-dimensional compression in mix with magic, bringing them outside of the safe zone will destroy the contents inside." Jane was the one behind the explanation, even though she failed to bring that up from before. The way it works can be quite annoying. The credits they've earned on their licenses cannot be accessed now that they've been placed into Exa-travel mode. So the agent Jane spoke to had to literally install the same currency type onto a different digital card with its own unique chip, meaning it's a money storage card. However, the credits are still the same, unconverted currency. So they can't be used in America just yet. Jane first had to get some of her things out of the supply sphere she wanted to take with her, like Alyssa's necklace and a picture of her family. Danny took out some regular supplies of food, water, clothing, and medicine before handing his over. These would all have to be carried over by hand. All other dress spheres and weapons related to battle were safely inside of the supply spheres for storage here.

  By the time that was all taken care of, Jane checked the clock to see that it was only 4:30 A.M. in Eldora City. Nyar explained on the way into Eldora that their flight doesn't begin boarding until 9:00 A.M., so they had some time to sleep until then. Jane easily took care of the situation by checking into a hotel using the new digital card, which naturally accepts the currency here even in its format. It was the same type of hotel they used earlier, Greene Hotel. Having four beds however costs a little extra, not that Jane cared to part with the money considering how much she won in the championship battle with Danton. His generosity to at least grant her the win money really helped a lot.

  With only more mild usual grunts and glares from Nyar's bad mood, it was a hop, skip, and a jump to the dorms. Danny took care of tucking Taylor in, since she was already fully asleep, then prepared his bed while Jane fiddled with the alarm clock.

  "Make sure to set it a full hour before nine so that we can prepare." It was Nyar's last command for the night before allowing himself to sleep. Jane did as he asked without argument, though wondered if even one whole hour was enough. Junon airport was just past the southeast exit gate of Eldora City. But who knows how long the road is to the location? Disregarding the mystery, Jane let herself quickly fall asleep to the sound of nothing. With all of her aches, it was easy enough to lose track of her thoughts long enough to lose consciousness.

  Chapter Theme Shift:

  <02/15/1972 – 08:13 | Eldora City, Junon Region, Sprawn Valley>

  Once the next morning began with the annoying alarm clock going off at 8:01 A.M., Nyar was first to awaken without any signs of exhaustion, and rushed everyone else with his annoying voice to hustle their efforts of getting ready in time. Naturally, Taylor was confused by the fact that in her memory, she wasn't awake since they arrived in Eldora, but Danny made sure to get her hurrying just as well.

  With everything packed and everyone ready for the airplane ride, Nyar directed all three of them to the southeast exit gate of Eldora. He didn't forget his sense of direction for a moment, and proceeded on foot through the metal arch. There wasn't really a gate, just an arch connected to the walls surrounding and protecting the wonderful city. While a good field of green provided a blissful sensation of nature with very little tree density, the Junon airport was already in visual sight from there, only two miles away. Nyar also prepared to adjust a secondary watch he had on him, adjusting it in preparation for the time change which would occur during their flight, since Sprawn Valley is several hours ahead of time compared to North American time zones.

  To make it in time, Nyar sped up his pace, forcing the others to do the same. Yet on the way to the airport, Jane and Taylor both worked to destroy the awkward silence. "I can't believe I get to be on a jet! This is going to be awesome!"

  Though Jane was projecting her excitement like a kid, Taylor found it highly contagious, sympathizing with the fact that it was also going to be her first airplane ride too. "Airline travel is supposed to be the fastest method across nations. So I'm excited to see what it's like too."

  Nyar in his fast-paced walking let out a humble, "Hah!" as a micro-laugh to mock their intelligence. "Prepare to be disappointed. Airplane rides are one of the most boring activities anyone can take part in."

  "If that's true, we'll just have to make it fun!"

  Nyar let out a stressed groan that he would soon regret bringing two excited teen girls on board the same flight, realizing he has simply doubled down on his own personal frustrations. Realizing this from afar, Danny laughed quietly at Nyar's predicament. It is true though that the day usually goes fairly well when Jane and Taylor are both excited about anything. It resembles in itself a good luck charm, at least that was Danny's analogy for it.

  "By the way," Danny projected. His eyes directed only to Taylor, drawing her attention mostly. "If we see any strange lights in the sky, better leave them alone. I'd like to stay inside of the plane while we head for New York."

  Taylor remained silent, which quickly became awkward for Danny. It was a terrible attempt of a joke, even if he was being serious. Either way, Danny was the one who investigated that light near the Tidal Max last time, not her. It was then up to Jane to help them out again, changing the subject back to their destination. "I bet America has all sorts of amazing places!"

  Danny used this opportunity to speak up and forget about his last terrible joke. "I hear there are lots of live animals there that Jane would love to see. I've only seen a few small animals back in Kalamo."

  "I'll consider taking you to the zoo, so long as you don't behave like one of the animals there." Nyar felt strange about this whole thing. There was stress, dread, and excitement all mixed together in the space around him. He hadn't considered how difficult it could become to take care of three kids who all want to go off on their own. But of course, they're only acting this way right now due to their excitement, so he hoped. At least Danny seemed more relaxed than his usual self. For the first time ever, he wasn't going out of his way to try anything stupid to impress another, or anything that would likely sprain a wrist or an ankle. That was common in his younger days.

  "Oh what about the schools out there?" Jane picked. "I bet they're so much different from the ones here."

  "They're much worse." Taylor threw her comment out there in the wind without much expression. She had not a care in the world for the school systems in Kalamo. In America, they were likely the same.

  "If you have the money to get into a good school, then they are much more refined and full of intelligent lessons that can be learned," Nyar defended. "But again, that's if you have money. The government of the U.S., especially the state of New York has serious undisciplined public school systems that you may find in similar comparison to that of a zoo."

  Which school was he talking about? Taylor remembered part of her middle school and half of her high school years when she still had them. Though Kalamo was quite poor, the people there were a bit refined, but often rude and inhumane, failing to show off any affection for another person. She and Danny were living exceptional proof of that. Still, it wasn't a zoo.

  It was quite amazing that all three of them were this well laid back after the horrible experiences they must have faced here. Nyar could only imagine them, assuming there were stories Danny or Taylor did not tell him yet out of fear he would be outraged. And let's face it; Nyar would defiantly be outraged. Now just isn't the time for such stories. They would reach the airport terminals soon enough, and with plenty of time to spare in return.

  Jane couldn't think about anything other than the trip to the America. They have animals, cities, schools, and all sorts of mysterious civilized activities there that have to differ from those found in Sprawn Valley. After all, if people live without magic, they must be able to find something that is fun to do there! Danny could see the sparkle in Jane's green eyes, but the way Taylor was moving as if she were never injured before also spoke volumes about her incredible excitement too. It made him immediately happy that everything was going well for once. What do they call this feeling? Is it freedom? Or is it happiness? It feels like it both combined somehow. Now he doesn't have to worry about killer dragons or deadly laser beams firing from crazy people. The stress of this heavy stuff with Jane will melt away too. Even if she is marked, symbols too are actually shut down without a source of magic, thus Jane will be perfectly normal as well when in New York.

  Jane had no such worries. Having a symbol? No problem since America won't have magic to power it. And her friends? They are still who they are, as they always will be. This will be the best vacation of all time! There would be much there to explore, not just in New York, but in other places of the world too. Danny and Taylor will be by her side again, something that is always an amazing gift she is grateful for every day.

  And then there is the flight to New York. For these two, it's just a small vacation before going back home. But Jane knew all too well that this was the beginning of her new journey, a journey to a new world!

  To be continued...

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