Students Forbidden from Going Home

I recalled the students I'd seen by chance when carrying Cecil's luggage in the Dormitory some time ago. They were students who had packed their bags for vacation, only to be forcibly dragged back.

I'd heard that all those whose homes were near Deviend, or who had to pass through that area, had been barred from returning home. Since I had no connection to that region, I hadn't received any notification, and as it was a matter concerning such a remote place, I didn't know the full story.

On the map, Deviend was a vast region, occupying a tenth of the Empire's territory, and it encompassed most of the eastern border, making it unavoidable to pass through if one wished to cross the border.

Another gust of wind blew, and the ship swayed violently. The surroundings grew dark, and a squall lashed the Sky Galleon like a whip.

Outside the window, a bright flash lit up the sky, followed by a thunderclap that sounded as if the heavens were splitting apart.

“Let's land somewhere first. We'll be struck by lightning at this rate.”

“Good idea.”

The ship hastily descended into an open field in the middle of the forest.

Stepping out of the Pilothouse, I saw Luna on the Deck, silently watching the dense Forest, where no light penetrated.

Her body was completely soaked from the rain...