HP: The Arcane Thief

"In retrospect, I think it's better if we still take a look around," said Axel, causing Akiko's face to light up. "Even if we get the knowledge by going through the memories, we still need to adapt to it practically."

"Hai!" said Akiko, nodding her head repeatedly. Whatever the reason might be, Akiko was glad with the decision anyway.

"First of all, let's try this," said Axel, tapping his bracelet.

With the new found memories, Axel tried using it for the first time. This bracelet, which he now knows is called the 'E-brace', is THE most useful device in the kingdom. It just has too many features. Even more than the magi-mirror.

For now, he opened the map feature, and a 3-d structure of their location was projected into the air.

"!"

Akiko looked at the map with some astonishment. Since her occlumency isn't as fast and as readily usable as Axel, she hadn't gone through the memories Axel had transferred to her.

Noticing her reaction, Axel nodded. "Fancy, huh? We have to get used to using this thing first and foremost," he told her as he navigated the interface. "Let's see. We're in the inner part of the Royal Academy, so we need to go here to exit the castle."

The two of them looked like country bumkins, trying out technology for the first time.

"Bigger than Mahoutokoro…" Akiko commented, realizing just how much distance they'll have to cover.

"Yeah, bigger than Hogwarts too."

The royal castle was like a small city in itself, and it was really inconvenient to travel on foot. That's why there were various modes of transport available.

Most of the students were using the sidewalk, which actually moved forward like escalators in muggle malls. Many also traveled on what seemed like a hoverboard that could smoothly glide on low altitude. Otherwise, there were also airbuses, aquanites, and more.

Now that Axel knew it all, even though they could run at inhuman speeds, Axel felt it would be better to try something else. "Let's try an airbus."

Axel went through the memories. "I think it's done like this," he muttered as he tapped the bus feature in the corner and entered his destination. Within a few seconds, the next airbus stopped above them. Then, a platform dropped to their level, which was still connected to the bus.

"Let's go." Axel dragged Akiko to climb onto the platform.

The platform retracted back into the airbus and the two of them sat on one of the empty seats.

Akiko was bewildered. "So convenient…"

"It is, isn't it?" Axel felt that traveling was indeed a better choice. He wouldn't get this experience through the memories.

The speed of the airbus was quite fast, and they arrived at the exit within minutes. The airbus wouldn't go further than this.

The main Entry/Exit of the castle consisted of four passages. Casual, Official, Emergency, and VIP.

In order to enter or exit the castle, clearance is needed. If it's a casual outing, you'll need to get permission from one of the supervisors (if you're a student), and your superior (if you're a worker).

But since it was actually an official assignment and they were members of Black Ops, they could leave just by scanning their bracelets through the 'Official' passage.

"How are we going to go?" Asked Akiko. The castle was surrounded by water, and their destination was the city. Akiko was asking which mode of travel they were going to use.

"Well, let's try something else this time," said Axel, walking towards a place where a lot of Aquanites were parked.

Akiko's eyes began shining. "Can we really…?"

Axel smiled. "Of course. We can rent one."

The Aquanites were stationed near the exit for workers who have an urgent need for them due to official business. If you need one, just flash the bracelet, enter the timing, and take it away.

They approached one of the Aquanites and Axel began fiddling with the interface of the stand that was holding it. After flashing his e-brace, a green light flashed on the interface and the Aquanite became accessible to Axel.

He glanced back at Akiko, who was still standing there cluelessly. "Well, what are you waiting for? Unlock another one already."

Akiko blinked. "It's two...?"

"Yeah, so?"

The shine was gone from her eyes. Akiko hesitated. "I... I don't know how to ride one."

"It's easy. It's just like flying brooms."

"I'm... not good at riding brooms either."

"Well, then let's just go with one."

Thus Axel mounted the Aquanite and Akiko sat behind him. It was a bit of a tight fit, but Akiko didn't seem to mind.

"Hey, those aren't allowed for students!" someone called out, finally noticing them and attracting others attention as well. Axel was wearing his academy training outfit so it indeed seemed like a student playing around.

Ignoring the onlookers, Axel powered the engine and zoomed out of the royal castle through the official passage.

Axel and Akiko finally left the Royal Palace, flying above the crystal clear lake surrounding the castle. Axel flew the bike low, and the high speed and propulsion of the Aquanite caused water to be splashed everywhere.

Akiko gripped him tightly, as if afraid to fall. He turned around to actually find her smiling happily.

Axel was surprised. Akiko rarely smiles, let alone smiling so widely. And this was the second time he was seeing her like this today.

Since she was having fun, Axel increased the speed further and pulled off a few more maneuvers. Even though the speed of this Aquanite wasn't as fast as the one in the trial, it was still several times faster than a broomstick, so they reached the city very soon.

He had to. There was just so much to see in the city, and the last time he couldn't see anything since the general was flying his chariot very fast when bringing him to the castle.

He had to once again admit, Atlantis was beautiful. And overwhelming. Atlantis was a three dimensional city. Unlike the muggle and the wizarding world, where there was only forward and backward to travel, here, the buildings were so huge that there was also the feature of travelling up and down.

Most of the people traveled in air lanes, rather than the ground lanes. Many shops and commercial centers were opened in mid air, with the citizens arriving and leaving on their personal air vehicles.

The structures of the buildings here were also very unique. It could be circular, spiral, cylindrical, and a lot more.

The two of them flew high and low, making sure to enjoy every sight.

One thing was apparent, the security had been increased since last time Axel passed by here.

"What are those?" Asked Akiko, pointing at one of the drone-like objects flying around.

Axel actually didn't know this. It was not in the information he had obtained so far. Axel pointed his bracelet at one of the drones and searched what it was.

The information about the drones came up quickly, but...

"Fuck..."

"What happened?"

Axel looked at the drones warily.

"Those are called scanners. They're scanning through anything and everything in order not to let anyone smuggle any bombs. They can even scan storage devices."

Axel got worried about the storage ring on his finger which Martina had made for him, and Akiko's hand also subconsciously went to the pendant around her neck, which was also likely a storage device made by Martina.

"Are we going to be in trouble?" She asked.

The two of them definitely had all sorts of questionable equipment packed in the storage space that they had smuggled in.

"I think it's fine. They've already scanned us earlier."

Akiko blinked. "Then, does that mean...?"

Does that mean Martina's invention can actually beat Atlantian technology?

Axel nodded. "Yep, we can even smuggle bombs like this. If Martina was on Kraken's side, Atlantis would be fucked. She really is a genius."

Akiko felt that Martina was being praised too much.

"But... she's weak, and a bit pathetic," she uttered, remembering how she would sneak into Axel's bed out of fear after the last incident.

"Yeah well, she really is very easy to kidnap, kill, or coerce. I'm just glad it's you here rather than her."

If Martina had some extremely high parameters, she also had some extremely low parameters as well. Sure she would have been helpful here, but she would also be very prone to danger, which is not what Axel wants.

Akiko felt better when Axel said that, and they continued their tour.

While flying, they passed through an area where a number of shops were lined up in mid air, with a lot of air traffic. A delicious fragrance was wafting from the place, even reaching them.

"What is that? Atlantian Street food?" Axel muttered. But there was no street here, so it can't be called that.

Behind him, he heard Akiko gulp.

"Let's try it out," said Axel.

"Do we have money?"

"Don't worry. Estris transferred me a generous signing bonus?"

It was weird that the Crown Prince needed to check money for street food, but it was what it was.

So they tried out the food of Atlantis, which was, of course, sea food.

Sharks, skates, rays, sawfish, sturgeons, and lampreys; crustaceans such as lobsters, crabs, shrimps, prawns, and crayfish, clams, oysters, cockles, snails, abalones, scallops, these were just the creatures that Axel knew about. Other than this, there were also a lot of magical creatures as well.

There was just too much to try, so they dug in, buying one serving of every store.

"Fuck, this is good," Axel muttered, trying out some type of seaweed pasta. It had a creamy, garlicky flavor with the distinct marine taste of seaweed.

"Try this," said Akiko, offering him a bite of the blue crab meat that she was eating.

"Damn." Axel smacked his lips. The soft meat was mixed with Atlantean herbs and a hint of citrus, pan-fried to golden perfection. It had a fresh, tangy flavor with an herbal note.

"You try this too," said Axel, offering his pasta, to which Akiko just opened her small mouth. Rolling his eyes, he fed her himself.

Akiko's eyes curved. "It's delicious."

"Isn't it? I would have saved this Kingdom just for food. Too bad, my diet won't allow it."

They ate while buying more things. At one point they had taken too many things, and while eating, Axel dropped one of the plates.

*Beep* *Beep* *Beep*

It seems they had broken some sort of rule, because the alarm started ringing, causing people to look around.

"Fuck!"

Axel dumped everything into his storage ring and sped off.

"Hey! Halt!"

They raced the inspector that gave chase while Axel refined his flying skills. When the inspector finally gave up, realizing that Axel was just playing with him, they paid him the fine and resumed the tour.

In the middle of the city, there was a gargantuan statue of a man holding a trident, which was so finely carved that it looked alive.

"King Atlan the first. The first king of Atlantis." Axel remembered the man's identity through his memory.

"He looks a bit like you."

Axel frowned. For a moment, he was worried. Would others also notice the resemblance? "Really?"

But Akiko shook her head. "Not at all. He's too ugly." she giggled.

"..." Akiko… actually joking? Is this real?

"You're different today," Axel observed. Akiko's face is usually emotionless and she speaks very little, often only speaking in words rather than sentences. But today, she has already spoken and smiled a month's worth of her quota.

"I… am happy. I'm happy to finally be here," Akiko smiled. "Coming here has always been my goal, but it wasn't easy," there was a hint of melancholy in her voice.

"Okaasan and Otousan used to tell me all sorts of amazing things about this place." her grip around him tightened as her voice cracked a bit. "That's why, I've always wanted to see this place for myself. I wanted to know, if it was really worth it."

Axel could understand now. She's always wanted to come here. But it was never going to be easy, was it? Her grandfather had always opposed it, and no matter how much talent she had and the hard work she put in, she had to agonizingly wait for years till she was old enough.

And now, after so many years, and so much grueling training and effort, she's finally here. She must be feeling freed from a heavy load she had been carrying for years. No wonder she's different from her usual self.

Axel felt happy for her.

"Then, I am glad to be here too," said Axel as he patted her hand. Axel was just glad she didn't have to see the city alone. There was someone she could share her feelings with.

Akiko's fists bunched around his clothes.

"Axel?"

"Hm?"

"Arigatou."

It was a sincere thanks. There were no fancy or cheesy words, but the feelings behind it were heartfelt.

"Don't mention it," Axel replied.

"Also…"

"Yeah?"

"I think… they were… happy here. It's a good place," her voice was a bit hoarse. "I'm so relieved…" A hand temporarily left his side as Akiko wiped her tears.

Axel let her cry on his shoulder.

"Of course they were happy. Whose kingdom do you think it is?"

Akiko smiled. "You're right."

As if suddenly remembering something, Axel checked the time. "Shit." He increased the speed, changing their direction.

"Where are we going now?" Asked Akiko.

"To one of the most popular places here," replied Axel.

A few minutes later.

"A zoo?" Akiko murmured, bewildered as she looked at the place.

"No, it's a Magical Biopark," Axel insisted.

It was a glorified zoo. Unlike the outside world, where people have access to both the sea and the wildlife, Atlantis is a place with no chance to see the wildlife. That's why, this place, which held all types of normal and magical creatures from the outside world in their natural habitats, was quite popular here.

"You know, it even has magical creatures which are already extinct in the outside world!"

Even though he defended the place, inwardly, he was also wondering, just why would the system give him the mission to be here?