Became the Academy Romantic Phantom Thief chapter 47

9 and 3/4

Frankish kingdom.

As one of the countries closest to Britannia, the motif can be easily guessed from the name alone.

Similar to reality, the two countries are traditional rivals, and even at this point in time when Britannia is rising as the world’s most powerful country, it is considered one of the most menacing opponents.

The physical distance itself is close enough that you can go back and forth in one day, but the important thing is that you have to go through immigration procedures as it is a different country.

No, why is that witch there?

Although other countries appear in the original story, the main setting is of course limited to Britannia, where the Academy is located.

I was going to take care of it quickly while absorbing the power of Jinju, but all of a sudden I was traveling abroad. It just felt daunting because I wasn’t ready for anything.

“Well. witch.”

“yes. What’s going on?”

At some point, the witch returned to her normal form.

I asked with a little bit of hope with a sly smile.

“Is there any way to go right away? Or call your opponent this way.”

“Fufu. Of course, it is easily possible. As long as you pay the right price.”

“Oh, really?”

When asked how much, the witch proudly held out her hand and offered the price.

“…it’s too expensive.”

“Then, of course, it is expensive. I even gave a discount because I was a phantom thief.”

I was really trying to pay as much as possible, but this isn’t quite as good as it should be.

Even if I robbed all of my fortune right now, it would be a long way off.

“Are there any other products besides this?”

“Hmm. Refusing the witch broom passenger service. It’s not an opportunity that comes easily.”

what. Were you going to ride it on a broomstick and pick it up yourself?

“Then there are some cheaper products.”

With those words, what she offered was a luxury-looking ticket.

“train? Don’t you have to cross the sea to get to the Frankish Kingdom?”

As far as I know, there is a London-Paris train through an undersea tunnel on Earth, but the current worldview is based on the industrial era, so that level of technological prowess doesn’t exist yet.

“Oh. Of course, I thought you would know, but I’m surprised. This is no ordinary train ticket.”

Isn’t that an ordinary train?

I picked up the ticket on the counter and looked at it closely.

Clean and stylish design. Unlike regular tickets, there are no dates or seat numbers written on them. Then, the moment I turned it over, I guessed the identity of this special train.

A unique symbol with a golden mechanical winding overlapping the magic circle.

“Magic Engineering.”

“You know too. It is a very valuable ticket.”

It’s one of the most important settings in the original.

To put it simply, it is the result of a genius who tried to harmonize the two by merging them into one in an era when magic and science collide.

This technique appears at various moments in the original story, but I remember that the Magical Engineering Train was probably just a sneak peek of a mention.

I never thought it would come out at this time.

But it was a good opportunity. It was a chance to face the existence of ‘magic engineering’ that I had only heard of occasionally after falling into this world, but had never seen the real thing.

“How much is this ticket?”

“Well. one···. like this?”

Cheaper than broom service, but also expensive.

Still, I thought it was well worth the investment.

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Most of all, I’m curious. How the hell do you cross the sea to Frank?

[It’s magic engineering. It will be fun.]

Goddess seems to have a similar feeling to me.

In the end, after a short deliberation, I bought a ticket with tears in my eyes.

A witch who smiles and says thanks whether she is happy with her money.

“It’s also the kindness of a phantom thief. I fell in love again.”

How can a person lie so shamelessly without spitting in their mouth?

Oh, it wasn’t a person, it was a witch.

“So, where can I take this train?”

“Well. I will tell you about that with a special service.”

Oh my gosh. Originally, you were trying to sell this information for money?

Should I say that I have a true professional spirit, or should I shake my head as a moneyworm?

Capitalism corrupts even witches into money-middlemen.

I tilted my head as I looked at the address on the note.

Just looking at this…

Isn’t that plagiarism?

***

First I went home and disguised myself as Lupin.

After all, in order to board the Magical Engineering Train, you have to prove your identity.

In that case, I thought about whether I should just go legally, but it was impossible to get it back the moment I bought the ticket.

After leaving home, I headed to London Station.

From here you can explore all of Britannia, so it’s the heart of the city.

The important thing is that this is also the platform for the magic engineering train.

To be more precise, it should be said that it is hidden inside this London station.

As I looked at the entrance to the platform, I was troubled.

As to whether this is really plagiarism or an homage.

Well, if you followed it up to this point, would you say that you had no intention of hiding it?

Same British background.

It’s true that it’s a magic academy.

I stopped thinking and went inside the wall to reach the hidden platform.

“Five···.”

It was a very strange feeling. The basic scenery itself was not much different from the outside, but it felt as if I had fallen into a completely different world.

In particular, unlike the outside, there was no one else, so the unique sensibility of London Station was different from the crowded London Station.

Since there is no business like this, is it possible to get on a freepass regardless of the date or seat?

Of course, considering the signage, even if you don’t have this many customers, you might be able to make quite a bit of money.

As I was waiting for the train to arrive, immersed in my thoughts, the train appeared from afar with the sound of a steam whistle.

At first glance, there was no special difference from the regular train.

However, the symbol on the side of the train, which overlapped with a spring and a magic circle, clearly indicated that he was a mage engineering train.

As the train entered the platform, I glanced around and saw the engineer who should be sitting in the front row.

what? Is it a self-driving train?

No matter how much magic and science converge, it seems like over-technology.

Actually, the principle of magic engineering is not explained properly in the original, so I have no idea how it works. What would you expect from a fantasy manga universe in the first place?

Soon the train entered the platform, slowed down, and then came to a complete stop.

As usual, I stepped back a little.

Not only did no one come out when the door opened, but it was only later when I saw that the inside, which was peeking out, was empty.

‘I haven’t completely abandoned my life on Earth yet.’

I inadvertently thought about the Seoul subway in the 21st century, which was always crowded.

Actually, that would be natural. It hasn’t even been half a year since I fell into this world.

There is no time to be drenched in useless emotions.

In case the train would leave, I jumped on top and entered the open door.

The interior landscape is in harmony with luxurious wood and black-painted steel.

It felt like I was on a movie set rather than a train.

Is nobody really there?

Once I entered the train car, there were only empty seats.

But if there is no checker, is there no reason to buy a ticket in the first place?

I pondered for a while whether I should just sit down, or find someone and move to another room.

Actually, you don’t even need to meet people.

Even if we meet anyway, I don’t think we’ll be able to talk in particular.

Above all, train travel is only a coincidence, but my goal was to go to Paris and meet the witch of prophecy.

Let’s take a look outside.

I sat down at the window seat and looked out the window.

The speed of the train moving out of the platform was quite fast.

Are you going to cross the border and go all the way to Paris? I’m going crazy wondering how the hell the railroad was laid.

Considering that the dedicated platform was hidden at London Station, the railroad must have been specially treated. The view outside the window was quite ordinary.

‘a. I was expecting nothing.’

As time went on, I got used to it and my expectations decreased.

It’s just not that much different from a regular train. I think it’ll be good to take a quick look when passing over Britain later.

While I was thinking about going to sleep for a while before that, the door of the front compartment opened and someone appeared.

I immediately followed the person’s whereabouts.

A cowboy hat, a white cloak, high-heeled riding boots, and a dark mask that covered his entire face.

‘You’re so suspicious!’

Thanks to the very individual elements, I immediately realized that the opponent had never appeared in the original, but the question of what the hell he was doing deepened.

Looking at his physique, he seems to be a man.

Perhaps the other party also noticed me sitting in my seat, so I fixed my head in this direction and then strode closer to me.

And then the masked cowboy sitting next to me without my permission.

“Hello.”

Contrary to his impression, the male voice is quite normal and bright.

Once again, I greeted them face-to-face in return.

“Nice to meet you.”

Now that he looks like a middle-aged gentleman, Lupin, he deliberately made up his tone with care.

However, after hearing my greeting, the other party shed a sigh of relief.

“Hmm.”

Then he said it all to me.

“That look. It’s fake.”