The moment the words left her lips —
"Teleport me to the Majico World." —
— the air around her shifted.
A faint hum buzzed at the edge of her hearing, rising quickly into a low, resonant tone that seemed to vibrate in her very bones. The pages of the book glowed — no, pulsed — with a light that wasn't natural.
Golden-white threads of light unspooled from the glyphs, twining through the air like living ribbons. The entire shack trembled. Shaira's breath caught as the light surrounded her, wrapping around her body, her limbs growing weightless.
The world blurred. The sound deepened, a thrumming, like a pulse.
"W-What's happening—"
She barely finished the thought before the light flared, blinding.
Her body felt as if it was being pulled — through the floor, through space itself — her sense of up and down vanished in an instant.
Dizziness washed over her. Her skin prickled. The familiar scents of oil, metal, and damp earth vanished.
---
Then —
softness.
Her boots touched ground — but not the cracked stone or cold steel of the slum. No. This was... different.
Shaira's knees buckled slightly from the shock, but she caught herself.
Blinking away the afterimages burned into her eyes, she slowly opened them — and her breath caught in her throat.
Beneath her old, worn shoes was a carpet of grass... but not green. It shimmered in shades of blue, soft and thick like a dream. The scent of fresh earth and flowers drifted in the air.
Around her stood trees — tall and elegant, their trunks smooth like marble, their leaves a breathtaking mix of pink and deep blue. The leaves swayed gently even though no wind could be felt.
A sky stretched endlessly overhead — a brilliant azure with two suns faintly glowing in the distance.
Shaira stood frozen.
"What... is this place?" she whispered, her voice small in the vast, otherworldly silence.
Her heart raced — was she hallucinating? Dreaming?
She took a hesitant step, feeling the strange grass spring beneath her soles. Everything here was... real. Too real.
---
A sudden giggle broke the stillness.
Shaira spun around — startled — and spotted a small figure watching her from a nearby grove.
A child. But not human.
A little girl with a round, furry face and large, curious eyes. Her body was covered in soft gray-and-white fur, her long fluffy raccoon-like tail twitching playfully behind her. Her hair, also gray and thick, spilled over her shoulders in soft waves.
She wore an oversized robe that dragged slightly on the grass, sleeves drooping past her tiny hands. She waddled forward with innocent, bouncy steps, her big eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Shaira blinked. She's... adorable.
---
"Who are you? Why do you look so different?" the little girl asked, tilting her head with an innocent smile.
Shaira opened her mouth, then laughed softly in disbelief. "I... I don't know. I was just... reading a book and suddenly I was here. Is this heaven or something?"
The little girl giggled again, covering her mouth with her tiny paw-like hand.
"No, silly! This is Majico World! And this is the Land of Raco." She puffed up proudly. "I'm Reika! The daughter of the Chief of this land!"
Shaira stared at her, amazed. "Majico World... so it's real...?" she whispered.
Then shook her head — focus. "I guess... I must've been teleported here accidentally."
Reika beamed. "You must be lost! Come with me, I'll take you to see my father. Maybe he can help!"
"W-Wait! I'm not from this world!" Shaira stammered.
But the little raccoon girl had already grabbed her hand with surprising strength and began leading her through the shimmering forest.
---
The path was unlike anything Shaira had ever seen.
Stone steps were nestled between wildflowers that glowed faintly, their petals moving gently as if greeting the two of them.
Above, crystal-like orbs hovered mid-air, casting soft light along the way.
They approached a large wooden structure — a grand house built into the hillside, blending seamlessly with nature.
The roof was adorned with colorful tiles that glittered in the light, and banners of deep reds and blues fluttered from tall poles.
A garden surrounded the house — rows of exotic flowers and small shrubs, their leaves humming softly. Water trickled down curved stone channels, filling the air with the soothing sound of streams.
The atmosphere was peaceful, almost sacred.
Shaira stared in wonder. It's... beautiful.
---
Inside, the main hall was spacious, its floors polished to a soft sheen. Tapestries of intricate patterns hung from the walls.
And waiting near the center of the room — standing tall and imposing — was a man.
---
He was striking.
His face was angular, with a strong jawline and sharp features. His almond-shaped eyes gleamed orange, their gaze intense and unreadable. The pupils were small — focused — as if measuring her every movement.
Thick, sharply angled eyebrows framed his eyes, adding to the serious expression that marked his face.
A straight, narrow nose. A mouth set in a thin, firm line, the corners slightly downturned.
His skin was tan, almost bronze — and etched with tribal markings: bold, dark patterns across his cheeks and forehead. Symbols of rank? Power?
His dark hair was styled sharply, spiking back in layered strands that framed his face dramatically.
He radiated authority.
And right now... suspicion.
---
"Who are you?" he demanded, voice low and commanding. "Why are you here?"
Shaira swallowed, heart pounding.
"I... I accidentally teleported here," she answered honestly.
The man's eyes narrowed. "Mortals are not allowed in this realm."
He turned sharply toward the little raccoon girl. "Reika — why did you bring a human here? It is forbidden."
Reika pouted, hugging Shaira's arm. "But Riku — she looks harmless! And she was lost! I just wanted to help."
Riku's expression hardened. "If Chief Rei hears of this, you will be punished."
Shaira quickly spoke up. "Please — I'm not trying to cause trouble. I found a book... a Glyph Codex. While reading it, this happened — I don't even know how."
At those words, Riku's entire posture changed.
His eyes widened — just for a split second — then narrowed dangerously.
"Glyph Codex?" His voice dropped.
"That book has been forbidden for centuries. It vanished long ago. Are you saying... you possess it?"
Shaira held her ground. "I found it. In a place called Terra Library. I was reading it, and... something strange happened. The next thing I knew, I was here. Outside — in the woods."
Reika blinked. "Do you remember what you read?"
Shaira racked her brain. "Something about Majico... I'm not sure. I was just reading out loud. I didn't even understand the words fully."
---
Riku stepped closer, gaze sharp as a blade.
"That book can only be read by an Etoile — and they vanished along with the Codex. You claim this was an accident — yet you carry no belongings. No tools. No trace of magic."
"I'm telling the truth!" Shaira protested, her voice rising.
But Riku's mind was already made up.
"Guards," he called out, voice cold. "Seize her. Until we know the truth — she will remain in the holding cell."
Shaira's heart sank.
This is my worst nightmare...
"No — wait!" she cried out.
But strong arms grabbed her from behind, pulling her away.
The last thing she saw was Reika's worried eyes watching her, small hands clasped together as if in silent apology.