"Did you mean like a stowaway?" Melody asked, curious.

Of course, he’d told his wives about the quest. There was no way he’d be going about it alone.

"I don’t know, but probably?" He shrugged. "The main thing is to look for someone out of place, and simply identify them. Thankfully, we don’t have to do anything about whether they were out of place or not."

"But the main problem is that the system is never direct. Someone who shouldn’t be here could mean different things." He sighed.

"Like he wasn’t meant to be on this trip but had a last minute change of heart?" Akira asked, frowning.

"Exactly like that." Lukas nodded. "Which means we’d have to go mingle with the rest of the passengers. We have three days before the train gets to Salaria. That should be enough time for us to find the person."

"And what if the person locks themselves in the VIP section of the train?" Melody suddenly asked. "How are we getting through?"

"I heard the conductor of the train is an Adept, so that rules out using force or stealth. So we’ll have to enter the VIP section the old fashioned way. Upgrading our tickets."

Akira frowned at that. "Isn’t the VIP section already full?"

"Yeah it is." Lukas nodded along. "But we have three stops before we get to Salaria. At least one VIP passenger will alight the train by then. We should be able to get their suite by then."

"Sweet." Akira grinned. "What are we waiting for?"

They left the room, heading down the long corridor till they arrived at the first lounge.

The room was large, taking up the space of an entire carriage. There were roundtables at even intervals and some already had passengers sitting around them. Along the wall was a bar, which was currently empty.

At the sight of the drinks on display, Akira’s eyes lit up. She turned to Lukas with a grin. "You can sort out the upgrade yourself. Melody and I will wait for you over at the bar."

And before Melody could protest, she dragged her off.

Lukas watched them go, a small smile on his face. Then he turned away, eyes searching for the exit. They’d be fine. After all, they were S-rank Awakeners. And with Akira’s [Temptation], even an Adept would think twice before attacking them.

After all, an Awakener with an Adept-ranked weapon usually meant the Awakener had connections to one or more Adepts. Only those who didn’t fear retaliation would be so bold to do something untowards.

Lukas flagged down one of the train workers, asking about upgrading their tickets. He was directed down the train through a path that took him through several more lounges and dining rooms before arriving before what looked like an office.

He knocked and a gruff voice responded from inside. "Come in."

He pushed the door open, and the man inside matched his voice to a tee. The man wore an haphazardly buttoned uniform and had a scraggly beard which he was currently scratching. On his chest was a nameplate that read ’Assistant Conductor.’

He was currently leaning back in his chair, his legs crossed on the table before him. On the opposite side of the table were two uncomfortable looking chairs for guests.

"And you are?" The man asked, eyeing Lukas from head to toe.

"Lukas Valentine." Lukas answered, taking a seat. "I’m here to inquire abou—"

"I never said you could sit." The man said.

"What?" Lukas blinked.

"Don’t worry, you already did. Rude, but what can I do? I’m but a lowly assistant conductor. It isn’t as if I’m the equivalent of a demigod on this train or anything."

Lukas could detect the sarcasm in the man’s tone but didn’t comment on it.

"So what did you say you were here for again?" The man asked.

"I’m here to see about upgrading my and my companions’ tickets."

"Where’s your destination?"

"Salaria."

"What do you want to upgrade to?"

"A VIP suite."

"And where are you currently placed on the train?"

"The bunk rooms."

"No can do."

"Excuse me?"

The man lifted his legs from the table, leaning towards Lukas, a vindictive grin on his face. "Forget about getting an upgrade to a VIP suite. You’ll be incredibly lucky to even get an upgrade to a normal bedroom."

"What do you mean?" Lukas asked.

"You’re not the only one who wants to upgrade your room, kid. But we operate by a first come, first serve policy. We already have plenty of people lined up for upgrades, and it certainly won’t reach your turn before you get to Salaria."

The man grinned.

"I was looking for some loophole to reject your upgrade but this is even better. A legitimate reason. Ha!"

Lukas could feel a low anger simmering inside him. All this because he sat down before he was invited to? But he said nothing. Blowing up or attacking the man over a verbal dispute would solve nothing.

"But you’re welcome to leave your name, though," the man said. "A few guests might mysteriously die during the trip and miraculously grant you a suite. Who knows?"

"Apologies, but that would not be possible." Lukas said with a slight smile. "I’m not used to leaving my name to..." he deliberately peeked at the man’s name tag, making sure the man saw the disgust pass across his face, "a mere assistant conductor."

"What did you say?" The man’s eyes flashed, his voice dropping dangerously low.

"What? Are you offended?" Lukas laughed loudly in the man’s face. "Aren’t you just an assistant conductor? Aren’t you here because you have no other prospects in life? If you did, you’d be on the Second Floor somewhere, not trying to act superior over a bunch of Awakeners."

It was clear that this was a sore spot for the man, because he placed both hands on his table and rose to his feet, his S-rank aura billowing off him.

"Say that again." He hissed.

Lukas rose to his full height of six feet, crossing his arms behind his back and placing a dangerous smirk on his face.

"You don’t deserve that from me...," he made sure to say the man’s title in a derogatory manner, "assistant conductor."

Then his own S-rank aura rushed out of him.

"What are you going to do about it?"