The river of time has moved swiftly in the passing months.
Rayashki is bustling with the sounds of a busy and hopeful community.
Crowds of people, lively and spirited, weave to-and-fro.
A disheveled figure hurries into the scene.
Windsong: Thank goodness! I was hoping you'd be here!
Windsong: Oh, erm, is this a bad time?
Vila: Heh heh, no, it's alright. Have a seat.
Vila: I'm not a pure Rusalka. As you can see, I must get in touch with water every once in a while to replenish my power from the ocean.
Windsong: Ahem. Hello, Comrade Vila.
Vila: It's been a while, Comrade Windsong.
Vila: They say you're working hard in the mine, and the study of ley lines is getting popular among the workers.
Windsong: They have helped a lot. My research on the environment wouldn't have gone nearly so smoothly without them.
Windsong: It's given a second life to my studies, and it is growing so well. It has even gained some recognition beyond Rayashki.
Windsong: I, I'm truly happy that I came here.
Vila: I never thought the Comrade Windsong would be so bashful over her accomplishments. I thought you were more stubborn and confident than that.
Windsong: ...
Vila: I'm only teasing, comrade. It's a matter of fact that you are not as fearless as you pretend to be, isn't it?
Vila: That's why we must all stick together to make up for each other's weaknesses and make Rayashki proud! Sorry, speeches have become an occupational habit.
Windsong: Fine, you got me. But it's not a big deal. Just as you are not quite the gentle and demure school teacher that you appear to be, are you, comrade?
Windsong: We're even!
Windsong clears her throat and hands the letter to Vila.
Windsong: Actually, I've come to say goodbye.
Windsong: Laplace has invited me to give a lecture for their European branch. They want me to give a lecture on how I combined environmental analysis with the arcanum based on what we've done here in Rayashki.
Vila: Sounds like a very promising new beginning for your studies.
Windsong: How are things going in the town?
Vila: We are getting more visitors now. It seems people are eager to see something different.
Windsong: I'm sure they will.
Vila: We've also begun cooperating with many governments and agencies near us, including the Foundation.
Vila: They hope to carry out some short-term training on the arcanum for the children.
Another letter is passed on.
Windsong: What's this?
Vila: Open it. It's from the Foundation.
Vila: Mr. Name Day invites me to visit the Foundation and discuss further cooperation. The children are also waiting for me there.
Vila: It seems they mentioned you all the time during their training.
Vila: "Did we miss the ley line exam?"
Vila: "The Foundation has all sorts of incredible things."
"Avgust": Like biting coins, noisy coal balls, a glass pen with rainbows inside. So much fun!
"Pasono": I've mastered a lot of incantations!
"Nina": I miss the town and everyone.
"Avgust": Yeah. We miss Comrade Alenka, Comrade Blinchik, and Comrade Piroshki!
"Pyotr": They say we will be able to go home in a few months!
"Pyotr": I must master the most powerful arcane skills by then, so I can use them to protect the town!
"Avgust": We'll transform into sea swallows!
"Avgust": Then we'll be able to fly and fly to far, far away!
Radio Broadcaster I: The Kaslinska University Hospital received a rare case today.
Radio Broadcaster I: The patient's veins irreversibly transformed into electric wires. As of 18:00, all arterial, venous, and capillary tissues throughout the patient's body have undergone necrosis.
Radio Broadcaster I: The director said they would invite more professionals to the consultation to decide on further research directions.
Radio Broadcaster I: Global Variety News has claimed the case may become one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of the era.
Radio Broadcaster I: They started a new column to analyze possible compatibilities between the patient's new wired veins and different appliances.
Radio Broadcaster I: Please stay tuned for more details.
Radio Broadcaster II: The Flying Carpet Travel Agency is starting a tour around Northern Europe ...
Radio Broadcaster II: ... where you will be able to see the breathtaking aurora borealis, pet fluffy Qiqirns, and even enjoy a flying carpet race.
Radio Broadcaster II: The destination of our tour is Rayashki.
Radio Broadcaster II: A mysterious town, the warmest place in the Arctic Circle, sitting atop many rich veins of coal.
Radio Broadcaster II: When you get there, we suggest that you abide by the town's wishes and work to earn what you need instead of buying it. Though this is not an obligation, of course.
Radio Broadcaster II: But why not have a try when you are given the opportunity to experience a new and better lifestyle? Trust me, you won't be disappointed.
???: Heh heh.
???: Where should I start, dear readers?
???: Rayashki is like a sparkling gem embedded into the permafrost. And above flies an eye-catching banner. Perhaps it will draw even more attention in the future.
???: Through the past decades, the citizens there have been trying to achieve something different for themselves.
???: A great cause which may take the work of generations to achieve.
???: But now they are no longer a nameless town in the far north, nor is their dream a passing fad bound to be forgotten.
???: I sincerely hope all of us will be able to witness its history and its future.
???: That's why I knew I must write down this story. In the hopes that their dream will remain in your heart forever.
