A small lesson in geography. Think of the world as a flat plane that stretches forever from side to side, with bottomless void, and filled by flying islands scattered at different altitude. The Republic and Milium just happened to be on the largest island known to man, Ha. One must realize its short name signify the ancient roots it must have been based on.

Beside The Republic and Milium, there is another country everyone almost forgot about. It is located near the east side of the island, shaped like a small slice of pie. Officially named Federation of Peace and Freedom. Most people called it Feds, for short. They are another major player in the war between The Republic and Milium, acting either as an intermediary or a puppet that's controlled by the highest bidder.

Most of the landmass that's under Fed's control are located outside of the mainland of Ha. Every island serves different purposes. Military, medical, research institutions, and entertainment. One of the entertainment centric island is Roze. A paradise for those who seek happiness of any kind, especially one most men would search for. In between its extreme rides of roller coasters, pods that flew into the sky without any attachments, and theaters of magic and sleight of hand, there is an area only accessible for those with a real identity card.

Yes, a real identity card. Only those above the age of twenty five can acquire. None of those baby cards which everyone owns since birth. This is the real deal. You can drove high speed cars with it. Do dangerous jobs without being in the military. Creating your own political groups. Voting for a candidate in a general election.

"Mom is gonna be so pissed if she found out about this. Thank goodness she is no longer in contact with me." The motherless-behavior-man is Lukman. He is donning an open button floral shirt, wearing bracelets given to him by a loon stewardess, a white headband, and sunglasses. His luggage is already on its way to his hotel room, courtesy of the Airline Service.

"God damn why is it so bright and hot in this place?!" Jackson said it with his hand covering a part of his eyes. The place is warmer than usual, no cloud nearby. But it seems the locals don't mind the weather one bit.

Traveling from Ha to Roze Island is not an easy task, back in the day. Nowadays any island, given a finite patience, can be accessed with a loon. A loon is a giant container full of human being. A flying building, hovering with the power of air, mana powered lifters, and centuries of technological advancements. The frame is strong and flexible, necessary to traverse through rough conditions. The clear and smooth glass windows are marvels of precision and understanding of materials. Most importantly, it lifts itself the same principle of flying islands, controlled by a reliable computer at the helm. They say, no one will forget about every loon accidents, because there are so few.

Back on the ground, Lukman is drawing a magic circle on the sand. He is using a regular wooden stick, trying to conjure a spatial clairvoyance magic. Basic stuff, but useful when you're visiting a new place.

"We have a map for that, you don't need to waste your mana." Said Jackson while holding up his gadget. Most phone nowadays have a Universal Positioning System already installed, so the need for a traditional magic is rarely needed.

"Doing magic is fun Jackson, you have to try it sometimes. Don't get too caught up in phones. It could die when you need it most, the signal strength could disappear anytime, and it's not mentally challenging enough."

"I know how to make lights, create waters, and do laundry with it. Anything other than that, is some nerd engineering stuff I refuse to understand."

After a little splash of mana, a path of light came out between the cracks of the floor. It glows and can be clearly seen, only to the conjurer though. Everyone else can't see it.

"Look up, your magic is slower than that sign." Right above Lukman's magic circle, there's a post with road signs attached to it. One of them happens to be the direction they're going, Puff-Puff Hotel. A great name for those who understands. Lukman can only smile and walk alongside Jackson to the destination.

From the Loon LZ to Puff-Puff Hotel, they need to walk through stores and malls filled only with entertainment things. There are stores for open-source game consoles, another for finding love, love markets, sport centers, movie theaters, music jungles, and bikes. Every store's presentation also differs greatly, having their own freedom of identity. One might cater more for the public, the other will probably invite children or the young demographics more.

The holiday season hasn't started just yet. The usually busy road is sparse in populace if comparison with its peak season. Yet there are still tourists walking around in casual outfit. Mostly officemen with unused days-off.

Several minutes after walking off the LZ, Lukman have found himself in a weird place. A couple paces down into Uptown Abby block A, there's an infamous and insistent man with weird getups that bothers tourists. He had gone viral a month ago, largely based off his antics with other uninet stars.

People with magi-camera gathered around him to immortalize his so called "outfit of the day". Currently, he's wearing a cosplay, taken from a video game that was released yester-week. Bodacious Hancock, a game with pirates and detective-like aesthetic. The main character Hancock, is the captain of a cruise ship which must be maintained as normal. The contrast with the murder mystery that's happening at the start of the game, drives the plot forward.

He's approaching Lukman fast, soon after he came into his peripheral view. Before reaching him, he had already holding a pamphlet in his off-hand.

"If you looking for some fun, how about visiting Mirrors Palace just south of here? We got girls from all around the world ready to serve you. Here, take this pamphlet, show it to the lady in front, and you will get special discount. How's that sound?"

A kid with magi-camera is following his movement, Lukman's mug became a collateral. Jackson is further behind, saving him from an embarrassing encounter with the public. Jackson hangs back soon after everyone's attention was on Lukman.

"I don't know what are you talking about. I'm here for water slide and giant see-saws."

Hancock, his name from now on, whispers into Lukman's ears. "Can you just take this and move on, I got quotas man!"

He then move back from his ears and announce in loud and dramatic voice. "Ah this man lacks vigors! Go away you philistine, those who don't understand true artistry of the human body, should never enjoyed it!"

Both Lukman and Jackson fast walk their way out of attention. An agent on vacation is still an agent. It is always in bad taste when your face is shared around the uninet, no matter how small your role in the organization might be.

The hotel is located not far from where Hancock's was. Although they can't directly see it, it's only several sharp turn away from where they stand. Lukman's clairvoyance led them towards a white metal gate. In front of it is a security personnel, male, in his 30s, and only equipped with a baton. He puts a friendly face, smiling even when he's unaware of a Lukman's existence. On the top of his post is a snazzy glowing stickers with the word "Puff-Puff" on it.

Lukman turn his head around the place. He's trying to peer inside of the building, to no success. "Excuse me, do you know where the luggage drop-off is located?"

The security instantly locked eyes with him and before any words is uttered. "You must be our guest for tonight. Please put your mana-finger on this plate to proceed. We will guide you to your luggage shortly."

On the security desk is a plate with carvings of magic circuitry. It is commonly used for getting a personal unique identifier. Although it was invented a hundred years ago, it is still the simplest way to verify someone without any intrusive background checks. No one really need an identity card, just this unique identifier.

Every adult (including Lukman) that have interacted with any kinds of administration knew the drills. First, you must prepare a "mana-finger". It's simply an act of dipping ones finger in a bowl of mana. After laying down the finger on the plate, the magic circuit will complete itself. It radiates a faint blue light for a second, then a bunch of strange letters are written above ones hand. These unknown yet ancient writing system forgotten by time are then compared to the hotel's guest record for verification. Although no one understand the meaning behind those letters anymore, most people in the hospitality industry were trained to compare it with their record in less than a second.

"Ah, mister Lukman and Jackson. Five night stay in Classy Suite, correct?"

"Yeah, that's accurate." Lukman replied hastily. He is in need of doing something.

"Please come inside, please follow the red carpet to the first desk you see. Our receptionist will guide you inside." He waved his hand towards the building, opening the security door in the process.

There's a noticeable difference in the air. It's cleaner than the outside, cold and refreshing. The place exudes a warmth and feeling of exclusiveness. Every customer-facing employees are all female. They are wearing a thematically appropriate clothes, which clearly shows their job. The girl behind the desk is has a tuxedo with skimpy line on. Her curves are not leaving much to the imagination. She gave them a tiny but sincere smile, her head nods, hands clasped in front of her face.

"Thank you for choosing Hotel Puff-Puff as your primary destination for leisure and comfort. My name is Jane and I will be your guide. Do not hesistate to ask for assistance and we will also answer all of your question. We are in your service." Her behavior are robotic, to say the least. The only thing that moved was her lips and lower jaw.

Jackson turn his head around searching for his belongings. He ask Jane for them, in his usually slow and gentle tone. "What about our luggage?"

"It is already being transported into your room, Mister Jackson. Please, follow me and I will guide you them." She is still standing in the same pose.

The hotel is not crowded, most employee stands around to guard and be ready for any request. But it's not barren either, a family of three went past by Jackson, already wearing their swimwear. They are going to a water park nearby, open until midnight.

Access to any of the hotel's room are regulated by keycards and physical keys. There are also emergency stairs exist, but people usually use either the elevators instead.

Unlike other cheap hotels, the elevators does not require manual floor button pushing. Everything are done using keycards. Tapping it near the elevator door will automatically bring you to the desired floor, where your room resides. Regular use of this system have saved the hotel from tedious man-hours being wasted on guest that doesn't know how to operate regular buttons. They exist, even if you think no one is that impossibly stupid.

Both Jackson and Lukman are given a keycard each, their room are beside each other. In front of their doors, the girl then bowed and left them to their own businesses. She gave each of them their keycards.

"Let's see, how about we rest until the sky goes dark, then look around the city after that?" Jackson is stepping inside of his room, his voice echoes to the rest of the corridor. Lukman is still standing and resting his back outside. They have identical room layout, it mirrors one another.

"Yeah, let's do that. I'm tired doing nothing on the Loon, gonna catch some z's. Good day Jackson."

"Good day Lukman."