Flying Fish Port dock.
Today, the dock was under martial law, as Earl Hobson had arrived with a host of officials. They formed quite the spectacle, with these nobles occasionally gazing out to sea, as if waiting for a certain ship to arrive.
“It’s coming.”
Someone murmured.
On the sea’s horizon, a black speck grew gradually larger. A large ship, quite unlike the usual style of Aromatic Wheat Dukedom, entered their view, approaching Flying Fish Port at an unusually rapid pace.
A giant whale was transporting the ship—it was unmistakably a sorcerer’s ship.
At that moment, two sorcerers stood at the bow of the ship, gazing at the island ahead, situated off the beaten path.
“Sorcerer Bernardson, your academy’s Toyennes has caused a major disruption this time and brought considerable loss to everyone; a proper explanation must be given,” said Ungar, who was there to demand an explanation on behalf of the North Moon Alliance. It was best to make their expectations clear in advance to avoid any greater conflicts later.
“Let’s investigate the matter fully before we talk,” Bernardson replied, unwilling to comment further.
In fact, Toyennes had also caused significant trouble for the academy, and Bernardson intended to settle that score on behalf of the academy as well.
The sorcerer’s ship, sailing with the wind and waves, soon reached the dock’s east bank, raising waves in its wake.
The giant whale dove underwater, its enormous shape prompting many nobles to silently take a half step back, not daring to get too close to the beast.
Seeing the two sorcerers leap onto the dock, Earl Hobson hastened to greet them: “Lord Ungar, we have finally awaited your arrival.” He was extremely respectful in his demeanor, prompting the other nobles to quickly bow and offer their greetings.
Ungar announced, “This is Sorcerer Bernardson from Mongna Ant Land Cottage, who will be persuading Sorcerer Toyennes to account for his actions.”
“Lord Bernardson, welcome to Flying Fish Port. I am Colin Hobson, the City Lord of this small town.”
Earl Hobson knew full well the fearsomeness of a sorcerer and dared not show any negligence, his attitude even more reverent than when dealing with Sorcerer Ungar.
The two sorcerers were not fond of the nobility’s complex formalities and swiftly inquired about Toyennes’s affairs before boarding the ship again and departing, heading straight for Lahr Island, where Toyennes had taken up residence.
…
Above the vast sea, a black ship adorned with patterns sailed at a leisurely pace.
“These are leeches, aren’t they? What are you doing with these little bugs?”
Inside the forward cabin, Pearney, having nothing to do, noticed Ivan with bubbles floating in front of him; each bubble contained a little insect. Curious, she came over for a closer look but didn’t see anything special.
Ivan casually replied, “Bubble leeches, a type of medicine.”
He originally had a jar of bubble leeches, of which he had only brought a dozen or so with him, leaving the rest in the laboratory back at the castle.
“Then don’t answer if you don’t want to.”
Pearney certainly didn’t believe him, and she turned and left the conversation hall, going to the ship’s bow to check the direction and make sure the Iron Ridge Giant Turtle towing the ship did not go astray.
Ivan ignored her and continued to summarize his gains and losses.
The Academic Prodigy panel now displayed nine disciplines:
[Apothecary Skill: lv4(19/1000)]
[Knight Breathing Skill: lv3(183/300)]
[Energy Particle Skill: Lv1(79/100)]
[Meditation Skill: Lv1(31/100)]
[Runes Skill: Lv2(98/200)]
[Linguistics Skill: lv1(22/100)]
[Curse Skill: lv1(16/100)]
[Biology Expertise: lv0(3/10)]
[Study of Planes: lv0(4/10)]
While meditating on the runes sacrificial array, he inexplicably gained a [Study of Planes], its function unknown.
After studying the runes, his Runes Skill gained about 190 Experience Points, advancing to level 2; Curse Skill gained 20 points, upgrading to a level 1 discipline.
At the time, he had used a 3rd Class Light of Wisdom and a 4th Class Light of Great Wisdom, especially finding the latter to be extremely effective. Amidst the collision of various knowledge, it dawned upon him to deduce two things: Spring Bud and Ginger Summer Water.
Spring Bud is a pseudo-Life Seed he derived from combining Breath of Life, sacrificial array runes, and Secret Method Seal, and by referencing the Spring Curse and Life Seed. He named it ‘Spring Bud’.
Ginger Summer Water is a new potion he deduced by integrating Endurance Ginger Water, Physical Strength Potion, sacrificial array runes, and a method to peel off the curse power from the Summer Curse.
When he pondered over the runes sacrificial array in the cave, his mind was set on solving the Curse of Demon’s Resentment, attempting to find a way to break through. Thus, the intended subjects for the Spring Bud and Ginger Summer Water were insects, continuing the ‘Insect Transformation Curse’ method that Toyennes had abandoned.
Luckily, he finally saw some results, making his risky attempt worthwhile.
‘The problem of the Curse of Demon’s Resentment is pressing, and delaying any further could lead to serious consequences.’
Ivan still thought so, as the curse mark on his arm had expanded a bit and his eyes had darkened after previous trials, signifying a severity that he estimated might match the thrice-given curse power Toyennes imparted to his apprentice.
“There are many sea beasts at sea, no one can sleep tonight.”
“No problem.”
Night fell, and Pearney suggested not sleeping at night, which Ivan agreed to.
Pearney guarded the bow, while Ivan guarded the stern.
Not long after, Ivan called Justine over, asking her to watch for him for a while and to call him if anything came up.
Ivan went to the original dormitory.
Following the method derived for ‘Spring Bud,’ he drew a strand of Breath of Life from within himself, condensing it into the size of a rice grain, then used his spiritual power to inscribe runes upon it, just three simple and unique runes.
Understanding is one thing; execution, another.
After ten or more attempts his manipulation became more adept, but all ended in failure, feeling as if there was something lacking.
He wondered if he had missed something or if his understanding was not deep enough.
Upon carefully considering the entire process, he suddenly slapped his forehead, realizing he almost forgot this was the power of a Knight and that he should not approach this task from a sorcerer’s perspective. When even Knight Class Combat Energy could not leave the body, let alone Breath of Life, which was a grade lower.
He extended his palm, condensing a Breath of Life Seed the size of a rice grain beneath the skin of his hand, then inscribed runes on it.
The first one.
The second one.
The rice grain trembled uncontrollably and was on the verge of collapsing.
He quickly suppressed it with Combat Energy, sparing himself trouble within his body.
“As expected.”
After a few more attempts, Ivan finally condensed a complete ‘Spring Bud’.
The Spring Bud referenced the Spring Curse of the Curse of Demon’s Resentment; in fact, it has no connection to the curse itself. Its functions were two-fold: it served as a seed to strengthen insects, and it could establish a deep connection between him and the insects, much like Toyennes passed on the ‘Ode to Spring Trees’ Meditation Method to his apprentices.
Ginger Summer Water was the means to transfer the curse power, more delicate than the method of Toyennes directly endowing a curse mark, and more suitable for insects.
He summoned a bubble leech and implanted the hard-earned Spring Bud into its body. The lack of change was the best outcome, so he set this leech apart in a glass jar.
Ivan stretched languidly as the night deepened, and it was almost the second half of the night.
Replacing Justine, he kept watch until dawn, the night passing surprisingly smoothly.
The ship was inscribed with mysterious runes around it that reduced the aggression of sea beasts towards the ship, which was also within his expectations.
“Ivan, come here quick.”
Just as he was relieved that no mishaps had occurred, Pearney’s somewhat anxious voice rang out.
He went to the bow where Pearney, frowning, said, “It seems we’re going the wrong way.”
“Are you sure?”
“Shouldn’t be wrong.”
Ivan immediately felt that something significant was amiss. He shouted down to the sea surface from the bow, “Joe, is this the way to Flying Fish Port?”
Upon hearing his shout, the Iron Ridge Giant Turtle shook its head up and down, pulling at the ship more vigorously.
The giant turtle thought its disguise was perfect, not realizing that the rolling round eyes betrayed everything.