The moment Cecil heard the ticket price from the personnel of the ship, she lost all hope of getting a ride on this grand cruise ship. The price of a single ticket was equivalent to one fourth of their current money they had in hand. Thus, to purchase tickets for all four of them, it meant that she had to spend all their money. 

“Please step away to give way to the passengers behind you.” 

The personnel of the cruise ship politely gestured for Cecil and her group to leave, and Cecil led the group away.
 
“We can’t ride this ship?” Hana questioned. 

Cecil shook her head at Hana, a frown creasing her forehead. “It’s too expensive, buying all the tickets will cost our entire savings we have on hand.”  

“Then, let’s just ask K’xug to fly us all the way there!” Hana exclaimed with an innocent smile. 

K’xug immediately snapped his head towards Hana, his eyes growing wide. 

He wanted to cough blood upon hearing that.

The distance between the two continents was two weeks by ship. 
If K’xug were to fly all four of them, including himself, to the next continent, there was no doubt he would die of exhaustion.

Moreover, in the mortal realm, angels and demons did not exist. If someone were to stumble upon the sight of a man flying in the sky with a pair of large, stark white feathery wings behind him, their entire world would collapse. 

“K’xug would probably die from exhaustion if he did that.” Cecil responded with a sympathetic smile on her face.

Xue and K’xug nodded along with Cecil’s words. 

Hana grew sheepish, spitting out her tongue slightly. 

“If there is some way for us to earn a large sum of money, once when we land on the second continent,” Cecil sighed. “I wouldn’t hesitate to spend all our money now for this cruise ship.”
 
“Go for a cheaper option.” Xue suggested. 

Cecil started to recall the events in the book, and she gave Xue a pitiful look. 
Xue noted her expression, blinking in confusion. 

The cheaper options were definitely those reckless boat drivers, and there was no doubt that Hana would start puking all over the boat if they went for the cheaper choices.

“Hana has bad seasickness, so we need to choose a boat that is not too bumpy or too quick.” 

Hana gave everyone a shy smile. “Cecil is right, even my parents are really picky about the boat they choose to ride because of me.” 

Cecil hoped she would not see the scene of Hana vomiting everywhere. 

***

The four of them looked around again for other alternatives. Finally, they found a decent boat with an owner that did not seem too reckless, and neither was the owner a thrillseeker. The boat was located two docking stations away from the cruise ship.

As long as the ride isn’t too bumpy, I am sure Hana will not puke as much.

Cecil started to fork out the money to pay for all four of their boat rides towards the second continent. 

“This is the price of four people.” 

“That’s...right?” 

“There are five of you.” 

Cecil frowned deeply. “Five...of us?” 

The owner of the boat gestured towards the direction of where Xue and K’xug were.

There was a new presence standing in between all of them.

A familiar man with cobalt blue hair. 
Xue and K’xug were currently glaring at the same man. 

“Wha--” 

“...” 

“Veau?!”
 
“What the hell are you doing here?” 

Veau stood there with a lazy smile on his face. “So this is how all of you are spending your time? A boat to sail to the next continent?” 

“Ya don’t know him?” The personnel questioned all four of them. 

“No.”

“Not at all.”

“Nope!”

Cecil, Xue and Hana answered at the same time, with K’xug nodding in agreement. 

“Ah yes, they do not know me,” Veau responded casually. “But I know them very well.” 

Hana hid behind Cecil, peeking at Veau. 

Xue and K’xug made a face. 

Cecil still wore a frown on her face. 

It wasn’t like they could start a fight here at the port, there would be numerous casualties. In addition to that, Veau could easily beat them all without breaking a sweat, hence, there was no point. 

“So are ya boarding my boat with ‘em?” 

“Of course not,” Veau answered with a relaxed smirk. “I did not come here for a boring boat ride.” 

With those words, Veau disappeared into a black mist. 

Just as that happened, the people around them that witnessed the scene started crying out in alarm. 

“Bl-black magic!”
 
“The devil’s incarnate!” 

“This place is cursed! We are all going to be cursed!” 

“Run! Run for your lives!” 

“We are all going to die!” 

“Wahhhh!”

Within a minute, the entire docking station was cleared of people. It became utterly deserted, and only a trail of dust was left behind by the people scrambling away. 

“...”

“...”

“...”

“...”

Cecil slowly turned towards the owner of the boat, only to notice that he was missing from his spot. 

Wh-what?!

The four of them turned to look at the owner dashing away, flailing his arms in the air. 

“Leave me alone! I don’t wanna die!” 

“Take my boat! Take everything!”

“I don’t need your money!”
 
“Ahhhh!” 

Once again, they were left speechless. 
Cecil looked back at the boat, a conflicted look on her face.

Hey, mister...even if we take your boat...

It’s no use since we do not even know how to drive it…

Xue rested his forehead on his palm. “Goddamnit, Veau.” 

K’xug looked at his empty surroundings, blinking rapidly in confusion. It was filled to the brim with people just a few seconds ago. 

These mortals can even compete with the speed of our wings. 

K’xug was in awe.

“They all ran away so quickly! Like the wind!” Hana gasped in amazement.
Cecil sighed. “Looks like we have to take the cruise ship.” 

***

Cecil felt someone tapping her on the shoulder and she turned to look. 
It was K’xug, pointing her towards the personnel that was allowing the passengers to board the cruise ship. The group of passengers he was assessing put their hands up in the air, showing him something. 

In their hands were not tickets, but badges that were carved with an intricate symbol. Its design was delicate, and these badges definitely belonged to a noble family in the Han continent. 

The personnel who saw the badges instantly took off his sailor cap, revealing his blonde hair that had a hint of orange in it, and the black piercings on his right ear. He bowed towards the same passengers, giving them a cordial smile as he gestured for them to board the cruise ship. 

“Those aren’t the tickets…” Cecil murmured to herself. 

K’xug nodded. 

“Wait, Cecil! We have badges like that!”
 
“Ah?” 

“From the queen!” 

Cecil widened her eyes in realisation, looking at Hana.

That’s right, I can’t believe I forgot about something like that. 

They proceeded to take out the badges they kept in their possession, holding it in their palms, except K’xug who only looked at them, puzzled. 

“AI500, can we use these badges to gain free access to the cruise ship?” 

[ You will know once you show these badges to the personnel of the cruise ship. ]

“...can you at least let me know whether it will work or not?

[ I do not know~ ]

“...” 

“Useless system.”

Cecil could not deny it felt good to finally get back at the system. Even though, it was...petty.

[ … ]

[ Hah. ]

“...did you just scoff?” 

AI500 did not respond after that. 

“I suppose we could try our luck,” Cecil smiled, patting Hana on the head. “Thank god you remembered we had something like that.” 

“Mhmm!” Hana nodded with a beam. 

The four of them headed towards the personnel standing at the stairs leading up to the entrance of the cruise ship. Cecil collected all their badges together, preparing to show them all at once. 

“Oh, you are back again, pretty lady--” the personnel started talking in a distracted manner before he stopped himself. “I mean, young mistress.” 

Cecil paid no heed to his words.

“Would you like to purchase the tickets after all? I will guide you towards the ticket booth for--” 

Cecil simply showed the personnel  the badges on her hand, and the personnel paused. He immediately straightened himself, taking off his cap as he bowed. 

“The esteemed guests of the queen,” he stated in a composed manner. “The captain assured me that anyone in possession of these badges will gain free access to the cruise ship at any given time.” 

“So that means there is no need for us to pay any fee?” Cecil asked. 

“Of course not.” 

She sighed in relief. 

“Please proceed to board the cruise ship. We sincerely welcome all of you, and we hope you have a wonderful time.” 

They ascended the stairs to the cruise ship, and Hana was too busy scanning her surroundings since this was her first time on a cruise ship. She tripped on the stairs, and K’xug hastily grabbed her arm to stabilise her. 

“Thank you, K’xug.” 

K’xug nodded, releasing her arm.

At that moment, Cecil realised Xue had stopped moving behind her. He was looking back at the personnel, his eyes narrowed.
 
“Xue? What’s wrong?” 

Xue turned back, facing Cecil as his eyes narrowed even further. 

“There’s just something about that guy that doesn’t feel right.” 

Cecil looked back at the personnel, his orange blonde hair sticking out slightly from his cap, along with the black piercings on his right ear. 

“He has a conspicuous presence,” Cecil stated. “Is that what you meant?” 

“No, it’s more than that.” 

“In what way?” 

Xue was someone who lived in constant fear when he was in the heavenly realm during the war, and he was distrustful of everyone, and when he was thrown down into the mortal realm, he remained in the same manner. 

For him to be overly cautious, it has always been natural to him. 

“Cecil, Xue!” Hana hollered at them, waving her hand at the top of the stairs. “Come on! You guys are so slow!” 

“Nevermind,” Xue said, ascending a few steps as he grasped Cecil’s hand. “We should hurry.” 

“Ah, my hand--” 

Xue smiled softly to himself, only grasping on tighter to Cecil’s hand. 
Cecil looked at their hands, smiling to herself as well as they climbed up the stairs. 

Just like that, their unsettling conversation earlier was brought to a halt.
 
Down below, the personnel just allowed another group of passengers to board. He glanced up the stairs, watching every single figure entering the cruise ship. The personnel lowered his head, adjusting his cap, a devious smirk on his thin, pink lips. 

***

“Welcome aboard the Traveller! May I please see your passes?” 

They lifted their badges to the female attendant greeting them with a bright and wide smile. 

“Oh, the queen’s esteemed guests!” she bowed deeply, straightening herself as her tone grew more polite. “Please follow me to your suites.” 

The four of them glanced at one another, before looking down at their badges. 

We even have a free suite room to stay in?! 

Cecil widened her eyes in shock, regarding the badge in her hands as the holy grail at this moment. 

They followed the female attendant quietly to the suite room, and the two women were stunned speechless by the sheer size, and the luxurious furnishing in the room. 

“Please let me know if there is anything unsatisfactory at this moment,” the female attendant still spoke politely, before gesturing her hands to the red button on the table. “If not, if you require any further assistance, please press on that red button and someone will be with you shortly.” 

“Okay…” 

“Thank you…”
 
The two ladies answered, still in awe. 
“Now for the two young masters, this suite room is connected to another suite room, please follow me to the connecting door.” 

Xue and K’xug followed the female attendant quietly to the connecting door.

After that, the female attendant gave all of them a concise introduction about the cruise ship, the Traveller, along with the facilities present. 

“You have a training hall on this ship?” Cecil questioned, astonished. 

“Every year in the main capital of Tul, the second continent, a tournament is held. It is extremely common for fighters to be our passengers on the Traveller.” 

The female attendant explained patiently with the same bright smile.
“In the past, these same fighters loved to use any empty area in the Traveller for their own training session, and brawls were inevitable. Finally, our captain decided to build a training hall to cater to these same fighters.” 

Cecil nodded in understanding. 

“Also, because of the brawls, the Traveller has been heavily damaged on several occasions. Thus, the captain installed the energy dampening lanterns all over the ship.” 

The female attendant gestured to the lanterns that resembled a dreamcatcher hanging all around the suite room. 

Hana pouted to herself.

This means I cannot train my archery skills. 

Cecil nodded once again. “Alright, thank you for the explanation.” 

Since the lanterns only affected Cecil and Hana, Xue and K’xug did not show any reaction to it. 

“I will take my leave now, once again, please press on the red button if you require any assistance.” 

“Oh, one more question!” 

“Yes, young mistress?” 

“How long does it take for this ship to reach Tul?” 

“Two weeks at most.” 

“Alright, thank you.” 

The female attendant left quietly, leaving the four of them in the room. 

“Two weeks? That’s so looooooong!” Hana complained. “And I can’t even train to shoot here!”
 
Cecil sighed to herself, smiling slightly. “Looks like we have to find something to kill time on this ship.” 

“Physical training?” Xue suggested, looking at K’xug. 

K’xug nodded in agreement. 

“For two whole weeks?” Cecil asked with wide eyes. 

“We used to train for three months straight in the past,” Xue looked at K’xug again. “Didn’t we?” 

K’xug nodded once again. 

Three months straight with hardly any breaks.

Cecil smiled nervously. 

Hana imagined training for three months straight without doing anything else, and her face twisted. 

Kai: “Three months straight?!” 

Zasiok: “Even I don’t train that hard as the captain of the guards.”

Sid: “Did you at least eat?!”

Leonaut: “...is food all you can think of?” 

Alric: “I-I can barely last two hours of training…”

Isleif scoffed. 

Isleif: “Pathetic vermins.” 

All of them turned towards Isleif, except Alric. 

Kai: “That reminds me, we haven’t beaten this guy up yet.” 

Leonaut: “Don’t forget the pain he made us go through.” 

Zasiok: “Break his arms and legs.” 

Sid: “I may be a glutton and think about food all day long, but I am no vermin!” 

Sid rolled up his sleeves, swinging his arm around. 

Alric: “He-help me punch him once too!” 

Kai: “You do it yourself, Alric, come on!”

Isleif stiffened. 

After all, in the mind of Xue, they could not use any powers, they could only use their arms and legs to fight...or even do a headbutt. However, they could still feel pain on their own, since they had their own consciousnesses. 
 
Five against one, it was obvious which side would win.
 
They ganged up on Isleif, who gritted his teeth and tried his best to fight back. Alas, Isleif was beaten black and blue by the others as they shouted out “for Cecil and Xue” repeatedly. 

Xue, who was unintentionally dragged into their conversation and antics, found himself cracking a small amused smile and he snorted. 

“Oh, Xue? What are you laughing and smiling about?” Hana asked, smiling along with Xue.
 
“It’s nothing, just some idiots beating up a bastard.”

The soul fragments in Xue’s mind barked at him, demanding what he just called them all, except Alric. 

Xue grew more amused, his smile growing bigger. 

Hana tilted her head to one side. 
Cecil observed Xue with an enigmatic smile. 

Xue noticed her smiling at him, and he frowned slightly. “Why are you...looking at me like that?” 

“You are smiling more and more now.” Cecil spoke gently, taking a few steps closer to Xue, and his grey eyes followed her every movement.

“...I am really glad to see that, Xue.” 
Her smile grew wider as she said those words, making his heart skip a beat.

“Cecil, you like seeing Xue smile?” 

Cecil nodded at Hana, still smiling. “I do, it suits him really well.” 

Hana tried to hide her smile as she looked at Xue.
 
That response from Cecil made his heart flutter, and Xue found himself tongue-tied, unable to respond to something like that. 

“...”

His awkward behaviour soon attracted the attention of three of them, and if one inspected closely, they would notice a red tint at the tip of his ears. 

Cecil observed Xue curiously, before she slowly processed her words and she gasped, narrowing her eyes at Hana, almost exploding from embarrassment.
 
“...!”

“I didn’t mean to--I mean, I meant to--no, I mean--” Cecil fumbled, panicking. “I-I will be in the bathroom!” 

She dashed off like the wind.

“Oh my--” Hana whispered to herself, covering her mouth as she giggled at the blushing couple. “You should continue smiling, Xue!” 

“O-oh.” Xue tried to remain indifferent, clearing his throat but there was a constant tiny smile playing on his lips.

A tiny smile adorned K’xug face, and he rolled his eyes. 

***

Pt. 1

《 start 》

It’s not like she said she liked me. 

She just said she liked seeing me smile. 
That’s all. 

...but...but it feels like I am at the top of the world.

《 stop 》

***

Pt. 2

《 start 》

An idiot calling others an idiot. 

It suits you, Xue. 

...and you should thank Hana for luring an answer like that from Cecil. 

《 stop 》