Xue and K’xug were back in the suite room, drying their hair with the towel in their hands. The towels were provided by the cruise ship. The cruise ship was equipped with the best facilities, thus, it was no surprise that the towels were of good quality. 

Thankfully, Cecil had brought more than enough clothing for the two men. Albeit, the style was rather plain and simple, and their outfits were similar to one another, almost completely in black. 

Cecil was at the door, soothing the staff members that were fussing to help them with anything else. After all, being the queen’s honoured guests were no simple matter to the staff of the cruise ship. 

“Do you need any more help?” 

“It’s alright.” 

“Any medicine you require from the healer? The weather is rather chilly, they might catch a cold.” 

“That’s fine, we can get it on our own if we need to.” 

“Do you need some warm tea? We can deliver right to your suite without--” 

“No need, we can brew our own tea here.” 

“What about--” 

Cecil wanted to cry without tears.

How many times do I have to keep rejecting their help?! 

Back in the suite room, Hana looked at the two men, trying to hold back her laughter. 

She earned a look from both of them. 

“Everyone was running all over the ship to save the two of you because you fell over,” Hana giggled even more. “It was so funny!” 

Xue sniffled in embarrassment. 

K’xug glanced away. 

The two of them earned many curious and baffled stares from the passengers of the ship. They were escorted back to their suite room with a large towel covering them as water dripped from their clothes. 

Hana decided to reenact the same scene of chaos on the ship with exaggerated expressions.

“They were like, oh my god! They fell over, they fell over!” 

“Stop the ship, someone save them!” 

“Some of the staff members even wanted to throw themselves into the sea, like--like that, and--and like that!”

Hana tried acting out the same movements with awkward stumbling and a bright smile. 

“Hehe! It was so funny, and cute!” Hana dissolved into a fitful of giggles. 

The two men grew even more embarrassed. 

“Why did you even start fighting anyway?” Hana questioned, her eyes wide in curiosity. 

Xue lifted his hand, pointing it silently at K’xug sitting beside him. 

K’xug smacked Xue's accusing finger away, using one hand to dry his hair with the towel.  

Xue pointed it at him again. "It's all your fault, stop trying to avoid it."

K’xug looked at him with an accusing look as well. 

You were strangling me, I had to put up a fight. 

Hana tilted her head. “So whose fault was it?” 

The two men pointed to each other at the same time before snapping their heads up, narrowing their eyes at one another. 

“It’s your fault.” 

K’xug shook his head, glaring at Xue, still jabbing his finger at Xue. 

“What do you mean it’s my fault? You started it.” 

K’xug jabbed his finger again at Xue. 

“You--just admit it, it was your fault.”

In the end, the conversation escalated into a petty fight of fingers pointing and jabbing. 

Hana watched on in confusion and mirth. 

***

Within Xue’s mind, one of the the soul fragment was just as amused as Hana. 

“What are you? Kids?” Kai questioned. 

However, Xue was still too engaged in winning the pointing game with K’xug. 

“Why did it become a game of seeing who is the one stronger at pointing fingers?” 

Meanwhile, Zasiok and Alric were back to playing chess. Leonaut was observing their match, and Zasiok had once again lost three times in a row. 

“Yo, Alric, just move this here and it’s checkmate.” Leonaut advised, his arm around Alric’s shoulder. 

“A-ah, you are right.” Alric nodded.

He moved the chess piece without thinking, and he won the round again. Once he realised what happened, he paled and looked up at Zasiok.

Zasiok was unhappy once again, flicking some of the chess pieces off with a grimace. 

Leonaut was clapping and laughing away in a sarcastic manner. “Not so calm and composed anymore, are you? Hahaha.” 

“Why you--” Zasiok growled out, grabbing Leonaut by the collar. 

Leonaut raised his arms up in surrender, a roguish smirk on his face. 

“Wh-why are you fighting again?!” Alric panicked, standing up from his seat, his arms reaching out and flailing about.

Sid was snoring away on the couch, muttering out different types of food. 

“Fried chicken, dumplings, sweet and sour pork…”

Isleif was just brooding in his room, it was furnished with a simple bed. His entire room was just a mixture between two colours, midnight black and a crimson red, including his bed. He winced, rubbing at the cut on his lips. 

“Pathetic--” Islief growled out, pausing as he looked around with wide eyes before he lowered his voice. “Pathetic vermins.” 

Kai looked at the state of all the soul fragments, nodding to himself with a forced toothy grin. “Who am I kidding, we are all like kids in here too.” 

“Who are you calling a kid?!” Two different voices called out in dissatisfaction. 

“Damn,” Kai flinched back. “How did they even hear that?” 

***

Cecil came back into the room after sending away the overly helpful staff members of the cruise ship. She heaved a sigh of relief, halting abruptly when she saw the strange scene of K’xug and Xue jabbing fingers at one another. 

“No, you started it.” 

K’xug shook his head.

“Stop pointing at me.” 

K’xug shook his head again.

“I’ll continue pointing at you until you stop pointing at me.” 

K’xug just put in more effort in pointing at Xue. 

“Stop pointing!” 

Hana played the role of a captivated audience, giggling and smiling to herself. At one point, she lifted her hands and pointed at the two men, beaming as if she had won a competition.

Cecil found it hard to speak for a long moment. 

“Do I…” Cecil trailed off, her face completely bewildered. “Do I want to know what is going on here?” 

“It’s a pointing game!” Hana chirped, pointing everywhere in the room. “Point! Pointtttt! Point! It’s funny!”

Cecil couldn’t help but chuckle softly. 

It was as if the two of them had jolted out of their daze, noticing how ridiculous they looked to other people. It was more embarrassing for Xue, since it was in front of the person he liked. 

Xue cleared his throat awkwardly, withdrawing his hand. 

K’xug did the same, glancing away before he escaped from the suite. 

“Ah, K’xug, wait a second,” Cecil jogged up behind him. “I need to ask you something.” 

K’xug looked at Cecil, stopping in his steps. 

“Physical training just isn’t good enough,” she shook her head. “The more people I fight with, the more weapons they use.” 

Swords were the most common soulbound weapons, but since the world is so vast, different types of soulbound weapons existed too.

Cecil knew she was completely helpless without her elemental powers, she needed to train herself to fight physically with different weapons too. Thus, she would be able to understand the opponent’s reach and movements. 

When I fought against Kiyae with her nunchucks, I could not move as fluidly as compared to fighting with someone holding a sword. 

My movements were restricted. 

She needed to get used to fighting with people that used different weapons. 

K’xug paused for a second, his mind comprehending Cecil’s words as he nodded. He gestured for Cecil to follow him, leaving Xue and Hana behind in the room. 

Xue watched Cecil leave, frowning to himself. 

Why doesn’t she just ask me to help her train? 

Xue recalled the memory of Cecil avoiding him back in the mansion, frowning deeper. 

Don’t tell me...she still wants to avoid being alone with me? 

However, it wasn’t what Xue was thinking.

In Cecil’s mind, she has been training with K’xug all along since Xue was coaching Hana. Thus, she had grown accustomed to having K’xug train her, especially since advised her how to add more power into her kicks. 

Xue turned to look at Hana, and she was pointing her finger at him with a smile. 

“...Hana.” 

“Mmm?” Hana tilted her head, bringing her hand down. “You want to ask something?” 

“Back in the mansion, Cecil...avoided me alot and I asked you why, but you avoided me too,” Xue hesitated, scratching his head. “Can I ask the reason why, right now?” 

The smile on Hana’s face froze. 

“Yo-you want to know the reason why...Cecil avoided you?” 

Xue nodded impassively. 

However, on the inside, there were a million questions swirling in his mind. Ever since Veau outright beat him black and blue the other day, showing his anger towards Xue, Xue began to wonder. 

He began to wonder what he had ever done to make Veau betray him. 

He began to wonder whether he had ever hurt Veau as a friend. 

He began to wonder if he had ever hurt anyone. 

That was when he realised...in his process of getting hurt, he hurt many others around him as well. 

Thus, he jumped to the conclusion that the reason behind Cecil avoiding him, was because...he had hurt her in some way. 

Hana smiled nervously, wringing her fingers together. “We-well, back when we were in the cave, I--I was getting annoyed with Cecil.” 

“Annoyed with her?” Xue frowned. “Why? Did she do something?” 

Hana recalled the memories, pouting as she nodded vigorously. “Yes! And she did it many times!” 

“Many times?” 

“Everytime I am with her, she keeps asking herself…” Hana trailed off, pretending to be Cecil questioning herself. “Why is Xue doing this for me? Why is Xue treating me this way? Why is Xue behaving so strangely?” 

Xue blinked in confusion.

“So I--I told her, of course Xue will do this for you! Because it’s you, Cecil!” Hana huffed. “I told her many times, and--and I thought she would understand eventually, that you like her!” 

Xue was slightly taken aback. 

“Then, she did not understand even after sooooo many times,” Hana pouted. “She did not understand at all, and continued on that way!” 

She inhaled deeply, looking at Xue.  

“So that day in the cave, she asked the same question again!” Hana pursed her lips, huffing again. “I was so annoyed, so I just said right in her face that you like her!” 

“You really, reaaaaaally like her!” 

The towel that Xue was holding in his other hand dropped onto the bed and slipped down to the floor. 

Hana gasped in realisation, covering her mouth before she made random, incoherent noises, going back to her nervous state. “So...so that’s why, she started avoiding you be-because she became too conscious…”

“In the romance novels I have read, the boy always confesses to the girl first, so…” Hana played with her fingers again, biting on her lower lip. “And I ruined it all so…so…”

She looked at Xue, who was currently unresponsive. 

“Uhm…” Hana hopped in front of Xue, waving her hand in his face. “Xu-Xue?” 

Xue just blinked his eyes at Hana, his face indifferent.

“Ar-are you really sad that I ruined the chance for you to say it first?” Hana winced out. 

Xue did not say a word. 

Hana started to slowly back out of the room, cupping her hands around her mouth. “At--at least, Cecil knows now!” 

She proceeded to run out of the suite with a squeal. 

Xue watched Hana disappear, a short chuckle escaping his lips. He was still in disbelief, but Hana was right. 

She isn’t so oblivious to my feelings now. 

Xue sighed to himself, picking up the towel from the floor.

***

“What are you looking at, Hana?” 

Hana was lying down on the large, comfy bed in the suite room. Her arms were up in the air, looking at the handkerchief in her hands. Cecil just came out from her shower, noticing Hana on the bed. 

“Those people called themselves pirates and thieves,” Hana mumbled, frowning. “They are bad guys, right?” 

Cecil nodded with a hum. “They held you as hostage, and threatened to kill you.” 

“But they gave me this handkerchief when I was going to vomit,” Hana frowned even deeper, pouting. “Bad guys don’t do nice things.” 

“They are...weird bad guys.” 

“Weird bad guys?” 

“Someone like…” Cecil tapped her finger on her chin. “Someone like Veau.” 

Though...Veau is on another level of weird. 

Hana hummed to herself, thoughtful before she shrugged. “When I meet those weird bad guys again, I’ll pass them back this handkerchief!” 

“How do you know you are going to meet them again?” Cecil furrowed her eyebrows. 

“Mmmmm…” Hana hummed again. “It’s just a feeling!” 

“Just a feeling?” 

Hana nodded with a bright smile. 

Cecil did not know whether to feel uneasy or amused. 

***

The rest of the journey to the second continent was serene. There were no other attacks and the sea did not become choppy again either. 

Cecil was relieved to not have Hana getting seasick and vomiting all over. 

Moreover, the time they spent training on the ship turned out to be fruitful, both of them felt that they have improved in their physical abilities. 

Soon enough, the view of the second continent came into full view. 

They were close to reaching the port, and Cecil was admiring the view from the deck of the ship, her jaw dropping open. 

Nothing beats seeing the view in person, rather than reading it from a book. 

The buildings and structures in the first continent were nothing compared to the first continent, Han. Compared to the second continent, Tul, the buildings in Han continent would be considered simple and plain. 

Everything stretched high up into the sky, and its architecture was brilliant. Cecil recognised that the buildings and structures here had elements of Japanese and Chinese architecture in them. It was unlike the first continent, Han, where the structures seemed more of an European architecture. On the buildings, they were huge, intricate symbols similar to the yin yang symbol or the patterns of a dragon. 

The buildings had more splashes of colours compared to the building in the first continent, giving the entire port a more vibrant atmosphere. 

“This is...beautiful.” Cecil gasped out in amazement, her eyes taking in the sight.

“It is!” Hana nodded along, wrapping her arm around Cecil’s arm. “This is my first time coming to the second continent too!” 

Cecil nodded dumbly. 

For Xue and K’xug, the buildings in the heavenly realm did not have many splashes of colours, thus, it was a different sight for them too. The colours ranged from red, blue, green, white and so much more. 

It was ostentatious, to say the least. 

Cecil found it amazing how the architecture managed to fit in perfectly with the different varieties in colour. 

Eventually, the time came for the passengers to disembark as they gathered up their belongings. The entire port was filled with docked ships, and a crowd of passengers queuing up to leave or board ships. 

The four of them were still busy admiring the architecture in their own way, leaning against the railing. 

They were awaiting for the passengers to disembark, not wanting to squeeze with them to leave the ship. 

“Honoured guests of the Han queen,” one of the staff members greeted them with a bow. “May I know if it is your first time in Akai?” 

“Yes,” Cecil nodded. “It is the first time for all of us.” 

Unlike the events in the novel, the only guide they had was Xue’s instincts to find his soul fragments. 

It would benefit them if they had a proper guide to follow for the second continent. 

“Once you disembark from the ship, you’ll pass by the main lobby area,” the staff member explained with a polite smile. “Someone will be there to greet you and guide you around Akai, we hope you have enjoyed the time on the Traveller.” 

Cecil was still amazed at the preferential treatment she gained from using the badge given by the queen. 

“Thank you...very much.” 

The staff member smiled, guiding them off the ship once it was less crowded. 

The port led straight to the main lobby area where everyone had to pass through regardless. The main lobby area was as impressive as the exterior design of the city. It had no ceiling, thus, the sun shone down on the cobblestones that led to the wooden stairs.  

The four of them walked on, and Cecil noted the stricter security checks compared to Biru. 

Someone stepped into their way suddenly, an amiable smile on their face. 

“Welcome to Tul, honoured guests of the queen,” the man greeted, dressed in samurai-like robes. “I will be the guide for you around Akai, please follow me.” 

The guide paused, observing the four guests and their outfits. 

It is really their first time. 

Many tourists adore our clothing and our architecture, since it is what we are known for. 

The guide contemplated for a moment, before he slowly came to a stop and turned around. “Before I start, is there any specific place or thing you would like to know about?” 

“Yes, there is a question I have in mind.” Cecil spoke up.

“Please ask away, young mistress.” 

“What’s the fastest way to earn money around here?” 

“...”

The guide felt the smile on his face becoming stiff.

***

《 start 》

Why did she avoid me? 

Did I...did I do something to unintentionally hurt her?

Did I say something wrong? 

Should I apologise even if I have no idea what it is? 

No matter.

Whatever it is, I will apologise. 

I do not want to get betrayed by anyone anymore-- 

…

...what? 

Th-that was the reason behind her avoiding me?

...that’s a relief. 

…!

Wait a minute. 

Did Hana say she told Cecil I really like her? 

I--

《 stop 》