After cleaning up and fixing the scattered furniture and essentials in their quarters, Cetas headed up and rested in the main deck.

He laid down, sprawling over the floor with his face facing upward. Luckily, there were a few clouds blocking the sun in the sky, the sunlight couldn’t burn or sear his eyes.

He laid there for quite a while, simply regaining his depleted Zeal.

He felt his eyelids become heavy, the exhaustion washing over him.

Yet a question remained in his mind.

Is it alright to sleep now?

Of course, Cetas was the main cause of the prior attack. His Droplet of Divinity would attract many more soon!

He carried his body upwards, sitting upright.

No. I can’t rest now..

Cetas then stood up and headed to the Captain’s chambers near the rear end of the ship.

Upon reaching the door leading to it, he lightly knocked and said:

"It’s Cetas.."

From behind the door, he heard the ever-so soft voice of Skadi.

"Come in."

Entering the Captain’s chambers, he was met with several maps pinned on the wall. There were strands of string and thin iron wires hanging several more maps.

The room was warm, several times more than the outside.

In fact, Cetas could feel a distinct sense of wind inside.

At that moment, he understood.

Was she drying the maps?

Perhaps so..

Still, it was not for Cetas to meddle with.

"Sit down, child. Let me finish what I’m doing for a second.."

In her right hand, Skadi held a small wooden chest that was tightly shut. A copper key floated in the air, slowly going towards the insides of Skadi’s coat.

Then, Skadi let go of the chest, and it too, floated in the air.

The chest entered a compartment in the table near Skadi.

With a thunk, Skadi moved her fingers and locked the compartment shut with her winds.

Cetas couldn’t help but ask:

"What’s that?"

Skadi looked at the compartment.

"It’s a family heirloom. It was given to me by my father, although I despise him, I still keep this as a backup for whenever the danger is too unbearable."

Skadi sat down.

"I just checked on it to see if it broke.."

Cetas focused on the table. Although he couldn’t see the compartment, his gaze was still interested in it.

"Can I see?"

Skadi shook her head.

"I’m afraid not Cetas. I can’t show anyone what’s inside.."

"Why not?"

Skadi raised her eyebrows and placed her finger on her cheek.

"Well, the moment I open that chest, an explosion and a sea of flames would engulf everything around us."

"Oh."

"-Yes."

"I won’t look at it then.."

Skadi’s lips curled up, "That’s good. So, shall we get started on your lesson then?"

Cetas nodded his head.

"First of all. Let me see you use your attunement."

Cetas looked around, "But there’s no water around?"

Skadi then raised her finger, the winds suddenly gathered towards its tip.

Then it coalesced, spiraling around and forming a sphere.

After a few seconds, a droplet formed atop Skadi’s finger.

Cetas was baffled!

"But how?"

Skadi gave off a confident expression.

"The air Cetas—the air contains moisture. I simply manipulated it to form a droplet. Do you remember when you freed me from that bloodied prison back at Seyil?"

Cetas thought for a while and after a second he nodded.

"When you used Windslinger, it aligned itself to your Zeal. It gathered the winds and clouds around you to form a single droplet of water that contained heavy volumes.."

The winds gathered around Skadi’s fingertip even more, the droplet got bigger as it did.

"By using that theory, you can manipulate the vapor in the air in order to form water. But that’s too complicated right now.."

"I understand, but if you’re attuned to the winds, then how are you controlling that droplet right now?"

Upon hearing those words, the droplet moved around the room, circling Cetas rapidly.

"I’m not manipulating this water, I am manipulating the winds to move it around."

Cetas’ mouth opened and formed like a circle.

"For now, you should try to control this droplet." Skadi said, moving the droplet towards Cetas’ front, "Activate your Zeal and attune it to the droplet in front of you.."

"Okay."

Cetas activated his Zeal, connecting to the water that Skadi carried with her winds.

"If the Metaphysical Zeal enhances your perception of the world, the Elemental Zeal increases your reach of the world. It’s as if you have an extension of your hands."

Cetas felt this unusual sensation, the droplet in front of him becoming something that he could move with just a thought.

In his mind, he had already grasped the droplet.

"Good. good. Now, move it around slowly, be precise with it.."

Cetas felt the droplet shudder with his control. It rippled uncontrollably when he tried to reach for its control.

"I will let go of it now.. It’s up to you, Cetas."

Once she did, the droplet trembled!

Then, out of Skadi’s expectation, it grew in size!

Then it grew even more, growing up to the size of Cetas’ head! After a few seconds, it became larger!

Cetas wondered.

Is it supposed to be like this?

However that thought immediately vanished when he saw Skadi’s face through the transparent ball of water.

Skadi looked disturbed!

But the droplet grew bigger at an alarming rate.

"Cetas, let go of it." Skadi calmly ordered.

The winds enveloped the droplet, halting its growth further. As Cetas let go of the water ball, its uncontrollable rippling stopped.

However, the ball still remained in growth!

Skadi was perplexed.

She condensed the winds around it, forcing it to grow smaller bit by bit.

Just then!

The challenge of two elements caused the weaker one to explode!

The water ball conjured condensed and then spread out in every direction!

Skadi and Cetas were doused by it, their hairs flattened out in an instant.

Both of them had a dumbfounded look.

I messed up..

Cetas immediately realized his mistake.

He opened his mouth to speak but before any voice could come out, Skadi stood up in a panic.

"My maps!"

This sudden panic made Cetas look around.

Indeed!

The maps hanging in the wires and strings were wet again!

Cetas’ heart skipped a beat.

Skadi smiled, but this time, it was not warm. Rather, a cold chilling breeze enveloped Cetas.

"Skadi?"

She turned to Cetas, head trembling as it moved.

"..let’s continue the lesson outside.."

In the main deck, Cetas and Skadi stood in front of each other. Several droplets of water floated around them, controlled by Skadi and her winds.

Elishia, Reid, and Galkan watched as the two practiced with the droplets. Occasionally, the droplet would enlarge and then explode, making Cetas and Skadi wet.

Sometimes, the water from the explosion would reach the three’s direction.

It was quite a feat though, they were several distances away from the two, standing beside the railings near the helm.

"Wasn’t the use of Cetas’ Forbidden Zeal... forbidden?" Reid asked the two.

"Yeah.." Elishia slanted her words.

"Oh! Don’t fret it you two, Cetas was of great help a few hours back. I’m sure when he gets the hang of that Zeal, he will be a great help to us.."

Reid and Elishia looked at the bulky man with a blank face.

"I guess you’re right.." Elishia looked back at Skadi and Cetas.

She leaned on the railings, her hand carrying up her cheek.

"My viewpoint of the world changes eeeveryday.. One day, Forbidden Zeal threatened to end our lives and another day we are condoning it to help us survive.."

Reid leaned his back on the railings.

"It’s not so bad.. Maybe you’ll get a Forbidden Zeal somewhere in the future too.."

"Hey! Don’t joke about that!"

Elishia raised her hand to hit Reid, however, a gush of water headed towards her.

Elishia’s hair dampened immediately, a few strands of its auburn hue lined down to her face.

"I’m sorry!" Cetas yelled as the winds transmitted his voice towards them.

"Great job! You’re getting the hang of it, child!" Galkan raised his voice and formed a thumbs up.

His smile sparkled like a twinkling star.

Reid saw it all happen in an instant.

"Pft."

He covered his mouth and turned his head around.

Elishia then looked down, a shadow was casted on her face as her annoyance brewed deep.

She raised her hand and covered it with flames.

Reid immediately sensed the change in temperature and within a second, he bolted out of there!

"Come back here!"

Just as the crew enjoyed their peaceful time sailing across the seas. A shadow loomed under the ship, outsizing its huge stature.

A gigantic human head suddenly appeared in front of the ship, looking at the Aegir with its 6 eyes.

It’s expression was filled with sorrow, a frown deeply painted on its face. Additionally, its eyes were drooped down, tears came out from its face.

Once it gazed upon the crew, they immediately stopped on their tracks.

Dread slowly crept inside their hearts.

"Ah."

Cetas’ expression froze.

"What the hell is that?!" Elishia screamed out.