[Ruvian’s POV]

Ruvian kept his gaze forward, taking in the bustling deck without giving it much thought.

Behind him, Arlok trudged along with slumped shoulders and a sour expression plastered across his face. It was an unusual sight. The man was normally loud for such a moment.

After a few moments, Ruvian slowed his pace until they were walking side by side. He assumed that it had to do with his necklace being confiscated during the inspection.

To lift up Arlok’s mood, he decided to have a talk with him.

"Hey."

"What?"

Ruvian continued.

"You mentioned that the necklace had been passed down through your family. What was so special about it that it failed the inspection? I mean, it’s an A-Grade artifact. The enchantment must’ve been something impressive." (+100PP)

Arlok’s grimace deepened.

"Yeah, yeah, it is a pretty good enchantment," he muttered. "It’s something to do with luck. As long as you’re wearing it, things just... tend to go your way."

He let out a long sigh before bursting out his complaint.

"Still, I thought they’d let it slide. It’s just luck, right? It’s not like it lets me summon a giant nightmare that adapts to everything thrown at it or grants you super strength. I mean, sure, it gives you an advantage, but so does being smarter than everyone else. Nobody confiscates your brain before an exam!"

Ruvian gave him a dubious look.

Arlok coughed.

"...Okay, that sounded a lot more reasonable in my head."

Ruvian lightly shook his head with a smile.

"I see. Well, what’s done is done."

He glanced toward the horizon before looking back at Arlok.

"I do agree that having a bit of extra luck would’ve been nice for this practical test — it was an important test, after all... but I also think we’ve prepared enough without it." (+100PP)

Arlok opened his mouth, but Ruvian continued.

"I mean... what I’m trying to say is if that necklace was your source of luck, and now we no longer have it, then we’ll just have to rely on the real thing rather than luck."

Ruvian patted Arlok’s back.

"You." (+100PP)

Arlok blinked, he wasn’t expecting to hear that.

Ruvian continued.

"Don’t sell yourself short, Arlok. Out there, on that damn island, the four of us will be counting on your skill more than your luck. We need you to lead the front." (+100PP)

Arlok stared at him for a few seconds as he walked.

"Damn, are you always this inspiring?"

Then, he bursted out laughing.

"Ha! I feel like I could split the ship in half right now."

Ruvian suddenly grew worried.

"Let’s... not do that." (+25PP)

Arlok laughed again before patting Ruvian’s shoulder.

"Relax, golden goose. It’s just a philosophy."

Ruvian frowned.

’Haa... I think he meant metaphor.’

After passing several rooms, the escort came to a halt before a broad, arched door of varnished oak. The five of them also stopped. With a fluid movement, the old man turned the handle, stepped aside, and nodded at them.

"This will be your quarters, Squad 69," he said calmly.

The door creaked open, revealing accommodations far better than any of them had expected.

Ruvian’s gaze swept across the chamber.

’Well, this is a pleasant surprise...’

Then Arlok let out a low whistle.

"No way. We’re actually staying here? Woah. I thought we’d be packed into some cramped cabin with twenty other people."

Shima looked at him with a puzzled look.

"You’ve clearly never been on a ship before."

Arlok shot her a glare.

"Have you?"

"...No."

"Then don’t ruin the moment, shorty."

Meanwhile, Horren’s eyes wandered across the room.

"I expected something much worse."

"Same," Yerin said quietly.

Soon, the five stepped inside.

A sturdy round table occupied the center of the room, surrounded by five cushioned chairs with high wooden backs. The furnishings were simple, but comfortable enough that no one could reasonably complain.

Along the far wall sat a compact kitchen area. It wasn’t luxurious by any means, yet it contained everything one might need during the voyage. There was a stone stove in one corner too, and above a wooden counter, hung on iron hooks, were utensils in order.

To one side of the chamber stood a narrow changing room, partially concealed behind a set of drawn curtains. Beside it was a compact bathroom fitted with polished stone fixtures.

Against the opposite wall rested five beds. Their frames were simple and low to the ground, each furnished with clean sheets and neatly rolled blankets. They were spaced far enough apart to provide a modest degree of privacy.

The older man stepped only halfway through the doorway, remaining near the threshold. "The briefing for the test will be provided after our departure," the older man said, clearing his throat.

"A parchment will be delivered to your quarters. It will contain the details of your test, your designated starting coordinates, and any additional instructions deemed necessary."

He offered a slight bow.

"Until then, I suggest you rest. Make whatever preparations you feel are needed, but do not leave your assigned quarters."

He gave the group a final, measured glance before turning away.

Then, the door closed behind him with a soft click.

*****

Arlok was the first to claim one of the cushioned chairs gathered around the wide round table at the center of the room. His poleaxe clattered softly against the floor as he set it beside him before sinking into the seat.

Letting out a long breath, he leaned back and stretched his arms.

"Well... looks like we’ve got a lot of time to kill."

While he settled in, Shima had already drifted toward the built-in kitchen along the wall. Resting an elbow on the counter, she studied the neatly stacked rows of sealed rations lining the shelves.

"I think we should use this time to plan."

Yerin moved with her usual quiet composure. She unfastened the sword strapped across her back and carefully rested it against the wall before taking a seat beside Arlok.

"True, but we still need to wait until they tell us what the test actually is."

Ruvian also took a seat.

Horren was the only one who remained standing. He lingered behind his chair, keeping a firm grip on his bow, he could not quite bring himself to relax.

Noticing his unease, Arlok tilted his head toward him.

"Oi. You good, buddy? You look like you’re about to pass out."

"I–I’m fine. It’s nothing."

Horren’s voice cracked on the first word before he managed to steady himself. His gaze drifted toward the porthole window overlooking the sea.

"Just... a little nervous."

He sighed.

"Sorry. I’m just not really a fan of the sea. I’ve heard a lot of stories about it. Especially the Sea Voidspawn. People say they’re even more dangerous than the ones on land, so..."

Horren rubbed the back of his neck.

"I don’t know. I guess I’m just worried about what we’d do if something showed up while we’re still out here."

For a moment, the room grew quiet.

"Ah, sorry. Forget I said anything."

Horren lowered his gaze, looking as though he already regretted bringing it up.

Yerin shook her head.

"There’s nothing wrong with being nervous. It’s normal."

Everyone turned toward her.

"But I think you should trust the academy a little more, Horren. They’ve been doing this for years. Every expedition follows the same route, and there hasn’t been a serious incident yet."

As she spoke, her hazel eyes drifted toward the porthole window.

"Most of the marshals and shipwatchers assigned to these voyages are veterans. They’ve spent years out at sea, so they know what to watch for. It’s their job, after all."

She turned her attention back to him.

"Furthermore, the academy wouldn’t put hundreds of scholars on a ship if it couldn’t keep them safe, right?"

The tension in the room eased slightly as her words settled over the group.

"So try not to worry too much."

She gave him an encouraging look.

Hearing that, Ruvian simply smiled.

Yerin wasn’t wrong.

That part, at least, was true. The academy would keep them safe for the duration of the voyage. After all, the journey itself was the easy part.

But unfortunately, once they reach the island, once they have arrived there, even the academy’s protection...

──────── ✦ ────────

[Chapter 214: Had Its Limits]

Plot Points= 19,755