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Chapter 8
“What was this magic called again? Buoyancy magic?”
Ami asked Noah.
“It can’t be called just buoyancy magic alone.”
Noah sensed the many different kinds of magic woven around their vessel. The ship itself was a product of multiple magics working together in a complex system.
“Buoyancy magic is combined with balance magic to endure most waves. Then there are protective enchantments—like body temperature maintenance spells—that allow us to survive for long periods even if we’re stranded at sea.”
At Noah’s explanation, Hones’ eyes sparkled as he nodded eagerly.
“As expected of you, Captain! You know everything!”
“Oh, our baby of the unit.”
Ami rubbed the young soldier’s shaved head. Hones flushed red and fidgeted, begging her to stop.
“Come to think of it, this is your first deployment today, isn’t it?”
Noah asked.
“That’s why I’m a bit nervous.”
As he admitted it, Hones’ smile looked stiff. Even his legs, floating awkwardly in the water, were comical to watch.
He looked more fragile than a newborn deer.
“Do you think I’ll be able to do well…?”
As the youngest and lowest-ranked member of the special fleet, his very first assignment happened to be operating a new type of vessel. The thought of making a mistake terrified him.
“That’s what your seniors are here for—to cover your mistakes.”
Noah gave the young man’s hunched shoulders a reassuring pat.
“So don’t worry.”
“Yeah, just trust in your cool big sisters here.”
“Though don’t trust this one.”
“If you believe in the Captain too much, you might get eaten alive. Remember the other day in the supply room, with that handsome officer…?”
“Lieutenant Chitia. Head to the wall.”
“How the hell do you head-butt a wall at sea!”
“……”
As the seniors bickered, poor Hones trembled like a frightened rabbit caught between wolves.
“Come here! Quickly!”
“Oh no, our little one’s scared?”
The other crew members rescued him, teasing the youngest affectionately.
“Are you all here to play around?”
Reto finally cut in, pointing out the chaos.
“The signal will come any moment. Everyone, prepare.”
At his words, the crew’s expressions turned solemn.
“And…”
Reto stood in front of Hones.
“Private Mera.”
“Private Hones Mera, sir!”
“Your first deployment today, right?”
“Yes, sir.”
Reto lightly tapped the nervous young man’s shoulder.
“Don’t be too tense.”
“A-ah…”
Hones’ eyes grew misty with emotion.
“At worst, if you mess up, you’ll just end up as fish food, won’t you?”
Reto gave a chilling smile.
“You know my fishing skills, right?”
He was terrible at catching fish—but he was excellent at chopping up bait.
“So just try your best and you’ll be fine.”
“I-I’ll do my utmost!”
The terrified shout of the young private rang out across the sea.
“……”
The rest of the unit gasped in horror, while Noah alone sighed, as if he’d expected this outcome all along.
At that instant, Noah locked eyes with Reto. Reto gave the faintest of smiles—so subtle it was hard to notice. Noah stared back in distaste but didn’t look away.
[Comrades.]
Then came the transmission.
[The dolphins have opened the path.]
The signal chimed through the communicator.
“Everyone, secure safety distance!”
At Reto’s command, the crew spread apart, arranging themselves in a crescent formation. Soon, magical energy began to flow through their bodies.
Focus…
Noah felt the transparent shield envelop him like a thin eggshell.
Even the water’s surface beneath his feet rippled outward in expanding circular waves.
Finally, they were ready to race across the sea.
“Hoo…”
Someone’s nervous breath shattered the stillness of the ocean.
“Depart!”
The six vessels surged forward, slicing through the water at high speed.
Throwing up great waves, the fleet entered the navy’s training waters.
In the distance, other ships under training looked tiny on the horizon.
“Formation split!”
At Reto’s direction, Ami and another crew member gradually pulled back.
“Then I’m diving down!”
“See you later!”
After a brief farewell, Ami pressed a button on her belt, sinking slowly beneath the waves.
[Snuffin, entering underwater.]
[Sousa, also entering underwater.]
Noah focused on the voices in his earpiece.
“Commander! We’ll join up soon!”
“From this moment, raise your nodes!”
Above and below the surface, all six vessels surged with even greater force.
The six members, having completed the trial run safely, flopped down in the frigate’s lounge afterward.
“Damn Advelo maniacs, do they develop these things without thinking of the testers?!”
“Wasn’t it ridiculously hard to keep balance this time? I felt like I’d fall into the sea with the slightest shake.”
“Yeah, and for us, the air filter membrane was so thin that water started leaking in!”
“As expected, those Tower mages are all insane…”
And so began the after-mission banter, half review and half venting.
Meanwhile, Hones—his first time ever aboard—had passed out cold.
“Captain Velo.”
Just then, Reto called out to Noah.
“You got a call from home.”
Noah’s eyes widened.
[Young Master!]
Rushing to the communications room, Noah heard As’ urgent voice over the receiver.
“What is it? What happened?”
[The young lady got into a fight with a classmate at school!]
Noah let out a heavy sigh of relief.
“Oh, I thought it was something worse.”
But the real problem was what came next.
[That classmate is the son of Sir Delat from the capital.]
The eyes of every crew member in the room widened at once.
“…Our little sister-in-law is impressive.”
Only Reto chuckled, as though proud.
The moment the ship docked at port, Noah excused himself and made for the school.
“Want me to give you a ride?”
Already changed into his uniform and rushing out, Noah found Reto waiting by the locker room.
“I’d appreciate it.”
“I thought you’d refuse.”
Reto seemed genuinely surprised.
“Given the situation…”
Noah nodded in thanks.
“…This is why I like you.”
Reto smirked, watching Noah grimace at his half-joking confession.
“You’re cute when you’re shy.”
“Perhaps you should consider visiting a hospital.”
Noah sincerely worried about his mental state.
Reto’s crimson steed sped them to Marei Academy.
Though Noah forced himself to remain calm, inside he was churning.
The blue flags at the school gates flapped wildly, mirroring his anxious heart.
Noah halted before entering the staff office.
“…You’re coming along?”
Reto smiled smoothly behind him.
“I drove you all the way here, didn’t I?”
“Well, that’s true…”
“And it’s the son of Sir Delat. I’d been meaning to meet him separately anyway—your sister-in-law just arranged it for us.”
That someone dared insult the navy, here of all places, was outrageous.
Reto was so moved he almost wanted to thank Sir Delat for the opportunity.
“See? Our sister-in-law is the best.”
“She is not my sister-in-law.”
Noah grumbled, though he didn’t tell him to stay behind.
So, shamelessly, Reto followed.
The staff office was in chaos.
Teachers gathered on the reception sofas. Clare and As were among them.
“Young Master!”
As spotted Noah and waved energetically.
“Are you the guardian of student Velo?”
A stern-looking teacher approached. Five black stripes marked his cap—he was the department head of Marei Academy.
“Thank you for your service to the nation.”
After a brief bow, he explained the situation.
“The two children got into a scuffle in the yard after school. Thankfully, no serious injuries, but the other student’s side…”
Instead of explaining further, he discreetly pointed out the cause of the commotion.
“I’ll kill you someday!”
“Kids who say that never turn out well.”
“I’ll break your limbs and whip you until you bleed from your back!”
“Oh my, how vulgar. Capital brats, really.”
A foul-mouthed boy, and the girl mocking him with amusement.
“Please, you two, stop fighting…”
Their homeroom teacher could do little more than sob helplessly.
“Hey! Can’t you kill her for me?”
“I can’t kill her, but I’ll make sure she’s punished severely.”
Beside the foul-mouthed boy sat a man in a black suit.
“He’s the lawyer Delat’s son brought in,” As whispered.
“The boy picked a fight with the young lady. When she ignored him, he grabbed her hair…”
“What?”
Noah couldn’t believe his ears. He looked around at the teachers.
“……”
They nodded guiltily.
“Unbelievable!”
Noah was appalled.
This wasn’t childish mischief—it was vicious. And the words the boy had been spewing were filled with malice.
“Delat family’s education is truly something else.”
Reto muttered in Noah’s ear, voice unusually serious.
“Let’s make sure we never raise ours like that.”
“……”
Instead of replying, Noah jabbed his elbow lightly into Reto’s stomach.
Ignoring the coughing behind him, he called out,
“Clare.”
“Sis!”
Clare, who’d been growling moments earlier, ran into Noah’s arms.
“Are you okay? You’re not hurt?”
“I’m fine!”
Clare answered firmly.
“I did just as Grandma taught me.”
How to dodge and strike back—the self-defense Grandma had drilled into her.
Noah confirmed she was unharmed. Aside from her hair being a little mussed where it had been yanked, she was perfectly fine.
By contrast, Delat’s son was in much worse shape.
His hair was a tangled mess, his clothes stained with blood from a nosebleed, and scratch marks lined his hand.
“Are you her guardian?”
The lawyer loomed over Noah.
“I am legal counsel for the Delat family.”
He offered his card, eyes sweeping over Noah.
Bright blonde hair, vivid blue eyes, and a beauty rare even in the capital.
“T-this is regrettable, but…”
His words faltered, his neck flushing red.
“……”
Reto’s face immediately grew cold.
“In any case, this was far too much harm for a simple fight between children.”
“But from what I gather, your client’s son was extremely rude toward my sister.”
Noah still remembered the stream of vile curses he’d heard when he first entered the office.
“Words no child should say, and certainly not something my sister should have to hear.”
“They’re still immature children, after all, so mistakes will happen—”
“Oh, so your boy’s swearing is a mistake, but my sister’s self-defense is intentional assault?”
