LIGHTNOVELONLINE B3—Chapter 15: Sea Crossing and First City
The first week of the voyage went by smoothly, with no significant events. There wasn’t much wind, so we mostly relied on the engine, but with the boat’s speed, it wasn’t an issue. The sea was calm, smooth as glass, with no waves. We were still in vacation mode, so we did little. I got started on processing the crabs, and Al wanted the shells. After cleaning all the crabs, I had a stockpile of about three hundred fifty, maybe even four hundred kilograms of crab meat—they were huge.
Al crushed the crab shells and took over the kitchen. The sound of the shells cracking and grinding filled the air. After two days, he came to me with a worried look, his normally calm demeanor replaced by a furrowed brow.
“Would you be able to diagnose my condition while I consume this potion?” he asked, holding up a small vial. The liquid inside shimmered in light pink and blue.
“Sure,” I replied, curious. He drank the potion, and I cast Diagnose, but felt nothing unusual. I felt his skin change, but it didn’t “ping” the spell because it wasn’t a disease. Then I used my fingers to examine his skin. It felt different, smoother. Running my fingers over it, I noticed it had the texture of polished bone.
“What is this?” I asked, puzzled.
“I have created a new potion using the crab shells,” Al explained. “It is called Exoskin Elixir. The skin becomes rigid, depending on the composition of the potion’s basic ingredient. This potion is crafted using various durable materials, but it is essential that they are derived from organic sources rather than stones. For an unknown reason, tree bark is also unsuitable for a potion. The source must be organic and derived from a previously living organism, excluding plants.”
I identified the potion.
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Exoskin Elixir |
I used appraisal. I already figured out that sometimes I got different information from each.
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Exoskin Elixir |
“Nice!” I exclaimed, looking at him with raised eyebrows. “Why did you want me to diagnose you while drinking it?”
“I was uncertain about the effects and wanted you to heal me if something went amiss,” he explained, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Yeah, good idea. It’s always better to be safe. How many potions did you make?”
“Twelve. Three for each of us,” Al said, handing me three vials. “I possess an abundance of crab shells, but I am insufficiently supplied with the other materials. I will not sell this remedy; it is solely for our personal use.”
“Thanks,” I said with a smile, accepting the vials.
After a week of sailing, it felt like we had crossed a demarcation line. The wind grew stronger, and the air had a different “flavor.” I could taste it on my tongue. It was strange—we crossed an invisible boundary, with a calm sea and no wind on one side and wind and choppy seas on the other.
I asked Mahya and Al, “Have you encountered anything like this before?”
Al looked at me with incomprehension, and Mahya tilted her head. “What?”
“This extreme change in conditions from one moment to the next,” I explained, gesturing around us.
Mahya looked puzzled and said, “The wind picked up. You can control it; tell it to calm down if it bothers you.”
“What about the flavor of the mana?” I pressed.
They both stared at me, completely bewildered. It was clear they had no idea what I was talking about.
“Didn’t you feel the change in the mana?” I asked, my eyes darting between them.
They both shook their heads.
“Mahya, tell the boat to turn around and sail in the direction we came from,” I requested. It was cool that she could control the boat by commanding the core, while Al and I still had to steer it manually.
Mahya turned the boat around, and we crossed the line again after two or three minutes. The wind disappeared, and the sea became utterly smooth. They both stood, looking around with the same expression of bewilderment and incomprehension.
“By what means did you detect it?” Al asked, looking around like he was trying to find the source of the phenomenon.
“The mana flavor changed,” I explained, tapping my tongue to emphasize.
“Flavor?” Al repeated, sounding confused.
“Yeah, you don’t differentiate between different flavors of mana?” I asked, looking between him and Maya.
“I am completely unaware of what you are referring to,” Al admitted, shaking his head.
“I’ve heard of it, but I have no idea how to do it,” Mahya said, shrugging.
“I have a book from Lis that teaches it, but I could do it even before reading the book,” I said, thinking aloud.
“Well, you’re a wizard. It makes sense,” Mahya said, nodding in understanding. “Do you need to do something with it, or can we continue?”
I waved my hand dismissively. “We can continue. I was simply curious.”
After another week of sailing, we were about halfway to the main continent. The weather changed. It started raining and didn’t want to stop. On the first day, it was a gentle spray, which we loved, especially after the terrible heat on the island. On the second day, the rain got stronger, and visibility decreased. It continued non-stop for five days. Because of the rain, we had to stay in the boat’s saloon or in our rooms and felt trapped. Rue was the only one who didn’t mind the rain; he spent most of the time on the back deck. I couldn’t understand it. Snow on his paws? No way. Rain all over his body? No problem.
I tried to cheer everyone up with various tasty crab dishes, which were delicious, but by the sixth day of rain, even that didn’t help. The rain was so strong that our visibility was maybe ten meters from the bow of the boat. We had to slow down more and more until we were sailing at a speed of barely one knot.
On the morning of the seventh day, the rain still showed no signs of stopping. Mahya approached me, looking frustrated.
“Can you put the house on the sea so we can all stretch our legs?” she asked, her voice carrying a note of desperation.
I agreed, but was worried about just putting the core on the water. I didn’t want to lose it, and I wasn’t sure the house could maintain stability in its usual three-story configuration.
I removed the core and instructed it to convert the box it was in into a wooden surface. I threw my inflatable boat over the railing and jumped into it. Placing the core on the water, I instructed it to deploy the house, but smaller, wider, and lower, while holding my fingers crossed it would work.
Well, it sure did. My house unfolded like before, growing from the core in stages. The end result was a stunning two-story structure with enormous windows at the front, providing an unobstructed view of the sea. It had a sleek, modern design with a spacious balcony wrapping around the front and sides. The back of the house had a solid wall where the bedrooms were located, providing privacy and protection from the elements.
The living areas on the lower level were open and airy, with large glass doors that let in the fresh sea breeze. The upper level had a more enclosed feel, with additional windows in the library that provided panoramic views of the ocean. Perched on a platform supported by rows of pontoons, the house stood, elevated and safeguarded against the waves, preventing them from reaching inside.
I asked the house to grow some posts from the porch to tie the boat to. I helped everyone climb onto the balcony from the boat, and Mahya just jumped from the boat into the house. In the last second, she stored the boat. Well, that was one way of doing it.
We spent three weeks at home drifting in the sea with torrential rain. On the second day, I activated the protective shielding so some ship wouldn’t ram us with the poor visibility and made an amazing discovery. The shielding protected the house from rain. Now we could enjoy the balconies and not be cooped up inside. It was an exceptional bonus, and I sent a feeling of appreciation to the house. It didn’t respond, but I needed to acknowledge its awesomeness.
According to the map, we saw we were slowly drifting south, but it wasn’t a problem. Our original plan was to sail to a place called Ladjan, which was closest to Crystalspire, the capital of Crystalholm, about mid-latitude of Crystalholm. This extended our voyage by three weeks, but we thought it would save us a longer journey through the continent. As we continued to drift south, we got closer and closer to the southern tip of Crystalholm.
Finally, after three long weeks, I felt a change in the mana one afternoon. It took me a while to understand what the change was. I didn’t know the mana flavor of rain because it was very close to water, and I hadn’t taken the time to get to know it in depth. But little by little, this mana dissipated, and the rain got weaker and weaker. It messed with my head a bit. I always thought of the weather as something that depends on atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity, and other scientific factors. But here, mana controlled the weather. It was something new I had to get used to, and I started getting all kinds of ideas for developing as an elemental wizard.
Towards evening, the rain stopped completely, the sky cleared, and the sea became calm as if nothing had happened. Once Mahya took the boat out and everyone was on it, including me, I took a picture to document this experience for posterity. Then, I headed back towards the house on the E-foil, gave an order to the core to close the house, and watched it fold back up.
We checked the map and saw that we were very close to the continent’s southern tip. According to our estimate, it would take us about a week to ten days to get there. The current had swept us not directly south but in a southeasterly direction.
After eight days of sailing, we finally arrived at a place called Ram-Son, which, translated from Lumician, meant “Land’s End.” I joked to Mahya that I should leave her there since I picked her up at Land’s End in England, so it only made sense to drop her off at Land’s End in Lumis.
She gave me the look, and shook her head. “You’re an idiot.”
We sailed into the harbor in the evening, and it was the most fantastical harbor I could imagine.
Sailing into the harbor of Ram-Son felt like stepping into a fantasy novel. The place was amazing, with towering buildings that looked like they came straight out of a storybook. Warm, golden lights from the buildings reflected off the calm waters, making everything look magical. Tall ships with big, billowing sails docked along the stone piers, adding to the picturesque view. The buildings were a mix of grand castles and quaint, medieval-style houses, with steep roofs and intricate wooden details.
On the docks, lanterns gave off a soft, welcoming glow, lighting up the cobblestone paths where people were busy tending to their ships or chatting away. The salty smell of the sea and the mouth-watering aroma of food from nearby taverns made my stomach growl. But not all the smells were so pleasant; there were whiffs of rotten fish and damp wood, adding a bit of gritty realism to the otherwise magical scene. It was like the harbor had its unique blend of scents, a mix of the good and the not-so-great that made it feel alive and real.
Above it all, the castle spires stood tall against the evening sky, adding a touch of mystery to the entire scene. It was the most fantasy-world harbor I could imagine, and I couldn’t help but be in awe of its beauty and lively atmosphere.
“Yes!” I said to no one in particular, throwing my arms up. “That’s what traveling in fantasy land should be. Hmm, the island wasn’t bad either.”
Again, Mahya gave me the look, shook her head, and said, “You’re an idiot.”
“What? I’m appreciating the experience. What’s the problem with that?” I asked, genuinely confused.
“It’s a stinky harbor. What’s to appreciate?” she retorted, crossing her arms.
“It’s like from a storybook. It’s awesome,” I insisted, gesturing towards the picturesque scene.
Al came to my defense and said, “Please remember that his travels have been limited to a single world,” patting me on the back.
Mahya shook her head but said nothing.
We stayed for two weeks in Ram-Son. I learned that what I assumed was a castle was the city manor of the lord who ruled Ram-Son. After hearing this, my expectations for seeing the king’s castle soared. It should be something truly magnificent.
Even though it was the largest city at the southern end of the continent, it was essentially a large fishing town with limited activities. Almost all the food in the restaurants was seafood, the inns were unremarkable, and there weren’t any attractions interesting enough to make us want to stay longer. I preferred to stay on the boat—it had plumbing—but Mahya and Al wanted to stay on land and in an inn. After one night in the best inn in the city, which was far worse than the inns on the island, they saw my point, and we relocated to the boat. Since Rue got over his seasickness after level ten, the boat wasn’t a problem anymore.
Plumbing for the win!
Lumis didn’t have the concept of weeks or months; their calendar was based solely on seasons. However, they did have a sort of workaround. They used a decimal system and marked every tenth day on the calendar as a day off. On that day, there was an enormous market in the city’s main square, and the three of us used the opportunity to empty some more contents from our Storage.
The market was packed with people, and within an hour, I sold more than I had sold on the island in an entire season. The line in front of our stands kept getting longer and longer. Al quickly ran out of potions and moved on to selling products from Earth. I stubbornly worked through all the stuff I had “collected” in Vegas; I wanted to get rid of it. Here, the little shampoo bottles and plates with the MGM logo were a resounding success, but the biggest hit was the toilet paper with the jokes and prophecies. They couldn’t read it but appreciated the luxury. It was so popular that fights broke out when people realized I was selling the last packages. Rue had to growl to make them stop fighting.
Despite the city’s lack of attractions, we explored and made the most of our time. Ram-Son looked like a city from a fantastical past. We spent our days wandering the cobblestone streets, marveling at the historic architecture. The buildings were tall and narrow, with intricate details carved into their stone facades. Street vendors lined the sidewalks, selling everything from handmade jewelry to exotic spices, which I bought a lot of to experiment with.
In the evenings, we found cozy taverns to relax in. The warm glow of candlelight and the soft hum of conversations made for a perfect end to our days. We sampled a variety of local dishes, each one more delicious than the last. The seafood was always fresh, and the local brews had a unique flavor that we liked and Rue fell in love with. He convinced me to buy him a few barrels “for the future.”
One day, we stumbled upon a bustling square filled with street performers. Musicians played lively tunes on strange yet fascinating instruments while acrobats flipped and twirled through the air. We watched for an hour, captivated by the performances and the vibrant atmosphere. Rue, my dancing dog, danced to the music. At least here, there were no cell phones to record videos of him.
As we watched, I felt a familiar itch in my fingers and couldn’t resist the urge. I discreetly looked around, making sure no one was identifying me then, and changed my profile to Bard.
“I’m joining in,” I said, grabbing my guitar.
Mahya looked at me curiously but didn’t stop me, and Al gave me an encouraging nod. I found a spot among the musicians and started playing along. The crowd welcomed me with nods and smiles. Soon, the music engulfed me, and I let my fingers dance over the strings.
After a few songs, I decided to share some of my own. I approached the band leader, guitar in hand.
“Hey, do you mind if I play some of my songs?” I asked, hopeful.
His eyes lost focus for a moment as he identified me. Then, with a big smile, he said, “We would be honored.”
I nodded and took a deep breath. “Alright, this one’s called ‘Waves of Wanderlust,’” I said, activating my Harmonic Illusion ability.
Strumming the first chords, I infused my voice with mana, translating on the fly. Mist swirled around us as a ship’s sail appeared, billowing in a phantom wind. The crowd murmured in awe, eyes wide with wonder.
When I hit the chorus, waves rolled around the stage, syncing with the music’s beat. The rhythmic dance of light and water created a mesmerizing scene. With the next verse, seabirds soared overhead, each strum breathing life into the illusion. Stars twinkled above, perfectly aligned with the illusory ocean’s crest. The horizon stretched out, promising endless adventure, and the audience was fully immersed.
I launched into the chorus again, the waves rising with the song’s energy, crashing as if we were all at sea. By the song's end, the mist cleared, the waves calmed, and the seabirds vanished into the night sky. The illusion faded, leaving the crowd in a state of awe.
The applause was thunderous. I grinned, bowing. “Thank you, everyone. That was ‘Waves of Wanderlust.’ I hope you enjoyed the journey.”
Mahya gave a thumbs-up, and even Al looked impressed. Sharing my music and magic felt good, creating a memorable experience.
I transitioned into “Celestial Tapestries.” The night sky above us filled with constellations and comet trails. The crowd gasped as stars and cosmic bridges sparkled in the air. During the chorus, they stared in awe at the celestial dance overhead.
For the next song, “Wings of Rebirth,” each chord conjured the image of a phoenix rising from the pyre, its wings ablaze with hope, leaving trails of golden sparks. The audience watched, mesmerized, as the phoenix burst into flames, reborn with every chorus.
Then came “Phoenix Flight,” with a phoenix soaring from the heart’s forge, its feathers glowing ethereally. The illusion wrapped around the crowd, telling a story of transformation and renewal.
The energy from the crowd fueled me as I ended with “Rage of the Elements.” As I sang, the wind swirled, flames flickered, and the ground hummed with power. The water rippled in time with the music, and the elements themselves seemed to awaken. It was both alarming and thrilling.
When I finished, the applause was overwhelming. I felt a rush of satisfaction, knowing I’d shared something special. We spent the rest of the evening enjoying the street performances and sampling local food.
One evening, we splurged on a meal at one of the more upscale taverns. The interior featured rich wood paneling and plush seating. We ordered a feast of roasted meats, hearty stews, and freshly baked bread. Rue ate so much that he impressed all the patrons. Some even clapped in encouragement when it looked like he was slowing down. The meal’s highlight was a decadent dessert made from a local fruit that tasted like a blend of peaches and mangoes. It was the perfect way to wrap up our stay in Ram-Son.
On our last day, we hit up the market one more time. The main square was alive with the buzz of haggling and laughter. I sold off some more items from my Storage and joined Al and Mahya for some shopping. Mahya and I found nothing interesting, but Al found some plants he was moderately happy about.
As the sun set on our last day in Ram-Son, we sat at a quiet spot overlooking the harbor. The sight of the ships gently bobbing on the water, with the city’s lights twinkling in the background, was a fitting end to our adventure. We sat there in companionable silence, enjoying the view. Rue put his head on my lap and said, “Adventures are fun.”
After dark, we set sail out of the harbor and sailed for twenty minutes until we passed the last houses of the city. We dropped our E-foils into the water, got on them, Mahya stored the boat, and we surfed to the shore. After walking for half an hour, we reached the road, took out the bikes and my ATV, and drove away from Ram-Son. I had to admit that I enjoyed every minute in the city.