Sea and Rum | Part 1

The Association, the Duke, and the Emperor were all busy working and investigating the recent incidents regarding dark magic and the Undertakers.

Although the Academy was back to being peaceful, the students were not especially because of the hectic schedules of exams that is about to happen. Callista was buried in books and papers reviewing all of the notes and reciting them 'till midnight.

Not wanting to even fail one subject or she'll burn the whole Academy to ashes. Time passed by and it was already school break.

****

Knock knock!

Regan opened the door in his casual clothes "Wha? What are you doing here Princess?" he asked with sleepy eyes "Good morning, Headmaster!" Anastasia cheerfully greeted with a smile as Regan squinted his eyes "We're here to see Callista" Ivan said from the back.

"How did you even know she's staying here?" he asked and widened the door so that they can come in "We asked the Head Madam of her Dormitory and when she looked at her student form she told us that she's staying here, Headmaster" Denovan explained "Where is Callista?" Anastasia asked when she couldn't see the woman in the Headmaster's Manor.

"About that, she.."

"Young Miss! Please wait!"

"No! I'm not wearing that!"

Callista came running down the staircase as a maid chased after her "Callista just wear it, will you?" Regan sighed and massaged his temple but Callista shook her head "I won't! Why would I even wear that when I don't even leave the house!?" she argued pointing at the corset in the maid's hands.

"But Young Miss-" the maid tried pursuading "I said no!" she determinely rejected "But its just a corset!" Regan argued back as Calista rolled her eyes "That is almost like strangling my waist to death! Do you know how painful that thing is just by wearing them?" she exclaimed and Regan sighed in defeat.

"As you can see, she is busy causing trouble" he said and turned to the people at the door "Causing trouble to whom?" she clicked her tongue and turned to the group "What are you guys doing here?" she asked with furrowed brows "Oh, wow. You really look happy seeing us" Anastasia sarcastically commented.

"I would if you guys didn't tag along and Ignis is the only one here" she retorted "Can't you be any bitchier?" Ivan also sarcastically said making Callista glare at him "Anyways, we're here to ask if Callista can join us on a trip" Denovan said in order to break away their fierce glares

"A trip? So suddenly?" Callista asked "Ana was the one who suggested it. We only got pulled in" Ignis shrugged "A trip to where?" Regan asked "We were thinking on going to Laguna Island" Anastasia said "The land of the water sprites? Will you be okay there?" he asked and glanced at Callista who looked at him from the corner of her eye.

"Rather than getting imprisoned here all school break" she shrugged "What do you mean imprisoned? Maybe your forgetting that you're the one who wants to lock herself in her room all day" he snorted.

"It's my life, I can do whatever I want" she raised a brow earning a glare from him "Why you little brat.." he muttered in gritted teeth "So are you coming with us?" Denovan asked "Of course" she nodded.

****

Although she willingly joined their journey, she quickly changed her mind when they arrived in the village of the sea, village of Cordelia. The scorching heat made her head hurt as her big hat covered her face from the sun.

"Is the village closed from outsiders?" Anastasia asked. "Why do you ask?" Ignis curiously replied "There are signs that says enter is restricted" Anastasia explained. "Maybe, those signs are somewhat used before Lady Ana" Denovan said.

"Anyways, what should we do? Should we find a ship to sail in already?" Anastasia asked for suggestions "We probably should Ana, we can't waste time here in this village. We still have a long journey to take" Ivan commented

"Hey, aren't you guys tired yet? We rode in a carriage for an hour just to get here and you're already thinking of ways to ride a ship? " she tiredly commented from the side.

All of them turned to her with a baffled look "Callista, you've only just stood there for a few seconds without moving while we moved here and there in order to get a ship we can ride on, you slept in the carriage the whole journey, and you're not even sweating, so tell me how the hell did you even get tired?" Ivan argued so Callista rolled her eyes.

"Why? If you're blinded by the sun that doesn't mean that you are really blind, right? It's common sense, dipshit" she argued back and they started agruing back and forth. Anastasia was busy looking at the village map while Ignis remained silent in a corner making Denovan sigh.

"How about you visit a shop first until we find a ship?" he suggested "Do you see a shop anywhere? All I see and smell is the sea and fish stalls, Denovan" Callista said with a raised brow so he looked at his surroundings "How about waiting there?" he pointed at a little ice cream shop behind fish stalls so Ivan and Callista looked at the place his pointing.

"Since when did an ice cream shop get there? Is he a hawk or something?" Callista whispered to Ivan.

"I absolutely have no idea..." he whispered back and shook his head.

They looked at each other as Denovan led the way.

****

Callista lazily sat inside the ice cream shop where Denovan left her as she looked outside to see people going and leaving, even spotting Denovan and Anastasia running around.

She rested her chin on her palm as she blankly stared at the window "Miss Callista?" she turned behind her to see a man wearing a red bandana and has a good looking face. He looked familiar as Callista stared at his smiling face for a few seconds before her eyebrows lifted up in realization.

"Caspian? You're Caspian, right?" she asked with a smile, pleasingly shocked to see him in an unexpected place and appearance "Yes, I am. I'm surprised that you recognized me and remember my name" he joyfully nodded "I see that you got rid of your glasses and decided to comb your hair today" she commented making him blush.

"Yes, I don't really like gaining attention" he said and bashfully scratched his neck. Callista only then noticed the woman hugging his arm and Caspian seemed to notice her stare. "Oh, this is my girlfriend, Marin. She's also from the academy." he introduced the girl.

"Hi, Finally, It's nice to meet you. I've been a fan of the essay you made about Magic Theory. I really like your work" Marin sincerely complimented "That's nice to hear that my works get noticed" Callista smiled "But what are you doing here, Miss Callista?" he asked curiously.

"Oh. My friends and I are going on a trip to Laguna Island but we're having a hard time getting a ship" she explained and glanced out of the window "It must be because this is the time of the year where students' from numerous Academies comes home" Marin commented.

"Seems like it" Caspian nodded "Oh!" Marin exclaimed and looked up at Caspian "How about we let them join until we reach Laguna Island?" she suggested "That's a good idea" Caspian nodded and affectionately smiled at her "You own a ship?" Callista asked curiously.

"Oh, yes. Actually, my Father owns it but I visit most of the time when I come home" he said "He's the Pirate Lord's son!" Marin boasted with her chin held high "Oh, my..." Callista chuckled when she saw Caspian turning red from embarassment.

"M-Marin! I told you not to say it to others!" he stammered "Why not? Caspian, I know you're shy but I want to boast you in front of others" Marin pouted "B-But I.." Caspian tried arguing but surrendered in the end "How about it, Miss Callista? Do you want to board our ship?" Marin asked.

"Won't we be a bother?" Callista asked hesitantly so Caspian shook his head "Its fine. I'll consider it as a thank you" he smiled "Thank you?" she asked in confusion "Actually, we share the same Magic Theory Class together and there was a time that I was called by the Professor and wasn't able to answer, but you helped me from the embarassment" he explained.

"Oh...did I?" she forced a laugh. Honestly, she couldn't remember anything regarding what he said and even thought that he had the wrong person or it was one of those days where she was sleeping and heard the Professor's sermons and got annoyed.

She sighed "Thank you for your help" she said and stood up "By the way, you can call me Callista besides we'll be together for the next few days" she smiled.

****

Anastasia was so frustrated as she crimpled the map on her hands "It was a bad idea coming here" she sighed "There aren't many ships willing to take passengers" Ivan commented "Maybe because of the past incidents?" Denovan asked "Incidents? What kind?" Anastasia asked.

"I only heard when I asked the villagers and they said that ship captains were found dead every night since last week so only few ships are seen today" he explained "Last week? Wasn't that the start of our school break?" Ivan asked with furrowed brows.

"What a coincidence, isn't it?" Denovan said so they looked at each other. "Who is that?" they all looked at Ignis when he suddenly spoke and saw that he was looking at something so they followed his line of sight and saw Callista walking with two other people.

"This is..?" Anastasia asked when they got near and glanced at the two people "This is Caspian and his girlfriend, Marin. They said that we could board their ship" she said and Anastasia was stunned "Caspian? You mean that nerd guy from the abnormal class that we met before?" she asked so Callista nodded.

"No way..." Anastasia gasped as Caspian blushed from their reaction "You look really different" she said "But will you really let us come with you?" Denovan asked so Caspian nodded "Its no problem" he shook his head and smiled "There are so many space" he added.

"That's right" Marin nodded beside him "So where's your ship?" Ivan asked so Caspian pointed behind them. They simultanously turned around and looked up with wide eyes to see the huge ship in front of them.

It was the biggest ship in the deck and was also the most well known because of owner, that's why Anastasia never really thought of asking anyone if they could board the ship. It was much more magnificent than the others. 

Isn't this the Pirate Lord's ship!?