Boarding The Ship!

"Wake up, Leonard. You've been sick for months... When will you wake up?" The voice was faint, soft yet filled with a familiar worry. It was his mother's voice.

"Leonard, have you finished your work? Mr. Clark is asking for the report." A sharper, more impatient tone followed, a voice from his past life, perhaps.

"Get up and prepare for the experiment. Who told you it was time to sleep?" Another voice, harsh and commanding, reverberated in his ears.

Then came a whisper, cold and sinister, slithering into his mind: "Fear. Let it bloom. What is the deepest fear in your heart?"

Leonard froze, listening carefully. He needed to know. He needed to understand what fear truly lay hidden within him.

And then, like a flickering flame, it came to him. A doubt gnawed at his resolve: 'What if this is all an illusion? What if this is just a fleeting dream? What if none of this is real?'

The realization made Leonard laugh, a quiet chuckle that grew louder as it echoed in the recesses of his mind.

"So that's it," he murmured to himself. "I don't fear becoming a wizard. I fear… not becoming one. I fear losing the power I've only just begun to grasp. That's my deepest fear."

Placing a steady hand on his chest, he felt the faint rhythm of his heartbeat. "This is real," he told himself. "I am real."

The voices in his ears grew louder, merging with the illusionary sights that swirled around him, clawing at his resolve. But Leonard closed his eyes, calmed his mind, and silenced the chaos within. Slowly, the hallucinations faded, the clamor dissipated, and the fog around him began to clear.

When he opened his eyes again, the 'deck of the ship' was just a dozen steps away.

Steeling himself, Leonard quickened his pace. His footsteps felt heavy, but his resolve was unshaken. He climbed the remaining steps and stepped onto the deck, his arrival met with a wave of curious gazes.

---

Leonard took in his surroundings, lowering his umbrella as the rain drizzled around him. The deck was crowded with young people, many of them finely dressed, accompanied by older servants who lingered at their sides.

"So, it's possible to bring servants to the Wizard Continent," Leonard thought, noting the dynamic. But his observation was quickly interrupted by the weight of 'stares' some curious, others indifferent, and a few predatory.

Certain individuals on the deck studied the newcomers like hunters sizing up prey. Leonard's sharp eyes caught the expressions, memorizing the faces of those who exuded a sense of quiet menace.

"If I'm going to deal with everyone from this port, like I promised my teacher, I'd better start by remembering who they are," Leonard thought grimly.

His gaze hardened, and when some of those lingering eyes met his, he responded with a cold, unflinching stare of his own. The intensity of his look made a few glance away, their interest waning.

"In an unfamiliar environment, strength isn't optional, it's necessary," Leonard thought. "People respect power, or at least the appearance of it."

---

After two hours, the 'massive ship' finally began to move.

The sails unfurled with a whisper of magic, and the ladder leading to the dock was retracted. As the ship glided away from Bangor Port, Leonard stood by the railing, his eyes fixed on the receding harbor.

In the distance, he spotted a 'carriage arriving at the dock', the curtains lifting to reveal two hurried figures scrambling out. Leonard watched them for a long time, his emotions unreadable, until the port disappeared completely into the mist.

With one hand resting on the ship's cold edge, Leonard whispered under his breath: "Farewell, Bangor Port."

As the ship ventured further into the sea, the fog began to thin, revealing an endless horizon where the water stretched to infinity.

---

It wasn't long before Leonard heard voices.

"Newcomers, there are some rules you need to understand."

A group of young boys and girls had gathered near the railing, and one of them stepped forward to address the others. His tone carried an air of authority, though not without arrogance.

"We're all headed to the Wizard Continent. Same batch, same ship. We might even end up as classmates. But don't get any ideas, this place has rules, and they're not to be broken."

Before Leonard could respond, a sharp, mocking voice cut through the air.

"Rules? We're all students here. There are no rules," sneered a young man dressed in an extravagant purple and gold robe. His tone was dripping with disdain as he continued, "Or do you people from other kingdoms think you can lord over us here in the kingdom of Erdoru?"

Several others around him, likely from the same noble class, chuckled in agreement. Some muttered insults, while others simply sneered, their laughter laced with derision.

"What a rude, barbaric little place," someone whispered, loud enough to be heard.

The tension on the deck was palpable, and Leonard could feel the eyes of the gathered nobles flicking to him, gauging his reaction.

The first speaker, undeterred, responded coldly: "These aren't 'our' rules. They were set by Lord Merlin himself. Even the likes of you would do well to obey them."

His tone grew sharper. "There are only three rules on this ship. First, you're not allowed to harm the crew. Second, you're not allowed to kill people without reason. Third, choose your bed wisely, if you get in Lord Merlin's way, he may not be in the mood to tolerate you."

With that, the speaker turned back to his friends, the conversation dissolving into low murmurs. Yet, their sidelong glances carried an unmistakable air of mockery and challenge.

---

Leonard stood quietly, letting their words settle in his mind.

"Merlin," he thought, the name ringing familiar. "I've heard that name before..."

Suddenly, Leonard's memory clicked, and the name 'Merlin' came rushing back to him.

It was in the diary his teacher, Alfonso, had given him. Merlin was mentioned multiple times, an acquaintance, perhaps even a friend of Alfonso. If his teacher had become a full-fledged wizard, it wasn't hard to believe that Merlin had followed the same path. Whether this was coincidence or fate, Leonard wasn't sure, but the thought lingered in his mind as he collected himself.

Shaking off the distraction, he stepped into the 'cabin' to find a place to rest.

The voyage was bound to be long, and securing a suitable room was his first priority.

---

Leonard pulled a small 'wooden stick' from his pocket and muttered a simple incantation. A warm glow ignited at its tip, casting soft light over his surroundings.

The cabin's first floor was surprisingly well-furnished. Thick 'red carpets' stretched across the floor, muffling his footsteps. The walls were adorned with oil-painted murals, their intricate details giving the space an air of sophistication. Yet, despite the lavish touches, every room he passed had its door tightly shut, as if the occupants were guarding their privacy or secrets.

Reaching the end of the hallway, Leonard descended a wooden ladder to the 'second floor'.

The air here was heavier, tinged with a faint, musty dampness. The walls and floors were bare wood, lacking the refinement of the level above. Instead of murals, every few meters there hung a portrait in a simple frame; each depicting a different figure, their gazes hauntingly lifelike, as if they were watching Leonard's every move.

The atmosphere was colder, quieter. And like the first floor, the doors here were also closed.

As Leonard walked further, the silence was broken by a sudden 'creak'.

A door just ahead swung open slowly, the sound unnervingly loud in the stillness.

From within stepped a 'pale, blonde-haired girl' who looked no older than her mid-teens. Her wary blue eyes locked onto Leonard as if assessing whether he was a threat. She hesitated, hovering in the doorway for a moment before stepping out completely.

Leonard didn't stop. Without a word, he continued walking, sensing her hesitant gaze lingering on his back.

After a moment, her light footsteps began to follow him.

---

The 'third floor' was vastly different from the first two.

Stepping into the open space, Leonard immediately realized it was a 'dining area'. Unlike the cramped hallways below, this floor was expansive, with tall ceilings that made it feel larger still. Tables were spread across the space, though most were unoccupied.

The pale-haired girl's footsteps slowed as she entered behind him, eventually choosing a seat at a nearby table. Leonard caught the faint ripple of energy in the air as she 'knocked on the table', a soft vibration that sent a subtle signal through the room.

Curious, Leonard turned his head slightly and saw a 'tiny figure' no taller than a palm; materialize on her table. The little man was dressed in woven clothes, his face sharp and expressive, like a miniature human.

---

Leonard approached another empty table and did the same, knocking softly.

A similar 'energy fluctuation' rippled through the air, followed by a faint flash of 'blue light'. Moments later, a second 'miniature man' appeared on his table.

The figure was meticulously detailed, wearing tiny yet elaborate garments and a hat. Its 'Bahof elf' features were unmistakable; delicate, expressive, and brimming with character. Leonard recalled reading about them in one of Alfonso's books: a race of elves renowned for their spellcasting and a peculiar passion for cooking.

The tiny figure looked up at him and smiled politely. "Good evening, sir. What would you like to eat?"

Leonard leaned closer, lowering his voice. "I don't need food right now. I need information, about the rules on this ship."

The Bahof elf hesitated, its expression shifting to mild discomfort. "Ah, rules? You're not here for food? You do know I'm a chef, not a guide, right?" The elf sighed dramatically before continuing. "Fine, fine, no need to get testy. You're not the first newcomer to ask. I'll tell you."

Leonard smirked slightly, letting the elf continue.

---

The Bahof elf's tone grew serious as it began to explain.

"There are two kinds of rules on this ship. The first set is basic: you must never damage the ship, harm the crew, or interfere with the ship's voyage. Break these, and you'll be thrown into the sea without hesitation."

Leonard nodded slowly. "And the second?"

The elf's expression darkened. "The second set of rules depends entirely on the mood of the official wizard who oversees this voyage. Every wizard has their own quirks and whims, and you'd do well to stay out of their way."

The elf adjusted its tiny hat, its tone dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I've been on this ship for nearly a hundred years, and I've seen plenty of wizards. Some hate noise; make a sound above a certain volume, and they'll toss you overboard. Others are obsessed with cleanliness or demand strange rituals every time we dock. Every journey is different, depending on the wizard's temperament."

Leonard raised an eyebrow. "And what about this journey? What do we know about Lord Merlin?"

The elf shrugged. "Not much. Lord Merlin hasn't left his room since the ship departed. He's made it clear that no one is to disturb him, so this voyage has been relatively quiet. For now."

Leonard's lips twitched into a faint smile as he thought. "A recluse, like my teacher."