Chapter 41: To Verdantis

"H-how long will you be gone?" Gwendolyn asked her with teary eyes, and Victoria could not help but smile at her younger sister. They were currently within the confines of a park, which Gwendolyn liked to frequent. 

"Not long, little Gwen." She patted the younger girl on the head. "It will feel like but a moment."

"But I don't want you gone, sis!" Her sister whined, and Victoria could just shake her head at her younger sister's antics.

"Come now. I may be traveling far, but there are benefits to this." Victoria stared back into her sisters large, teary eyes. "I'll get to bring you foreign treats."

"R-really?" Her sister questioned.

"I promise."

"Then I want a lot!" Her sister demanded with slightly more vigor.

"As you wish, little lady." Victoria chuckled.

"Come now, Gwendolyn; there is no need to pout because of your sister's departure." The familiar voice of their mother reached the sisters ears. Victoria smiled as she took note of her mother strolling their way.

"Mother." Victoria was greeted with a heartwarming smile. It never ceases to comfort her to see her mother in full health.

"I'm so proud of you, sweetie!" Before her words could register, she was buried in a hug.

"Oomphf!" She forgot how strong her mother could be. "C-come now, mother; other people are watching." She said it somewhat shyly; her mother just giggled as she released her daughter.

"Let them see; I care not." Her mother declared it with a smile. "I'll express my love openly."

"Hehe, Victoria, you blushed." Gwendolyn stated.

"Hush, I did not." The girl stated while looking away.

"Now, Gwen, no teasing your sister. But you're going far, Victoria; have you packed all your necessities?" Of course she was worried, as all mothers are when their children travel far.

"Of course, mother, everything is prepared. But should I really go?" She questioned somewhat hesitantly.

"Of course you should, dear. This is not an opportunity to come lightly." Her mother reasoned.

"I suppose..." Victoria murmured, "Than I shall make House Eizenberg proud!" She declared.

"I know you will, Victoria." Her mother smiled at her daughter's enthusiasm.

"Hey, is Mikoto coming with you?" Her small sister asked as she nodded her head.

"He is."

"Hm, I still have not been able to properly show my gratitude." Her mother spoke with slight disappointment. "Rather uncouth of me, I shall make a mends. He saved my life, and it is the least I can do. But his notes on Blightscurge he left only further puts me in his debt. It could safe a lot of lives." 

"I am sure Mikoto will understand, but I must be off to the docks now."

"Goodbye, Victoria!" Gwendolyn shouted, once more a bit teary-eyed.

"Godspeed Victoria."

"Farewell, mother, Gwen." She gave them one last hug before walking off.

Elsewhere in the large park, an annoyed Mirabella stared at two individuals.

"Are you sure you would not have me accompany you, princess?" Lukas Stark asked, the armored boy's gaze locking into Mirabella's.

"Pipe down, Lukas. You have to look after this twerp, remember?" She spoke, directing her gaze to her younger sister, Valerie, who just huffed at her older sister's words.

"I'm no 'twerp' sister; I've grown some." She argued.

"You seem the same height to me." Mirabella spoke with a grin.

"Then maybe you should have your eyes checked." The younger princess stated.

"Uh-huh, whatever you say." Mirabella joked before glancing back at Lukas.

"Look, Lukas, you have to prepare for the festival in your own way."

"I know, princess, but I just think it would be safer if I..."

"Do you think I'm weak or something?" She asked as she narrowed her eyes.

"What? No! Of course not! It's just that, as one of the royal families royal knights, I just see it as my duty to look after you." He reasoned.

"You slow or something? Just take care of my sisters that are here in Galadriel. I'll be fine." She stated this, and Lukas could not help but sigh. Among the three siblings, Mirabella was definitely the most troublesome.

"How long will you be gone, Mirabella?" Valerie asked.

"What? You going to miss me, twerp?" Mirabella asked with a smug smile.

"Of course not!" The younger princess denied it.

"Sure, sure." Mirabella let out an uncharacteristic, genuine smile as she ruffled her sister's hair much to the latters annoyance. "I'll be off; send my regards to Big Sis." With a wave, Mirabella walked off.

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The docks stretched out along the coastline, a bustling hub of activity with merchants hawking their wares and sailors loading and unloading cargo. The docks were constructed of sturdy wooden planks, weathered and worn from years of use, with moss and algae growing in between the cracks.

The docked ships loomed impressively over the dock, its towering masts reaching towards the sky. The ship's hull was painted a deep, rich mahogany, with intricate carvings and gold detailing adorning its sides. The sails billowed in the wind, adorned with the sigil of the ship's owner, a fearsome sea serpent coiled around a sword.

The crewmembers scurried about on the deck, their movements precise and practiced as they tied off ropes and prepared the ship for its voyage. Seagulls swooped and squawked overhead, scavenging for scraps of food left behind by the sailors.

The smell of saltwater and fish filled the air, as well as the distinct aroma of tar and wood from the docked ship. The sound of creaking wood and waves lapping against the shore created a symphony of maritime noises, punctuated by the occasional shout of a sailor or the ringing of a bell.

Red eyes beneath a mask bore into one particular ship.

The large ship was an impressive sight as it sat docked at sea, its towering masts reaching towards the sky. The hull of the ship was made of sturdy oak wood, weathered and aged from years of sailing on the open sea. The sides of the ship were lined with rows of intricate carvings depicting mythical creatures and fierce warriors.

The deck of the ship was bustling with activity as sailors scurried to and fro, preparing for their next voyage. The sound of creaking ropes and clanging metal filled the air, accompanied by the shouts of the crew as they worked diligently to ensure the ship was ready to set sail. The sails, made of durable canvas, were furled tightly against the masts, waiting to catch the wind and propel the ship forward.

The bow of the ship was adorned with a fearsome figurehead, the likeness of a dragon with sharp claws and a gaping maw, poised to strike any enemy that dared to challenge its might. The stern of the ship was adorned with a grandiose flag, emblazoned with the sigil of the noble house that owned the vessel, fluttering in the breeze.

"Mikoto correct? You're the last to arrive." The masked boy tore his gaze away from the ship as he spotted a rather tall man with a head of neat black hair and emerald eyes. He was dressed in a simple yet decorative black suit with gold outlines and a lilac undershirt. "I am Professor Eugene, one of your overseers for this curriculum."

"Nice to meet you." Mikoto was greeted with a nod. "Are the others on the ship already?"

"They are; we'll be taking off in a moment. Have you already sorted any luggage?"

"No, I don't have much, really." Mikoto clarified. "But say that Guinevere chick said we were going to go to Verdantis to solve a problem. But she wasn't really specific about it. Mind filling me in?"

"I will, eventually. Though only when everyone is gathered together." Professor Eugene stated: "Though what I can say is that it will be dangerous, Especially once we're in Verdantis."

"Hm? How so?"

"Astrothians like to migrate up north; you know of them, correct?"

"Sure, they're magical beasts sorted into specific classes ranging from Class D, C, B, A, and S." Mikoto answered immediately. "There was also a Class Z help for creatures like dragons, but they're extinct."

"You're quite educated about Astrothians; Luminare Academy only starts giving classes about them for your second and third years." Professor Eugene spoke with a hum.

"Well, I had a pretty good teacher." Mikoto informed him as he remembered the muscle-headed Arthur, who was Fiona's father. Honestly, all that seemed so long ago.

Though he still remembered the day he came to this world,.

("So much time has past...and still nothing.") All of this just served to remind him of the zero progress he had made. ("But that's about to chance; Aleister promised a reward. I'll have him undo those seals on the forbidden section of the library. It's a loose hope, but maybe just maybe the key to an answer lies beyond those doors. There must be a solution.")

"All aboard! We'll be leaving for Verdantis!" A loud voice announced, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Suppose we should board the ship now." Professor Eugene stated as Mikoto nodded, following behind the man with a small sigh.

("I hope this curriculum won't last long. I just want to get all this over with so we can finish with this festival.")

("This journey is definitely not one I want.")