Chapter 7

"Ah Cain, we were going to lunch and came here to invite you," said Jack, implying that he hadn't invited Cain beforehand.

"Then I will be happy to join," said Cain, feigning ignorance. Although he had discussed it with Jack earlier, pretending to accept a suddenly invitation would make a good impression on others.

After that, they headed to the cafeteria located at the topmost area of the ship. Upon entering, they found it filled with many people, around a hundred, sitting and having their lunch.

After getting their food and sitting at one of the empty tables, Jack began, "Cain, let me introduce you to the other members of our group." Pointing towards the only girl, he continued, "She is Jessica, granddaughter of the first elder of the Avengle Chamber of Commerce." Jessica was about 12 years old, with shoulder-length red hair and red eyes, showing no particular expression.

"He is James, the son of Marquis Fronze of the Bestia Kingdom," said Jack, pointing towards a boy about the same age as Cain, with brown hair and brown eyes, smiling brightly.

"And lastly, this is Lawrence. Although he is not of noble origin, it doesn't matter as nobility is not significant in the Wizarding Continent," said Jack, indicating a 14-year-old boy with black hair and black eyes, who had a polite smile.

"And this is Cain, son of Ravenclaw Marquis of the Augustus Empire," said Jack, introducing Cain to the others.

After the introductions, they began discussing common affairs, the wizard exam, and other topics. Lawrence also participated, though being a commoner made it difficult for him to speak comfortably.

As the conversation continued, Lawrence mentioned that he had received a token while buying some items at a stall. Jack explained that some tokens were hidden in secret places across different continents, and only people with wizard talent could find them; those without talent might not find them even if they were right in front of them.

While they were talking, the sound of glass breaking distracted them.

Looking towards the source, they saw two boys shouting at each other. One was wearing luxurious clothes fitting for a noble, while the other wore commoner's attire.

"How dare you touch me with your filthy hands, commoner," said the noble boy with a disgusted expression.

"Hmph, why are you shouting? I just touched you accidentally."

"How dare you talk to me like that, you lowlife," shouted the noble boy angrily.

"What lowlife? Do you think you will be treated like a noble in the Wizarding Continent?" sneered the commoner.

"How dare you! In the name of Count Douglas, I will teach you how to behave," the noble boy said, unsheathing the sword at his waist.

As he was about to slash at the commoner, a group of sailors arrived to break up the fight, holding both boys and separating them.

"How dare you touch me? Go away, I shall teach this lowlife a lesson," shouted the noble boy.

Although the sailors were angry, they did not reply. They appeared ordinary, but to sail on this ship and follow a wizard, the average sailor was a grand knight.

"Hehehe, well, what is going on here?" A cynical and lazy voice interrupted as the noble boy was about to shout again.

With the voice, Wizard Bach suddenly appeared in front of the sailors and the two boys.

"Sir, the situation is...," one of the sailors began to explain servilely to Wizard Bach.

"Oh, so you two were causing a ruckus here?" asked Wizard Bach.

"No, no, wizard sir, this guy was...," stammered the noble boy in a shaking voice. The commoner next to him was also frightened.

"Well, no need, no need. It's just a small fight, and a small punishment might do the job," said the wizard in the same cynical and lazy tone.

"Thank you, sir, we will take care—," the noble boy began, but he suddenly started floating in the air.

"S-s-sir, th-this—"

"Oh, it's just a small punishment," said Wizard Bach as the noble boy's body started trembling. With constant trembling, the boy began making muffled and painful noises. After what seemed like an eternity but was only a moment, the boy's body stopped moving. With a sound of tearing, four bloody hands emerged from the boy's back. Slowly, a crouching creature with no skin and facial features crawled out of his body.

"See, it's just a small punishment, but you were too weak to endure it. Just like a boy putting a small amount of force on his finger to crush an ant," Wizard Bach said, addressing the already dead boy who was now nothing but skin.

Seeing this, the commoner boy's whole body started trembling, and his face paled visibly.

"Hehehe, you don't need to be afraid. He was the one who started the fight first. Killing more of you with wizard talent would cause problems, otherwise, I would have liked to play a game with all of you," said Wizard Bach to the trembling boy, though his tone implied he was addressing everyone present.

"So if you all can be a little quiet for the rest of the journey, I won't have to punish you," said Wizard Bach. His voice was dangerously frightening, different from his usual cynical and lazy tone.

"And you, clean up this mess," said Wizard Bach, addressing the sailors.

"Yes, Sir Wizard," replied the sailors in trembling voices.

With a soft "Um," Wizard Bach disappeared, taking the creature that had crawled out of the noble boy's body with him.

After Wizard Bach left, the cafeteria was filled with the sound of deep breathing, punctuated by occasional vomiting.

The sailors hurriedly cleaned up the scene and then departed.

Even a few minutes after Wizard Bach's departure, the cafeteria still remained in pin-drop silence.