CHAPTER 388: A NIGHT BY THE SEASIDE

Nicole smiled at Silvanus and Nana. "Drawing a teleportation gate takes time and drains a lot of magic..."

Silvanus: "..."

Nana immediately said, "So you want us to fly there together?"

The Merfolk territory lay in the coastal borders of the Land of Light, a region called Aqualon. From Eldoria’s edge, heading straight south would eventually lead them there—but it was definitely not close. If it were, they wouldn’t need a teleportation gate at all.

Fly there? They’d likely run out of Flux and die long before reaching even half the distance.

Nicole waved her hand and gave Nana a reproachful look. "Heavens, do I look like the kind of person who enjoys torturing others?"

Nana fell silent. Silvanus couldn’t help asking, "Then if we’re not using a teleportation gate, and we can’t fly, what are we supposed to do?"

Surely Nicole didn’t intend for them to walk the entire way as physical training?

Just as that thought crossed Silvanus’s mind, Nicole raised her hand. A large magic circle appeared before Nana and Silvanus.

A moment later, enormous claws tore through the air. In an instant, Nicole’s Lumin materialized.

Nicole was already seated atop its head, smiling. "Come on. Let me show you what the skies of our homeland look like."

Lumin did not consume its master’s magic—so this was what Nicole had planned.

Silvanus and Nana exchanged a look, then Nana immediately declared, "I’m sitting in the front!"

Silvanus: "... Do we really have to fight over this?"

Nana was ruthless like a demon, yet sometimes childish to an absurd degree.

She snorted and leapt straight onto Caesar’s back—yes, Caesar was the name of Nicole’s Lumin.

Silvanus jumped up after her. Caesar’s fur was unbelievably soft, almost slippery, and instead of the warmth of flesh and blood, it radiated something more like sunlight.

Nicole sat at the very top of Caesar’s head and called out loudly, "Ready? Let’s go, Caesar!"

The moment she finished speaking, Caesar’s body surged into motion, its steps powerful and wide.

It leapt straight into the sky, creating a trail of small magic circles beneath its paws wherever it touched.

Silvanus felt wind rushing past his face and through his hair. The gleaming white clouds were closer than ever, as if he could reach out and grab one.

Looking down, the land below shrank rapidly. People were no longer visible, and the dense forests of Eldoria grew smaller and smaller as they soared higher.

Silvanus held Vivian in his arms. Vivian peeked behind them from the crook of Silvanus’s neck and whispered, "One day, I’ll take you flying this high myself."

Silvanus smiled. Vivian always spoke of grand things—dreams far larger than her small body.

But he nodded, replying firmly, "I’ll be waiting for that day."

Vivian nuzzled into the hollow of his neck.

They were all strangely quiet. Even Nana—usually proud and irritable—only focused on the scenery around them.

Suddenly, she and Silvanus shared something in common: this was the second time either of them had traveled so far. The first was to the Relics of the Hobbit. This time, they had not only ventured to Eldoria but were now heading toward Aqualon.

It felt as if their paths, once separate, had begun to run alongside each other. Strangely, Nana didn’t find it as unpleasant as she would have expected.

She simply wanted to stretch her arms out into the rushing wind. Maybe Nicole was right—nature in Eldoria truly was wondrous. And the breeze sweeping past her now also carried something magical. Nothing around her felt nearly as irritating as usual...

Even though the ordinary commoner behind her was sitting just a few centimeters away.

"Silvanus, I’ll definitely beat you someday."

Nana spoke suddenly.

Silvanus had been completely absorbed in the sight below, but at her words, he couldn’t help laughing.

Hearing him laugh only made Nana irritated again.

Then Silvanus said, "You’ll never win against me, Nana. But don’t worry—you’re strong. I respect your strength."

Nana frowned, dissatisfied, but ultimately didn’t argue.

Nicole heard their exchange and covered her mouth with a soft giggle. She stroked Caesar’s head and whispered, "Aren’t they adorable, Caesar?"

Caesar let out a melodious cry, as if answering her.

By dusk, they finally caught sight of the sea.

The ocean, dyed a beautiful orange-gold by the sun, shimmered as the light refracted off the waves—like countless stars drifting across the water, rising and falling with every tide.

The fishermen of the coastal village were hauling in their nets, overflowing with fresh fish. This was a quiet, undeveloped shore—no harbor, no boats beyond a few simple ones.

Nicole’s landing stirred a wave of startled voices, and soon the village chief approached.

He looked very old; the sea wind and sun had left him dark-skinned and thin.

He leaned on a large wooden cane, yet his face carried a gentle, sincere smile—neither timid nor flattering.

"Elder Nicole, it is an honor to see you. Please, your lodgings are prepared."

Nicole bowed with a warm smile. "Long time no see, Nathan. You haven’t changed at all."

The village chief—Nathan—chuckled softly. "I’m old. You’re the one who never changes, Nicole."

Nicole smiled and followed him at a leisurely pace. Nana and Silvanus exchanged a glance, then trailed behind.

Nana’s eyes swept across the village—her expression haughty and unimpressed, as if nothing and no one was worth noticing.

No one noticed a faint wisp of light slip out of Silvanus’s pouch, circling briefly before vanishing into the crowd.

"Rest here for tonight. We’ll enter Aqualon tomorrow morning."

After assigning rooms, Nicole let out a long yawn and headed off.

Nana returned to her room with clear irritation. "What a rundown place... is this really fit for living?"

Silvanus, still standing in the hallway, could hear her grumbling.

Looked like someone wouldn’t be sleeping tonight.

Silvanus smirked at the thought.

As for him—of course he slept well. After not sleeping the previous night, he fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow, completely unaffected by anything around him.

Midnight came, shrouded in heavy darkness and cold fog.

Mixed with the sound of ocean winds... was something else.

Something like the relentless, heart-wrenching sobbing of a person in deep pain—wave after wave.

Silvanus frowned, then abruptly opened his eyes, still slightly drowsy.

He rubbed his forehead and sat up, noticing Vivian already standing at the window, staring out into the night.

The crying wasn’t loud, but mages always heard more than normal people.

Silvanus pushed the window open and jumped out.

Someone crying alone at this hour—dangerous.

Just then another sound caught his ear. He turned and saw Nana landing lightly on the ground after jumping from her window.

He almost didn’t recognize her.

She wasn’t wearing her hair tied back; her light brown hair fell loose and straight, softening her usual severe expression. She wore a simple nightgown, the hem fluttering in the wind.

Sensing Silvanus’s stare, Nana brushed her hair back and glared.

"I’ll gouge your eyes out!"