The coastal teleportation array activated.
A pillar of brilliant light erupted toward the heavens.
Ancient runes carved into the formation blazed with power.
Space twisted.
Reality bent.
Then—
The world changed.
The dry atmosphere of the eastern provincial capital vanished.
In its place came something entirely different.
Salt.
The scent reached Kel before he even fully stepped from the teleportation circle.
Fresh.
Vast.
Ancient.
The scent of the sea.
Kel slowly opened his eyes.
The first thing he heard was the distant cry of seabirds.
The second was waves.
Countless waves.
Endlessly crashing against stone harbors and wooden docks.
The third was excitement.
The teleportation station was crowded.
Not with ordinary travelers.
Not with merchants.
Not with adventurers.
Students.
Everywhere.
Hundreds.
Perhaps thousands.
Future applicants.
Future scholars.
Future rulers.
Future monsters.
Everyone heading toward a single destination.
Aetherial Institute.
The legendary island academy.
Kel stepped out of the teleportation circle.
The sea breeze immediately tugged at his dark cloak.
His silver hair swayed gently.
The sky above was clear.
Blue.
Endless.
Unlike the snow-covered North.
The weather here felt almost warm.
The eastern coastal city stretched before him.
White stone buildings.
Blue roofs.
Tall watchtowers.
Massive warehouses.
The harbor itself dominated the horizon.
Countless ships moved across the sea.
Fishing vessels.
Merchant ships.
Military vessels.
Passenger transports.
The city felt alive.
Thriving.
Connected to the entire world.
Around him, students quickly began moving.
No one wanted to waste time.
Everyone already knew where they were going.
The harbor.
The final stage.
The final journey before reaching Aetherial Institute.
Kel followed the flow naturally.
The crowd moved like a river through the city streets.
People spoke excitedly.
Discussing examinations.
Academy rumors.
Future goals.
Family expectations.
The closer they approached the harbor—
The more energetic the atmosphere became.
Then—
The sea appeared.
Even Kel paused slightly.
The view was impressive.
Endless blue water stretched toward the horizon.
Sunlight reflected across the waves like countless diamonds.
The harbor itself was enormous.
Dozens of piers extended into the sea.
Ships arrived and departed continuously.
Workers carried cargo.
Sailors shouted orders.
The entire place vibrated with activity.
And among all the vessels—
One ship dominated everything.
Massive.
Absolutely massive.
It stood beside the central pier like a floating fortress.
Its hull was constructed from dark enchanted timber reinforced with silver alloy.
Several decks rose above the waterline.
Magical formations glowed softly along its sides.
The sails were currently furled.
Yet even folded they looked enormous.
A silver crest depicting an open book surrounded by stars decorated the ship's side.
The symbol of Aetherial Institute.
Students immediately began gathering nearby.
Excitement spread through the crowd.
Many stared openly.
Some whispered.
Others simply looked stunned.
Because for many—
This ship represented a dream.
The final bridge between ordinary life and the academy.
Kel quietly observed.
Then nodded.
The vessel possessed excellent construction.
Excellent balance.
Excellent reinforcement.
It could probably survive storms that would sink ordinary fleets.
Then a powerful voice echoed across the harbor.
"All applicants!"
The crowd gradually quieted.
Standing atop the boarding platform was a large man.
Broad shoulders.
Weathered skin.
A thick beard.
A long blue captain's coat fluttered within the sea breeze.
His presence felt solid.
Experienced.
Like a mountain standing against storms.
The captain crossed his arms.
His voice carried effortlessly across the harbor.
"Boarding begins immediately."
"No pushing."
"No fighting."
"No throwing people into the ocean."
The crowd blinked.
The captain sighed.
"Yes."
"That happened before."
The students immediately became curious.
The captain ignored them.
"If you fall into the sea."
"I'm not responsible."
Several students immediately stepped farther away from the pier's edge.
The captain nodded approvingly.
"Good."
Then he pointed toward the ship.
"Move."
The crowd obeyed.
Immediately.
Students began boarding.
Orderly.
Efficiently.
Kel followed.
The wooden boarding bridge creaked beneath countless footsteps.
The sea breeze grew stronger.
The scent of salt became sharper.
The sound of waves louder.
Then—
He stepped onto the ship.
The deck felt stable beneath his feet.
Remarkably stable.
Even with hundreds of passengers boarding.
The vessel barely moved.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Several stabilization formations were probably embedded within the hull.
The quality exceeded expectations.
Students quickly spread throughout the ship.
Some gathered in groups.
Others explored.
Several immediately claimed good observation spots.
A few looked nervous about sailing.
Meanwhile—
Kel quietly walked upward.
Past the main deck.
Past the passenger section.
Toward the upper levels.
Eventually reaching the highest accessible deck.
The captain stood near the wheel.
Several sailors moved efficiently around him.
Checking ropes.
Inspecting sails.
Preparing departure procedures.
The view from here was excellent.
The entire harbor spread beneath him.
Beyond that.
The sea.
Endless.
Beautiful.
Ancient.
Kel approached the railing.
Then looked downward.
The lower decks remained crowded.
Students everywhere.
Conversations filled the air.
The atmosphere felt lively.
Excited.
Anticipatory.
The beginning of a new chapter.
The captain eventually noticed him.
The large man glanced over.
Then raised an eyebrow.
Most students preferred remaining with friends.
Or exploring.
Very few climbed directly to the top deck.
"Lost?"
Kel shook his head.
"No."
The captain nodded.
Reasonable.
Then asked.
"Need something?"
Kel looked toward the sea.
Then toward the lower decks.
Then back toward the captain.
"May I stay here?"
The captain blinked.
"Here?"
"Yes."
The large man looked surprised.
Of all possible requests—
That wasn't one he expected.
The captain glanced around.
Then shrugged.
"You're not interfering with operations."
"So I don't care."
Kel nodded.
"Thank you."
The captain looked amused.
Then curiosity appeared.
"Most students want to be down there."
He pointed toward the crowded lower decks.
"Making friends."
"Showing off."
"Talking."
The large man scratched his beard.
"So why stay up here?"
Kel became silent.
For several moments.
Only the sea breeze spoke.
Then he answered honestly.
"People are talking about the Divine Spoon Art."
The harbor became strangely quiet.
At least from the captain's perspective.
The large man stared.
Then stared harder.
Kel calmly looked toward the crowd below.
The captain looked toward the crowd.
Then back toward Kel.
Then toward the crowd again.
Several moments passed.
Neither spoke.
Finally—
The captain asked carefully.
"...And?"
Kel's expression remained perfectly serious.
"I've been listening to it for three days."
Silence.
The captain blinked.
Then blinked again.
As though trying to determine whether this was a joke.
Unfortunately.
Kel looked completely sincere.
The captain slowly rubbed his forehead.
Then nodded.
"Fair."
Kel looked relieved.
Someone understood.
The captain crossed his arms.
"Honestly."
His expression darkened slightly.
"I'm sick of hearing about it too."
Kel immediately turned toward him.
The captain noticed.
Then pointed accusingly toward the lower deck.
"Last trip."
"Three students started throwing spoons."
Kel froze.
The captain continued.
"They shattered a lantern."
"..."
"They hit a sailor."
"..."
"They hit another spoon."
"..."
"Then they started arguing about whose spoon art was more authentic."
Kel stared silently at the sea.
The captain sighed deeply.
"The ocean was peaceful before that technique appeared."
Inside his mind—
Seiren exploded into laughter.
"You have destroyed maritime civilization."
"I have not."
"The captain disagrees."
Kel chose silence.
Again.
A wise decision.
Far below.
The students continued talking.
And inevitably—
The words drifted upward.
"Divine Spoon Art..."
The captain visibly twitched.
Kel looked toward the horizon.
The captain looked toward the horizon.
Neither wanted to hear the rest.
The sea stretched endlessly before them.
Far beyond the visible horizon.
An island waited.
The legendary academy.
Aetherial Institute.
And as the massive ship slowly prepared to depart the harbor—
Kel found himself unexpectedly standing beside the first person he had met who hated the Divine Spoon Art almost as much as he did.
The realization felt strangely comforting.
Then somewhere below deck—
A student loudly shouted.
"I heard Nameless once defeated a sea dragon with a spoon!"
The captain closed his eyes.
Kel closed his eyes.
And Seiren nearly drowned herself laughing.