The academy vessel continued sailing across the shimmering sea.
The distant silhouette of Aetherial Institute had begun appearing upon the horizon.
At first it looked like a dark shadow.
Then gradually—
Ancient towers.
Floating structures.
Massive walls.
Skybridges.
And countless mysterious buildings emerged from the ocean mist.
Even from this distance.
The academy looked less like a school and more like an independent kingdom.
A kingdom of knowledge.
A kingdom of talent.
A kingdom where countless futures were forged.
Yet despite such a breathtaking sight—
Most students aboard the vessel weren't looking toward the academy.
Their attention remained elsewhere.
More specifically.
Toward a silver-haired mermaid wrapped in a blanket.
Seraphina.
Currently experiencing the consequences of being beautiful.
A burden she had never truly understood until today.
Around her.
A circle of male students had formed.
Each attempting conversation.
Each attempting introductions.
Each attempting to appear charming.
The atmosphere resembled a battlefield disguised as social interaction.
One noble youth adjusted his expensive coat.
Another subtly displayed his family crest.
A third casually mentioned that his uncle governed an entire city.
A fourth started explaining his magical accomplishments.
The competition continued escalating.
Meanwhile—
Seraphina sat quietly.
Listening.
Nodding occasionally.
Answering minimally.
The entire situation exhausted her.
Inside her mind.
She missed the ocean.
At least fish didn't introduce themselves every five seconds.
Then—
Something unexpected happened.
Several female students finally had enough.
One girl wearing dark academy travel clothes stepped forward.
Her sharp eyes swept across the gathered males.
The atmosphere immediately shifted.
Another female student joined her.
Then another.
Then another.
Within moments.
Nearly ten girls stood around Seraphina.
The boys immediately sensed danger.
A different kind of danger.
The social kind.
The terrifying kind.
The first girl folded her arms.
Her smile looked polite.
Extremely polite.
Dangerously polite.
"Don't you boys have preparations to make?"
The noble youth blinked.
"What?"
The girl smiled wider.
"Didn't you hear me?"
The smile became brighter.
"I asked."
Pause.
"If you have preparations to make."
Several boys immediately understood.
The smart ones retreated.
The foolish ones remained.
One attempted arguing.
Then three female students simultaneously looked at him.
The young man immediately decided retreat was the better option.
Within minutes—
The crowd dispersed.
The battlefield ended.
Peace returned.
The remaining male students watched from a safe distance.
Like defeated soldiers observing occupied territory.
The female students exchanged satisfied looks.
Mission accomplished.
Meanwhile—
Seraphina blinked.
Then blinked again.
The sudden silence felt strange.
Very strange.
The dark-haired girl who had led the operation sat beside her.
"You okay?"
Seraphina hesitated.
Then nodded.
"I think so."
The girl laughed.
"I've seen noble banquets less competitive than what just happened."
Several nearby girls immediately agreed.
One blonde student shook her head.
"They would've followed you until the academy entrance gates."
Another nodded.
"Probably longer."
The group laughed softly.
For the first time.
Seraphina relaxed slightly.
The atmosphere felt different.
More comfortable.
Less exhausting.
Nobody here attempted impressing her.
Nobody tried showing off.
Nobody treated her like a prize.
The realization felt refreshing.
Then the dark-haired girl asked:
"So."
Her curious eyes focused on Seraphina.
"What are you planning to do?"
The question immediately attracted attention.
The other girls listened carefully.
Because honestly.
They were wondering the same thing.
Seraphina remained silent.
The ocean breeze moved several silver strands across her face.
Then she quietly answered.
"I don't know."
The honesty surprised them.
The blonde girl tilted her head.
"You really don't know?"
Seraphina slowly nodded.
"My tribe expected me to follow him."
Her eyes unconsciously drifted toward the opposite side of the deck.
Toward Kel.
The young explorer remained seated.
A book rested within his hands.
The surrounding chaos seemed unable to reach him.
The girls followed her gaze.
Then collectively understood.
One girl immediately snorted.
"Good luck."
Several others laughed.
Seraphina looked confused.
"What?"
The dark-haired girl pointed toward Kel.
"That one?"
"Yes."
The girl shook her head.
"I've been watching him since the mermaid incident."
The other girls nodded.
Apparently they had too.
The dark-haired girl continued.
"He notices everything."
"Yet somehow ignores everything."
Another girl added:
"I've never seen anyone reject a beautiful woman three separate times."
A third corrected her.
"Four."
"No."
"Five."
The girls immediately began counting.
Seraphina felt emotional damage returning.
Then the blonde girl sighed.
"Honestly."
Her gaze softened.
"I don't think he's taking you anywhere."
The words weren't cruel.
Simply realistic.
Seraphina knew that already.
Which somehow made hearing it worse.
The dark-haired girl noticed.
Then gently changed the subject.
"Have you considered entering the academy?"
Silence.
Seraphina blinked.
The suggestion had never occurred to her.
"The academy?"
"Yes."
The blonde girl nodded enthusiastically.
"Why not?"
Another student joined.
"If you're talented enough."
"You can apply."
The silver-haired mermaid looked surprised.
"But I'm a mermaid."
The girls exchanged glances.
Then laughed.
One finally answered.
"And?"
Seraphina froze.
The answer genuinely confused her.
The girl continued.
"You think Aetherial Institute cares?"
Several others nodded.
The dark-haired student smiled.
"This place accepts geniuses."
"Humans."
"Beastkin."
"Half-elves."
"Spirit descendants."
She shrugged.
"A talented mermaid isn't unusual."
Another girl added:
"Actually."
She thought for a moment.
"I heard there are merfolk students already."
Seraphina's eyes widened.
The possibility suddenly felt real.
For the first time.
A future appeared.
A future that didn't involve blindly following someone.
The realization felt strange.
Hopeful.
Yet unfamiliar.
Then another girl spoke.
"If you don't want that."
Everyone looked toward her.
She smiled.
"You could work as a maid."
Several students nodded.
Reasonable option.
One noble-born girl immediately raised her hand.
"I would hire you."
Silence.
Then everyone laughed.
The noble girl looked offended.
"What?"
The dark-haired student pointed toward Seraphina.
"Half the academy would declare war on you."
The noble girl paused.
Then reluctantly nodded.
Fair point.
Another student laughed.
"You'd create more political incidents than actual nobles."
The girls continued joking.
The atmosphere remained light.
Comfortable.
Warm.
Meanwhile—
Seraphina listened quietly.
The conversation continued.
Future possibilities.
Academy life.
Different paths.
Different choices.
Different opportunities.
And slowly.
Something changed.
For most of her life.
Her path had always been chosen by others.
Her tribe.
Her elders.
Her responsibilities.
Her beauty.
Everyone decided what she should be.
Yet now.
For the first time.
People weren't telling her what to do.
They were asking what she wanted.
The realization felt strange.
Inside her chest.
Something moved.
A small feeling.
Tiny.
Yet undeniable.
Freedom.
Far away.
Kel turned another page.
Inside his mind.
Seiren observed everything.
Then spoke.
"The fish is growing."
"Mermaid."
"Independent fish."
Kel sighed.
The Guardian laughed.
Then added:
"You accidentally helped her."
"I gave her a blanket."
"And a future."
Kel didn't answer.
Because honestly.
He hadn't thought that far.
Meanwhile—
The academy island continued growing larger.
Ancient towers pierced the sky.
Mystical formations glowed faintly.
The legendary Aetherial Institute awaited.
And aboard the vessel.
A silver-haired mermaid sat among a group of laughing girls.
For the first time since leaving her tribe.
She no longer felt completely lost.
The future remained uncertain.
But perhaps.
That wasn't such a terrible thing.