Chapter 25
Countless thoughts raced through my mind in that fleeting moment.
How did he know and come all the way here? Did he come to find me?
No, what if he misunderstood and thought I’d been captured by pirates?
If he came looking even after realizing I’d left…?
‘…Why do I feel like I did something wrong?’
A vibration started deep inside my chest and grew stronger, like a child caught after causing trouble.
I told myself I wouldn’t care. I thought I could not care. Our contract was over; he and I had no ties anymore.
I believed that after repeating regressions, even my emotions had worn out. But what was it about that life at sea? That short time—barely a few days—kept clinging to me.
“Master, you did do something wrong.”
Jelly poked its little head out from my pocket. I pushed it back in, shaking my head.
…I didn’t run away and leave him behind, Jelly.
Ian’s actually a surprisingly affectionate person. He’s attentive, considerate, and feels responsible for others.
I was afraid he might get tied down by sympathy or compassion and fail to end things. That’s why I was the one who cut the ties first.
“Even temporary companions are still companions, aren’t they? Even a passing sardine says goodbye to the fish it swam with.”
Jelly poked its head out again and delivered another sharp remark. I was left speechless, biting down on my lip.
I thought it was a choice for both of us. But it seems it was only for me.
It was just the way that made me feel comfortable.
“Let’s go, Master.”
The little jellyfish grabbed my finger with its soft hand.
At that very moment, the wooden door creaked open.
“…”
Wind rushed in like a flood through the narrow gap. Golden eyes met mine. I opened my mouth, then closed it again.
Now that I was facing him, I didn’t know what to say. Worry? Fear? A swirl of emotions I couldn’t name surged inside me.
“Kanoe.”
Ian spoke first. That familiar voice—lower than usual, but soft like a light breeze.
‘You should apologize, Master!’
Jelly nudged me hard. Ah, seriously. I hate this kind of awkwardness.
“Um…”
I kept shifting my eyes, but in the end, I couldn’t hold out and raised both hands.
“I’m sorry! For disappearing without saying anything…!”
Ian stared at me in silence. His straight nose, his firmly closed lips—his face was calm as always.
“Um, Ian?”
“…”
“Why aren’t you saying anything? Are you really mad?”
I tilted my head to read his expression. But he still didn’t answer. The silence only made me ramble more.
“N-Next time, I’ll treat you to a nice meal!”
“…Heh.”
“Oh, come on…”
Luca smirked nearby, and Lev let out an incredulous laugh. I pretended not to notice either of them.
“Please? You know this is a big deal for me since I’m broke too, right?”
Ian lowered his head, staying silent for a while, then slowly stepped closer. I blinked up at him as he stopped in front of me.
I thought I saw the faintest smile when his hand reached out toward me. Before I could even blink, his warm fingertip flicked my forehead lightly.
Flick.
“…Huh?”
I instinctively covered my forehead, staring at him wide-eyed.
It didn’t really hurt. But for some reason, it felt like my forehead was burning.
As I rubbed it, Ian chuckled softly.
“I’ll let you off with that.”
Then, turning his head slightly, he spoke quietly.
“…We’ll discuss the details later.”
His gaze shifted to Lev, who had been holding back laughter.
“Shall we settle this first?”
Lev’s eye twitched slightly. After closing his eyes briefly, he exhaled and muttered.
“So everything you said was true. In the end…”
He didn’t finish his sentence. I shrugged. Whatever misunderstanding he had, it didn’t hurt me.
Lev pursed his lips and then activated his power. He must have decided words weren’t enough to take me away.
A surge of intense white energy burst from Lev’s body. Far stronger than before.
But I knew him. After years together, I knew exactly how strong Lev was, how he fought, and even his limits.
I raised my hand again, ready to cancel out his power before it reached me.
But before I could summon water, a gust of wind swept in front of me.
“Lev Valentir. I’ve always wanted to test myself against the Shield of Valentir.”
Ian spoke as his blade-like wind shredded Lev’s restraints. In his golden eyes, a spark of challenge burned.
“Oh, really? I’ve heard plenty about the Master of Storms. But seems the rumors were just rumors, huh?”
Lev grinned and faced him head-on. Winds roared, the floor shook. Their clash made the pirate ship tremble violently.
Two of the most powerful ability users in the Aquilaea Empire—there was no way this tiny ship could withstand their fight.
‘Are they seriously not holding back?’
I gaped at them from behind Ian.
The ship was going to sink at this rate!
Cracks were already splitting across the deck. The ceiling, battered by the storm, finally gave way, leaving a gaping hole.
“Shouldn’t you stop them, sis?”
Luca, who had been laughing like crazy, finally snapped back and asked. I quietly grabbed Ian’s arm. Before he could reply, a shout came from across the room.
“Think carefully, Kanoe!”
Lev shouted, and Ian met his challenge with equal resolve.
Neither of them looked like they had any intention of holding back.
“You know Tiana still hasn’t woken up, right?”
“…”
He just had to stab where it hurt most. My chest throbbed sharply. As I pressed it down, I felt Ian’s arm move slightly under my grip.
His body tilted a little, and then his hand slid past my hold—his fingers brushing over the back of my hand before slowly covering mine, one by one.
A firm yet careful touch.
I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh. He never listens when I tell him to hold back, but this—
“Think about the people around you!”
Lev’s gaze pierced me. I peeked out from behind Ian’s back, then quickly hid again.
The last thing I saw was Lev’s dumbfounded expression.
“…”
It’s nice having someone to hide behind. Really nice.
Then it happened.
BOOM!
The tremor wasn’t from their power struggle. It felt like something massive slammed into the ship, twisting the whole hull. The vibration ran from my feet up through my body.
“Sis, sis.”
Luca tugged at my collar, eyes darting around.
“Sis, I think we’re screwed.”
“Since when were you and I part of the same ‘we’?”
“Don’t be petty now! I think the navy’s here!”
BOOM. BOOM!
The pounding grew louder, like a giant was knocking on the ship.
It came from the upper deck. Then a voice rang out, amplified as if through a megaphone.
“We’ve received a report that Kanoe Bluebell is on this vessel! All units, arm yourselves and surround them!”
The navy.
“They came faster than I expected.”
The wind stilled. Ian let out a light sigh as he glanced across the room. He looked disappointed that he couldn’t finish his fight with Lev.
“Really? I think they came later than expected.”
After all that racket, it would’ve been weird not to get caught! I shot him a sharp look, but Ian only smiled.
“What do we do now, sis? That guy over there is already running.”
“…Yeah?”
Lev had vanished into hiding. Guess he couldn’t risk being seen by the navy either, even though he’d made a private meeting with me.
Whatever. That’s for later. Right now, the navy was after us.
I scanned the area quickly. On a sinking ship, there was only one escape route: the sea.
“Ian, you can swim, right?”
“…Ah.”
I looked at him, and his face turned oddly stiff. Ian hesitated, then slowly averted his gaze.
“Seriously, Master? Even baby octopuses can swim right after birth, you know.”
Jelly blinked its round eyes and chimed in.
“…That’s because they’re marine creatures.”
Ian muttered, and Jelly poked his arm repeatedly.
“You spent so long at sea! Humans can learn fast too.”
“I was mostly on the ship, not in the water…”
I blinked blankly as I listened. This didn’t sound like someone who could swim.
“You seriously can’t?!”
“…”
Ian silently nodded. My jaw dropped.
You were a naval admiral, for crying out loud!
