The first rays of morning light filtered through the small porthole, casting a soft glow over the cabin's wooden walls. Isaki stirred in his bed, slowly opening his eyes, the gentle creaking of the ship waking him from his sleep. As he blinked away the remnants of his dreams, he noticed Ray was already up. His roommate stood by the side of his bed, packing his belongings into a small, neat bundle with precise movements.

"Good morning," Isaki greeted groggily, sitting up and stretching.

Ray glanced over, his violet eyes calm as usual, but with a slight warmth that wasn't there the night before. "Morning," he replied with a nod, finishing the last fold on his pack.

The ship rocked lightly beneath them as Isaki swung his legs over the side of the bed, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He glanced at Ray, who seemed completely composed, already prepared for the day ahead. Isaki smiled slightly to himself—this guy was always one step ahead.

Once both were ready, they left the small cabin and stepped into the narrow corridor. The ship bustled with life now, the crew moving about, preparing for their arrival in Lachesis. The sound of footsteps, the clinking of metal, and the distant roar of the sea filled the air. The two walked side by side in comfortable silence, their boots tapping softly against the wooden floorboards.

As they rounded a corner, they saw the captain standing ahead, his tall frame unmistakable in the crowd of cadets and sailors moving about. He was speaking with a member of the crew but turned when he noticed Ray and Isaki approaching. His face broke into a wide, jovial grin.

"Ah, Ray! Just the young man I was hoping to see!" the captain called out, his deep voice booming with good-natured cheer.

Ray stepped forward, his usual calm demeanor unwavering. He reached into his bag and pulled out a book—the same one he had been reading the night before.

"Here's your book, Captain," Ray said, handing it over with a slight bow of respect. "Thanks for lending it to me."

Isaki glanced at the cover and realized it was a weathered, old tome titled The Dangers of the Sea. It was full of information about currents, storms, and the unpredictable moods of the ocean—likely the very reason Ray had been so absorbed in it the night before.

The captain let out a hearty laugh as he accepted the book. "Aha! You've finished it already, have you? Quick reader, aren't you?" His laughter was infectious, echoing down the corridor. He tucked the book under his arm, giving Ray an approving look. "And thank you for the heads-up last night, lad! Without your sharp eye, we might've been in for a rough ride."

Isaki's eyes widened slightly. - Heads-up? He hadn't heard anything about this.

The captain's broad grin remained as he continued, slapping Ray on the shoulder with an affectionate pat. "This lad here noticed the sea was starting to shift even before I did!" He chuckled, clearly impressed. "He warned me before dinner about the winds changing. Gave me just enough time to make some adjustments to our course before things got too choppy!"

Isaki watched in surprise, his mind reeling. - Ray noticed all that before even the captain did?

Ray simply gave a modest smile in response, his expression as calm as ever. "I just noticed a few things, that's all," he said quietly, almost as if the praise wasn't necessary.

"Nonsense!" the captain laughed, shaking his head. "You've got a sharp eye, boy. You're a natural observer, and that's a talent most folks don't have. It'll take you far, mark my words!" His laughter filled the corridor again, a deep, rumbling sound that seemed to put everyone at ease.

Ray didn't say much in return, simply offering another small smile. Isaki, on the other hand, stood there quietly, feeling a mix of admiration and confusion. He had only known Ray for a short time, and yet, he kept learning new things about him—things that painted a picture of someone much more skilled and perceptive than he had originally thought.

The captain, still smiling, finally handed the book to a nearby crewman. "Well, you boys better get ready. We'll be docking in Lachesis in about an hour," he said with a wink. "It's a beautiful city, and today's a perfect day for your first steps on land. Plenty of things to see and do."

Ray and Isaki both nodded, thanking the captain before moving on. As they made their way to the deck, Isaki's mind raced. He couldn't shake the image of Ray calmly informing the captain about the sea's changes the night before. The boy was full of surprises—quiet, reserved, but always watching, always noticing things that others missed.

Once on deck, they joined the other cadets, many of whom had already gathered near the railing, gazing out toward the horizon. And there, in the distance, the city of Lachesis began to come into view.

The towering spires of the city's grand architecture rose against the pale morning sky, their majestic shapes gradually growing larger as the ship drew closer. Sunlight glinted off the white stone walls and shimmering blue rooftops, while the harbor stretched out like a welcoming hand, busy with ships of all sizes. Beyond the harbor, the streets of Lachesis wound up through the hills, leading to the heart of the city—a gleaming citadel that stood proudly at its center.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

Isaki felt a wave of excitement surge through him. The stories he had heard about Lachesis didn't do it justice. From this distance, the city looked like something out of a dream, a place where adventures awaited around every corner.

Ray stood beside him, his expression unreadable as he stared out at the approaching city. Isaki couldn't tell if Ray shared his excitement or if he was simply focused on the journey ahead. But for now, it didn't matter. The sight of Lachesis was enough to fill anyone with a sense of awe.

As the ship sailed closer, the hustle and bustle on deck increased. Crew members shouted instructions, ropes were coiled, and the air buzzed with the energy of an impending arrival. The city of Lachesis, with all its mystery and grandeur, was almost within reach.

Isaki leaned on the railing, his heart racing in anticipation. "We're almost there," he murmured to himself, the wind tousling his hair.

Ray stood beside him, his gaze fixed on the distant spires. "Yeah," he replied quietly, though his tone was more contemplative than excited.

The city loomed closer, its details becoming clearer with every passing moment. Isaki couldn't help but feel that this was only the beginning of something much bigger—something far beyond what he could see from here.

The ship glided smoothly into the bustling port of Lachesis, the crew expertly guiding it into place. As the ship's gangplank was lowered with a thud, the captain was the first to step off, his tall figure commanding attention as he strode down onto the wooden dock. Behind him, the cadets—Isaki, Ray, and the others—followed in orderly lines, the fresh scent of saltwater and the hum of the port filling the air.

Isaki felt a rush of excitement as his boots touched the ground. They were finally here. The city of Lachesis stretched out before them, a maze of tall buildings, narrow streets, and bustling crowds. The morning sun cast a golden glow over everything, and the distant sound of bells chimed through the air.

Once all the cadets had disembarked, the captain gathered them near the edge of the dock, his authoritative voice cutting through the ambient noise of the port.

"Listen up, everyone!" the captain called out, his voice carrying over the group. He raised a hand and pointed down a long, wide road that extended from the port into the heart of the city. "That road there leads directly to the central plaza of Lachesis—the very heart of the city. That's where the carriages will be waiting to take you to the Fate Academy."

The cadets exchanged glances, murmurs of anticipation passing through the group.

"The carriages will arrive this afternoon," the captain continued, his tone shifting to a more relaxed one. "So, until then, you've got some free time. Explore the city. Get familiar with it. Lachesis is a place full of wonders, and I recommend you take this opportunity to see it for yourselves."

He reached into a small satchel at his side and began handing out folded maps to each cadet. Isaki took his map, unfolding it and glancing over the intricate layout of streets, landmarks, and districts.

"Use these maps," the captain said, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "They'll help you find your way. And remember—stick together, stay safe, and don't wander too far. Good luck to you all in your journey ahead."

With a final nod and a tip of his hat, the captain turned and made his way back onto the ship, readying it for the return journey. The cadets, now free to explore, began to scatter in different directions, some already poring over their maps to decide where to go first.

Isaki stood with his map in hand, still processing the captain's instructions when he heard Ray's familiar voice beside him.

"I've got something I need to do," Ray said, his tone casual but focused. "I'll meet you later."

Isaki nodded, though his mind spun with questions about what Ray was up to. "Alright, see you later."

With that, Ray turned and walked off, disappearing into the crowd that filled the docks. Isaki watched him for a moment, still wondering what he could be up to, when two familiar voices called out to him.

"Hey, Isaki!" Rael's cheerful voice rang out, followed closely by Lian. They both jogged over, their faces bright with excitement. "What's your plan for the day?"

Isaki shrugged, still holding his map. "I don't really have one yet."

Rael grinned. "Well then, why don't you come with us? We were thinking of checking out the central plaza. It's the meeting point for the carriages, and it's supposed to be really impressive."

Lian nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, there's a huge monument in the center of the plaza. They say it's one of the most beautiful things in the city. You should come with us."

Isaki thought it over for a moment. Exploring the central plaza sounded like a good idea, especially since it was the meeting place for later. Plus, the idea of seeing the monument intrigued him. "Sounds good to me," he said, a small smile forming on his lips. "Let's go check it out."

As the three of them began making their way down the long, cobbled road toward the city, Isaki noticed the other cadets branching off in different directions. Some were heading toward the merchant district, others toward the market or the more scenic routes along the coastline. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Arya walking alone, heading down a narrow street that led to the left side of the city.

Isaki hesitated for a moment, watching her figure disappear into the crowd, but then refocused on his own path.

Rael, Lian, and Isaki continued walking toward the plaza, their pace leisurely as they took in the sights and sounds of Lachesis. The city was alive with activity—vendors calling out their wares, children running through the streets, and travelers of all kinds moving about. The architecture was grand, with tall stone buildings, intricate carvings, and colorful banners hanging from every corner.

As they walked, Rael pointed out a few interesting shops and cafés, his excitement infectious. "I've heard this city's famous for its street food. We should definitely try something before the carriages arrive."

Lian laughed, "You're always thinking about food, Rael. But he's right, Isaki. The food here is supposed to be amazing. We've got time, so why not?"

Isaki chuckled, feeling at ease with his companions. "We'll see. Let's check out the plaza first, and then we can decide."

As they approached the plaza, the streets widened, and the buildings became more ornate. Finally, they stepped into the vast open space of the central plaza, and Isaki's breath caught in his throat.