Chapter 6: You all are too young

The name Astero Carmilla de Sanzonne kept repeating in Yusciel’s mind as she stared out the window before her. Her head rested against the tinted glass, her gaze fixed on the motionless gray clouds beyond. In a strange sight, two humanoid individuals in white lab coats danced in the gusty winds, their hands outstretched in the air, bodies swaying freely as if they were the only souls in their own world, without a single care for their surroundings.

‘Are they celebrating over something?’ The thought crossed Yusciel’s as she felt a powerful urge tugged at her, compelling her to open her mouth. A numbing sensation enveloped her, as she felt her body slowly awakening, unconsciously stretching and feeling the softer fibers of her skin tingling with movement. Shifting her focus back to the ship’s wings in blurry vision, she noticed one figure with long hair tied in a flowing ponytail spinning gracefully on their feet, guided by their taller, shorter-haired companion.

Then, Yusciel’s soft, rhythmic breathing gradually slowed as her mind wandered aimlessly, struggling to grasp onto a coherent thought. ‘Nothing seems inspiring anymore… I can’t seem to think of any intriguing stories,’ she mused to herself. ‘Perhaps a dancing ritualist hailing from the northern lands, entangled in a fierce battle against demons from distant worlds. And for a twist, let’s have the main character share a common origin with these beings… So sleepy…’

Her thoughts meandered without restraint, a sense of listlessness enveloping her as she felt her body floating, disconnecting from reality. In this languid space, where the distant booming of the ship’s engines reverberated behind and the gentle hum of the air conditioning filled the air, the steady lulling sounds seemed to coax her mind into a state of relaxation, tempting her to surrender to the other side.

Yusciel’s eyelids grew heavy as the surrounding sounds melted into a blurry murmur until—

“Mnahwa. Kaine.”

Muffled voices suddenly reached Yusciel from behind. Suspicion gripped her mind, causing her to jolt awake as she blinked repeatedly. Processing slowly, Yusciel didn’t need a clear mind to understand the situation. It had happened many times before, too many to count. Breaking the peaceful silence were the gentle kisses echoing from behind, accompanied by Lexine’s stifled moans and Kaine’s flirtatious whispers, leaving Yusciel feeling a mix of embarrassment and disgust.

Yusciel’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment as anger simmered within her. She adjusted her position, leaning on her armrest with her chin resting on her hand. ‘This is absurd! Do they not know what shame is?’ She sighed in a whisper, feeling exasperated by the situation.

“Lexy, shh.” Kaine whispered.

She thought to herself, ‘If they wanted to, they could have gone to another ship. Isn’t it too cramped back there?’

The Kleinboote ship wasn’t very big, measuring about 28 meters in length and 7.5 meters in height. It could accommodate four passengers, a pilot, and several kilograms of luggage. Most of the bags were stored in an external compartment hidden outside the ship, with more bags packed tightly inside—the space was limited, with two bags tightly arranged beneath Yusciel’s bare feet. The ship was clearly at its maximum capacity, feeling cramped for most, but not for Yusciel’s, who was smaller than others her age and could stand without hitting anything.

Yusciel pulled her legs close, hugging them as her gaze shifted forward, noticing the reflection of the pilot in the tinted glass. The pilot, a young individual with brown skin and a closely cropped haircut beneath a plain black brim hat, had his head slightly lowered, eyes focused intently on the blue holographic map-like display in front of him, his expression stoic.

Soft rustling noises of clothing and damp plucking reached Yusciel’s ears, causing her to further lower her brow. ‘Even though there is a stranger in front of us, are those two still at it? Wait, doesn't Kleinboote usually have surveillance recording devices built-in?’

Yusciel shifted her gaze to her right, where she noted the reflection of Lexine sitting on Kaine’s lap, her expression obscured by the bright, trembling holograph displayed on her wrist terminal. What caught Yusciel’s attention even more was that they were still wearing the black robes from before, despite Yusciel distinctly remembering them being removed earlier. As Yusciel observed movements from within the robe, her face reddened, prompting her to turn away from the glass—to face the man seated next to her.

As Yusciel’s gaze drifted to the side, she couldn’t help but notice the bulging biceps of Joseph that dwarfed her head. His arms were crossed as he gazed intently at the holographic display in front of him. Unfortunately, the contents of the holograph were private and obscured in black shades from her view.

Abruptly, he inquired as his voice held stern, “Is there something you need?” his head slightly turned towards Yusciel, as though catching her discreet glance. Towering almost all people in Wanderland, he also appeared much older, with thin brown hair and patches of black covering his chin. An air of intimidation lingered in his expression.

Suddenly, a muffled sound, “Mnnh!!” echoed from behind them, slipping out from Lexine’s lips and reaching Yusciel’s ears.

Startled, Yusciel felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment at the awkwardness of the situation. Struggling to speak, she forced out the words trapped in her throat, stammering, “T-That…”

“‘That’?” Joseph repeated, leaning closer to the girl with his bulky frame. His eyes remained fixed on the holographic window while urging, “Go on… I’m listening.”

Yusciel turned towards the front, trying to maintain a stoic demeanor as she inquired, “That… your holograph display seems shaded to me. Is that a modded terminal? Where did you get it?” Despite her attempt to focus on the conversation, she couldn’t shake the feeling of awkwardness from the indecency behind them.

“I modded it,” he responded before suddenly tilting his head. His eyes fixed on something, he shook, and a resounding click reached Yusciel’s ears. Following the sound, the black shaded display briefly turned green before disappearing almost immediately. Yusciel could hardly discern what it was.

Out of the corner of her eye, Joseph’s hand came into view as he placed it in front of her with an open palm. Resting there as a plain black earpiece, circular in shape with flickering dark violet rims. Yusciel’s eyes widened as she remarked, “That earpiece… Is that a terminal? This is the first time I have seen you use one—I thought your display came from your wrist.”

Her gaze shifted down to his hand, where a black thin chain encircled his wrist, securing a black object that resembled a watch. The device was decorated with small crystals on its rim, softly blinked in pale green as it rotated slowly. Observing this, she couldn’t help but think, ‘That’s a different wrist terminal model than he usually wears. It seems like another modded version.’

“Correct,” Joseph answered, closing his hands and raising to show his wrist terminal. “This is also a terminal, modded as well, but my earpiece is much different.”

“Hehh,” Yusciel’s voice sounded full of wonder as she observed, commenting, “Ho—”

Midway through her words, Yusciel forcefully halted herself from speaking further, her eyes wavering briefly before she continued, clearing her throat, “Ahem, that earpiece… Correct me if I’m mistaken, but isn’t this earpiece you usually put on display in your room? Like part of your prized collections.”

“That is correct. This is one of my collections that I have been taking care of.” He affirmed with a nod, playfully fiddling it between his fingers. His gaze softened, a small smile playing on his lips as he reminisced, “I acquired this earpiece, the Ae-one, during the festival of the new sages up north Binalbagone for around 4.5k Klein dollars.”

“4,500 Klein dollars for a terminal earpiece… But that’s from last year…” Yusciel muttered, indescribable gibberish words escaped her lips as she continued, “Eurgh, why is that more expensive than the current ones?”

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“It’s one of the first editions made by the Light sage himself—He specifically allowed these versions to be modifiable.” Joseph replied, prompting Yusciel to hum in wonder. “But spare parts for these are rare—I’ve only managed to find one spare part for its transmitters.”

“That makes sense,” Yusciel muttered. “That reminds me, do you have any spare energy crystals for a wrist terminal?” She raised her hands in the air, revealing her wrist terminal, now dead as there wasn’t any indicative glow appearing.

In response, Joseph reached into the pockets of his pants, searching until he pulled out a softly glowing blue crystal. “I’ve used this one, so it’s not that full—about 70% energy remaining.” he explained, handing it to Yusciel.

Yusciel quietly accepted it with a simple “Thank you,” before adjusting her wrist terminal to her fingers. Tracing the device with her fingers along the edges, moving in a circular motion. Unlike Joseph’s device, hers had a single crystal at the center surrounded by white patterns etched on the borders. And instead of chains, the wrist terminal was completed with a black metallic strings woven into three thick bracelets.

As she completed the motion four more times, the white lines glowed brightly, moving along their pattern towards the center crystal. Seeing this, Yusciel immediately stopped and poked the center with her thumb, causing the pea-sized crystal to suddenly loosen and detach from the device. Worried it might vanish forever again, she swiftly caught it in her open palm, stashed it away in her pocket, and replaced the now hollow center with the energy crystal that Joseph had given her. With a resounding click, the light pattern responded with a repeating motion.

Yusciel smiled, thinking, ‘perfect.’ as she continued. She adjusted the terminal on her wrist and activated it with her left thumb, causing a holographic display to appear at her touch. Icons for inbox messages, camera mode, and other applications came into view. However, the inbox messages caught her attention as they displayed numerous notifications.

As she began to focus on her terminal, Joseph suddenly interrupted. “Are you trying to contact the Director?” He inquired.

Yusciel turned to meet Joseph’s accusing gaze fixed on her, his expression transforming into a glare that caught her off guard. She struggled to voice the words trapped in her throat, her mouth opening and closing soundlessly. Unable to break the silence, Yusciel kept her head down, her focus on the wrist terminal wrapped around her hand, now resting on her thighs. With trembling fingers, she reached into the inbox messages, iconized looked like a letter, choosing to respond with silence.

“You should,” Joseph's suggestion echoed in a hushed tone.

“Joseph, you and I know better that he will not open to reason, especially at times like these.” Yusciel replied swiftly, her words rushed as she nervously fidgeted with the pattern on her wrist terminal.

“Much is the reason why you should…” He insisted.

“He is not the director for nothing…” Yusciel turned, casting a glance at Joseph's brown eyes before turning away again. “That's why I trust him—he's old and experienced enough to know what he’s doing.”

“So, are you going to leave him there? In that state again?” Joseph’s voice rose slightly, before he quickly composed himself. “Remember when you were stabbed in the neck, do you know how he reacted? He reacted with anger… His anger made him unreasonable, almost tried rallying the entire troupe, even mercenaries, just for you—to find the culprit. If not for your ability, the troupe would have fallen from the skies. For someone who has been there since the foundry of Wanderland; for someone who guided many and shaped Wanderland what it is today. I honestly expected a better response from you, Yusciel.”

“This is not as simple as you think, Joseph,” Yusciel insisted. “If it were, I would have reached out to him, called him out. But this… Whenever this happens, nothing can get through to him.”

“But did you try?” Joseph muttered, but he received not a single response. He looked at the figure next to him, seeing her back turned on him. Yusciel remained silent, her gaze fixed on the small holographic screen in front of her. Joseph's brow furrowed, and he let out a sigh before calmly continuing, “Answer me, Yusciel. When you woke up from the hospital and saw the young master by your side, did you try to stop him?

“No, I didn’t.” her voice barely above a whisper, almost lost in the ambience.

“Then, why? Why didn’t you try?” Joseph pressed, his tone a mix of concern and frustration.

“Like I said, it’s impossible!” Yusciel screamed, irritated as she hugged her legs tightly.

“‘You didn’t even try. So don’t think it’s impossible’—that’s what you always say,” Joseph replied. “You always told the newcomers not to shy from what happens on stage, not to shy away from the acts they need to perform—to embody their characters, to hide yourself—do what you need to do before you think it’s impossible. So now, that very quote you made, the same quote that everyone loves, aren’t you a bit contradictory? Where is that confidence you always exude?”

“Even then…”

“‘Even then,’ what?” Joseph repeated. “Yusciel, you’re a brilliant playwright in both theater and films. Your ability to bring out the emotions of character on stage is exceptional. You excel at guiding multiple characters to success on stage through effective communication and accurately conveying each scene. Now, please consider this—think about what will happen to Celton if you don’t take the necessary actions.”

Yusciel remained silent.

“The young master Celton may have put himself in a dangerous situation from which he may never recover. Unlike you, he is human. He can get injured, fall ill, or even face death,” Joseph’s voice gradually turned stern. “Not a day goes by that I don’t worry about my young master, especially now that you are giving him false hope.”

“What? False hope?” Yusciel turned to face Joseph, her eyes narrowed in a glare.

Joseph continued, straightening his back against the cushion of the chair, his eyes remained unchallenged. “You know deep down how the director sees you. You’re fully aware of how much he values you, yet you’re not rejecting his advances. By not pushing him away, you’re leading him on with false hope.”

“I would have refused him outright had he made his intentions clear,” Yusciel scowled, tightening her grip on her knee.

“He is aware of that as well,” Joseph affirmed, “After all, you are prioritizing something—yourself and your seed, something many are unaware of—your own interests over his feelings.”

She clicked her tongue, “What is wrong with you, Joseph? What’s your problem? Why are you doing this?”

Joseph’s voice was firm yet laden with concern. “I am simply assisting the man I serve—the man to whom I have pledged my loyalty, devoted my life to serving since his birth in that dreadful place.” He explained, meeting Yusciel’s trembling gaze with a softened expression, ”My true intention, however, is to make things clear—you are all too young, too full of potential that can reach great heights. And this sort of thing often happens at your age, and it’s something I cannot stand by and watch it unfold when I have the power to prevent it. You deserve better, and so does he.”

Yusciel’s eyes widened at his words, her voice faltering as she averted her gaze, “I-I know… I know it better than anyone… that he deserves better—not me who has plans. Plans that I can’t consider anyone else in it.”

Joseph sighed, placing his hands on Yusciel’s shoulder and patting it softly as he spoke, “This pains me… But even just for a few years… do me a favor and consider temporarily leaving the troupe—maybe go to the academy. It will allow him to free his mind from you and welcome others into his life. So, just for a short time… distance yourself from him. Refrain from contacting him in any way…” Joseph’s tone was gentle.

Yusciel’s eyes closed, holding her breath before returning a hesitant reply, “Yes.”

“Good. Help me guide him back to the Wanderland once we return. We can’t have him getting carried away over a stranger who managed to knock you unconscious for a week.”

Yusciel’s voice turned somber as she replied, “Yeah…”

“How is your wound now? Didn’t you claim that getting stabbed in the throat doesn’t kill you? How did that happen then?” Joseph inquired.

“I… I am not so sure either…” Yusciel replied, resting her chin back against her knee. “I don’t even remember what happened… But it’s true, it’s not usually like this.”

“Usually not like this?” Joseph repeated, “How is it usually then? There have only been a handful of times when you were injured, but nothing as major as being stabbed in the neck.”

“They might have placed poison or some kind of element on their blade… That might have been the reason why I didn’t wake up.” Yusciel speculated with uncertainty in her voice..

“Hmm,” Joseph hummed, deep in thought, his fingers rubbing his chin. “Kaine,” he called out, turning to the side, “What did the Chantress and Shamans say?”

“Ueh?!” Kaine’s voice filled with panic as he hurried to speak, “Th-They said that they didn’t find anything with her. They just needed to wake her consciousness.”

Joseph nodded silently in response. Yusciel raised a brow, her lips scrunching together as her cheeks tinged with red, her curiosity growing as she wondered about the two couples at the back. She turned her towards the window, fully expecting to see their reflection to come, only to find the view suddenly shifting to the port isle of the island. The port isle ran along the edges of the floating island, with the town structures nestled amidst the lush greenery, visible streets bustling with people like ants, and numerous airships dotting the skies.

Mesmerized by the city’s beauty, Yusciel found herself drawn closer to the window, her eyes darting around to capture every movement. A sudden realization struck her, prompting her to ask, “Huh? This doesn’t look like the island of Serenadian? Where are we then?”

“Far south of Serenadian, an Isle called Ortis,” Joseph replied.