Zosimos was visibly agitated as he looked at Nyk and Syn. "May I know what exactly were you doing? Were you looking for a fight with a house noble?" Nyk scowled and looked away.

"We didn't do anything! That dummy came straight at us and started insulting Nyk," Syn replied, offended.

"And you decided to confront them all without wondering what could happen?" Zosimos asked sternly, looking at them severely. "Those looked like Colored Cardslingers. By the gods, are you mad? Who knows what could've happened had I not been there!"

"They only looked like a group of rich little kids to me," Syn sneered.

Zosimos' gaze hardened. "I'm certain your father must've told you to be careful when interacting with strangers. The rest of the island is not like the village. You must be careful who you offend, or you could bring disaster to the village!"

Syn held her tongue at the mention of endangering the village, shoulders dropping as she rolled her eyes. Zosimos' gaze only grew harder.

Zosimos turned to Nyk. "And you, you seem to have a knack for drawing in disastrous situations. What did you exactly say to them?"

Nyk shrugged. "I-I was just admiring the doors and tried to shake the hand of the tall one."

"The tall one was only looking for trouble," Syn supported Nyk.

Zosimos' eyes narrowed. "That's it. I'll be staying with you two until we reach Azuria," he said sternly. "You clearly don't know how to measure your words or have learned any manners, and the last thing we need now is you two offending some high-ranking house noble that will bring woe upon the village."

The ship sounded a few blasts to signal its departure, and their bumpy journey began.

----------------------------------------

Zosimos had brought them to the front of the ship, probably hoping to distract them with the magnificent view. To Syn's dismay, it was working. The sight of the ship sailing against the waves was truly outstanding—the constantly pulsing sails powering the ship with solar energy only adding to the hypnotic image.

Nyk, on the other hand, wasn't happy. He had expected the ship to sail straight across the sea, but they had remained disappointingly close to the coast.

"Will we get to fight... or even see some sea beasts?" Nyk asked, his eyes half-closed.

"I'll have you know that this is one of the safest methods of transport that exist," answered Zosimos before Syn could say anything. He added sternly, "The ship connects all neighboring villages and follows a specially protected path. Its hull has been etched to keep sea beasts at bay, So no, we won't be seeing any sea beasts today."

"Just try to enjoy the trip; once we get to the Azuria we'll have a lot of work to do," Syn said with a smile.

Nyk saw from the corner of his eye how the group of four they met earlier also arrived at the huge front deck. Colored Cardslingers. Now that he saw them, he noticed that each one of them had a prominent color among their clothes. The muscular boy seemed to have an inclination toward orange items, with everyone treating him with the utmost respect. The blonde girl flashed some purple clothes, and the two others had several blue items about them, not just their magical gauntlets. That, and their hair was shimmering almost entirely in blue under the full blow of the sun.

Zosimos caught Nyk's gaze. "Stay away from them," he warned.

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Nyk turned to Zosimos and Syn, his voice uncertain. "Will the city be the same as the boat? Is there something I shouldn't do there?"

Syn smiled, "Just follow my lead and be yourself. We'll head to a card shop to check their prices, then go to the festival, set shop and sell as much as possible and then we'll be free to enjoy the festivities!"

Zosimos interjected. "On the contrary, try your best NOT to be yourself, and I mean both of you." He held their gaze for a brief moment before continuing. "I understand you're here to sell and trade, correct?"

Nyk and Syn suspiciously nodded in unison.

He continued, "If I were both of you, I wouldn't show my cards at all. Be yourself, but remember to keep your skills hidden."

Syn narrowed her eyes, "Do you mean the same way you don't publicly announce your prices?"

Strangely, Zosimos smiled affably at Syn. "Exactly! Do you know why I don't announce my prices, nor does his Nana?" he said, gesturing toward Nyk. "Because few people besides your father can pay what the materials are worth." He patted the bag he had on his shoulder, "Today I'll sell at Azuria what I've been preparing in the last few weeks; it'll fund the village's needs for the next few months. When someone needs help, the village will be ready."

That caught Nyk by surprise. He'd never thought his grandmother's herbs were out of the ordinary. Were they really that expensive?

Zosimos shrugged, "Remember, don't show off your knowledge unless absolutely necessary. Act as a fool," he paused, "I believe that won't be hard for you both," he said with a grin, "Only when you know the value of something, and the other person doesn't you have the upper hand." He then placed a hand on each of their shoulders. "Be ready to haggle mercilessly, for that's what you'll face today..."

While Zosimos talked, a tall man dressed in black entered the decks and approached the group of presumed Cardslingers accompanied by the boy who had rejected Nyk's hand. His attire was in direct contrast to the prominent white of the boys. He was an intimidating presence. Nyk couldn't help but feel uneasy as his piercing gaze passed through them while he took in his surroundings.

Zosimos followed Nyk's gaze and quickly turned, "Stop looking in that direction! That one who seems to be a Cardbinder!"

"Cardbinder? What's the difference with a Cardslinger?" asked Nyk looking confused.

Zosimos blinked in surprise, "Your nana never explained this to you?"

Nyk simply shrugged.

Zosimos was flabbergasted. "How can that be, being who she is... are you sure you didn't..." he shook his head and leaned closer, "Nevermind, a Cardslinger is someone who has bonded with less than six cards; a Cardbinder has bonded with all six..."

"And are they... stronger?" Syn asked.

Zosimos looked at Syn gravely, "They're orders of magnitude stronger."

Nyk jumped in his seat, his eyes sparkling and looking intensely at Syn. "You know what, forget about that Purple card... I want to be a Cardbinder!"

Zosimos coughed. "A Purple wh-?"

"Just... Forget it" Syn cut him, "...His head is always in the clouds," said Syn resting her fingers on her temples.

Zosimos hesitantly nodded, narrowing his eyes.

Syn bit her lip, lost in thought and looked at Zosimos intensely. "What about... bonding with more than six?" she whispered.

Zosimos jerked in surprise and lowered his voice and nearing Syn. "W-what do you mean?"

"How does that work?" she asked hesitantly.

"It doesn't," Zosimos replied quietly but firmly. "People cannot bond with more than six cards."

"But my mom said there were cases..." Syn trailed off, unsure.

"Those are just stories from the era of creation," Zosimos interrupted in a hushed voice.

"B-but my mom" Syn tried to retort.

Zosimos cut her off, speaking as quietly as he could while sounding final, "Your mother was a very intelligent woman, but her head was also always in the clouds. In the end, too many ancient books consumed her sanity, don't take anything she said seriously."

"That's what Minda always says, that she went nuts; you just don't know her..." replied Syn. "I cannot believe that only Dad and I trust her now," she said frustrated. "She wasn't crazy you know!?... I think she called them Deckbinders..."

Zosimos jumped at the mention of the term, and a few heads around them popped up in alarm. "Quiet child! You shouldn't use that word out loud!" he whispered.

"Why not?" Syn persisted.

"Because discussing such things is blasphemous," a booming, deep and sudden voice said from above. Nyk raised his head. Behind Syn and Zosimos stood the darkly dressed stranger. Somehow he had approached them without noticing. Nyk could swear he was still on the other side of the deck just a moment ago.

Zosimos was pale like a sheet.