Who would’ve thought that the guy with shaggy hair and glasses—who looked like he could be taken down in two hits—was the infamous Pirate Lord’s son? They were all stunned, but quickly processed the revelation as they boarded the ship without hesitation.

“Oh God… I forgot about this,” Callista groaned, taking a deep breath as nausea hit her.

“Seriously? How do you forget that you get seasick?” Anastasia asked, shaking her head.

“Because I rarely set foot on a ship, Ana,” Callista shot back sarcastically.

“Here, try this.” Marin handed Callista a small blue pill.

“What’s this?” Callista asked, glancing at it.

“I got seasick my first time here, and Caspian gave me this. It helps with nausea.” Marin smiled reassuringly.

“Here.” Anastasia handed her a water bottle from her bag.

“Thanks.” Callista didn’t hesitate to swallow the pill.

“Do you live here, Marin?” Anastasia asked, turning to the girl.

“Yes, I moved here from the South last year and started attending the Academy the same year,” Marin explained.

“I remember now! Didn’t you participate in the singing competition last year?” Anastasia asked.

Marin nodded enthusiastically.

Meanwhile, Callista, exhausted, stumbled into the cabin to get some rest.

---

Ivan turned to Caspian with a curious smile. “You’re part of the Abnormal Class, right? How did that happen?”

“Oh, about that…” Caspian chuckled awkwardly.

“I accidentally summoned a tsunami in the Grimroot Glen on the first day while touring the Academy. Almost drowned twenty-five students,” he admitted, lowering his head.

“Seriously!? That’s so cool!” Ivan exclaimed.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Denovan nodded in agreement.

“Is it really?” Caspian asked hesitantly.

“Of course! Elementalists are rare among magic users. I’m the only one at the Academy who can control lightning,” Ivan said proudly.

“You often see mages using arcane magic to cast elemental spells, but true elementalists? They’re uncommon,” Denovan added.

Caspian smiled at the recognition. “That’s nice to hear.”

“Though, to be honest, you don’t really fit the Abnormal Class stereotype,” Ivan commented.

Caspian immediately shook his head. “That’s not true! The rumors about the Abnormal Class aren’t true at all!” His earnest expression made Ivan and Denovan exchange glances.

“We didn’t mean it like that, Caspian,” Denovan reassured him. Caspian, looking like a wronged puppy, made them wonder—how could the ruthless and wild Pirate Lord have a son like this?

“As you know, the students in the Abnormal Class look like born troublemakers, and you… uh…” Ivan hesitated, glancing at Denovan for help, only to be ignored. He sighed.

“…You look different from when you were in school. But now, with the outfit and everything, you do look more… piratey?” Ivan scratched his head, unsure of his own words.

Caspian’s face instantly brightened. “Is that so?”

“Yes, that’s right.” Ivan and Denovan both nodded enthusiastically, as if simply agreeing to avoid worsening the situation.

“Good to know.” Caspian beamed.

“By the way, have you seen Ignis?” Denovan asked, looking around.

“Oh, the Young Duke?” Caspian glanced toward the cabin Callista had entered. “He went inside. Looked like he was going to rest.”

“I see.” Denovan nodded.

---

Callista was comfortably asleep in the room she shared with Anastasia when Ignis entered, only to freeze upon seeing her. He glanced around, realizing he had walked into the wrong cabin.

Sighing, he turned to leave—only for Callista to stir, sensing another presence in the room.

“Ignis?” Her voice was groggy as her vision adjusted to the dim light, recognizing his silhouette.

Clearing his throat, he asked, “You’re awake?”

She brushed her hair back. “Why are you here?”

“I entered the wrong room.”

“Is that so?” she murmured, her voice still soft from sleep. Her brown locks fell around her face, and her grey eyes, half-lidded with drowsiness, flickered downward.

It was a beautiful sight, to be honest. Her long lashes, her quiet, dreamy state—Ignis found himself staring too long.

Clearing his throat again, he quickly turned. “You should get some rest. I’ll be going now.”

“Wait a minute.”

He paused, glancing back as she stood and straightened her dress.

“What is it?”

“Don’t you think this place feels… weird?” she asked, crossing her arms.

“Weird?”

She nodded. “I know you noticed it too when we arrived at the village earlier. The docks have fewer ships than expected, and the villagers kept glancing at us.”

“Isn’t it normal for people to stare when the royal family suddenly shows up?” he countered.

She pouted. “You know that’s not what I mean.”

“Then what are you saying?” he asked, furrowing his brows.

“I overheard something at the ice cream shop,” she said. “The waitress mentioned that travelers who stay at the nearby inn have mysteriously died overnight. Even pirate crews on the docked ships have had the same problem.”

Ignis raised a brow. “Didn’t know you cared so much about the people.”

Callista shot him a glare. “Nonsense! I’m just pointing out something that could put you in danger on this trip.”

“Fine.” He sighed, as if too tired to argue. “But don’t cause trouble.”

“As if I would!” she huffed.

Ignis studied her for a few moments before speaking. “There’s something I’ve been curious about.”

Callista tilted her head. “What is it?”

She blinked up at him, her large grey eyes filled with curiosity. But for some reason, Ignis hesitated.

“What are you hesitating for? Just ask,” she pressed.

He took a breath. “How did your grandmother die?”

The question made Callista freeze.

“Why do you ask?”

“The Valley of Illusions.”

Just four words—but Callista immediately understood.

She sighed. “Grandmother died in a monster attack. Since we lived far from the capital and weren’t part of any village, no one could help her unless adventurers happened to find her. By the time I found her, she was barely alive.”

“That’s why you came to the Academy?” he asked.

She nodded. “That was her last request on her deathbed. Though I still don’t know why.”

Ignis didn’t respond right away.

She studied him. “Did that answer your question? Why did you suddenly bring that up?”

“I just wanted an answer,” he said simply. “I’ll be going now.”

“Alright.” She gave a small smile. “Have a good rest, Ignis.”

He left without another word, and Callista watched his retreating figure in silence.