[Interlude] The少年's Journey – On the Ship 4 –

The master shouts.

"There's nothing complicated about it. When that guy tries to cast Breath, shoot William's flame magic straight into his mouth."

"Wha—! I still can't control magic yet!"

"It's fine. Trust me! The key is visualization. Decide in your heart that 'I can do this,' and picture yourself succeeding."

I visualize myself succeeding, just as my master instructed.

I was told that the most important thing during practice is a firm, unshakable image, no matter what situation arises.

The image of success I envision—exactly like my master's appearance earlier.

Before I even realized it, I had drawn out a crystal and activated my magic.

"Focus on it—imagine a flame that reaches even that shark-like monster. Concentrate on the magic stone and envision your fire growing stronger."

I can do this! A flame that will destroy that shark-like monster tormenting everyone.

My head began to ache. But then my master placed a hand on the magic stone I held. Just that simple touch made me feel relief.

"Now! Release that flame!"

I had somehow started shouting. The fireball shot toward the monster and struck its open mouth.

The fireball exploded without being eaten by the monster.

I was thrown backward by the blast and fell onto my backside.

Even though we were on water, flames burned fiercely, and the entire shark-like monster was engulfed in fire.

I could only stare in awe at this sight I had never seen before.

Within a few minutes, the shark-like monster floated to the surface. Was it over? I stood there, dazed, unable to make sense of it all, surveying my surroundings.

By the time I realized it, everyone around me had begun praying.

Understanding their meaning, I returned a respectful salute befitting a noble.

The ship began moving toward the harbor. At last, it was over.

A heavy thud echoed behind me. I turned to see my master completely stretched out.

"Master! Are you alright! Master!"

"He's completely stretched out. Take him to the infirmary."

The crew members carry my master away. On the ship, people are bustling about, clearing scattered scraps of wood. Others are rowing with long oars to move the ship forward, while using water crystals to propel it. Each action moves the vessel only a little, but combined, they make meaningful progress.

There's still a bit to go before we reach the shore. Since being on deck was just in the way, I returned to my room, which now lacks a roof.

The moment I stepped over the threshold of my room, my body suddenly felt as if weighted down, becoming completely immobile. I sank down to sit right there.

"Are you alright!? Master!"

Anne rushed over, visibly worried. It seemed my body had gone stiff. Now that the situation was over, I had simply relaxed too much.

Anne offered me her shoulder for support.

I sink into the chair and exhale. I realize my entire body was tense. Thanks to that, I now feel incredibly heavy.

I place the fire crystal I've been holding onto the desk. A mark from the crystal remains on my hand.

And I gaze at the crystal.

I will master you. And become someone who, like my master, can protect everyone.

For a while I sat there, on the verge of dozing off from sudden exhaustion, when suddenly the noise outside grew louder. It seemed a ship had just docked.

First priority was transporting the injured and those in urgent need of medical care. I’d come after that. After waiting in the room for a while, the noise outside continued. What could be happening?

I stepped outside to check.

At the ramp leading down from the ship, the townspeople and the crew were facing off against each other.

"You lot, get off that wreck of a ship and bring back that monster you defeated—how dare you return as humans!"

"We're adventurers from the Imperial Guild. We have injured people here. Please, let us pass—we need medical treatment right away!"

Why has it come to this?

These people, who are usually so kind-hearted, are now so agitated.

"People can't glow like that or hurl chunks of fire like that. We can't let a monster in."

That's a misunderstanding. Both of those are my master's and my magic. I step off the ship and stand before everyone.

"William Loring. I guarantee the status of these people. Will you please listen to them?"

Well, will this be enough to calm them down? The townspeople are looking serious.

"Why, if it isn't young William. I hadn't seen you since summer break—seems you've been off to the Empire."

Saying this, the stout man walking toward them is the town's mayor. Facing the townspeople, the mayor turns and explains.

"They are indeed the adventurers and members of the Rolling family. Let them enter the town."

The townspeople reluctantly agreed, seemingly thinking that if the mayor said so, it must be fine, and allowed us entry into the town. Immediately afterward, a large number of supplies and people began moving back and forth from the ship.

We headed to a vacation home in the town.

With many injured people and no guild branch here, we took the liberty of turning the vacation home into a clinic, bringing everyone inside to treat them all at once.

The Rolling family shouldn't have any complaints about this, I'm sure.

I finally got a chance to rest. As soon as I entered the mansion, I went straight to bed and fell asleep like I was dead.

The next day, I woke up to find it was already around noon.

After checking the situation, it seemed everyone else had rested as well. Fortunately, no one had died since we reached land, and everyone was on the path to recovery.

My master had also awakened by the afternoon and was able to move around again. It seemed he had stubbornly continued using recovery runes throughout the battle, pushing himself to heal.

When I asked about the shark monster, I was told it was already being dismantled by the townspeople. The news of the monster had reached the capital, and a large number of soldiers were expected to arrive soon.

The fact that we managed to defeat the monster was a great relief for everyone.