The next day is spent hurriedly making the last bits of preparation for the journey. Gathering supplies, selecting who’s coming and packing bags. In addition to the four friends, Sarrah’s parents, Professor J, her assistant Dena and Jason (who needed only moderate convincing to come, and became eager when it was revealed that they would be bringing a renowned alchemist), they bring 3 teams of 6. One for security, one for research, and one for operating the ship. Security and research both have members brought in by the 3 factions on board, while the crew have all been hired by Allex’s father (though Allex does let on that they also have some security training).

  All of the researchers are blossomed mages, while only 2 of the security and 1 of the crew (the chef) are. However, only the security, chef and two of the researchers have manifestations suitable for combat, with the rest being passives or research aids. Still, the magical might on board will be on par with a small, or possibly medium sized warship.

  They meet at a private dock where the boat, named the mirror of tranquillity, is being kept at noon. The mirror is painted a luxorious pearl white throughout its 120 ft length and multiple stories, which puts it at about the same weight as the ferry that took them to Crystal Point – a so called ‘island of efficiency in which the extra mass aids absolution more than it costs to levitate it. Thus, it is able to levitate indefinitely, though only stationarily. It can propel itself forward while levitation, but no more than a day. Instead, it relies on a series of sails that fold out in all directions (up, sidewise and down) for long range propulsion, creating the vague impression of a frilly gold fish.

  In contrast to the frilly, luxurious appearance are its defences. A shield generator capable of covering the entire ship and its sails when deployed. It also has a mount for a presently uninstalled ship scale cannon, of the size suitable for a corvette. Though unlike the MDC corvette they saw on the ferry, they went with a variable blast cannon for greatest versatility.

  In addition to the ship scale cannon, it has a about a dozen boat scale turrets. Weapons that could be carried by one strong person, but not fired without at least a bipod to support them. It has 6 dual rapid heavy bullet wands, 4 dual heavy shield piercer wands, and 2 heavy blast wands.

  It would normally have some of these weapons for a normal voyage as required by law for any long ranged vessel. However, Allex decided to about double its offensive capabilities when refitting it from its original luxury role.

  “It’s funny,” Allex says on the dock, clearly admiring his modifications to his father’s vessel, “50 years ago this could have beaten any ship on the sea in a one on one fight. Now it wouldn’t even rate as a combatant.”

  Allia nods, smiling. “You almost sound sad. I’m for one am glad that so much progress has been made in our ability to defeat the monsters.”

  Allex grimaces, chagrined. “Of course I’m glad for the advances, I just… Actually, I don’t know what I was getting at. I guess part of me is still wistful for the days when the noble’s duty meant something, even though it’s a good thing we’ve moved past the need for us.”

  “…Yeah, I get that… But you said ‘50’ years ago. Are you including the ‘dreadnaughts’ in that assessment?”

  “Eh, I wasn’t, but 50/50. The cannon and heavy piercers can outrange anything we had back then, but their shield generators were robust enough. We’d be able to sink it if we got enough hits, but we’d be liable to completely discrete ourselves trying to get through. Then we’d have to use sails to get away, at which point they’d be faster… But enough of that talk. Fantasizing about destroying a dreadnaught almost feels sacrilegious.”

  “I didn’t realize there were any cults that venerate them.”

  “Heh, well, if you read the writings from back then, you’d find that plenty of people basically did. In fact, looking at some of the depictions of them, you’d think the sailors were demi-gods. But no, I meant more in a cultural, national pride sort of way.”

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  “Right, well, I’d better go set up my room,” Allia says, walking off after a polite smile.

  They spend the next two hours loading the vessel before they’re ready to leave. Right before they cast off though, a pink haired figure is seen running up the dock.

  “Is that Chloe?” Sarrah says quizzically. “Huh, it feels like months since we’ve hung out. I wonder what she’s doing here.”

  “I’ll go talk to her,” Allia says, staring at her old friend with an unreadable look. “You can cast off without me. I can catch up.”

  “A new construct design?” Sarrah asks, causing Allia to nod. “Well, as much as I’d like to see it, I think everyone would be less nervous if you kept in shouting distance. Just in case dastardly figures are around waiting for a chance to strike and all.”

  Allia nods in acknowledgment of what she says, then creates a serries of platforms to act as stairs which she bounds down to the dock on, walking briskly to meet Chloe halfway.

  “Hey, what brings you here,” Allia asks, straining to keep a friendly voice.

  Chloe however bends over upon reaching her, catching her breath from running for an unknown distance. “Don’t you ‘what brings you here’ me. I know you’re going away… with the lordlings.” He voice cracks in irritation that badly masks a sense of indignation and hurt.

  “Uh, yeah,” Allia says, scratching her head, then immediately bringing her hand down as she catches herself in the cliched nervous gesture. “You know, I got caught up in some things and I have to go fix them now. Don’t know when we’ll be back, but don’t worry, school is sorted out. I’ll be able to resume classes next semester as if nothing has happened.”

  “You think I care about your academic logistics?” Chloe snaps, then recoils, instantly regretting her outburst. “I… don’t understand what’s going on with you anymore.”

  “…What do you mean? I always try to include you in things, but you never want to.”

  “Yeah, because you’re always with the lordlings. People talk about it Allia, and not in a good way.”

  Allia narrows her eyes, shaking her head with her mouth slightly agape. “I don’t understand why you’ve changed so much Chloe. You never used to worry like this.”

  Chloe takes a step back, clearly stunned. “I’ve changed? Me? Allia, I hardly recognize you from when we were back home. You used to be so gloomy and quiet. It’s why I liked you – you were mean, but you were also the most serious person I knew. About magic, about everything. I felt pushed to be better, to be more like you. It’s why I was able to blossom so early – just like you. But now you’re smiles all the time, with those ditzy head tilts as if you have nothing in your head at all. But I know that’s not true Allia. So what am I to think?”

  Allia’s lips quiver, her breathing intensifies as she gulps for air. “I don’t know,” she says, looking off over the water, “maybe I just wanted to reinvent myself. You know, ‘new city, new me’.”

  “Yeah, well from here it looks like you suddenly decided that social climbing is a lot more important than self-improvement.”

  Allia’s head snaps back to her, eye twitching, “Yeah? Well I suppose you’ve seen my grades to have evidence for such a claim? No? Well let me tell you then, I’m top marks. Some people can have room for both. And I’m not social climbing, whatever you mean by that.”

  “Oh yeah? I suppose this joyride you’re taking with the lordlings is an academic trip then?”

  “… Yeah, I suppose that’s the best description actually. Besides, with the number of teachers coming with us it’s not like I’ll be falling behind.”

  “Really? Well maybe I’d like to get in on it too then?” Chloe says, crossing her arms in clear disbelief.”

  Allia looks at her then sighs. “Chloe, we’re going to the deathlands. To the old cities. To fight dragons and parley with elves.”

  Chloe freezes, her eyes going wide. “What are you saying Allia? Stop joking around. Why would you do stupid stuff like that?”

  “Because my life is on the line. Because the thing the demons were after? I have it, and I can’t get rid of it, so my life is on the line.”

  Chloe stares at her in shock before speaking a quarter minute later. “You’re serious?”

  “…Yeah.”

  “Then take me with you, I can help.”

  “…No.”

  “Why not? Because my power isn’t combat related?”

  “…Yeah.”

  “But aren’t you taking Sarrah? Does she have a fighting manifestation?”

  “…Not as far as I know, but she is combat certified. You’re not.”

  “Oh yeah, maybe you just don’t want someone around who remembers the old you. Who knows that you’re a ‘reinvention’.”

  Allia snaps up from looking bashfully at her feet. “Yeah maybe. Or maybe I don’t want to be around someone who would threaten to tell people about what I want to forget.” She spins and stomps away then stop and looks over her shoulder. “If you really liked the old me so much then look…” she stops, closes her eyes and shakes her head with a sigh. “…Just look elsewhere, okay? Because she’s not here.”

  With that, she creates a platform and has it carry her up to the ship, not turning back to the source of soft sobbing behind her.