The ship was not particularly large, likely designed for speed. Since it was an Academy-designed vessel, the owner’s magic was reflected in its style to some extent.
Elements... wind? Perhaps something else as well, though it was quite faint.
Li Yue made no unnecessary movements, ignoring the curious glances from the sailors on deck. They chose not to question the first mate.
“Blan, why did you bring an outsider aboard?” A young man dressed in fine clothing walked toward them.
“Dende, she is also from ‘that place.’” Blan lowered his voice and gestured toward Li Yue’s ring. Dende understood immediately; without needing further explanation, he knew she was a colleague from the Academy.
“‘That place’ hasn't sent any notices recently. Isn't it a bit careless to prove an identity with just a ring?” A figure in tattered clothes stepped out. He had a scruffy beard and looked like a decadent middle-aged man.
“Mende, it’s not right to be so suspicious. She knew our ship belonged to the Academy the moment she stepped on board. That’s top-secret information; no one knows except us.”
Li Yue thought for a moment and realized he was right. Although these types of ships were easily identifiable in these waters, no one would expect the Academy to have its own “pirate ships” sailing the seas.
“The aura of death on her... it’s so thick. It’s just like that archipelago where countless people died,” Mende muttered, frowning. In his eyes, the girl possessed a terrifying presence.
“I have correspondence from the Academy. These are the Academy’s unique stationery, and oh, I also have this token.” Li Yue pulled out a necklace. These were all items Clo had given her. From the very beginning, Clo had told her to present these things in such situations.
Clo’s exact words were: “The kids at the Academy have basically studied themselves into a stupor. Once they recognize the token, they won't care about much else. If anyone gives you a hard time, just pull it out.”
Watching the group gradually become convinced, Li Yue sighed inwardly. She had originally wanted to pose as a runaway noble lady. That persona sounded easy to pick on and wouldn't draw too much attention.
Led by the men, she successfully reached the captain’s cabin. The layout resembled a small study. A girl with beautiful golden hair sat on a red sofa, clutching a book. She looked a bit dazed as everyone entered.
“This is a fellow student from the Academy,” Blan took the lead in introducing her.
“I have some matters to discuss in private. Please leave us,” Li Yue said softly. Her words carried an undeniable power, and the men instinctively obeyed, even before the captain could speak.
Perhaps this was the overwhelming superiority and pressure a high-tier magic user exerted over ordinary Mages.
“Hello, my name is Li Yue.” Li Yue extended her hand. The other girl seemed to hesitate for a moment before offering her own. It was a strange sensation.
This girl with the terrifying aura had a small, fair hand that felt soft to the touch, yet it was incredibly cold.
“Hello, I am Sharon.” Sharon was somewhat nervous. It was an unprovoked feeling, but her heart was inexplicably racing.
“I heard about what happened recently. On that merchant ship you plundered, there should have been an item that caught everyone off guard,” Li Yue said as she poured herself a cup of tea and took a small sip.
“How did you know...?”
“Because I was there when you attacked,” Li Yue said calmly. A few days ago, her mental state had been unstable, and she had been wandering aimlessly across the sea using Death Abyss traversal. She had happened to witness that “righteous” battle.
Combined with what Clo had told her, Li Yue felt this fleet fit the criteria perfectly—young men and women who couldn't quite bring themselves to be ruthless and acted with a sense of honor.
“I saw it from a distance. There is one item I have been tracking for a long time.” Li Yue glanced at a box in the corner. “Who would have thought that an object pursued by multiple factions was actually a sacrificial item from a backward tribe?”
Li Yue smiled, looking completely harmless.
Sharon opened the box and retrieved a stone tablet covered in dense patterns. Li Yue sensed it from a distance; it indeed pointed to the same location as the stone tablet in her possession, though it likely opened a different door.
“Who are you, exactly?”
“Don’t worry, I am technically part of the Academy,” Li Yue stood up. “The Academy is also investigating this. Reinforcements should be arriving soon.”
“Where does this point to?”
“A place where many God's remains are buried. Our goal is to seize as many as possible. After that, we can seal them, hand them over to the Academy, or even use them ourselves if we find something we like.”
Sharon was startled. She had never imagined she would soon be in contact with God's remains—things that were terrifying yet contained immense power.
“So that is our next plan?” Sharon swallowed hard. The girl before her seemed to have seen it all, remaining completely unfazed by the mention of God's remains.
Could she be a disciple of some professor, or perhaps a top senior student representing a department?
She seemed so impressive. Although Sharon was close to graduating, there weren't many people left at the senior level she didn't know.
“Yes. I hope you can assist me. At the very least, that stone tablet must be handed over to me,” Li Yue said plainly. Sharon nodded without a hint of hesitation.
“Since it is an Academy mission, we will do our best to help.”
Li Yue was somewhat surprised by the girl’s decisiveness and judgment. Both sides should have understood that this was a perilous gamble.
“Um... remember to tell the professors to give me academic credits...” Sharon seemed a bit embarrassed, her finger hooking around a lock of hair and twirling it repeatedly.
“Then I am at your disposal, Captain,” Li Yue couldn't help but let a faint, genuine smile touch her lips. For some reason, this moment moved her.
Perhaps all students are like this. Having been one herself, she felt a sense of empathy...
“And what about your identity? The captain is usually the highest rank on the ship.” Sharon pulled out a compass and a map. Li Yue casually circled the destination.
Sharon’s expression slowly turned to shock, and her brow furrowed.
This was a route where, after the halfway point, one would encounter almost no pirates. In fact, on the map, many parts of this region were marked as a total void.
Li Yue remained calm. She looked at the young girl and thought about how to integrate into the Academy’s youth circles in the future. After a moment's thought, she decided to make a joke.
“Didn't I tell you at the beginning?” Li Yue gave a playful smile, though it was unclear if she was acting. “For now, I am a runaway eldest miss from a noble family, out to experience life as a pirate.”
Is this some kind of trendy persona lately...? Whatever, as long as this lady is happy.
However, the path to the destination was truly going to be overgrown with thorns.
Sharon gave a bitter smile.
Rate on N.U.
