Born in Blood



The train continued its course, passing through countless underwater habitats and magical landscapes.

Liam would've liked to enjoy the sight, but Nord's incessant mental chatter made it impossible. The boy's mind was a never-ending stream of inane questions and pointless observations.

At one point, Liam simply couldn't take it anymore. He blocked out Nord's mental transmission and began to cultivate with his eyes closed. It was a welcome reprieve from the boy's constant noise.

'It'll take at least 4 days until we reach the borders. After that, it might take two weeks to arrive at Korsan lands.'

Liam's storage devices were filled with provisions, books, forty-some inscribed pairs of katanas and wakizashis, forty of the same kind except plain, paired with mental sphere, body and core strengthening/nourishing pills.

On a separate ring, there were twenty-five Rank 3 darkness magical beasts, and fifty Rank 2 of the same kind.

They were even given new space-rings with 50 square meters of space to hold those items in.

The sight made a smile form on Liam's face.

Liam would entrust Nessa with documenting the lands, flora (if there was any in those lands), and navigating the team. She was more than happy with her workload.

Rin on the other hand was tasked with the fauna. Her knowledge of magical beasts and other lifeforms actually outshined Liam's, since she expressed deep interest in those topics.

Gerald had basic knowledge of formations, mainly those that helped hide the group's presence from outside threats. That would helped greatly once they settled on land.

…Nord was just there as a pair of extra hands and legs.

That would be injustice to the boy, since, despite his idiocy and simpleminded nature, he was strong and well-versed in battle.

Liam spent the next four days cultivating and expanding his mental sphere. The others did more-or-less the same, finding their own corner within the space to huddle in.

Soon enough, the train had emerged from water and began traveling through vast plains of lush greenery. There was no civilization there, just land for as far as the King's Eye could see.

That sight lasted for about three hours, before the train gradually slowed down to stop.

Kalia arrived at the car and addressed those inside.

"We're here."

The group left the train as one, eyes widening in unbelieving shock as they looked past the cliff overseeing the endless azure seas.

The five had never seen the ocean before. They'd seen pictures and maps, but never the real thing. Echoria was just too large for them to witness such a majestic sight.

Large waves crashed over one another, flowing into each other before repeating the same dance again. Here and there, oceanic magical beasts poked out from the water's surface.

Liam spotted an eel with stretched fins on its sides, flying freely above the water as though it was a bird. Just one kind among the countless different creatures living there.

Kalia let the group witness the sight for a short moment before heading towards the edge of the cliff.

"Come on now," she called over her shoulder. "The boat is right under here."

Her words brought the group back to their senses. They followed Kalia's example as she lightly jumped from the cliff onto the flowing shore below.

There, a tall, skinny, bald middle-aged man greeted the Royal with a respectful gesture. He wore a single black robe, and had dark eyes.

"Welcome, your majesty. Is it just these youths?"

Kalia exchanged a nod with him.

The man shifted his attention to Liam's group with a warm smile on his face.

"Welcome. My name is Jack, I'll be your sailor for this journey. Please, let us waste no further time."

On those words, the group grew confused. Liam's eye scoured the beach, noticing a blurry translucent form on the waters.

Smiling knowingly, Jack waved his hand and suddenly a giant boat sprung into view. It was inscribed with countless lines on its black surface and looked to be made from 'darkwood', a special material belonging to a rare magical tree whose wood was stronger than steel yet lighter than a feather.

Nessa's face lit up at the sight of the boat, her eyes shining with excitement. Nord grinned, Rin looked amazed, and Gerald's expression was one of stunned disbelief.

A gangplank slowly descended from the side of the boat onto the beach, inviting them aboard.

"Please board on if there's nothing else for you all to do here," Jack requested.

Liam approached Kalia.

"Is there anything else I need to know before heading there?"

Kalia pursed her red lips.

"No, nothing you haven't been briefed on. Just remember, safety is the priority. Don't risk going to any mainstream or threatening locations if it poses danger to your life."

Liam gave a terse nod before following the others inside the boat.

'Stay alive now, get used later. Got it,' he thought disdainfully.

The interior of the boat was like any other – the main deck was large enough to accommodate a hundred men at a time, and at the helm, Jack began to steer the boat with a complicated set of inscribed controls.

Slowly, the boat repositioned itself. It twirled around and set opposite to the beach, growing in speed as it drifted away from the shore.

Watching from afar, Kalia nodded to herself before teleporting away.

"There is a large cabin under that trapdoor in the corner," Jack called out with his hands still at the helm. "Please choose a room to sleep and stay in. We'll be there in two weeks more or less, so you'll have plenty of time to train and prepare until then."

Liam and the rest nodded.

"Is there room for me to freely practice my martial arts or train?" Nord asked eagerly.

"Ah… er, no. Please hold off until then."

Nord clicked his tongue before entering the cabin with the others.

Spacious wooden rooms were lined opposite to each other. Unlike the dwellings within the academy, these didn't come with the luxury of sound-negating inscriptions for privacy.

"I choose the biggest one!" Nord exclaimed, hurriedly checking each dorm with a quick glance.

A disappointed look fell on his face as he checked all the rooms. "They're all the same…"

Liam sighed.

'I probably shouldn't have brought this idiot.'

The rest chose their rooms quickly, and Liam was the last to pick.

There was nothing too fancy inside the cabin – just a simple bed for rest and a single cabinet filled with clothes.

Instantly, Liam unloaded the magical beasts and nourishing pills he would consume on the way.