Chapter 174: Second Year Begins
The days aboard the Estermont ship passed without incident.
After everything that had happened in the Holy Capital, the quiet rhythm of sailing felt almost unreal. There were no missions to chase, no immediate threats to track—just the sound of the waves, the wind in the sails, and the occasional banter among the group.
Mornings were spent training. Noel sparred with Marcus and Garron a few times, keeping his body sharp while avoiding heavier thoughts. Clara usually watched from the side, offering water or feedback, while Laziel stayed mostly quiet—though he didn’t refuse a match when invited.
Evenings were calmer. Meals were shared around the same table. Some stories, a few laughs, even small debates about food, magic, and first-year memories.
But the most surprising change was between Elyra and Elena.
What had started as polite conversation quickly turned into a genuine friendship. They talked more than anyone else on the ship—discussing books, house politics, and occasionally teaming up to mock Marcus’s horrible handwriting.
Charlotte, still using the Sancta Veil when outside her cabin, stayed mostly near Noel’s side when she wasn’t reading alone. She didn’t say much, but her presence was constant.
The ship sailed on.
One more day remained before the start of the new academic year.
Noel sat alone in his cabin, the soft creaking of the ship’s wood and the gentle sway of the sea a constant, quiet rhythm in the background.
Through the round window, the sky was beginning to shift—pale blues giving way to golden hues. It was the last evening before they returned to the academy.