The night at sea always appeared calm, but for Bastien, it was the best time to work. In the corner of the ship's deck, lit by a hanging lantern gently swaying with the rhythm of the waves, he sat cross-legged with a small tray filled with metal components, springs, copper plates, and small tubes made of glass and rubber. What was usually a peaceful setting for some became the perfect place for his creativity to flourish.
His nimble hands assembled the small pieces into a shape that slowly began to resemble a revolver. But this wasn't just any revolver. Bastien was designing something nearly impossible: a waterproof revolver.
"If this works," he muttered while tightening a screw, "I'll be able to shoot even when I dive into the sea… or when I'm attacked in the middle of a storm."
Arthur appeared from behind, his steps light despite being barefoot, his hair still wet from just finishing a training session with Nara. He gazed at the tool Bastien was creating with wide-eyed interest, an uncontainable curiosity. "Is that a water gun? Like a toy pistol that sprays water?"
Bastien held back a laugh. "No, this isn't for spraying you when you're too lazy to shower. This is a real revolver. But it can function even if it falls into the sea, and it can shoot in wet conditions."
Arthur placed his hand on his chin as if understanding. "So, this could be used to shoot fish from under the water, right? Wow! We could fish while shooting!"
"Shooting fish isn't the main goal, but… yeah, you're still you," Bastien replied, tapping his forehead, amazed by his friend's unexpected way of thinking.
Nara, who had just emerged from the training room below deck, joined them. Her eyebrows raised, her eyes filled with both curiosity and skepticism. "You're really making a weapon that can fire underwater?"
Bastien nodded confidently. "I'm using a special sealing system in the powder chamber and modifying the trigger with a dual spring mechanism. The metal is also rust-resistant. At least… in theory."
"Theory is good. But in reality, it usually blows up," Juno commented, who, seemingly having appeared out of nowhere, stood behind the mast, arms crossed, looking at the revolver with a skeptical expression. Her demeanor was colder than the night wind, though she couldn't hide the underlying concern.
Bastien shrugged. "If it blows up, I'll learn from my mistakes. Great scientists often fail first."
Arthur raised his hand. "If it blows up, can I keep the part that doesn't explode as a souvenir?"
"No!" Bastien, Juno, and Nara shouted in unison.
Arthur pouted. "So stingy, I just want a souvenir..."
Bastien chuckled softly, continuing with the assembly. Each component that was added seemed to carry his small hope for survival in this wild world. This revolver was not just a playful project. It was a part of him—a part that knew the sea could never be trusted, that every wave might hide a danger, and that every storm could be an unexpected adversary.
A few final screws were tightened, and carefully, Bastien lifted the weapon into the air, admiring it like a creator proud of his Frankensteinian creation. A sense of pride flowed, but worry still lingered. "Just need to test it in the water… hope it doesn't turn into an underwater firecracker," he said, standing up, his voice trembling slightly despite trying to sound calm.
Arthur quickly pulled a bucket of seawater from the side of the ship. "Let's test it now! I'm ready to be the target! But… shoot gently, okay? Please, don't hit my head."
Nara stared at Arthur with a mix of confusion and disbelief. "Arthur, do you even understand how weapons work?" she asked, her voice filled with a blend of bewilderment and concern.
"I've learned how they work, but never really understood," Arthur replied, shrugging, trying to hide his nervousness with a joke.
Bastien shook his head. "We better test it on an empty barrel first. If it works, then we'll try it in the sea." He examined the revolver closely, making sure everything was perfectly assembled, and signaled Nara to prepare a safer target.
And so, that night became one of hope—and the potential for explosions. Amid the tension hanging over the ship, Bastien knew that this world didn't offer second chances. If the revolver failed, he'd have to face the consequences. But in his heart, he just hoped that, for once, the theory he had crafted would become reality.
However, as with every adventure he had ever embarked on, the greatest test didn't just come from what they could plan, but from what could happen suddenly.