The boy, as if drawn by something unseen, began walking toward the merchant ship. As he got closer, he saw about ten sailors busily preparing for something. Among them stood a man giving orders — his long black mustache and brown captain's hat made him easy to spot. The buttons of his rough, worn brown jacket were undone, revealing a well-trained torso beneath. His presence was hearty yet not overbearing — there was warmth in his demeanor. Then, he noticed the boy with the blue hair approaching the ship.
The captain stepped down from the deck, extended his hand, and said with a smile,
"So, you must be the one Gelidus sent. Good to meet you, kid. I'm Fidelius, the captain of this ship."
The boy stared silently at the captain's face and the outstretched hand, his eyes revealing almost no emotion. Unfamiliar with the meaning of such a gesture, he simply stopped and looked.
Feeling a bit awkward, the captain scratched the back of his head and laughed heartily.
"Ha ha, just like Gelidus's son. Well, I prefer your kind over the ones who talk too much anyway. Come on, it's time we set sail."
Without a word or question, the boy followed the captain. Not out of innocence, but because, for now, nothing held any meaning to him.
They stepped aboard the ship.
"Well? She's not too big, but I've traveled the whole world on this vessel. I think you'll find her comfortable enough."
The boy remained silent.
"We'll be departing soon… Ah, right! I nearly forgot — I have something for you. Come with me."
They entered the captain's cabin.
Rummaging through a drawer, the captain soon pulled something out.
"This is what your father asked me to give you."
The boy carefully looked at the object.
It was a necklace made from a seashell, slightly larger than an adult's palm. It could be opened and closed with a magnetic clasp, and inside were dozens of tiny, transparent, drop-shaped glass vials — each no larger than a pinky nail. The cord was woven from magically coated, light yet durable fibers.
More than the necklace's beauty or mystery, the boy was struck by the fact that his father had given it to him.
Gelidus was not the sort of man to give gifts.
"Along with this necklace, Gelidus sent me a letter asking me to take care of you," the captain continued. "I was surprised, honestly. For him to make such a request… I thought he'd long since crossed a path one can't return from."
The boy felt a flicker of confusion.
As he looked at the tiny glass vials within the shell, something faint stirred deep within his heart.
The captain asked,
"By the way, I never did catch your name. What is it, kid?"
After a short hesitation, the boy replied quietly,
"…Audalis."
And with that, he gently placed the necklace around his neck.
Outside, the sailors were nearly finished preparing for departure.
The journey of the boy and the captain was about to begin.