The rest of the trip was uneventful, I interacted with the crew during lunch, played some cards and helped around the deck on what I could.
It would have been relaxing, if not for the pair of eyes drilling in the back of my skull constantly. The First Officer just kept me under full surveillance. Not just a few glares here and there no... full on 24/7 constant glaring like I was about to kill someone. I even noticed the captain lightly hitting him in the back of the head a few times and rubbing his eyes while shaking his head.
At dusk, we finally saw the Wind Continent and the city we were docking at. Initium.
Initium wasn't a particularly important or large city but considering it had a decently relevant Port it did have its share of traders Inns and so on.
After we dock, the crew was busy unloading and going to the nearest bar, so I simply say farewell to the captain and crew and head towards the city.
...
"Ok, so... I don't have any money on me, or anything else whatsoever, and no where to sleep... well I've been at worse situations before. But I'm not gonna lie to myself I really would like to at least sleep in a bed and wait till morning before exploring."
"Well I don't like doing this but at least I will kill two birds with one stone."
"Excuse me Sir. where is the nearest Communication Center".
...
...
...
As I enter the building I am meet with a receptionist.
"Good Evening Sir. how may I help you." Said the man in a formal matter.
"Evening, I need to make a call to a friend. Bill sent to the receiver."
"Certainly just go to one of the available rooms to my right. Do you need assistance in knowing how the communication Crystal works? "
"No thanks, I'm used to working with them."
He then gave me a plastic card with a crystal encrusted in the center which is needed to make the call.
Afterwards I moved to one of the rooms pointed at me. The room was about 6 meters squared (20ft) with a simple clean design and a table with a chair in the middle. The walls I assume soundproof as they usually are.
I sit at the table and activate the crystal on top of it by flowing a bit of energy into the card I received and putting it close to the crystal.
-Guest number 0278-
Authorizations: Calls(1) ; Messages(2) ; Transfers(3)
Type of Payment: Receiver
Which operation do you wish to make?
-(Awaiting Input)-
The screen showed up once I activated the crystal. I read my options just to check if everything is normal.
I then send another wave of energy to the crystal as I answered.
"Three"
-Guest number 0278-
Input identification number of the device you wish to contact.
-(Awaiting Input)-
"118282"
-Guest number 0278-
The Call will begin shortly.
Thank you for your patience.
-(Call Commencing)-
...
...
It took about 5 minutes before the call was answered.
"Hello?"
"Hey Luka it's me."
"Hey, why the hell are you calling from the Wind Continent, I thought you were staying in Central Island?"
"Well... Stuff happened I kind of have good news and bad news. Good news is that I actually managed to find some ruins on the Island and I have a pretty strong lead now."
The moment those words left my mouth he suddenly burst out.
"Really... what kind of ruins? What did you find? Are you ok?"
I tried to stop him before he gave himself a heart attack.
"Calm down, calm down I'm fine I did have a pretty danger encounter but I made it out without a scratch on me. (Technically the true) And about the ruins, they are probably the oldest I have seen in my life."
"Oldest... are you including the Four Temples?"
"Yes"
Luka stayed silent for a few seconds before speaking again.
"What did you find? Is it what you were looking for?" He said with visible anticipation on his voice.
"No... I don't think so. I have to make some tests on it but... I don't think so. I am planning on going to the Wind Temple."
"I see..." He said with a hint of disappointment. "Wind Temple? What kind of artifact did you find?"
"Hopefully a key. I'm hoping something will react to it. Its 100% a hunch thought."
"I see. Well I'm glad you called me, I assume you're planning on going to The Wind Capital then."
"Ye... but I would like to ask you two favors. Actually make that three."
"Ye no problem I'm listening"
" You see the bad news are... I kind of left every single one of my belongings in Central Island... everything."
"I did think it was weird you making me pay the call. How the fuck did you lose everything."
"That kind of brings me to favor number two. I was on a very dangerous situation and well I had to leave everything behind. In case that happens again do you happen to have any friends in any Elemental Schools on the way to the Wind City?"
Luka went silent for a few seconds.
"Are you really ok? You never showed any interest in training Elemental Energy. Yet you are asking me now if I have any friends on any Elemental Schools?"
"I'm sorry to worry you. It was a close call but I'm fine. I told you I don't have a scratch on me. I just want to make sure I'm prepared."
" *sigh...* Fine I get it. I know you can handle yourself, but I can still worry. *sigh...* Any particular school you are interested in?"
"Yes. Swordsmanship. I don't mind if it's Wind Elemental based."
He then made a sound which implied he had just raised one of his eyebrows.
"I will make a few calls. Next time you talk to me I will update you on that. What is the third favor then?"
"Can you put me inside the Wind Temple?"
"..."
"..."
"You don't mean the Wind Temple, but THE WIND TEMPLE right?"
"Yes, can you do it Luka?"
" *pffff* I will try. That is as all I can promise."
We stay quiet for a few seconds.
"Any way. Changing topic how have you been Luka? Is she doing well?"
"Ye all good, business is going well, and she... she is the same as usual."
We talk for a few more minutes as we catch up on how we have been.
"Ok. It was nice talking to you. Can you send me 100 credits afterwards."
"If I can send you 10.000 credits afterwards. Sure no problem at all."
"100 credits not 10.000!"
"Fine 1000. Just don't use them all at once." He said while laughing his ass off.
"100 credits Luka, and I'm paying them back next time!"
"Huuu... fine 200 and that is my last offer I'm not letting you take any less than that. You said you lost everything that doesn't even cover half of what you will need. I said to let me worry about you."
"..."
"Ok, you are right."
"And stay under a roof tonight or I'm gonna had another 100."
"I promise."
"Don't push yourself too hard ok."
" I know. Thanks for everything Luka."
"Don't mention it. Take care Aster."
...
I then leave the room and go to the receptionist who gives me a Credit Card (a card which stores credits in it... yup) with 250 credits on it. I then curse internally at Luka.
I exit the communication building and go find myself somewhere to stay the night.
...
...
...
I find an Inn and enter the wooden building with a chubby old man in the entrance and pay for a room and meals (60 credits).
After a much-needed warm bath with the help of the almighty bucket I then fall head first on the soft bed. My eyes then became heavy and not long after I quickly fall asleep.
...
I wake up to the sound of knocking on the door. I get up feeling refreshed as I answer it and eat the breakfast that was delivered.
I then lay myself on the bed facing the ceiling and raise right arm.
"It still bothers me. This felling."
I close my eyes on focus on the sword and open them again. The blade was in my hand.
"Guess I just have to get used to It. Last thing I want is to randomly stab someone when I reach my hand towards them. Actually now that I think about it can I even summon it if there is something on the way. Also, what about Energy conductivity. Does it even..." I stop myself.
"You know what, now that I think about it, the fastest way to find out is to try it out right?"