A new chapter unfolded with the passage of time, marked by the ceaseless rhythm of the sea against the ship's hull. In the dimly lit quarters, Brayan and Kanan found themselves engrossed in a discussion that echoed through the chambers like the murmurs of the ever-present waves.
"Perhaps it's like your wind veil," Brayan suggested to Kanan, the weight of contemplation in his eyes mirroring the mysteries that lingered since the penitentiary incident.
Kanan, leaning against a weathered table, crossed his arms in contemplation. "But it's a high-level spell to use, plus it uses a lot of flow. Not something you can hide easily."
Brayan's gaze drifted toward the open sea beyond the small window. "True, and yet the darkness that shielded them seemed to be more than a mere spell. It was as if the shadows themselves had become a protective barrier."
Kanan grunted in agreement, acknowledging the peculiar nature of the events they had witnessed. "Perhaps it's one of the servants," he suggested, skepticism evident in his voice. "But for them to have that many flows within without anyone noticing is absurd."
Brayan nodded thoughtfully, the implications of such a possibility unraveling in his mind. "Agreed. It would take a highly skilled practitioner to conceal their flows so adeptly, especially in such close quarters."
The air in the room, heavy with the scent of salt and contemplation, hung suspended in a moment of shared realization. The journey to the royal palace, initially set against the backdrop of political intrigue and external threats, had now woven a tapestry of mysteries that unfolded with each passing wave.
"The key is finding out who among the servants possesses such mastery," Brayan mused, his thoughts reaching toward the uncharted territories of the unknown.
As the discussions between Brayan and Kanan unfolded like a ship navigating through uncharted waters, a new presence joined the fray. Stella approached with a measured stride, her gaze piercing through the dimly lit room.
Her expression calm and composed, spoke up. "Are you guys still discussing the matter?"
"Ah, Stella," Brayan acknowledged her arrival with a nod, his eyes reflecting a blend of curiosity and contemplation.
Stella, her expression calm and composed, spoke up. "If it is true a servant possessed that kind of flow, let's just be grateful he or she does not cause us any trouble."
Brayan grunted in agreement. "True enough. It saved the servants from the pirates, after all. But it still leaves the question of who among the servants wields such mastery over the elements."
Kanan, the wheels of thought turning in his mind, considered Stella's words. "Gratitude is due, indeed. Yet, the unknown always carries an air of unpredictability. We should remain vigilant."
Stella, her eyes scanning the room as if deciphering the shadows themselves, nodded in understanding. "Vigilance is our shield, even against the unseen. Let us focus on reaching the royal palace without further complications."
"We need to uncover the identity of the person who protected the lives of the servants. It's not just about gratitude; it's about understanding the forces at play." Kanan's voice cut through with a note of determination.
Stella, her gaze fixed on the ever-changing play of shadows, pondered for a moment before responding. "Agreed, but we are almost at the Harbor of Capital Elodor. Our priority should be sending these servants to the Academy that awaits us, remember?"
Kanan and Brayan exchanged a glance, the weight of their shared responsibility settling on their shoulders. "Almost at the Capital Elodor?!" Kanan mused, a hint of surprise in his voice.
Stella couldn't help but tease them, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "How long have you boys not seen the sun, huh?"
The knights, momentarily caught off guard, shared a chuckle. Their thoughts had kept them within the confines of their ship. As they neared the Harbor of Capital Elodor, the prospect of stepping into the sunlight felt like a distant memory.
"Perhaps we can uncover the identity of our person of interest at our time at the Academy later," Brayan suggested, his voice laced with a sense of nostalgia. "Through the Selection."
The mention of the Selection, a pivotal event during their Academy days, sparked a flicker of recognition in Stella's eyes. "The Selection might indeed hold the key. It was a rigorous test of skill and prowess. If our mysterious guardian was among us, they would have left a mark."
Kanan grunted in agreement, his memories intertwining with the contemplation of their present predicament. "If anyone among the servants possessed such abilities, we should be able to narrow down our list."
Stella, her gaze fixed on the horizon beyond the ship's window, joined in the reflection. "I might be able to join you guys later, while I take a moment of rest before set sail again."
Unbeknownst to the trio engrossed in their discussions, a solitary figure struggled within the confines of his own thoughts. The boy, hidden in the group of servants and children of the ship, cursed the goddess silently. "Curse you, goddess, my identity was almost revealed to the knights," he seethed, his eyes fixated on the pages of a book clutched in his hands.
The burden upon Aden, was a weighty amalgamation of power and restraint as he faced the threat of the pirates. The challenge lay not merely in fending off the assailants and safeguarding the servants and children, but in doing so without unleashing the full extent of his formidable abilities. For Aden, the consequences of crossing that deadly threshold were not only external but entwined with an unbearable setback on himself.
As the trio debated the mysteries surrounding the servants, Aden's mind raced with conflicting emotions. The burden of a hidden identity weighed heavily upon him. A new quest had been etched within the pages of his book—an imperative to protect the other servants and children, a mark as complete.
The boy's eyes darted across the written words, trepidation coursing through his veins. The goddess had spared him the exposure, yet the newfound responsibility laid bare before him was a testament to the intricate web of fate that entwined his existence with that of the knights and their journey.
In the dimly lit corner of the ship, as the trio contemplated the nearing arrival at the Harbor of Capital Elodor, Aden continued his silent struggle. The weight of secrets and quests bore down on him, forging a narrative that would unfold in tandem with the political intrigue awaiting them at the capital.