7:00 AM, 6th Floor, Shopping Mall
The stores weren't open yet as Artis simply wandered around the mall of the ship hoping to find something interesting.
'Alice left the room in a hurry without her usual quirkiness...That's not like her at all? Is everything alright with her?'
Artis folded his arms as he continued to walk around the mall, a frown visible on his face. As he was walking, a clothing store just opened up which caught his eye. Artis didn't show it, but he was a bit interested in fashion outlets and liked collecting them.
But he couldn't afford them all the time since Alice was the one who bought food on the table and supported their livelihood. He doesn't like remembering his time with his uncle and aunts but he does remember on events, he and Alice only used to get hand-me-down worn down clothes as their presents.
After they left, the first thing Alice bought him was a bracelet with his name written on it that he keeps with him 24/7. It's like a good luck charm and he wears it for important events in his life.
As the clothing store's lights flickered on, Artis glanced inside, catching sight of a sleek black jacket displayed on a mannequin. The subtle details on the jacket's cuffs and the fabric used to make it made Artis interested in buying it.
He checked the price tag and saw it costed 1000 Auron! Currency of Rayon Continent.
'1000 Auron!! That's 1500 Sickles damn it! Alice would murder me if I even suggested it to buy this for myself!'
He currently, on his pocket only had 30 Sickles.
Lost in thought, he hardly noticed a sales associate stepping up beside him. "Good morning! Early riser, huh?" she greeted him warmly, her cheerful smile breaking his reverie. "Looking at that jacket? It's part of our new collection."
Artis nodded, offering a polite smile. "Yeah, it's...interesting." He couldn't tell her that he was poor as a dirt bag and can't afford this jacket!
Judging his hesitation, the woman tilted her head and said, "Well...we also have more collections that just arrived yesterday evening! If you want to check it out, feel free to do so!"
Artis could only nod to her words as he continued to see isle after isle checking out new clothes and its price.
As he left the store, he could only lament on his financial crisis as he mentally made a note for himself to earn as much money as possible in this life!
After walking for a bit, he noticed another store opening up but was surprised to see a line of passengers was already formed before even the shop opened.
The store's name was, "Spiritual Items Store."
Curious, he joined the end of the line, eager to see what had attracted so many people this early in the morning. As he waited, he overheard the excited chatter of the passengers ahead.
"I heard they have luck charms blessed by actual shamans from the Northern Isles," one person whispered, eyes wide with excitement.
"I know, Also have you heard they also got items from hunting Rare Spirit Beasts? If they have it, I would definitely buy a Phantom Beast related item, to help me compliment my skills with it." added another, clutching her bag as if she already found the item she was looking for.
Curious, Artis decided to check out the store, as the store finally opened, he stepped inside a dimly lit store that exuded a mystical atmosphere. Shelves were lined with strange objects sealed inside a glass jar, shimmering crystals, strange emblems and totems and many more.
One item in particular caught his eye—a pendant embedded with a piece of emerald shaped in form of an eye, The tag read, "Fragment of the Mirage Serpent: Grants the bearer heightened reflexes and a shadowy aura when worn."
"Grants the user heightened reflexes and joints that can bend more than an average human. Can only been wore for 15 minutes."
"Negative side effects: If worn more than 15 minutes, the user becomes bloodthirsty and acts like a real python unless someone snatches the pendant away."
"Cost: 750 Grands."
Artis raised an eyebrow reading the description. Spirit Beasts in general had an anomaly in them. They also possessed a Gate of their own allowing them to use their own powers.
But when they are hunted, any of their body parts can be used to make a weapon, called Spirit Weapons, those parts could be used to make daggers, armors, bullets, charms, guns and much more.
But, with those weapons, came strange effects that could be positive or negative. So, one had to be careful what items they are buying and what temporary effects will they receive.
Nobody really knows why that case is and this research about Spirit Beasts is mostly led by Professor Javier Shiina of Aurosia.
As Artis continued to wander around, he could see passengers buying rings, bracelets, talismans, totems and some Spirit Weapons like shirt swords, shuriken, and much more.
As Artis continued to wander around, his eyes darted towards a whistle that only costed no more than 30 Sickles.
"Whispering Requiem: Calms Wild Spirits down for a few moments. No side effects."
'Hey! This is within my budget! I can come back here later and trick- I mean- ask Alice later for some money and buy this later!'
His eyes gleamed as he held the whistle, examining its design. It was a simple design but it was practical, it could also help him with his classes in Varhard and would come in very handy with his tricks as Magician.
He put the whistle down and made a mental note to find a way to get the few extra Sickles he needed. Artis was already imagining himself blowing the whistle in a tight spot, calming a menacing spirit or wild creature, if only for a moment. A moment, after all, could be everything.
As he continued to wander, he went outside the mall zone as he laid in front of the railing looking at the entire cruise from inside with a soft smile. The buzz of people moving around below, the shops starting to open, and the faint sounds of waves in the background all felt strangely comforting.
Stretching his back with the support of the railing, he decided to head back to his room and wait for Alice to come back and ask her what was wrong with her this morning and if not, ask her for some money.
...
8:15 AM, Alice And Artis's Room
Artis kept laying on the bed as he scrolled his smartphone reading today's news.
"Professor Javier Unveils Breakthrough on Spirit Beasts!"
"Higates Family Heir, Valerie Higates wins the All Science World Fair!"
"Renowned Journalist Rudy Jones Reported Missing."
"Master Tier Kyle Moriarti completed the Savanna Trials on his first attempt!"
He kept scrolling through his phone, none of the titles catching his interest as his mind kept diverting to Alice's strange behavior in the morning. As he kept scrolling, an announcement rang throughout the ship.
"Attention all passengers! I am sorry for the delay we had this morning. We are about to leave Grisline Harbor in about an hour. So, if any of your friends and family are outside the ship, call them back immediately!
"Thank you for your patience!"
Artis sighed, as he put the phone down, his mind still a mess. Just at that moment, the door to their room opened, and Alice entered the room, looking tired, still in her pajamas.
"Alice! Where were you?"
Alice had tiredness plastered over her face as she responded with a sigh, "I went to meet someone on this ship about why we stopped here. And, it seems we both were right! This ship really did stop because of those 2 passengers who fought yesterday night! The crew kicked them out!"
Artis sat up straight, "Oh? Those guys were kicked out? Did you find out why they fought?" still not bought with the explanation Alice gave.
Alice shook her head, "Nope! Well, forget about that! Anyways, let's go have our breakfast now! I am starving!"
Artis said nothing as he noticed Alice's strange behavior, she would never go out in her pajamas of all things to confirm something that could be done anytime! And that was a clear attempt to divert the conversation.
'She's hiding something! Again!'
Irritation wobbled inside Artis as he took a deep breath and said with a clear tone, "Alright, let's go have our breakfast. I am starving as well."