9:15 AM, 7th floor, Main Dining Hall
The ship's breakfast hall was already buzzing with passengers, the aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling bacon filling the air. Artis and Alice took their usual corner table, with Alice practically dragging her feet from exhaustion.
As soon as they sat down, Alice wasted no time ordering her meal—a hefty breakfast platter with extra sausages. Artis, however, only ordered a simple omelet and toast, as he was not that hungry.
"Sis, can I ask you something?" asked Artis nonchalantly as he helped himself with the toast.
"Mhm, what is it?" said Alice as she chewed on her sausages.
"Can you give me some money? Around 15 Sickles if you would...I want to buy something I really liked!"
Alice raised an eyebrow, pausing mid-bite. "Fifteen Sickles? For what?"
Artis avoided her gaze, focusing on his omelet. "Just...a little item I found in one of the stores. It's nothing major, but I think it could come in handy for me at Varhard. You know, for my tricks and stuff."
Alice leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms as she hardened her eyes and studied him, "An item right? Or is it another one of your games...?"
"It's not a game this time!" Artis protested, slightly annoyed, "Look, it's practical, okay? It can really help me in some tough spots! I swear it's really worth it!"
Alice sighed, picking up her glass of orange juice. "Artis, you know our funds are tight right now. It's even a miracle we could get to this ship and not take a flight to Aurosia because I know you love slow journeys. And the last thing I want is you wasting our funds on some useless stuff!"
Artis frowned, leaning forward, "Sis, it's not some useless stuff you know. It's an item that can calm down the Wild Spirits and the best thing about it, it has no side effects!"
"Really now?" asked Artis, still skeptical, "Has it not crossed your mind that this stuff can be fake?"
"Come on, Sis! If it were, this item wouldn't even pass through the screening process!"
"Hmmm." Artis thought for a moment, her arms resting on the table, "Yeah, you maybe right," Alice sighed again, tapping her fingers on the table as she considered his request. "Alright, fine. I'll give you the 15 Sickles. But only if you promise me two things."
"Anything!" Artis said quickly.
"One, you use this thing for something useful, not just as a fancy prop for your tricks."
Artis nodded vigorously. "Of course!"
"And two," Alice continued, fixing him with a stern look, "You don't come begging me for more money later when you find another 'must-have' item."
Artis looked at her in disbelief but reluctantly nodded. "Deal. Thanks, sis!"
Alice reached into her pocket and slid a small coin pouch across the table. "Don't make me regret this, Artis."
"No worries. I won't," said Artis as he counted the money with a cocky smile.
As Alice returned to her breakfast, she shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Oh, you're so lucky I'm such a generous big sister with a big heart."
"And I'm lucky you're not as grumpy as you look," Artis teased, dodging a playful flick of her napkin.
...
After finishing his breakfast, Artis soon headed back towards the Spiritual Items store, as the shop was even busier than before. Weaving through the crowd, he made his way towards the shelf where he saw the whistle.
'Phew...it's still there!' Sighing in relief, he headed toward the item to grab it but as soon as he was about to touch it, somebody came beside him and grabbed the whistle leaving Artis hanging in the air.
He blinked in disbelief as he immediately turned to look at the person who just grabbed the whistle from him.
A tall guy around 20 years old with slick-back blonde hair and, a round face, dressed in a blue overcoat adorned with yellow stripes over it.
"Excuse me," Artis said, forcing a polite tone. "I was just about to buy that."
The guy turned to face Artis, as he had a confused look on his face. He began speaking the language that Artis had the idea of but did not know how to say it which confused him even further.
"Uh... sorry, I don't speak Arcanic," Artis said awkwardly, gesturing with his hands to emphasize his words as he began speaking in the universally spoken language around the world, Aurosian.
"You can speak Aurosian, right?" asked Artis as he awkwardly gestured and spoke in that language.
The man listened attentively, responding in his own Aurosian accent, "Yes. Yes. I can speak Aurosian. What do you want?"
Artis let out a sigh of relief, as he pointed at the whistle, "That whistle...I want to buy it." Artis said, maintaining his polite tone, "I've saved up enough money and I set my eyes on this whistle first."
The man raised an eyebrow as he gripped his whistle tightly, "But I want to buy this whistle too! And besides, I grabbed this item first, so shouldn't I be the one to buy this?"
"I know what you mean! But I really want this item! This is something I need for my work!"
"So do I! I am an Archeologist Adventurer. And because of my job, I need this item to calm down those Spirit Beasts during my journey."
Artis clenched his fists, realizing this man wouldn't budge easily. The man's reasoning was solid and Artis knew that which caused a conflict within his heart, but he still wanted the item.
"But there are other items like Repels, and Charms to keep away the Spirit Beasts as well! Why don't you buy them? And even at a cheaper price!"
"My line of work also depends on hunting the Spirit Beasts and this whistle is the perfect item for me." The man said in a polite tone as his eyes sharpened, "And why do you want this item again dare I ask you?"
Artis hesitated for a moment, feeling the weight of the man's piercing gaze. He grabbed the shelf and answered, "Because I am going to Varhard. As an Assistant Professor. So, if I also get into trouble, I will be needing that." 'And because it's cheap...' said Artis as he spoke the last line in his mind.
The man raised his eyebrow, his expression full of skepticism, "Varhard you say, a kid like you? Don't make me laugh. Isn't that institute known for very skilled students and Professors? And you are sayin' you got hired into that?"
Artis felt a sense of irritation forming inside him listening to that man's mocking tone as he answered, "Yes, mister. That famous institute from Aurosia hired me as an Assistant Professor to teach others. I can also teach you a thing or two about Archeologists if you like, I am quite knowledgeable you know."
The man stared at Artis as his lips formed into a smirk, "Hoh! Really now? It seems we can't conclude if we keep talking like this. Well, how about this? How about we have a Spar in this ship? The winner takes the whistle!"
Artis was momentarily stunned at this suggestion as he unconsciously took a step back, "A d-duel?"
Is it worth it?
The man crossed his arms and said with a questionable look, "What's the matter? Aren't you gonna be a teacher in Varhard? You should also be prepared for any battle right? Or are you scared of the thought of a Duel?"
Artis narrowed his eyes, the mocking tone striking a nerve. He couldn't let anyone tarnish his reputation or pride. He took a deep breath, weighing the situation. The whistle was important to him, but was it worth the risk of potentially embarrassing himself in front of the crowd that would undoubtedly gather?
"Scared? Of course not," Artis finally said, his voice calm but firm. "Fine, if that's how you want to settle this, then so be it. But let's make one thing clear," he added, stepping closer, "I'm not someone who backs down from a challenge."
The man smirked, clearly amused by Artis's resolve. "Good. That's the Spirit. Let's meet up in 10 minutes at the Training Arena. We will have our duel there. Let's have a good match, Professor."
Artis clenched his fists but maintained his composure. "I'll be there," he replied, turning on his heel and walking away without another word.
...
Back at their cabin, Alice raised an eyebrow as Artis hurriedly rummaged through his belongings.
"What are you doing?" she asked, still lounging on her bed.
"Preparing," Artis replied, his voice muffled as he searched his bag.
"For what?"
"A spar." said Artis as he finished preparing his pouch, "I've been challenged to a duel for that whistle. Of course, I accepted!"
"A duel for a whistle?" Alice rose up, as her voice cracked and pinched the bridge of her nose, "You can't be serious? Really?"
"I know, I know," Artis said quickly, raising his hands defensively. "But I couldn't back down. He was mocking me! And I couldn't let that slide!"
Alice smacked her forehead, a pulse of irritation rising within her, "Oh, for the love of Gristine! You really couldn't help yourself, could you? What am I ever going to do with you?"
"Don't you worry, Sis!" said Artis, his voice dripping with confidence, "I got a plan."
"It better be some plan."
...
BattleGround, 5th Floor, 10:17 AM
As Artis arrived there, the blonde-haired man already stood there wearing the ship's tracksuit as he cracked his knuckles, casually stretching as he smirked at Artis.
"You showed up. Good," the man said, cracking his knuckles. "Let's see if you're as skilled as you claim to be, Professor."
"Ready when you are," Artis said firmly.
The man grinned. "Alright then. Let's make this interesting. The first to land three hits wins. Deal?"
"Deal," Artis agreed, his eyes narrowing.
"Name's Jaden by the way. Jaden Shiba, a Proficient Archeologist!"
"Artis Janes. A Journeymen! Let's have a fair duel."