First Mate

Ian did a final check of the supplies: fresh water, rum, hardtack, dried meat, cheese, a hammock, a ring dial, a compass, a sextant, and more. Everything was accounted for.

Milta had already hoisted the ship's flag. It fluttered and snapped at the top of the mainmast, a proud banner against the wind.

"Captain, the tower is all locked up. Nothing left but some furniture."

Milta leaped from the shore onto the ship's railing, speaking to Ian on the quarterdeck.

Ian looked up into the distance, the sun warming him, the sky and sea vast and clear.

He waved his hand. "Hoist the sails, set sail!"

Receiving the order, the Leviathan retracted its anchor, and the Activated Rope raised the mainsail. With the help of the anchor chain, Milta hoisted the fore-mast sail.

Amidst the hum of the Propeller, the warship, powered by both sail and engine, rapidly sailed towards the distant sea.

After sailing a few nautical miles northwest, away from the coast, the Leviathan turned slightly and headed north along the coastline.

Ian stared north, his mind replaying memories of Storm Cape.

At the Leviathan's speed, it would take at most five or six days to cover over a thousand nautical miles and reach Storm Cape.

He wondered how Rebecca was doing. Stroking his beard, he mused if she'd even recognize him looking like this.

"Captain-- Captain, look--"

Standing on the forecastle's gun platform, Milta, holding a monocular, pointed towards the distant shore.

Ian's body and eyesight were far superior to Milta's. He turned and looked in the direction Milta was pointing.

Several nautical miles away, near the shore not far from the tower, a figure carrying a pack, running along the coast while waving from afar, came into view.

Ian's face lit up with surprise. " Wawa, turn back!"

The Leviathan drew an elegant circle on the water, turning back towards the tower.

Ian grabbed the mast and climbed it in a few steps. He waved towards the shore from a distance, pointing towards the tower.

Most of the shoreline had very shallow water, unsuitable for a large ship to dock. The deep-water area below the cliff of the tower was more suitable for mooring.

The Leviathan made a nimble turn, rounding the peninsula and entering the waters below the tower.

A familiar, beautiful figure was already standing on the shore, dressed in leather armor, with two flintlock pistols at her waist. With her back to the sun and facing the sea breeze, her face, now free of scars, was wreathed in a radiant smile.

Ian felt her gaze and grinned. Another helper had arrived.

Seeing the familiar, sunny smile, Lia's slight unease eased.

She couldn't help but examine the strange ship. It only had two sails raised, yet it moved so fast. The peculiar cannons on deck weren't on the sides but in the middle of the ship. Most importantly, the entire ship was empty, with only two people visible.

The Leviathan gently docked. Ian stood by the railing, leaped ashore, and extended his hand to the somewhat stunned Lia. "Welcome aboard, Lia, First Mate."

Lia pursed her lips into a smile and lightly clasped Ian's hand. "I look forward to working with you, Captain."

Ian looked at Lia, seeing she only carried a small backpack. "Is this all your luggage?"

Lia tilted her chin, gesturing towards the cliff.

Just as Ian was about to go up, Milta's voice came from beside him. "I'll go, Captain."

Milta naturally recognized the woman who had brought him to meet the captain before. Even though he knew she had done it out of respect for Ian, he was still grateful.

Saying this, Milta jumped ashore and quickly ran towards the tower.

Lia blinked in surprise. "He is?"

Milta had changed so much in these few days. Not just his height, build, temperament, and demeanor, but most importantly, the Spirituality fluctuations emanating from him.

Ian couldn't help but chuckle mischievously. "It's Milta, the one you brought to me."

Lia's expression stiffened, followed by disbelief. In just a few days, a scrawny cabin boy who had been kicked off a ship had actually stepped into the extraordinary.

Lia looked at Ian with confusion, feeling like Ian was joking with her. Ian just smiled and nodded in confirmation.

Soon, Milta came down carrying a wooden chest and wearing a large pack. Lia scrutinized him, indeed seeing some familiar traces.

Watching Milta place the chest and pack by the entrance to the quarterdeck, Lia asked softly, "Did he awaken on his own?"

Ian shook his head slightly.

A sense of absurdity inevitably arose in Lia's heart. In twenty years of Whaling Group's development, there were fewer than twenty extraordinary individuals, most of whom were recruited, with only a small number cultivated internally.

Even with the expensive Awakening Potion, the probability of awakening Spirituality wasn't high. When did stepping into the extraordinary become so easy?!

Lia took a few deep breaths and quickly calmed down. Her gaze towards Ian became peculiar.

Was a cabin boy with uncertain potential worth wasting an Awakening Potion and an Extraordinary Sequence imprint on?

She felt she knew too little about Ian. How should she describe him? "He's... surprisingly good!"

Ian knew this wasn't just because of the stark contrast in Milta's transformation, but also due to the difference in values between their two worlds. It was hard to explain, and he didn't intend to.

A wicked thought crossed Ian's mind: there would be many more surprises for her in the future.

The two stepped onto the deck. Ian pointed towards the distant sea and shouted, "Set sail!"

As if replaying the scene of their departure, Lia stood beside the mainmast, staring blankly at everything. She finally confirmed that this was a ship that operated without human control.

Ian picked up the chest and packages from the Quarterdeck and woke the stunned Lia.

"Let's go. I'll show you to your room first. I'll tell you everything about this place slowly."

Ian led Lia down the stairs and into the first level below the main deck. Lia mechanically followed Ian.

The Quarterdeck was spacious, serving as the captain's cabin. The Forecastle was small and currently occupied by Milta.

The rooms below the Quarterdeck were relatively spacious single rooms, with fewer dormitory-style multi-person rooms.

Ian chose a room directly beneath the Quarterdeck for Lia. Due to the stern's structure, this room was larger.

Ian placed Lia's belongings on the floor and began to explain the room.

"The desk, chairs, cabinet, and bed are all fixed. The bed is quite low. If you're not used to sleeping in a bed or if the waves are too rough, you can use the hammock."

"Inside the cabinet, you'll find new bedding and some daily necessities. If you need anything, ask Milta."

"This small compartment in the corner is the bathroom."

Ian reached out and turned the faucet. Fresh water flowed out with a gush, and he turned it off just as easily.

"This is the switch to control the freshwater. It's similar to the Breath of the Ocean. This water is drinkable and very hygienic; I've treated it myself."

"This is the flush toilet. You sit to use it. Hmm... when the wind and waves are strong, squatting can easily dirty the room. Step on this pedal to flush the toilet."

Lia could barely control her expression. A clean, spacious room, fresh air, a Mana lamp powered by magic stones, and even running water and a toilet.

She had lived on ships her whole life and knew exactly what they were like. Foul air, dirty floors, cramped sleeping areas with only a hammock, and precious but germ-filled freshwater were the true reality of sailing ships.

Ian knew she had many questions but continued his explanation. "This is for showering. It works the same way, but for now, there's only cold water."

Lia couldn't hold back any longer, frowning. "This is too wasteful, Trist! Ships must always reserve enough freshwater because you never know where the ship will end up after a storm!"

Ian smiled and waited for her to finish. "Lia, we have a hundred tons of freshwater, and there are only two people on board. Oh, with you now, there are three."

"Ah?!"