Like We Used to Be

Moyu, Menchi, and Linne boarded the Aileen.

The captain hurried over, his face full of respect.

Moyu and Menchi were surprised by his reaction. Rather than thinking something was wrong with him, they immediately realized he probably knew Linne.

And they were right.

The captain went straight to Linne and bowed respectfully. "Lady Linne."

"..."

Linne merely glanced up at him, then ignored him and gestured for Menchi to help her somewhere she could sit.

The captain seemed used to Linne's manner and took no offense. He had already had a sailor bring out his favorite lounge chair.

"Over there."

Pointing to the chair, the captain spoke softly to Menchi.

Menchi nodded and helped Linne over to it.

Moyu stayed where he was and glanced at the captain. With him as a point of comparison, Linne's attitude toward them suddenly seemed pretty good.

A gentle sea breeze blew.

The Aileen raised its sails and cut through the waves.

With Linne aboard, the Aileen abandoned its original route and headed for the port nearest Shivadani City.

Some passengers who had yet to disembark complained about the captain's decision.

But he soon put a stop to their complaints.

Moyu did not care where the ship docked.

The Hunter Exam was over, and he was three months overdue at Heavens Arena. He had probably lost his eligibility there.

Moyu had not decided where to go next. For now, he could follow the Aileen's route and visit Shivadani City.

Several days later.

The Aileen docked at a port called Seda.

Shivadani City was only half a day's journey from there.

If they wanted to get there faster, they could take a detour to the airport and fly directly to Shivadani City. That would save about two hours.

Moyu chose to fly.

Once he had