Looking towards the courtyard gate, Aunt Macy and Siegert were waiting for him.
Perhaps fearing his mother would again forbid him to speak, Siegert hurriedly stepped forward to stand beside Alka.
He handed Alka the Sailor's Saber sheathed at his side.
"Take it, Alka. This is my favorite saber; make sure to use it well. I hope your voyage on the sea is as smooth as the ocean breeze."
Receiving the Sailor's Saber from Siegert, Alka fastened it to his waist.
"Yeah, don't worry."
At this moment, Aunt Macy stepped forward and hugged Alka once again.
"Child, though I am not your biological mother, I hope you stay safe. Sometimes, some things are not worth risking your life for. You must learn to choose wisely."
She continued, "Your mother protected you till the end, hoping you'll always be healthy and safe. Remember to visit often, and when you do, be as healthy as you are now."
As she spoke, the robust Aunt Macy couldn't help but shed tears.
She wiped her tears and patted Alka on the shoulder.
"Go on, spread your wings like a petrel, soaring through the storm!"
Alka nodded firmly.
He then turned and began walking along the path ahead.
Soon after, Siegert's voice called from behind.
"Alka, remember to tell me about your treasure hunt when you return! Maybe you can bring back some treasures if you can!"
"You rascal, what are you talking about?"
"Ah, stop it, Mom! I know I was wrong!"
Turning his head to look at the distant scene at the courtyard entrance, Alka couldn't help but smile.
The sadness in his heart dissipated considerably.
He turned back and continued walking forward.
On both sides were golden wheat fields, gently swaying in the cool afternoon breeze.
Alka wasn't heading to the port. He was walking towards the center of the island.
There, someone else needed a farewell.
...
「As dusk approached.」
Alka hurriedly carried his suitcase and backpack, rushing towards the ship at the port.
At that moment, he finally saw the beautiful ship Siegert had mentioned. Indeed, it was just as Siegert had described it.
It was a three-masted galleon-type warship, approximately 30 meters long.
The ship's bow bore a large beast-head figurehead, resembling a fierce beast with a single horn atop its head.
The entire ship was adorned in blue and white, with patterns painted on both sides.
One could see a lower gun deck. However, the cannon ports were currently closed.
From its appearance, it looked excellent, and it might possess some level of stealth on the sea, though not much.
From the bow, Andre stood with arms crossed, staring at the hurrying Alka.
When Andre saw Alka looking at him, he tilted his head sideways, signaling for him to come aboard.
Beneath the ship, a young Sailor with a blue headscarf was waiting.
Upon seeing Alka, he greeted him with a smile, "You must be Alka, right? Come on, let's get on board. We've been waiting for you."
Saying this, he naturally took Alka's luggage and guided him onto the ship.
Just as he stepped onto the deck, Andre walked towards him.
"Good lad, you've got spirit."
Alka merely smiled and handed over the signed contract from his coat.
Andre took it, glanced at it, and nodded, then pressed the top left corner with his thumb.
Alka wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but he seemed to see a faint gleam of light.
"Did you just see a light?" Andre suddenly raised his head to ask Alka.
Hearing this, Alka nodded, "Indeed, I saw it; it just flashed briefly."
"Good. That means you've already been in contact with Magic Power."
Andre nodded.
Then he looked at the young Sailor who had brought Alka aboard and said, "Hammer, take Alka to his room, prepare some personal items for him, and familiarize him with the ship."
After speaking, he stared at Alka again.
"Once you're familiar, come to the captain's cabin to see me. I'll explain more thoroughly what you'll be doing next; I hope you're mentally prepared."
"No problem, uh..."
Alka suddenly hesitated, uncertain of how to address the man before him.
"Call me Chief, Captain, or Boss, whatever you prefer."
"Yes, Chief."
Andre nodded, then briefly glanced at Hammer.
Hammer, still holding Alka's suitcase, approached with a smile, "Come on, Alka. I'll show you to your quarters and help you put your things away."
Alka nodded.
"Thank you for your trouble."
Upon hearing this, Hammer scratched his head with a smile, "No worries, we're all shipmates now; it's what we do."
Only then did Alka take a closer look at the young Sailor before him.
He was a young man with short, slightly curly brown hair and faint freckles on his cheeks, a bit shorter than Alka.
He wore a regular cotton short-sleeved shirt and brown linen pants, with waterproof short boots. At his waist, he carried a Sailor's Short Saber.
"Come, let's head this way."
With that, he led Alka towards the rear of the ship, where there was a single-level aftcastle.
In the center of the aftcastle was a main door, with a smaller, ordinary door to its side.
Hammer introduced, "The middle one is the captain's cabin. The door on the left is the emergency medical room, so if you're injured, you should head there immediately."
"Let's go this way."
He guided Alka through a side passage of the aftcastle.
Here, they could see a row of doors lined up in an orderly fashion.
"The first room is the chart room and Miss Chadite's room."
Miss? A woman.
Alka felt a flicker of doubt.
After all, having permanent female crew members on ships was quite rare.
Ocean voyages often lasted ten days to half a month at a minimum.
At least, that was the case among ordinary folk.
Then again, this wasn't an ordinary ship or crew.
They stopped at the second door.
Hammer opened the door and went inside, saying, "This is your room. The senior crew and apprentice members usually stay in the aftcastle."
Alka followed him in.
The room was a private space. At the far end was a single bed, with a wardrobe at its foot.
Near the door were a solid wood table and a chair. An oil lamp sat on the table.
Next to it was a bookshelf, though it was empty.
Then Alka unexpectedly saw a private lavatory.
His eyes couldn't help but light up.
During his time on the merchant ship, using the toilet had always been a problem.
The less said about that, the better.