Chapter 148: Doubts

Chapter 148: Doubts

Chapter 148 - Doubts

The Ventura was moored at the pier extending two dozen meters from land. Little beyond a line of wooden buildings swarmed with people began without apparent end. Their loud bustle washed over him.

Three other vessels and a fleet of countless boats floated around them. Old Ports dock wasnt much different from the one in Sylspring, just far more chaotic.

Ventura chuckled at his dumbstruck face. You must have taken a really good nap, hon. I need to close some deals, and well set off again tomorrow at noon. Take your friend with you if you want to go on shore. Id rather not have to send a search party if you get lost.

Kai hid his annoyance, nodding like a dutiful kid. They werent at Higharbor yet and he had already been assigned a damn babysitter.

With a fond smile, Ventura pinched his cheek while sending a withering glare above his head. Two young sailors struggling to carry a large oak chest on deck froze in their steps.

If you bump that chest once more, Im going to bump your heads. Im not paying you to damage my goods, you fish-brained fools. You better pray I wont find a speck of chipped paint on my statues.

Such a sweet lady.

Her ability to switch between opposite voices and expressions was nothing short of extraordinary. Kai threw a pitying glance at the poor sods while Ventura was already off to yell curses at somebody else.

Old Port was the first major town rising along the eastern coast of Yanlun, about a third of the way to Higharbor. That was about the extent of his knowledge, he had always been more interested in the far lands of the Talthen continent.

Might as well check it out.

The summer sun warmed his skin, mages needed to stretch their legs too. After he wrung his mind for hours to solve a layer of the cube, the idea of using any more of his mana skills was enough to give him a headache. Ideally, hed go for a swim, but he could settle for walking on shore.

Do I really have to ask Flynn to be my chaperone?

Kai was used to being on his own, and he hadnt thought this time would be any different. It was common enough to see kids by themselves or in small groups with the permission of their parents. Therein lay the problem.

His family was beyond reach, and he didnt have the excuse of running an errand for his teachers either. The Baquaire Archipelago was renowned for its safety, but kids were expected to have some degree of supervision before fourteen. Even if just as a vague presence in the background like he was used to.

Kai was confident to sneak away to shore and get away from any questions with Improvisation. The true problem was when they got to Higharbor.

Reishi owned a few businesses where he could host him as long as he needed, but Kai didnt want to rely on him for everything. No matter if the merfolk said it was no big deal. Hed already asked for too many favors and the pile of debts was high enough as it was.

I thought I was over with this shit. Why cant I grow up already?

Kai massaged his eyes. It might just be his tired mind, but he couldnt see any other viable solution. Maybe Flynn made more sense than hed like to admit.

As if summoned by his thoughts, the grinning boy sprouted out of the ship's belly twirling a silver coin between his fingers. Finally decided to come out of your burrow? If I didnt know better, Id think you were trying to avoid me.

Spirits why? He's going to be so smug.

Kai considered going back into his cabin to sulk, though it would only postpone the problem. Do you want to go check out the town? He kept his tone casual. The matter held no importance to him.

You want me to accompany you? An amused glint shone in his eyes.

Fuck, he knows already.

You dont have to come if you dont want to.

Its my duty as the older brother to show you the ways of the world. Flynn puffed his chest up. Lets go, its been a while since I was here.

Waving to Ventura to signal they were going on shore, Kai lost a battle against his own curiosity. Have you already been here?

Ive been to almost every town in Yanlun for different reasons, and Old Port is quite close to Sylspring. Flynns tone wasnt even particularly boastful, which arguably made it worse.

How many have I visited? two?

Kai bit his tongue, feeling more like a child than ever. But any thought of sneaking away on his own was quickly abandoned as they went down the pier. The clamor of hundreds of voices swallowed them. Stalls selling fish began just one street over, where men and women animatedly haggled or shouted their wares.

As if it would have made any difference if I told you not to touch them.

I also told you to tell me when you took something, Kai struggled to keep the snark out of his voice.

Im telling you now, aint I? Flynn continued to crunch. I can share a bite with you, okay?

How generous.

Its fine.

But are you truly fine? He squinted at him, moving an inch from his face. Youve been a bit off since yesterday.

Im doing great. I just dont love traveling on a ship, thats all. Kai moved down the railing to make some space.

Flynn scouted after him, unconvinced, going as far as to stop his chewing. Is this about the little brother jokes? I know you hate being called a child, we can figure out a different story if you want.

Spirits mercy, it was easier when he was less considerate.

I told you Im fine. Kai went to the opposite side of the prow, and Flynn followed a second later.

So you dont mind if I call you kid?

Id rather you stopped that if possible.

Whats the actual problem then? I cant promise to fix it, but Ill try if you tell me what Im doing wrong.

Kai breathed the salty air deeply to drown the irritation, mostly aimed at himself. Flynn was nothing but persistent, he had to give him that.

Theres nothing wrong with you, not about this anyway. Im the problem. I hate being treated like a child, but I cant even navigate some random town. Maybe I should be treated like one.

I cant believe I actually said that out loud, damn you.

Old Port had been a bitter reminder of how little he knew of the world outside his bubble. He had been like a lost puppy, reliant on somebody else to carry him around. A complete and utter failure.

He had wanted to believe the biggest obstacle was the way adults treated him, that, if given the chance, he could sail to the mainland right now. He wasnt so sure anymore, defeated by a single fishing town.

If a crowd was enough to overwhelm him, maybe he needed a caretaker in Higharbor. Kai looked at the sea parting before the ship, vainly trying to avoid the pair of eyes burning a hole in his skull.

Flynn threw him a disbelieving look. Let me get this straight, youre upset because you didnt manage to do something the first time you tried? And people say I think too highly of myself.

Kai knew his ears were already on fire. Its not like that at all.

No? Flynn burst out laughing.

Navigating a town is not supposed to be hard, everyone can do that.

Flynn made a show to dry the tears in the corner of his eyes. There are a thousand easy things I cant do that someone else would take for granted, and not just cause I havent tried. No one is good at everything, not even me.

I know that. But he also had his past life, he was supposed to know how to do better.

But do you, really? I dont understand half the things you can do and Im three years older than you and Ive traveled a lot. Ive got a lot more time and chances to learn about the archipelago.

Okay, I might have a bloated opinion of myself, just a tiny bit.

Flynn.

Yes, little brother?

Thank you for telling me I was being an idiot.

Youre welcome. Whenever you need it, Ill take this burden upon myself.