Chapter 109: A New Plan For Training

Chapter 109: A New Plan For Training

Bellona walked toward a lounging area in the middle of the ship and took her seat, it seemed like they all knew each other as no one seemed to care about the muscular woman’s presence.

“That's it then?” Brett asked.

Astrid gazed back to the docks.

Was I deceived by those eyes? Astrid thought she had seen something with Calum’s eyes. But it looked like she was wrong about him.

Astrid shrugged. It didn’t matter to her. The only reason she was going to bring him was for two reasons. His vicious eyes screamed for change and it was always useful to have someone by her side who would do as they were told.

If she had to send someone back, the thought of being without Leena was always uncomfortable. So this way they would be able to remain with each other.

Then there was Bellona. Astrid couldn’t ask her either as the tattooed woman was bound by her side because of her deactivation skill.

“Yes,” Astrid said. “Let’s head on out.”

Just as Astrid was about to turn, a shout turned her back around.

“Wait!” a young man shouted from the docks as his rushed footsteps repeatedly struck the wooden plank floors.

He stopped just at the base of the boat and gently held his chest.

Astrid grinned. “I thought you wouldn’t be coming?”

“Who said that?” Calum took a breath. “You didn’t give me any time to prepare.”

Calum climbed aboard and stood in between Losef and Rob. He looked from side-to-side and shifted away from them.

“Thank you for inviting me.” Calum gazed at Astrid. “Truly.”

“And thank you all for accepting me,” he said towards the other ex-Wayfarers.

“I didn’t accept anything,” Brett scoffed. “Didn’t even know you were coming...”

“Be nice.” Astrid chuckled.

“But if the lass wants you to join us,” Brett continued, “then who am I to refuse?”

“We accept you.” Daniel leaned out of the window on the third-floor. “But as you are the weakest, you’ll be staying within the middle of the formation.”

Calum nodded. “Don’t worry sir, I won’t get in your way. Leave the weakest of them to me to preserve your strength.”

“There’s no need for that, but,” Daniel said. “Suit yourself.”

“Alright Astrid,” Brett continued, “you sure there aren't any other stragglers to be joining us?”

“Nope, that’s everyone.”

“Excellent.” Daniel rubbed his hands together.

He pressed a button as the ship’s engine roared to life. It sounded like a beast the size of a house was purring, with the occasional rattle now and then.

Losef and Rob quickly wound up the ship’s anchors. One at the back and one at the front with nothing but their incredible strength.

Usually a ship would have a motor to lift up the anchors mechanically. But with Strength users, that was a pointless extravagance that only cost more money.

As the ship moved, so did Astrid’s hair as the wind blew it back. Astrid rushed to the bow of the vessel and gazed down as the ship sliced through the water like a knife.

It wasn’t long before they were out of the harbor's defences and monsters were clearly visible within the ocean water. They made sure to stay well clear of the rapidly moving ship in fear that they would lose their lives. It looked like they weren’t completely mindless after all, and each one held a survival instinct that allowed them to continue to roam.

While Lisa was on guard duty as the only physical ranged user and scout within the party. Astrid wandered over to the middle of the ship as everyone was seated together.

Calum couldn’t look any more awkward as he had resorted to cleaning his sword to act busy.

Bellona had removed the cloak and was lounging within the chair with her hands behind her head.

“So, how do you all know each other then?” Astrid asked.

Bellona cracked her knuckles and stood up. “I’m not, I’m just concerned about the ship.”

“As am I lassy!” Daniel shouted from the window. “No fighting allowed on the vessel!”

“It’s his number one rule.” Lisa said with a kind, motherly gaze.

Astrid calmed down her fighting spirit, and her hair along with it. “It sounds like something happened like this in the past?”

“Yes,” Rachelle continued, “and guess who it was?”

Everyone’s heads all turned in Brett’s direction as he nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders.

“It was Rob's fault,” he said.

“Mmm.” Rob crossed his arms as a deep frown was etched into his forehead. It seemed like he thought otherwise.

Wait, then why don’t I just enter Mind Domain and spar in there? Astrid’s eyes widened at the thought.

It wasn’t perfect as she would be much stronger within, so it wouldn’t be an accurate assessment of her abilities. But it was better than ripping the ship apart. Well, that’s if the others were fine with her sinking into their memories.

She doubted most of them would allow such a thing to occur. Not many people would be willing for a psychic to scout their brain and peek at their deepest, darkest secrets. But Leena would.

She would at least ask the others. But for now, a more pressing question entered her mind.

Daniel opened the door to the stairwell at the side of the captain's floor and walked down. Astrid assumed there was some form of auto-pilot at work if he was willing to give up the wheel. Although with his speed, he’d be able to reach the third floor in under a few seconds.

“Where’s the mission, anyway?” Astrid asked.

Daniel took out a cigarette from his jacket pocket and with Rachelle’s help of a fire finger, it kindled to life with a puff of smoke. “Far.”

“But it’s a damn good one Astrid.” Brett rubbed his hands together in glee.

Brett wasn’t the only one. Rachelle also held a silly grin with a vacant expression, as if mind was already there.

Bellona on the other hand didn’t seem to be too happy. Her lips were turned into a scowl as she tutted.

She knows what the mission is already? Astrid thought.

“How far is far?” Astrid wondered.

Her grand total time spent on the ocean waves was no longer than ten hours, and that was in her entire life.

Daniel took another puff of his smoke, then blew it out.

Astrid scowled at the bitter stench of smoke, it was a smell she could never get used to. For some reason it seemed to clog her airways, she wondered if it was some sort of mental block?

Have I just discovered another weakness? Fluffy animals, dead things coming back to life, now cigarette smoke... That doesn’t bode well. Astrid resisted the urge to bite her nails.

It was another thing to experiment with. Since she was a powerful psychic, couldn’t she just erase her fears? Although that was a terrifying thought. It was basically erasing parts of her personality. One wrong move and poof, there goes her brain.

Better not...

“About thirteen days?” Daniel said.

“Thirteen days?” Astrid repeated in shock. “Will the fuel last for that long?”

Daniel said, “I’ve made certain we do, this isn’t my first long haul journey.”

Thirteen days... I’m going to die from boredom! Astrid thought.

Don’t worry Astrid, you have us!

Astrid squatted down with her arms laying lifeless to the floor. Somehow, that was worse.

She gazed at Leena.

Well, we could do some training during that time. The thought made her feel a little better.