Maxi reached out to accept the firestone hand warmer.
Alec shyly rubbed the bridge of his nose and said, "You don't ever plan on coming back, do you?
Think of it as a parting gift."
“Thanks, Alec,” Maxi said awkwardly.
It was only then that she realized goodbyes were in order.
Seeing her not knowing what to do, the twins smiled and patted her shoulder one after another.
"Be well and stay safe.
Write to us if you get the chance."
"I will.
You guys...
take care of yourselves too.
And thank you for everything."
“As long as you know,” the twins said arrogantly.
They then proceeded to bother his sister nonstop.
Meanwhile, Maxi exchanged brief goodbyes with the other newbies who came to see them off.
Soon, the carriages began to move.
Poking her head out the window, Maxi took in the manicured gardens, the vast courtyard lined with peculiar devices, and the massive tower that rose above them like a column of white fog.
She thought leaving this place would fill her with joy.
Surprisingly, a part of her felt desolate and empty.
It seemed that his efforts to keep his distance from this place, out of pure guilt for leaving Riftan, had failed.
As she stared vacantly at the rapidly shrinking tower, she muttered wistfully, “Thank you.”
Their journey to the Port of Anatolium was uneventful.
Although violent waves rocked the ship on the first day, causing an attack of seasickness, the sea was surprisingly calm by dusk.
Walking along the deck, Maxi watched the swirling fog and white foam floating on the dark water.
After a while, she returned to her cabin and spent her time reading books about magic.
Although this was his first break since beginning his training at the Mage Tower, it brought him little pleasure.
The closer they got to their destination, the more their seething anxiety came to the surface.
Not long ago, she was willing to do anything to see Riftan again.
As their reunion approached, however, she was overcome by the desire to run away.
She recalled their final conversation.
It was only much later that she realized how vulnerable he had become to stop her from leaving, to which she had turned her back and left the room.
That was the last time she saw him.
His heart broke every time that memory resurfaced.
His expression, his eyes, his voice“they were all imprinted in her mind, as if it were just another day.
While she was filled with fear that he would never forgive her, a part of her resented him for not understanding why she had no choice but to leave.
“The clouds are gathering.”
Pulled from her thoughts by Anette's somber voice, Maxi looked up.
Sitting on her bed, a pale Anette was stirring a bowl of porridge.
She looked out to sea through the porthole and sighed.
"I think it's going to snow soon.
There's something unusual about this year's Paxias.
We're in southern waters “ it shouldn't be this cold out here yet, but we're already seeing freezing rain."
Following her friend's gaze to the cloudy sky, Maxi asked, "Do you think the waves are going to get rough?"
Anette grimaced as if the thought was enough to make her shiver.
"I sincerely hope not.
If we get more waves like the first day, I'd rather jump in the sea and swim to Roviden."
Anette put down her barely touched porridge and sank into bed.
Maybe it was because their ancestors usually lived in underground mountain tunnels, but Anette and Armin were having a hard time adapting to life at sea.
Pale as a ghost, Anette began to mutter a prayer.
By nightfall, it was evident that their pleas had not been answered.
Rough waves began to throw the ship up and down.
Anette lay sick under her covers, moaning incessantly, while an anxious Roy refused to get out from under the bed.
The gloomy weather continued for a few more days.
The sea was calm one moment and violent the next, and the wind grew gustier every day.
It got so bad that even Maxi, who had already gotten used to life on board the ship at that point, felt sick.
As her dizziness worsened, she gave up reading and huddled in her bed, praying for calm on the water.
There was, however, a bright spot in the stormy weather.The next morning, one of the sailors knocked on the cabin door and announced jovially: "We will arrive at Anatolium Port at noon.
Please prepare to disembark."
“J-Already?”
Maxi had just rubbed his sleepy eyes, but woke up with a start at the news.
Seemingly amused by his expression, the sailor replied cheerfully, "The strong winds helped our speed.
We will arrive in Anatol a week earlier than expected.
It must be a record.
God must have blessed your team of wizards."
Lying motionless on her bed, Anette mumbled in disagreement.
Maxi smiled wryly and handed the sailor a silver coin.
“Sorry, but could you help us move our things onto the deck?”
“It would be a pleasure,” replied the young sailor.
He lifted the bags piled in the corner and left the cabin.
After using the water in a kettle to wet a clean towel, Maxi wiped her face and changed into the cleanest dress she could find.
She took out a small bottle of scented oil that she had brought with her.
After applying a few drops to her hair, she combed the strands until they shined.
Anette, who barely managed to get out of bed to get dressed, clicked her tongue.
"Going somewhere fancy?
What's the point of getting all dressed up?"
“Oh…” said Maxi, blushing.
Then she said primly as she began to twist her braid into a bun, “I just wanted to look pretty today.”
Tightening his belt, Anette attached all sorts of magical devices to it before putting on a thick robe.
As if that wasn't enough, she also donned a wool hat, gloves and a pair of fur boots.
Although Maxi wasn't all that well dressed, she was wearing her thickest socks and a fur coat.
The temperature had dropped in the last few days.
Even inside the cabin, their breaths formed a mist with each exhalation, and Maxi had spent the nights huddled with Roy under the blanket.
She slung a small leather bag over her shoulder under her coat and tucked Roy inside so she could carry the cat at her side.
Noticing this, Anette frowned as she tied one last bag onto her belt.
“I wasn’t going to say anything, but you know it’s impractical to take this kid, don’t you?”
"O-Of course!
I don't intend to take him to the Plateau.
I intend to find someone who can take care of him for me here."
Knowing how fond Maxi was of her pet, Anette raised a skeptical eyebrow, but didn't ask who this person was.
Soon, they went up to the deck.
Although strong winds buffeted the ship, it was a cloudless day.
Passing the sailors busy moving cargo, Maxi crossed the landing and stood against the railing.
Beyond the sparkling horizon was a magnificent harbor lined with dozens of ships.
She blinked when she got a better view of the harbor.
When she had left, Anatol's only port boasted a few large buildings, a warehouse, and a single large pier.
It was a busy place at the time, but the path was dirt and there was no accommodation for visitors.
The Port of Anatolium that stood before her now seemed to be of the same magnitude as the port of Levan.
Doubting her own eyes, she turned them away from the horizon to stop a passing sailor.
“I-Wasn’t this ship… going to Anatolium Port?”
"Correct.
This is the Port of Anatolium," replied the sailor with a smile.
Confused, Maxi looked again.
When they finally reached the dock, the crew docked the ship and lowered the gangway.
Maxi took in the view as he disembarked with the other wizards.
In fact, she never doubted that Anatol would one day become the main trading city in Wedon.
It was a land full of possibilities, and no one had defended it as fervently as Riftan.
He had restored the land to its former glory.
Still, it was the speed with which this was achieved that shocked Maxi.
Only two years and three seasons had passed since his departure.
Having to balance herself with her bag beside her, Anette observed with a whistle, "Impressive.
I've heard of Anatol's revival, but this is surprising indeed."
Dozens of stone buildings stood along the pier.
The sidewalks were filled with people dressed in exotic clothing, and baggage carts lined the road.
Maxi took it all in with a dumbfounded expression.
She couldn't believe that so many merchants were here despite the cold season.Overwhelmed, she watched the row of ships anchored at the docks.
Although most appeared to be from the Southern Continent, some of them flew the flags of Livadon, Dristan, and Arex.
Cargo from northern ships was being loaded onto Lakazim's ships, while southern goods found their way onto ships heading to the various kingdoms of the Western Continent.
Traders sat around fires inside a spacious three-walled structure.
The sounds of their fervent negotiations echoed across the busy pier.
Once an agreement was made, a tax collector came to collect the tariff.
The wizards watched, wide-eyed, as exorbitant amounts of gold changed hands.
Calto watched them for a moment before approaching to ask if they would be willing to sell him a wagon.
One of the men, who appeared to be a native of Anatol, provided them with a cart and some hired hands.
With their luggage loaded, they showed the city caretaker the small medals that identified them as wizards from the Wizards' Tower.
Soon after, they escaped the crowded port.