The four of them spent the next two days rather uneventfully. Other than taking care of their basic necessities, which were provided for as well, they spent most of their time in the training room.

Fortunately, for Hana, there was an archery area in the training room furnished with every necessary equipment, along with arrows. 

She spent her time training to shoot her arrows, following the goal of shooting at least hundred arrows per day. Alas, at her current strength, shooting a hundred arrows was near to impossible.

If Xue had not given her his mother’s glove, she would have sworn that her hand would be filled with blisters and calluses now. 

Meanwhile, K’xug continued having fighting sessions with Cecil, and Xue on occasions, honing their physical abilities.

Whereas, Xue teached Hana on the sidelines, ensuring that the correct form for shooting was imbued into her mind, along with helping her to condition her body.

It was their third day here on the cruise ship, and their intense training sessions had attracted a crowd. 

A well-built man winced as he observed Cecil getting her attacks countered or dodged one after another. Cecil was even thrown off once, resulting in her landing harshly on the ground.

K’xug was clearly in a whole different league. 

“Ya still looking at them?”

“For the past few days, she hasn’t been able to land a single hit or scratch on that fella with the weird eyes.” 

“She’s a hardworking gal.” 

“Yeah, she’s even smiling.” 

Cecil smiled at K’xug, they halted their sparring session and were now taking a break. Cecil conversed with K’xug, and K’xug was giving her pointers on her form. She seemed to smile even wider, nodding in understanding.

Of course, since K’xug could not speak, he could only converse through his actions. 

“It’s rare to see these kinds of fighters. One would normally be discouraged, after losing and failing so many times, without any signs of improvements.” 

Cecil moved aside, starting to follow K’xug’s instructions. She did a spinning kick, and she seemed to notice the difference, her mouth hanging open slightly as she looked at K’xug with wide eyes. 

K’xug nodded at her with a small smile. 
Meanwhile, Xue joined Cecil and K’xug, leaving Hana to shoot arrows on her own. Xue spoke to K’xug, and Cecil glanced between them both, stepping aside. The two men increased the distance between themselves, getting into a defensive stance. 

“Oh, they are going at it again?” 

“Looks like it.” 

The two fighters in the large training hall were joined by a few others. 

“What what? Those two are going to fight each other again?” 

“Hah! Count me in, no way am I going to miss out on a good fight.” 

Soon enough, there was an audience gathering around to observe the duel between Xue and K’xug. 

“Whenever you are ready, K’xug.” 

K’xug smiled faintly. 

Cecil seemed to gauge her distance between the two men, shaking her head as she moved back even further. 

At that moment, Xue and K’xug charged at each other. Within moments, they had engaged in a full-on physical combat. The speed at their kicks and punches flying, along with their insane reflexes at dodging and parrying, left the crowd speechless again.

Adding on to the strength in their punches and kicks, it really made one sweat nervously. 

“Wh-what the hell are they, monsters?” 

“Is it your first time seeing them?”
 
“Yeah, I heard about many rumours about these bunch of kids, but I never expected all of them to be true.” 

“I would never want to match up as their opponents.”
 
“Agreed.” 

“Let’s just hope we don’t meet them in the tournament.”
 
All of a sudden, the training hall was filled with crackling sounds, like a speaker coming to life. The next moment, a pleasant voice was heard throughout the training hall. 

“Passengers of the Traveller, we hope you are enjoying your time on the ship. We are pleased to announce there will be a banquet held this evening in the dining hall. It is to celebrate the sixth year anniversary of the Traveller. We would be honoured to have all of you join us in the celebration.” 

Everyone halted their activities, listening in on the announcement with interest. A banquet definitely meant that there were delicious food and delicacies being served, hence, Hana was the first to perk up at the announcement. 

She rushed towards her three comrades, and they had stopped their sparring session too. 

“A banquet!”
 
“Free good food!” 

“Lucky!” 

All three of them looked at Hana, who were looking at them with sparkling eyes, her expectant expression said it all. 

“I guess we can stop training early today, to prepare for the banquet,” Cecil suggested. “Since we are here already, let’s just enjoy the banquet.” 

“Yes!” 

“Sure.” 

K’xug shrugged. 

“Please be warned that due to the strong wind and waves, the Traveller will be swaying more than usual. However, please be ensured that nothing else will happen. For those who are prone to seasickness, please visit the medical bay and our healer will tend to you shortly.” 

Upon hearing the next announcement, Cecil found herself sighing in exasperation. 

Even in the novel, on the day where Xue and Hana sailed out on the boat with the crazed owner, the wind and waves were working against them as well. 

“Hana, we should visit the healer--” 

“No, no! I’m fine!” Hana beamed, grabbing Cecil’s hand and dragging her along. “Let’s go take a shower and prepare ourselves! Hurry, hurry!” 

Cecil showed Xue and K’xug a helpless smile, waving at them.
 
“We’ll see you later at the suite.” 
Xue softened the look in his eyes, nodding. 

K’xug shook his head at the overly excited Hana. 

***

Xue and K’xug waited for the two women at the door of the suite room. K’xug tugged lightly at his clothes, a frown present on his aloof face as he tapped his black shoes lightly against the floor.
 
The two men were wearing tailcoats with inner white shirts, their outfits were the standard black and white combination accompanied with a tie. They looked utterly handsome, and their hands were covered by white gloves while they did not bother to put on any other accessory. 

Hana had barged into their rooms, digging out two outfits from Cecil’s storage ring and presenting it to them with a big, eager smile. Afterall, this entire time, Hana had been the one that designated herself to be their stylist. 

Hana wanted to style their hair as well, and the two men reluctantly allowed Hana to do so. Fortunately, Hana did not go over the top, simply styling their hair to make it seem neater compared to their usual bed hair hairstyle. 

Xue and K’xug could not be bothered to dress themselves up since they saw no point in it. 

“The clothes down here are unlike the heavenly realm, where we wore robes the entire time,” Xue murmured, looking down at his clothes. “It’s...weird.” 

K’xug nodded, grimacing as he looked down at his clothes too.

I look stupid wearing this. 

No, I feel stupid. 

“You are.” 

K’xug turned to look at Xue, raising his eyebrows. 

“Somehow, that look on your face is saying that you think you look stupid in this outfit,” Xue said nonchalantly. “And you do.”

K’xug twitched.

It is one thing to insult yourself, but another thing when someone else insults you in the same way. 

K’xug gave Xue a deadpan, gesturing to Xue with his hand. 

You look equally stupid in this outfit too.

Xue shrugged, understanding K’xug silent words. He couldn’t refute those words, since he did feel ridiculous wearing the tailcoat as well.
 
The door to the suite room for the ladies finally opened, and the two ladies stepped out.

Cecil wore a round neckline gown that matched the colour of her raven hair, and the gown was accompanied with gloves of similar colour that reached up to her upper arms.

Cecil insisted on letting her hair loose and free, but Hana insisted on styling it for her into a neat bun. Hana finished the bun with loose wavy strands to frame her delicate face. 

Whereas, Hana wore a gown similar to Cecil and its colour matched the colour of her blue eyes. Compared to Cecil’s gown that had a simple lacy design, Hana’s blue gown was decorated with flowery designs.

She styled her red hair in the same manner as Cecil, and the dress came along with loose sleeves that she tightened with a small ribbon. 

The two ladies looked utterly beautiful in their evening gowns, and the two men were rather dazzled by their beautiful appearance for a moment.

“We look pretty, don’t we?” Hana beamed, sounding happy and proud. She twirled in a circle, her skirt swishing along to her movement. 

“Hana, you only plan to go to the banquet to eat, don’t you?” Cecil asked, not used to wearing make-up on her face. “Is there a need to...dress up this much?"

Ever since coming into this world, Cecil had not worn make-up much and even if she did, she only put on light make-up on occasion. 

“To eat good food, one need to dress nice too!” Hana huffed, her hands on her hips. 

The three of them wore a confused frown.

What kind of logic is that? 

The three of them thought of the same question.

“Let’s go, let’s go! Before all the food runs out!” Hana chirped. 

Before anyone knew what had happened, Hana had already dashed off like the wind, pulling K’xug along with her. It was amazing how fast Hana could run in those heels.

Xue and Cecil blinked rapidly, glancing at one another. 

Finally taking a good look at Xue, Cecil had to squint her eyes slightly. Just like that day down in the cave, there was a blinding aura around Xue. Cecil thought she had grown accustomed to Xue’s handsome appearance since she had been by his side from their first meeting. 

However, right now, Cecil seemed to notice how handsome he was. 
It was as if she saw Xue in another light. 

“You look beautiful.” 

“Yo-you too.” 

“I look beautiful?” 

“N-no, not beautiful--handsome,” Cecil stuttered out, blinking as she nodded dumbly. “Yes, handsome.” 

Xue offered his hand to Cecil, and she only stared blankly at his offered hand.
 
“If you don’t hurry, Hana might end up gobbling all the food.” Xue said in a low voice, his face impassive.

“...uhm--Hana might be a big eater,” Cecil responded with a nervous chuckle. “But...she isn’t that big of an eater.” 

Xue snorted and raised his eyebrows, simply gesturing for Cecil to take his hand. 

She gingerly raised her gloved palm, placing it on his hand. Their white and black glove contrasted against one another. 

Xue wrapped his hand gently around hers, gradually pulling her along. Once Cecil started to move along as well, Xue eventually slowed down to match her pace, the two of them walking side by side, hand in hand. 

Cecil looked down at their entwined hands, wondering when it felt so natural for them to hold hands.

Cecil also noticed how he was matching his steps with hers. 

He has...really changed. 

She peeked at Xue from the corner of her eye, unintentionally meeting his gentle gaze and she gasped, looking away. 

It’s gentle...so gentle. 

I didn’t know Xue could look... or be so gentle to anyone else.

A small, prideful voice whispered in Cecil’s mind that this gentleness, at this current moment, was directed to her and only her. 

Cecil looked straight ahead, a small smile on her plump lips. Though it felt so greedy of her, she couldn’t help but agree bashfully with the voice in the deepest depths of her mind.
 
Xue had been watching Cecil long enough to capture the faint smile on her lips. A tiny smile flitted past his lips as well, and he turned to look straight ahead. 

It was a silent and peaceful walk to the dining room. 

It was as if no one could break the harmonious and saccharine atmosphere between them. 

***

The four of them entered the dining hall at the same time, and their exceptional appearance garnered plenty of attention. 

None of them were bothered by the unnecessary attention, especially Hana who instantly rushed off when she spotted the large array of dishes on the long table. Meanwhile, Cecil was listening to a waitress that pointed her to a reserved table that was reserved for special guests. 

“Cecil, Xue, I will help you grab some food too! Go and find a seat first!” 

“Thank you, Hana.” 

“Thanks.”

“K’xug, come and help me! You can choose your own food at the same time!” 

Once again, K’xug found himself being dragged away and he only gave Cecil and Xue a deadpan. He sighed heavily, turning his head to look at Hana in front of him with fond exasperation. 

Meanwhile, a waiter was going around offering the guests a glass of champagne, and he offered the same glasses to Cecil and Xue. 

The two of them took the glasses from the tray without any other word, taking two more glasses for Hana and K’xug as well. They walked towards the table reserved specially for them, settling down in their seats as they placed the glasses down. 

Xue gave a perfunctory glance at his surroundings, before his grey eyes made its way back to the raven-haired woman sitting beside him. 

Cecil was admiring the joyous and dazzling atmosphere of a luxurious banquet. It was her first time seeing it in person, and moreover, on a cruise ship. Her innocent and curious look in her lucid onyx eyes made Xue melt slightly on the inside.
 
“Xue.” 

“Hmm?” 

“Back in the heavenly realm, were special occasions celebrated in this manner as well?” Cecil questioned before she turned towards Xue with a sharp gasp. “So-sorry! I didn't mean to bring up any bad memories--” 

“It’s fine,” Xue cut her off, his silvery voice was tender. “The banquets in heavenly realm were ostentatious and artificial.”

Hearing those words, Cecil giggled. “This banquet is ostentatious and artificial too.” 

Xue nodded. “But the atmosphere is different.” 

“I see,” Cecil smiled softly. “In a good or bad way?” 

“Not too sure about that.” 

Their conversation was interrupted when the soul fragments in Xue’s head started a chaotic mess in his mind again.

Kai: “Xue, I do not want any ginger in the food!” 

Alric: “...an-and tomatoes.”
 
Zasiok: “Or any kind of seafood.” 

Leonaut: “I’m allergic to everything except what Cecil feeds me--I mean us.” 

A few of them gave Leonaut a look.

Sid: “I’m allergic to bitter food!” 

Kai: “Who even likes bitter food?” 

Isleif: “I do. I like it very much.” 

All of them turned to look at Isleif, and they started to beat him up yet again. 

Kai: “You are saying this just to spite us, aren’t you!” 

Leonaut: “Beat him up again!” 

Zasiok: “I told you to break his arms and legs.” 

Sid: “You like bitter food?! Why do you even exist?!” 

Alric felt pitiful for Isleif getting ganged up, but the moment he thought of what Isleif said and did to Cecil, Alric took those pitiful glances back.

Cecil noticed a familiar gloominess back on his face. “Xue? What’s wrong?” 

“...I think it’s better for me to choose my own food.” 

Xue stood up and walked away. 

Cecil watched him leave, before turning back and just then, she noticed someone approaching towards her. 

A young man wearing a tailcoat of similar design like Xue and K’xug. However, his tie and shirt were blue in colour, but of different hues.

Cecil turned her head to see if there was anyone near her or behind her, but there were no other guests around her, only her. She furrowed her eyebrows, she did not know anyone on this ship, and neither did she know any important character that would appear at this time according to the novel. 

The young man neared her, and she noticed his orange blonde hair along with distinctive black piercings on his right ear.
 
He seems...kind of familiar. 

Finally, he stopped in front of her, giving her a courteous bow as he extended his hand to her. 

“My lady, would you care for a simple dance?” 

He straightened his body, and Cecil could inspect him closely. A vague scene played in her mind, and she recalled Xue’s words about this man in front of her. 

“There’s just something about that guy that doesn’t feel right.”

Cecil maintained her haughty and cold facade, frowning slightly. 

***

Pt. 1

《 start 》

Ever since the first day I met you, you have been dragging me around. 

Even after you have lost your memory, you still remain the same. 

…but...I do not mind it in the slightest bit now. 

For you, to drag me around. 

Somehow, I missed it after being trapped down there for forty long years.

It’s strange.

《 stop 》

***

Pt. 2

《 start 》

Food! 

Delicious food!

And more delicious food! 

Yummy!

《 stop 》

***

Author's Note: A closer look at the outfits of the four musketeers. (Because if I described them completely, it will take 3/4 of a chapter to describe just their outfits. Which no one will read, including moi ;_;)

...or you can just leave it up to your imagination if you want to!

It is only the appearance of the dress, the people do not necessarily represent the characters, haha.

The outfit of Cecil Lan.

The outfit of Hana Katae.

The outfit of Xue and K'xug.

The outfit of "there is something not right about this guy" guy.

PS. He looks nothing like the man in the picture, Edgar Ashenbert.