Chapter 33: The Continent of Karag

For seven days, the ship sailed across the vast, untamed sea before making a brief stop at a small island called Colombo. Though modest in size, the island bustled with life—its port teeming with merchants, sailors, and travelers from distant lands.

As the ship anchored, a group of wizard apprentices gathered on the deck. Dino, standing at the front, addressed them with his usual stern authority.

"We will stay here for one night. Feel free to step onto the island and relax, but heed my words—I set sail at noon tomorrow, with or without you. This island belongs to Dream Isle, under the watch of our wizards. Most of the inhabitants here are ordinary folk, so if anyone dares to cause trouble, be prepared to face a wizard's punishment."

Dino knew that after weeks of strict discipline and confined quarters, the apprentices needed a reprieve. Colombo, with its thriving trade, lively taverns, and places of indulgence, provided the perfect opportunity. It was also a convenient stop to replenish the ship's dwindling freshwater supply.

As soon as they disembarked, Lilian made a beeline for a nearby inn. Watching her stride off with purpose, Hutson called after her.

"In such a hurry—what's the rush?"

"I haven't had a proper bath in months," she replied without looking back. She tossed a silver coin onto the counter, rented a room, and vanished upstairs to soak in a long-awaited bath.

Water was a luxury aboard the ship, rationed carefully. For Lilian, enduring days without a proper wash had been nearly unbearable. Fortunately, she had come prepared—a charm-infused towel, perpetually damp, which she used to keep herself clean. Hutson had seen the enchanted cloth before, though she never let him touch it. He suspected it absorbed moisture from the air, a minor but clever magic.

After securing a room for himself, Hutson noted the high prices—a full silver coin for just one night. The room was modest yet well-kept, its furnishings simple but orderly.

Once bathed and refreshed, he waited. It was only when Lilian finally emerged from her own room that they set off into the island's lively night.

Under the cloak of night, Colombo Island came alive with a festival-like energy. The scent of roasting meat and spiced wine filled the air as bonfires burned in the town square, illuminating groups of revelers singing and dancing in merry abandon.

A long commercial street stretched before them, lined with makeshift stalls—merchants spread colorful carpets on the ground, displaying wares from across the seas. Handwoven hats, intricately crafted baskets, earthenware jugs, and an assortment of peculiar trinkets all vied for attention.

As they wandered through the market, something caught hutson's eye.

Kneeling beside a vendor's stall, he casually picked up an antique vase, turning it over in his hands. "How much for this?" he asked.

The stall owner, a bald middle-aged man cradling a sleek black cat, glanced at the vase and replied, "Twenty silver coins."

"Too expensive." Hutson set the vase down.

Lilian, standing beside him, frowned. "It's a fake. Why bother?"

"Just browsing."

Feigning disinterest, Hutson picked up a few more items, inquiring about their prices. Eventually, he selected a few pieces, paying a total of sixteen silver coins.

Lilian shot him a skeptical glance but said nothing.

Back at the inn, after a satisfying meal, Lilian followed Hutson into his room and swiftly shut the door behind her.

"Alright," she demanded, arms crossed. "What was that all about? You found something, didn't you? Show me."

With an amused smirk, Hutson retrieved a hexagonal wooden plate from his belongings. The wood was dark, almost black, and in its center, a mysterious engraving depicted a tower of the same hexagonal shape—identical to the one inside his pocket watch.

Lilian took the plate, scrutinizing it with narrowed eyes. "This is what you spent your money on?" she asked, flipping it over. "It's just a carving. No magic, no energy flow—nothing special."

hutson shrugged. "Maybe it's worthless. Maybe not. But I've seen that image before, and that alone makes it worth keeping."

Lilian's intrigue quickly faded. "I was expecting something legendary," she muttered, tossing the plate back. "Boring."

"Suit yourself," hutson yawned, sinking into the soft mattress. Sleep weighed heavily upon him—a rare indulgence since learning the Art of Meditation, which had all but replaced his need for rest.

For tonight, however, he would allow himself the luxury of a full night's sleep.

The next morning, as dawn's first light painted the horizon, the ship set sail once more.

For over twenty days, the vessel carved through the sea, the air growing colder as they neared their destination.

Then, at long last, land appeared on the horizon.

Standing on the deck, Hutson narrowed his eyes. The continent of Karag—a land of mystery, power, and untold dangers—loomed in the distance.

The ship docked at Ruby Port, where the wizard apprentices disembarked, their hearts heavy with anticipation.

Dino, as always, led the way.

"Everyone," he commanded, his voice firm. "Follow me."

They wove through the bustling streets, passing merchants hawking exotic wares and armored mercenaries exchanging coin in shadowy corners.

Finally, they arrived before a large, weathered building.

Above its heavy wooden doors, a sign read:

"The Broken Cauldron Tavern.

"Hey! It's Dino!"

"He's back with new recruits."

"Let me see… quite a few this time."

"Youthful souls—welcome to the continent of Karag!"

The moment Dino stepped into the tavern, all eyes turned toward him. Greetings rang out from every corner, and in an instant, the wizard apprentices he had brought along became the latest subject of conversation.

Hutson scanned the room, quickly noting a peculiar detail—every single person here was a wizard. Most were of apprentice rank, though a few bore the air of greater experience.

"Strange…" he mused. "I didn't see a single wizard outside, yet this place is full of them. A hidden sanctuary? A tavern meant only for wizards?"

He suspected there was a magical barrier at the entrance—something subtle yet potent, allowing only those attuned to the arcane to perceive and enter this place.

Among the new arrivals, Lilian stood out the most. Her presence did not go unnoticed. Whistles and lingering stares followed her, but she ignored them completely, striding forward without sparing the leering wizards a single glance.

Dino led them deeper into the tavern, past the bustling main hall and into the rear courtyard.

Before them stood a solid stone wall, unremarkable at first glance.

Stepping forward, Dino pressed his fingers against specific bricks in a precise sequence. Then, in a firm voice, he uttered a single name:

"Melinda."

A deep, resonant rumble echoed through the air as the wall began to shift. Bricks slid apart, moving like clockwork mechanisms, revealing a hidden passageway.

Beyond the wall lay a completely different world.

A shadowed forest stretched out before them, its depths obscured by dense, silver mist. A narrow stone path wound its way into the unknown, disappearing beneath the towering trees. The atmosphere was eerie—distant bird cries echoed through the gloom, starkly contrasting with the bright sunlight they had left behind in the courtyard.

The apprentices hesitated for a moment, their expressions a mix of awe and trepidation.

Hutson, like the others, was spellbound by the transition. Never before had he witnessed such seamless magic—a portal not through space, but between realities.

Dino, unbothered by the spectacle, stepped forward without pause. He cast a glance back at the group and motioned with a flick of his wrist.

"Let's go."

One by one, they stepped through the passage. Many turned to look back—only to find nothing but forest behind them.

The wall was gone.

Dino faced them with his usual air of authority.

"The different wizarding factions are ahead. Listen carefully—I will direct your movements from here. Your journey of several months ends today."

A rare flicker of emotion crossed his face—whether it was relief, farewell, or simply the end of his duty, none could say.

"Good luck."

With that, he placed a hand over his chest and bent into a graceful, noble bow.

Lilian, ever composed, curtsied in response, her long dress billowing slightly as she lifted the hem.

"Thank you, Master Dino, for your care along the way."

The other apprentices quickly followed suit, offering their gratitude. Whatever hardships they had faced, Dino had kept them safe—a guardian for their perilous passage across the seas.

No sunlight penetrated the thick canopy of the forest. 

A heavy mist curled around their feet, clinging to their robes like spectral hands.

hutson lifted his gaze—above them, the fog was just as impenetrable. No sign of the sky. No way to tell the position of the sun.

A raven's distant cry broke the silence, a lone harbinger in the twilight gloom.

The air felt thick with unseen forces.

Something was waiting for them ahead.