Chapter 223: I Love The Sea! (4)
After unpacking at a nearby inn, I began training immediately on the first day.
The location was a clean dock nearby.
On a small, worn-out rowboat, someone vigorously moved while holding an object indistinguishable as either a spoon or an oar.
Cant you change this oar?!
A craftsman does not blame his tools, kid!
Im not a craftsman yet!
If you aim to be a craftsman, dont be choosy about your tools!
Tch, do you really want the gold that badly?
Despite the grumbling, the posture was quite good.
Standing firmly on the boat, the grip on the oar was tight and unlikely to slip.
Well, anyone can do that much. The important thing is how well you row.
Try rowing forward.
Ray started to row with the large, spoon-like object.
Rowing is better the more resistance you get from the water.
But this thing was flawed in terms of volume from the start.
How could the boat move forward swiftly if you row as hard as you can with a ladle?
Thanks to that, the boat remained almost stationary.
The sea man shouted.
Row harder! What use are you as a man if thats all youve got!
If I put more strength into it, it will break!
If it breaks, just ask for the price of the oar.
Thats really kind of you. But did you give me this oar just to mess with me?
Theres a bit of that too. Hahaha.
He admitted it quickly and honestly.
A very hearty sea man.
Hahaha.
I almost carelessly broke the oar.
Lets be more careful next time.
The first day was spent bickering on the boat like that.
Back at the inn, Ray grumbled again.
To give such an oar and tell me to row, he must be truly insane.
Next to him, Iriel offered tea.
There are still two and a half days left. You can just keep practicing during that time.
Its not about practicing anymore. That crazy sea man just doesnt want to give a proper oar.
Iriel chuckled at his gritted teeth.
Huhuhu. Rest well today and look forward to tomorrow. After all, you can just win back the gold you lost in the bet.
It was hard to tell if she was a saint or a bandit.
What was Gaia thinking when she chose Iriel as the saint?
How did you become a saint?
Didnt you know? Being pretty is the way to become a saint.
If Iriel was a saint, then was Aira a goddess?
Ah, right. A goddess.
Ray nodded in agreement.
Seems like it.
Thats a rather unpleasant reaction umm
As they were talking, the food they ordered arrived, and Ray devoured it in an instant.
Iriel, who had been eating modestly next to him, opened her eyes wide in surprise.
Youre done eating already?
I have something to do.
Leaving those words behind, he went out of the inn.
It seemed he was going to practice rowing.
Despite what he said, he was quite diligent.
Iriel, wiping her mouth with a handkerchief, wore a pleased smile.
Huhuhu. I just cant help finding it cute.
Ray, heading back to the dock, got into the rowboat.
If I dont practice like this and sleep, I wont make it in time.
The water looked very different from afar and from above the boat.
He needed to continuously check the movement of the water and know how to face the waves when they came.
There was a lot to learn.
Even without blaming the oar, rowing was difficult.
He recalled the rowing technique the man had shown in the afternoon.
The direction the man was looking, the movement of his muscles.
His true value, having stolen Duke Jahads swordsmanship during the war, was evident.
He corrected what needed correction and discarded what seemed wrong without hesitation.
Gradually, his rowing became more stable.
Of course, that didnt mean the boat moved fast.
After hours of rowing, an exhausted Ray lay on the boat.
Darn it, its this cursed oars fault. Its not moving forward at all!
A knife from the restaurant would be more efficient in pushing the water.
Reluctantly, Ray moved to the back of the rowboat.
He grimaced.
Tsk I only thought about using it, but to have to rely on it on the first day. Strong.
As the magic manifested, the boat became incredibly sturdy.
But sturdiness alone was not enough.
The situation was about to become much more interesting.
With one hand in the sea and the other on the boats bottom, he uttered the incantation.
Blast!
Boom!
A strong wind shot underwater, propelling the boat forward with wild speed.
No, it was more akin to flying.
Hahahaha!
The velocity filled him with sheer joy.
At this pace, he might soon visit all three seas.
However, the boat was difficult to control.
Even a small wave made the boat shudder, and any change in direction threatened to capsize it.
A slight tilt also risked overturning the boat.
It was natural for the boat to capsize when attempting to travel in a straight line at high speeds without a rudder.
Furthermore, unlike modern vessels with excellent stability, this rowboat was hard to control and unstable.
No matter how sturdy, a rowboat is still just a rowboat.
Expecting it to have maneuverability and turnability was perhaps asking too much.
He had to resort to using the oar for changes in direction.
It was slow, but it was the safest option.
As night deepened and the sea turned invisible, he attached a Light spell to the boat.
With the surroundings brightly illuminated, practicing became easier.
Ray continued to practice until early morning, mastering the sensation of a motorboat, and then he returned to the inn.
Iriel was visible from the entrance.
There she was, drinking tea on the terrace and waving, having waited up without sleep.
Did you have a good practice session? Youve been at it since dawn; you seem quite determined.
I am a man brimming with enthusiasm. Today will be exciting.
Im looking forward to it.
Do look forward to it. Hehehe.
That laugh was not reassuring.
Every time that sinister chuckle was heard, it seemed to herald trouble.
Unable to hide her anxiety, Iriel asked,
Its safe, right? Safety first, right?
As long as you dont fall off the boat, its mostly safe. Of course, it could capsize in strong waves.
Thats not safe at all!
The rest is a boat issue; theres nothing I can do. Want to try boarding together today as a test?
Ill pass. Watching is enough for me.
Tsk tsk. The saint is just a scaredy-cat.
Ray clicked his tongue, having lost his sense of danger.
After breakfast, they headed to the dock.
The man, already prepared, waited for them.
Its the second day today. By tomorrow, you should be able to learn enough, right?
Of course.
Confident in his reply, she looked puzzled for a moment, then he boarded the rowboat and handed her an oar.
Here.
It was a proper oar, unlike the one given yesterday.
She looked at the man with a face like she was chewing a rotten apple.
Whats with that face? Did you eat something bad?
I watched you for a bit yesterday. You kept rowing even in the evening. Bravado and confidence are separated by a thin line. Its about whether you make an effort or not. Youre qualified enough to row.
With that, he handed her the oar.
Compared to yesterdays giant spoon, it felt perfectly comfortable in her hand.
Now rowing seemed like it would be enjoyable.
Thank you. Ill use it well.
Its not free! Pay for it properly!
He shouted, seemingly embarrassed.
With the oar he provided, he pushed the water lightly, and the boat moved forward surprisingly well.
Iriel, watching, smiled brightly and clapped her hands.
With someone cheering and a new oar in hand,
Nothing in the sea seemed daunting anymore.
Dont go against the flow of the waves. Rowing in their direction will help.
This time, his teaching was serious.
Following the mans instructions, she rowed carefully.
Then the boat glided through the water without much turbulence.
Its the same when encountering waves. Dont just push forward and capsize the boat; steer carefully. Its not about just applying force.
Initially, he had been told to apply force, but now the advice differed.
Ray, taking the mans serious attitude to heart, absorbed his knowledge like a sponge soaks up water.
Hes really something. Born to be a boatman.
Otherwise, he couldnt have learned this quickly.
Could this be a talent?
A talent for boating, often scorned by others.
If this kid truly becomes a boatman, he might even navigate to that sea.
The man observed Ray with a look of satisfaction.
The bet had become secondary.
Initially, he had coveted the gold, but now he craved Rays talent.
Furthermore, Rays dedication to rowing alone in the evening was exceptional, so how could he, as a teacher, not feel proud?
The man paused his rowing and spoke up.
Hey, kid.
What?
Today, Ill treat you to dinner. Follow me after were done.
Rays expression turned sour instantly.
Whats gotten into you today? Have you lost your mind, mister?
Little brat. Stop your whining and just come along quietly. Ill feed you something much tastier than the bland inn food.
I do enjoy delicious food.
Youre bluntly honest, arent you?
As they exchanged words, they continued rowing for the entire day.
Having observed him for two days, the man couldnt help but be impressed.
This kid will learn everything in three days.
He not only remembered everything he was taught, but he also seemed to rely on instinct and was exceptionally astute.
His boldness in slicing through the waves was indeed the mark of a natural boatman.
If he continued learning at this pace for a month, there would be no boatman in the nearby seas to rival him.
Thats why the man planned to keep tempting him.
Although he was unsure why Ray wanted to learn boating, he had no intention of letting him leave so easily.
It would be too great a waste to let such talent go unrefined.
If he continues to learn boating, in a few years, hell be able to go anywhere he decides. You might not realize it, but thats the extent of your talent, kid.
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