Mike walked to the side of the ship, first carefully pouring a small glass of golden liquid onto the teak deck of the Polaris, as if feeding his beloved horse.
Then, he raised the bottle toward the vast ocean and slowly poured out the remaining liquor.
The golden liquid drew an arc in the sunlight, falling into the sea and causing ripples to spread outward.
"May you bless our journey, with calm seas and fair winds." He murmured a prayer in a voice only he could hear.
The ceremony concluded, the atmosphere aboard the ship turned solemn and full of anticipation.
Everything was ready. Lin Yu'an stood at the double steering wheel of the Polaris.
Glancing at First Mate Riven beside him, then at Sailor Mike in charge of untying the ropes, he calmly issued his first command as a true captain.
"Release all the ropes, prepare to depart."
"Aye Aye, Captain!"
For the first time, Mike and Riven responded to their captain using the most formal sailor's etiquette.
