Translator: CinderTL
Inside the spacious cabin, candlelight flickered erratically in the sea wind.
The dim glow of the candles intertwined with the moonlight seeping through the cracks, casting an ethereal, shimmering band of light across the cabin.
"How is it?"
Roland glanced at Pixie Tracy, who stood huddled on the table, her eyes wide with confusion as she gently rubbed her arms. He poured a glass of water and handed it to the silver-haired woman seated in the wooden chair.
"Do you trust what this little one says?"
Hearing the question, Theresa's slightly unfocused gaze sharpened.
She accepted the water with a soft thank you, taking small sips of the cold liquid while nodding gently.
"Absolutely, Mr. Roland. Just as Miss Tracy said..."
The silver-haired woman turned to offer a warm smile to the pixie before her.
Tracy's tense nerves eased slightly, and she tried to return the friendly smile.
But when she caught Roland's still-expressionless face out of the corner of her eye, her lips immediately tightened again.
Theresa's cool, clear voice continued to flow.
"She does indeed come from the Jade Rock Forest, of course. It's now part of the Mistland."
"She came here seeking help to save her homeland, and beyond that..."
As the silver-haired woman's crimson lips parted slightly, Tracy's deep red eyes widened gradually, her small mouth involuntarily opening a fraction. The lively expression on her face slowly gave way to a blank stare.
"You... how could you possibly know...?"
Listening to the unfamiliar woman recount her life story, word for word, without a single error, Tracy narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Theresa's face.
Once she was certain this was their first meeting, she couldn't help but exclaim in shock and confusion.
"You... who exactly are you?"
"Me?"
Looking at the adorable little pixie, a faint smile bloomed on Theresa's usually impassive face as she slowly extended a slender finger.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Tracy. You can call me Theresa."
"M-Miss Theresa? Hello..."
Tracy cautiously extended her small hand, swiftly touching Theresa's fingertip before immediately withdrawing it.
Then, she nervously shuffled backward a few steps, moving closer to Roland.
In her eyes, though the handsome young man beside her seemed somewhat aloof, he was clearly much safer than the beautiful woman before them, who appeared to see through everything.
"If that's the case..."
After hearing Theresa's words, Roland nodded slightly, then leaned forward, his gaze locking onto Tracy's crimson eyes.
"Welcome aboard, Miss Tracy."
"Th-thank you, Mr. Roland..."
Though Roland's expression had softened somewhat, the memory of the sharp sword flash on the deck earlier still lingered in the petite pixie's mind.
Seeing her cautious demeanor, Roland deliberately eased the tension by changing the subject.
"So, Miss Tracy, perhaps we should discuss... what exactly did you mean by 'assistance' earlier?"
"It's just..."
Tracy's gaze involuntarily drifted to Roland's left wrist, her voice barely a whisper.
"Mr. Roland, I sense traces of Magic Element flow around you. You must be a spellcaster, correct?"
"A spellcaster?" Theresa exclaimed in surprise.
During her time with Roland, she had never seen him cast any magic.
"Just some simple tricks," Roland murmured, noticing Theresa's gaze. He then nodded to Tracy. "Your perception is remarkably keen."
Hearing Roland's admission, the petite pixie let out a long sigh of relief. She gave a slight bow, then fluttered her crystalline butterfly wings, hovering gracefully in the air.
Closing her eyes, she released a faint yet incredibly swift pulse of energy from her small body.
In that instant, Roland's pupils constricted sharply. He clearly sensed the Magic Elements in the surrounding air, which had been stagnant like frozen water, suddenly come alive. Like ripples spreading across a still lake after a pebble is tossed in, the elements began to stir and undulate.
The dormant elements seemed to awaken, revitalized with renewed vitality.
"Truly... remarkable," Roland murmured, sensing the surging flow of Magic Elements in the air.
With a subtle mental command, the spell patterns on the dragonbone bracelet around his wrist lit up.
This was entirely different from the sluggish sensation he usually experienced when drawing magic.
This time, the Magic Elements flowed into the dragonbone like clear spring water gushing from melting ice—unimpeded, continuous, and coursing through his entire body.
Roland closed his eyes briefly, noticing that the mental power required to guide this energy was negligible. An overwhelming sense of joy welled up within him.
Though he didn't yet understand how this little creature had accomplished it, her presence meant his spellcasting speed would dramatically increase, while the mental strain of casting spells would be significantly reduced.
War with the pirates was imminent. While he might not need to resort to tricks, having her by his side undoubtedly provided an extra layer of security.
With this thought, Roland nodded slightly.
"This is excellent assistance, but..."
He opened his eyes and pointed to the butterfly wings still trembling slightly behind Tracy.
"To avoid unnecessary trouble, it's best if you remain hidden during your time on the ship. Stay in my cabin for now, okay?"
"Of course, thank you, Mr. Roland."
Tracy nodded eagerly at Roland's request and settled back onto the table.
As the strange energy emanating from her body dissipated, the previously active magic elements in the surrounding area returned to their dormant state.
"And... no pranks."
"Uh... yes."
After a few more casual exchanges, Theresa turned and left the room. Having settled Tracy, Roland lay back down on the soft bed.
Whether it was his imagination or not, Tracy's presence seemed to alleviate the drowsy mental fog induced by the Mistland's high concentration of magic elements.
Thus, the next day, as dawn barely broke, Roland rose from his bed.
Taking a deep breath, Roland felt his spirit lift as the long-absent clarity of mind returned. He stretched his limbs, preparing to find some food, when a crisp knock sounded at the door.
Hearing the knock, Tracy, who had been yawning moments before, vanished without a trace.
Seeing this, Roland raised an eyebrow slightly, then calmly replied, "Come in."
The door swung open, revealing Hoby's diminutive figure.
"Mr. Roland," the halfling said with a slight bow, his voice clear and concise. "We're less than half a day's voyage from Howling Gorge. My scouts have already detected traces of the pirates."
"Is that so?" A glint of anticipation flashed in Roland's eyes.
Forgetting about breakfast, he placed a hand on Hoby's shoulder and strode toward the door.
"How many pirate ships are patrolling outside Howling Gorge?"
"Three."
"Three ships..." Roland stroked his chin thoughtfully, his gaze drifting upward toward the sky.
(End of the Chapter)
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