Ariel knew that the Southern Isolated Island was clearly marked as a stop on the wave breaker's route map.
This wasn't some secret waypoint; it was a special itinerary open to top-tier wealthy individuals seeking excitement and unique experiences as part of the luxury cruise's exploration program.
The price, naturally, was astronomical.
Behind the formulaic smile of the staff member before him, her undisguised contempt almost solidified into something tangible.
Her gaze, which quickly swept over Ariel's entire body, was like someone appraising a piece of merchandise, ultimately reaching an 'unqualified' conclusion.
Whether it was open to the public or not didn't depend on the route, but on the person.
Ariel didn't argue; it was pointless.
Explaining things to someone blinded by a sense of superiority was no different from playing a lute to a cow—a complete waste of breath.
He simply looked at her calmly, his gaze placid and undisturbed, which instead made the staff member feel a bit uneasy as she forced a professional fake smile.
Just as Ariel was about to turn away and consider a second plan, a slightly surprised and familiar baritone voice came from behind and to the side.
"Eh? Little friend Ariel?"
The voice wasn't loud, yet it was like a pebble dropped into a calm lake, clearly rippling through the noisy hall.
Ariel looked toward the sound and saw a spirited middle-aged man dressed in a well-fitting custom suit walking quickly toward him.
The man had a warm smile on his face, and his eyes held heartfelt joy.
It was none other than the curator of the Slateport City Ocean Science Museum and the owner of Stern Shipyard, Stern.
"Curator Stern."
Ariel nodded as a greeting.
"It's been a long time!"
Curator Stern reached him in a few steps, enthusiastically extending his hand and giving Ariel's hand a firm shake.
"I haven't had the chance to properly thank you for what happened at the museum last time! If you hadn't stepped up back then and called upon the city's Trainers to defend it together, I don't know what state those godforsaken bastards would have left my life's work in!"
Curator Stern's voice was sonorous and full of gratitude, making no effort to hide his high regard for Ariel.
His words instantly caused a minor stir in the hall.
Who was Curator Stern?
He was a prominent public figure throughout the Hoenn region, an authority in the field of marine research in Hoenn, and one of the general consultants for this 'wave breaker' luxury cruise project.
What kind of background could a young man have to make him so solemn and offer such public gratitude?
The gazes of the wealthy businessmen and celebrities around them, which had previously been scrutinizing and aloof toward Ariel, all changed in an instant.
Curiosity, inquiry, and surprise—all sorts of emotions intertwined as they fell upon this black-clad young man with a cold, hard temperament.
And the one most shocked was none other than the staff member behind the counter.
Her smile had completely frozen on her face, her mouth was slightly agape, and her mind was a complete blank.
Curator Stern... actually knew this poor-looking man?
No, it wasn't as simple as just knowing him!
That demeanor, that tone—it was clearly respect, gratitude, and even carried a hint of... ingratiation?
She felt her worldview being violently shaken, and an ominous premonition, like an icy tide, instantly spread from the soles of her feet to her entire body.
What had she just said?
What had she just done?
Scene after scene replayed rapidly in her mind, leaving her hands and feet cold.
Curator Stern didn't notice the staff member's abnormality at all; his full attention was on Ariel.
He patted Ariel's shoulder, smiling so wide he couldn't close his mouth:
"It's such a coincidence that you're here today, little friend! The wave breaker makes its maiden voyage today, and I was just worrying about not having enough heavyweight VIPs to grace the occasion. You must do me the honor of boarding with me to see the latest technological crystallization of our Hoenn League!"
The invitation was so sincere and so enthusiastic.
Yet at that moment, Ariel cast an almost imperceptible glance at the now deathly pale staff member.
He let out a soft sigh and shook his head helplessly.
"Thank you for the kind offer, Curator,"
His voice carried a hint of perfectly measured regret,
"Unfortunately, I came to Lilycove City this time because I have urgent business and must visit the Southern Isolated Island. I just asked, and the wave breaker's route... doesn't seem to pass through there."
As he spoke the last few words, his pace slowed, as if stating a disappointing fact.
Once these words were out, the air seemed to freeze.
The smile on Curator Stern's face faltered, and his brow instantly furrowed as he looked at Ariel in confusion:
"How can that be? The Southern Isolated Island is a major stop on this voyage; isn't it clearly written in the brochures?"
As he spoke, his gaze followed Ariel's line of sight and landed on the pale, trembling staff member behind the counter.
Curator Stern had spent many years navigating society; what kind of scene had he not witnessed?
In just an instant, he connected all the dots.
From Ariel's clothing to the staff member's previous attitude, and then to Ariel's 'deliberate' words just now.
Everything became clear.
A surge of anger rushed from the bottom of Curator Stern's heart to the top of his head.
The 'wave breaker' was his pride, a part of his life's work.
The distinguished guest he invited was actually being shut out right here by a snobbish employee using such a clumsy lie!
This wasn't just losing face for the cruise company; it was losing face for Stern himself!
He didn't roar in public, nor did he shout reprimands.
He simply withdrew all his smiles, his expression darkened, and in a cold tone devoid of any emotion, he said to the staff member word by word:
"You don't need to come to work tomorrow."
No reasons, no explanations, just a brief sentence of judgment.
The staff member's body swayed as if all her strength had been drained; she had to lean against the counter to keep from collapsing.
She wanted to beg for mercy, wanted to explain, but meeting Curator Stern's bone-chilling eyes, she couldn't say a single word.
She knew that everything was over.
...
The wave breaker's whistle was deep and long, like a steel behemoth announcing its departure to the sea.
The ship's exterior was cold steel and streamlined modern industrial design, exuding a hard edge of nature-conquering power.
However, when Ariel followed Curator Stern into the ship's interior, the scene before him seemed to switch time and space instantly.
There was no coldness of steel here, only ultimate luxury.
The crimson carpet beneath his feet was thick and soft, swallowing all footsteps, and the air was filled with a unique high-society scent—a blend of precious woods, advanced incense, and aged fine wine.
Overhead were intricate and brilliant crystal chandeliers, shattering light into billions of diamonds that sprinkled over every inch of the gilded wall reliefs and polished marble floors.
Along the corridors, well-dressed men and women held champagne, gathered in small groups, and spoke in low voices.
Their smiles, postures, and even every glance were meticulously rehearsed, as perfect as a stage play.
In this sea of shimmering light, Ariel's black clothing seemed out of place.
He had no fancy formal wear, no polite smile; he just followed calmly behind Curator Stern.
Yet, it was precisely this sense of disconnection from the environment that instead made him a focal point in a certain sense.