XIII - The Story of Faith: The Stranded
"Well, how are things on your end?"
"So far, it's fun. The sun is shining, the beach is clean, and we are getting wet."
"Listen here, Loose von Dreiex. You're there to observe Yami and his team, not fish yourself some hot meal up and down the hot, clear sandy Raque coastline using your lump of flesh that's anything but eye-catching."
"Who said anything about catching men? I'm more into the swimming. It's been ages since I visited a beach. Besides... I don't need to flash my skin. They'd get attracted to me regardless."
"A dog in heat must be embarrassed when standing next to you."
"At least I'm enjoying my youth. Unlike a certain saint-wannabe out there whose neglecting his itching hands."
After Julius had summoned Cirxen to his office, alone, the First Ace then found himself travelling out to a certain island the next day.
Cirxen. I would like you to personally investigate a remote island near the waters of the Clover Kingdom. I have sent men to this place in the past, but, one is yet to return with any information. With your magic, perhaps, it would be easier for you.
One detailed briefing afterwards and he got himself on a boat.
"Cirxen-san, this may be the farthest I can take you," cried the man holding the oars. "The sudden storm made the water in these parts turbulent. We may capsize."
"This is close enough. Thanks for the help. I can take it from here."
Once he handed the fisherman a bag of gold, the white-haired male quickly flipped his grimoire as it floated in mid-air over his chest.
"Spatial Magic: Diluted Cosmos."
Within seconds, Cirxen slowly blended into the environment. While the First Ace gradually became see-through to the fisherman, the boat owner could still visually trace the figure of the other male.
Once done, Cirxen took a step forward, into the water.
He didn't submerge. He didn't even touch the sea.
He was above it.
The male wasn't entirely floating nor flying, but, his body has become so light, so weightless, that he seemed to use the air molecules under him as stepping-stones.
"Thanks for the trip, sir."
With a slight nod, Cirxen began walking further from the vessel.
He started his departure from the boat walking. But, at the middle of the expedition, he decided to propel himself.
Channelling strength to his feet, he pushed himself, piercing the air. As his body currently neglected his actual weight, the force shot him quick and far within seconds. Opposing winds simply passed through his body, completely not hindering his speed. The unforgiving waves below him was entirely forgotten.
It took less than a minute of exertion until he found land.
Once he got closer to the coastline, he slowly rematerialised himself, weight returning little by little and gravity quickly pulling him down towards the sandy beach. Is this the island, he wondered.
While his eyes scanned the surrounding for any signs of life or unnatural occurrence, he tried to remember what the briefing the previous day informed him.
Fishermen near the island said to have seen signs of human activities on the island. While the nearby villages have sent people to investigate in the past, none returned. Some Magic Knights even ended up missing after they have gone to this place, only to be found unconscious on the coast of nearby fishing towns with no recollection of what happened to them. Because of that, those living near the area have become scared of going near it, not wanting to disappear like those who came there first.
Cirxen. This may even be part of the Eye of the Midnight Sun's territory. Find out what's going on in the island and report back any signs of threat or mishaps.
The male in his early twenties then traced the shoreline, scouting for anything strange sticking out of the sand.
Minutes turned into hours and he was yet to circle the entire island. It was massive for one man to check alone.
When he saw a humanoid figure in the distance, however, the gears began to restart.
His legs sprinted, displacing specks of sand at every pace.
As he got closer to the body, Cirxen scanned from head to toe. It was a male. Skinny with relative muscles in figure, tanned in complexion, and ragged in appearance.
It appeared that he was washed ashore.
Checking for any sign of life, the Magic Knight ran his palms over the unconscious. From the head full of hair down to the unprotected soles, Spatial Magic was casted to detect any blood movements.
Cirxen felt rushes and surges. No clots. No abnormalities he learned to distinguish.
The man was all ri–
"Gah!" He sprang from the sand. It surprised Cirxen. Nevertheless, he inched away give the person some space.
"Are you all right?" Cirxen wanted to confirm.
In front of him, the apparently younger male was still disoriented. Air still came and went through his mouth. His eyes still dilated.
"W-What happened," asked the confused man. "And who are you?"
"Cirxen of the Magic Knights. What's yours?"
"P-Paolo."
Cirxen lend the man a hand and pulled the other onto his own two feet. While calloused hands dusted sand off of tattered clothing, the First Ace simply waited in silence before uttering a sound.
"What brings you to this island?"
"I... I..." Paolo was still befuddled, his thoughts seemed to be caught in a complete haze. "I... was..."
Wanting not to strain the man further, Cirxen guided themselves under the shade of a nearby tree. He asked the other to sit down and relax before completing his response.
As the disoriented man leaned on the side of a palm tree, Cirxen wasted no time in making use of his magic. He dragged a coconut down, popped a hole on its hard exterior, and offered the fruit to the other to be rehydrated.
"Thanks for that help, man."
"Don't mention it."
With the brown-skinned male now satisfied with water and food – thanks to the insides of the coconut, Paolo and Cirxen decided to sit under the shade and talk.
"So," golden irises stared into the vast, blue horizon. "What got you washed up towards this place?"
"I-I... was thinking of fishing for my family's food for the night. So, I decided to go fishing yesterday. Unfortunately, a sudden storm kicked in and completely smashed my boat."
"The fisherman who helped me come here did say a storm suddenly appeared out of nowhere here," added Cirxen while leaning on the coconut tree, his hands folded behind him as makeshift pillows.
"Y-You're a Magic Knight, aren't you? Can you help me get back on the mainland?"
"I could do that, but, I'm actually here to investigate the island," Cirxen replied without second thoughts.
When an idea popped in the tanned man's mind.
"How about a little agreement? I'll accompany you around the island, but, you have to help me with my problem later. It would probably be a bit boring to enter this place all by yourself. Who knows, I may even be useful for you down there and since you're a Magic Knight, you could protect me if ever something happens."
"I guess that's fair."
I mean, what could possibly go wrong?
"Thanks, bro. Well then," Paolo pushed himself off the sand. "Where shall we start?"