"So… you're saying you'll be returning to university?"
"Yes."
"That's good!"
"What?"
Lina's encouraging response caught me off guard.
I had expected something else, like:
"Why go… we'll miss you."
Something like that.
"It's fine, go. It's not like you'll be doing anything useful anyway… just be careful of dangerous specters."
"But… I'll be studying in another province…"
"…"
She finally turned to me after I told her I wouldn't be around during the entire study period.
"Maybe that's for the best," Lina muttered.
"Did you say something?"
She quickly denied it, waving her hands and shaking her head.
"No, not at all."
"Here, take this… let's start your control training now!"
"What is this?"
She handed me a stretchy piece of fabric.
As I unfolded it, it became clear—
It was a black diving suit with two blue stripes along the sides.
"It's a diving suit," she replied casually.
"Yes, I can see that… but why are you giving it to me?"
It was strange—being handed a diving suit while we were on the fourth underground floor of a psychiatric rehabilitation center.
"Your ability is seawater, right?"
I nodded.
"So?"
"It's most likely the same as Madam Mayada's ability. So we'll train you using her method."
She pointed toward the winding corridor.
"Follow me."
I followed her, passing by rooms I had seen before—
Back when Lina had brought me here wearing my friend's face.
I hadn't noticed it then…
But now, I saw that every door along the corridor had a name written on it.
Does that mean everyone in the organization has their own room?
That's… actually amazing.
What about me? Will I get one too?
While I was lost in that thought, I suddenly heard a door open to my left.
From the dark room, I saw a foot step out.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I stopped to look.
Would it be someone I knew this time?
Maybe someone even closer than I expected…
Closer than the doctor, even.
A gloomy-looking man stepped out.
Thin… I couldn't even tell his age.
His back was slightly hunched,
and his long black hair fell over his face, covering his eyes.
He noticed me, just as I noticed him.
I've never seen this person before…
But more than that—
The moment our eyes met beneath his hair…
A chilling sense of danger pierced through me.
I… I need to run…
Alarms blared inside my head.
My legs trembled.
This was the first time…
I had ever felt such raw fear from someone.
There's no way he's human…
He's a specter…
Yes… he has to be.
Suddenly, I felt a hand pull me back.
Lina stepped in front of me, placing herself between us.
"Good morning, sir…
I hope we didn't disturb you."
The hand gripping my arm was trembling.
"…"
He didn't respond.
He simply lowered his head, letting his eyes disappear back into the shadows.
Then he walked away—
Slowly…
So slowly that his feet barely lifted off the ground.
He didn't even spare us another glance.
"Hoo…"
Lina took a deep breath, her chest rising before she exhaled.
"Are you crazy?!"
She snapped at me.
I pointed at myself, stunned.
Me?
"W-What did I do?"
"Don't stare at people like that!
Just control your curiosity. Haven't you heard the saying—curiosity killed the cat?"
"Sorry!"
Was it really that dangerous…? Just one look could've killed me?
She sighed again, rubbing her head.
"Luckily… he didn't care about us."
Her expression tightened at the last sentence.
"Ah… forget it."
We continued walking until we finally stopped in front of a door near the end of the corridor.
Unlike the others—
This one had no name.
That's… a bit disappointing.
It was oddly embarrassing.
I had raised my expectations too high.
Lina placed her hand on the handle and slowly opened the solid door.
This time, it was different.
Still strange, but…
Where did this swimming pool come from?
Unlike the outside, the room was massive—
More than half of it was occupied by a pool.
Now I understood the purpose of the diving suit in my hands.
No way… right?
I really hoped I was wrong.
The moment we stepped in, both Suleiman and the other guy—whom I had only seen once—
turned toward us.
Basil…?
Yeah, I think that was his name.
"Yo!"
He waved at us with the same cheerful smile.
Despite his large build, his presence somehow made the atmosphere lighter.
"Go change over there."
The other voice immediately dropped the temperature.
He pointed toward a small changing booth attached to the room.
Looks like I'm stuck with a very strange group…
"Okay…"
The booth was empty, just like one you'd find in a small clothing shop.
I changed and put on the black diving suit.
When I looked at myself in the mirror—
There's no way I'm going out like this… right?
My cheeks flushed in embarrassment.
The suit was tight.
Very different from what I usually wore…
I always preferred loose clothes.
I hesitated to step out—
Until Lina knocked on the door.
"Are you done?"
"Y-Yes…"
Just go out already…
I stood in front of the three of them awkwardly.
I shrank slightly under their gazes, unconsciously rubbing my left arm with my right hand.
"You remember the method I taught you at the factory, right?"
"You mean the breathing technique?
Yes, I've been practicing it every day since then!"
"Any results?"
I lowered my head, even more embarrassed.
"No…"
"It's fine. It doesn't work for everyone."
Lina tried to ease the tension.
The leader nodded.
"I know the former captain's control method better than anyone—and the fastest way to achieve it, so…"
He gestured toward the pool.
"Let's begin."
"Umm… sir, I…
I can't swim."
His finger froze mid-motion.
"What?"
My embarrassment deepened.
I felt like my head might touch my feet.
"Heh… a pirate who can't swim… heh."
The big guy's teasing laugh was irritating.
"Ahem."
He stopped after Lina jabbed him with her elbow.
The leader sighed, rubbing his tired eyes.
"It's fine. You'll learn eventually. I just hope we won't have to use the hard method."
Wait… what does he mean by the hard method?
I was about to ask—
But he gestured again, coldly.
"Now go."
I walked toward the large pool.
There were no stairs.
No steps.
Just an edge filled to the brim with water—
Like a giant fish tank.
I tried to see the bottom…
But I couldn't.
I turned, silently begging someone to stop me at the last moment—
But no one did.
Instead, their eyes urged me on.
Hurry.
That's what their looks said.
"Use the breathing technique while you're in the water."
The leader's instructions came.
I get it now… he wants to use the link between ability and environment.
It sounded like a solid plan.
I dipped my toe into the water first.
It was lukewarm—thankfully.
That encouraged me to go further.
I sat on the edge.
Splash
Carefully, I lowered myself into the water,
keeping my upper body clinging to the edge.
"Now try."
Basil urged me impatiently.
Even without him saying it, I would have.
I closed my eyes.
Took a deep breath.
Tried to feel the Aether flowing into my veins—
Just like Suleiman had described before…
Like opening a cold fridge in the middle of summer.
One minute passed.
Two.
Ten.
I completely lost track of time.
"Did you feel anything?"
The voice was close.
When I opened my eyes—
I was startled to see Suleiman standing right above me.
Oh my—!
I almost lost my grip.
"No… nothing."
"I see."
He nodded and crouched down until he was at eye level with me.
"I'm sorry about this… in advance…"
Sorry? Why would you be sorry—?
*Splash
*Splash