The X Guide-Chapter 134: Next Stage (5)

They immediately left the market after they finished buying everything they needed and wanted to eat. For the sake of his appetite, he did not let the two buy the hideous-looking sea monster, even if they wanted to convince him at the end.

They managed to get a small villa with a good view of the sea. It was actually part of an area where it was only exclusive to institute-registered espers.

This was not discrimination, but because it was unstable, being closer to the sea, which occasionally had monster attacks. They were generally low levels, but ordinary people would not be able to fend them off.

"Put this here," Devion instructed the two, organizing a seafood barbecue party for them.

It was almost 6 pm, and the sun had already set. The city was now preparing for the evening patrol. As for them, they were preparing to have a barbecue party and a swim.

Ayen felt strange earlier when he was asked to wear beach attire; fortunately, he was not like the two whose upper bodies were exposed and only wore beach shorts.

He was wearing a polo shirt with only a few buttons open; some parts of his chest were visible whenever he moved, but it was better than being fully bare-chested.

At some point, Ayen had stopped fussing with them and let the two prepare their dinner. He looked towards the sea, feeling the wind brushing against his face.

Ayen did not know how to describe this feeling, as it was his first time experiencing this. The smell of the sea, the relaxing breeze it brought... Everything just felt surreal.

Sometimes, he wondered, was he truly in reality or was he dreaming? Did he truly deserve this?

Ayen held onto the railings, the ones that surrounded a large part of the beach. No one was allowed to cross them, especially at night.

As his mind wandered, Ayen heard his name being called behind him. He turned and saw Khal and Devion looking and waving at him.

"Let’s eat. Some are already cooked."

Ayen took a deep breath and let the wind overwhelm him.

It was not a dream. The world might become too chaotic, yet Ayen would never think of exchanging this for anything.

He walked closer to them, his hand immediately clinging to Khal’s arm as he received the plate Devion offered. With occasional chats and teasing antics, the dinner had concluded in the blink of an eye.

The three walked side by side at the shore; small waves passed by their feet. Even if there were signs everywhere saying not to wander at the beach, the three acted as if they were illiterate and ignored them.

"Are we renting a small ship tomorrow?" Devion asked, chewing on the popsicles as he spoke.

Ayen gave him a strange look earlier, but seeing that Khal was doing the same, he could only accept that the two were SS-class espers.

"We don’t." Khal licked his lips and crashed the small stick.

"Huh? I thought we were traveling via sea." Devion preferred the sea.

Although it was multiple times more dangerous than travelling on the road and air, this did not really apply to them. He did not really want to bump into anyone right now.

That would make everything more difficult, or more like annoying.

"We are. But we’re not renting a small ship," Khal clarified, but it was still confusing.

Ayen could not understand him. Maybe he was talking about a medium-sized ship? It had to be noted that there were no commercial ships any longer, and most ports operated in renting out ships.

It was not used as often, either. The sea was very unpredictable and perilous. Without strength, no one would dare to travel by sea.

Devion narrowed his eyes at Khal. "What are you on?"

He immediately became suspicious. Ayen became intrigued because of his reaction.

"You already prepared something?" Devion asked again.

Khal did not answer, but he chuckled, looking so pleased with himself. Devion clicked his tongue and put his arm around Ayen’s shoulder.

"Genuinely, I didn’t even notice you prepared something."

Ayen agreed with him. They were always together, and he did not see Khal send a message or anything. Khal merely smiled at them, not saying anything. It got to a point that Devion’s palm itched to slap that irritating smile off his face.

Still, nothing happened. They finally started to get into the water. It was Devion’s idea, and Ayen was only dragged into it. At least, at the start.

"I don’t know how to swim," Ayen reminded them, clinging to Devion’s neck while his other hand was at Khal’s shoulder to stabilize himself.

Devion laughed. His hands were wrapped around Ayen’s waist.

"Don’t worry. We’ll teach you."

"I don’t really want to learn."

"Why? Or you’re just lazy?"

Khal laughed at Devion’s straightforward question, especially when Ayen’s expression twitched. Devion hit the mark.

This was the first time Ayen did not win, and Devion taught him how to swim while Khal was supporting at the side. Ayen learned fast, but he was still a bit afraid to swim by himself.

The two did not really let go of him as they dived deeper into the waters. At some point, the three had already spent about two hours in the sea before they decided to rest.

Honestly, the sea up close was not as beautiful because of the influence of the sea monsters. Only because of Khal and Devion’s naturally oppressive aura, no one disturbed them.

The novelty wore off quickly, and Ayen only wanted to return and sleep on the bed. Somehow, being under the water made him tired.

"So lazy, our Ayen!" Devion teased, kissing his cheek from behind.

Ayen rolled his eyes and let Devion carry him until they were at the shore. It was a good experience, but not something Ayen wanted to do on a daily basis.

Their first day at the port city concluded. Ayen was exhausted and fell asleep almost immediately, with Devion following him. His cravings for the sea were satisfied, and so he felt refreshed.

Only Khal remained awake; his eyes stared at the two. Until a knock was heard from the balcony. His eyes quickly turned in that direction.