115: Accelerating the Ship

February 5, 2021 - 7 minutes read - 1460 words

The morning of the second day after departing Esprit

After breakfast, I was having a tea time at the rear of the ship with Ilya and Alisha. I was enjoying the pleasant sunshine of the morning. Ilya and Alisha were enjoying the tea I brewed, sipping it with gentle expressions.

Unlike yesterday, there’s very little wind today, I don’t think the ship is moving much at all. A slow trip isn’t terrible, but if the wind doesn’t pick up, this trip is going to take quite a while.

“Ms. Wizard, can we ask for a little Wind Magic?” Sailor called from the deck.

“Yes, that’s fine.” Alisha replies as she stands up from her chair.

“So you’ll accelerate the ship with Wind Magic?” Al

It’s a wind-powered ship, so if they’re asking for Wind Magic, there’s only one way that should work. I was thinking about it, but I don’t think I want to have to accelerate it too. I’ll keep silent so I can have a slow and patient voyage.

“Yes, that’s right. If you fill the sails with Wind Magic, the speed will increase. I wish we could always use it.” Ilya

“So why don’t you use it all the time?” Al

“There are times when the weather prevents it, either the flow of the wind or the sea currents. If you try to accelerate it further on a windy day, the ship can be difficult to control. Also, we have to reserve some magic energy in case of emergency, since we’re on escort duty.” Ilya

That makes sense. Certainly, if the wind is blowing from odd directions, it would be difficult to properly boost the ship with Wind Magic. It would turn into new difficulty. In addition, the primary role for Ilya and Alisha is escorts. They can only use their magic energy when it can be afforded.

“Well, weren’t you using magic energy yesterday when practicing?” Al

“There was enough wind yesterday that I wasn’t needed.” Alisha

Alisha picks up her staff that was leaning against the table. Is Ilya not going to use Wind Magic?

“I don’t have any aptitude for Wind Magic.” Ilya answers my unsaid question.

In case you’ve forgotten, humans normally have variable aptitude for the different magic attributes. I was given aptitude for all the basic attributes by God when I was reincarnated. While I was remembering those facts, Alisha headed to the main mast. She discussed some details with the sailors, then began to case Wind Magic.

“I beseech the breath of the wind from above!” Alisha chants.

When the chanting ended, Alisha raised her staff and the wind started to flow in the previously still atmosphere.

What was that? That sort of chanting reminded of Shelka’s skirt incident that Ra-chan caused. I can’t help it that some pink cloth jumped into my mind.

The wind starts to blow straight from the rear to the main mast’s sails, as if the wind started blowing above us. My hair and Ilya’s hair start to point to the foredeck, as if a large fan was behind us. The ship starts to accelerate steadily and the unmoving scenery is left behind. The sail that had been lying limply is now swelling to a good shape.

“Oh! The wind feels good!” Al

Of course, powered ships and cars from my previous life are faster, but this is refreshing to move smoothly without engine noise. Also, there’s no vibrations to be felt.

“Well, a ship that moves slowly is peaceful, but a ship that is fast enough to cut through the wind is nice too.” Triela

I was re-enacting a certain scene from the Titanic movie by putting out my hands and enjoying the wind with my body. When I looked next to me I found Triela and not Ilya.

“Wow! You surprised me, Triela?” Al

“No, don’t be so surprised.” Triela

It’s been a while since I had a conversation with Triela, I’ve rarely seen him since the sea leg of the journey started. Well, maybe I’ve just been around people like Irving, Mark, Rumba, and Douglas instead.

“I haven’t seen you on deck much, what have you been up to?” Al

“I’ve been studying slime pillows in the cabin for a while. I’ve also been planning out initial sales routes.” Triela

It seems he really is a merchant, he spares no effort for the things that would lead to profit. Did he forget to enjoy the cruise?

“So how goes the slime pillow strategy?” Al

“The major issues are ensuring customer safety and how to feed the slime. The safety will need to be evaluated by the Demon Research Institute. I’m also thinking through what foods would be easiest to use. Finally, I’m thinking about making a mouth in the casing to make it easier to put food in.” Triela explains happily.

I wonder how he became a researcher before I realized it. It seems he’s not just a lucky peddler to struck it rich with the Reversi rights. Looks like he’s planning on taking my half-baked ideas into production. I don’t know if he grew up recently, or if he’s been this mature for a while. It seems I can trust him with this enterprise.

“Ohh! I love fast ships! If we go at this pace, we’ll reach Kagura in no time!” Mark

“Hey, Alisha! Bump up the power some! The ship can go faster, right?” Irving

“You’re annoying! If I make the wind stronger, I won’t be able to keep the magic going all day! I’m at my inflection point!” Alisha

So, if she make the wind stronger, it will require more magic energy. When the energy over time is considered, it sounds like she won’t be able to keep the ship going all day. I’m worried about the maximum speed of the ship, but I think we can keep accelerating for a while.

Alisha’s highest priority is escorting Triela and I, so she can only dedicate 40% of her magic energy to the Wind Magic. I’d like to get to Kagura faster, and I’d like the ship to go a bit faster.

“Alfred can use wind magic, so why can’t he do it too?” Triela asks after reading my expectant facial expression.

Oops, isn’t this turning me into an employed magician? However, I’d like to get to Kagura faster, so I’ll go along with it.

“Sure, I’ll try it.” Al

I head over to Alisha. I observe how much wind power Alisha is producing and what the trajectory of the wind relative to the main mast. This seems easy. It’s more difficult to ventilate my room such that I don’t knock over anything. I activated Wind Magic, sending it to the foremast and mizzen mast at the same time, aligned with Alisha’s Wind Magic. Since all three sails are being pushed, the ship’s speed increases even further.

The seascape is flying by faster than ever. Have we hit 40km/hr? Or do ships use knots? I don’t have a frame of reference for knots…

“Oh! Great! Is the ship really going this fast?” Triela

“This be amazing. If we keep at this speed, we’ll arrive in only two more days.” Douglas

If the journey can be shortened that much, I think I’ll keep up the Wind Magic. I’d like to get to Kagura soon.

“…I was doing my best with just the main sail…” Alisha mutters.

“Magic control is critical here as well.” Al answers.

I then leave the deck while the magic continues uninterrupted.

“What?!” Alisha stammers.

It seems she’s stunned that the magic continues without me needing to concentrate on it. I’m free to sit under the main mast and enjoy the breeze. I can also lean on the edge of the deck and watch the flowing scenery. It’s refreshing to watch the ship fly over the beautiful sea. The wind that carries the sea’s scents caresses my skin and tickles my bangs.

“Well, there’s almost no wind today, so I’d like to continue with the Wind Magic at this level. We’ll be able to reach Kagura sooner.” Triela

“That’s right” Al

Triela and I squint into the flowing wind. While I was looking over the sea, a silver fish jumped from the sea.

It’s a slim fish, reminds me of a flying fish with large fins. They’re swimming along with the ship, jumping out occasionally. The speed of the ship is matching the flying fish, running in parallel with the fish seems like we’re enjoying a drive in the ocean. I gently start at the silver fish that are swimming along. The silver bodies reflect the sunlight and look very beautiful.

It seems Triela has also noticed the fish.

“Oh, that’s interesting. It’s a swordfish.” Triela

“Eh?” Al