Nestled in his arms, Ellie had fallen soundly asleep.
The warm sunlight and Arkin’s steady wingbeats wrapped around her like a gentle lullaby, lulling her deeper into slumber.
Sleep well, my daughter.
Riellep softly stroked Ellie’s delicate cheek.
The pleasant breeze brushing his ears and the magnificent expanse of nature unfolding below—it all felt like a dream. And soaring above it on Arkin’s powerful wings made it truly magical.
Unlike the urgency that had always ruled his past, everything now felt peaceful, serene, and beautiful. Riellep wished this moment would last forever.
—
He didn’t know how much time had passed.
But by the time the sky had begun to glow with crimson light, a strange feeling crept over him.
Shouldn't we be flying along the coastline by now on the route from the Imperial Capital, Sharin, to Larkia?
So why…
Why wasn’t the sea in sight?
And the sun… it’s setting in the wrong direction.
Arkin was supposed to be smart. Even if he couldn’t remember multiple routes, once a handler set a path and flew it with him a few times, Arkin never deviated.
Well… almost never.
Ah… So this was Arkin’s first solo flight. We’re in trouble.
Riellep tilted his head to check Arkin’s condition.
The creature’s expression remained proud and dignified. His wingbeats were smooth, steady, and powerful—flawless in form.
What’s going on? Did we get lost?
Riellep was uncertain.
He debated whether or not to wake Ellie. In the end, he gently nudged her.
“Mmm?”
Rubbing her eyes sleepily, Ellie blinked up at her father.
“Daddy… Are we there yet?”
Riellep gave her a gentle smile.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Ellie, can you check on Arkin for me? I think… he might have gone off course.”
“…Okay!”
Ellie’s drowsiness vanished at once.
If her strange ability—which always made others uncomfortable—could help her father, she’d be glad to use it.
Her little heart pounded with excitement.
Ellie focused on Arkin.
At once, her heterochromatic eyes began to shimmer with a mysterious glow, and the air around them subtly trembled.
As always, a strange resonance flowed into her.
Then, like cold waves crashing over her, a heavy sadness engulfed her.
Within it were confusion, fear—and the sound of a baby bird crying.
Arkin’s heart, hidden behind his dignified exterior, was laid bare to Ellie.
A moment later, her voice quivered as she spoke.
“Daddy… Arkin is crying…”
“What?”
Did she say crying?
Riellep couldn’t quite register the words.
This was a mighty, majestic bird of prey. The idea of him “crying” felt too absurd to comprehend.
“He’s crying because he’s lost… He’s scared of getting in trouble…”
That hit home.
It was just like how she used to feel when facing the priests.
Tears welled up in Ellie’s eyes.
Riellep pulled her into a warm hug and called out toward Arkin.
I don’t know if you can understand me… but still—
“It’s okay! Everyone messes up sometimes! This is your first flight—I’ll help you!”
Ellie relayed her father’s words to Arkin.
And then…
From Arkin’s large eyes, thick tears began to flow.
Riellep, leaning over to see Arkin’s face, was stunned.
He’s really crying?!
His shock quickly gave way to sympathy.
Of course he’s scared. It’s his first flight without a handler. And now he’s lost. That must be terrifying.
Riellep remembered how he had felt when he first entered the Magic Tower.
The overwhelming loneliness, the fear of having to solve everything alone—he saw it all mirrored in Arkin’s heart.
“Daddy… what do we do about Arkin?” Ellie asked, worried.
Riellep hesitated.
He could activate the magical array in front of the saddle, which would trigger a location spell and send a distress signal to the nearest sky station.
But that would mark Arkin’s first flight as a failure.
And once they returned, Arkin would surely be scolded.
His daughter was clearly worried about the creature, her heart aching for him.
Riellep just couldn’t bring himself to trigger the spell.
“Ellie, do you think you can guide Arkin in the right direction?”
Arkin can only fly paths he’s memorized. Adjusting his direction mid-flight is—
The trainer’s voice echoed in his mind.
Only a skilled handler could guide an Arkin.
But… maybe Ellie could do it.
“I—I’ll try!”
Ellie took a deep breath and reached out to Arkin once again.
“Arkinie! Big sis will help you!”
Wait… Big sis?
Oh.
So Arkin was a she.
That made sense. They had called it a first flight, after all.
Still… I shouldn't have assumed from appearances, Riellep thought, chiding himself.
He then gently guided Ellie.
“Let’s go right.”
“To the… right!”
She raised her left hand confidently.
W-wrong hand.
“…Ellie! Which hand is right?”
Ellie looked at him, then lifted her left hand again.
Whoops, my bad.
“Ellie! This way!”
Riellep lifted his own right hand.
Ellie nodded and followed suit.
“Arkinie! Let’s go this way!”
Fwsshh!
With a powerful sweep of her wings, Arkin turned smoothly—executing a full 180-degree turn.
Riellep hugged Ellie tightly.
She really understood her… Ellie’s words reached her.
Riellep stared at his daughter and the majestic creature, eyes wide.
It was like watching magic unfold before his eyes.
Ellie… is truly special.
Together, father and daughter guided Arkin safely toward the right path.
—
“Coo…”
Arkin let out a long, low cry.
It sounded like a farewell.
Ellie clung tightly to Arkin’s large head, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Arkin nuzzled her shoulder gently, trying to comfort her.
“It’s time, Ellie.”
Riellep’s voice was soft.
But Ellie shook her head, burying her face in Arkin’s feathers.
“I want to go with Arkinie…”
Riellep looked at her with sadness in his eyes.
Then, carefully peeling her away, he explained.
“Arkinie needs to stay here, with her friends. If we take her, she’ll be even more sad.”
Ellie whimpered.
“Arkinie…”
Riellep approached and placed a hand on Arkin’s strong wing.
“Thanks to you, we arrived safely. Thank you, Arkin.”
At his touch, Arkin gently closed her eyes.
Feeling the warmth beneath his palm, Riellep smiled faintly.
“We’ll meet again someday. And next time, let’s fly together to somewhere even more wonderful—with Ellie.”
Though Arkin couldn’t take her eyes off Ellie, she eventually turned as the handler approached and gently took her reins.
Ellie waved with trembling hands.
“Goodbye, Arkinie… See you again…”
Arkin responded with a low cry, and slowly disappeared into the sky station.
—
“Daddy… Will I see Arkinie again someday?”
Ellie’s voice trembled.
Riellep pulled her into a warm embrace.
“Someday. You will.”
He wiped her tears with a handkerchief and pulled out something from his cloak.
A silver feather.
“It landed on your shoulder. I think Arkinie gave it to you as a gift.”
Ellie held the feather gently in her small palm.
It was warm, as if Arkin’s presence still lingered in it.
“…Arkinie…”
She stared for a long time in the direction Arkin had gone, then quietly wiped her tears and held her father’s hand.
—
The port city of Larkia, unlike the grandeur of the Imperial Capital, had a modest yet vibrant charm.
The salt-laced sea breeze tickled their noses, and boats lined the piers in various shapes and sizes.
Fishermen worked busily with their nets, and merchants welcomed customers beneath glowing lanterns. Exotic goods filled the stalls, drawing curious eyes.
Riellep strolled along the harbor with Ellie in his arms.
Beyond them, the vast sea shimmered quietly beneath the dark night sky.
Starlight spilled across the waves in silvery sparkles.
Ellie stared, wide-eyed.
“Daddy, is that all… water?”
“Mm-hmm. That’s the sea. Pretty big, right?”
He gently lifted her higher.
“Wow…”
The stars, the lights, the endless black-blue sea—Ellie was entranced.
Riellep’s chest swelled with emotion.
This innocent wonder—this child discovering the world’s vastness—was more precious than anything.
After a while, he resumed walking.
Eventually, they reached a shipwright’s shop with a weathered sign and old boats displayed out front.
“Here to buy a boat, sir?”
“Yes. I need a rowboat.”
The owner led them around back.
There, tied at the water’s edge, was an old boat.
“Normally it’s 7 Kress, but I’ll give it to you for 6 Kress 50 Luc.”
“May I inspect it?”
With permission, Riellep placed his hand on the boat and infused it with mana.
Good—it absorbs magic well. With strengthening spells and wind enchantments, it’ll do.
A brief negotiation followed, and he bought it for 5 Kress 70 Luc.
“Daddy, is this boat strong?”
“No.”
“Huh?!”
“But I’ll make it strong. Watch carefully, okay?”
He pulled the boat to a quiet part of the pier and began his work.
Ellie, still heartbroken over Arkin, looked up as his hands began to glow with magic.
Her eyes widened.
“Rune Kimia. Altera en Durantis. .”
Ancient runes and light wrapped around the old boat.
Then, it shattered—splitting into thousands of floating wooden fragments.
Let’s modernize this a bit…
Recalling a motorboat he once saw during a workshop in Korea, Riellep recreated a propulsion system.
Piece by piece, the enchanted wood assembled itself: sleek bow, sturdy hull, smooth outer layer.
Eventually, some fragments formed a rotating core etched with runes, drawing mana from the air and channeling it into magical energy.
When he tested it—
Fwoooosh.
The boat glowed blue, and a soft breeze swept across Ellie’s cheek.
Where the old rowboat once floated now hovered a graceful, streamlined wooden craft.
Riellep smiled in satisfaction.
“How’s that, Ellie? Pretty cool, right?”
“…”
Ellie gaped, speechless.
Her eyes sparkled.
“Daddy… you’re amazing!”
Riellep chuckled and patted her head.
—
The Next Morning—
Golden light awakened the sleepy harbor.
Seagulls wheeled above, and fishermen bustled about, pulling boats and checking gear.
Riellep exited the inn with Ellie in his arms and approached the newly built craft.
In her hand was Arkin’s feather.
Though her expression was calmer, her eyes still held traces of longing.
But in her heart, a small hope now bloomed.
“Ellie, ready to go?”
Riellep extended his hand.
“Yes! Let’s go!”
She grasped it tightly.
As Riellep poured mana into the propeller, the boat glowed once again.
With a hum, the craft cut through the waves.
“Wow…!”
Ellie let out a joyful cry at the smooth speed.
And far away—
A pair of green eyes quietly watched the boat glide away, following them in silence.