Venti: "Fishing… that could be interesting."
"Calm, quiet… and surely less dangerous than the Abyss."
He pushed open the door, a small bell jingling.
Inside, the scent of waxed wood and dried nets filled the air:
- Lines
- Bait
- Floats were neatly arranged on the walls.
Venti examined each item carefully, already imagining the feel of the sea breeze, the lapping of the water, and the patient anticipation of a catch.
After battles against monsters of the Abyss and unsettling revelations, the idea of spending a few hours fishing seemed strangely soothing, like a necessary respite before the next adventure.
Venti: "Time to have some fun."
Venti strolled leisurely to the worn wooden counter, casually resting his elbows on it.
???: "..... "
The old man behind the counter barely glanced up, busy repairing a rusty reel, before stopping abruptly upon noticing the young customer's attire.
Venti: "Hello, I'd like to buy a fishing rod."
His gaze slid from the lyre strapped to his back to his bardic hat, then returned to his face with an expression of surprise and skepticism.
Old man: "A fishing rod... for you?" "He narrowed his eyes, as if searching for an invisible trap.
O"Tell me, kid, what would a bard do with a fishing rod?"
"You plan to play music for the fish so they jump out of the water all by themselves?"
A slight, amused smile appeared on Venti's face.
He straightened up a little, his hands clasped behind his back, looking perfectly serious despite the mocking remark.
Venti: "I plan to fish."
The old man remained silent for a moment, observing Venti as if he had just heard something utterly absurd.
His brows furrowed, then he burst into a deep, raspy laugh, making the bell hanging from the ceiling ring.
Old man: "Fishing… you?"
"That's the best one of the day."
He finally put down his rod and leaned forward slightly. He moved forward, studying Venti more closely, as if trying to determine whether he was joking or not.
Venti, for his part, met his gaze without blinking, a natural calm emanating from him, almost soothing, like a gentle breeze.
Venti: "I've faced monsters, traversed dungeons, and survived the Abyss."
"So catching a fish… that should be doable, shouldn't it?"
The old man nodded slowly, a more genuine smile stretching his wrinkles.
Old man: "Hm… with an answer like that, I suppose you deserve at least a try."
"Very well, bard."
"Let's see which rod would be suitable for someone like you."
He then turned to grab several rods leaning against the wall, while Venti surveyed the shop with renewed interest.
For him, this simple purchase wasn't just a whim:
It was the beginning of a new experience, far from blood, fire, and the Abyss… a moment of tranquility he intended to savor.
And also for fun.
After several minutes of examining the various rods lined up against the wall, Venti took the time to observe each one carefully.
He tested their weight, gently bent some of the shafts, and tapped others with his fingertips to listen to the sound of the wood.
Some were too heavy, reinforced with metal, and clearly intended for seasoned anglers facing gigantic sea creatures.
Others, too thin, seemed ready to break at the slightest sudden movement.
Finally, his gaze settled on a simple rod, carved from smooth, well-maintained light oak.
It had nothing extravagant about it:
- A solid handle
- A neatly wound line
- And a basic but functional reel.
Holding it, Venti felt a familiar, almost reassuring sensation.
It was light, easy to handle, perfect for someone new to fishing who still wanted to experience the direct contact with the water and what lay beneath its surface.
Venti: "That one will do."
The old man raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by this sensible choice.
He nodded approvingly.
Old man: "Good choice."
"Oak is strong, flexible enough."
"It won't let you down on the first fish that puts up a bit of a fight."
"It costs 11,000 Mora."
Without hesitation, Venti took out his purse and calmly counted the coins before placing them on the counter.
The clinking of metal echoed softly in the quiet shop.
He then glanced quickly at his adventurer's crystal, mentally calculating the amount.
Venti: "I had 19,000 Moras… so I have 8,000 left."
He felt no worry as the amount dwindled.
On the contrary, a certain satisfaction washed over him.
This purchase represented more than just an object:
It was a break from his daily life as an adventurer, a way to explore the world other than through combat.
The old man gathered the Mora and carefully wrapped the fishing rod before handing it to him.
Old man: "Take good care of it."
"And remember, fishing isn't about strength… it's about patience."
Venti smiled as he took the rod and slung it over his shoulder, as if it were a musical instrument.
Venti: "Patience is something I know all about."
Then, without hurrying, he left the shop, already eager to get to the beach.
For the first time in a long time, no danger awaited him… only the sound of the waves, the sea breeze, and the promise of a peaceful moment by the water.
As he left the shop, fishing rod slung over his shoulder, Venti slowed his pace, his mind already beginning to calculate.
The beach wasn't excessively far, but far enough to make the journey a training opportunity.
He had two options, and neither was ideal.
Venti: "Teleportation… no."
He remembered all too well the unpleasant sensation that followed each space jump.
That pressure in his chest, that shortness of breath, as if his body was still refusing to fully accept this ability.
At his current level, chaining together several teleportations would leave him breathless long before he reached his destination.
As for flying…
Venti: "Flying, I'm still not very good at it."
He vividly recalled the humiliating scene where his ankle had been tied to a rope and Bram had literally dragged him through the air.
Flying was possible, yes, but unstable, clumsy, and above all, dangerous if he lost control at the wrong moment.
So he continued walking calmly through the streets, observing the passersby, the wind slipping between the buildings.
Then, almost instinctively, an idea came to him.
His steps slowed, his eyes lit up slightly.
Venti: "Wait… what if I combined the two?"
He paused for a moment, closing his eyes to concentrate.
The problem with flying wasn't just altitude, but propulsion.
He was trying to fly like a bird without yet having the instinct.
But the wind, he knew it.
He felt it, listened to it, understood it almost intuitively.
Venti: "Flight… but without forcing it.
"And Elementary Anemo Mastery to guide the wind, not to propel myself abruptly."
Rather than fight against the air, he decided to surrender to it.
A faint green glow surrounded his feet as he activated Flight, just enough to lighten his body.
At the same time, his elemental control gently expanded around him.
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff
The wind responded immediately, forming subtle, almost invisible updrafts that supported his weight instead of pushing him away.
His feet lifted a few centimeters off the ground.
Not a spectacular leap, no loss of balance.
He was floating.
Slowly.
Steadily.
Venti: "…It works."
A genuine smile stretched across his face.
He wasn't going fast, but he was moving forward, carried by the wind like a leaf guided by a gentle breeze.
Each movement refined his control, each adjustment strengthened his connection with the Anemone.
It wasn't just a journey:
It was intelligent, measured training, without unnecessary risk.
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff
And so, Venti headed towards the beach, gliding gently above the ground, leaving the city and its mysteries behind, while the wind, a silent accomplice, accompanied him towards this new moment of calm he had finally granted himself.
After a few minutes of drifting with the air currents, Venti finally caught sight of the city's main gate.
FFFFFFFFFFfffffffffffffffffffffffff
The stone walls rose before him, massive and familiar, and as always, two guards stood on either side of the entrance, upright, spears resting against their shoulders.
Instinctively, Venti reduced the intensity of his power.
FFFFFFFFFFfffffffffffffff
The green glow around his feet faded, and he gently fell back to the ground, resuming a perfectly ordinary posture.
Venti: "It's best to avoid attracting attention... even if they never control me."
He began to walk calmly, his fishing rod over his shoulder, looking like a simple young bard returning from a routine errand.
As he passed the guards, he felt their gazes slide over him without lingering.
Guard #1: "........".
Guard #2: ".......".
None of them called out to him, none of them asked for his papers, as if his presence were perfectly normal.
This complete lack of reaction unsettled him slightly, but he didn't let on and walked through the gate without slowing down.
Once he was far enough away, when the sounds of the city began to fade behind him and the path became a trail leading to the beach, Venti glanced quickly over his shoulder to make sure he was no longer being watched.
Satisfied, he paused for a moment and took a deep breath.
Venti: "Okay… let's get back to training."
He reactivated Flight with more confidence this time, feeling his body lighten almost immediately.
At the same time, he let his Elementary Anemo Mastery unfold again, but more smoothly than before.
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFffffffffffffffffffff
The wind responded like an old friend, wrapping around him in supple, steady currents.
This time, he didn't just float:
He moved faster, gliding low over the ground, instinctively adjusting his trajectory.
FFFFFFFFFFfffffffffffffffffffff
Every second spent in the air refined his control.
He felt his muscles adapt, his mind better synchronized with the Anemo element.
There was no rushing or clumsiness, only a steady, almost meditative progress.
As the beach gradually drew closer, Venti couldn't help but smile.
Venti: "If I keep going like this... flying won't be a problem much longer."
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFfffffffffffffffffffff
Carried by the wind and his own determination, he continued on his way, leaving the city and its mysteries behind, fully focused on this new equilibrium he was mastering.
A few minutes later:
After a few more moments, Venti felt the air become more humid and heavy with salt.
Venti: "Finally."
Before him, the landscape suddenly opened up to the coast.
The sea stretched as far as the eye could see, shimmering in the sunlight, and the waves gently crashed against the shore in a soothing rhythm.
He finally settled down on the sand, letting the wind dissipate around him like an invisible sigh.
This coast was strangely familiar.
His gaze fell on an area a little further away, where the ground was lightly marked by past battles.
He remembered this place clearly:
It was right here that he had faced the slimes, their gelatinous bodies bursting under the Anemo's power.
Thinking back on that confrontation, a faint, nostalgic smile crept across his face, tinged with a touch of pride at how far he'd come since.
In the distance, almost veiled by a light sea mist, an island stood out on the horizon.
Its dark silhouette contrasted with the blue of the sea, immediately piquing Venti's curiosity.
He squinted, trying to make out its contours, and felt a quiet excitement surge through him.
This island seemed both close and inaccessible, like a promise of uncharted adventure.
Venti: "Hm... that island... it's almost like it's calling to me."
"Given how quickly I'm improving, I think I could enter it when I'm around level 50 or 60."
The wind rose gently around him, making the sand ripple and the hems of his clothes flutter, as if sharing his interest.
Venti took a deep breath, savoring this moment of calm after the battles and the fatigue.
Between the memories of his past struggles and the allure of new horizons, he understood that this place marked a transition: a moment of rest… before the next adventure.
??? "Hey, who are you?"
The high-pitched voice startled Venti, who immediately turned his head.
Standing before him was a small boy, no taller than his own height, firmly gripping a fishing rod almost as long as he was.
His clothes were simple, slightly worn by the salt and sun, and his curious gaze was fixed directly on Venti, without the slightest fear, animated only by a frank, childlike curiosity.
Right next to the child, half-pulled onto the damp sand, was a wooden boat.
It bore the marks of time: peeling paint, wood polished by the waves, and ropes neatly coiled to the side.
It was the kind of boat the local fishermen used to venture a little further from the shore, usually with two people, sometimes three at most, never more.
The interior was simple: two wooden benches, oars leaning against the side, and a small bucket forgotten nearby. Bow.
Venti: "Huh?"
Venti observed the scene for a few seconds, amused by this unexpected encounter.
He glanced at the boy's fishing rod, then at the boat, immediately realizing he was dealing with a young fisherman, or at least someone who dreamed of becoming one.
A slight smile appeared on his face, carried by the sea breeze that gently rustled his clothes.
Venti: "Hmm?"
"Me?"
"I'm just a bard."
The little boy: "..."
The boy tilted his head slightly, clearly intrigued by this answer, while the waves continued their peaceful ebb and flow behind them.
FFFFFFFFFFFFFfffffffffffffffffffff
The salty air, the silent boat, and this unexpected encounter created a calm, almost suspended atmosphere, as if something were about to begin.
[Venti's Stats — Visible only to him]
Name: Venti
Level: 21/100
Max HP: 8400
ATK: 1300
DEF: 860
Elemental Mastery: 310
Identified Skills:
- Telekinesis — Level 2/10
- Stat Boosting — Level 3/10
- Intangibility — Level 3/10
- Flight — Level 2/10
- Soul Manipulation & Lie Detection — Level 2/10
- Elementary Anemo Mastery — Level 4/10
- Illusion Creation — Level 2/10
- Resistance Reduction — Level 5/10
- Stat Reduction — Level 3/10
- Mass Increase/Decrease — Level 2/10
- Teleportation — Level 4/10
- Wind Communication — Level 2/10
Stock exchange: 8000 Moras
Equipment: Sacred Lyre, Fishing rod
Chapter 47: Spend savings
The End