Chapter 23

Watching the ship’s prow cut through the dark sea made my shoulders tremble.

It wasn’t just because of the cold ocean wind.

Pulling my coat tightly around myself, I lowered my gaze over the railing of the research vessel.

Large and small bubbles rose toward the surface.

Within them drifted faint fragments of light and pure, crystal-clear mana.

There were vibrations too—long, flowing pulses that seemed to pass from one voice to another, as though multiple beings were singing together.

“…”

I wasn’t imagining it.

We were getting closer to the Crystal Whales.

When I’d heard that Kade had summoned us to the docks, I’d already suspected as much.

I thought I had prepared myself mentally, but now that the moment of communicating with Crystal Whales was approaching, my emotions felt unsettled.

Maybe it was because I was on the same ship as Kade, staring out at the same horizon.

The moment I glanced at him, our eyes met.

I immediately looked away.

Whew. I can’t even look him in the eye.

It was embarrassing enough that he’d witnessed so many of my pathetic moments lately.

Now that he’d probably heard about Aster showing up at my room yesterday, I had no idea how I was supposed to face him.

The only thoughts that came to mind were worries that I’d somehow humiliate myself again.

Still, I had no intention of running away.

A Crystal Whale investigator being intimidated by Crystal Whales?

Even if it was true, my pride wouldn’t allow me to show it.

So I straightened my shoulders and lifted my chin slightly.

Just as I had when I first entered the Magic Tower.

Perhaps noticing my posture, Aster stood proudly at another section of the railing, gazing out at the sea as well.

…This isn’t even a competition. What are we doing?

Even while thinking how childish it was, part of me still didn’t want to lose to Aster.

No matter what.

After passing several small islands, we quickly detected the abnormal climate zone.

The icy sea breeze that had followed us from the harbor suddenly became lukewarm.

The researchers and clerks carrying compasses and telescopes immediately sprang into action.

They spread maps across tables, marked locations with pins, and busily recorded observations.

Eventually, the ship crossed a boundary where the dense fog ended so abruptly it looked as though it had been sliced apart.

“Wow… Crystal Whales.”

“My goodness. Look at those glowing crystals.”

The clerks gasped at the sight before them.

Several Crystal Whales were slowly circling a single area that resembled a pool of black ink floating on the ocean.

Their immense size alone inspired awe.

And the mysterious crystals embedded in their bodies shone with such pure light that they seemed like creatures from another world.

No matter how much I disliked Crystal Whales, I couldn’t deny how magnificent they were.

Even Aster, who had spent his career studying land beasts, couldn’t take his eyes off them.

“Is that black mass in the middle the remains of a monster?”

At my question, Ben and Senior Simona nodded simultaneously.

“That’s right,” Ben replied.

“As you know, Crystal Whales possess the ability to purify corrupted mana.”

“The corrupted mana left behind by the monsters is colliding with the Crystal Whales’ mana,” Simona added. “That’s what’s causing the abnormal weather.”

If Kade had brought both Aster and me all the way out here, there had to be another problem beyond the monster remains and the abnormal climate.

“I can sense more Crystal Whales deeper beneath the ship,” I said.

“It feels like they’re curious about whatever is going to happen here.”

“You can tell that?”

Ben looked over the railing in shock.

“I can’t even see them.”

“Of course she can,” Simona replied proudly.

“Our Vivian isn’t just from any department. She’s spent an entire year communicating with Crystal Whales.”

Honestly, she sounded prouder of my abilities than I was.

Sensing Crystal Whales resting deep beneath the sea wasn’t particularly difficult for me.

If they came a little closer to the harbor, I could sense them even from land.

At this distance, I could even feel the slow, massive rhythm of their heartbeats.

Regardless of how much I disliked them, I had always been unusually good at distinguishing Crystal Whale songs.

I didn’t know what ordinary whales sounded like.

Yet the voices of Crystal Whales had always reached me more clearly than anything else.

Perhaps because of that, after becoming a communicator, I eventually learned to perceive even their heartbeats.

Not that I considered it a blessing.

There are so many wonderful sounds in the world. Why did I have to be gifted with hearing that of all things?

The moment the research vessel came to a stop, I knew it was time for me to work.

After avoiding Kade’s gaze for the entire trip, I finally gathered my courage and approached him.

“What would you like me to do?”

Kade studied me silently before answering.

“The Crystal Whales stole one of the Magic Tower’s mana detectors.”

“I’d like it back.”

“Where is it?”

Without speaking, he pointed downward.

Apparently, a Crystal Whale had taken the detector and carried it deep underwater.

Aster and I each took positions at opposite sides of the railing.

The faces around us filled with anticipation and curiosity.

Opportunities to witness Crystal Whales are rare.

Then again, wasn’t it the same for Aster?

He was a land-beast investigator.

It must have been a very long time since he’d communicated with a Crystal Whale.

Yet he looks awfully confident.

Maybe it was because he’d done it during his departmental transfer examination.

For communicators, the transfer test naturally involved communicating with the major magical beasts of the target department.

Not every ecology investigator was a communicator.

Even within the Crystal Whale Division, ordinary investigators outnumbered communicators.

But if someone possessed communication abilities, it was most efficient for them to work with beasts they could communicate with perfectly.

A communicator unable to communicate with Crystal Whales was effectively no different from an ordinary investigator within the Crystal Whale Division.

“Begin.”

At Kade’s command, Aster and I simultaneously extended our hands over the railing.

I slowly released my communication ability.

Golden waves unfurled from my fingertips like strands of silk.

Gentle waves that sea creatures would find pleasant and comforting.

It had been a long time since I’d communicated with a magical beast under peaceful circumstances.

The golden tide drifted outward.

Almost immediately, I felt the Crystal Whales approaching.

One of them let out a cheerful call and lightly bumped the tip of its snout against my palm.

“…”

Gasps of amazement sounded around me.

Then suddenly my concentration faltered.

A memory surfaced.

My father’s back stretched endlessly before me, layered over itself like the folds of an accordion.

“Vivian, this time it’s truly different.”

“We might finally discover the Crystal Whales’ hidden sanctuary.”

“I regret leaving before your mother wakes up, but I’ll pray for her recovery using the sacred Crystal Whale crystal.”

My father’s excited voice echoed in my ears.

I shook my head.

My stomach churned.

But this wasn’t the time to lose myself in melancholy.

Carefully stroking the Crystal Whale rubbing its nose against my palm, I spoke gently.

“I heard you took the mana detector.”

“I’d like you to return it.”

People said Crystal Whales were even more intelligent than dolphins.

They could understand a communicator’s words to some extent.

The whale exchanged low-frequency sounds with the others, as if discussing the matter among themselves.

Then it abruptly turned its head away.

Even without words, I understood its meaning through the emotions it projected.

“It doesn’t want to return it.”

When I reported this to the Tower Lord, Aster laughed as though he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“That’s it?”

He shook his head.

“If it says no, you make it give it back.”

“As expected.”

Then he strengthened the communication energy connecting him to his own Crystal Whale.

“Bring back the detector immediately.”

But the Crystal Whale ignored him.

“Bring it back.”

“I’m telling you to bring it back.”

Again and again he repeated the command.

Again and again the whale refused.

Gradually, the golden waves of Aster’s communication ability changed.

The gentle energy became more like chains.

There was pressure behind it now.

Authority.

Coercion.

“Then I suppose I have no choice.”

Aster pulled a riding crop from his belt and struck the Crystal Whale sharply across the bridge of its nose.

Crack!

I jumped in shock.

“Aster! What are you doing?! That’s dangerous!”

His communication link shattered instantly.

But it was already too late.

The Crystal Whale let out a long cry.

A cry overflowing with displeasure and anger.

The others, unable to understand what was happening without communication abilities, looked around in confusion.

Aster merely shook off my hand with an annoyed expression.

“What are you doing?”

“You going to openly interfere with me now?”

“What are you doing?!”

I stared at him in disbelief.

“Do you think Crystal Whales are horses?”

“No—even horses shouldn’t be treated like that!”