"You go make something to eat first," Lin En said. "I'll experiment a bit."
"If it goes well, we might not have to trouble ourselves."
"Mm, alright."
Aikefei had no objections and headed toward the ship's kitchen.
She had checked it earlier and found it acceptable. The ingredients weren't impressive by her standards—but the hygiene was excellent.
Of course it was.
Lin En had just refreshed the entire ship's state. Aside from living things like stored food, even the cookware looked brand new.
That left Lin En alone on deck, refining the inspiration that had just struck him.
There was a saying—
Laziness was one of the greatest drivers of technological progress.
The ship wasn't small.
If Aikefei said she could sail it, he believed her.
But he also knew it wouldn't be easy. For the remainder of the journey, they would be busy.
Was there a more leisurely solution?
Efficiency didn't matter.
He simply didn't want to ruin his current good mood by throwing himself into manual labor.
Abandon ship and swim?
No.
Ice-bridge across the sea?
Same problem.
Fly there directly with Aikefei?
Not quite leisurely enough.
Without Celestia's divine seat system or Natlan's innate "inner flame" physique, wielding authority placed real strain on him.
And his control over that state wasn't yet refined.
Fighting alone was fine.
Carrying someone—especially a girl—while flying?
That risked uneven force control.
So what then?
Lin En smiled.
Simple.
I'll just let the ship sail itself.
World projection—
[World Modulation], activate.
Aikefei worked efficiently in the kitchen.
Before long, she prepared a surprisingly lavish meal for two.
Supplies on a sea vessel were limited.
But what was meant for dozens could easily satisfy two people.
Even so, she felt slightly regretful.
With better facilities, she could have done more.
"Well, this will have to do."
She carried the dishes out and called:
"Lin En! Dinner's ready!"
"Coming."
He approached cheerfully, catching the aroma. His eyes lit up.
"Looks appetizing—and smells even better."
Aikefei's culinary skills were unquestionable.
She had even adjusted flavors to suit his taste.
"Of course."
She accepted the praise with confidence and gestured for him to sit.
Conditions were simple.
A cargo ship's deck wasn't designed for elegant dining.
But they wanted to eat while enjoying the scenery.
Earlier, they hadn't been in the mood.
After a few bites, Aikefei tilted her head slightly.
"Has the wind picked up?"
It felt stronger against her skin than before she entered the kitchen.
Pleasant—
Though oddly, the wind direction seemed opposite their intended route.
"Oh, right."
She remembered Lin En had said he would solve the sailing issue.
A quick glance around showed nothing obviously different.
"Lin En, did you solve the ship problem?"
"If not, come help me after we eat. We should reach Romaritime Harbor by tomorrow morning at the latest."
On the surface, it sounded like doubt.
But sitting across from her, Lin En could read her expression clearly.
It wasn't skepticism.
It was anticipation.
I can't see what you did—but I know you did something. Now tell me.
She believed in him.
And she very much preferred not to operate a mid-sized cargo vessel alone.
Lin En laughed.
"Not solve it? A man can't say he 'can't,' you know."
"You haven't noticed? The wind didn't get stronger."
"The ship started moving."
"As for why…"
He swallowed his food, set down his utensils, and clapped his hands lightly.
"Little Ai."
"Mm?"
Aikefei blinked—then flushed faintly.
When had he started calling her that?
Little Ai?
If anyone else were here—
But her thoughts halted.
A subtle ripple passed through the air.
Instinctively, she extended her perception.
Then she heard it.
[I am here. What are your instructions?]
The voice was gentle.
But rigid.
Mechanical.
Clearly low in sentience.
Still, Aikefei was stunned enough that she forgot her embarrassment entirely.
"Lin En… this is—?"
He grinned, unable to hide his satisfaction.
"The ship spirit."
"Well?"
What he had done was simple in principle.
Under World Modulation, he had slightly adjusted the rule-structure of the vessel's surrounding domain.
Not enough to trigger Celestia's rejection.
Just enough to redefine the ship's operational logic.
He granted the vessel a minimal pseudo-spiritual framework—
A tool-level consciousness.
Bound to purpose.
Bound to command.
The hull aligned to currents automatically.
The sails optimized to wind vectors.
The rudder corrected itself.
It would maintain course.
Avoid hazards within perceptual limits.
And require only high-level directives.
No violation of physics.
No conjuring from nothing.
Just—
A refinement of "how things function."
The ship had become a self-regulating system.
Aikefei stared at the sea.
Then back at Lin En.
Then closed her eyes briefly to confirm.
The presence was real.
Connected.
Awaiting input.
"…That's cheating," she finally declared.
Lin En leaned back, pleased.
"Efficient," he corrected.
The ship cut smoothly across the moonlit water.
No crew.
No strain.
Just the sound of waves parting at the bow.
And somewhere within the vessel—
A newborn "spirit" quietly executing its first voyage.