Chapter 604: Man of Sea (4) (2/2)

Ottley took a few minutes to compose himself and check on the 'drowning' victim. Before he turned to his students with a glare, stomping over.

Zero, who was pre-celebrating his success with Truen, gulped when their teacher approached with a reproachful glare. In the mindscape, Bob and Mii laughed at Zero's plight. Even after so long, Zero still never learned.

”You!” Ottley pointed at Truen. ”passed.”

The wood elf bowed gracefully and thanked Ottley. Zero rejoiced for his friend, but that happiness was short-lived when Ottley walked up to him and stared at him in the eye.

”You,” Ottley growled and pointed a finger at Zero.

Ottley spoke no further, and Zero swallowed nervously. Did he pass? Did he fail? Nobody died, he had some fun, and if anything happened, he was a doctor. Surely Ottley wouldn't fail him just for that little prank, right? Zero was just very bored of following the standard procedures. The sea otters were also very strict in lessons. They didn't like the use of magic, so Zero didn't do that. Transformation magic and qi reinforced strength didn't count as magic, right?

Right?

Unable to find a good reason to fail Zero and reluctant to do so after they've come this far, Ottley had to admit that Zero did very well. Both his students have come a long way, and as a teacher, he felt proud despite how difficult Zero could be at times.

”Despite your reluctance to follow normalcy,” Ottley sighed. ”you passed.”

For a moment, nobody moved. There was no reaction, and Zero didn't know if he was hallucinating.

It started slowly and softly. The sea otter drowning victim clapped, and soon, the rest followed. Zero teared up. He'd been so nervous earlier because of how angry Ottley looked. He would understand if he didn't pass this final practical test of commanding a ship after the stunt he pulled. However, the sea otters were more forgiving than he thought.

”I passed!” Zero grinned. ”I passed!”

Truen gave him a pat on the head when Zero turned to his best friend for confirmation. ”Yes, you passed.”

That was all it took for Zero to jump in joy and excitement. One month into the training, they were finally able to study the important things about navigating the ocean.