Is That A Wisp?

Calveb Dotrite was greater than what he was assumed to be at the start. Thanks to his genius commands, the work of building the ship was quickly done.

"This part takes too much time to create. Our only goal is to cross this pond and not sail a sea. So, we only need to make it sturdy enough to last this journey."

"The Kaleptopus warn each other using their ink. So, erect spikes on the sides of the ship. This would keep them at bay for long enough."

"Simply tying these logs together would be enough. Their buoyancy would be enough as well."

Calveb went around instructing everyone, allowing for the work to be completed swiftly. After all, they weren't building a ship for a long voyage but to cross the pond that spanned a length of 15 kilometers. 

So, trying to make things take longer was simply a waste of time. Within half a day, they had miraculously put together a ship enough for all five hundred of them to use. 

A group had already finished applying the ink coating on the sides of the ship, just like Calveb had directed them. 

"Pull!" Everyone shouted as they pulled the ship into the water, stopping when it was half inside.

Once all of them boarded it, they used long logs to push on the ground, causing the ship to enter the water completely. Immediately, the group within the ship rowed the paddles, causing the ship to swiftly gain speed in the waters. 

The Kaleptopus that actually thought of attacking them hovered a couple of meters away from the ship, silently staring at it while following its motion. As the group saw the scene of thousands of Kaleptopus silently staring at them from within the water, they felt a chill.

However, at the same time, expressions of relief also washed over them. After all, the plan was a success as the ship calmly proceeded through the waters. 

Having witnessed everything, Krune had stealthily boarded the ship, having retracted his ethereal form to the limit, hiding within a tiny crevice. He calmly stared at the figures of the people strutting about on the ship, getting ready for anything that might happen next.

Then again, just like Calveb had assured, nothing actually happened as the ship touched the other end of the pond an hour later. 

Calveb motioned for the respective group to lower the ladders for them to reach the ground, saying, "It's not like there only exists one Spiritual Mark. Based on what I have inquired from those that had already obtained one, there's no limit to the number of Spiritual Marks present here."

"So, anyone that manages to reach the end would obtain one. However..." Calveb sighed as he continued. "The risk is too great. I dare not claim that anyone among us might even make it alive to the end. So, as long as the trial doesn't force us to fight one another, try your best to join hands. That way, our chances for survival are the highest."

"We'll keep that in mind." Those that got down on the ground cupped their hands in respect, saying, "If we meet in another trial, we'll definitely help you, young master Calveb."

Soon, their figures vanished one after another. Calveb remained on the ship, making pleasantries with everyone that left the ship. Soon, he was the only one remaining in the place as he sighed, turning around as he muttered, "That was really dangerous."

He still remained on the ship, sighing as he continued to mutter, "The moment they leave, they'll face another trial. Without enough rest, they're bound to be killed. Thankfully, unless I leave this place, the next batch of people wouldn't arrive here. Plus, this trial has no time limit. So, it's the best place for me to rest."

"I know everything there is to know about these demon beasts," he laughed, picking up a small container full of ink before using a brush to make small engravings on his skin. "Even though I'm a mortal now, the ink of the Kaleptopus has faint traces of Spiritual Energy. So, if I engrave them in a certain form…"

"Alright, it's done." He muttered after some time, closing his eyes. "I can feel my fatigue reducing. Within a couple of hours, I would be completely refreshed."

He then picked up a barrel of ink that they had prepared just in case the coating on the ship proved insufficient. That was the motive at the start, but Calveb actually planned to use it for himself. After all, he knew for a fact that the Kaleptopus wouldn't ever attack thanks to his methods. 

He then took out a stick made from the Petlopca Wood, one that had been carved to resemble a cylindrical stick with curved ends. Unsurprisingly, he had tasked some of the more gullible people to smoothen it to the limit during the entire time. 

Thanks to that, they were tremendously smooth now. Calveb smiled, taking out ten such sticks that he had prepared in total, gazing at the ten barrels of ink before him. "This should give me enough preparations."

Saying so, he dipped his index finger in ink and made small markings on a stick before gently placing it within the ink, watching it drown into it. He then repeated the same for all ten sticks. "Unfortunately, I could only do this much without making anyone suspicious of me. Nevertheless, this would help me tremendously."

He let out a chuckle as he continued, "After all, the clan only gave me half a stick. As I am not from the main family, they simply don't care if I live or not. But, I won't give up."

He grinned, gazing at the barrels. "Now, I'll soon have ten sticks. With that, I should be able to protect myself in many trials."

He then slept within the formation he had created, getting a pleasant rest while the faint Spiritual Energy within the ink seeped into his body, revitalizing him. 

In the meantime, all the ink within the barrels began to reduce in quantity mysteriously as they seemed to be getting absorbed into the sticks of Petlopca Wood he had placed within each. 

Calveb spent a day resting, maintaining a pristine state of body and mind as he grinned, noticing the barrels were now devoid of any ink.. At the bottom of each barrel were the wooden sticks that had now turned jet black. "Perfect!"