The merchant vessel had long disappeared into the gray mist.
Only the endless waters of the Sonia Sea remained.
Adrian stood alone on the deck of his small ship, listening to the steady rhythm of waves striking the hull.
The encounter earlier had reminded him of something important.
He was still weak.
Even though he had begun digesting the Spirit Master potion, he was still only at the very beginning of the Beyonder path.
Adrian exhaled slowly.
"Still… things are going well."
He checked the coins in his pocket.
Four spirit coins.
Each containing a weak wandering soul.
They were simple one-time mystical items, but they could still be useful against spiritual creatures.
Adrian leaned against the railing and looked down at the dark water.
The sea looked calm.
But beneath the surface, who knew what kinds of creatures or mysteries existed?
For now, however, nothing seemed unusual.
The wind remained steady, and his small ship continued moving smoothly through the waves.
After a moment of silence, Adrian closed his eyes.
He extended his Spirit Master senses again.
This time not to search for enemies.
But to practice.
The invisible spiritual field around him slowly expanded.
He could feel the faint presence of the wandering soul bound to his ship.
It was weak.
But stable.
The spirit had become part of the vessel itself.
Adrian gently guided the connection.
The soul responded slowly, like something half asleep.
"…Interesting."
Through the bound spirit, Adrian could faintly sense the condition of the ship.
The creaking wood.
The movement of the mast.
Even the gentle vibration of the hull cutting through water.
It wasn't perfect control.
But it was useful.
Adrian smiled slightly.
"Almost like the ship is alive."
If he continued strengthening the connection, the vessel might become even more useful in the future.
For nearly an hour, Adrian remained standing there, quietly practicing his spiritual perception.
Slowly guiding the bound soul.
Listening to the sea.
The process helped him further digest the Spirit Master potion.
Not quickly.
But steadily.
Eventually Adrian opened his eyes again.
The sky above had already begun changing color.
The sun slowly moved toward the horizon.
Golden light spread across the waves.
Adrian stretched his arms slightly.
"Time to rest."
Managing a ship alone was tiring work.
Fortunately, the wind remained stable for now.
Adrian secured the sail before heading into the small cabin.
The inside of the ship was simple.
A small bed.
A wooden table.
A lantern.
Adrian sat down and pulled one of the spirit coins from his pocket.
The copper coin looked completely ordinary.
But if he focused carefully, he could still feel the faint spiritual presence sealed inside.
"Not bad for a first attempt."
Of course, these coins were still very weak.
They could scare away minor spirits.
Or damage weak ghost-like entities.
But against stronger enemies…
They probably wouldn't do much.
Adrian placed the coin back into his pocket and leaned back against the wall.
Outside, the sea slowly grew darker as night approached.
The quiet sound of waves echoed across the wooden hull.
Adrian closed his eyes.
For the first time since arriving in this strange world…
Things felt calm.