The academy gates were already behind them when the air changed.
Less stone.
More wind.
"…It's farther than I expected," Lunivara said quietly.
Jude walked slightly ahead.
"…That's the point!"
He corrected himself immediately, tone easing.
"…I mean—yeah. It's a bit of a walk."
Leontius said nothing, but he adjusted his pace to match theirs without effort.
The road slowly opened into something wider.
Wooden docks came into view.
The sound of water followed after.
"…So this is it," Lunivara murmured.
Jude turned back.
"…Yep."
A pause.
"…You've never been, right?"
"…No."
"…Then you're in for something new."
Leontius stepped onto the dock first.
Stable footing. Familiar.
Jude followed, then gestured lightly.
"…Careful here."
Lunivara stepped forward—
paused slightly at the shift beneath her feet.
"…Unstable," she noted.
"…It moves," Jude said.
"…That's the point."
"…I see."
But she adjusted quickly.
A small boat waited nearby.
Simple.
Functional.
"…We use this one?" she asked.
"…Usually," Leontius answered.
Jude stretched his arms.
"…Depends on how far we go."
Lunivara looked at the water.
Still.
But not empty.
Something about it didn't feel like the academy.
Not structured.
Not watched.
"…It is quieter here," she said.
Jude laughed softly.
"…Yeah. That's why he likes it."
He pointed slightly at Leontius.
Leontius didn't react immediately.
Then—
"…It is efficient."
"…Everything is 'efficient' with you," Jude muttered.
They stepped into the boat.
Wood creaked lightly.
Lunivara sat carefully, adjusting her balance.
Jude noticed.
"…You're thinking too much again."
"…I am not"
"…You are."
A pause.
Then—
"…Relax. It won't sink."
"…I was not considering that."
"…You were."
Leontius pushed the boat gently from the dock.
The movement began.
Water shifted slowly beneath them.
The city faded behind.
Wind grew clearer.
For a moment—
no one spoke.
Then Jude broke it.
"…We usually come when we can."
"…Often?" Lunivara asked.
"…Depends."
He leaned back slightly.
"…He's more consistent."
He nodded toward Leontius again.
Leontius answered calmly.
"…It is routine."
"…You say that like it explains everything."
"…It does."
Lunivara looked at the water again.
Reflection shifting slightly with movement.
"…Why this place?"
A brief pause.
Jude answered first.
"…Because it doesn't care who you are."
Silence followed that.
Not heavy.
Just present.
Leontius spoke after a moment.
"…No structure means no interference."
"…That sounds like avoidance," Jude said lightly.
"…It is clarity."
Jude sighed.
"…Same thing, different vocabulary."
Lunivara didn't interrupt.
But her gaze stayed on the water.
[No structure…]
Something about that line stayed longer than expected.
Jude leaned slightly forward.
"…You're thinking again, Luna."
She blinked once.
"…I am observing."
"…That's worse."
A faint pause.
Then—
"…It is peaceful," she admitted.
Jude smiled slightly.
"…Told you."
The boat continued forward.
Slow.
Steady.
The city was now only a shape behind them.
Wind brushed lightly across the surface of the water.
Lunivara's posture eased slightly.
Not fully.
But enough to notice.
Leontius noticed it.
Without comment.
Jude stretched again.
"…We usually stay out until afternoon."
"…Then return?" Lunivara asked.
"…Yeah."
A pause.
"…No problems?"
Jude shrugged.
"…Not really."
Leontius answered simply.
"…None that matter."
That line settled differently.
Not loud.
But final.
Lunivara looked between them briefly.
Then back at the water.
[This is… different.]
Not safer.
Not better.
Just—
different.
And for now—
that was enough.
End of Chapter 18