Chapter 16: I Get the Logic, But Why Is There a Mermaid in an Inland Lake?

I fled the manor and jogged all the way to the abandoned warehouse. The absurd sign that once hung above the door was gone—someone had already taken charge.

Pushing inside, I strode to the center of the room and nearly collided with a bustling little fatty and a handful of vaguely familiar faces.

“Hey! Little Cask!”

“Guild Leader! You’re here!”

“Huh. Didn’t we agree to meet here yesterday? Where is everyone else?”

“Guild Leader, the others all underwent Baptism and awakened their职业 inheritances. They have morning drills. Only I haven’t awakened mine yet, and these few are too young for Baptism—so we came early.”

“Oh! Right, I forgot about that.”

Baptism was a unique ritual in this world, reminiscent of coming-of-age ceremonies from my past life. Children of the same age gathered village-wide. Under a high-level职业’s guidance, they communed with heaven and earth to receive the Creation Goddess’s blessing. Blessed children would be reborn, their potential ignited. One talent would surge dramatically, aiding future cultivation and adventures. But it only worked at age fourteen. No one knew why—yet no one had ever succeeded at any other age.

Honestly, I held no expectations. Given my lack of a soul engraving, this Baptism would likely fail too. But the Creation Goddess deliberately reset me to fourteen, aligning me with this year’s ritual. She must have a purpose—perhaps a chance to speak face-to-face. At the very least, I could ask the questions burning in my heart.

“Speaking of which, Little Cask—why didn’t you undergo Baptism last year?”

“No lie, Guild Leader: my family’s never had standout职业 talent. Even with Baptism, I’d never meet转职 requirements. I’ve always loved coin. Hated cultivation stuff. Why train when you can hire bodyguards with enough money, right?”

“...Fair enough.” Different strokes. Little Cask had abandoned this path early to chase another life—that was valid too.

“Guild Leader, you’ll undergo Baptism this year, right? In half a month! And it’ll be presided over by the Captain of the Silver Scale Royal Guard—from the Imperial Capital, Stancomor himself!”

“Why would such a bigwig come here? Aren’t the Royal Guard meant to protect nobility? Can a Captain just wander off?”

“You didn’t know?”

“Know what?”

“Because Princess Komor is coming! The Captain’s escorting a full squadron of Silver Scales for her protection.”

“The Empire’s Second Princess? Is there some legendary treasure hidden in Crescent Town?”

“Nope. Her Highness is Master Joseph the Old Mage’s disciple. She visits every year.”

*Gods above.* The old man was that influential? This world had no crown princes—all heirs could claim the throne. If my cheap senior sister ascended, the old man would become Imperial Tutor! Though... after what happened, he’d probably never return to Stancomor.

As I chatted idly with Little Cask and the others, more members trickled into our base. After about one and a half prayer-hours, everyone finally arrived.

I gathered them around the raised platform in the room’s center. Taking the crude megaphone Luke handed me, I launched into my “Childhood Trauma Redemption Plan.”

“Brothers! I called you here today to reclaim happy memories!”

Silence. Then murmurs. They clearly didn’t get it.

“Eight years ago, our spring outing ended in a horrific diarrhea incident!” I scanned their faces—grimaces all around, some even pale. I paused. “Because of that, every yearly outing got canceled. I know your fear: the Redhaired Witch might strike again. But yesterday? We defeated her. We’re the victors now!”

Their eyes lit up, faces flushing with hope. I pressed on: “After urgent talks with Vice-Leaders Martin and Luke, we’ve decided: a lakeside picnic to celebrate this eight-years-delayed victory! Today at noon—we fish and barbecue at Crescent Lake! What do you say?”

Another buzz of chatter. Finally, Mitch raised a trembling hand.

“Mitch? Problem?”

“Um... the Redhaired Witch won’t... come back, right?”

“Relax! With me here, she won’t dare!” I thumped my chest.

“Yeah! Absolutely safe!”

“Well, she and the Guild Leader are practically *that* close now!”

“Following the Guild Leader was the right choice!”

“No wonder he’s a true gentleman already!”

Their confidence returned—but what weird rumors had slipped in?

“Dismissed!” Martin called to the cheering crowd. “Go home, grab food and fishing rods!”

“Meet at the white sand beach south of the docks in one prayer-hour!” Luke added. “Don’t be late or lost!”

They scattered, laughing. Seeing these kids—robbed of joy for eight years—finally alive again warmed my heart.

“Guild Leader, we’ll head home to prep too!” Luke waved.

“Go ahead! Oh—any spare fishing gear? I rushed out empty-handed.”

“I’ve got my brother’s old set. I’ll bring it.”

“Perfect! See you in an hour!”

*******************************************************************************

I wandered the streets aimlessly. Returning to the manor wasn’t an option yet, and I had time before the meetup. Shops opened, vendors hawked wares, and crowds thickened. I patted my coin purse—better buy ready-made food. A barbecue shouldn’t rely solely on fish. Besides, these poor kids hadn’t spring-outed in eight years. Catching anything was doubtful.

“Huh? Glutinous Rice Balls?”

A snack stall on the south street sold treats resembling my childhood favorite—sticky, sweet, filled with red bean or jujube paste. Those were my happiest moments.

“Boss! Fifty of these!” *Heh. Spending other people’s money hits different. Gotta squeeze more allowance from the Old Mage next time.*

“Coming right up! Fifty Snowball Dumplings!” The owner beamed, wrapping a huge bundle. “Ten copper spees total.”

Not bad. I handed him a silver newli, took the bag, and popped one in my mouth. *Ugh!* No filling? Sticky and sweet, yes—but solid. Choked me right up.

“Your change, young master: ninety copper spees.”

...My purse bulged. Might as well buy more.

“Boss, throw in some extras. Discount?”

“Of course! Pick anything!”

I browsed, grabbing dried meat, candied fruits, seeds, and sweets. Another forty copper spees vanished. The owner grinned ear to ear.

Hauling a sack of snacks, I hurried toward the white sand beach. Almost time—I couldn’t be late as Guild Leader.

The beach was close. Soon, I spotted people busy by the lakeshore. I quickened my pace.

“Guild Leader’s here!” Cheers greeted me. I handed the snacks to Little Cask for distribution. Honestly, he lacked cultivation talent—but his people skills were sharp. Charming, capable. In my old world, he’d be a powerhouse.

I joined the boys fishing lakeside. Growing up here, they were naturals—already hauling fat fish. My worries were pointless. Back in my corporate days, I’d loved fishing: serene, meditative. But fast-paced life never allowed it.

“Guild Leader! We’re here!” Luke’s booming voice carried.

“Latecomers! Got my rod?”

“Here!” He tossed it over.

I plopped down lakeside, eager to cast. Martin grabbed my arm. “Guild Leader—you forgot bait!”

“Ah! Right.” I blushed slightly, borrowed bait from a boy, hooked it, and cast. “Heh. Witness the miracle!”

...Half a prayer-hour later: nothing. *So embarrassing.* Everyone had catches. Begging for fish as Guild Leader? Unthinkable.

Luke bounded over. “Guild Leader! Barbecue’s ready! Don’t be sad—beginners strike out sometimes!”

*Too loud!* All eyes snapped to me. *Luke, your “saving face” tactics are brutal.* I had to dig my heels in. “Ahaha! I’ve got it—the bait’s the problem!” I reeled in, dug out a Snowball Dumpling, and hooked it. “Watch me catch the biggest one!”

*Plop.* The hook sank. I sat stubbornly, glaring at the water.

Martin ambled over. “Guild Leader, others caught plenty. You brought snacks—we’ll eat well. Old fishermen say greed invites the Sacred Beast’s wrath.”

A decent exit... I almost took it—when a monstrous tug yanked the line! *Now?!*

I nearly toppled into the lake. This fish was huge—almost reeling *me* in! I activated the Earth’s Might enchantment on my right glove’s thumb, heaved hard, and yanked the catch skyward.

“AHA! See?! I caught the bigges—*GYAH!*”

A shadow crashed onto me. *Truly* massive—ahead taller than a man. I struggled upright, blinking at the dripping figure. My mind went blank.

“G-Guild Leader... amazing! You... caught such a huge... fish?” Martin stammered, frozen.

“Ah... haha. Thanks. But this species... does Crescent Lake even *have* these?” I croaked.

"Well," Luke interjected softly, "you know how they say, 'in a big forest, there are all kinds of birds'? Crescent Lake is huge, so finding such fish isn't impossible."

"Hmph, I get the logic!" A vein throbbed on my forehead as I glared at the green-haired little mermaid. She stared back warily, her hands tightly clutching the dango. I spun toward the two troublemakers and yelled, "But what the hell are the odds of catching a mermaid in an inland lake?"

Seeing the golden crown on her head—studded with pearls from coral reefs—my eye twitched involuntarily. "And she's royalty? Damn it! This setup is absurd!"