Seeing Logan lounging on a reclining chair he had somehow acquired, basking in the sun on the deck, Ethan was momentarily speechless.
It feels like this guy is adapting to this world better than I am.
Ethan had been here for years, yet he didn't seem to enjoy life as much as Logan did.
"Logan, how's your language learning coming along?"
Back when he was traveling with Arthur, Ethan had painstakingly researched knowledge transmission devices. After much effort, he had successfully created a magical tool that could "extract" and transfer language knowledge in bulk.
The device was small, easily fitting in one's hand. Once activated, it would instill language knowledge directly into the user's mind.
However, since each person's cognitive ability, IQ, and mental resilience varied, Ethan had designed different "learning levels."
The lowest setting was safe for ordinary people, though it required more time, at worst, it could take a few months to fully master a new language.
The highest setting, however, required immense mental endurance to withstand the rapid influx of knowledge.
Logan, with his indomitable mental toughness, could handle the highest level. Though he wasn't a genius, he had absorbed the language knowledge within just a few days.
Of course, absorbing knowledge was one thing—fully mastering it was another. Just because his mind contained all the linguistic information didn't mean he could use it fluently right away. He still needed time to practice and adjust.
Fortunately, Laura had also recently learned the new language, so the two of them could practice conversations together, helping each other improve.
"Magic is incredible."
Logan examined the unassuming device in his hand. Something so small had allowed him to learn an entirely unfamiliar language in record time. Though he still stumbled occasionally, his grasp of the language was improving by the day. Soon, he would be just as fluent as a native speaker.
"Can this thing be used to learn more than just languages?"
Ethan had considered this before, but for now, it wasn't necessary.
Simple knowledge didn't require a magical transmission device, while complex subjects couldn't be fully understood just by having the information, they required real-world application and practice.
And for physical skills like firearm proficiency or combat techniques, real training was essential. No matter how much theory one memorized, without actual experience, it would be useless.
"For now, it only works for languages. But in the future, it might be able to help with basic knowledge about different worlds."
"What do you mean?"
"You already know I can travel between different worlds," Ethan explained, carefully choosing his words. "Some of these worlds operate under rules similar to Earth, while others follow entirely different laws of existence. Adjusting to those differences can take time. If I can improve this device, I could extract relevant knowledge from the locals and directly transfer it to us."
"Got it."
Logan, having fought in countless wars, immediately understood the strategic importance of such a tool. In unfamiliar territory, wasting time learning basic survival knowledge could be dangerous. If they could acquire local knowledge instantly, it would be a huge advantage.
"But you can't do that yet?"
"No."
The main issue was how to extract knowledge from another person's mind without harming them. That required a high level of mental power and precise control both of which were currently beyond Ethan's abilities.
"By the way, aside from language, what else should I be learning?"
"Navigation."
For this, there was no need to use the learning device. Logan was actively learning how to sail every day.
To train him properly, Ethan deliberately avoided stopping at islands, choosing instead to hone Logan's skills in these slightly dangerous waters. It wouldn't be long before Logan became a competent sailor.
Originally, Laura hadn't needed to participate in these exercises, but since she would be living on this ship long-term, it was crucial for her to learn how to handle emergencies independently. Even if she didn't need the skills right away, she still had to understand them.
Thus, during this period:
Logan practiced his sailing skills.
Laura observed and absorbed knowledge.
And both of them continued refining their language skills through daily conversations.
The training was... intense.
Logan had never operated a sailboat before. Compared to Ethan, he was a complete novice.
Ethan, at least, had spent several years in this world, had sailed with his father, and had practiced offshore before venturing into open waters.
Logan, on the other hand, had no prior experience whatsoever.
Though he had been a soldier, and his melee combat skills were among the best, even ranking as a top-tier fighter in the Marvel Universe—there was no record of him ever piloting a sailboat.
Learning to navigate from scratch in such treacherous waters was no easy task. If it weren't for the stabilization mechanisms installed on the Goddess of Dawn, Logan would have capsized the ship multiple times.
At times, Ethan even regretted choosing this so-called "suicide route."
They hadn't even entered the most dangerous part of the sea yet. If they had gone further, there was no way Ethan would have let Logan take the helm.
---
A month passed in this nerve-wracking manner.
During this time, Ethan accidentally collected more space-time energy.
He noticed that this region of the sea seemed to make space-time energy easier to gather. Though the amount was small, as long as he collected it consistently, he could accumulate a substantial reserve over time.
Despite having the energy, Ethan wasn't in a hurry to venture into a new world. He wasn't rushing to return to the Marvel Universe, nor was he eager to visit Paradise Island.
For now, he focused on his own training while allowing Logan to continue adapting.
There was no need to rush into a new world until Logan had fully mastered all the essential skills.
---
During this time, a new duo formed aboard the Goddess of Dawn—Laura and Auriel.
Children seem to have a natural fondness for small animals.
Ever since Laura discovered Auriel, she had gained a new daily hobby, playing hide-and-seek with the little creature.
Thanks to her enhanced senses inherited from Wolverine, no matter where Auriel hid, Laura would always find him.
Yet despite the inevitable outcome, both of them seemed to enjoy the game immensely, spending hours chasing each other around the ship.
Ethan watched them for a moment before commenting lightly:
"She really does just seem like an ordinary eleven-year-old now."
After a period of practice, Logan finally stopped steering the boat like a disaster waiting to happen.
Standing at the helm, he held the wheel with one hand while adjusting the sail layout on the holographic display. His early struggles had been largely due to the fact that he had to manually operate the controls, whereas Ethan could navigate with nothing but thought alone.
"It's a shame Laura only has Auriel to play with here."
"Being able to grow up safe and happy is already more than enough."
Logan thought back to his own world. If Laura had managed to escape her pursuers, she wouldn't have found peace, only a life of endless battles against all sorts of enemies, fighting just to survive.
"Whether we can stay safe depends entirely on how we handle things, doesn't it?"
During their downtime, Ethan had been sharing information about this world with Logan. By now, Logan had a general understanding of their situation.
"How dangerous do you think the next part of the journey will be?"
"Definitely not as easy as this one."
Ethan wasn't entirely sure how bad it would get. Based on the information from Brent, the outlook wasn't great, especially as the Goddess of Dawn ventured deeper along this route. Bit by bit, Ethan was beginning to feel the same pressure that seasoned adventurers always warned about.
"Do you feel like it's suddenly getting colder?"
"Yeah. It's definitely dropping."
Ethan glanced at the special watch on his left wrist—one of Tony Stark's creations. It provided real-time environmental data, including temperature.
At this moment, the temperature had dropped by ten degrees compared to an hour ago. Even without an instrument, anyone could feel the difference.
"Shouldn't it be noon right now?"
Logan looked up. At some point, the sky had darkened, thick clouds rolling in.
"This should be normal for this region."
Ethan lowered his wrist. Just now, the temperature had dropped another two degrees. Clearly, they had just sailed into a sudden climate shift.
Brent had warned him about this, but up until now, he hadn't encountered it personally. Today, he finally had.
"Laura, go inside and put on something warmer."
Before they left the research institute, Ethan had gathered plenty of clothes, primarily for Logan and Laura. They had prepared for both summer and winter conditions.
Laura had been staring up at the worsening weather. When she heard Ethan's instructions, she quickly ran inside to change.
Ethan then turned to Logan. "I'll take over here. You should change, too."
"This temperature isn't going to bother me yet."
"No, I think it's going to drop even further. You should put on something thicker before coming back out."
Logan glanced at the sky. He had heard about the strange phenomena of this sea but had never experienced it firsthand. The idea of such an extreme temperature shift still felt unreal.
"How low do you think it'll get?"
Ethan checked his watch again, the temperature was still falling.
"At this rate, we'll be below freezing soon. Judging by the sky, I'd say we're in for a heavy snowstorm."
Logan sighed in exasperation. Just a while ago, he had been basking in the Caribbean sun, how had he ended up in the Arctic Circle in the blink of an eye?
"The world really isn't as nice as I thought!"
(To be continued.)
***
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