CHAPTER 216: CHAPTER 216: TELLS

The sun hung low over the horizon, casting a warm golden light across the ship’s deck. The sea was calm, the breeze soft, and the creak of wood beneath their feet almost rhythmic.

Noel sat cross-legged on the deck, sleeves rolled up, a small stack of worn cards in hand. Across from him, Roberto lounged on an overturned crate, grinning as he dealt the next hand.

Between them, a makeshift table—really just a flat wooden plank resting on two barrels—held a loose scatter of copper coins, dried fruit peels, and Noir, curled in her small form at Noel’s side.

"You ever think we should host a tournament?" Roberto asked, flipping the top card. "Winner gets to pick chores for the rest of the trip."

"Only if losing means you do all of mine," Noel replied without looking up, sorting his hand with practiced fingers.

Roberto laughed. "Please. I’d win. I’m amazing at bluffing."

"You talk too much to bluff."

"And yet I’ve won three rounds already."

"Beginner’s luck."

They both smiled, the kind of easy, natural grin that came from comfort—not competition. Noel, despite himself, was talking more than usual. With Roberto, it felt easy. He was, after all, the first real friend Noel had made in this world.

As the game continued, Noir shifted.

Then growled.

A low, quiet sound—not threatening, but unmistakably directed toward Roberto. Her small ears flattened, golden eyes locked on him.

Roberto blinked. "Whoa. Hey now." He raised both hands in mock surrender, grinning. "Is it the cards? I swear I’m not cheating."

Noel frowned slightly and placed a hand gently on Noir’s back.

"Noir stop. Go back into the shadow."

With a reluctant huff, Noir sank into the floor like smoke, vanishing without a sound.

Noel shook his head. "Seems like she doesn’t like you."

Roberto chuckled. "Well, guess my charm doesn’t work on everyone."

The stack of cards was thinning. The copper coins had mostly shifted to Roberto’s side, though neither of them seemed to care much about keeping score.

The sun had dipped lower, and the ocean reflected a soft palette of reds and blues. Noel stretched his legs out and leaned back on his hands.

"You know," Roberto said, tossing a card lazily onto the table, "I overheard something from one of the professors earlier. Apparently, one of the academies in the tournament is from Velmora."

Noel looked up, his expression tightening ever so slightly. "From Velmora?"

"Yep. That means all three continents are going to be represented. The dwarf kingdom hosting so that’s Elarith, Valor with us, and Velmora bringing their dark and spooky charm."

Noel let out a quiet exhale. "Then this tournament might be more interesting and complicated than they’re letting on."

Roberto smiled. "Please, it was already complicated. Now it’s just extra spicy."

Noel gave a dry laugh, then paused to gather the next hand. "If I have to fight any of you... I will, even Elyra, Elena or Charlotte."

Roberto blinked, surprised by the sudden honesty. "Yeah?"

"Yeah. I wouldn’t go easy on them just because they are my girlfriends. They probably find a way to get back at me afterward anyway."

Roberto made a face and waved a hand. "Okay, okay—spare me the details. I really don’t need that image in my head."

Noel smirked. "Jealous?"

"Not even a little, bastard," Roberto shot back, grinning.

They both laughed.

The wind picked up slightly, rustling the cards as Noel dealt the next hand. The light was dimming, streaks of orange and purple stretching across the sky. A lantern nearby flickered to life with a soft magical hum.

"Alright," Roberto said, cracking his knuckles. "Last round. Winner takes... bragging rights for the rest of the trip."

Noel arched an eyebrow. "You’ve been bragging since the first hand."

"Exactly. I’m just making it official now."

They both chuckled and began playing. The hand unfolded slowly, both of them exchanging glances and quiet observations. Noel narrowed his eyes as Roberto made a bold raise.

"You sure about that?" Noel asked.

"Completely," Roberto replied without hesitation.

Noel held his cards for a moment, then sighed and laid them down.

"A straight."

Roberto grinned and flipped his hand.

"Just a pair."

Noel stared. "You bluffed?"

"Like a professional," Roberto said proudly, scooping the coins toward him.

Noel shook his head with a smirk. "Maybe I’m the one being played."

Roberto leaned back slightly, his voice casual. "Wouldn’t be the first time someone said that."

"Alright. That’s enough humiliation for today."

The game ended with scattered laughter and a few leftover coins between them. Roberto leaned back and dug into his coat pocket, pulling out a small paper pouch.

"Want one?" he asked, shaking it slightly. "Dried fruit candies. Picked them up from the ship’s cafeteria earlier. Not bad, surprisingly."

Noel took one and popped it into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully. "Hmm. You’re right. Better than expected."

"Told you. I’ve got great taste in snacks, terrible luck in love, and a perfect poker face."

Noel snorted. "One out of three, maybe."

They sat in silence for a few moments, listening to the waves brush against the hull, the sails creaking softly above them.

Eventually, Noel stood and dusted off his trousers. "Alright. I’m heading back to my room."

"Don’t stay up brooding," Roberto said with a grin. "You’ll need your full brainpower for the tournament."

Noel gave him a mock salute and turned to leave.

As he walked across the deck, his shadow shifted. Noir rose from it quietly, padding alongside him. But as they reached the stairway leading below—

She turned her head back, ears perked, eyes fixed on Roberto then turned and followed Noel down the steps.

Noel glanced over his shoulder, then down at her.

"Not a fan of Roberto, huh?" he murmured. "He’ll be your first miss. You liked Marcus, didn’t you?"

Noir let out a quiet howl—low, brief, almost like a sigh.

Noel gave a short laugh under his breath and reached to scratch behind her ears.

"Guess everyone’s allowed one bad call."

They descended the steps together towards Noel’s room.