Side Story: Jothan

“We hope you have a great trip, Mr. Harken,” said the holographic lady. The figure of the lady disappeared as the little hologram machine switched itself off and returned to the building to be reused. The program had led Jothan into a little room around three meters long and two meters wide. The ship Jothan had boarded was huge, much bigger than the size of a cruise ship. And with good reason—it would transport many of the students that took the exam today to the Islands. Each ship transported over 10,000 people. Jothan looked out the window as he saw a ship give a long honk and head off into the ocean. His ship would leave as soon as it was full, or until the time was over. He stowed his luggage to the side and plopped down on the small bed.

He really was leaving. It felt so unreal. His family had been with him, and now they were gone. His closest friend too. He felt butterflies in his stomach as he stared at the low ceiling of his cabin. He would miss them. He would miss them very much.

He heard the machines inside the ship rumble distantly. It was somewhat calming, so he closed his eyes to take in and enjoy the moment. While he waited for the ship to depart, He heard other passengers move into the other cabins. They were probably all the same age as him, nervous and excited for their new life at the Islands.

He hadn’t gotten special treatment yet because he was a B class. Well, that much was expected. There were countless others besides him in the world who were much more talented than he was. Considering the world population, the number of people above B class wasn’t actually that little. It was actually a lot.

The population of the Islands was by no means small. Because the majority of the gifted spent their high school years there and even stayed permanently, their numbers were comparable to that of a nation. No, it would be correct to say that they were a nation. A nation of supernaturals.

Jothan flicked on his phone. The area still had reception. But he sure didn’t want to message Demund or his family so soon; he would let them know when he arrived at the Islands.

He looked around the room and found a small poster to the side of the wall. It was like an advertisement or introduction for the Preliminary Islands—a small map of the place was on it at the center. He inspected it with curiosity.

The Islands were divided into three areas: the smaller, scattered Windhell Archipelago to the west; the Twin Islands of Jarten to the south; and the Main Island of Portanary to the northeast. Portanary was around double the size of Jarten. It was the island with the most residents, and at the center of it stood the metropolis of Aeon.

“A place of progress and wonder…” read Jothan off the poster. They certainly weren’t exaggerating with that statement. All of the world’s newest technologies were available at the Islands. Jothan had learned somewhere in history class that the Islands were once multiple countries that competed against each other for technological superiority. But countries existed a long time ago. The world was more united than ever, and the Preliminary Islands represented that ideal.

Finally, the engine of the ship started roaring.

“Attention all passengers. We will now be departing for the Preliminary Islands. Please wait until the ship is out on the ocean before vacating your room. The trip is expected to take sixteen hours and twenty minutes. We hope you a safe and exciting trip.”

Jothan looked outside as he saw the harbor slowly accelerate away from him. He was finally leaving. Well, time to get some sleep, he thought. The sun was already setting, and he wanted to be in prime condition when he set his foot down on dry ground. He pulled the comfortable blankets around him and dozed off into darkness.

〄 〄 〄

Jothan awoke to the soft rumbling of his stomach. He checked the time. It was around ten at night. But man, he was hungry. He didn’t eat dinner yet, and if he remembered correctly, food was available in the various cafeterias of the ship. He got up, stretched himself, and pressed a button which slid open the door to his room. He stepped outside with his wallet and credit card that his parents had gifted him for his 15th birthday.

The door slid shut behind him. The key to his room was his fingerprint, which was very convenient. The AIs of this age were very sophisticated and efficient. He wondered what kinds of advanced technology he would see at the Islands. He had a weak spot for techy things, after all.

He walked down the dimly lit hallway of the ship and eventually found a hanging sign. The outside to the north. The bathroom to the west. The cafeteria to the east, open 24/7. Bingo.

He casually walked into the right hallway. There really weren’t that many people here, were there? Then again, the hallways would be empty. Most of them would be outside enjoying the scenery. He thought of going outside too after he filled his stomach.

He arrived at the cafeteria. It was a very spacious room that stretched for at least a hundred meters. He looked around and spotted several—or many, the room made their numbers look smaller—kids that looked like his age. He went over to the front of the cafeteria and looked at the electronic menu. After selecting a dish, he inserted his credit card and waited for the machine to process it. A small ticket came out, which said B-4. He looked to the side, and after spotting stall B-4, he headed over. The food had already been prepared by the time he arrived. Technology was convenient. He inserted his ticket into the receptor and retrieved the dish from the stall. After sitting on an empty table, he munched on the food.

Fried chicken with cheese and bread and salad. Along with cream soup. He sighed in satisfaction as he emptied the plate and wiped the contents clean. If the food at the Islands was always like this, he would be very satisfied. Then again, everything tasted great in this day and age.

He left his tray at a designated area and headed towards the outside of the ship. He took a right turn and continued forward until he saw the door that led outside. It slid open as it recognized his presence. Jothan stepped outside into the dark, cool night air of the ocean and took a deep breath. The salty smell filled his nostrils.

The night was calm and beautiful. The ship hummed across the ocean, making it hard to believe that it was traveling at over 300km/hr. In reality, the cool air Jothan was breathing in was being let through small entrances for ventilation at the sides of the ship. The upper part of the ship was covered with a glass dome to protect its passengers from being blown off by the wind. But to the beholder, the dome was practically invisible, and the air felt as if one was taking a slow, moody cruise.

Jothan looked up into the sky. The stars were gleaming brightly, even more so as there weren’t any other sources of light besides the dim ones on the ship. The ship had been engineered so that passengers at the top could enjoy the full glory of the beautiful night sky. Numerous people were at the top, enjoying a moment of peace and quiet under the vast expanse of the night air.

Beautiful, thought Jothan. Absolutely beautiful. If only Demund was here to share the view…

He sat down on an empty bench where there weren’t as many people and cherished the moment. Then he took out his phone and took a silent selfie of himself with the stars. Afterwards, he just relaxed. He liked this feeling. Enjoying a cruise on a full stomach.

Jothan returned to his room later and slept until the morning.

〄 〄 〄

“Attention passengers. We will be shortly arriving at our destination. Please make sure…”

Jothan waited patiently for the announcements to end. Everyone had been instructed to return to their rooms after eating breakfast, so there he was.

“When the light shines above your door, please leave the room and head for the exit swiftly. Please check if you…”

Jothan made sure he had everything ready. He was almost there.

“Your baggage will be waiting for you at your rooms in the Islands. We thank you for your cooperation and wish you a safe journey.”

The light flashed on above Jothan’s door. He quickly stepped out with his bag and followed the arrow lights that shone on the floor. There wasn’t anyone in the halls as the AI of the ship had timed the passenger’s exits so that there would be no traffic during the discharge. Jothan traveled down the halls and reached the bottom. The exit was right there at the end of the hallway.

He was so close. He gulped and walked forward as his heart thumped slowly but strongly. The light came closer and closer. He took one gigantic breath and took his first step on the Islands.

“Welcome to Windhell,” the ship’s interface stated. “Enjoy your stay.”

He was finally here.