As the group continued to follow after Crythos, Aleric looked to the girl in blue. He couldn’t help but smiled in return when she introduced herself as Elysia, and his lips parted to reply. Suddenly, a loud voice came crashing into the quaint calm like a bar fight in a library. He twisted around to the source of such vigor – a boy in popping vibrant colors who clearly stood out from the dreary frosty background. Tilting his head with his eyes brows raised, he nodded.

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Aleric,” he politely greeted; his tone was even since someone had already introduced themselves either through a whisper or a shout. He wasn’t really the type to the yell, especially after spending much time in silence. Although… why were they even yelling or whispering in the first place? They weren’t in a library, and if someone could hear a whisper a few feet away, then he could only guess that everybody in the group could hear at any other volume. As his eyes gazed flickered between Elysia and the boy who introduced himself as Raghu, he straightened up with interest. Perhaps it was a cultural thing, something he doesn’t have much knowledge in. 

He was almost tempted to drop a few feet back to get closer to the older boy in vivid clothings, but thought otherwise as there were kids between him and that person. Instead, his ears pricked as his eyes stared widely at Raghu. 

“What’s a breath mage?” He asked Raghu in his usual even tone; although, his voice was laced with wonder and eager. He had never heard of such a word, yet it sounded vaguely familiar to him. Perhaps some books had mentioned it in passing or some ancient script his teacher mentioned only to find interest in another scroll? 

“Where are you from? What can a breath mage do? Is the magic of a breath mage related to the wind element? Could they manipulate breath?” Already, despite never having spoken a single word on the boat and his seemingly quiet appearance, questions fired from his mouth like rapid shots. The dam had sprouted a leak, and now his eyes were glistening with interest and questions that wanted answers.