School Transmigration: I, Chosen as the Saint by Dragons at the Start-Chapter 84 -- Entering Heartstealer Island

As Owen listened to Bessie’s account, he felt a sense of empathy.

When he first joined the dragons, he too was doubted by the younger members of his race.

Had it not been for the [Prophecy] aiding in establishing his authority, he likely would have been looked down upon by the talented youths of his race.

Other saints and saintesses didn’t have his fortune and probably faced significant resistance within their races, particularly those from intermediate or disadvantaged races.

The support they could offer to their respective saints and saintesses was minimal at best, making their circumstances challenging to navigate.

Without the protective status of a saint or saintess, their very survival might have been at stake.

"So," Bessie concluded, and Owen spoke up, "What do you mean by that?"

Bessie and Aldington exchanged a look, then both knelt on one knee before Owen: "We recognize Your Highness’s exceptional qualities and wish to follow you, hoping for your assistance. We aim to establish ourselves firmly on Heartstealer Island and advance smoothly within the sea race, ultimately to better assist Your Highness."

Owen’s eyes gleamed with contemplation, pondering the plight of the two before him.

They must have been truly desperate to seek external help.

"But this could work to my advantage," Owen thought, stroking his chin.

Bessie, biting her lip with determination in her eyes, pleaded: "Your Highness, we hope you will take us under your wing. We promise to serve you wholeheartedly, willingly doing whatever is required."

After a moment of reflection, Owen’s face broke into a smile:

"Don’t talk like that. We come from the same place , and it’s only right to help each other."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Bessie and Aldington exchanged a glance, their faces brimming with joy.

Aligning with Owen, they felt assured of a more stable future.

Owen was flooded with emotions.

Back in school, unloved by teachers and unfriended by classmates, he had wanted to be invisible, yet still found himself troubled by others.

Now, in this world, everything had changed.

His former classmates were kneeling before him, and he had become a sought-after figure, with everyone eager to establish a connection.

Owen, of course, did not take these overtures to heart.

It was all a matter of mutual use.

On Heartstealer Island, he needed someone from the sea race to guide them.

...

Beside Heartstealer Island, apart from the neptune race and merfolk camps, stood a seaweed house.

This structure, unlike typical sea race buildings, bore more resemblance to human architecture.

Godwin, tall and imposing, strolled on the ocean floor, effortlessly entering the seaweed house.

Inside, the room was sparsely furnished, with only a simple cushion upon which sat an old sea race with snow-white hair.

"Quincy, elder," Godwin stood dutifully behind the old sea race, bowing his head, "you summoned me."

"Yes," Quincy’s voice was aged yet resonant, his back still turned to Godwin, "there’s one last thing I need to discuss with you."

"Speak, elder," sadness filled Godwin’s eyes.

"This time, my entry into Heartstealer Island is to pave the way for our race’s saintess. The Heart of the Ocean must be hers, but it also means my inevitable demise. You must look after her more in the future."

"Elder, isn’t this too risky? You might have more opportunities if you survive," Godwin’s sorrow deepened.

"’That Event’ is about to commence, and relying solely on the younger generation of our race won’t suffice. Phyllis and Stanbeck are extraordinarily talented, not inferior to any saint or saintess, but alas, they lack ’fate’ and are destined to be mere stepping stones on the path to kingship. I must lay a path of light for our saint, even at the cost of my life."

"..."

"This isn’t just for the sea serpent race but for all sea races. The success or failure of our kind hinges on this. The future affairs of the sea races will rest on your shoulders."

"Yes."

"Tell me, who do I need to deal with specifically?"

"Owen Douglas. It would be best if he could meet a ’reasonable’ end on Heartstealer Island."

"As you wish, you may leave now."

"Yes."

Godwin exited the seaweed house, his face clouded with gloom. Clenching his fists, he looked towards the neptune race camp:

"Owen, it’s your own doing coming here to meet your end. Don’t blame me."

...

Two days passed in a flash.

The nights on Heartstealer Island were particularly mysterious and eerie.

The sea around the island was a deep blue, like a massive sapphire embedded in the ocean floor.

The thick water prevented the moonlight from penetrating, casting everything on the island into darkness.

Around Heartstealer Island, various sea races had gathered.

Owen’s gaze swept across the crowd, with Phyllis and Stanbeck standing out conspicuously.

The pair, like a golden boy and jade girl, stood together, surrounded by others who orbited them

like stars around the moon, their laughter and voices carrying through the air.

Finn yawned and muttered, "The underwater world is really dull after a while."

Morton, ever since learning of Finn’s identity, became much more reserved: "Your Highness is right, but things will get interesting soon."

Besides Owen’s group and Phyllis’s entourage, there was a lone young man standing near Heartstealer Island.

He stood still, like a statue, distant from everyone else. His aura was so profound and steady it made one question his age.

"Who is that?" Owen nodded towards him.

Bessie squinted, trying to remember: "I don’t recognize him. He could be a prodigy from another sea race. After all, Gosa Waters is vast, and some races prefer to stay hidden, so we don’t know much about them."

Owen was struck by the depth of the stranger’s presence, finding it remarkable.

"How strong are Phyllis and their group?" Owen felt it necessary to understand their strength before entering Heartstealer Island.

Bessie’s expression grew serious as she spoke: "Phyllis’s group comprises thirty-two individuals, all talents from various races. Among them, only two are diamond-tier; the rest are at the master-tier."

Owen furrowed his brow, glancing back at Finn and the others.

Finn and Morton were both at the diamond-tier, while Berkeley was slightly stronger as a level 5 arraymancer.

Bessie and Aldington had the highest realms, being at the grandmaster-tier.

Most crucially, there was little Erin, who was only at the gold-tier.

Owen touched his nose, noting the significant disparity in strength.

Finn, sensing Owen’s gaze, wore an awkward expression: "Entering Heartstealer Island might require more effort from you, sir."

Owen shook his head, offering no response.

Suddenly, everything around them quieted down, as if the whole world had been muted.

The noisy crowd around Phyllis all looked up towards the sky. Owen did the same.

A divine luminescence cascaded down through the thick sea water.

It was as if the gods had drawn back heavy curtains to allow the moonlight to shine through.

The moonlight, like falling meteors, gently landed on Heartstealer Island.

Suddenly, the entire world lit up.

The dark underwater world transformed into a dreamlike fantasy, with colorful corals, seaweed, and fish swaying in the light, resembling a beautiful painting.

The mysterious scenery of Heartstealer Island also became visible.

The moonlight pierced through the fog, casting its light on the island’s ancient architecture.

The eroded stone pillars, steps, and statues sparkled with eerie luminescence under the moonlight.

At the center of the island, a towering cliff soared into the sky, its rocks covered in bizarre, almost fluid patterns like a living painting.

At the top of the cliff, a massive crystal stone emitted a soft glow, illuminating the entire island.

"The Heart of the Ocean, it really has appeared," Bessie murmured to herself, her eyes brimming with undisguised longing.

Aldington clenched his fists, his heart pounding erratically with excitement.

Owen squinted his eyes, surprised that the Heart of the Ocean would make such a conspicuous appearance, as if beckoning beings of all races to vie for it.

A sense of foreboding rose within him.

Divine objects are usually concealed, Owen knew.

No sacred artifact would brazenly reveal itself; they tend to hide, fearing discovery.

Yet, the Heart of the Ocean was peculiarly overt.

Phyllis and her group grew even more excited, their beautiful faces flushed with surging blood.

Godwin’s voice echoed from the horizon: "Heartstealer Island is now open. What are you waiting for? There are many opportunities on the island; I hope you seize them well."

"As for the Heart of the Ocean, I hope you are not blinded by greed. It’s not meant for everyone."

Before Godwin could finish, the solitary sea race youth kicked off and leaped into Heartstealer Island.

His speed was astonishingly fast, too quick for Owen to track with his eyes.

"He must be handled with utmost caution," Owen thought, his vigilance heightened.

Phyllis and her group, lacking patience, surged into Heartstealer Island in groups.

Bessie, unable to contain her eagerness, said sweetly: "Your Highness, let’s go in too."

"Alright."

Owen nodded, taking Erin’s hand, and leaped forward.

As they approached Heartstealer Island, Owen noticed a thin membrane surrounding it, similar to water. He passed through it effortlessly.

With a "thud," Owen landed on the ground.

He found himself in a dense forest.

Erin, tilting her head in confusion, said, "Huh, we didn’t see a forest just a moment ago, did we?"

Owen’s temples throbbed as he spoke gravely, "Something’s not right. We’ve been teleported. The membrane around Heartstealer Island contains space magic."

"Ah?" Erin exclaimed in surprise, "What about the others?"

Owen looked around, but aside from the lush trees, there was no sign of Finn and the rest of their group.