I Acquire Overpowered Traits Just By Taking Damage

"I see you have made friends, Master Devon," Sir Lawrence called from the quarter deck, as I was passing by below.

It was the first time the old knight had taken notice of me since I got onboard. He was a busy man, always talking with important-looking people whenever I spotted him.

"Quite an odd group, as well," he added.

He was referring to the misfortune that had befallen me. I had genuinely thought I could be left alone when the Baron had employed Edmund. But as fate would have it, I now had a trio of flies following me around.

The viscount's bastard fancied himself as my confidant. To his credit, he was a knowledgeable fella, and I enjoyed some of our conversations. The problem with him was that he appeared to have no other friends and would stick to me almost at all times.

Edmund was now also back at following my tail, in constant competition with the viscount for my attention. He was able to do this because the one he was guarding had also decided to tag along. Lady Elena had taken a liking to me and Clifford, seemingly attracted by our mutual love of hating on Edmund.

And so, formed our odd quartet: a mysterious baronet's son, an ill-reputed squire, a viscount's bastard, and a troublemaker daughter of the Baron.

"I am so sick of the sea, Sir Lawrence. I am tired of eating tasteless, tough biscuits. I am starting to hate water," Elena whined before I could respond to the knight.

"I'm afraid Enasses is still quite afar off, my lady," the knight chuckled. "But don't worry... we are going to have a stopover at the port of Lacquer in a few days. We can buy fresh food and even stay on land for a night."

Elena loudly cheered, taking Edmund and Clifford's hands up in the air as she raised her own. I had the same reaction, internally. It was a pleasant surprise. I knew little about voyages, and I thought it would be just one continuous trip. The news singlehandedly lifted my mood, which had been steadily souring the past days.

"Lacquer... that's in the Kingdom of South Minot. Not very peaceful as of late," Clifford remarked.

"What do you mean?" I raised my eyebrows. I was familiar with the two Minot Kingdoms: the Kingdom of West Minot that neighbored our home Kingdom of Castor, and the much farther Kingdom of South Minot.

"The South Minotians are embroiled in a civil war. Another succession crisis," he replied.

That was a surprise to me. Between the two Minot Kingdoms, I was always under the impression South Minot was the more prosperous and stable one, because of their many profitable coastal holdings. West Minot was depicted to be a backward and sickly kingdom. A more apt place for banditry and rebellion.

"You have nothing to worry about, Master Clifford," the old knight had overheard. "Lacquer is far from the front lines. There is no war there."

"I will allow myself to be assured then, sir," Clifford politely replied.

Sir Lawrence responded with a curt nod and a smile. Our interaction with him was cut short when his crew required his attention again. Back to his business involving maps and binoculars.

I decided to sit against the wall, just below the elevated quarter deck. As expected, the rest of them followed suit and joined me on the floor. From where we were, we had a good view of busy sailors, the length of the ship from the deck to the bow, and the water slapping us on every side.

It was a sight we saw every day, and we quickly got bored of it.

In the boredom, it was Lady Elena who was the first to speak. She was seated left of me, in between me and Edmund.

"Where were you from again, Master Devon?"

Unfortunately, I was always the subject of questions in this group.

"Nowhere that would interest you, my lady," I replied.

"That's not for you to decide," she huffed.

"He's from the Baronetcy of Farmarshlands, Lady Elena, a very far and remote place," Edmund was ever quick to answer questions for me.

"What's a baronetcy?" she looked at me.

"The estate of a baronet," I replied, a bit relieved she got curious about the title and not the obviously made-up name.

"Baronet... is that like a Baron, like my father?" she asked, her eyes widening as she got more invested. She was a pretty thing, and it was hard not to feel uncomfortable by the closeness.

"No, my lady," Clifford answered smoothly. As the eldest, he always seemed to have the details. "Baronets aren't true lords. They're technically just knights. But unlike a regular knighthood, a baronetcy is hereditary. The title and estates pass to the eldest son."

Elena stared at Clifford while he spoke, as if the answer was written on his face. It was amusing to see her eyebrows move, see her lick her lips, and purse her brow as she took in the information.

"So you're more like Edmund... a knight's son," she concluded.

"Yes... but with a better reputation," I made sure to point out.

"I thought you were some lordling," she shrugged. "Why are we following you then?"

"Shouldn't you ask yourselves that?" I chuckled dryly.

"Are those seagulls?" Clifford said out of nowhere. First it was ducks and now he was talking about seagulls.

But it was not another diversion tactic for another garlic throw. The passengers on the deck rushed to the left side of the ship.

The familiar screech of seabirds reached us, and soon I saw a small flock heading toward the ship.

"Land! I see land!" someone cried, and the cheer that followed swept across the deck.

In the distance, a strip of green appeared, separating the water from the sky.

Elena burst towards the railings and Edmund after her, Clifford closely behind.

I was about to join them when I heard Sir Lawrence speak above me, on the quarter deck.

"Their cheering would have you think we have reached Enasses already," he chuckled, talking to one of his men.

"Are we already in Lacquer, sir?" I asked, although I remembered him saying otherwise just a few minutes ago.

"No, young master. While that mass of land there is already South Minot, Lacquer is still a couple days away."

I nodded. I guessed as much. "Still, it feels good to see some green."

"Indeed," Sir Lawrence sighed.