Chapter 31 – Setting Sail! Seeds of a New Era!
With sails unfurled and farewells waved, the sailboat carrying nineteen children from Cocosia Village and Kesha Town set off towards Bird Island.
Midway, they met up with a ship carrying children from other islands, and all the children gathered, making the sailboat lively.
"What a headache, a bunch of kids," Old John leaned on the railing, watching them play and frolic. Despite his words, a smile was on his face.
"Yes! But looking at them, I feel young again," Old Bud remarked.
"I'll have to leave you to take care of me from now on," Lister said to the two elderly men.
Old Bud scratched his head. "It can't just be the two of us, can it?"
Lister laughed. "Of course not. I have invited many teachers from various countries in the East China Sea. They've already arrived on the island. However, I trust you all more!"
"Honestly, you had to ask us to come out. You little rascal, you've really made something of yourself. By the way, why did you change your surname? I remember your surname was Gibeck, wasn't it?" Old John shook his head helplessly.
"It doesn't matter what your surname is. You're all idle anyway, so it doesn't matter which island you stay on. Why not make the most of your remaining time? These are the seeds of a new era!" Lister smiled.
"New Era?"
"Hmm, haven't you felt it? The winds of the new era are blowing right in our faces."
"No, I didn't feel it at all, but I did see the huge waves of the ocean rolling towards me."
boom!
The seawater churned and surged upwards like a fountain.
"Hey, what's that?"
"No way, it's huge!"
The trainees playing on the deck stared wide-eyed.
The waves crashed against the sailboat, rocking it violently, and the sky darkened.
Not far away, a huge blue sea serpent raised its head and body, blocking out the sun. Its shadow enveloped everyone.
"Sea, sea kings!" Even the crew members showed terror, their hands trembling as they gripped their guns.
Old John said, serious, "No, it's a super-sized sea king!"
"No way, how could a super-sized sea king appear here!" Old Bard exclaimed.
"This place is close to the doldrums, and occasionally super-large sea kings come out to hunt."
Lister jumped off the deck and shouted to the stunned crew, "Hey, what are you standing there for? Get all the trainees into the cabin!"
"Oh, oh oh! Everyone, get into the cabin quickly! Don't panic, line up one by one!"
Lister walked past the panicked students to the bow, but a figure rushed faster than him, stopping him in his tracks.
Kuina stepped on the bow, bounced into the air, gripping "Raikiri" with both hands, and slashed at the snake's head, larger than the ship itself.
The blade slashed through the air, splattering blood. A wound four or five meters long is minor for a colossal sea king—it hurts a little but is not fatal.
Note: Sea Kings and Colossal Sea Kings are different. The latter are far larger, stronger, and use the Calm Belt as their nest, making it a forbidden zone. Even Moo Moo, raised by the Arlong Pirates, is tiny in comparison.
Lister leaped, caught the falling Kuina, threw her back onto the ship, and rose into the air again.
"Storm Kick!"
Sharp wind blades struck the giant snake, tearing open two deep wounds.
"Lulu..." The serpent roared, thrashing and stirring waves. Its head lunged at Lister.
"Shave – Shadowless Kick!"
Lister's figure flashed, leaving hundreds of afterimages. The shockwave stirred visible air currents, while the giant snake's head fell backward.
boom!
Seawater parted to both sides, huge waves forming. The giant snake, its head covered in large bumps, fell into a coma and sank.
Old John stared. "Naval Type 6?"
Having been a naval elite, he knew the Six Styles. Though he was proficient in Iron Body and Paper Drawing, he had not learned the other four, so he hadn't taught them to Lister. Seeing Lister use Tempest Kick and Shave frightened him. Even at Navy Headquarters, few mastered all six styles.
"That brat has become so powerful!" Old Bard exclaimed.
Kuina stood on deck, seawater pouring down, hair brushing her ears, eyes blazing with determination. She wanted to become stronger.
"Amazing!" Inside the cabin, students cheered, witnessing the giant snake's defeat.
"Wow, Nojiko is amazing!" Nami's eyes lit up.
"Yes! No wonder he's Mr. Arkham, who defeated Arlong!" Nojiko nodded.
"Can we become that powerful too?"
The trainees felt hope and anticipation for the future.
The colossal sea king's attack was accidental. Though Bird Island's waters are near the doldrums, colossal sea kings are extremely rare. This time, it was just bad luck.
Lister and Kuina escorted each other to avoid accidents. Kuina could handle ordinary sea kings, but super-large sea kings were beyond her; after all, she was only thirteen.
---
The voyage then went smoothly. After passing reefs and whirlpools, the sailboat anchored in the bay between the "bird's head" and the "bird's body."
A banner on the shore read: "Welcome to the first class of students at Arkham Academy." Teachers and staff, who had arrived two weeks earlier, were there to receive the students.
"Oh, there are still a lot of people!" Old John said happily.
"Of course. Arkham Academy currently has seventeen teachers and fifty-eight staff members. The subjects will start from basic literacy, then literature, mathematics, geography, music, as well as kendo, physical skills, and more."
"But these children are of different ages and backgrounds, it's a problem!" Old Bud said.
"I will conduct an entrance exam and divide students into classes based on overall scores," Lister replied.
Following the cleared path, they arrived at the center of the island. A tall wooden fence separated the academy from the forest. The arched wooden sign read "Arkham Academy," the left sign read "Simple and Honest Folks," and the right sign read "Outstanding Talents Emerge in the World."
Inside, a wide stone avenue led forward, flanked by groves and gardens, ending at a circular fountain with a contemplative figure's stone statue.
Five slightly narrower roads extended in different directions, with signs reading "Teaching Area," "Research Institute," and "Library."
Today, new students were enrolling, heading to the Teaching Area, as other areas were still under construction. Currently, only the canteen, dormitory, medical clinic, and sports stadium were built around it.
Read 20+Advanced chapters ahead at p4treon.in just $5
Patreon.com/Tanji_Fanfics
-end of this chapter...