Chapter 217 — Training Peaks — The Island's New Generation
S.C. 1512 — Two Days Later
Hidden Island — Upper Ridge Training Grounds
The sun had barely crested over the eastern cliff when Ren reached the training plateau.
This was the newest addition to the island:
a massive stone terrace carved into the mountain slopes, layered with:
practice arenas
obstacle courses
firing lanes
sparring pits
and beast-handling stations
The morning fog still clung to the ground, swirling around the silhouettes of dozens of trainees already waiting.
Children.
Teenagers.
Adults.
Refugees who had survived hunger and chaos—now standing with straight backs, eager eyes, and steady feet.
Ren stood at the center while Zemo sat beside him proudly, tail swishing.
Mira, Bram, Leo, and Kiro lined up behind Ren, each representing one division of the Meridian Group.
Today wasn't for elite fighters.
It was for the next generation.
The future backbone of the island.
---
1. The Training Begins
Ren raised a hand.
The noise died immediately.
"Today, we begin structured training," Ren said clearly.
"Not just strength. Not just combat.
Discipline. Mental stability. Teamwork. Coordination."
He scanned the crowd.
"Everything this island builds depends on people who can stand strong.
Not reckless. Not afraid.
Strong."
The words carried weight.
Even the youngest kids stared at him like he was telling them the path to heaven.
Ren turned to Mira.
"You start."
Mira stepped forward, straight and sharp as a blade.
"Silver Moon trainees—pair up!
Wolf stance practice!
Footwork drills!"
The ground trembled as over a hundred trainees moved into position.
Mira's voice carried over the ringing wind:
"Balance first! Posture second!
If your stance breaks, your life breaks!"
---
2. Bram's Strength Department
Bram cracked his knuckles and grinned widely.
"My turn!
All heavy-labor teams — FRONT AND CENTER!"
Fifty bulkier men and women jogged toward him.
Bram pointed at the weight racks—barrels filled with stone, metal beams, thick rope.
"You're going to lift until your breath feels like fire.
Then you're going to keep lifting.
But don't die. I don't want paperwork."
Laughter spread.
Then the training began.
Barrels lifted.
Beams hoisted.
Bodies trembled.
Sweat rolled like rain on stone.
Bram grinned proudly.
"This is how we build monsters!"
---
3. Leo's Precision Group
Leo stood on the highest part of the terrace.
"Archers! Slingshot team! Long-throw unit—UP!"
About forty trainees stepped forward.
Leo tossed three metal balls into the air.
They bounced once—
—and froze mid-air.
A faint telekinetic pulse held them still.
"Focus on the target," Leo said.
"Not the wind. Not the noise.
Only the path between your eye and the hit point."
The trainees nodded, tense.
Leo snapped his fingers—
The metal balls shot across the air toward targets.
THUNK!
THUNK!
THUNK!
Bullseyes.
One trainee swallowed hard.
"C-can we really learn that?"
Leo smiled softly.
"You won't get my vision…
But you'll get precision."
He placed slingshots, throwing knives, and chalk-lined stones in their hands.
"Let's begin—slow aim, slow breath."
---
4. Kiro's Discipline Corps
Kiro took a group of young adults to the obstacle course.
His voice was cold, sharp, and emotionless.
"You run until you collapse.
You stand when I say stand.
You move when I say move.
No excuses."
Then he pointed at the 30-meter rope climb.
"Up."
The trainees hesitated.
Kiro glared.
A chill ran through the air.
The entire group scrambled upward.
Kiro watched quietly.
"Good. Again."
Bram, from the other side, shouted:
"Stop scaring them to death!"
Kiro replied calmly:
"Fear builds discipline."
Ren shook his head, amused.
---
5. Beast Handling — Ren's Domain
Ren walked toward the edge of the terrace where three young Blazing Horses and several Water Monkeys watched curiously.
Twelve chosen trainees stood nervously around them.
Ren raised a hand.
"These creatures are not tools.
They are family.
Treat them with respect."
A Water Monkey hopped onto Ren's shoulder.
He scratched its chin gently.
"Good. See? Trust."
A trainee whispered,
"But… what if they bite?"
Ren shrugged.
"Then don't anger them."
The trainee gulped.
Ren continued:
"Today, we begin bonding training.
Slow movements. Calm breathing.
If your heart is stable, animals will feel it."
He placed a Blazing Horse foal beside a trembling girl.
The horse sniffed her hair.
She froze.
Ren leaned in and whispered:
"Breathe. Just like we practiced."
She inhaled slowly.
The horse nudged her cheek softly.
Her eyes lit with wonder.
Ren smiled faintly.
"That's the beginning of a rider."
---
6. The First Peak — Afternoon Assessment
By midday, the training grounds roared with life:
grunting
shouting
metal clashing
hooves stomping
whips cracking children laughing
Ren assessed each sector with calm precision.
Mira's footwork drills were perfect.
Bram's squads were lifting more than expected.
Leo's precision team was hitting targets consistently.
Kiro's group had already doubled their climb times.
Animal handlers learned fearlessness.
Zemo barked proudly, watching over the children.
Mira approached Ren with a water flask.
"How does it look?"
Ren replied quietly:
"They're improving faster than predicted.
Give them six months…
and this island will have an army no pirate will underestimate."
Mira smiled.
"The East Blue isn't ready for this."
Ren didn't answer.
But he knew—
This generation would raise the island higher than any technology.
---
7. Evening — The Bell of Progress
As sunset approached, Ren rang a metal bell near the plaza.
The trainees gathered, breathing hard, bodies shaking, but eyes shining.
Ren spoke clearly:
"Today was your first peak.
Not your last.
Every day from now will push you further."
He raised a fist.
"Your strength will build this island.
Your discipline will protect it.
Your will… will shape its future."
The crowd erupted in cheers.
Mira stood proudly.
Bram punched the air.
Leo smirked with satisfaction.
Kiro stayed silent—content.
Zemo barked triumphantly.
Ren watched the crowd.
For the first time since building this island—
He felt something deeper than ambition.
He felt hope.
---
End of Chapter 217