The Enkai Island, directly below Apayado, had undergone a dramatic transformation over the years. Initially a small island of just forty to fifty square kilometers, it had grown significantly due to Arthur's efforts.
About four years ago, when Arthur was still training there, the island was modest in size. However, after defeating the Shiki Golden Lion and returning with Jessica, Arthur merged several suitable islands from the Calm Belt, expanding Enkai Island to about 200 square kilometers.
Later, for the Angel Legion project, Arthur expanded the island further, reaching nearly 300 square kilometers. This expansion was not just in size but also in the island's purpose. Arthur, along with Jessica, introduced various beasts to the island, enhancing its training potential.
Enkai Island was now divided into five distinct areas, each representing different levels of difficulty:
1. **Level One Area**: Accessible after one year of regular training, this area served as an introductory trial for newcomers.
2. **Level Two Area**: Only those with strength comparable to a Marine Captain could enter this zone for trials.
3. **Level Three Area**: Reserved for individuals who had reached the level of a Marine Lieutenant Colonel, this area was a significant step up in difficulty.
4. **Level Four Area**: Only elite colonels could enter this area. It housed upgraded beasts from Angel Island, many of which had alienated after eating IQ grass.
5. **Level Five Area**: The most dangerous zone, containing the strongest alienated beasts personally captured by Arthur. Only those at the level of brigadier generals or elite major generals could participate in trials here.
These areas were designed with Marine strength standards in mind, ensuring that the trials on Enkai Island were equivalent to those at Navy Headquarters. However, once individuals reached the level of elite major generals, the trials on Enkai Island no longer posed a significant challenge to them.
For more than a dozen individuals like Urouge, Enel, and Weber, the island had become too easy. They had outgrown it and required more challenging environments for their training.
As for the rest of the Angel Legion, most members had reached the third-level area, with a few participating in the fourth-level trials, and even fewer making it to the fifth-level zone.
These trials had effectively stratified the legion's members, setting clear distinctions between them. When Arthur would eventually establish the Ten Angels Legion, those who had conquered the fifth-level area would be designated as deputy commanders, while leaders from the fourth-level area would serve as captains. Ordinary soldiers would come from the third-level area.
However, even the lowest-ranking members of the Ten Angels Legion would hold a higher status than the regular army, reflecting the honor Arthur bestowed upon this elite group.
When Arthur arrived at Enkai Island, he saw four to five thousand angels practicing and battling, most of them in the third area. His presence startled Naz, one of the chief instructors, who quickly flew over with the wings of a demagogue, Raphael.
"God!" Naz called out, addressing Arthur.
Arthur nodded and inquired, "Where are the others?"
Naz, a bit embarrassed, explained, "They're on Angel Island. We thought there wasn't much to do here, so we decided to take turns overseeing the training. This week, it's my responsibility."
Arthur acknowledged this arrangement, then ordered, "Go call them! The next phase of our plan is about to begin!" With that, he flew toward the central area where the instructors usually stayed.
Due to the proximity of Angel Island, situated on the White Sea above Enkai Island, the others returned quickly. Within ten minutes, Urouge, Weber, and the rest of the team had flown down from above.
As soon as they landed, Raphael, the most exuberant among them, shouted excitedly, "God, are we moving to the next phase? Are we finally establishing the Angel Legion? I've already thought of a name! The legion I'm in charge of will be called the Flame Angel Legion. Hahaha, no one can take it from me!"
Urouge, with his calm and Buddha-like nature, simply smiled helplessly as he listened to the banter between Raphael and Webber. As the eldest among them, Urouge saw Raphael and the others as his younger brothers, guiding them with patience and wisdom.
However, Webber, known for his fiery temper, wasn't one to back down easily. He immediately retorted, "Raphael, don't even think about it! The name 'Flame' suits me best!"
Raphael, equally fiery, shot back, "You want to fight, Webber? Let's see if you can handle defeat again!"
"Enough, both of you, shut up!" Arthur interrupted, his voice cutting through their argument with an air of authority. "The Legion isn't established yet. They still need to continue to evolve!"
"Evolve further?" The group was momentarily puzzled, trying to grasp what Arthur meant.
Urouge, ever the thoughtful leader, spoke up first. "God, what do you mean by 'evolve'? They already have wings."
Arthur shook his head, his gaze firm. "I'm not talking about wings. Right now, they're just fighters who can fly. But that's not enough to meet my expectations."
He continued, "Raphael and Webber, you both mentioned the name 'Flame' for your legions. But what is 'Flame'? It's fire. Now, tell me, which of these fighters can actually wield fire?"
The question hung in the air, leaving the group deep in thought. Wald, still confused, voiced what others were thinking. "God, I don't fully understand. Are you suggesting... Devil Fruits?"
Webber's eyes widened in disbelief. "But that would require a vast number of fruits! How can we possibly acquire that many?"
Arthur shook his head again. "Not Devil Fruits. Have you forgotten the strange beasts from Angel Island?"
Yana, the prodigious girl from Sky Island who had been appointed as a legion head due to her exceptional talent, was the first to catch on. "God, are you suggesting that we want them to evolve special abilities like those beasts?"
Everyone's eyes lit up at Yana's words. The idea was electrifying. If each fighter could evolve a unique ability, their combat effectiveness would increase exponentially.
"Exactly," Arthur confirmed with a nod. "But to achieve this, they will have to endure even more rigorous and terrifying trials. They must choose whether they're ready to take that step."
The room fell silent as the weight of Arthur's words settled in. The path ahead would not be easy, but the potential rewards were immense. It was time for the angels of Enkai Island to decide if they were ready to push their limits and embrace their true potential.
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