The Navy Headquarters wasn't far from the Chambord Islands, and after only two hours of sailing, the elite cadets had their destination in sight.
"Is that the Chambord Islands?" Satoru stood at the bow of the ship, marveling at the sprawling island ahead. It was his first time venturing beyond the familiar confines of Windmill Village and the Navy Headquarters.
"Prosperous, isn't it? You can already see that?" Chris, standing beside him, squinted at the horizon, where the island was still little more than a dot. "Man, your eyes are enviable."
"If I had your eyes, I'd be a journalist, not a naval cadet," another student chimed in.
"Why's that?"
"Come on, think about it! With eyes like his, you'd have the ultimate scoop: seeing through walls, curtains, anything. The world's secrets would be yours."
The group chuckled, though one student's face turned a bit too red as his imagination clearly wandered.
Satoru sighed. "Are everyone's minds this dirty?"
Chris shrugged with a smirk. "They're teenagers in their prime. Cut them some slack."
"Are you including yourself in that?"
"Of course not," Chris shot back, regaining his usual noble demeanor. He turned to address the group. "Alright, let's stay focused. The Chambord Islands are notorious, so keep your wits about you when we disembark."
Satoru stifled a laugh but didn't argue. Despite Chris's tendency to act self-important, his caution wasn't misplaced.
---
By the time the group docked at the naval port on the Chambord Islands, their ship had drawn no attention. After all, they were still cadets, not full-fledged Navy officers.
Elsewhere, within the local naval base, Lieutenant General Akiki exhaled a plume of cigar smoke. "The cadets have arrived at the port?" he asked one of his subordinates.
"Yes, sir. Judging by the time, they're probably exploring the island now. Chambord's sights are hard to resist," the soldier replied.
Akiki frowned. "The headquarters' orders are clear: we don't intervene, no matter what happens—unless they request help. It feels like they're being set up to fail."
The soldier nodded but said nothing. Orders were orders.
---
Back at the dock, Chris had gathered the cadets for one last briefing before they split up.
"Remember, everyone, we're here on a mission. Don't cause trouble or let your emotions get the better of you. The Chambord Islands may look beautiful, but there's darkness lurking beneath the surface."
Chris's words carried weight, especially for the commoner cadets. While they admired Chris for his skills, they also knew he hailed from a noble background.
"The rest of us might not understand it fully, but I'm telling you—don't get involved in anything. The people behind this island's shady dealings aren't the kind you want to cross. And if you happen to see a Celestial Dragon, treat them with the utmost respect. Do not look them in the eye. Do not engage. Is that clear?"
The group nodded solemnly, though a few muttered reassurances to downplay his worries.
Satoru, standing to the side, placed a reassuring hand on Chris's shoulder. "Relax, Chris. We'll be fine. We're only here for a day. What could go wrong?"
Chris frowned. "The rest of them, I'm not worried about. It's *you* I'm worried about."
Satoru raised a brow, taken aback.
"You're too proud," Chris continued. "You don't bow to anyone, and that kind of attitude could get you into trouble here. Just… try not to cause a scene, alright?"
Satoru smirked, though he didn't dismiss the warning outright. "Fine. I'll behave—for now."
Chris let out a small sigh of relief, though he remained wary. Of all the cadets, Satoru was undoubtedly the most capable, but also the most unpredictable.