Ferrisk stumbled into his dormitory, utterly depleted. He collapsed onto his bed without even removing his clothes, his body completely devoid of strength to move.
The thunderous snores of his roommates filled the chamber, yet Ferrisk found himself unable to drift into slumber. His mind raced uncontrollably with scattered thoughts.
More than a week had passed since William's confrontation with Golden Lion Shiki in White Pine Town. The revelations about Shiki's plans that William had published through the East Blue News and other affiliated media outlets were beginning to ferment in public consciousness.
Throughout the East Blue, the announcement had triggered a spectrum of reactions.
Some responded with panic, others with terror. Certain rulers were already strategizing their escape from the region. Ironically, in their desperate attempt to maintain order and prevent chaos that might impede their own flight, these leaders were now working with unprecedented efficiency—suppressing newspapers, propagating rumors that William was a fraud, and implementing every possible measure to conceal the truth.
Meanwhile, ordinary citizens lacking means of escape lived in constant dread. Many adopted an ostrich-like mentality, desperately hoping the entire situation was merely an elaborate fabrication.
Amidst this turmoil, William had issued a formal call to arms, rallying the people of the East Blue to unite against Golden Lion Shiki.
Some dismissed his appeal with contempt, doubting that East Blue residents could ever hope to challenge a legendary pirate of Shiki's stature. Despite having no viable alternatives, they refused to fight, preferring instead to place their fate in the hands of chance and passively await whatever might come.
For others, however, William's mobilization represented a lifeline. At minimum, it demonstrated to the people of the East Blue that even in this moment of profound despair, someone was willing to stand and lead the resistance against Shiki.
Ferrisk, as one of William's devoted admirers, naturally belonged to the latter group. Indeed, the entire former slum district—now the industrial zone—of Kalmar City regarded William as their salvation.
If anyone could preserve their lives and transform their circumstances in this crisis, they believed it could only be William.
Not the Marines, not the World Government, and certainly not the kingdom's former rulers. These three entities had failed to improve the slums throughout countless years. It was the young governor, Morgan William, who had provided them with sustenance, clothing, and the dignity of respectable living.
Now, just as they had begun to enjoy stability and decency in their lives, someone threatened to strip away everything. These people, who once possessed nothing, had no choice but to fight with every resource at their disposal.
Though they weren't soldiers and couldn't contribute directly on the battlefield, they supported the resistance through their labor.
In recent days, textile factories throughout the industrial district had operated ceaselessly, manufacturing airships and hot air balloons. Many workers had essentially relocated to the factories, taking only brief respites when exhaustion overwhelmed them before returning to production.
Ferrisk was among them. Fortunately, united by a common enemy, his elderly neighbor had volunteered to care for Ferrisk's sister, allowing him to focus entirely on his factory duties without distraction.
Both Ferrisk and his neighbors, along with countless workers throughout the textile district, were motivated by their belief in William's words—repeated consistently in newspapers and public addresses:
"The East Blue is commonly regarded as the weakest sea in the world, but this misconception stems from a fundamental misunderstanding. Our apparent weakness does not arise from cowardice, but rather from our profound yearning for peace in this chaotic era.
When someone attempts to seize that peace, to destroy or enslave the East Blue, regardless of who they might be, our people will rise in resistance. Because—this is our sea. The East Blue belongs to the people of the East Blue."
"The East Blue belongs to the people of the East Blue," Ferrisk murmured drowsily, echoing the newspaper's rallying cry. His thoughts drifted between concern for his sister, who might throw tantrums after days without seeing him, and worry about potential accidents in the factory due to worker fatigue disrupting production. Lost in these anxieties, he gradually surrendered to exhaustion.
...
Neustria Academy
Ander burst into the dormitory room, breathing heavily. Sabo and the other roommates turned toward him with questioning expressions.
"Have you heard? Mickey Malone has applied for early withdrawal from the academy!" Ander exclaimed between labored breaths.
"For what reason?" Sabo frowned.
Mickey Malone, a descendant of the Bearpaw Tribe, struggled with academic subjects but demonstrated exceptional prowess in combat-oriented courses. Despite his reputation for troublemaking, he had maintained his position at the academy and even garnered attention from the principal, Morgan William himself.
At sixteen years old, Mickey stood on the threshold of graduation. Though his academic performance likely precluded him from positions within the General Staff Department or the Attendants' Office, everyone anticipated a promising future for him within William's organization.
His sudden application for withdrawal defied all conventional reasoning.
"He responded to the newspaper's call to arms and wanted to join the fight against Golden Lion Shiki," Ander explained, finally regaining his composure. "The administration refused, citing his student status."
"So Mickey's response was to withdraw entirely?" Sabo rubbed his forehead in disbelief.
Ander nodded vigorously, his expression revealing both admiration and awe. He had previously viewed Mickey as merely a troublemaker and, mindful of the Bearpaw Tribe's reputation for cannibalism, had maintained a cautious distance. Now, however, he found Mickey's decision remarkably courageous.
Although Neustria Academy was a relatively recent establishment, it had already secured a distinguished reputation throughout the Navia Kingdom and beyond. Graduates from the academy were recognized for their exceptional competence. While describing them as "masters of both intellect and martial prowess" might constitute hyperbole, it was certainly no exaggeration to state that the institution produced no mediocre talents.
The academy had been founded specifically to develop professional personnel for William's expanding organization, with its curriculum and methodology derived from William's experiences across both his current life and his previous existence.
The top graduates from the initial classes had all secured positions within the Attendants' Office and General Staff Department—William's inner circle. These departments, though modest in formal rank, wielded considerable influence, reflecting William's increasingly Pivotal position within East Blue politics.
Mickey Malone represented the first student in the academy's history to voluntarily withdraw, particularly striking given the high regard in which both the principal and faculty held him. To many students, his decision appeared tantamount to discarding a promising future.
As Ander concluded his explanation, Sabo and the others heard a resounding bang from the adjacent room, followed by excited exclamations. They could distinguish the name "Mickey Malone" amid the commotion, suggesting that news of his decision was already propagating rapidly throughout the academy.
🔥 Want to read the next 20 chapters RIGHT NOW?
💎 Patreon members get instant access!
⚡ Limited-time offer currently running...
👉 [Join on - patreon.com/GoldenLong]