After rigorous training, Albert managed to activate 10 percent of Lloyd's potential.
A cold morning dawned, the fog clinging to the ground. Lloyd was training quietly in the courtyard, under Albert's watchful eye. "It's time," Albert said firmly to himself, then called to Lloyd, "Come here." Lloyd entered, wiping away his sweat with a towel, and listened. "Look, Lloyd," Albert said, pointing to the island. "We have a mission on Almoada Island. You will follow my instructions because you will be under my command. The mission is to overthrow Caligo Ren. The island will be somewhat difficult for us because it is large and his followers are everywhere. Furthermore, any recklessness from you or your companions could compromise the mission's secrecy and lead to failure." Lloyd wondered curiously, "Who is the mastermind behind these missions? And... under which organization are we working in complete secrecy?" Albert interrupted his thoughts, saying, "Do you understand the plan?" He sighed, "Ah, yes. And... when do we go to Almoada Island?" Albert went to the window, adjusting his coat. Our trip will begin tomorrow. We'll be waiting for you at the hill overlooking the sea... You'll meet the team then. Now you can go.
Lloyd nodded silently, but as he left, something in Albert's tone lingered in his mind—something unspoken.
That night, sleep didn't come easily.
Outside, the wind howled softly, scraping against the ancient stone walls like whispers of something waiting beyond the horizon. Lloyd sat by the window, gazing at the distant sea, his fingers clenching unconsciously. Caligo Ren… the name alone carried weight—like a shadow that stretched far beyond an island.
"An island full of enemies… and a leader we know nothing about," he murmured.
For a brief moment, a faint red glow flickered in his right eye… then vanished.
Morning arrived colder than usual.
A pale gray sky stretched endlessly as Lloyd made his way up the hill overlooking the sea. The grass crunched beneath his feet, still frozen from the night's chill. As he drew nearer, he could see shadows already gathering. Albert stood at the edge of the cliff, his coat billowing in the wind. Behind him… three newcomers.
The first was a thin young man with short black hair and sharp blue eyes, wearing a light jacket despite the cold. He held a small dagger, turning it confidently between his fingers.
"This is the newcomer?" he said with a wry smile. "Looks like he'll freeze before we get there."
The second was a burly, bald man with scarred arms. He was silent, but his eyes studied Lloyd with unsettling intensity.
The third… was a woman in her mid-twenties, with dark brown hair that reached her shoulders, and a black scarf that covered half her face. Only her eyes were visible… and strangely cold.
Lloyd stopped in front of them. "So this is the team?"
"Your life will depend on them… and they are," Albert replied calmly.
The young man with the dagger chuckled softly. "Don't worry, if he makes a mistake… we'll leave him behind."
Before the tension could rise, Lloyd suddenly felt a strange weight in the air.
It was as if something invisible was pressing on his chest.
The huge man moved only one step… but the sound of the earth beneath his foot was enough to silence everyone.
"Too much talk," he said gruffly.
Silence fell.
Albert raised his hand toward the sea. At that moment,
the thick fog below the cliff began to stir.
Slowly… a huge shadow appeared.
Wood scraped.
Iron creaked.
Then a huge ship emerged from the fog, dark in color, its sails slightly torn as if it had been through countless battles.
On its side… a strange symbol, like a split eye.
Lloyd narrowed his eyes.
"Is this our means of transport?"
"For now," Albert replied.
The wind picked up, and the waves rose slightly.
The mission had begun.
But Lloyd didn't know… that the island wasn't just waiting for them.
It was watching them.