A few weeks would pass since the last attack on the ships happened. Jianwei training has continued since, and even became good friends with Thomas. They have fought with each other and learned each other's style. Thomas's family style was more of a ranged type than Jianwei's close combat, but he has also practised close combat.
Everyday Thomas would use his revolver and shoot soul bullets at Jianwei. JIanwei didn't use his soul essence while fighting as his basic physical capabilities would let him dodge these soul bullets, and relying on his soul essence too much is a bad habit. Thomas was getting better and better after using his revolver every day. He can now hit Jianwei, but his power isn't strong enough to hurt him. Thomas' soul essence rank is still a rank 9 but he is hitting a bottleneck and very soon will break through to rank 10 in a month or so.
Right now, they were both in the training room, and Jianwei was swinging his mist blade in the air.
Thomas shot soul bullet after soul bullet and Jianwei deflected all of them.
"Tch, what's the fun in this if I can't hit you?" Thomas complained while spinning his revolver, the sound of the barrel spinning echoing throughout the room.
Jianwei stopped swinging his mist blade and spoke.
"It's fun seeing you miss every bullet," Jianwei said laughing. Thomas frowned and shot a soul bullet which was deflected by Jianwei mist blade.
"I was joking." Jianwei said smiling. Thomas rolled his eyes and put away his soul essence revolver.
"Let's stop training for today. We should go above deck and get something to eat." Thomas suggested. Jianwei nodded his head and dissipated his mist blade.
They made their way to the galley and there was an extensive array of food ranging from roasted chicken to rice and soup. They grabbed their food and ate.
"So, what do you plan on doing in the Cerulean? I mean by the sounds of things that your family is a very important part of the Olympic empire." Jianwei said eating a chicken leg. Thomas sighed and spoke.
"Honestly, I don't want to be in the Cerulean. My family basically forced me into this and I don't want to be known as part of some organisation. I could give two shits about justice or whatnot. I just want to live my life." Thomas stated while playing with his food. Jianwei nodded his head comprehending him, knowing how that felt. Though he still preferred justice over personal emotions.
"Also, what's so good about throwing your life around? I'd rather fill myself with pleasure than dread. Besides, you should take things one day at a time. No point in worrying about things that might not even happen. You gotta live life to the fullest. Otherwise, what's the point of being here if you don't enjoy it?" Thomas asked Jianwei to finish off his meal. Jianwei thought about it and could agree in some regards, but justice is his number one priority.
"Hell, even if I end up dying tomorrow, I'd be happy as long as I lived a fulfilling life." Thomas continued finishing his drink. Jianwei was thinking and then replied.
"I can somewhat understand where you're coming from, but I would never be content if I didn't pursue justice. It's something I will always strive for even if I die." Jianwei proclaimed, his fist clenching. Thomas rolled his eyes and spoke.
"Yeah, yeah. Justice this, justice that. Look, you have your opinion, and I have mine." Thomas started leaning back on his chair. Jianwei smiled and finished off his food.
"Anyways, I'm going to go above deck and relax a bit. See you around, Thomas." Jianwei said walking out of the galley.
Jianwei climbed above the deck and took a deep breath. The cerulea sea seemed peaceful in the daytime as the sun shone down on him, casting its warm glow on his body. He gazed out towards the horizon, his thoughts wandering to the journey ahead. He closed his eyes and felt the sun's rays on his skin, the warmth enveloping his body. He took another deep breath and released, the tension leaving his shoulders.
Liang Jianwei opened his eyes and gazed at the cerulea sea, his mind at peace. A sudden movement caught his eye as he noticed an island in the distance that was like a cake, but the waterfalls were the walls of this cake, and the islands were like the toppings on top.
At the top of the cake-like island was a giant palace with a brightly shining cerulean logo. He couldn't see the bottom of the cake island but it's as if it keeps going forever. Jianwei wondered why the Ceruleans were taking them to this island and where they were going to be stationed.
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A couple hours would pass as they got closer and closer to this island, the cerulea sea glistening in the sunlight. The palace was even more significant than Jianwei thought and it seemed to reach the sky. The Cerulean logo was on every wall, and even the flag of the Cerulean waved proudly on top of the palace. Jianwei was filled with excitement as he wondered what was in store for him on this island.
But one question lingered in his mind. How the hell are we meant to get up this thing? Jianwei thought to himself.
"Attention ensigns. This island is where our headquarters is. Ceruleans from across the empire came here and trained to reach justice. You'll be studying here for three years and will be shipped to your individual bases." Senior Yang shouted. The ensigns nodded as the ship drew closer to the cake island.
Before long, they reached this massive cake island, the towering waterfall cascading down to the cerulea sea. The five ships continued to sail onwards, their wooden hulls gliding atop the cerulea sea. The ship eventually reached the waterfall, and something unique happened. The ship turned 90 degrees upwards and started to sail up the waterfall!
Everyone on the ships couldn't believe their eyes as the ship sailed up the waterfall, the cerulea sea slowly disappearing behind them. Liang Jianwei watched in amazement as the ship ascended up the cake island, his mind racing with wonder. After a while, the ships reached the first checkpoint and docked in the cake island's first harbour.
The place was bustling with people, their movements fast and efficient. Jianwei was surprised as it's like a whole town was on top of this cake island. Ceruleans were running around and doing their jobs as the ensigns stepped off the ships and onto the dock.
The skies were filled with golden blue crystals that seemed to hold a max of five people each. The crystals appeared to float mid-air and move quickly through the skies. Jianwei has never seen anything like it. He wondered why they were not falling and how they were moving in mid-air.
Liang Jianwei stepped onto the dock, his eyes taking in the sights. People were shouting and running, the cerulea sea shimmering from afar. They were at the first level out of five levels. Liang Jianwei wondered what the other levels had in store for him.
Senior Yang began to order the ensigns around and began to separate them into groups. After a couple minutes Liang Jianwei was part of group 5. Each group had approximately 50 people each, and Jianwei and Thomas were in the same group.
Senior Yang led them through the streets, the cerulea sea cascading down not too far away. People were hurrying along the cobblestone streets, their movements quickened and determined. Liang Jianwei and Thomas looked at the shops, their eyes taking in the sights. The Ceruleans were selling weapons, armour, food, drinks, and a multitude of other things. Senior Yang led them further into the cake island until they arrived at a massive castle wall surrounding the Cerulean Academy.
Guards were lined up around, wearing the standard uniform for ceruleans. Senior Yang approached one of the guards and handed him a token. The guard nodded his head and beckoned for the ensigns to follow. They passed through the gates, the courtyard spacious and well maintained.
"This is the outer courtyard. Here you will study basic martial arts and soul essence." Senior Yang said. "The inner courtyard is on the second level of this island, which at your rank, aren't allowed to enter without permission."
They continued to walk through the courtyard, their eyes taking in their surroundings. Liang Jianwei saw cerulean training with soul essence and martial arts. They entered the Academy and made their way down a series of long corridors until they reached the sleeping quarters. The sleeping quarters were big and spacious, with 2 people per dorm.
Senior Yang led the ensigns to their dorms and assigned each and everyone of them to a specific room. Jianwei and Thomas were together in the same room, which didn't bother either of them. He spoke again once Senior Yang assigned all the ensigns to their rooms.
"Tomorrow, you will be properly assessed to ensure we train you correctly. Also, you'll get your school uniforms tomorrow." Senior Yang said walking away. Jianwei sighed and walked into his dorm with Thomas. The rooms were spacious and well furnished. Jianwei saw a bathroom, a kitchen, a balcony and two giant queen sized beds with a table and couches on the other side of the room.
Liang Jianwei sat down and rested a bit from all the travelling. Not long after he began to train on his bed, Thomas muttered something under his breath.
"Tch, what a crazy bastard," Thomas said while watching Jianwei train. Liang Jianwei paid no heed to Thomas and continued practising his soul essence. Time slowly ticked away as they rested.
Suddenly, footsteps could be heard from the hallway, and Jianwei sensed that senior Yang was coming. The door swung open and Li Weiyang entered their room.
"Don't mind me. I came to drop off both of your uniforms." Li Weiyang stated while giving Jianwei his uniform. They were navy blue coats, elegantly adorned with silver trims. There was also a set of well crafted silk gloves and leather boots that were black.
"These uniforms represent who you are, and you should wear them with pride. Now that you have gotten your uniforms, I want both of you to be up by 6 am tomorrow morning." Senior Yang declared before walking out of their dorm.
After hearing the door shut, Jianwei looked outside, saw the sun still shining brightly in the sky, and turned to look at Thomas.
"Hey Thomas, you want to explore the academy a bit before heading off to bed?" Jianwei asked, standing up. Thomas glanced at him and sighed.
"I guess we can go exploring. Better than wasting away in this boring ass dorm." Thomas said while standing up as well. Both Jianwei and Thomas both exit the room and made their way out of the dorm hallways.