There was still no official information about when the Dominion Skirmish would begin, but acc to Edrik, it was expected to take pce withio two weeks after the past battle season’s clusion. This left them with enough time to duct additional training or preparations to further streheir forces.

  The day, they decided to desd to the Lower Lands to pursue Ats’s first quest for his Tempest Warden css.

  The group desded into a desert region, bringing along nearly all the batant troops, a number of workers, and the Elite Subordinates. Only Baldrid a few remaining workers stayed behind to maintain the isnd in their absehis was also Mira’s first time apanying them on a jouro the Lower Lands.

  As soon as they arrived, two advanced buses approached. These vehicles, simir to the Sandstorm Cruiser but signifitly rger, were part of the transport Ats had arrahrough the local Awakener Association in the city. Thanks to his established e with them, seg this transportation was a simple task.

  The isnd residents and several Elite Subordinates divided into two groups, b the buses. Ats, Edrik, Kurogasa, and Manna, however, rode in the Sandstorm Cruiser, an advanced caravan that led the voy.

  Their destination was the coastal region known as Golden Tide Beach, a breathtaking locatiouring t cliffs and pristine beaches. It was the perfect spot for them to stay for a feartly for a mueeded “vacation” and partly for Ats to work on pleting his first quest. His goal was to unlock a new skill from his Tempest Warden css as quickly as possible.

  The journey wasn’t too long, thanks to the advaransport they were using. Although this was a desert region, the vehicles moved smoothly over the terrain, even though they relied on wheels rather than the h teology only found in the rger cities.

  After two hours, the sery began to ge. Sparse grass and dry, short trees dotted the ndscape as they moved closer to the coastal area. The terrain became more fertile, with patches of greenery being more frequent. Above, the clear blue sky stretched endlessly, and in the distahey could see the cliffs marking the edge of their destination.

  The voy came to a halt, apanied by the sound of crashing waves. The loud, rhythmic roar echoed through the air as sea spray occasionally reached the top of the cliffs.

  Ats quickly stepped out of the Sandstorm Cruiser, eager to feel the coastal air despite the lingeri heat. He made his way across the sandy terrain toward the cliff edge. Just as he approached, a massive wave crashed against the cliff face, sending a spray of seawater toward him. He raised an arm to shield his face as the cool droplets misted over him.

  Edrik joined him at his side, the breathtaking se. When the ulled bato the o, they both looked down at the beach below.

  It was stunning—a stretch of golden sand bordered by t rocky cliffs and sparse patches of greenery. Massive waves pouhe shore relentlessly, creating a raw, untamed beauty that was both captivating and intimidating.

  Behind them, the troops began p out of the buses, cheers erupting from the group.

  “Yeah! The beach!”

  “Finally! Let’s go!”

  Some of them had already ged into swimsuits, plete with inftable rings strapped around their waists. They were ready to jump into the water and enjoy the moment.

  But as more people reached the cliff edge and took in the sight below, their enthusiasm began to waver.

  “Wait... those waves are HUGE!”

  “That’s not a beach! That’s a death trap!”

  “You’re kidding, right? We’re supposed to swim there?!”

  Disappointed groans mixed with nervous ughter as the reality of the beach’s unfiving waves set in.

  Edrik turo face the troops, his voice loud enough to cut through the crashing waves. “We’re going to have a full vacation in this area for the whole week. Happy?”

  The responses were a mixed bag.

  “Yeah! A whole week by the beach!”

  “This is going to be amazing!”

  “Did you see those waves? That’s not a vacation; that’s a death wish!”

  “Seriously, who’s going to swim in that?”

  “Maybe we should just stick to sandcastles?”

  “Perfect training ditions.”

  “Nothier than toughening up ireme enviros!”

  Edrik smirked at the variety of reas, clearly amused by the blend of excitement.

  The workers and several troops busied themselves setting up camp, building a cooking area, and anizing supplies. Meanwhile, Ats, apanied by Edrik, Kurogasa, Lyrassa, and Mira, made their way to a more secluded se of the cliffs, separate from the main group.

  The reason was simple—Ats’s training required a harsher enviro.

  When they arrived, the area looked simir to the rest of the cliffs, but a gnce below revealed a stark differehis part of the coast was dominated by jagged rocks and a muarrower stretch of beach. The waves here were far mgressive, frequently crashing against the cliffside with relentless force.

  Ats chuckled and g Edrik. “You really don’t hold back, do you, Edrik?”

  Edrik smirked. “I know you wouldn’t be satisfied unless you pushed yourself to the limit, right?”

  “That’s... probably fair,” Ats admitted with a grin.

  Edrik gave a small bow before adding, “Besides, we have the best support and healer here with us, My Lord.”

  Lyrassa stepped closer. “I’ll always be here to watch over you, My Lord, no matter the situation. I won’t y eyes for even a sed.”

  “No worry, I know all of you are here to help me,” Ats replied.

  Mira, who had been quiet but visibly excited, now stepped forward. Dressed in a modest yet practical one-piece swimsuit, her face lit up with enthusiasm.

  “My Lord, I’m so happy! The beach is beautiful,” she said.

  “You do realize this beach is for my training, right?” Ats said. “If you’d prefer less insane waves, there’s a calmer area further down.”

  “No, My Lord!” Mira said with a nod. “I’ll stay here and enjoy this area while keeping you pany.”

  Ats chuckled. “Sure, if that’s what you want.”

  Edrik excused himself from Ats and the group, walking away to give instrus to the other batants. Their training was straightforward—running along the beach while enduring the relentless waves crashing against them and the cliffs.

  Meanwhile, Ats, Lyrassa, Mira, and Kurogasa moved closer to the edge of the cliff, waiting for the waves to recede. Wheer pulled back, they jumped down to a seemingly sandy area. However, the thin yer of sand barely covered the rocks beh, making their footing unstable.

  Suddenly, another massive wave approached, t at least two to three times their height. It surged forward with incredible speed, seemingly ready to swallow them whole.

  “What now?!” Ats thought as he looked up at the colossal wave.

  He turasa, who stood firm in a solid stance.

  “My Lord, you o hold yround here as the wave hits,” Kurogasa said calmly.

  But the waves were too fast.

  The water crashed down with brutal force, ing everything in its path.

  In an instant, a whirlwind of vines formed around Lyrassa, creating a protective shield that encased her and Ats. Mira and Kurogasa, however, were left unshielded, caught directly iorrent.

  Ats felt the edge of the ulling at him, threatening t him to the clift. Lyrassa anchored him to the ground with vihat ed tightly around his legs. Instinctively, Ats pulled her close, holdiightly as the water engulfed them.

  The ummeled the area, its sheer power battering the shield of vines and pressing down on them relentlessly. Ats gritted his teeth, holding onto Lyrassa as the turbulent water tried to rip them apart.

  Finally, the wave began to retreat, the water reg bato the o and leaving him drenched and gasping for air.

  Lyrassa ughed softly, brushing her wet hair from her face. “Are you okay, My Lord?” she asked.

  “ly,” Ats replied, catg his breath.

  He turned his head, sing their surroundings. Kurogasa was still standily where he had been, unmoving and unfazed, as if the wave had dohing to him.

  But then Ats’s eyes darted around frantically.

  “Where’s Mira?!” he shouted.