The sun had barely risen over the East Blue, casting a golden glow across the harbor. Maris stood at the edge of the dock, dark blue eyes scanning the water, the wind tugging at her long black hair. Beside her, the two villagers she had tested yesterday—the first sparks of her crew—waited quietly, eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
"Today begins your first real training," Maris said, her voice calm but commanding. "Observation and strength aren't enough. You need teamwork, instinct, and the ability to adapt under pressure. The sea doesn't forgive mistakes, and neither will I."
The woman from the rigging smirked. "This isn't a ship yet. How do we even train here?"
Maris' gaze shifted to a small, weathered fishing vessel bobbing gently in the harbor. "We start there. It's fragile. Easy to sink if you're careless. But that's the point. Every action matters. Every misstep has consequences."
The man shifted nervously but nodded. "Alright… let's do this."
Maris stepped onto the dock, letting her Dryad Zoan senses subtly guide the wind and currents around the boat. "First task: maneuver the boat from this dock to the outer pier without tipping it or dropping the cargo," she instructed. "You'll work as a team. One wrong move, and you'll understand why the sea is unforgiving."
The woman leapt onto the vessel first, adjusting ropes and stabilizing the mast with precise movements. The man followed, lifting crates and positioning himself to counterbalance the rocking deck. Maris observed quietly, the System humming softly in her mind:
"Subject 1: Excellent spatial awareness, high agility, strong problem-solving. Subject 2: Strength high, adaptability moderate, teamwork requires improvement. Tactical oversight required."
A sudden gust of wind tilted the boat dangerously. The woman reacted instantly, shifting her weight and steadying the mast. The man froze for a moment, then adjusted, letting the crates shift naturally to counter the lean.
Good. They're learning fast, Maris thought.
"Not bad," she said, stepping closer. "But this is just the beginning. Observation, anticipation, and coordination are key. Mistakes aren't failures—they're lessons. You'll remember them."
The wind picked up, whipping the boat gently against the waves. Maris' presence on the dock was steady, her gaze unwavering. "Every challenge we face will be like this. Small at first… then larger, more dangerous, until the seas themselves test you. But if you survive these lessons, if you grow together, nothing will stop us."
The woman glanced at the man, then back at Maris. "I like her style… direct, but fair."
The man nodded slowly. "Yeah… I think I can get used to this."
By mid-morning, the two were maneuvering the boat under slightly rougher waters. A sudden gust rocked the deck, tilting the crates dangerously. The woman reacted immediately, adjusting ropes and mast, while the man hesitated, then corrected the cargo with sudden precision.
Maris' System chimed softly:
"Subject 2: hesitation detected. Risk of cargo loss: high. Recommended guided adaptation."
A subtle wave, guided by Maris' Dryad powers, nudged the boat just enough for the man to regain balance without losing the cargo. Both crew members were learning fast—reacting instinctively, correcting mistakes, and beginning to work as a team.
By the time they reached the outer pier, the boat was intact, cargo secure, and both were panting but smiling.
"See?" Maris said, stepping onto the pier. "The sea tests you constantly, but if you move together, anticipate, and trust each other, you can face anything."
The woman grinned. "This isn't just training. This is survival."
The man nodded, excitement in his eyes. "Yeah… and I didn't think I'd enjoy it this much."
Maris allowed herself a faint smile. Good. The first lessons are done. Now they'll grow stronger, together.
She looked back at the harbor, the sun glinting off the water. "The sea is full of challenges—storms, pirates, Marines… mysteries waiting to be uncovered. Every lesson, every test, prepares us for what's to come. And one day, we'll sail beyond the horizon, unafraid of anything that stands in our way."
The small boat bobbed in the harbor, simple for now—but soon it would be the first of many steps toward the Gale Serpents Pirates.
For Maris D. Luna, child of sea and moon, the journey had truly begun.
The world awaited.