(God’s Power Settlement, South Of The Human Faction Continent.)
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[A/N: This Chapter’s timeframe is about a week after the Explorers and Settlers entered Dominion Expanse. Therefore, it’s ahead of the current timeframe of Eren in the Ashen Frontier.]
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The atmosphere inside the training hall was unlike anything the new Explorers had ever experienced.
Hundreds of young men and women stood in organized rows, their expressions filled with anticipation. Some held their weapons proudly, while others whispered among themselves, unable to contain their excitement.
Today marked the end of their Official Explorers’ Training in Dominion Expanse.
For days, they had endured rigorous physical training, monster combat simulations, survival exercises, and lessons on navigating the dangerous territories beyond the Settlement’s borders. They had learned how to identify monster Tiers, recognize valuable resources, cooperate with other Explorers, and survive when things went wrong.
And now, they were finally ready.
Standing on the elevated platform before them was their commander, a middle-aged man with a stern expression and a military bearing. His Explorer uniform carried several insignias, each representing years of service in Dominion Expanse.
He surveyed the hall.
"Look at the people standing beside you."
His voice echoed through the enormous chamber.
"Days ago, most of you could barely distinguish a Tier 1 monster from a Tier 3. You had little understanding of the dangers awaiting you beyond the borders. Some of you believed that becoming an Explorer was simply about killing monsters and collecting treasures."
A few nervous smiles appeared among the trainees.
The commander continued.
"Today, you are no longer ordinary academy graduates. You have completed your training and earned the right to step into the Dominion Expanse as official Explorers."
The hall erupted into applause.
The commander raised his hand, and the noise gradually subsided.
"However, do not mistake your graduation for the end of your journey. Your training has only prepared you for the beginning. Dominion Expanse is vast, and the dangers within it are beyond anything you have experienced in these walls."
His eyes swept across the young Explorers.
"Some of you will discover territories that have never been mapped. Some will encounter monsters whose names have never appeared in our records. Others will find resources capable of changing the future of our civilization."
He paused.
"But remember this. The Human Faction has survived for thousands of years because of the courage of those who came before you. You are now part of that legacy."
The commander straightened.
"Your first deployment will take you toward the western region of the Human Faction. Twenty newly graduated Explorers will accompany our senior teams. Your mission will be to assist with exploration, monster hunting, and the identification of valuable resources along the western territories."
Excitement spread through the hall.
The West.
Even among the Human Faction, the western territories were known for their vast unexplored regions, dangerous monster habitats, and mysterious ruins. Stories about the treasures discovered there had circulated throughout the academy for years.
For the young Explorers, it was the beginning of an adventure they had dreamed about since childhood.
Somehow, among the twenty selected trainees were Daniel, Kai, and Bradley.
Kai could barely keep still.
"Did you hear that?" He whispered, nudging Bradley. "We’re actually going to the West!"
Bradley grinned.
"I heard him the first time."
"Imagine the monsters we’ll encounter. Imagine the treasures. We could return with enough valuable drops to make ourselves rich."
"Or return with enough scars to make us regret leaving."
Kai rolled his eyes.
"You’re always ruining the excitement."
Bradley laughed.
Daniel smiled at their exchange... He was excited too.
The thought of leaving the familiar surroundings of the academy and entering the vast Dominion Expanse filled him with anticipation. He had spent years preparing for this moment, and now he was finally going to become an Explorer.
But beneath that excitement was another feeling.
A lingering concern that refused to disappear.
Eren.
His closest friend had chosen the Settler Path.
The decision had shocked all three of them. They had spent three years sharing rooms, training together, eating together, and discussing the future they would build as Explorers. Daniel had always imagined the four of them entering the Dominion Expanse together.
Daniel’s smile faded slightly.
’Is he okay?’
He remembered their farewell.
Eren had tried to make light of the situation, but Daniel had seen the uncertainty in his friend’s eyes.
’Is he still alive? Is he going to survive out there?’
The commander continued explaining their deployment arrangements. They would depart through the western harbor, where a transport ship had been prepared for their expedition. Senior Explorers would lead the operation, and the newly graduated trainees would work under their supervision.
The journey would take them through several western territories before reaching their designated exploration zones.
Daniel listened carefully.
Yet a part of his mind remained with Eren.
The commander eventually concluded his speech.
"You have earned your place here. Do not bring shame upon yourselves or the people who have entrusted their lives to you. Follow your senior Explorers, cooperate with your team, and never underestimate your enemies."
He gave them one final look.
"Now you can dismiss."
The hall erupted into applause once more.
The newly graduated Explorers began leaving their positions, their conversations filled with excitement about the upcoming expedition.
Daniel, Kai, and Bradley headed toward their quarters.
They had barely made it through the corridor when Kai suddenly slowed down.
"Ah... that’s Kehla."
Daniel turned.
A young woman was approaching them.
She had long brown hair, bright eyes, and a graceful appearance. Her Explorer uniform was neatly fitted, and a small emblem on her chest identified her as one of the newly graduated Explorers.
Kehla.
Daniel had seen her around the grounds during training. She was among the Explorers who would remain within the Settlement’s territories rather than joining the western expedition.
He wondered why she was approaching them.
Before he could ask, she stopped in front of him.
"Daniel?"
"Yes?"
Kehla smiled at him.
"I was hoping I’d find you before you left."
She held a small rose in her hand.
Daniel blinked staring at it.
The flower was fresh, its delicate petals still carrying a faint sheen of moisture.
"I found this growing in one of the gardens near the executive quarters," she explained. "I thought it was pretty, so I picked it for you."
She extended the rose, as Daniel stared at it for a moment before he accepted it.
"Oh... thank you."
Kehla’s smile widened.
"You’re welcome."
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Then she glanced toward the corridor leading to the departure quarters.
"I heard you’re heading west with the senior Explorers. I hope we get to see each other again before you leave."
Daniel gave a faint nod.
"I hope so too."
"Good luck with your expedition."
"Thank you, Kehla."
She gave him one final smile before turning around and walking away.
Daniel watched her leave, while the rose remained in his hand.
He was still trying to understand what had just happened when Bradley suddenly grabbed his shoulder.
"What?"
Bradley looked as though he had just witnessed the discovery of a legendary treasure.
"That girl likes you!"
Daniel frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
"Don’t play dumb! She just gave you a rose!"
"It’s just a flower."
"A flower she picked specifically for you!"
Kai burst into laughter.
"He’s right, man. You should have seen your face."
Daniel faced both of them with an indifferent look.
"Can you two stop?"
Bradley shook his head.
"No. Absolutely not. This is important. Kehla is beautiful, and she clearly has an interest in you. You should make a move before you leave."
"I’m not making a move."
"Why not?"
"Because I don’t want to."
Bradley stared at him, and then he pointed toward the rose.
"You’re telling me you don’t like her?"
Daniel remained silent for a moment, as Kai crossed his arms.
"Come on, Daniel. You never had a girlfriend at the academy. Eren was the same way. Both of you spent three years acting like romance was some kind of forbidden subject."
Daniel sighed.
"What’s Eren got to do with this?"
"Everything," Kai replied. "You two are practically the same person when it comes to girls."
Bradley nodded enthusiastically.
"Exactly! Eren never gave any girl a chance, and neither have you. Now that someone has shown interest in you, you should at least consider it."
Daniel shook his head.
"You guys are making a big deal out of nothing."
Bradley leaned closer.
"Really?"
"Really."
Kai chuckled.
"Then why are you still holding the rose?"
Daniel glanced down.
He had completely forgotten about it. His fingers tightened slightly around the stem, and somehow it appeared that Bradley had noticed.
A grin slowly spread across his face.
"I know you like her too, man."
Daniel looked away and didn’t respond. But the faint change in his expression was enough.
Kai’s laughter grew louder.
"Well, well, well..."
"Shut up," Daniel muttered.
Bradley slapped him on the back.
"Don’t worry. We’ll help you out."
"I don’t need your help," Daniel immediately objected.
"Sure you don’t."
Daniel continued walking, the rose still in his hand. He tried to ignore their teasing, but as he glanced at the flower again, a small smile appeared on his face.
Perhaps Bradley wasn’t entirely wrong.
Perhaps he did like her.
And perhaps, before leaving for the West, he would have to find a way to see her again.