148 New Day

Settling in a new house after living somewhere all their life would always let them feel unsettled. What more if a crisis seemed to loom over their heads?

That's what the Fallwater Family was currently experiencing as they couldn't really be too celebrant at their move to the Central District.

Outside, tension was rising and the threat to their lives felt like it was already at their doorstep. With an interval of a few minutes to an hour, they would see squads of Metadomes flying across the sky, to and from the Central District. And along with that, sounds of explosions, cannons and guns could be heard from afar.

Up above the faint blue-colored protective shield of the whole city waned on and off as though it was struggling to keep it up.

Once in a while, an employee of the communications department would remind the citizens not to panic or the mayor of the Lonewind City, encouraging them to continue with their normal lives since they got it covered.

"Cheer up and eat this, Althea. It's not the first time that our city has been besieged. They were also resolved in the end, did you remember?"

Still keeping up with her optimistic outlook, Annette Fallwater encouraged her daughter. She prepared the last of the Terrorhawk Eggs that Aldrin sent two weeks ago.

"Yes, you're right. But it's different this time. You don't have to look strong in front of me… If you and dad feel scared, it's a lot better to express it." Althea looked at her mother worriedly.

It was more than a day since the nearby Secondary City was destroyed when multiple Dimensional Rifts opened up, engulfing them with a tide of rift monsters. And like they had predicted that night, the city fell overnight.

As one of the other Secondary Cities nearest to it, the stray rift monsters that trampled that city found their way to their walls.

Fortunately for them, the whole city was alerted and there was no new Dimensional Rift that opened up. The soldiers and Energy Refiners alike had already been transferred to the front lines, fighting a defensive battle against the tide of rift monsters.

"T-true. It's scary. But what can we do? We moved to the most guarded part of the city but the anxiety went with us… I just hope your brother is also fine wherever he is." Annette put her hands together and pressed them on her chest as though she was praying for Aldrin's safety.

Seeing that, Althea joined her. Even though her brother had just recently returned, he instantly became a strong pillar of support for them.

As Althea was about to start eating the egg, their doorbell rang. Thinking that it might concern the current crisis their city was facing, the whole Fallwater family went to the door.

However, what they found was a huge truck from some courier service delivering boatloads of packages for them.

Upon receiving it, they found out that Aldrin sent them not just a simple package this time. More like a survival package.

Although he couldn't send something like a strategic weapon or a Metadome, Aldrin made sure to list a lot of things that could save his family in case the worst thing happened.

Furthermore, there's a replenishment of Terrorhawk Eggs and other premium foods, pills and elixirs specifically named for Althea.

"T-that idiot brother… No. He's not an idiot anymore… I'll make sure to protect them so come back soon!" She shouted internally as a new bout of determination filled her chest.

Little did she know, a few meters away from her, the table clattered from the tremor caused by the disturbance of Dimensional Energy.

Whether it was a sign for her to awaken or not, it's still unclear. However, that at least meant that everything she was doing was producing results, albeit slower than those from the Energy Refiner Lineage

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When morning arrived at the Drawyz Domain, Aldrin looked down at Irina who was currently squeezed inside his embrace with her eyes closed shut but her eyelashes were gently moving from her eyeball movements. That's a certain sign that the girl wasn't asleep but only faking it.

He remembered that they're a few meters apart last night but when he woke up to renew his Points Generators, the girl was already close to him. If that was intentional or not, he had no idea. But looking at her peaceful face earlier devoid of whatever he's being cautious of, he didn't wake her up.

But now, she took advantage of their situation again… For men like him, he would be branded impotent if he didn't feel anything at all. However, with their current situation, he just had no time to think about anything else.

"What should I do? Should I also act like I didn't notice that she's just faking a sleep?" He loudly muttered and that quickly made the girl's ears and face cheeks redden. Following that, her eyes snapped open before sending him a pout.

"You're no fun…"

"Am I? If you're not faking it, I won't mind letting you sleep more. Unfortunately…"

"I get it, you idiot. I'll stop this unlady-like behavior if it's bothering you."

"I never said it did. Anyway, let's go. They let us off because of what happened but I still have to lead you to our next task."

When they showed up outside their tent, most of the trainees in their group had knowing smiles on their faces. It's like they're looking at a guilty couple who had a lot of fun the night before.

Obviously, except Clark who's bitterly acting tough.

Aldrin acted oblivious to that though so that they could start with their plan for the day. Because of Irina, he rehashed his plans again. Instead of running away alone, he's going to finish the set task so that they could return to the camp soon and get the necessary time he needed. To freely explore.

After drawing the plan and presenting it to everyone, he instantly got approval from all of them.

Irina's Metadome was already repaired by Janet so there wouldn't be a problem for her to operate it again.

The actual task the Instructors listed for this segment of the Training Camp was to contribute in mapping out a new path and area at least ten kilometers from what was recorded on the maps given to them, marking the landmarks as well as the type of rift monsters and plants or trees they could encounter. Apart from that, they also had to hunt down Extraordinary Rank rift monsters. Bonus points if they're unidentified species.

"We've already killed two out of five Extraordinary Rank rift monsters. Instructor Janet has also given us bonus points for the discovery of that beast yesterday. As for the map… we're halfway to our goal. Let's tread carefully this time to not make a repeat of yesterday."

Through the public communication channel, Aldrin started with a speech to encourage everyone.

Although he did say tread carefully, he's already having his five Dimensional Clones – he created the new one earlier – to seek out Level 21 and above, and haul them on their path.

"Yes!" Everyone answered in chorus.

Moments later, the groups went into formation as they began making their way in the direction they collectively approved.

Far from behind them, Janet who was watching their march focused solely on Aldrin's Metadome, "I failed to tell him that I will support him and his secrets, huh? I guess I can only go at it in a roundabout way."

After saying that, she began following them, maintaining a distance fit for a spectator.