Reborn As a Pirate - Chapter 67

Chapter 67: Meditations!
“Huahua…”

Amid the vast expanse of the ocean, the waves continued their relentless dance, cascading under the warm embrace of the sun. Their surfaces glistened with thousands of sparkling diamonds, a spectacle that never ceased to awe.

The ship, [Black Rose], sliced through the waters with purpose after Ryan had confirmed their course. As he strode towards the bow deck, an invisible aura seemed to radiate from him, a palpable force that made both pirates and navy personnel avert their gaze and step aside. It was an instinctive reaction, a mix of respect and fear, that did not go unnoticed by Ryan.

Seated cross-legged at the forefront of the deck, Ryan immersed himself in the rhythmic sounds of the sea, while meditating on his swordsmanship pondering this growing phenomenon going around him. The fear he sensed from the crew was primal, akin to the dread a small prey animal feels in the presence of a dominant predator. It wasn’t merely the aftermath of recent skirmishes, but something deeper, more intrinsic.

“Is it something in my gaze? Or perhaps my demeanor?” he mused, contemplating the dual nature of his influence.

His recent battles against formidable beasts in his travels had inadvertently honed not just his skills but his very presence, imbuing him with an aura not unlike the creatures he had conquered. This aura, beneficial in the lands of peril where he fought, seemed out of place here, amongst his crew who seemed to fear him now.

Thus, Ryan knew he had to learn to moderate this intense presence, to temper his gaze and demeanor to be less daunting to not scare his crew. It was no simple task, but essential if he was to lead effectively without instilling undue fear.

This self-reflection and the daily discipline of his storm sword techniques provided a pathway to balance both his mind and his aura.

Time, however, seemed to hasten its pace whenever Ryan was lost in his training.

He was brought back to reality by the gentle patter of approaching footsteps. Turning, he noticed Freni, her figure leaning against the bulwark. Her hat, a charming blend of white and blue, fluttered slightly out of shape in the brisk sea breeze.

“Lady Freni,” Ryan greeted, rising to offer a courteous bow.

“Did I interrupt your meditations?” Freni’s voice, usually a melody as delightful as a mountain spring, carried a subtle strain today, devoid of its usual cheerful timbre.

Reflecting on the recent troubles that had befallen their mutual friend, Cecilia, Ryan couldn’t help but feel a twinge of melancholy resonate within him. “No, not at all. I was just about to take a break from my training,” he replied, shaking his head gently, his thoughts still shadowed by concern.

Leaning against the ship’s bulwark, Freni stretched her hand into the wind, fingers slightly parted to let the brisk sea breeze weave through them. “Mr. Ryan, have you noticed the wind growing stronger of late?”

“Yes,” Ryan confirmed, his eyes tracing the horizon where sea met sky. “The northwest monsoon of autumn approaches. It should increase the [Black Rose]’s speed considerably. What might have been a week’s journey could now take much less.”

“That’s indeed welcome news,” Freni replied, a smile brightening her face.

At that moment, Ryan’s expression shifted as he remembered something crucial. His hand moved to his space ring, and with a soft glow, three luminescent white pearls appeared in his palm. “Lord Freni, during one of my past adventures, I came upon these, Pearls of Fertility. They’re ablr to restore vigor and heal wounds when ground and consumed. Perhaps they might aid Miss Cecilia’s condition?”

Freni’s eyes widened as she accepted a pearl, its radiant glow casting ethereal patterns on her delicate features. She felt the potent spiritual energy emanating from it and murmured appreciatively, “These are indeed remarkable.”

Ryan watched her, relieved she did not inquire into their origins, knowing well her discreet nature.

Freni studied the pearl thoughtfully before sighing softly, “Mr. Ryan, your thoughtfulness is deeply appreciated.”

“The pearl does have the power to restore vitality, but,” she paused, her voice tinged with melancholy, “Cecilia’s ailment isn’t merely a depletion of vitality. It’s akin to a fractured vessel, no matter how much you try to fill it, the cracks will only continue to burden it.”

“What she truly needs isn’t just vitality but a way to rebuild the vessel entirely. Only a true rank advancement and a baptism by the essence of life can achieve that.”

“You take it back.”

Ryan shook his head gently. “Please, keep it, Lady Freni. Even if it can’t aid Cecilia, it could be of use to you. We will face many dangers on our journey to the Whirlpool Islands, and in the pursuit of the Moon Wolf. As our strongest, having you recover swiftly from any harm is crucial.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Freni accepted the pearl, her resolve firming. “Then I will accept it, thank you.” She thought of her depleted stores of healing items, used up during years of relentless challenges. This Pearl of Fertility offered new hope, a chance to bolster her reserves.

Silently, Freni reflected on her visit to the ‘viewing place’ accessed through the family’s secret artifact, the [Unnamed Box], and the precious materials listed there for exchange. Next time, she silently vowed, her investments would not falter. With renewed determination, she mentally prepared for the trials ahead.

After their conversation, Freni returned to the captain’s quarters, leaving Ryan in solitude, seated cross-legged on the bow deck. He was enveloped in the symphony of the sea’s undulating waves and the soft caress of the breeze.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and purple, the day transitioned into a tranquil dusk. It was one of those rare, serene days that Ryan devoted to deepening his mastery of the martial arts.

With the ship’s course corrected, he indulged in a refreshing shower and changed into clean garments before retiring to his cabin. Lying on the modest wooden bed, Ryan basked in the profound peace of the vessel, his mind drifting into a state of near emptiness.

His day of rigorous practice had yielded significant insights and advancements, notably in the execution of his [Storm Sword Skill-Breaking Waves]. Originally requiring a full second to charge, he had managed to decrease this by a tenth of a second to 0.9 seconds. Though seemingly minor, this enhancement was monumental, reducing the full charge time to just 0.85 seconds when combined with a ‘5% reduction’ effect from [Concentration Level 1]. In the heat of battle, these saved fractions of a second could mean the difference between life and death, filling Ryan with a quiet satisfaction.

However, his thoughts soon darkened as he remembered the fiery umbrella bird he had encountered during his last expedition, a creature consumed by ‘Red Rage,’ a state far more volatile than any he had seen before from different creatures. This phenomenon, exacerbated by the looming ‘Red Sun Day,’ sparked a flurry of questions in his mind. What mysterious force drove this ‘Red Sun Day’? Why did it provoke such bizarre transformations in already formidable beasts?

As the night wind whispered through the ship, the clock struck midnight, pulling Ryan from his reverie. He gazed into the depths of his body at the dark ship sculpture residing there.

“Travel, start!”

Meanwhile, in the privacy of the captain’s room, Freni’s hand rested gently on her chest, feeling the cool presence of the family’s secret artifact, the [Unknown Box], concealed within her. With a focused breath, she whispered into the silence:

“Enter, viewing area.”