Arlen had gathered a small portion of the information about magic potions on his own, while the majority of it came from the gatherings. This wealth of information had given him a rather in - depth understanding of magic potions.
Therefore, Arlen was extremely cautious about the consumption of magic potions. Having drifted on the sea for a decade, he hadn't lacked opportunities to take other magic potions. However, most of those were first - rank, and they simply weren't worth the risk of losing control for him to consume.
Arlen took out two magic potions, pulled out the stoppers, and downed them in one gulp. Then, fully clothed, he lay down in a hammock and closed his eyes.
The moment he closed his eyes, Arlen felt his body sinking continuously. His mind grew increasingly hazy, and countless cat meows seemed to faintly reach his ears. Through his muddled senses, he vaguely felt that his body was shrinking, becoming less and less human - like!
It was like a lucid dream. Arlen was well aware that he had turned into a cat, a cat living in Uzza Town. He watched as the cat - version of himself lived in the town, playing tricks on the couple who hunted cats out of hatred. Through the cat's perspective, Arlen saw the land that he hadn't seen for a long time, which made him, who had been adrift at sea for so long, feel a deep sense of familiarity.
As a cat, Arlen learned the cat's steps and felt the cat's leaps through the feline body. After an unknown amount of time, Arlen suddenly felt his consciousness gradually becoming clear. He knew that he was about to wake up.
It was as if taking off a piece of clothing. Arlen's consciousness gradually detached from the cat's body and once again plunged into the deep, dark ocean of unconsciousness. With a ray of light, Arlen's consciousness rapidly returned. His chaotic senses gradually became clear, even more acute than before!
There was someone nearby!
Arlen suddenly opened his eyes. His body, lying in the hammock, sprang up like a spring. His body flipped half a circle in mid - air, and he landed on the ceiling of the cabin, using his hands and feet. Looking at the completely confused Old Snore, the sharpness in Arlen's eyes dissipated. He dropped from the ceiling and sat back on the hammock.
"Old Snore, why are you here?"
Taking a puff of his pipe, Old Snore then said to Arlen, "I've seen you naked countless times. How could I not find where you sleep?"
When Arlen boarded the Black Shark, he was still young. Even with the memories of an adult from a previous life and having taken a first - rank magic potion, it was really not easy for a child to make a living on a pirate ship. Especially since this child had a breathtaking appearance. In a place like a pirate ship, beauty was beauty, regardless of gender.
At first, Arlen had a tough time on the ship. If it hadn't been for Old Snore stepping in to help later, whether Arlen could have survived until now would have been uncertain. The old and the young had survived together in the harsh environment. Their relationship, though not that of father and son, was not much different.
"What time is it outside?"
Knocking the pipe on the sole of his shoe, Old Snore stood up and said to Arlen, "It's evening now. The banquet outside should be about to start. Let's go over too."
It was a rule of the Black Shark, or rather, of most pirate ships. After a battle or a raid, a grand banquet would be held to reward the victorious pirates.
Today, the Black Shark had eliminated the pirates of the Santa Maria and renamed the Santa Maria as the Gray Shark. Such a great victory naturally called for an even more elaborate banquet to publicize the great achievements of the pirates on the Black Shark, and most importantly, of Captain Damon of the Black Shark!
Stepping out of the cabin of the Gray Shark, Old Snore skillfully took a half - step back and followed behind Arlen.
The banquet had already started. Many pirates had gathered on the Gray Shark. They were singing, dancing, drinking, and feasting. Activities like gambling and wrestling, which were usually prohibited, were now allowed and could be enjoyed at will.
Arlen's appearance made everyone wave to him in greeting. Pirates admired the strong and believed in might. For Arlen, the young but powerful first mate, everyone was generous with their respect.
From the Gray Shark to the Black Shark, Old Snore directly blended into the crowd to drink and gamble with others, while Arlen walked straight into the cabin and went up the stairs to the deck of the Black Shark.
The captain, Damon of the Black Shark, was standing on a raised platform, addressing the gathered pirates. "Everyone! Defeating the Santa Maria is just the beginning!
Our goal is the other six sharks. Only by eliminating them can we truly be called the uncrowned kings of the Azure Sea!
Everyone, do you have the confidence to help me annex them and ascend the throne of the King of the Azure Sea!"
At this moment, whether they truly believed in their hearts that Damon of the Black Shark could really defeat the other six powerful pirates in the Azure Sea or not, everyone present chose to raise their glasses. For Damon of the Black Shark's words and for their future, not caring about the preciousness of the wine, they directly drained the wine in their glasses!
Swallowing the remaining wine in his glass, Arlen looked up at Damon of the Black Shark. Coincidentally, Damon of the Black Shark also looked at Arlen. Arlen nodded slightly. Then he looked at Colin and Marill and found that Colin was also looking at him and Damon of the Black Shark, while Marill was still immersed in the wine and the adulation of his subordinates.
As for the others, they were still excitedly discussing the future and the present, not noticing the strange behavior of Arlen and the other two.
Walking to a nearby table, Arlen placed his glass on the table as if about to pour himself some wine. And at the moment he put the glass on the table, he suddenly moved!
Crack!
Bang! Bang!
The moment Arlen moved, Colin casually threw away his glass, pulled out two flintlock pistols from behind his back, and fired directly out of the window in coordination with Arlen!
Crash...
Two lead bullets shattered the glass. Arlen followed closely behind, drew the dagger from his waist with a backhand motion, smashed through the window without glass, and leaped forward like a cat, using the window ledge for leverage. He landed on the mast and chased after the tall figure in front.
Arlen was extremely fast, even faster than usual. In the blink of an eye, he caught up with the person who had been peeping at them earlier. The dagger in his hand stabbed directly towards the other person.
However, at this moment, the person chuckled and jumped directly off the mast. Just as it seemed that he was about to fall onto the deck below, a pair of gray - white wings suddenly extended from the person's back. With a slight flap, he soared into the air!