In the following days, Leon stayed on Black Flag Island, both to accompany Franka and her son and to observe Rayne's state after his bloodline awakening.
According to Rayne's own feelings, the changes in his body were present, but not that obvious.
He neither suddenly turned into a two-hearted, three-lunged mutant nor instantly became a so-called transcendent.
At most, his strength increased a bit, and his mind became more agile.
He ate more and slept sounder.
But thinking about it, it was unrealistic to expect to reach the heavens in one step by relying on this bloodline awakening.
The true preciousness of God's Blood lies in its ability to activate as Rayne grows, subtly changing his talent and aptitude.
This is not a short-term gift, but a lifelong beneficial BUFF!
Understanding this, Rayne immediately relaxed his mindset.
He was only three years old; he just needed to grow up slowly, no need to rush too much.
...
...
One morning on this day.
Leon and Franka brought Rayne to the seashore.
The weather today was exceptionally clear, the sea breeze blowing from the ocean was cool but not cold, and the azure waves under the sunlight presented a somewhat clear texture.
Rayne looked at the nearby beach and sea with a hint of curiosity.
Although he had lived on Black Flag Island for more than three years, due to the mark on him, he had never been allowed close contact with the sea.
Only today did he set foot on this beach for the first time.
“Rayne, from now on, I will no longer restrict you from approaching the coast.”
Franka stroked Rayne's small head and carefully instructed, “However, this ocean is still very dangerous for you.”
“Never go swimming alone, and try to have someone accompany you when you come to the beach…”
Listening to his mother's nagging, Rayne nodded solemnly, “I know.”
He would not joke with his own life for curiosity.
“Rayne, you can take out your ship in a bottle now.”
At this moment, Leon, who was beside him, said with a smile, “Go meet your Alice.”
“Yes.”
With a hint of anticipation and excitement, Rayne took out the ship in a bottle he carried with him.
He could feel that after arriving at the seaside, the Alice in the glass bottle seemed to be trembling slightly, vaguely becoming active.
'Do you also want to come out and breathe fresh air?'
'Then, as you wish!'
Rayne's mind stirred.
A faint azure light rippled like water.
Immediately, a medium-sized two-masted square-rigged ship appeared on the sea in front of the family of three.
Although among ships of the same type, the Alice was not very large, and even seemed a bit miniature compared to Leon's Black Flag.
But for Rayne, who was only three years old, it was already tall enough and spacious enough.
Thinking that this was a ship completely belonging to him, Rayne found it more and more pleasing to the eye.
Soon, Leon took Franka and her son aboard the Alice to tour the deck and the interior of the cabin.
These days, Rayne had already carefully observed this ship in a bottle, but looking down at it from the outside and personally stepping onto the ship were completely different feelings!
Looking at the towering mast and tidy deck in front of him, Rayne couldn't help but exclaim.
“What a good ship!”
Leon showed a proud smile and said, “Of course!”
“Whether it's choosing a ship or choosing a wife, your old man's taste is first-class!”
Franka glared at him with a slight pout, “Stop with your glib tongue!”
Franka's focus was more on this Alice.
Soon, she discovered something strange.
“This ship, why does it look so new?”
Rayne had also noticed this long ago—this Alice was unusually new!
Whether it was the deck, ropes, or cannons, there were almost no signs of use; it was as clean and tidy as if it had just rolled off the production line.
Rayne could even smell the unique scent of new wood and new paint.
It was as if… the Alice had just been built and then put into this bottle.
So, who built this ship?
And why was it placed in a bottle?
Rayne couldn't help but feel curious.
In response, Leon stroked his chin.
“I don't know much about this ship either. When I got it, it was just displayed on a shelf as an exquisite handicraft.”
“The shopkeeper didn't even know it was a mysterious ship.”
Rayne's expression was a bit strange.
You can even find such a treasure by chance? Your luck is a bit invincible!
Although he was quite curious about the origin of the Alice, since he couldn't get an answer for now, Rayne didn't dwell on it.
However, Rayne quickly realized another problem—
He couldn't sail this ship alone!
The Alice was not too large, but as a square-rigged ship, it would require at least a dozen people for normal operation.
Adding in various miscellaneous personnel, a ship would need to be equipped with at least thirty crew members to complete a medium-distance voyage.
And at Rayne's current age, let alone thirty people, he couldn't even command three!
Leon had obviously anticipated this, and rubbing Rayne's small head, he said.
“Don't worry, this ship is for you to use when you grow up.”
“Moreover, I've already prepared your reserve crew members for you.”
As he said this, Leon looked at Franka beside him, “My dear, regarding the school we discussed earlier… I'll have to trouble you with it.”
Franka nodded, “I will diligently teach those children.”
Hearing this, Rayne immediately understood his father's intention.
This was to establish a small school on Black Flag Island!
The students recruited by the school would, of course, be the children of the pirates.
This could both cultivate the children's abilities and increase their loyalty, indirectly paving the way for Rayne and building a group of his trusted subordinates.
When Rayne grew up, these children would directly board the ship and become crew members of the Alice.
Having a father like this was simply too awesome!
At this moment, Franka continued, “However, you still need to hire a teacher to teach combat skills and swordsmanship.”
“You know, not just anyone can learn my swordsmanship.”
Leon stroked his stubbled chin, contemplating, “What do you think of Philip?”
“You mean, the third mate of the Black Flag?”
Franka thought for a moment, “His strength is sufficient, but… is he reliable enough?”
“Don't forget Havier from before!”
The loyalty of pirates is built upon violence and profit.
Once these two supports are gone, or they are swayed by greater violence and profit, their loyalty is like a fragile castle in the air, ready to collapse at any moment.
And with the expansion and transformation of the Black Flag Pirate Group, Leon's enemies and adversaries would only increase.
Like Havier, who made a move on Rayne's first birthday.
It is said that he was bribed and became a traitor, intending to use the karmic effect of the ill-fortune curse on the bloodline to cast a curse on Leon.
It is conceivable that there are certainly more people with malicious intentions like him lurking within the Black Flag Pirate Group.
As a mother, Franka's primary concern was naturally safety.
“Philip should be trustworthy.”
Having experienced Havier's betrayal, Leon dared not make a guarantee, only saying.
“His daughter, Bobby, will also be attending the school, which can be considered an extra layer of insurance.”
“…Bobby?”
Upon hearing this, Rayne's expression was a bit strange.
“That name…”
Leon looked at him strangely, “What's wrong with that name? Isn't it quite pleasant?”
“I saw her a few years ago; she's a very cute little girl.”
“Son, you must get along well with her; maybe in the future… hehe…”
Rayne couldn't help but roll his eyes.
Leon was good in every way, except his heart was too big.
Who talks about these things to a three-year-old child?
However, Rayne couldn't help but feel a bit curious and expectant about Bobby and his other classmates, as well as the upcoming school life.