The ocean was vast and dull, a horizon of endless blue.
When you were alone, it could drive you mad.
Luckily, Ron wasn't.
With Nami aboard, even idle talk between them could make time flow a little faster. Between his hours of meditation and her constant chatter, the silence of the sea felt almost alive.
Through their many conversations, they had already learned much about each other at least on the surface. Ron's story was half-truth, half-fiction, carefully crafted to sound believable.
Nami's tale, however, began the same way… until Ron's subtle questions started piercing through her words.
He exposed small contradictions, tiny holes she hadn't expected him to notice. Bit by bit, her mask cracked until at last, she confessed everything about Arlong and Cocoyasi Village.
Ron simply smiled. "I figured as much. Humans joining Fishmen was strange enough. Add in Cocoyasi's situation, and your reaction back then confirmed it for me."
Nami's voice trembled. "Humans can't defeat Fishmen. The only way to save Cocoyasi is to follow that deal…"
Ron leaned against the mast, his tone calm but firm. "And if Arlong never intended to keep his word?"
Nami's eyes widened. She turned to him sharply. "That's impossible! Arlong is strict about rules. He'll keep his promise… he has to…"
Her voice wavered near the end, the strength in her tone fading away like the tide.
Ron didn't argue. He let the silence stretch for a few moments before speaking again.
"I'll help you," he said quietly. "I'll help you gather the hundred million Berries you need. We'll do it your way, as safely as you choose. But if Arlong truly means to break that deal…"
His eyes sharpened. "Then I'll end him."
Nami lowered her head, her fingers trembling as they clenched her skirt. For a long moment she said nothing. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper…
"…Thank you."
Ron smiled. "You saved me first. This is only fair. Now come on, I'm starving."
She nodded softly. "Alright."
Dinner was simple, but the air between them felt lighter than before. The unspoken secret that had weighed on her was finally gone.
Afterward, Ron tried to teach her the basics of magic. He thought perhaps she could learn a simple Wind Spell. But no matter how clearly he explained or how carefully she followed, she couldn't summon even the faintest spark.
At first he thought her spirit was too weak, but soon he realized the truth.
It wasn't about willpower or focus it was the lack of the magic imprint.
That mysterious mark in his system was essential. Without it, even perfect visualization of runes meant nothing. The energy would simply fade away.
Unable to teach her magic, Ron sighed and gave up. The day had turned to night, and at least one small victory came his way. His lazy day achievement finally triggered.
[Achievement Unlocked: Slothful Soul. Reward: 1 Achievement Point]
He immediately invested the point into Spirit and began meditating once more.
His training this time was focused on spell mastery. With his spiritual power now over twenty points, the difference was astounding. His Wind Blades formed in less than a second, slicing through the air like whispers of steel.
But to go faster, he needed more than practice. He needed to evolve his magic itself.
"Three runes form a second-tier spell," he mused aloud. "But what happens if only two fuse perfectly?"
Closing his eyes, he focused inward.
Two golden runes took shape in the void of his mind, their patterns glowing softly before linking together in a delicate dance of light.
Lines connected, curves twisted, energy surged
And then…
BOOM!
The air exploded outward, forming a spiraling gust that hurled Ron off his feet and straight into the sea.
[Achievement Unlocked: Accidental Overboard. Reward: 1 Achievement Point]
As he surfaced, sputtering and soaked, Ron blinked in surprise before breaking into laughter.
"Not bad at all!"
He added the new point into Spirit and swam calmly back to the boat, already planning to try again.
Nami, hearing the splash, turned just in time to see him climb aboard dripping wet. Her eyebrow twitched.
"…What on earth are you doing?"
"Experimenting," Ron said with a perfectly straight face. "Had a minor magical misfire. Nothing to worry about."
He shook off the water and walked to the stern, preparing for another attempt.
Seconds later…
BOOM!
A small section of the railing shattered, and Ron disappeared into the sea once again.
Nami's eyes went wide. "Nothing to worry about?!"
When he resurfaced, he coughed twice and waved casually. "It's fine! Just an accident! I've almost got it figured out."
He climbed back up then immediately started another attempt.
BOOM!
This time, the blast sent a spray of seawater sky-high. Ron vanished under the waves again.
By the time he returned for the third time, he looked exhilarated. Not frustrated, excited. Without a word, he climbed back to the same spot and resumed his work.
BOOM!
Down he went again.
Nami stood frozen, her expression blank for several seconds. Slowly, a dark shadow crossed her face as she muttered to herself, "He… doesn't secretly enjoy this, does he…?"
Ron, of course, had no idea he'd been labeled as someone with a "unique hobby."
He was simply thrilled.
Each explosion, each failure, brought him a little closer to understanding rune fusion and each plunge into the sea brought him closer to his next achievement.
After all, there were two linked achievements for falling into the ocean.
The first was Accidental Overboard. The second? Unlucky Soul achieved after ten unintentional dives.
And if he had to fall into the sea a few more times to unlock it, so be it.
Because progress was progress.
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