He shook his head. Of course he could tell the boy was not joking.
From the boy's tone, he knew that whatever the boy was about to tell him might be extremely important—not just to the world, but to him personally.
That was what his instincts told him.
The haze of alcohol vanished from Shanks's eyes, and his confused gaze instantly cleared.
He sat up straight, looked at the boy seriously, and nodded.
"I want to know."
Your Level?
The ruined grounds were unusually lively beneath the setting sun. On one side, a live performance of singing and dancing was underway. On the other side of the campfire, an amusing scene was unfolding.
The two seemed to have swapped not only their roles, but their ages. Kuta had become the teacher, while Shanks was the obedient student listening intently.
The earnest look on Shanks's face put a glint of amusement in Kuta's eyes. Then he could no longer hold back and burst out laughing.
"Hahahaha!!"
He doubled over, bracing a hand on Shanks's shoulder as his own shoulders shook.
"You're as entertaining as ever!"
"Why so serious?"
Shanks watched the boy laugh so hard he could barely straighten up, and the corners of his mouth rose too.
But just then, the boy who had been laughing lifted his head. His Azure Eyes locked onto Shanks's, and when he spoke, his voice sounded like that of a god looking down from on high.
"Are you ready?"
Shanks looked at the boy, then into those eyes that seemed to hold a starry sky, and nodded.
"Then relax your mind. Don't resist."
Kuta could have dragged Shanks into the world within his eyes by force. But they were friends, after all, and doing that would not feel right.
As soon as he finished