17 Premonition

Ugh.. What's with all the noise.

When I woke up, I could hear the voice of Reika and Ari loud enough for it to reach this room. I opened the door and saw Ari running away from Reika.

"Stop being so cold Ari! I'm going out today so I'll be lonely!"

"Stay away from me!"

…

She noticed me walk out of the room.

"Oh, Morning Haruto. Haven't seen you in awhile"

"Ya, i've been reading. Anyways, where you off too?"

"I lost a pendant and I'm pretty sure it's in the forest somewhere"

"Will you be fine?"

"Don't worry. Kugo and Xavier don't have any duty today so they'll keep me company"

That's a relief then. Since Reika used to be an adventurer, she should be capable of defending herself but with Kugo and Xavier there, I can sigh with relief.

Speaking of which, we're supposed to go drinking tonight. Can't wait.

(*)

Hmm. What should I do for the time being.. Ah I know, I should check out the port. Since this is a port city and all, I might as well visit it.

I headed to where the port was. It's quite busy. Muscular men wearing nothing but trousers are working hard carrying barrels and cargos in and out of the ship.

There is a huge outdoor market that sells fresh fish but I have no use for them thus I decided to not go.

There was a stall that sold grilled eels so I went there. Perfect timing since I'm quite hungry after completing my training routine.

I bought two of the grilled eel on a stick and sat down on a nearby rock facing towards the sea. What a peaceful day.

…

The scenery was quite beautiful. The glistening sea sparkles brilliantly as the morning sun shines down on it ever so gently. I can't keep my eyes away from the sea. It feels as if something is pulling me in with an indescribable feeling of yearning.

As I was enjoying the magnificent view, I can see the beautiful woman who was working at the magic shop walking along the streets. I waved at her and it seems like she remembers me.

"Hey you're the customer from the other day right? What a coincidence. How far are your studies coming along?"

She sat down beside me and greeted me with a smile. She seems like a very friendly person.

"Yes. I've only started reading it but I don't seem to quite grasp the basics yet. There are many intricate details such as weaving the flow of mana and such"

I've read the first volume already but there's a lot of things that doesn't make sense. I feel like the problem lies within the root of my knowledge. The book doesn't talk about cana or arcana veins. Instead, it stresses on the idea of mana and that it resides within. I believe that cana is referred to as mana but as for arcana veins, they don't seem to know about it.

Well, if I read it further, I'll probably understand what their theories are.

"I see~ Well it took me years before I could understand it so your progress has already surpassed mine from when I was starting to learn as well"

She said that with a reminiscent gaze as she looks at the seas.

"Would you like some eel? It's quite good"

"Is it ok? They're expensive you know?"

The eel cost 1 silver per stick. I never knew that I've been spending so much money. Then again.. You made me buy books 15 golds worth..

"Its fine. Consider it thanks for selling me great references to learn magic"

"I'll happily take it then"

She's happily munching on the eel while having a blissful face.

"My name is Fayna"

"Nice to meet you Fayna. I'm Haruto, a wandering traveller"

"Oh? I thought you lived here but I guess I was wrong"

"Ya I only came to this city not too long ago"

"it's my day off you see so I can show you around if you'd like~"

"Is it ok?"

"Yup! Besides~ you did buy really expensive books from my store not to mention you treated me to such a luxurious meal so this much is nothing"

"I'll happily accept then"

After finishing the remainder of the eel, we decided to walk around together.

(*)

"I've walked along this beach since I started living here but I still can't get over how beautiful it is"

"I know what you mean~ When I first went to the port, the scenery captivated me in an instant"

After we finished eating, we are now walking by the beach admiring the sea. It's in a different location from earlier so there are no ships to be found anywhere.

"You weren't born here?"

"You see~ I've been living in the kingdom's capital as a student in the royal academia but I got tired of that lifestyle and decided to move here and start a magic shop"

"Is the royal capital in a bad state?"

"That's not what I meant~"

"Well either way, everyone is born free. You should do what you feel like and not be tied down to other people's ideologies"

I smiled at her happily while we talk and walk along the warm sand of the beach. Not long after, she became far more open and her demeanor towards me changed.

"I have something to show you!"

She led me with her hands while happily humming to a tune I'm unfamiliar with.

"Ohhh!!!"

We walked to a nearby rock formation and in a small mossy rock, there was a small passage covered by plants.

The passage led to a small cove. The ocean water is even more clear over here and the magnificent sunlight shines brightly on a small unique crystal-like rock. When the light hits the crystal, it emits some sort of luminescence.

The scenery was gorgeous. I wish I had a camera to capture this moment.

"I'm glad you like it~ I found this place by luck when I was going for my usual stroll along the beach"

"It's really beautiful. Thank you for showing me this"

(*)

After enjoying the scenery of the cove, we went to an open style restaurant near the port.

We're enjoying the local delicacies while admiring the sea once again.

"Ohh! I've been here for so long but i've never tried such luxurious food!"

"I can't wait to try it too"

But still, this food looks amazing though. A large grilled fish that has a unique look that I've never seen before in the previous world looks so appetizing. The taste had a similar texture to meat but the flavour is undoubtedly fish. The squid rings had a soft texture that melts in your mouth. The octopus tentacles had a distinct flavour that doesn't compare to anything I've ever eaten before. The meat in this city is good but the sea dishes are undoubtedly the winner.

After we became satisfied with the meal, we happily conversed about our experiences in this city in terms of food while drinking some sort of fruit juice. It was a tranquil day when all of the sudden, the whole place was abrupted rudely.

"HAHAHAHAHA"

A group of loud men drinking alcohol in the daylight are sitting across from us making trouble for the owner of this restaurant.

"Customer.. could you please kindly lower your voice… your interrupting the other customers…"

"Haaaa?!"

"Hiiiii!"

One of the lady who works here became terrified after kindly warning the loud people.

"Who the hell do you think you are haaaa?! Who do you think is paying for the food haaaa?"

Annoying.

"Disgusting"

Fayna said so in a low voice but I could still hear it but well, I agree.

The one yelling loudly got up and was about and raised his fist against the lady.

"It's not good to hit women know?"

I got up from my seat and grabbed his fist before he could connect.

"Bastard! Who the hell do you think you are?!"

He shakes my grip away and proceeds to throw his fist at me.

Too slow. These guys aren't even past level 5 so they should just sit down and not make such a mess about everything..

He keeps throwing his fist in the air but it hits nothing.

I nimbly dodge all of his attacks right before it connects me. He's probably thrown about ten punches yet he's already running out of breath. His useless muscles are all for show apparently.

He got fed up and winded up exaggeratedly and swung with force. I dodge and slip behind his back and lightly tapped his back. His whole body fell from the momentum and fell on top of the table where him and his cohorts were sitting.

A loud crash echoes throughout the restaurant and the other guys got up too.

"You bastard!"

"You'll pay for this"

"Who do you think we are"

I don't know?

Four guys including the big guy from before started swinging wildly but to their useless struggle, they only hit the air.

I swiftly dodged all of the attacks but I'm getting fed up with it.

One of the fist that was coming towards me flew to the face of one the guy. Right before it hit me, I changed the direction of the fist by using my palm to hit his wrist.

While they were fazed wondering what happened, I roundhouse kick one one of them and kick the other guys stomach.

One of them fell down dramatically while the other one dropped to his knees in pain.

The big guy saw the state of his cohorts and started running away.

"What's going on here!"

Two city guards on patrol walked by the restaurant and said so in a demanding voice.

"That guy running destroyed my restaurant!"

The owner said so to the guard.

The big guy who was running eventually met the pommel of the sword in the hands of one of the guards.

They are now apprehending the knocked out cohorts and took them away.

A loud roar of cheers echoed throughout the whole beach.

Before I knew it, There was even more people who witnessed it from the bystanders outside of the restaurant.

"Thank you very much kind sir!"

"Don't be. I'm sorry for making a mess and destroying your tables and tableware. How much will it cost?"

"Don't be stupid! You don't have to worry about it. The food is on the house!"

Even louder cheers roared. I was slightly troubled so I left the establishment with Fayna while waving the onlookers goodbye.

"I didn't know Haruto was this strong~"

"You compliment me too much. I simply just dodged their attacks"

"I was slightly worried when you went up afraid that you were going to get hurt you know! I was real close to almost killing them.."

"Ahaha I'm sorry for worrying you. I'll treat you to some dessert"

"Hmmph~"

She held my arms and pulled me to a nearby stall that serves sweets.

…

I could have sworn I heard her say something scary..

Oh well!

(*)

After spending half the day outside, I went back to Reika's inn.

I noticed that she's still not here and the cold Ari is sitting down by herself.

"Hey"

"...Mn"

"Still as unfriendly as ever huh.."

"Leave me alone"

She turned her head away and sat still. I feel like she's become more sociable than before. I'm glad.

"What are you doing anyways. I thought you'd be out looking for magic crystals"

"You didn't hear?"

"Hear what"

"The adventurer's association advised adventurers to stay in the city for today. Specially those that are only novices"

…

Whoosh

The door of the inn opened and Leon appeared before us.