The Eatery

<Author's 10 Thoughts: This is an extra chapter for reaching more than Power Stones this week. Thank you, Jitna and Maximus1334!>

Vivian entered the eatery that was next to The Silver Wing Inn and she swept her gaze around her surroundings her .

The eatery was a one-story building and the main hall was slightly bigger compared to the one on Shirley's Tavern. The floor was paved and there was no counter. The furniture was all made of wood including the utensils and there were lamps on the side. There were also the small same-looking animals that Vivian saw back in Shirley's Tavern running around and picking up scraps under the table which ran away once they felt her presence.

Are those what passes off as dogs and cats in this world…?

She shifted her gaze to the people.

Waitresses were coming in and out one of the back doors either carrying dishes to serve to the customers or bringing back empty dishes to be washed.

As for the customers, it was crowded but there were still a few extra chairs at the tables.

Hmm… 

There are fewer Adventurers here compared to the Shirley's…

Or maybe it's just a coincidence…?

As far as she could remember, all she saw were Adventurers back at Shirley's.

She went over to one of the waitresses nearby who was serving some dishes from a tray to a table.

When the waitress was done serving, she turned to Vivian.

"Hi, are going to dine?"

"Yes."

"Are you alone or with company?"

"Alone."

"Follow me."

The waitress led Vivian to a table.

The table had 5 chairs and 3 of them were already occupied by people who appeared to be Adventurers between the ages of 18-22. And based on the pendant around their necks, the two, a man and a woman, who were talking with each other were Silver I, while the other one, a woman, who was eating in silence was Silver II.

"Please take a seat."

Vivian grabbed a seat and put the whip on her hand on top of her legs before sitting down.

The 3 Adventurers glanced at her.

Vivian smiled and nodded at them and they returned the same gesture before resuming what they were doing which caught her in a surprise.

"What can I get you?" asked the waitress.

"Can you get me something that's enough after a long day of adventuring or working?"

"Sure."

"How much is it?"

"5 coppers."

Vivian took out copper coins.

"Thank you," she said as she gave it to the waitress.

"Your order will be here soon," the waitress said and then left.

Oh shit, I forgot about the shampoo…

She glanced outside at the door.

It was already starting to get dark.

If I go to the shop where I bought the soap and that green stick now, they would be closing already…

Since yesterday, she hasn't washed her hair and has been doing a lot of outdoor activities so her scalp was starting to get a bit itchy and her hair oily.

I'll just use the soap for now…

"You're a Tamer?" asked one of the people sharing the table with her.

Vivian looked at the person and saw that it was the woman talking with the man.

They were both looking at her.

Meanwhile, the other woman continued minding her own business and eating in silence.

Vivian glanced at the whip on top of her legs that was hidden underneath the table before returning her gaze to the woman.

"No."

"Oh, I see. Sorry about that."

The woman resumed talking with the man.

"Hi, can I ask you something?" asked Vivian.

Both the woman and man turned to her.

"Sure," said the woman.

"Do you know where the Temple of Thieves is?"

"You're a Thief?"

"Yeah."

She looked at her companion which prompted the man to think for a moment before answering.

"I believe it's at the Temple District, near the Temple of Warriors."

"I see. Thank you," Vivian said and smiled.

Truth be told, she absolutely had no idea where the Temple District was.

"It's not common to see an Adventurer carrying a whip so we got curious," said the woman.

"Really? I didn't know that."

"I mean, at least around here."

"Yeah, most Tamers are gathered around Heisen City, right?" the man added.

"Yes, they say that's because there are many powerful and interesting beasts there. It's also the birthplace of the Temple of Tamers."

"What was the name of the first Tamer again? He's from there, right?"

"I don't know."

The waitress came back and was carrying food on a tray.

"Here's your order."

She placed the food in front of Vivian -- a mug of beer, a bowl of meat stew and 2 slices of bread.

Vivian stared at the mug of beer.

I won't be surprised if I end up being an alcoholic in this world…

But at least the beer isn't cold here…

So I guess it won't happen…

But why though…?

Why serve warm beer…?

"Excuse me," Vivian said to the waitress. "How much is it to refill a water pouch?"

"As long as you order food here, it's free. Just head over to the kitchen and ask."

"I see. Thank you."

"Enjoy your meal," the waitress said and left to entertain a new customer.

Vivian took a bite from her food and swallowed before returning her attention back to the 2 Adventurers that she just spoken with.

"Can I ask another question?"

They turned to her.

"How long does it take to learn Class Magic?"

"It depends on how much effort and how many times you do it," the woman said and then noticed the confused expression on Vivian's face "Let's say I'm a Thief. To learn Thief Class Magic, I would constantly do tasks like sneaking and be very passionate or meticulous about it."

"I see," Vivian said and mused for a moment. "Do you guys have Class Magic? I mean, if you don't mind telling me. I'm sorry if I offended you."

"Not at all," said the woman.

"Yeah, we don't mind," said the man. "And plus, you're a Copper I Rank so maybe you don't know about this. But Adventurers who have Class Magic are sought after, both by fellow Adventurers and clients."

"That's true. Because of that, most Adventurers who have Class Magic tend to want other people to know that they have Class Magic."

"And if they have Lore Magic, it's even better."

"I see," said Vivian.

"And to answer your question if we have Class Magic, yes, we do. I'm a Wizard and I have [Magic Spirit] and [Magic Mind]," said the woman.

"I'm a Warrior and I have [Intimidate]," said the man.

"Have you guys ever changed Class?"

"We've never changed Class," said the woman.

If Vivian were to estimate their age, the man and woman seemed to be in their late teens.

"Do you know what other Classes are there aside from Thief, Wizard, Warrior and Tamer?"

"There's Priest, Bard, Blacksmith, Hunter, Herbalist and Monk," said the woman.

"Don't forget about the Necromancer," said the man.

"But it's outlawed."

"In some places."

So Necromancer is prohibited in some places…?

Hmm...

I want to ask why…

But I don't want to attract more attention…

The other Adventurer who was eating with them in silence, got up and left.

It was then Vivian finally noticed that the plates on the 2 Adventurers were already empty.

"I'm very sorry for bothering you while you were eating."

"It's okay. We were the first who asked you questions after all," said the woman.

"Yeah," said the man.

"Please take a seat."

A waitress approached their table and brought 2 men with her. 

Based on their attire, they were civilians. They also had an image of typical drunkards. It wasn't that they were drunk or smelled like alcohol. They just had that dull, red and dry-looking skin from constantly drinking alcohol.

Both men sat down.

And just for a split second, one of them eyed Vivian and the female Adventurer, and then deemed that he preferred the female Adventurer.

Although Vivian was physically more attractive, the female Adventurer had a more pleasant demeanor, was younger, dressed better and had a higher adventurer rank.

"The usual," the man said.

"Same here," the other man said.

"We'll be starting a tab tonight."

"Okay," the waitress said and then left.

The 2 Adventurers noticed that more customers were coming in from the entrance and there weren't enough seats left.

Another customer was even being led by another waitress to the extra seat left on the table where Vivian and the rest were sitting.

"Looks like we have to go. See you around," the man said and smiled before getting up and leaving.

"Bye~ See you around~" the woman said and did the same.

"See you too around and thanks for the information," Vivian said and then began eating as fast as she could without choking.

She disliked being around alcoholics. Based on her experience, 8 out of 10 times, they're just annoying. And given that she was a woman now, she could only imagine how annoying these men would be once they started drinking.