Chapter 35 -- Ready when you are

"So what do we do until the three days are up ?" Zane asked as he and Chris walked through the streets of Willow.

"I have to make arrangements for our accomodation. So we will be walking around a lot looking for the right place" Chris said.

Zane shuddered at the thought of spending the whole day with Chris. The events of the day before where still vivid in his mind.

"You do that, i will explore the city" Zane said.

"Really? will you be okay all alone?" Chris said sarcastically in a caring voice.

"Let's meet sundown at the Dancing Rum" Zane ignored Chris's comment.

Chris and Zane separated and Zane began his exploration of Willow city. First he went to that restaurant he and Chris had been to the day before. 

"Is it me or does this world have a lot of bread?" Zane mumbled to himself as he took a bite of his breakfast.

The not-so-fresh bread reminded Zane of his mother. It had been three whole years since he left home and he missed his parents dearly. Zane had promised his mother that he would visit every year but he has already missed three visits.

To tell the truth Zane had completely forgotten about that promise. Zane had been robbed on the first day and after that he became obsessed with raising his power and surviving in the wild. This was the first time in three years he was actually relaxed.

Zane's parents probably thought he was dead, he wished he could call them and tell them he was fine but.....

"That will be 3 gold sir" the waitress said.

Zane shoved his hand into his pockets and came out with a handful of gold. This was still the gold he had taken from Chris' ring.

Zane then took four coins and handed them to the young woman. "Keep the change" He said with a smile before standing up and walking away. He held the door handle for a few seconds before pushing it open and leaving. The waitress was left there in confusion as she looked at the four coins 'Strange' she thought before going to attend another table.

Zane walked down the street as he listened to the conversations of the random strangers he passed by. He was bored and thought maybe he could hear about some fun activities to do in Willow. 

As he had hoped, a certain conversation claimed Zane's attention.

"Did you see that move by the flame master !?"

"Of course I saw it! It was so hot we could feel it's heat from a hundred meters!!"

"Man that was an excellent duel. Water against fire , who would have thought that fire could best water"

The voices then disappeared as the two people walked into a shop. Zane wanted to follow then into the shop and ask what they where talking about but decided to just forget about it.

He could always ask Chris later, Zane refused to believe that there was something in Willow city that Chris didn't know about.

Zane continued walking but then he suddenly left the main road and turned into an alley way. He walked about 20 more meters before stopping in the middle of the alley. 

"I am now alone, you can come out and try your best to rob me now" He suddenly said to no one in particular.

CLAP!

CLAP!

CLAP!

"I must say i am impressed. Didn't think you would be able to notice us" A voice said. Zane narrowed his eyes as he looked around. 'This is going to be a problem ' He thought.

The problem was that Zane couldn't see any mana cores, which meant that these people where not mages. One could say this was a good thing. If they where not mages that means that they couldn't perform spells which meant that they where not that dangerous right?. 

Correct, however that was where the city rules came into play. Killing wasn't allowed in the city but that was only true for mages. Normal people could kill each other however they liked. Of course a mage wasn't allowed to attack a non mage.

The reason for this rule wasn't because a fight between a mage and a non mage would be unfair. The reason was actually because mages cause destruction whenever they fought. A fight between mages could cost the city hundreds of coins in damages.

However normal people couldn't cause that much destruction. Heck the strongest attack of a normal human couldn't even scratch the dirt. The humans of this universe where very weak physically.

"When did you see us ?" the man asked as he played with a knife. Zane was trying his best to determine the number of his attackers. That was the other disadvantage of confronting non mages, he couldn't see them.

Zane had actually noticed these people back at the Dancing Rum. He had heard them whispering about following him after seeing his money when he paid for his food. Zane didn't actually see, feel or hear them when they where following him so going into the alley and talking to no one was just a hunch.

"I can't see anything" Zane answered as he pointed at his eyes, which where covered by the cloth.

The man was really surprised to hear that. He hadn't noticed that Zane's eyes where covered at all.

"Ohh i never noticed that. Well I can't ever dream of robbing a blind person now can i?" The man said. "Im very sorry for attempting to rob you, have a pleasant day" he continued.

Zane was really shocked to hear that. They where really letting him go because he was blind? 'Maybe people of this world aren't that bad after all ' he thought.

"Hahahahah!!"

'Or not'

"Ohh man your should have seen your face oh wait...you can't!!" The man laughed once more, accompanied by his companions as they shared in the joy of his joke.

'At least 6 men' Zane thought. He could easily discern the different voices as the bandits laughed. Zane immediately began doing calculations in his mind as to how he would handle the situation.

He wasn't arrogant enough to think that he could beat all Six men without a solid plan. Zane knew he had a major advantage in the form of his body but he still couldn't fight.

"Don't you want to know my name before you kill me?" he said in an effort to buy himself some time.

"No need, I am sure you aren't a noble and even if you are, I have ways to get away with what we're going to do" The man said confidently.

Zane sighed as he removed his blindfold. He did so in order to better hear the movements of his opponents. This was his first real fight against fellow humans and a part of him was actually excited. The adrenaline felt good.

Zane took out his sword from his storage ring and did a few swings before taking a deep breath and grasping it tight with both hands.

Zane held the sword horizontally in front of his face as he took a fighting stance with his right leg slightly bent. He was currently facing the direction of the man he was talking with, even though he knew that there where also others behind him.

"Ready when you are." he said.