Chapter 11. Tavern Fight

Another day dawns, and I find myself going through the same old routine. You know the drill – it's bath time, a quick change of clothes, a hearty meal to fuel the day, and a good stretch to limber up. But just as I'm about to set out, I spot a note neatly tucked under my door.

"Let's meet up at the tavern," it reads.

Well, well, looks like I'm in for a treat. Rumor has it that this tavern not only serves great food but also has an inviting atmosphere. I make sure to grab my trusty map before leaving because, let's face it, getting lost in the city is not part of my grand plan.

"Ah, the infamous tavern! I've heard they serve heavenly delicacies," I say to myself as I trace the route on the map. It's tucked away in the 7th district, hidden like a gem waiting to be discovered.

I step outside, full of enthusiasm, but as I wander through the district, a growing pain starts to nag at my head. Ouch! And to add insult to injury, I can't seem to find the darn tavern anywhere. Seriously, this map is detailed to the nth degree, and yet, I've scoured every nook and cranny without a hint of my sought-after destination.

"Excuse me, good sir, have you seen this place?" I ask a passerby, my desperation creeping into my voice.

To my dismay, nobody seems to know a thing about the place. It's as if the tavern exists only in the whispers of my imagination. Frustration builds within me, and I can feel my anger mounting. Where are my friends when I need them? And where, oh where, is this cursed tavern?

In a moment of defeated resignation, I consider giving up. But then, just as I'm about to abandon hope, my eyes catch a glimpse of a tiny blue mark on the map. Could it be?

Heart racing with newfound hope, I make my way toward the spot. Lo and behold, it's an old building, seemingly abandoned and forgotten. Disappointment begins to seep in, but then, from beneath the structure, I hear faint noises.

Curiosity gets the better of me, and I decide to explore every inch of the building. And what do you know? I stumble upon a hidden door leading downstairs. The tavern, it seems, has been beneath my nose this whole time!

"Finally, I've found you!" I exclaimed, relieved to have cracked the mystery.

My friends, Camilla, Nia, and Charlotte, are already there, awaiting my arrival. They inquire why I took so long to locate the place, teasing me gently.

"Well, next time, a note would have made my quest much easier," I jest, a playful grin spreading across my face.

But hey, now that I'm here, all the worries fade away. I take a seat between Nia and Charlotte, feeling their warm camaraderie.

"So, Alfonse, what's your poison? Beer? Wine?" they ask, raising their eyebrows mischievously.

Ah, wine, that dreadful taste still lingering from my previous encounter at West Mist. It was not my cup of tea, or in this case, my glass of wine.

"I think I'll stick to water or maybe some iced tea," I reply with a smile.

They chuckle, teasing me about my "bad taste." Well, to each their own, I say.

With the drink order settled, it's time to decide on the food. The choices dance before me like an enticing parade.

"I'll have the Bolognese and a mouthwatering, well-done beef steak, please," I relay to Nia, my stomach growling in agreement.

Nia promptly summons the waitress, and we place our orders, our taste buds already tingling with anticipation.

And there she is, Stephie, the tavern's delightful host, who happens to be an elf – a sight I've never encountered before. Her long white hair, the pink headband adorning it, and her elegant attire make her look like a vision.

Stephie scribbles our orders down, her graceful movements captivating us. With a wave, she dispatches the chefs to prepare our delectable feast.

As we wait for the food to arrive, our conversation turns to the previous day's battle. The adrenaline still coursing through our veins, and we're eager to share our experiences.

"Your sword skills were simply astounding! How did you manage it?" Camilla asks, her eyes shimmering with awe.

I pause for a moment, contemplating how to answer. The truth is, I owe my prowess to my secret training with Connor before arriving here. But that's a story for another time.

"I worked tirelessly back in West Mist. Every day was dedicated to intense workouts, rigorous exercise, and relentless training," I explain, glossing over the details of my unconventional training.

My friends are captivated by my tale of transformation, from a penniless youth to a skilled student. Their eyes sparkle with wonder as they hang onto my every word.

The aroma of the food fills the air, announcing its arrival. Our mouths water in anticipation as the plates are set before us.

"Enjoy your meal!" Stephie exclaims cheerfully, her radiant smile lighting up the room.

The sight of the dishes before us is almost too much to bear. My taste buds tingle with excitement, and I can't wait to savor each and every bite.

It's finally time to indulge. As we take our first bites, a chorus of delighted exclamations fills the tavern.

"Wow! This tastes incredible!" the sisters exclaim, their eyes widening in delight.

I reach for my glass of iced tea, taking a sip and relishing its refreshing flavor.

"Mmm, this drink is a delight. It melts in my mouth, leaving behind a symphony of flavors," I exclaimed, raising my glass in a toast.

We dive into our feast, completely absorbed in the heavenly flavors. Mouthful after mouthful, we savor the tantalizing combination of textures and tastes. The food is so delectable that we can't help but lose ourselves in the experience.

"That, my friends, was an epic feast!" I exclaimed, wiping the last remnants of the sauce from my lips.

Stephie, the talented chef, overhears our delight and can't help but comment, her eyes twinkling with satisfaction.

"Well, it seems you guys thoroughly enjoyed my culinary creations. You're always welcome here," she says with a hint of pride.

As we sit back, bellies full and heart's content, the weariness of our journey catches up to us. The exhaustion from the battle and the satisfying meal lull us into a peaceful slumber right there at the table.

"Oh, man, I could use more of this food in my dreams!" we jest, our words laced with drowsiness.

As we drift off, the meat's tenderness echoes in our dreams, and the symphony of flavors dances in our minds.

Hours later, we awaken to a bustling tavern. The peaceful ambiance we enjoyed earlier is now replaced by the commotion and a stranger's rude remark.

"Hey chum, mind making some space?" the stranger barks, lacking any semblance of manners.

Offended by his brusqueness, I retort, "Excuse me, but who are you calling 'chum'?"

Seemingly unfazed, he persists, suggesting I should leave.

Oh, it's on now.

"Here's the thing, my friend. You just picked a fight with a demihuman who's seen more arena battles than you can imagine. What do you do?" I challenge him, a mischievous glint in my eye.

Swiftly, I swing a drinking glass at his stomach, expecting it to shatter dramatically.

"That was supposed to break, right?" I mutter, slightly puzzled.

He lunges at me, aiming to deliver a lethal blow, but I manage to evade it, narrowly dodging his attack. Unfortunately, my dodge inadvertently redirects his punch toward Nia, striking her face.

The brute, stunned by his own unintended actions, collapses onto the ground, defeated and unable to retaliate.

"Tavern brawl!" someone shouts, and chaos ensues. Tables are overturned, chairs fly, and glasses shatter as people unleash their pent-up aggression.

"Oh no, not again!" Stephie exclaims, her worry evident as she surveys the mayhem threatening to destroy her establishment.

"This is no longer amusing!" I declare, ready to restore order amid the chaos.

With Nia's magical prowess, she casts a spell that slows down everyone's movements, except ours. It's time to bring an end to this senseless battle.

Grinning mischievously, I set up pranks and traps, turning the tables on the brutes in a matter of moments.

"Now that was quite the spectacle," I remark, feeling a surge of satisfaction as the fight comes to an abrupt halt.

Stephie approaches us, relief is evident on her face. She kindly suggests that we choose a more suitable venue for our future skirmishes.

"Next time, please pick a different location for your escapades," she requests, a touch of amusement in her voice.

We share a laugh, realizing the error of our ways. The tavern, once a sanctuary of peace and indulgence, has been transformed into a battlefield. With a renewed sense of responsibility, we promise Stephie to be more mindful of our surroundings.

And so, our memorable visit to the tavern comes to a close, a tale to be retold and cherished. As we bid our farewells, we leave behind the chaos and carry with us the warmth of friendship and the unforgettable flavors that still linger on our palates.