Chapter 15 Gossip#2

Friday night is unwinding time for the whole HRD.

All the Ortson's coworkers are sitting inside the bar Tananzula.

"So, what all of you will be having? I will go and order."

John said he would help and send our order to the counter.

"Red wine"

"Mead"

"Hard cider"

"Gin"

Everyone ordered a drink of their choice.

John brings everyone's drink.

John started to comment on everyone's drink.

"Rose you should drink vodka here, not something fancy like red wine, it's not your high-class family dinner and Daisy, your sharp tongue mouth do not match with sweet mead."

"Shut up John."

"Nobody asked you."

"I am a little curious about you guys?"

"Ask away my man, I will fulfill all your curiosity."

"Are four of you also from outside?"

"No, we four born and bred inside the tower. Our parents are 1st generation tower residents, only Rose is 3rd generation scion."

"So you four are childhood friends."

"Yes."

"No."

"Why Daisy, we have known each other since we were children, I know the black history of each and every one of you."

"No, calling myself your friend is an insult to me we are a close acquaintance at best."

"Yes, we three girls are originally friends you are just tagging along. And I also know your black history, no need to be smug about it."

Ortson can see illusionary arrows stabbing John at every comment spoken by Daisy and Tia.

"Hee, Haa."

Rose giggled due to bickering between friends.

"You four are very good friends."

"No Ort, we are best friends."

"So, why are four of you on the 1st floor working in Alchemy Association?"

"Excluding 1st generation every next generation scions of the tower needs to work at least 5 years in an institution compulsory after completing the compulsory education."

"It is a law passed by the Tower government."

"And it is our first month."

John declared.

"After 5 years I will climb the tower like my parents, and explore the tower in the front lines."

"Hey our drinks are finished let me get new ones and specifications."

"Vodka."

"So, Miss Tia from where do you guys graduate?"

"On the 10th floor, we have established Academy City. It teaches everything needed to climb the tower. Academy city is the 2nd city built inside the tower, there are 8 settlements between the 1st floor and the 10th floor. Many resources are procured from those floors."

"So from which department, did you guys graduate?"

"I graduated from the Alchemy department, Daisy graduated from the Magic department, Rose graduated from both the magic and alchemy department and John graduated from the Warrior department."

While Tia was talking about the past, John returned with drinks.

"I am back, and I bring vodka shots. Everyone has one."

"Miss. Rose so you graduated from both the magic and Alchemy department?"

"Yes, Mr. Ortson, I specialize in flora magic, that's why I also am an Alchemist."

John started reminiscing about their academy days.

"Ort, You know, our Rose here was the number one student of both the magic and Alchemy department. And Lumine at one time confessed to her in front of everybody, but Rose like a queen flat-out rejected him. You should have seen his face, that was hilarious."

Rose who got drunk, started to loosen her mouth.

"That fool even after I rejected him, he came all the way here to harass me, he still does not have enough. Who the fuck does he think he is, does he think himself of as royalty, fucker we don't have any royal in this tower."

'It became too loose.'

Rose who is always elegant, started to make noise. Every customer in the bar started to turn their attention toward the group's table.

"Ort, I think we have enough drinks for today."

"Yes John, I have enough drink for one day."

"What the hell are you two saying tomorrow is the weekend, we will drink all night. Order more."

"You too Daisy. Enough for today. Give me the glass."

Tia who was drinking with them, was now sleeping on the table.

"Ort give me a hand, and I will bring them to their place."

Ortson and John walk out of the bar with three women leaning on them.

"So where?"

"Alchemy Association. There we have living quarters given to us by the association, Graduate privileges."

"Nice. What do I need to do, to get those privileges."

"Children below the age of 15 are sent to the academy, and adults join other groups according to their skill set. And if someone wants to study they need to take the exam and pay for their own education."

"Is there no short-term course for the adults?"

"No, there is none."

'Sometimes I forget I am in another world because the mindset of people inside the tower is very progressive.'

"We are here."

"Ort holds them for a moment, give me a sec, I am opening the door."

John opens the door and Ortson and John enters the room while 3 women leaning on them.

"I wanna drink more."

"No Rose, now you will sleep."

John tucks the three inside their respective beds. Both Ortson and John exit the room together.

"Thanks, John, for inviting me for a drink."

"It's nothing you are now my colleague. I can at least do this much."

Ortson exits the Alchemy Association and walks toward his apartment. While thinking about the connection he has made in this world. And in the future, he will make more such connections some good and some bad, but life will not stop because of a few bad connections and there will come a time when even those bad connections will also be put to use.