| Starter Town: Lanier, Sofia's Tavern |

Aiyoma tugs onto my arm as we stride into the tavern opening its wide brown doors.

A wooden pub with tables and chairs filled with people cheering and eating to their heart's content. The air smelled delicious with different meats and baked goods.

"The Sword Maiden joins us!"

I hear a nearby man with broad muscles carrying a greatsword on his back yell in excitement.

"Welcome back, Aiyoma!"

A waitress with pink hair walks past carrying at least six tankards of ale.

Another waitress with light red hair walks over to us and gestures to our right.

"Sofia's is always bustling with adventurers and passerby's, but she always has rooms for her regulars, right this way."

Aiyoma follows the red-haired waitress into a secluded alcove covered by clothes hanging from the doorway.

The room has a picture of a girl prancing around on the wall, one on the side of the room and a flower vase on the other. Two cushioned seats are surrounding a circular table.

As soon as we enter the room, the noise of the tavern is silenced.

I look in confusion as I turn back to look outside the curtain where there are definitely still people talking.

Aiyoma glances at the curtain then takes a seat.

"This room is covered by a sound barrier, no one can hear us outside of this room, and we can't hear them."

That's pretty cool!

I take a seat on the other side of the table, and the red-haired waitress bows.

"Please take your time. When you're ready to order, please ring this bell."

She taps the table three times, and a bell appears in the middle.

"If you can't hear anything in this room, how're you going to hear the bell?"

The waitress pointed to her tipped ears.

"We elves have quite good hearing. Don't worry, I'll come back as soon as you're ready."

She bows once again and exits the room.

"So, would you mind giving me your name?"

"M-Momoko Miwa."

Aiyoma's eyes narrow.

"Weird name...weird clothes...may I ask where'd you come from?"

C-crap. How do I even answer that question? I can't tell this chick that I've been reincarnated and come to slay evil monsters; she'll think I'm crazy!

"Perhaps somewhere from the East."

Aiyoma says while opening a menu on the table.

"Y-yep! Definitely somewhere East!"

"That makes sense. A lot of Easterners always come of different culture and tradition,"

Aiyoma puts down the menu and picks up the bell ringing it once.

P-phew dodged a bullet.

"I'm quite interested in why you came here."

Don't mess this up! Don't mess this up!

I suddenly remember the knight from earlier.

"I want to participate in the Rite of Passage, to fight as a knight of Phoenia."

Her eyes lit up, and she clasps her hands together, her elbows steadying on the table.

"I knew there was something special about you. It's not every day someone goes out of their way to stop a thief."

I give her a faint smile.

"Ahaha...well, it's not every day I meet a capable swordswoman.

Aiyoma blushes and looks to the side,

"Y-you really think so. I-I have a lot to learn, but thank you for your kind words."

Dam, she's cute; she must have a boyfriend.

"As a regular here, I'd say this tavern is the best in Lainer, so be prepared to eat like a king!"

"S-sounds like a plan."

The red-haired waitress re-enters the room and bows

"Ready to order?"

Aiyoma points to several items on the menu.

"And bring two large ales with that, please!"

The waitress bows and exits the room once more, and the menus fade away from the table.

"So you're interested in becoming a knight, huh?"

Aiyoma laughs softly.

"I remember when I was but a child when I wanted to become one."

The waitress comes back with two tankards filled with ale, fizz drizzles down as she sets them on our table; she bows once more and leaves the room.

"My village was under attack, and my little sister was in danger; I couldn't save her and would've lost her if it weren't for a powerful and fearless knight..."

A pain surges within my chest; I cling to my shirt.

"Mikku..."

I never had the chance to say goodbye to my dear little sister. I wonder what she's doing...I hope my death doesn't cause her any trouble...

"Everything alright? Something seems to be troubling you."

Lost in thought, I snap back and notice streams of tears running down my face.

I wipe them off and sigh.

"I'm sorry, I just remembered something that I lost upon coming here."

Aiyoma lifts her tankard in front of me.

"In hopes that you find it again."

I wipe the last of my tears and smile.

I clink our cups as the fizz bubbles down.

"Dam right, I will."

. . .

The red-haired elf enters the room with food stacked on her arms, hands, and even on her head.

Damn, elves are strong.

She places down two delicious beef stews, juicy and steamy brisket, bread rolls, a smoked cabbage salad, and a basket of assorted fruit.

"H-holy crap is someone coming to join us?!"

Aiyoma laughs while taking a sip of ale.

"You jest, I told you I'd give you the best food this town has to offer in your efforts to stop the culprit."

"Enjoy your meal."

The red-haired waitress calmly bows and exits the room.

"Let us pray."

Aiyoma clasps her hands together

"Our goddess Helena, please bless this food and allow us to give thanks in your name."

My eyes start to glow a faint white and my right arm feels heavy.

I feel a metal clank on the ground below me.

A faint light starts to mature in my hand and a sword starts to materialize. Its silver and gold linings shine brilliantly.

I come to my senses and the faint glow in my eyes disperse.

What happened just now?

I look to the sword in my right hand. It's the same sword that was given to me by those angels.

"Oh, now you want to show up."

I try to lift the sword from the floor but its weight doesn't allow me to do so.

"You have some nerve, you ruined my chances of being the hero of the town!"

Aiyoma drops her fork onto the table mid-bite and looks at me in awe.

"Y-y-you're a Holy Knight!"

. . .