I followed Zeph into the tavern. It was pretty packed inside, if it weren't for the many crowds of drunkards and louds, I would have felt like I was walking in a giant cathedral. There were many tables filled with people, who were all engaging in a conversation with their own groups, at whichever of the many tables they were sitting at. Many female waitresses were scurrying around, taking orders and refilling drinks the best they could in the busy tavern.

It was too loud for me and Zeph to speak to each other at a normal level, so he just gestured for me to stay close to him and follow.

As I followed Zeph to what I hoped to be our seats, I looked around the tavern. It wasn't hard to tell most of these people were adventurers. There were people of many different sizes and races. Some people were wearing light or heavy armor with a great variety of combat weapons, and some were wearing cloaks with their wands or staffs by their side.

I kept looking around and a challenge between two people caught my eye. A giant of a man with beastly features was arm-wrestling another brawny man who had a giant war axe sitting at his side. They were surrounded by a group of people interested in their challenge, some even throwing coins and betting on who they thought would win. I didn't think much of it at first glance, but the more I looked at the giant beastly man, the more he didn't seem human. His smile had fangs and his dark gray hair reminded me of fur. His shirt's ripped sleeves showed how hairy he was, and it made me wonder…Is he a Demie?

I hadn't seen one when I entered the capital and it piqued my interest. In my old world, there were only humans, so the other races here always fascinated me. Even though I was curious, I wasn't going to ask the man, so I just left my curiosity alone and kept following Zeph.

Soon we made it to the bar, which was surprisingly empty. We took our seats and a female elf, who I assumed to be the bartender, came up to us. “What would you like to start off your night?”

Zeph responded without hesitation, “A mug of Ale, along with a shot of Phoenix flame, and some juice for the kid.”

“Alright, It will be right out.” She said as she swayed to make the drinks.

“You still have that ring Bertly gave you, don't you?” Zeph asked as he hoped more than tried to move his eyes away from the elven bartender's figure.

“Yeah,” I said, glancing at the plain ring sitting on my finger, “why?”

“I told Bertly to slip something in there while you were taking your princess long shower.”

Wondering what he could be talking about I took a look. Willing my ring to take whatever was inside out, a simple earring appeared in my hand. Its only defining feature was what would be considered its centerpiece, which looked like a small fang of some beast.

“What is it?”

“Well, since your mana leaks from you like a dripping faucet it seemed necessary, and having a familiar on top of it makes you an odd sight. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the more skilled adventurers here already took notice.”--He gestured, pointing at the earring in my hand–“That thing is supposed to help hide your familiar’s presence. Although only people with familiars can sense others, this thing can hide you, even from them.”

“So you have one as well?” I asked, trying to confirm my and Rye’s theory.

“Yeah, but we'll talk about it later. You should be quick to put that thing on.” As he said this the bartender showed up with our drinks.

She gave me my juice and gave Zeph his mug and shot of whatever the hell he was drinking.

“Shouldn't we have done this at home?” I asked, “Now I’ve probably drawn attention to myself, and a four-year-old like myself getting his ear pierced in a tavern full of adventurers isn't the type of laying low I was going for.”

He laughed, taking a sip out of his mug. “It’s no fun that way, and if my little nephew starts bleeding I get this Phoenix Flame shot to clean the wound.”

Ignoring his words I put the earring in my ear, giving him no reaction. I then grabbed the shot and poured it over my ear, just in case.

Zeph’s face went flat, “You're no fun, brat.”

“No, Zephyrus, it's just your sense of humor is odd.” Said an unfamiliar tavern worker.

Zeph and I both turned our gazes towards the man who spoke. While Zeph's face seemed to light up with delight, I stayed confused.

“Klaren!” Zeph yelled, with a big goofy smile on his face. “It's been a while!”

Klaren smiled, “That it has, Zephyrus. How was your trip?”

At the mention of his name, I soon realized who he was. Klaren as in “Klaren’s Tavern”.

Klaren was a handsome man, with golden blonde hair that reached just past his shoulders. And although it was hard to tell by the way he wore his hair, every time he swayed his head it exposed his pointed ears, showing he was of elven lineage.

Zeph took another sip from his mug, “It was great, but somehow I ended up babysitting this little brat.”

Klaren looked at me, his face turning into a sense of questioning surprise, “So this is Melvin and Faliya’s son?”

“Yeah, that’s him,” Zeph answered in my stead. “Falyn, this is Klaren, he owns the place.”

Klaren held out a hand for me to shake, “It's nice to finally meet you, little man. It's been so long since I've seen your parents. Are they holding up well? ”

Accepting his handshake, I responded, “Yes, they're doing fine.”

“That's always good.” He let out a light laugh, “You know, back in the day, your father and I had a hard time keeping Zephyrus in check. He can be a handful.”

“You can say that again,” I said, taking a sip of my juice.

Zeph smacked his lips, “You know I’m right here, right? And it was all Vorns fault for dragging me into doing stupid stuff.”

Letting out a reminiscent laugh once more Klaren’s said, “Oh yeah, you're right. You guys were both a pain in the ass. Vorn still is.”

Out of nowhere as if cutting off Klaren’s sentence the sound of a war horn resounded through the tavern. The whole joint went silent as we all looked at the tavern's front doors.

Everyone’s eyes were set on a man no taller than 5 feet. He was sporting somewhat of a belly, but by his bulging muscles, you could tell he was a warrior in his youth.

I had no doubt in my mind this man was a dwarf. I had seen many of them on my way to Zeph’s manor and throughout the city. They were all short and had a brown, almost bronze tint to their skin.

“Speak of the devil…” Klaren’s voice mumbled from behind me.

Zeph slammed his mug on the bar and laughed, “He was always good at showing up when you need him.”

The dwarven man threw the war horn somewhere in the bar and yelled at the top of his lungs, “I’m back you drunken bastards! Drinks are all on me tonight!”

His words had the whole tavern roaring in celebration. Even Zeph started laughing.

I turned to see Klaren’s rubbing his temples, trying to calm himself from the rowdy tavern. “It’s every tournament with him.”

“It did start today, didn’t it?” Zeph asked, “I almost forgot.”

“What started today?” I cut in, curious of how the dwarven man could have made enough money to afford drinks for the whole tavern.

“The adventurer guild’s tournament,” Zeph said simply, “It’s held every year around this time. The largest guilds from each country compete as a show of good relationships between our kings. It’s some people’s get rich quick scheme with all the betting that goes on.”

I remembered reading about something like this in one of the many books my parents had laying around.

“Yeah, and our friend Vorn there somehow gets lucky every year and makes a fortune.” Klaren continued, as we all three watched Vorn make his way to us.

When he finally did make it to us he sat on the empty barstool next to me asking, “What the hell are you looking at Klaren? I need some damn ale.”

Klaren’s eyebrow twitched, but he filled a mug up with ale and passed it to Vorn. “How much did you make this time, Vorn?”

He took two gulps from the wooden mug and slammed it back on the table, letting out a sound of satisfaction. “5,000 gold.”

Klaren and Zeph’s mouths slacked. I was shocked as well, but I didn’t have such a reaction. Either way, 5,000 gold was no small sum. Life in Beck-town with that kind of money could last past my great-grandkid's generation

“And you plan on wasting some of it at a bar full of adventurers?” Klaren asked.

Vorn burped in his face, “I don’t know why you’re complaining. The money made here mostly ends up in your pocket.”

“I’m not saying this as a business owner, but as a friend. You should really work on your money management skills.”

Zeph snickered as they were talking and Vorn caught it. “What the hell are you laughing at Zephyrus?” Vorn gave a quick glance at me, and took another sip out of his mug, ”You take up babysitting for some extra cash?”

Zeph let out a chortle, “No you fool, that’s Melvin’s son.”

Vorn’s eyes widened and he accidentally spit some of his drink out, “Melvin has a son!? Since when?”

“Since around four years ago.”

Vorn turned his full attention to me, observing my features, “Well now that I get a better look at him, he does have that navy blue hair Melvins is famous for.”

“Since when is he famous for that?” Zeph cut in.

“Shut up! You know what I mean.” Vorn said, as he patted my head, “You grow up to be a handsome man like your uncle Vorn. Klaren get the kid some ale, we'll make a toast to bright futures.”

I interrupted at this, “Juice is fine.”

He laughed, “Whatever you say, kid.” Vorn took another sip from his mug and I thought he turned his eyes to Zeph but his words told me it was his sword, “Zephyrus, let me see my masterpiece again.”

Sighing, Zeph took his sword from his side and handed it to Vorn, “Last time I checked this was my sword. Not your damn masterpiece.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Vorn’s words trailed off as he took the sword from its sheath. The sword's matt gray blade seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it. Vorn grabbed the black leather hilt and raised the blade in the air, “I never get tired of looking at it. I know you probably won’t, but tell me, Zephyrus, what was that ore you brought to me that day. It was nothing like I had ever seen, something out of every blacksmith's dream.”

Everyone’s eyes focused on Zeph, but he simply waved his hand in the air, “I’m not telling you. You'll never see something like that again, so just forget about it.”

“I know it's a touchy subject for you because of your arm, so I won’t pry anymore today,” he continued, “but I can't make any promises for the future.”

So that sword has something to do with Zeph’s missing arm. It would be a lie to say I wasn’t curious about his arm. How could someone as powerful as Zeph possibly lose an arm? I had seen his power first hand, and even with what most people would consider a handicap, even though he was nowhere near going all out, I could tell he was more powerful than anyone I had ever met, in this life and my former.

“Just give my sword back you idiot,” Zeph said. Even though his words sounded like friendly banter, I could tell ever since Vorn brought up the ore and his arm his demeanor changed ever so slightly. I could see it in his eyes mostly. It was like he was trying to forget whatever memories popped up.

I guess it was a touchy subject.

The moment only lasted a split second though, as Vorn handed Zeph back his sword. “Back when you told me to make a sword stronger than a left-arm I didn't know what you meant at first. But, in the end, I got it done. Has she been treating you well?”

“It's not a she, It's a sword,” He uttered, his slightly changed demeanor from earlier gone and concealed as it had never been there. “and yeah, It's great. The best weapon I've ever held.”

Vorn took another drink from his mug and let out a sound of satisfaction once more, not just at the drink, though, but at Zeph's words of praise towards his craft.

“Speaking of weapons,” Zeph said, turning his gaze toward me, “what do you say making a weapon for Fal, Vorn?”

“It’s no problem…” Vorn paused for a moment. He had never asked my name and I never properly introduced myself either, so he didn't know what to call me. Regaining himself, he said, “Fal… what weapon would you like?”

It had been a while since I held a weapon in my hands. The memories of the earthen dagger my father made for me crumbling to dust came to mind. A dagger was the only weapon I used if the occasion presented itself in my past life. And ever since I was able to walk in this life, it was the only weapon I had held, causing me to become fond of it. “If you're really willing to make one, a dagger, please.”

He seemed a little surprised at my answer and started stroking his somewhat long beard in thought, “A dagger? Really? I thought you’d be a sword wielder like your mother and Zephyrus.”

“Your father did say you were abnormally skilled with a dagger.” Zeph cut in.

“Yeah, it's simple enough. Do you want it to be a mana weapon for your future awakening or just the standard?” Vorn then trailed off on his weapon-talk about how a regular weapon would be better, cheaper, and lighter for someone my age to be training with; rather than a mana weapon. He really seemed to be in his element and gave a reasonable argument for any other four-year-old trying to train with a weapon and I didn't know how to tell him a mana weapon would be best, being already awakened and all.

But I couldn't just come out and say I’m awakened. If I did just say it, they would just give the classic reaction everyone else would give; slack-jawed and speechless. Then they would start asking questions, and the many questions would catch the attention of the people around us, and soon the whole bar…basically, it might cause attention to myself, and I hated unwanted attention.

But alas, while I was plunging in my thoughts and Vorn still on about his weapon-talk, Zeph interrupted, “Vorn, the brats already awakened, just get him a mana weapon.”

Then, there it was, the classic reaction. Klaren’s jaw slacked and Vorn’s eyes widened as his words trailed off into the empty air. “W-what?..”

After a long moment, Klaren finally spoke, “That's unheard of.”

“I was shocked when I first heard from Faliya too. But I tested the kid myself, he can even use spells.”

It took a little longer than I expected, but Vorn finally recovered from his shock and stroked his beard once more, “Fal, if you ever enter a tournament make sure to let the old dwarf know. As long as you do that, the weapons on the house.”

I rubbed my temples and just went with it.“Fine.” I was really starting to hate Zeph’s bluntness. Fortunately, the bar was still as rowdy as ever and no one overheard. As a matter of fact, there seemed to be a totally different commotion.

“Pay up, I won fair and square!” A giant of a man yelled, getting up from his chair.

“You cheated and you know it!” Another giant man stood up. He was much hairier. “We agreed on no mana enhancements, but you used it anyway.”

It didn't take me long to realize it was the demie and the human I saw earlier. They were arm-wrestling or something if I recalled correctly.

The human man grabbed his giant war axe and tossed it lazily over his shoulder, “Where’s your proof?”

The demie man scoffed, “Even a dog could sense your crummy use of mana.”

The human man moved his axe from his shoulder and pointed its hook in the demie man's face, “...Come again.”

The way the human handled his giant axe with ease baffled me a little, but I had no time to think it over as the whole tavern’s attention was on the two giants. Some people were yelling, “Fight!” and others more…inappropriate words. Vorn was out of his barstool and standing on the bar, trying to get a better view of the fight.

Klaren was trying to calm down the situation, but gave up, realizing it was fruitless. The bar was already too drawn in. Instead, he tried escorting the barmaids to the back, so they wouldn't get hurt. From the way he was doing things, this must've happened often.

As Klaren was finishing up with what he was doing, Zeph tapped him on his shoulder, “Klaren, do you want me to handle it?”

Klaren was already in dismay and his face was inexplicable, “You know I hate asking you to do things like this. Being in your position and all.”

“It’s really no problem.” He said simply, as he began making his way through the crowd.

As he disappeared into the heart of the conflict I heard Klaren mumble, “Thank you, Zephyrus.”

I followed Zeph’s figure as he made his way through the crowd, having to eventually stand up on the bar alongside Vorn to see clearly.

“What do you say little Fal? Wanna’ bet on who wins?”

I rubbed the back of my head. Did he know he was talking to a four-year-old? “I don’t have any money.”

He hopped down from the bar and began refilling his now empty mug of ale himself, “That's too bad. Either way, Zephyrus is sure to put on a good show for us.”

While Vorn was climbing back up the bar, trying not to spill his refilled drink my eyes were glued to the two giants.

The demie man stared past the axe and at the human with distaste. “Humans are always so greedy. If it’s a fight you want, then it’s a fight you’ll get.”

The demie man lashed out with beastly speed punching the human in the stomach. The human buckled, stumbling back into the tavern’s tables and chairs, knocking over almost everything in his path. The people roared at the sight of the first blow. The human man quickly recovered from this though, and hoisted his axe over his head, ready to strike.

“You bastard!” he roared, swinging his giant war axe in a downward arc, right at the demie man’s head. He didn't complete his task, though. The sound of clashing metal-on-metal resounded through the building. It was Zeph. I had lost him in the crowd, focusing on the fight instead. He appeared quickly and out of nowhere. No doubt it was the Shadow Step spell. He stopped the man's attack with ease.

Everyone’s eyes were glued to the unpredictable sight. Gasps of surprise echoed through the tavern, some people even yelled in protest.

“Who the fuck is that?!”

“Why the hell would you stop the fight!?”

“It was just getting good!”

Zeph just brushed their comments off with a smile.“Sorry to interrupt, but you ruined my old friend's tavern. It would be much appreciated if you could at least, take it outside.”

The human retrieved his axe, “Who the hell are you?”

“Yes, put down your weapon. Blades don’t belong in a bar fight anyway.” He chuckled while sheathing his sword. Turning to the crowd, he said, “Sorry for the late introduction. The names Zephyrus Elway.”

The crowd went dead silent. It was like this for a long moment. It was weird. Really weird. I leaned over to Vorn, whispering, “What's happening? Why is everyone so quiet?”

He turned to me, about to say something, but before he could answer the whole bar burst out laughing.

Even the human axe wielder laughed, “Why would High-Knight Zephyrus be at some bar of adventurers. Even us adventures hear gossip. He was sent out on some contract in the southeast mountains months ago.”

“It was a vacation actually,” Zeph responded simply. Emitting a mana pressure so potent, letting the entire tavern know his words were truth.

The laughter died instantly.

The human man was shocked and stepped a few feet back, “W-what is this? A-are you reall-”

“Yes, I am,” Zeph cut him off, “Now it would be much appreciated if you would end this, and enjoy your time here. Otherwise, I’ll have to intervene even more than I already have.” He stepped closer to the man so they were standing face-to-face, “Do you understand?”

“Y-yes..” he muttered.

Zeph turned to the demie, he didn't say anything but the demie shook his head in understanding as well.

He concealed his mana and patted the human on the back while turning to the crowd smiling, “I don't like ruining the fun, so in return, I’ll buy the food and,”--He pointed an arm towards Vorn and me–“Vorn there will buy the booze.”

It took a moment, but the tavern roared in excitement once more, chanting, “High-Knight Zephyrus! High-Knight Zephyrus! High-Knight Zephyrus!”

Were adventurers so simple-minded that everything could be settled with booze? I saw Klaren release the barmaids back to duty looking more drained than he was before the fight. I felt a little bad. Zeph didn't do anything besides maybe making it more hectic.

I was still confused about the High-knight business and asked Vorn.

“Zephyrus hasn't told you?” he laughed, “He’s Prince Apollo Stellar’s personal guard. Named a High-Knight by the king himself.”