The group walked back to town and settled down in the room. After having been sleeping in the forest for weeks while independently training and locating sub-bosses for John, everyone was exhausted and longing to sleep indoors. Tina and Vanessa shared the master bedroom. Joanna, because of his size, had the second bedroom to himself and Arther slept on the couch.

As he was the only one who didn’t have any money, he didn’t protest at having to settle for the sleeping bag next to the coach. The apartment the team rented was warm and cozy, apparently warmed by fire crystals under the floor panels. Attached to the living room was a fairly nice kitchen that resembled one from earth. The walls were decorated several abstract paintings of gods.

Unlike the rest, John found it difficult to sleep. After a few hours of trying, and ensuring the rest of his new friends were actually passed out, he decided to explore the town.

Walking down the street, John found that the seemingly quiet city of Aerlohrn was actually quite busy. The streets were lit by crystals placed atop poles that reminded him of street lamps. Couples walked down the street hand in hand and groups of drunk friends skipped past him cheerfully while singing bar songs he couldn’t recognize. Pubs and restaurants lined the streets, and despite the late hour, were all packed. He looked up at the dark sky and momentarily lost himself in it as he recalled when Darkness tethered the two of them together and John experienced what he now recognized as oblivion. He sighed and broke out of the trace.

John walked into the closest pub was greeted by the smell of freshly baked bread and mead. The place was warmly lit and most of the wooden tables and chairs were taken by rowdy guests. He walked up to an open seat at the bar and sat down.

“What’ll you have youngen”

A brawny square faced man with a gray streaked beard wearing a smock, asked John from behind the bar.

“I’m not from around here. I’ll have what you recommend.”

“Must be pretty far from here if you don’t know what to drink” the man grumbled.

From his side John heard a slightly raspy voice, “He’ll have the chilled medley” a stranger chimed in.

Turning, John saw that a young woman sat beside him. The bartender quietly replied “Yes Mam!” and slightly bowed before quickly making John a drink.

The lady had jet black hair and was dressed in a black dress that looked rather cute on her in his opinion. She has a regal like face with dark eyes and even darker lipstick. She looked at John with a curious expression and tapped her finger on the table as if contemplating something.

When the bartender brought John the drink he held out his hand to receive the payment. John reached for the coin bag he was given by Joanna but the lady held up her hand to stop him. The bartender bowed to her once again and quickly went to other customers.

“So, what’s your deal?” she looked him up and down.

John smiled, “I'm just looking to meet new people and to have a drink along the way”. He didn’t ask why the bartender was so respectful to her but assumed she had some authority either in the bar or this town. He picked up the pint of alcohol she ordered him and sipped at it. It tasted like warm honey and melted chocolate. It was delicious.

“Careful, it’s stronger than it tastes” she laughed as she saw his expression of delighted surprise.

“Well I think I found my new favorite drink”.

“So what's your name, lone stranger”

“John Slayder. And what is the name of my new drinking companion” he quipped while dipping his head to her.

“That's a very strange name,” she said. “I am Reiner Vancompt.”

Realizing that she stressed her last name he thought that she likely belonged to an important family and was probably waiting for him to react to it. He rubbed the back of his head while chuckling.

“Like I said, I’m not from around here but it’s nice to make your acquaintance.”

Her brows furrowed before relaxing, “Well I suppose this is refreshing in its own way. Tell me about yourself.”

John took a deep drink before responding. “Well you can say I have a form of partial memory loss but I know I’m from a place far away. I'm twenty years old and I’ve recently been hanging around with a group of adventurers around my age. They’re raising me up to become an adventurer I guess. How about you?”

“Hmmm. Well I'm from the Vancompt family and am only in town for a few weeks to check on some of our businesses. I live in Bharat in my family's residence. I graduated from the Golden-sword academy when I was 18 and have been an adventurer ever since. I am currently at the low tier intermediate level at 19 and am considered gifted even within my family... I also love sweets.”

John smirked at how she blushed a bit and the last bit.

“What rank did you say you are?” Reiner asked.

“Well i'm currently a high tier-” suddenly a strong hand aggressively grabbed the back of his neck and gripped. John felt a warm breath on his ear as a middle aged man whispered to him.

“You little brat, just because you look decent you think you can talk to the girl I’ve been keeping an eye on all night. I can feel the amount of energy in your core! As you’re merely at the advanced tier of the initial stage, why don’t make your way out of here and be grateful you were able to keep the seat next to this beautiful woman warm for me.”

A vein popped in Reiner's neck as she stood up clearly about to sock the man in the face. This time it was John’s turn to hold up his hand for her to stop. He calmly turned around and met the man's gaze. He had disheveled brown hair and stubble across his face. His eyes were narrowed and eyebrows arched. He was a big man with broad shoulders, a noticeable gut, and a dagger at his waist.

John smiled at the man. “Well now this isn’t how I intended on making new friends tonight but if you insist- lets take this outside!”