Lyren found himself a seat at one of the corners of the hotel. The hotel was fairly crowded since it was right after noon so the few who were here had just finished their food or they were just about to finish.
A table could fit around four people and majority of them were men but some were filled by ladies.
When Lyren entered, he had been scrutinized and intimidated by the gazes and he had ended up taking the corner seat.
It had been half an hour already but the waiter was yet to attend to him. This amused Lyren because from what he could tell from the majority, they were in the sixth or the seventh stage.
His ears were alert as he listened to what people were saying.
"I hear that the academy entrance exams are in a week's time."
"So, a year has passed already?
"Time really flies. Its just yesterday they were recruiting new students."
"Who are you rooting for to take the number one position? I hear the mayor's son and several higher-ups are going to take the exams."
"It really shall be fun to watch how they shall perform."
"I hear that they are all talents. They might surpass even the number one in no time."
"Ya'll are underestimating Lady Sera so much. There is a reason she is the number one. She reached the ninth stage faster than anyone ever has. It's just been two years."
"You are right. She is only fourteen. She has surpassed Kaelen who is a year older than her."
"I hear that James is now the number two and he has been in seclusion since they came from the mission a week ago. He must have had a fruitful encounter."
"Did you not hear that even Kaelen is going to seclusion? The academy might just be getting interesting. You know what I mean right?"
"Yeah. When talents are in surplus, a competition is mandatory. I can't wait to witness the next competition. I wish that there be a dark horse."
"You are right. It ought to stop being predictable."
"…"
At the table, Lyren heard all sorts of rumors and it appeared that the academy politics were usually a hot cake.
At least he had gotten some valuable information about the academy and that was that the enrolment was in one week time and there were several interesting characters.
He also realized Kaelen had already lost his number two position and even after he advanced, he might not make it to number two immediately.
He had called the waiters who kept ignoring him until they finally served everyone. When a waiter finally stood before him, he was on the verge of starvation.
He felt like lashing out on the waiter but he did not even have the energy. So, this was the fate of the weak...
Lyren looked at the waiter for a long time before asking about the menu.
The waiter was irritated but he went ahead and told him about the various type of food and Lyren went ahead and ordered meat stew and rice. They waiter looked at him for a long time as though he was looking at a fool.
"How much does it cost?" Lyren asked thinking it was what he was after.
"For beginners, meat from beasts with cultivation is not to be eaten by non-cultivators since they cannot handle the Elyria. Secondly, are you sure that you want it?
"If so, you will have to pay first so that you won't die with our debt," the waiter replied arrogantly and Lyren could not help but feel irritated.
"How much?"
"For visitors, it is usually ten coins. Don't blame me," the waiter had a certain pride that felt like a thorn that kept pricking Lyren.
Lyren slowly reached for the first pouch and removed ten silvers. He then pushed them to the waiter who stared at him wide eyed. How was he able to have silver coins?
Weren't commoners only able to have copper coins? Silver was gold for them! He took the money hesitantly and he left to bring the order.
Lyren did not miss the gazes that landed on him after he removed the pouch. Well, greed was part of human nature and he just hoped that no one was going to cause him trouble.
From what the waiter said, it was obvious that he had been cheated. This fact alone made him grit his teeth because they had drawn the first blood. They were to not blame him later if things backfired on them in the future.
Lyren smiled at those grown men who were probably hunters who had been looking at him. He did not plan on averting his gaze at all.
He was not going to play the intimidated mouse anymore. That was what had resulted in him being extorted. He then placed his sword on the table as he leaned on the chair.
This was an open invitation for anyone who was willing to come and test his depth. If it was strength that was going to ensure his survival, then he was going to do them some character development like the two guards.
He then placed his feet on the table and closed his eyes and it did not take long before someone came looking for trouble.
"A nice sword you have here kid. How much are you selling it? I thing ten copper is enough for you. And the change is 50 silver coins. What do you think about my deal?"
The voice was deep and hoarse and it carried a breath of alcohol in it. He was a tall man around 6'7.
He carried an axe on his back and his clothing was a bear skin. This clothing complimented his bearded face and long brown hair. His hands were hairy and it was almost like he was a beast man.
He had huge muscles and when he stood up first, no one else was wiling to confront the kid or compete with him.
They even felt he was being lenient to them by leaving them some coins to extort too. Lyren did not open his eyes and he just scratched his ears as though he had not heard correctly what the man had said. It was ridiculous even.
"Did you hear what I said kid?" The man was irritated when he got no response as he punched the table just enough to crack it not break it.
This caught the attention of those around because someone seemed to be challenging the authority of the absolute brute.
Lyren opened his eyes and yawned. He was hungry and a grownup man was here trying to throw a tantrum for him.
He sighed because it was very sad. He just wanted to have lunch… He looked at the man and he really looked like a beast. He was intimidating especially the axe on his back.
"How do you call that a fair trade? Don't make me laugh!" Lyren replied not in the little but intimidated which shocked everyone as silence ensued.
Was he for real?
The waiter who had just come out through a back door stood right there after locking it.
His jaw dropped when he heard the kid questioning the man and he felt like turning back but he was not going to miss such a show.
It might be a good story if it spread out and their hotel got more customers.
Lyren took the sword and placed it on his lap. He then started shaking his feet on the table and this seemed to be the exact rage bait he needed to have the man riled up to the extent he forgot himself and attacked first.
Lyren never felt the desire to cause trouble but he was craving to beat someone right now. It was not he who had gone out seeking trouble but trouble came seeking him.
He was not the type to run from trouble and he was not the one to comply with a brute who thought they were doing him a favor.
He had followed through the villagers act but this man was going to help him assert his dominance.
"If you have nothing else to say, you can just leave. I am hungry, you know…"