Chương 167: Dinner Party and Hot Spring Invitation

It was already afternoon when Shane and his group stepped into [Oisast].

This magical city, built on an island in the middle of a lake, is more bustling than I imagined.

The city streets are narrow but clean and tidy, with two- or three-story stone buildings on both sides, and various shops everywhere.

Pedestrians come and go in an endless stream.

Occasionally, armored patrol soldiers would pass by, silently maintaining order in the city.

Looking at the scene before him, Shane couldn't help but sigh, "What a beautiful city."

Before the words had even finished— Whoosh!

A basin of water was splashed out from the entrance of the shop next door and poured directly onto Xia En.

The street was instantly shrouded in mist.

Xia En stood frozen in the mist.

"Oh dear! I'm so sorry! I was just trying to dust off the doorway, I didn't mean to splash anyone! I'm so sorry!"

Xia En looked in the direction of the sound.

A large character for "soup" hangs at the entrance of the shop, indicating that it is a hot spring hotel.

A pretty woman, around thirty years old, ran out of the shop, wearing a headscarf, with her sleeves rolled up, and carrying a wooden basin in her hand.

She pulled off the cloth from her waist and, while apologizing, wiped the water droplets off Xia En's clothes. Her movements were so hurried that even her impressive breasts jiggled.

Philon promptly gave Shane a spell to dry his clothes, and then skillfully pulled a towel from his backpack and handed it to him.

Xia En took it and wiped his face.

The woman looked at Philon with gratitude and quickly thanked him several times.

When she turned her gaze back to Xia En, she was stunned.

Xia En, who was drying his hair at this moment, was like a lotus flower emerging from the water, a gentleman, handsome and gentle.

She suddenly felt her face burning.

"This handsome gentleman is a new face. Is this your first time in Oisast?"

"Our establishment is a century-old brand and the most popular hot spring hotel in the city. You must be tired from your journey. Would you like to come in and soak in the hot spring to relax? As an apology, we will only charge you half price."

As she spoke, she looked at Xia En's face, raised her hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, and her eyes sparkled.

"And, we also have mixed-gender bathing here."'

"7 Xia En froze as she dried her hair.

The proprietress's gaze was so intense, it seemed she wanted to burn two holes in him.

The people around were unfazed, some even looking on with amusement, with Yubel laughing gleefully.

Frillie was very interested in this.

The white-haired elf leaned forward and peeked into the shop.

"Since the proprietress is so welcoming, why don't we—" Xia En glared at her.

"Thank you for your kindness, ma'am, but we just arrived in town and have some things to take care of, so we won't go in yet."

Done.

He grabbed Frillie and left.

Behind me, the proprietress's enthusiastic voice continued, "Remember to come back when you're done! Half price, half price~" The elven girl looked back longingly.

Xia En's attitude was firm.

He grabbed her and left.

Not long after.

The group crossed the street and arrived at a magnificent white spire.

This is the location of the Continental Magic Association.

The group stepped into the spacious hall.

Just like the city hall where we entered [Grosstan City], the gates here are also equipped with a magical barrier to [identify demons].

When you pass through it, you'll feel a tingling sensation all over your body.

The entire hall was incredibly spacious, with a towering dome.

Stepping inside, you will instantly feel your own insignificance, and then feel a sense of awe and solemnity.

A young mage in a magic association uniform was behind the service desk, head down, tidying something up.

Frilian led Philon and Yubel to the service desk and explained their purpose.

The other person looked up, smiled politely, and handed a leaflet to Frillie, explaining, "The exam will be held in five months, in early summer next year. The [Level 5 Mage] exam is held every three years, so please take note."

"This paper contains detailed instructions; please read it carefully."

"If you wish to register for this exam, please come here to register 3 months before the exam."

Frillie looked at the paper in her hand and nodded.

"That means it will be in two months."

With that, she turned to face Xia En, "Well, there's no other way, let's go back to the [hot spring inn]."'

Xia En was speechless.

"Your mind is completely occupied with hot springs right now—" The white-haired elf looked completely at ease.

"This is a rare opportunity, of course I should enjoy it."

Xia En looked at the rising sunset outside and agreed.

"In that case, let's find a place to have dinner first, and then we'll go together."

The group returned to the street.

As dusk began to fall, it wasn't the busiest time for the street-side restaurants.

They strolled leisurely past shop after shop, pondering the dilemma of what to eat.

"Speaking of which—when I last came to Oisaster, I ate at a barbecue restaurant, which I think was near that hot spring inn."

"Lady Frillien, when was the last time you mentioned?"

Ninety years ago.'

Everyone fell silent.

Shutark couldn't help but complain, "It's been almost a hundred years, they must be gone by now."

"That's such a pity, their grilled steak is especially delicious."

Seeing the rare look of regret on Frillian's face, Shane's heart stirred.

"Let's look for it."

"The owner of the hot spring inn just now said that her family's business is a century-old establishment, so maybe that barbecue restaurant is too."

Twenty minutes later.

The group stood at the entrance of the barbecue restaurant.

Looking at the shop banner of the "Centennial Brand".

"That's really true—" Everyone couldn't help but give Xia En a thumbs up. When it comes to finding directions or things, Xia En is second to none.

Xia En scratched his head; he really had just said it casually.

The store was twice the size of what Frillie remembered.

As you push open the door, a faint smell of charcoal fire mixed with a hint of fresh grass greets you.

Because we arrived relatively early.

There were only a few scattered tables of customers in the store.

Frillie took the menu from the waiter and immediately flipped to the page for grilled meats. Sure enough, the signature grilled steak she remembered was still there.

"This, this, this, and this—I want them all!"

Xia En urged her, "Can you finish all this food?"

Frillie looked at the menu without looking up.

"Isn't there you here?"

Xia En rubbed his forehead.

Seeing this, he didn't order anything else and handed the menu to the other people.

Philon ordered an extra-large hamburger.

Hugh Tarek ordered his favorite pork ribs.

Zain also ordered the restaurant's own specialty wine, which earned him a disapproving look from Frillie.

Yubel took a look.

Wow, she's already ordered all the featured items on the menu, so what else is there for her to order? She can just wait to eat.

While waiting for the food to be served.

The topic naturally shifted back to the [First-Class Mage] exam.

The leaflet given to us by the receptionist not only contained the exam details but also a basic overview of the current state of the Continental Magic Association.

"According to the regulations of the Continental Magic Association, a mage is generally recognized as capable of working independently starting from the fifth level."

"There are currently about 600 mages of level 5 or above. If you include those of level 6 to 9, the total number is about 2, 000."

Of these, there are only forty-five Level One Mages.

When she mentioned this number, Frilian paused noticeably.

"There are really few mages these days —" Is that considered a small amount?

"Of course it counts."

"Over a hundred years ago, the Demon King's army swept through the land like a whirlwind. During humanity's most difficult times, encountering a mage on the street was commonplace. But now, unless you're in a magical city like this, you won't see a single one."

The group thought about it.

Indeed.

I only saw a few mages at the Continental Magic Association; there don't seem to be any on the streets.

"There should be more as the exams approach," Shane said.

Frillie nodded.

She flipped the leaflet in her hand to the other side and glanced at it.

"The details of the exam are nothing special. However, although this exam is held every three years, there are many years in which no one passes. And—injuries and fatalities are allowed during the exam."

Upon hearing this, Philon gripped her water glass tighter. Unlike her previous confident attempt at the Level 3 exam, her travels over the past few years had exposed her to a wealth of knowledge not found in books, giving her a deeper understanding of the magical world.

There are people outside people, and there are days outside the sky.

She dared not be careless.

Xia En noticed her mood and gave her a reassuring look.

"Don't worry, there's still plenty of time before the exam, enough for you and Yubel to have some intensive pre-exam training."

Upon hearing Xia En's words, Yubel propped his head up with his hand, his tone disdainful.

"I don't like going to class. You guys can focus on training Philon-chan, don't worry about me."

Don't even think about skipping class.

Yubel tapped his lips with his finger and looked at Shane with a smile, "If you were the teacher, I wouldn't skip class."

Bang.

Xia En raised his index finger and tapped her head.

Yubel covered his head, stopped joking, and with a helpless expression, sat up straight, just like Philon.

The dishes were served one after another.

Grilled steak, honey-glazed pork ribs, cream of mushroom soup, cumin roasted chicken, cheese and bacon rolls, honey-roasted corn, and a super-sized steak burger — That hamburger was as big as Philon's face.

Frillie's eyes lit up, and she immediately picked up her knife and fork and started eating. Philon, holding the enormous hamburger, took a bite and showed a satisfied expression.

No one held back, and the food on their plates disappeared at a visible speed.

Absolutely delicious!

This successfully caught the attention of a little boy at the next table.

The boy, about five or six years old, was being coaxed by his grandfather to eat a vegetable salad.

He stared longingly at the mountain of food piled on Xia En's table, then looked at the few pieces of vegetable on his own plate, and pouted.

"grandfather----"

"I want to eat one of those super-sized burgers like my sister's."

The old man smiled, patted his grandson's head, and said, "Good boy, you're controlling your diet now, so you can't eat so much. Your sister is an adult, so she can eat extra-large portions. You're a child, so you need to eat portions suitable for children."

The boy pouted, looking at Philon with teary eyes.

Philon paused, his cheeks flushing slightly.

She put down the hamburger, somewhat embarrassed.

Seeing this, Xia En quickly came to the rescue, "Grandpa is right. My sister also ate small portions when she was little, and she can only eat extra-large portions when she grows up."

The boy turned his head and looked at him curiously.

"Listen to Grandpa, eat well, and sleep well so you can grow up quickly."

"When you grow up, you'll be able to eat the super-sized portion that your older sister eats."

"Really?"

"certainly."

The little boy looked into Shane's eyes, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded.

"Alright then."

He obediently picked up his fork and began eating his salad.

The old man gave Xia En a grateful smile.

Yubel rested his chin on his hand, watching this scene, a hint of nostalgia flashing in his pale purple eyes.

"Uncle Shane, you really know how to charm children. Ten years ago—I was just as easily fooled by you."

Xia En's eye twitched.

Let's put aside the strange title "uncle".

We're saying that kids are so easy to fool and coax, is there anyone who wouldn't know how?

Just then.

The old man at the next table suddenly stood up, walked to Xia En, stopped, and gave a standard knightly salute.

"I apologize for disturbing you."

The old man's voice trembled slightly.

I noticed the sword at your waist—

"Isn't that the symbol of the Alden family, one of the three great knights of the North—the Black Sword Knights?"

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