Chương 36: Good Night

The one thing The Drunken Boar Tavern never lacked was entertainment. Brawls and disputes like this happened every so often, and the regulars had long since grown used to them. Everyone at the bald man's table had heard Grey's insulting remark. A few of them were already standing, looking eager for a fight.

"Are there any other bald fools here besides you?" Grey didn't back down in the slightest. He pulled out a gold coin and slapped it onto the table.

"Marianne, I'll cover your fee for the entire night. You're staying right here with me. Don't go anywhere."

"Fuck! You think throwing around a few coins makes you impressive?" The bald man was completely enraged. He reached out, attempting to drag Marianne away from Grey's arms. Grey smacked his hand away.

"I'm warning you. Don't mistake my patience for weakness."

"Who the hell do you think you are? You dare touch me?!" The bald man flew into a rage. He grabbed a ceramic jug from the table and swung it straight at Grey's head. Grey slipped aside with ease. The jug missed. In the same motion, Grey stepped forward and drove an uppercut straight into the bald man's chin! The punch landed with terrifying force. The chin was one of the body's most vulnerable points, and the impact instantly knocked the bald man unconscious.

His body went rigid before crashing backward, smashing through a wooden table. Ale splashed everywhere. Nearby customers screamed and scrambled away. Naturally, Grey wasn't about to waste such a perfect opening. With a strange battle cry, he jumped onto the bald man's chest and started throwing punches left and right.

"That bastard dared to hit our guy!"

"Get him!"

"Teach that little punk a lesson!" The bald man's companions immediately got to their feet. Four or five men shoved their way through the crowd, charging over with murderous expressions.

"Wait, wait... what is happening? Are we seriously starting a tavern-wide brawl?" Zelier stared in disbelief.

"Looks like there's no avoiding it." Marcus loosened two buttons on his shirt and stepped into the chaos. With a roar, he charged forward like a raging bull. He lifted the two men at the front clean off their feet, carried them on his shoulders, and slammed them hard into the floor.

"BOOM!" This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Ugh!" The brutal impact left the two men groaning in pain, their faces turning pale.

"Can I use magic?" Zelier asked.

"Not necessary. It's just a tavern fight. One Wind Blade and we'd probably end up killing half the room." Vaelis might not normally seem like the kind of person who enjoyed violence, but when things got heated, he didn't hesitate either. Before joining the fight, he gave Zelier one piece of advice.

"Use your fists." Then Vaelis picked up a wine cup and hurled it. It smashed directly into the head of someone trying to sneak attack Grey from behind. Without missing a beat, Vaelis rolled up his sleeves, rushed forward, and threw a straight punch that sent blood spraying from his opponent's nose.

"Alright, alright..." Zelier sighed. The next second, he grabbed a wooden stool and jumped into the brawl. The tavern atmosphere instantly reached its peak. The spectators surrounding the fight cheered loudly.

"Give him an uppercut!"

"Elbow him!"

"Kick him where it hurts!" The crowd shouted all kinds of ridiculous encouragement. The serving girls screamed and dodged flying objects. The tavern owner shouted himself hoarse trying to stop the chaos. But nothing worked. No one could put an end to this drunken storm of alcohol and adrenaline. Blackstone Town's night had just become even livelier....

"Creaaak—" With a soft groan, the wooden door of The Nightflower Inn opened. A chill from the late night air drifted inside. Behind the counter, Auro, who had been staring absentmindedly at the candle flame, was startled by the sound and immediately looked up.

"Mr. Zelier... you're finally back." However, when Zelier stepped into the candlelight, Auro got a clear look at him. Her expression froze. Zelier looked absolutely miserable. His gray coat was stained with ale and dust. One corner of his mouth was bruised, and there was a dried bloodstain near his eyebrow.

"Ah... did you get hurt?" Auro let out a small gasp.

"Ah... this?" Zelier instinctively touched his cheek. The moment his fingers pressed against the bruise, he hissed in pain. But he still waved dismissively.

"It's nothing. Just a few minor injuries." During the tavern brawl, their group had completely crushed the other side, leaving their opponents battered and sprawled across the floor. But they had still taken a few hits themselves. After all, Zelier was a mage. He wasn't exactly skilled in close combat. Against wild, unpredictable punches flying straight at his face, getting hit a few times was unavoidable.

"How could you say it's nothing?" Auro frowned slightly. Without giving him a chance to argue, she pushed Zelier down onto a chair near the fireplace.

"Wait here. I'll get some medicine."

"Uh... thanks." Zelier rubbed his temples and rested for a while. Not long after, Auro returned carrying a copper basin filled with clean water, a towel draped over her arm. She soaked the towel, gently wrung it out, leaving just enough moisture inside.

"This might sting a little. Try to bear with it." As Auro approached, a faint lavender scent drifted over. She carefully wiped the dried blood from Zelier's eyebrow, her expression focused and gentle. Compared to Vaelis's rough and straightforward treatment when he patched up Grey, Auro's movements carried a woman's natural tenderness and care. It was surprisingly comforting. Because she had lowered her head, a few strands of her soft brown curls slipped down beside her ear.

With every movement, they lightly brushed against Zelier's cheek, causing a faint ticklish sensation.

"Actually... I've always wanted to ask you something, Mr. Zelier." Auro suddenly spoke.

"Are you an adventurer?"

"Yeah." Zelier nodded.

"Then you must have encountered many dangerous situations, right?"

"More or less. I've managed to solve them all." Zelier smiled.

"You're really amazing, Mr. Zelier." Auro's praise was completely sincere. She was actually a little older than Zelier, yet this boy—despite being younger than her—had left his homeland behind and traveled alone to a completely unfamiliar town to become an adventurer. That kind of courage was truly admirable. Auro took out a small packet of white powder from her pocket, sprinkled some onto the wound, and gently rubbed it in. The cool sensation eased the burning pain on his face.

"Thank you..." Zelier spoke softly.

"You don't have to be so polite." Auro looked up, a sweet smile appearing on her face.

"I just thought that someone as young as you, traveling alone and trying to make a name for yourself, must have a difficult journey. I wanted to help you a little."

"You say I don't have to be polite, but you still keep calling me 'Mr. Zelier.'" Zelier laughed. Auro froze for a moment. Then she quickly understood what he meant. Her eyes curved into a smile, and her cute little snaggleteeth appeared.

"Then I'll just call you Zelier from now on."

"Of course."

"Hehe. Whenever you go out on missions, I'll cheer for you!" Auro put away the copper basin and towel, tilting her head playfully.

"Good night, Zelier."