“Eril,” Kiefer shifted his attention after seeing Kina swing her new sword around recklessly. “Where is that swordmaster friend of yours? It’s been more than a week already since we returned from the auction.”

“Eh… about that. Haha.. umm how do I say this… Sayuri’s found him, but she tells me that she’s had no success getting him out of the inn. He just keeps drinking and sleeping, so she says,” Eril replied sheepishly, shrugging his shoulders in defeat.

“I see. Where is he right now?” Kiefer continued, slightly annoyed by the irresponsibility of this man.

“He’s actually in Natiria city right now, in an inn called Moonlight feathers. Sayuri is still with him. I’ve asked her to attack him but he’s slippery as hell and none of her attacks are landing. And mind you he’s doing this subconsciously while drunk. I’ll head over in the next few days and see if I can get him to come over,” Eril reassured Kiefer, trying his best to explain his circumstances.

“No need to do that. I’m heading over right now since I have some matters to attend to. I’ll drop by that inn and kidnap him,” Kiefer said as he promptly turned around to leave. Eril’s mind was still stuck at the rather problematic term that Kiefer had used, not sure how his friend was going to react exactly to being moved against his will.

“His name is ZhiDao, but if you call him Rose, he’ll understand you are related to me. There’s an inside story between us,” Eril hurriedly called out to the leaving elf, who waved his hands and disappeared.

[[Above Natiria City]]

“Well, I probably should have asked where the inn was, but it’s not like I can’t locate it,” Kiefer uttered as he sent out his mana pulse. Thousands upon thousands of miniscule feedback returned to him as his pulse covered an area wider than the city itself, telling him the location and magical strength of every living thing within. Almost instantly, Kiefer focused on a significantly larger feedback and shot in that direction.

“As expected, that elemental spirits such as Sayuri are made up of pure mana, so they register a greater feedback on my mana pulse,” Kiefer thought as he stared at a luxurious inn. The plaque handing above the wide swinging doors was made of a dark coloured wood, with the picture the moon carved onto it, craters and all. On the foreground in front of the moon were three feathers cut out from a thin slab of light coloured wood and pasted onto the plaque in a fashion that made them seem like they were falling.

“Moonlight feathers huh... this should be the place,” Kiefer whispered under his breath as he swung the doors open and stepped in. It was close to midnight but the bar was still noisy and rowdy, as if there was some kind of festival or celebration going on. Everybody was in a jovial mood and not one single birdman seemed to be fighting or arguing.

However, the moment Kiefer stepped in, as if a wave fell upon them, one by one, starting from the table closest to the entrance, a hush silence fell on the customers. They were all whispering and taking quick but fearful glances at Kiefer, as if they had just seen a monster.

“Hey that’s him isn’t it?”

“Yea, definitely fits the description from the announcement.”

“Lord Snow made it clear not to provoke him.”

“Who is he? I missed the news.”

“Lord Snow’s personal attendant made the announcement 3 days ago, didn’t you hear?”

“I was out practicing. What is it? Tell me!”

“He said that there are 3 visitors in Natitria we have to be extra careful not to provoke. One is a young elf boy, another a young human girl, and the last one an adult human woman.”

Whispers started filling the tavern as everyone began gossiping while glancing at Kiefer. As they spoke amongst themselves, Kiefer walked towards the Bar counter, making his way past a few occupied tables. The birdmen sitting at said tables quickly got up and scurried to the side of the tavern as Kiefer walked near and past their tables, wondering just who this kid was that an announcement had to be made to the whole city.

The barmaids were quick to react, running in to inform the manager and owner of Moonlight feathers. Kiefer leapt up onto one of the high chairs and waited as a maid quickly brought him a glass of water without even being told. Majority of the residents within Natiria were already informed of Kiefer’s status, and nobody wanted to risk offending him. According to Lord Snow, seeing Kiefer is to be treated the same way as seeing himself.

“Hello Sir. My name is HuoYue. I’m the owner of Moonlight Feathers. How can I help you tonight? I already have our best room prepared if you need to stay the night.” An albino peacock lady walked out from behind the counter’s door. Her long tail dragging behind her in an elegant fashion. Her feathers were all white, but the tips of her tail had been dyed red.

“I won’t be staying the night. I’m looking for a certain drunkard staying at your inn. His name is ZhiDao. Do you mind showing me where his room is?” Kiefer asked politely, which surprised Huoyue who had somewhat expected an arrogant and rude attitude.

“Oh, you are looking for ZhiDao. Do you mind if I ask what your business is with him? It is quite well-known in Natiria that he is someone we hired to be our security force. It’s because he is here that we don’t have any troubles or fights, since no one is confident of escaping his strikes without losing at least a limb. He’s specifically instructed us not to disturb him.” Huoyue replied apologetically, hoping ZhiDao has not stirred up some kind of trouble.

“You hired him?” Kiefer couldn’t help but ask to reconfirm what he had just heard.

“Yes we did. We promised him a free flow of our alcoholic beverages as a form of his wages. It is a small price to pay for the 3 months of peace we’ve had since he joined. We are saving much more on damage repairs than what we are spending on him. And more customers favour this place too because they can dine and sleep in peace knowing they won’t be in danger of any sorts,” Huoyue continued, talking as if this ZhiDao has been the saviour of Moonlight Feathers.

“Doesn’t he just drink and sleep all day? How can he maintain security like this?” Kiefer asked, beginning to question this innkeeper’s decision.

“Yes he does, but it’s when he is drunk or asleep that he is the most fearsome since he lacks any self-control. Anything that disturbs his drinking session or sleep probably won’t be leaving this building with their lives. When he’s sober though, as short as it is, he is quite amicable,” She answered.

“I see. Well, I have something to discuss with him so I’ll appreciate it if you show me the way to his room, or should I just follow the smell of alcohol emanating from upstairs?” Kiefer requested, placing a gold coin on the countertop.

“I’ll lead you to his room, but please try not to provoke him. I’m not sure just who you are or how powerful you are, status means nothing in front of ZhiDao so I would tread carefully around him.” Huoyue reminded as she climbed the stairs.

As they climbed the stairs to the 3rd floor, the stench of alcohol gradually became thicker. Kiefer was surprised there wasn’t a stench of a dead body, judging by how much alcohol this guy must have drunk to reek so badly. Finally, standing outside a small unassuming door with empty alcohol barrels on each side, Kiefer prepared to enter, spying on HuoYue as she placed 2 fingers over the 2 small holes at the top of her beak that were her nostrils.

“I bid you good luck then. Try not to get on his bad side,” HuoYue bowed, and quickly made her way back down the stairs.

As Kiefer swung open the door, the pungent odour of fermenting alcohol assaulted his nose. A quick scan revealed a drunken man who was still half asleep snaking his way around the room in the most uncoordinated fashion with unsteady steps. A gust of wind was following him around as Sayuri took the form of a woman chased him around, swinging her arms in an attempt to slap the man. However, try as it might, the man always escapes her reach by a paper thin margin. He was so inebriated that he had not noticed Kiefer open the door.

This all greatly changed when Kiefer took his first step into the room. The very instant his heel touched the floorboard, a sword had already been flung in his direction, embedding itself in the wooden doorframe with a loud ‘Twang’. The blade’s edge was a mere millimetre away from Kiefer’s cheeks. Kiefer of course chose not to dodge since with his enhanced senses, he could already tell the sword was not going to touch him. Impressed though, he was, and very much at that. The man had sobered up immediately and was staring at Kiefer, inspecting him from top to bottom.

“You’re not here to deliver more alcohol are you? Or are you?” He asked in a chiding manner.

“I have a business deal for you,” Kiefer spoke calmly, stepping away from the sword that was still vibrating from the impact.

“Not interested. I already have the best job in the world. Free booze, and nothing to do but drink and sleep. Go away. I won’t even ask how an elf like you made it all the way up here in Yurza, but you can be sure I am not interested in anything you have to say,” he continued, as he staggered to the table and picked up a half drunk flask of alcohol and tipped it into his mouth. “Ahh… this inn sure does live up to its reputation… best drink in Natiria.”

“Sayuri, why don’t you go on back? I’ll handle this idiot,” Kiefer instructed the spirit, who quickly, and happily left through the window. With a quick spell, a gust suddenly blew through the room, carrying with it the stench and bringing in the fresh smell of nature from outside. Kiefer nodded in gratitude at the spirit’s actions.

“Kid, why are you still here? Get lost quickly before the next sword goes through your head,” ZhiDao warned as he became unpleasantly displeased by the disappearance of the alcoholic air.

“Why don’t you try it then?” Kiefer taunted.

No sooner had Kiefer finished his sentence, another blade came flying at him, this time aimed at not his head, but his neck. As it approached, it pierced his mana armour 1 layer at a time, finally penetrating 5 layers and touching the soft white skin of his neck. However, it had no more momentum after and fell to the ground loudly.

“Hmph. You have some weird magic, but it matters not,” ZhiDao scoffed as quickly, the large sword leaning against his table was swung in an attempt to lop off Kiefer’s head. Kiefer promptly took out his own mithril sword that was a third the size of ZhiDao’s sword, and blocked, not even moving from the spot.

“I may not be as skilled with swords as you, but I’ve been taught basic sword skills from a great teacher. I’m here to request your help, not to fight you, Rose.” Kiefer said calmly as he put his sword down.

Rose backed up slowly, his eyes widening in disbelief. As he set his greatsword down beside him, he seemed as if trying he was trying to fight back some kind of horrific memory that came with the name. “You… how did you know that name?” He questioned, as if afraid of Kiefer.

“It doesn’t matter how I know of that name, Rose. What matters is I need your help. You will come to know later on anyways, so just follow me,” Kiefer replied, smiling.

“No. I won’t follow you, especially if you know that god damn name. Only 3 people refer to me as Rose. I don’t know who told you that little piece of information, but I have no desire to find out. Go now.” Rose hastily waved his hands, trying to usher Kiefer out of the room.

“Just hear me out. I want you to teach someone how to use a greatsword. In return, I’ll give you a chance to taste alcohol like no other on this world,” Kiefer persisted, trying to tempt the man.

At the sound of the word ‘alcohol’, the man quick stopped his actions. His feathers seemed to stand on end as he peered at the young elf with doubt. Then, he slowly stepped backwards, before quickly turning around to grab a chair and lay it before Kiefer. Then he himself sat on the edge of the bed, all sober and ready to discuss business.

“Come come, sit down so we can talk,” he beckoned Kiefer quickly. “So what kind of alcohol is it? Wine? Mead? Beer?” It better not be some watered down crap that they sell in those second rate inns.”

“I assure you, you won’t find what I’m offering you anywhere in this world,” Kiefer answered, taking the seat. As he procured a wine glass, in his left hand, a bottle of red wine. Kiefer did not know much about alcohol, but the way he see it, any random bottle from the supercarrier would probably beat the wine from this dilapidated world. He poured the wine into the glass and handed it to Rose, who inspected the glass, and the wine.

“This.. this design is simply too wonderful! Who would have thought to use glass to hold wine!? Compared to this, these metal flasks are simply too ugly. And the wine! It’s so dark and rich I can’t even see through this glass. It’s definitely not the watered down crap I’m always offered by those big clans. The smell too, so fruity,” Rose exclaimed as he took a whiff of the wine. Kiefer just nodded and continued smiling, watching as Rose take a sip.

As he finished the glass, savouring the wine in his mouth, his sight fell on the bottle in Kiefer’s hands. Like a starving wolf eyeing a poor defenceless sheep, Rose stared at the bottle so hard Kiefer felt the glass bottle might just break. Handing the bottle over to Rose, he inspected the words on the label, but could not seem to figure out what was written on it.

“What language is this?” He asked, looking at Kiefer and pointing at the $15 price tag on the label. “I am one of the past winners of the Yurza intercity tournament, and have been all around this world. I studied most of the languages I came across, but never have I seen something like this. Where does this wine come from?”

“I can’t tell you the details, but all you need to know is that if you follow me to teach swordsmanship, You’ll get to enjoy wine like this and even better on a regular basis.” Kiefer explained as he leaned back into the chair.

“You got yourself a deal. However, I need to inform Miss HuoYue about my leaving,” Rose said, standing up and heading for the door.

“You don’t need to do that. I’ll send you back here as and when you don’t have a training session so that you can still show your face around here. You will be sharing a student with another trainer after all. This way, the customers will still think that you are working for this inn, and you can get to enjoy alcohol from this inn as well as from me.” Kiefer quickly called out, stopping him just before he got to the door.

“Ahaha. You say some interesting things. But after having tasted that divine wine, nothing from this inn will satisfy me anymore. Come then let’s go quickly.” Rose exclaimed, heading back towards the door once more.

“We will not be leaving through the door,” Kiefer laughed as he grabbed a startled Rose with his mana ropes, disappearing from the room without leaving so much as a trace.