Chapter 53
Valiant J. Lightfoot
The crowd's energy surged like a tidal wave, their chants for Valiant resonating through the air with a fervor that filled the space with an almost tangible electricity. Adom, still absorbing the scene's aftermath, found himself caught in the swell of excitement. The small figure of Valiant, the mouse beastkin, stood in stark contrast to the fallen form of his larger opponent.
Adom couldn't help but see a reflection of his own past in Valiant. There was a time when he, too, was considered frail, an unlikely candidate for any remarkable journey he could undertake. Yet, here he was, witnessing another defy the limitations set upon him by the world. Valiant, with his unassuming stature and the unlikely grace of a warrior, was rewriting the rules of what it meant to be powerful.
As Adom turned to leave, savoring the remnants of the crowd's jubilant energy, his path was abruptly blocked by a broad-shouldered man, his presence imposing, and his face... special, certainly not his forte, Adom thought. The man's eyes, sharp and calculating, fixed on Adom with an expectancy that was hard to ignore.
"Quite the spectacle, wasn't it?" the man began, his voice smooth, almost rehearsed. "But, as with all forms of entertainment, there's a price for the show."
Adom, taken aback by the unexpected confrontation, assessed the man with a careful gaze. It wasn't uncommon for informal arenas like these to charge spectators, but the demand was usually made upfront, not after the fact. The setup seemed unusual, a deviation from the norm that piqued Adom's curiosity and caution alike.
"I wasn't aware there was a fee," Adom replied, his tone even, betraying none of his surprise. "It's customary to inform the audience of such matters before the event, not after."
The man's smile widened, a hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "Ah, but you see, this wasn't just any event. Valiant's fights are a rarity, a privilege to witness. And privileges," he paused, leaning in slightly, "come with a cost."
Adom, unfazed on the surface but calculating his options, played his card—quite literally.
"I've got no cash on me, just this bank card," Adom explained, maintaining a calm demeanor. "If you've got a Sorix, I'd be more than willing to settle the fee."
The man's reaction was a one of incredulity and annoyance, his heavy sigh signaling his exasperation. "A Sorix, really? Kid, do I look like I run a chic store to you? Cash is king here, not fancy plastic."
Adom's patience began to wane, but he held his composure. "Look, I don't want any trouble," he stated firmly, locking eyes with the man. "But I'm not about to conjure money out of thin air. Let's just forget this and move on."
The man's laughter, sudden and booming, cut through the tension. He looked at Adom as if he were a child who had just uttered something profoundly naive. "Oh, that's rich! You think you can just walk away from this? That's not how the world works, boy."
Adom, unamused and increasingly wary of drawing unwanted attention, considered his next move carefully. His mind raced through various spells and tactics that could neutralize the threat without causing a scene. Yet, he remained still, giving no hint of his brewing plan.
The man, mistaking Adom's silence for submission, leaned in, his repulsive face hardening. "Listen here, kid. I've had a good laugh, but it's time to pay up. Either you find a way to settle this, or I'll have to... persuade you."
The air between them crackled with the unsaid implications of the man's threat, the promise of violence looming like a dark cloud. Adom knew he could easily handle the situation with a swift application of his abilities since a simple look at the man's level showed a mere [ 2 ], but the potential consequences of using magic in such a public setting held him back. He needed a solution that wouldn't expose him or cause unnecessary harm.
Then he decided how to proceed, Adom wanted to disarm the looming threat with a precise strike to the man's Essentia path, the same technique he'd previously attempted on Damus, but then, an instant before he could strike the unassuming man, the atmosphere was punctured by the arrival of Valiant, the mouse beastkin who had just triumphed in the unusual duel. The crowd's fervor faded into the background as Valiant interjected, "Whoa, whoa there, pig head. Picking on a kid now, are we? That's low, even for you." His words, though light, carried an undercurrent of challenge, drawing the attention of the man known derogatorily as Pig Head.
Pig Head, a name Adom thought suited the man perfectly, momentarily diverted from him, turned his attention to Valiant. "You know the rules, Valiant. Spectators pay," he grumbled, his stance unyielding yet showing a hint of deference to the beastkin's intervention.
Valiant, undeterred, pointed out, "The kid barely caught the tail end of the show. It'd be downright greedy to charge full price for that." His logic seemed to strike a chord, even in the stubborn enforcer.
With a resigned sigh, Pig Head's gaze shifted back to Adom, his expression softening ever so slightly under Valiant's reasoning. "Fine," he conceded, the fight draining out of him.
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Valiant, seizing the moment, offered a compromise, "Tell Tessa to put a pint on my tab for you," effectively diffusing the situation with an offer Pig Head couldn't refuse.
The mention of compensation in the form of a drink seemed to sweeten the deal, his demeanor changing as he flashed a grotesque smile, revealing a set of decaying teeth. "Your lucky day, kid," he declared, amusement and warning palpable in his voice. "Thank the rat here for saving your hide."
Valiant's correction was swift and laced with frustration. "For the umpteenth time, I'm a mouse beastkin, not a rat!"
But his words seemed to fall on deaf ears as Pig Head dismissed the distinction with a nonchalant wave and finally departed with a parting shot, "Same difference, rat."
"Haa...Excuse Pig Head there," Valiant sighed, a wide grin spreading across his face, "He's been in a foul mood ever since a certain sorceress cursed him with a pig's snout for a nose. Quite the tale, I assure you."
Adom, observing the man's prominent, indeed pig-like, nose, couldn't help but wonder about the nature of his transgression. To warrant such a specific and lasting spell, the man must have deeply offended a sorceress of considerable power. The spell's persistence suggested it wasn't just any sorceress but one with formidable skills and a penchant for memorable punishments.
"I see," Adom remarked, his tone neutral but his mind racing with questions. Then, relieved yet repulsed by the close encounter, he managed a grateful nod towards Valiant. "Thanks," he said, the word carrying a weight of genuine appreciation. Valiant's intervention had not only defused a potentially volatile situation but had also spared Adom from having to reveal himself in such a public setting.
Adom's pace quickened as he moved to leave, he cast a subtle spell, one that lent swiftness to his stride, eager to put distance between himself and any further complications. His mind already racing with thoughts of the next task at hand. But just as he was about to blend into the crowd, a figure darted in front of him, stopping him dead in his tracks. It was Valiant, again, his small stature belying the speed at which he moved.
"Hey, are you in a rush?" Valiant asked, panting slightly from the effort of catching up. "I'm Valiant by the way, Valiant J. Lightfoot, at your service," he introduced himself with a slight bow, an old-fashioned gesture that seemed oddly charming coming from him.
Adom, not in the mood for unnecessary social entanglements, replied curtly, "I'm Rey. And yes, I'm in a rush, so, excuse me." He tried to sidestep the mouse beastkin, keen to avoid any further delay.
Undeterred, Valiant scurried in front of Adom again, his tiny feet barely making a sound on the cobblestone path. "You're fast, kid. Damn, I had to sprint to keep up with you," he said between breaths, his whiskers twitching with each word.
Adom could only halt and stare, his annoyance piqued yet mingled with a reluctant curiosity. "What?" Adom's inquiry was curt, a single word laden with a demand for explanation.
Valiant, still catching his breath, managed a wheezing chuckle, "Damn, haa..haa... Give me one minute, please." The awkward pause that followed was filled with the sound of Valiant's labored breathing, the stark contrast to the earlier vibrancy of their encounter.
As Valiant regained his composure, his laughter lightened the atmosphere, "Whoo! I thought myself quite fast despite my small feet, but man, I guess I am getting old, hahaha." His amusement seemed genuine, a shared joke at the absurdity of the chase.
Adom, however, was less amused. His expression remained stoic, an unspoken barrier to Valiant's joviality. His patience was thinning, his desire to move on untainted by the humor Valiant found in the situation. Yet, despite his irritation, Adom's politeness anchored him in place, his upbringing forbidding him from dismissing Valiant rudely.
Valiant's laughter faded into the background as he caught the stern look on Adom's face. "Ah, tough crowd, huh?" he remarked, trying to lighten the mood, but Adom was not in the mood for jests.
"What do you want?" Adom said, his question cutting through the remaining chuckles.
Valiant's expression shifted to something more serious as he leaned in slightly and cleared his throat, "Pig Head said you were lucky because I saved your arse, right?" The mention of their earlier confrontation brought a slight lift to Adom's brow, a silent question as to whether Valiant was seeking some form of gratitude or compensation.
Sensing Adom's skepticism, Valiant quickly clarified, "Don't misunderstand. I just think he was the lucky one. You were about to knock him out if I hadn't stepped in, Weren't you?" His words carried a hint of insight, suggesting he had seen through Adom's calm exterior to the storm brewing beneath.
Adom was taken aback by Valiant's perceptiveness but remained composed, his face an unreadable mask.
Valiant, undeterred by Adom's silence, pressed on, "I've lived in this village all my life, for 21 years, and yet, I've never seen your face here, Rey. Are you a sorcerer using concealment magic?" His question was pointed, a direct probe into the nature of Adom's presence and abilities.
Deciding to bluff, Adom's fingers subtly twitched, a deliberate and silent prelude to the spell he was about to weave. Valiant, for all his cheer and jest, sensed the shift in the air, the electric tinge of magic gathering around the young man before him.
"What if I am?" Adom's words were calm, almost casual, but they carried a weight, a hidden warning. "Don't you think it would be dangerous to follow me and harass me like that?"
Valiant's eyes widened a fraction, the humor momentarily slipping from his face. "Whoa, whoa there," he protested, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "I wouldn't say 'harass' is the term here, right? You're making this weird," he added, glancing around to ensure their exchange remained private.
Adom noted Valiant's concern for his image, a chink in his carefree armor, and decided to exploit it. "Well, I am not a sorcerer," he lied smoothly, "and I am here to visit my uncle—" But before he could spin a more detailed web of deception, Valiant interjected with curiosity.
"Oh! So you've got family in this hole? Who is it?" His inquiry was direct, but Adom deflected, preferring to keep certain cards close to his chest.
"I'd rather keep that to myself," he replied, his tone firm yet polite. And before Valiant could delve deeper, Adom added, "If you don't stop harassing me, I'll have to report you to the guards."
The mention of guards made Valiant take a step back. His earlier bravado melted away, replaced by a more conciliatory demeanor. "Fine, fine, Rey," he conceded, a touch of irritation in his voice. "I didn't mean to offend. I'll let you go, okay? No need to get so flustered."
Adom nodded, a silent acknowledgment of the truce, and quickly made his way from the scene, leaving Valiant behind. The mouse beastkin watched him go, curiosity evident in his gaze.