Walking to the counter of the Main Hall, he approached the same lady that registered his identification card.

“Excuse me, I’m here to collect my ID,” Yohan informed.

“Oh you’re back. Yohan right? Please wait a bit,” the lady spoke. She went to the staff room and came out with a card.

“Here is your name, your birthplace, your birthday and your profile. Please check if the printed information is correct.” The lady pointed to the words on the card.

“They’re all correct thank you,” Yohan confirmed. “Also, I would like to rent a room.”

“Okay, the rent per month will be $245. Please pay up first before your stay.” The lady checked the availability of the rooms.

Handing her some crumbled notes and coins, she gave back the change and a key. It was labelled room 112, located on the right wing of the second floor above the bar.

Yohan thanked the counter lady and headed upstairs. Walking up the stairs, he thought about his unfavourable luck.

In the mid-afternoon, there was barely anyone around the bar. However, when it was nighttime, it could be noisy and bustling with drinkers, up until early morning. He didn’t know if the walls were soundproof, but he hoped it wouldn’t change his sleeping schedule.

Entering his room, one noticeable feature was its window facing a brick wall of the next apartment, hence sunlight wasn’t prominent in the room.

Below the window was a bed, table and chair, the minimum furniture to call it a bedroom. Reading the evacuation map, the shared bathroom was located at the far end of the left wing.

‘Hah… for $200, I shouldn’t complain about it…’, placing his bag on the bed, the only things he had was a dagger, a bunch of crumbled notes and loose coins. He didn't have a second set of clothes other than his default outfit.

Stuffing extra cash in his pocket, he walked out the room and down the stairs

The nostalgic aroma filled the dining hall as adventurers streamed in hungrily. Many waiters twirled around like ballerinas, endlessly serving the guests while carefully carrying stacks of mugs between their two hands. It was very impressive to maintain balance and had a clear view of their directions when the mugs reached over their heads.

In evening time, Yohan instinctively eyed an empty seat of a nearby shared table. He decided it was a good opportunity to question the locals about any changes of the current events.

“Hello, is this seat free?” Yohan politely asked, establishing a friendly image.

The adventurers occupying the table raised their heads, their eyes swiftly glanced and smiled.

“Yea, take a seat.”

“Have you guys ordered yet?”

“Nah, you order yours first.” The man in the middle chunked his mug and refilled another serving.

Like a veteran, Yohan waved his hand and recited his order naturally.

“I would like to order your signature meal, black pepper sauce and the specialty drink.”

“Alright, coming right up.” The waiter nodded his head.

Soon, a plate of sizzling chicken chop, glazed with black pepper sauce, decorated with rosemary and lemon as garnishes. Alongside was a light carbonated deep blueish drink with a boat ornament arrived on his table.

Picking up his cutlery, he pressed his index finger on the knife and made a cut, taking a bite of the tender meat. It melted on his tongue, the pepper mixing the juicy meat, heating up the hotness. To calm his hot tongue, he drank a sip of the specialty drink: “Over the world Voyage”, missing its salty taste.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“By the way, do you know about the recent events?” Yohan started to interrogate.

The three men were having a great time of their life. Their faces flushed in red as their movements became mawkish.

“Huh ah? Oh that. Umm I just heard like,” the person at the left blurted.

“What is it again? Yea, the Ose Mansion. You know, at Ordin. They discovered many raw minerals… diamonds or something. Lucky them, Ordin is expanding its market value.” He slouched down and patted his belly.

“Bro, I don’t think he’s asking about that,” the man at the right rolled his eyes.

“Here's more interesting news. I heard the royal family is going to host the coronation ceremony for the next heir to the throne,” he explained.

“I guess that’s the reason why the capital is so hype. Although there’s no election, the public is split between the two brothers. I mean, princes.”

“Then, who do you support?” Yohan asked, curious of their opinions.

“The second prince, of course. His power of speech is so convincing,” the middle man interfered.

“What… shouldn’t it be the first prince? That’s his rightful position. Also, he doesn’t lose out to the second prince!” The man at the right exclaimed.

“Who do you support? ELLIOT?”

“I don’t know, I’m not even a citizen of the Empire, brothers. Didn’t we come here to see the crowning thing,” the left said annoyingly.

As the men had a heated debate, Yohan was lost in his thoughts.

‘Laurent? Did he not participate in the coronation? That’s weird…’

“The second prince. Isn’t he a scholar?” Yohan pointed out.

“Yea he is, but he’s an exceptional military commander. He’s a complete all-rounder, that’s why you should support him too,” the man in the middle praised

“Military commander? I thought he never showed his face to the public before,” Yohan asked.

“It’s true that he doesn’t publicise himself but his accomplishment in contributing to the breakthrough of physics at a young age of nine and the victory of the battle of Valefor Resolution have brought fame to his name!”

Yohan furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

‘Something doesn’t add up. Laurent was only able to achieve the breakthrough 7 years later and the Resolution was only after the coronation. Why are the events pushed forward?’

It didn’t seem that the men opposite of him were spilling nonsense information. There was no way they could know about future events unless it did happen early.

Yohan lowered his gloomy eyes silently.

Suddenly, he felt a strong pat at the back. Before he could react, the men collectively exclaimed.

“OWEN! No time no see.”

“Didn't expect to see you three here, what's your business with my apprentice?” Owen jokingly asked.

“Wait, he’s your apprentice?”

“Mhm, Yohan is working as a delivery man.” Owen introduced.

“Yohan, to your left is Elliot, Herrace and Gerald. These are the rascals that were busy destroying the training field in the afternoon.”

Owen sat next to Yohan and uncocked a bottle of alcohol. The three cheered, hitting mugs to mugs.

“I didn't know you were a rookie, Yohan. Tonight will be my treat,” Herrace offered.

“By the way, what were you guys talking about?” Owen questioned.

“The coronation ceremonies. Who do you stand, Owen?” Gerald prompted.

“Ahahaha, I don’t know yet,” Owen sheepishly said.

The two men were shocked and started to convince Owen to stand on either side, trying to win over Owen as a support.

As he listened, he noticed Yohan’s discomfort. Worried about his physical condition from the afternoon, he excused himself to smoke and told Yohan to come along.

Outside The Guild was a community garden. Standing below a lamp, Owen took a lighter and a cigarette. A flick, the fire lit the bud.

“Yohan, what’s troubling you?”

Gripping his arm, a long shadow casted on the ground, expanding into the darkness. He glanced to the side and mumbled, “Can I know when the coronation ceremony is?”

“It’s on the 18th Vanir in the Year of Equilibrium, why?” Owen inquired.

“I want to request that I be posted to Ordin after the one month trial. I wish to travel and start my journey from there,” Yohan touched his ear, forcing a small smile.

“Well, you did say you wish to see the outside world. I can write you a recommendation letter,” Owen noted, convinced by Yohan’s request.

“But before that, since you have taken an interest in the coronation, you should come and pay your respect to the royal family,” Owen said. “Of course, take it as a personal invite.”

“Okay.” A voice of clarity agreed.

Raising his head in surprise, he faced his sentimental pupils dulled and diluted, the moonlight revealed his pale skin— like a lost soul finding its place.

Owen pursed his lips nervously. Although Yohan was in front of him, the image of him had an indescribable abysmal depth.

Owen's eyes quivered, unable to comprehend that moment of emotions. He was aware that Yohan was not as simple as he was, but he had sworn not to pry or assume people’s secrets.

Closing his eyes and relaxing his facial muscles, the tips of the lips curved to a gentle smile. He patted Yohan’s shoulder and promised him.

“I will bring you there, so don’t be despondent.”

He chucked and pointed his thumb to The Guild.

“Let’s go back, they will be worried if we’re missing for too long. You should take a rest too.”

“Thank you, Owen.”

Yohan expressed his gratitude, before he walked back to The Guild.

Rubbing the cigarette bud on a bench, Owen let out a relief sigh.

‘In the end, he is still an honest child.’