Daisy accepted the hand that was offered to her and was pulled up to a standing position. Looking at Alex, she waited for him to continue the lesson giving the nod to reassure him she was really fine to continue. But he seemed to be stuck in a glaring contest with Bea.
Observing this exchange, what impressed her the most was that Bea seemed actually to be winning. The girl, whom she assumed must have Gnomish blood if not a full-blooded gnome, was somehow getting Alex to back down. With a deep sigh, Alex gave a shrug.
“Fine, miss Blackgate, you win, and I am the personification of all that is wrong with this world. Now can we get on with the second lesson?” The class all shared a glance before nodding at him. With that affirmation, Alex slapped his hands together.
“Ok, so we will be going to the middle plateau,” he announced as he slapped his chest, revealing his ruined clothing and bedraggled appearance was a shimmer illusion.
“M-middle plateau sir?” Kline repeated, already shaking.
“Yes, why do you think I allotted for a sixth-period lesson? So we can go on adventurers in the city's various plateaus and have some fun without people wondering why you guys aren’t in school.”
“What could we possibly learn from such places?” Maxwell asked, pushing his glasses up his nose despite them not even slipping.
“Many things, I may have taught myself the basics of magic, but you’d be amazed what skills can be transferred from normal life. Like one of my attacks that actually got me noticed by the old fart was developed when I did a few jobs for a butcher and learnt about the structures of organs.”
“Interesting. My people do often say wisdom can be found in the most unlikeliest of places,” Tasha nodded in approval.
“So feel free to get changed into casual stuff, or we can go in uniforms as is. Either way is cool with me.”
“Where exactly are we going, sir?” Daisy asked.
“A tavern where Bards of great renown do battle without restraint.”
The students all paused in thought, trying to imagine what the weakest school of magic fighting would be like. But none of them could even fathom what the famous support mages could do. The class all huddled to discuss and finally came to a decision.
“We shall take you up on the offer to change,” Maxwell declared to which all the others nodded.
“Very well, I shall meet you at the front gates, don’t worry about being too long sixth period is in that magical space of school time as any lesson after school. If I was cruel, I could even make it last till ten minutes before the start of next week's first period.” The class shuddered at the prospect of a weekend-long lesson—some with anticipation and joy and others with dread.
They gathered at the main gate after about half an hour of getting ready. There leaning casually was Alex, who hadn’t changed out of his usual robe.
“We are ready, sir,” Daisy stepped up to him.
“Joy, first let me get a good look at all of you,” he gave a smile as he walked around each student, giving them a pat on the back when he gave words of approval.
“Great, though, Gunter, you don’t need to bring so many knives,” Alex said, turning to the wall of muscle who began to look bashful.
“You brought weapons?” Tasha asked.
“Yes, middle and lower plateaus can be dangerous at night. Thought it best to be prepared to defend myself.”
“Well, that is ridiculous. We have profes-” The man himself cut off Daisy’s words.
“Good idea; I’m not going to keep you guys safe unless it truly isn’t something you can’t handle.”
Daisy and Maxwell, who had both been so self-assured mere moments ago, both paled. They had assumed Alex would act as a bodyguard, much like he did for his kindergarten class. But him saying he wouldn’t made them reassess their plans.
“Come on guys, lock step one-two, one-two,” Alex ordered as he began marching like he was on a parade ground out the gate.
Awkwardly following him at a generous but not too far distance, they kept pace. Though they walked normally, Daisy couldn’t help but wonder how he could deal with all the weird stares he got for walking with his goose-step march.
Weaving through the upper plateau, it was what they all knew well. It was the most affluent part of Academy City. Order was well maintained, and guards frequented the areas on patrol.
“W-why aren’t the guards stopping him?” Kline stuttered to the group.
“Maybe they know him?” Bea offered.
“Must be; anyone else who did that would be taken to a very friendly hospital by the guards,” Tasha added.
“I’m starting to wonder if I have shackled myself to this fool for nothing more than a better grade,” Maxwell muttered with his own addition.
“That’s a point,” Daisy began getting the gang's attention. “Why did you guys stay? I know Maxwell and I are honour students, so we did this as an optional. Maxwell just said he wanted a better than mere passing.”
The group all had contemplative looks on their faces. As they all looked unsure, Daisy decided to break the thin ice with her reason.
“Well, I myself wanted to learn from someone with such an over-the-top reputation. I was sure he could teach me a lot.”
“And has it paid off?” Maxwell asked with a smug grin, no doubt referencing her losing consciousness.
“Yes, I realised I was letting my ego push me.”
“You overcame such a flaw so quickly?” Maxwell pressed with a scoff.
“Oh no. I have no doubt I will fall prey to it many times. But you know first step to problems and all.”
“W-well I… I had no choice… B-but I wanted to get more confidence. Someone like him,” Kline gestured to the man ignoring the laughing around him. “Must have a trick or two I can learn.”
“Well, for me, it’s because my uncle told me stories about him. You think his academy stories are mad. I heard he and his sister were legends in the guild. Many suspected they were trying to die in a blaze of glory like some of the nordic tribesmen tend to do.”
The group continued as they began to ponder this new information.
“So you wanted to see if the stories were true?” Daisy asked to which Bea nodded.
“Kinda, more I want to see someone my uncle said was crazy. Like my family specialises in Demonological magicks. We tend to be a bit mad ourselves. So when one of our number calls someone crazy, it really means something.”
Again the group glanced at their teacher, who had stopped his goose step and was now skipping as if the market street they were now passing through was a field of flowers.
“He does have a way about him,” Tasha nodded. “Guess it’s my turn then. Well, he is engaged to my hero Lady Elissa. I wanted to get to know him and hopefully meet her.”
“So you don’t care about him but his missus?” Bea asked.
“Lady Elissa is the most perfect being. If I ever find he is lacking, I will personally eliminate him,” Tasha began to radiate an aura that caused the hairs on the group's necks to stand on end.
“Last you, Gunter?” Daisy asked, turning to their quiet companion.
“I’m straightforward. My teacher in smithing studies recommended I take his class,” he answered.
“So you are here by option?” Maxwell asked.
“Yes. I am ok with tests and learning, but the books are hard sometimes. My teacher, the new professor in my course, said Professor Alex is great at practical learning. So I stuck around because I want to be the best mage I can, and hoped he could help.” Daisy couldn’t help but feel great joy at another kindred spirit. Someone who was striving for better.
“You have fun with your little gossip?” Alex asked as they had just now noticed they had reached the gate to the middle plateau.
“I’ve never been to the middle plateau on foot before,” Maxwell said, stepping forwards to glance through the gate.
“Nothing too bad. Just be careful of pickpockets and muggers. The area we are going to is less patrolled.”
“We might get attacked?” Kline near squeaked.
“Yes, and like I said, I won't step in unless it gets really hairy.”
“Very well. Kline, you wished for confidence, right? You need to be able to take that first step. Don’t worry; we are here with you,” Gunter said as he gently pushed Kline in the back.
Staggering forwards, Kline landed on the other side of the gate, and no horrors or ne’er-do-wells descended upon him. Following through, the rest of the group stood around him.
“You know he won’t grow more confident if you shield him like that,” Alex observed, keeping closer to the group this time than he had been on the Upper Plateau.
“Small exposure is the best method,” Daisy said, shooting a glare at Alex.
“No deep end, then? Fair enough. We’re taking the next right down the alleyway,” he gestured to the turning ahead of them. Where a few hooded shady looking figures were leaning against the wall on either side of the alleyway.
“You sure, sir?” Bea asked.
“Sure, as I know how to count to ten on my natural fingers,” he smiled back, holding up his hands and showing off his metallic ones. Turning down the alleyway, they began to feel piercing gazes looking at them from the shadows.
“Ok, left ahead.” Obeying his directions, the group came to an open area with a well in the middle. Behind the well was a building with a sign labelled the ‘Biting Remark’.
“That’s the place, kiddos. Go on in. I’m right behind you.”
Stepping through the threshold, they came into a tavern that was far larger than it appeared from the outside. In a lower area, squared off looked like a boxing ring.
“That where they duke it out, chief?” Gunter asked.
“It is indeed. They rotate the events to keep it fresh. Every Friday and Saturday, the fights happen. Sometimes a good ole fisticuffs. There’s also golem fights,” Alex grinned as he mentioned the golem event. “Though this week is my personal favourite. Bardic Battles.”
“And what will we learn from bards, sir?” Maxwell asked, uttering the word Bard the way one would an insult.
“Simple how to cast magic.”
“We already know how to cast magic?” Daisy said, tilting her head in confusion.
“You know, the boring way. Bards get a bad rap… heh, get it,” the group collectively cringed at Alex’s bad dad level joke.
“But seriously, Bardic magic is one of the most versatile schools. Me and Sloth believe it to be one of the best schools.” these words caused the group to pause in shock. If two top-tier mages believed that, then maybe reassessing Bards was in need.
“Ah, there’s a table,” Alex gestured to a booth with a plaque nailed on the wall behind it. Shuffling into the booth, Daisy read it. ‘Reserved for the Hammer and Mad Metal’.
“You sure we are allowed here, sir?” Daisy asked, worried they had stolen a regular’s table.
“Oh yeah, this is my and Yuu’s table. Those are our pseudonyms.” We are the ones who created the golem fights.”
“W-W-W-WELCOME ONE AND ALL TO TONIGHTS BATTLE OF WORDS!!” An announcer declared, his voice being amplified by an item in his hand.
“TONIGHT, AS YOU KNOW, IS ROOKIE VERSUS TITANS NIGHT. ANYONE WHO WANTS TO PARTICIPATE CAN VOLUNTEER!!” The patrons around the tavern gave a cheer in response to these words.
“FIRST UP TO GET YOUR BLOOD PUMPING, WE HAVE IN THIS CORNER TOMTOM WORDSOUP!!” The announcer gestured to one corner where a bard in flamboyant feathered clothing walked out.
“AND IN THIS CORNER, WE HAVE A RETURNING CHAMP, THE GREAT WORDSMITH…” The announcer paused, and even the group were on the edge of their seat in anticipation.
“MISS KLOXO!!” The crowd went wild with this announcement. The group, however, were shocked at this name.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
“Why is the language teacher here?” Bea asked.
“Easy money. School budgets don’t pay teachers as well as they should. She comes here every so often to get a boost. Hell, she’s the one that introduced Yuu and me to this place.” Alex explained before putting his fingers in his mouth to give a loud wolf whistle.
“WE ALL KNOW THE RULES. BUT FOR YOU FIRST-TIMERS, HERE THEY ARE. YOU GET THREE VERSES TO BREAK YOUR OPPONENT. IF THEY DON’T BREAK, THE AUDIENCE DECIDES. OTHER THAN THAT, NO WORDS ARE OFF-LIMITS. BEGIN WHEN THE BEAT STARTS!!” The announcer then flipped a coin, and it was clear the contestants were picking. When it was decided, the announcer handed the device he had been using to Tomtom.
A deep beat and tune began to reverberate around the tavern as both contestants began bouncing with the tune. After a moment of thought, Tomtom held the device to his mouth.
“Yo Kloxo. You got fingers like a warthog and a voice like a slime; you're icky as a goblin who's just thrown up his wine.” Miss Kloxo, in response to these words, looked unimpressed despite the crowd oohing and awing.
“I don’t know who you think is worse. But Your lessons bore kids into a hearse. So let me give you a little help with your next verse.” the crowd again cheered. But Miss Kloxo was still unresponsive.
“He can’t talk to her like that!!” Maxwell angrily shouted as he tried to rise from his seat, only to be held back by Gunter.
“It’s the point, chief. Insult your opponent. If anything, some of these are weak.”
“I agree,” Alex nodded.
“Your getup fools, no ghouls, and you're desperate as the blight-covered thing you used in bed last night.” with that final verse, Tomtom handed the device over to miss Kloxo.
“Ahem, is this thing on because I could’ve sworn you were gone. I’m a teacher, so let me give you a lesson right here. Though I’m not sure whether or not that empty brain of yours is near.” The students watching this couldn’t contain their shock at her opening response.
“So when they hear your tune, I assure you no women swoon. I consider it a boon when your tune is through.” The crowd was going wild for their teacher. Tomtom began to show signs of red on his cheeks and ears.
“The sheer amount of agony when you strike the strings is greater than the sappy trashy tragedy you sing. So do us all a favour and stop trying to weave words because you only weave turds.”
With this final verse, miss Kloxo handed the device back to the announcer. The crowd clearly were enjoying the show.
“So neither broke. Though Tomtom was clearly close. But close is still not breaking. All those for Tomtom cheer!!” the announcer declared, gesturing to the bard, to which a few in the crowd cheered.
“Now those in favour of Miss Kloxo,” a significantly larger portion of the crowd cheered.
“We have a clear winner. Miss Kloxo, you remain undefeated. We will now be taking a break to let the rookies apply.”
“So that was a bardic battle?” Tasha asked.
“Yes, a battle of words. But one of their greatest skills is being able to weave words on the fly and to do so rapidly. That is what I will have you learn. Miss Kloxo will help with this. But I expect you each to perform at least once tonight. It doesn’t matter if it sucks. Get your tongue used to rapid speech, and you will cast chant spells so fast your opponents will accuse you of cheating.”
The group was visibly reluctant to even consider entering this competition. They all knew they didn’t have the ability, let alone the stage presence. They all looked at Alex pleadingly for a few minutes before he caved.
“Fine. But I expect one of you to go up and give it a go. Otherwise, I shall leave you and let you guys make your own way back to the dorms,” Alex’s gaze told them he was deadly serious. He would abandon them in this unfamiliar part of town if they didn’t participate.
“How do we decide then?” Maxwell asked.
“How about lots?” Gunter offered, reaching into his pocket and taking out several sticks, one of which had a coloured tip.
“You just carry a set of lots with you?” Bea asked, looking at Gunter, who retreated back into his spot on the seat.
“Me and my buddies often have to decide stuff; it makes things fair,” was his weak explanation.
“Ok, the loser is the one who has to go up and do that humiliating performance,” Maxwell declared as he drew his lot. It was a plain stick. He exhaled a sigh of relief at the sight of it.
“Me next,” Tasha declared, beginning to draw one of the sticks before changing her mind and drawing a different one. This one was also clean.
“Few; my heart was pumping there.”
“Guess I’ll go next,” Bea reached out and grabbed her lot, and it was also clean.
“Just us three then,” Daisy observed as she paused to let Kline go before her.
“You s-sure?” Kline stuttered as he looked at Daisy, only to receive a reassuring nod.
“O-ok, t-this one then!!” Kline near shouted as he grabbed the one Tasha had almost picked.
The table was silent as they all looked at the distinctive red mark on the stick. Kline had already begun to shake as he gazed at the object that portented his doom.
“Hey, give it here, and I’ll go,” Daisy said, holding out her hand for the lot.
“N-NO!!” Kline retracted his hand quickly from her reach. “If I want to g-g-get more confident I-I Need to do this,” Kline’s lips became a thin straight line as he was obviously trying to contain his terror.
“Righto, come on, Kline, sign up is at the bar,” Alex declared as he shuffled out of the booth and stood up.
“Professor, why don’t you participate?” Daisy asked, shooting a glare at their teacher, who clearly was enjoying this too much.
“Oh, I would love to, but I am banned from playing.”
“May I ask why?” Tasha asked.
“I am too good at it. No one can last my first verse without breaking.” With these final words, Alex wrapped his arm around Kline’s shoulder and began to guide him to the bar.
“I-i-is t-that true, sir?” Kline whispered as they weaved between patrons.
“Would I lie to you guys?”
“Thinking about it, sir. I imagine you would while gleefully giggling to yourself at our foolishness.”
“Wow, you are very sharp. But yes, I didn’t lie. I am banned from this game because I break my opponents with my first verse.”
Kline weakly nodded as they were now nearing the bar and his death warrant being signed. Looking at the patrons sitting at the bar, he was surprised to see miss Kloxo and Tomtom sharing a drink.
“Yo, barkeep, I need an application to participate!” Alex shouted over the din of the bar.
“Alex, you remember you’re banned for being too crap at it, right?” Kloxo asked.
“I beg your pudding? I won all my matches!” Alex shouted back indignantly.
“Only because they broke down laughing at your attempts to find a word that rhymes with orange,” Tomtom replied.
“Oh heavens, forgive him, for he hath sullied me,” Alex said dramatically, fanning his face. Before dropping the performance.
“Application, though, isn’t for me. It’s for this young stud,” Alex gestured to an already wilting Kline with his thumb.
“Kline?” Kloxo asked in surprise. “Never thought you’d leave your room or the library. I don’t mind being your opponent if it makes things easier.” Just as Kline was about to nod his head shakily, Tomtom interjected.
“Come on, Maria. He is clearly in need of a gentle touch. You would snap his clearly already fragile heart.”
“I-I-I’ll have y-y-y-you know I will d-do fine.”
“Pfffttt. Gods above, are you sure you want to participate, kid? You have just shown the titans way too many openings.”
Kline bit his lip as he lowered his head in shame. He knew he was weak-willed. He knew he would fail at this. Just as his spiral of despair began, he felt a tight tug on his shoulder. Looking up, he saw Alex tightly holding him.
“Now Tomtom, mees thinks thems some fighting words. He is merely tricking you into a false sense of security. He will be more devastating than Kloxo,” Alex declared to a small stir amongst the surrounding patrons.
“Please, sir. D-don’t aggravate-”
“Listen, Kline. In life, there are going to be bullies like him. Your best bet is to knock them down a peg and make them realise you aren’t prey but a predator.” Alex hastily whispered into Kline's ear. With a weak nod, Kline submitted.
“I will participate. C-can it be him I face?” Kline asked, pointing to Tomtom.
“Sure thing, kid, scribble your thing here and wait for them to call your name,” the bartender said, handing a sheet of paper to Kline. Which Alex promptly snatched and began filling it out for him.
“LISTEN UP SEVENTY TO ONE ODDS ON THE NEW KID TO WIN,” he shouted, to which a few patrons immediately began placing bets. Guiding Kline back to the table, Alex made sure he didn’t collapse.
“How’d registration go, chief?” Gunter asked the moment Kline collapsed in a seat.
“Terrible. I am set to fight Tomtom,” Kline held his head in his hands.
“You’re facing him?” Daisy exclaimed in shock, shooting a glare at Alex.
“You should’ve seen it, kids. Kline stood there at the bar. All heroic, not flinching at the patron's glares. He then called Tomtom a pea because he was clearly a dickless peacock. Now they’ll have a battle to end all battles.”
“SIR, PLEASE DON’T LIE!!” Kline begged.
“What’s better is there are some crazy good odds against him. I’m gonna drop a few coins on Kline here to win,” Alex grinned at the wowed students all staring at Kline.
“What are the odds, sir?” Maxwell asked.
“Seventy to one.” Bea gave an amazed whistle at that number.
“Wow, they must think you won’t win at all.”
“I’m going to get a few drinks; you guys want any?”Daisy asked as she rose from the table.
“Booze for Kline here. As you are going up, can you place a bet on Young Kline to win for me,” Alex said, handing three gold coins. Kline’s eyes went wide as saucers at the sight of this much money.
“Please, sir, don’t waste your money on a bad bet for me,” Kline was begging.
“You know what, a few on Kliney to win as well,” Tasha said, handing a few silvers to Daisy.
“I want in on this,” Bea said, handing a silver to Daisy.
“I shall show faith in my new companion and bet my month's earnings,” Gunter declared, handing a small pouch of coins to Daisy with the distinct jingle of many coins. The group all looked at Maxwell expectantly.
“What? I hope you don’t expect me to waste my money on a long shot. I shall place a silver of Tomtom,” Maxwell declared, ignoring the glares as he handed a coin to Daisy.
“Ok, I’ll get the drinks and betting slips sorted,” She smiled at Kline before heading off.
“The pressure is getting too much!” Kline cried out as he huddled into a fetal position and began rocking back and forth. As if on cue, Tomtom chose this moment to walk past.
“Gonna suck your thumb as well, baby?” he asked with a snort and chuckle as he continued on his way.
“Oh, gods, I can’t do this!!”
“Hey, Kline,” Alex stopped Kline’s rocking by holding his shoulders.
“If you really don’t think you can do this, it’s ok. I won’t think any less of you. They will cancel the bets and return the money.”
“A-aren’t you meant to say I can do this?”
“Only do mentors in storybooks say that crap. Kline, you are clearly too stressed. If this is too much, I won’t force you. I’m sorry if you felt I pushed you back there. I really thought it could help boost your confidence. If you don’t want to, I’ll head up and let them know you withdraw, and say it was a mean prank by me.”
Finishing his words, Alex rose from his seat. But before he could take another step, Kline grabbed him by his arm.
“Please don’t go, sir. I want to do this,” Kline was still visibly shaking, but his eyes now showed some resolve that wasn’t there previously.
“You sure?” Alex checked, to which Kline nodded.
“Just remember then if it gets too much break. The match will end sooner, and he won’t get a chance to be too mean. When this is all done, we will drink the night away,” Kline felt comforted by Alex’s hand on his shoulder and began to relax his posture.
“I’m back and got the drinks. Here are the slips,” Daisy declared, dropping a tray with mugs of ale and handing out little notes to the group.
“Oh, by the way, sir. Miss Kloxo told me the real reason you are banned.”
“I have no idea what lies she told you, but they are probably true.”
“Oh, and by the way, sir, they refused to honour your full bet. Something about you fixing too many fights and them not trusting you.”
“Damn, I was sure I’d make bank when Kline inevitably won.”
“W-WE ARE BACK TO CONTINUE ROOKIE NIGHT. WE HAVE A SPECIAL EVENT COMING UP NEXT. A FIRST-TIMER HAS CHALLENGED A VETERAN. WILL THIS BE A MASSACRE IN THE RING?” Kline instantly paled as he realised his time was running short.
“OUR CHALLENGED PARTY IS THE ONE THE ONLY TOMTOM WORDSOUP!!” The crowd cheered as Tomtom returned to the ring.
“AND OUR CHALLENGER, A BOY WITH AN UNKNOWN PAST. SOMEONE WHO MANY HAVE SUNK THEIR LIFE SAVINGS INTO WIN. KLINE THE THE WORDERER!!!”
“Kline the worderer?” Daisy repeated, confused.
“Thought a pun would help him fit in,” Alex explained as they watched Kline sheepishly make his way to the ring.
“AS THIS IS A VETERAN CHALLENGED BY A ROOKIE, THE RULES HAVE BEEN MIXED UP. RATHER THAN THREE VERSES IN A ROW, THEY WILL NOW HAVE A BACK AND FORTH TILL ONE OF THEM BREAKS!!”
“Predator, not prey. Predator, not prey,” Kline repeated what Alex had said to him at the bar. A mantra to keep his spirits high. Finally, Kline stepped into the ring. He could already feel countless eyes boring into him.
“AS THE CHALLENGED, YOU CAN DECIDE WHO GOES FIRST?” The announcer asked, turning to Tomtom
“I will go first. Give the kid a chance to break and g-g-g-go home to mommy,” Tomtom shot a vicious smile at Kline, which cause him to retreat half a step.
“READY, WAIT FOR THE BEAT TO BEGIN!” The announcer, as he had before, handed Tomtom the device and left the ring. Soon enough, a beat began.
“Look here, kid, you best quit now. By the time I’m done with you, you’ll have to kowtow. You stammer and stutter like you’re a little thick. Please let me know if I’m going too quick.” Kline just closed his eyes and kept repeating the mantra in his head, trying his best to ignore Tomtom. Finally opening his eyes, Kline took a deep breath and began.
“You mock my stutter; you mock my stammer. But my words will hit you like a hammer. You don’t even bother to know what I work for. But with that flashy appearance, I can only assume you must be a whore.” there were ooh’s of amazement from the onlookers. Tomtom himself seemed genuinely shocked, but not enough for it to be classified as a break.
“I see now you were only faking. I’ll have you know it’s the winnings I’ll be taking. Do you think you’re a threat to me? Pah, I bet you still need your mom to help with your wee-wee.” Kline maintained his composed expression all while a few in the crowd were shouting whoops and words of encouragement towards Kline.
“You think I was faking? But look at you, you’re breaking. It must be rookie night because I was told to expect a fight. But here I stand with you on the floor. By the way, you still look like a whore.” Kline finally felt like he was getting in the groove of things. Tomtom, however, now looked even closer to breaking.
“You insult my look. But you can’t insult my soul. Look at you shaking; I’m sure this is taking a toll. So let me give you some advice. Break soon while I’m still being nice.” Kline just looked at Tomtom, no longer letting the moment hold him back.
“Wow, that hurt my feelings… not. I suffer so much worse than whatever you got. So try your best once more. Because I’ll be generous and let you verse count reach four.” at these words, Tomtom finally broke down laughing while clapping and gesturing to Kline.
“Wow, kid, that was great; well done,” Tomtom patted Kline on the back.
“THERE WE HAVE IT, FOLKS, WHAT AN UPSET. KLINE THE WORDERER LIVES UP TO HIS NAME. A CHEER FOR SUCH AN AMAZING ROOKIE!!” The patrons all cheered for Kline. Especially a group seated around a specific booth.
Returning to the table Kline now looked very sheepish.
“THAT WAS AMAZING!!” Bea said, beaming at him.
“Knew you had it in you, bud,” Alex said, handing Kline a mug of ale.
“I didn’t… but I kept repeating what you said to me.”
“What is that?”
“I am a predator, not prey,” Kline elaborated, to which Alex gave a hearty slap to Klines back.
“Mind if we join you?” the group looked up to see Miss Kloxo and Tomtom standing there holding two trays covered in drinks.
“Aren’t you angry?” Daisy asked, looking at Tomtom.
“Why would I be? This is all in good fun. You should see veterans night tomorrow. Woowee, they get vicious. But at the end of the day, we will all share a drink and laugh about what ridiculous idiots we were,” Tomtom laughed as he placed the tray on the table.
“A toast?” Gunter suggested holding a fresh mug up.
““TO KLINE THE WORDERER!!”” they all simultaneously cheered as they clinked cups together.