Feeling his stomach complain at the lack of intake, Hiro reluctantly got up from his comfy relaxation under the tree, and started to wander around the castle. He had mentally mapped everything out in his head earlier in the day, so finding the mess hall wasn’t too hard. Once he got there, he noticed the flow of people had picked up from earlier, and once he entered, he understood why.

Peeking in, he glanced around and saw that it was too crowded for a loner like himself. That, and his clothes stood out too much. Maybe it was time to wear something different? In either case, he decided not to enter.

In his brief look, he had noticed some new figures that weren’t soldier-like. They had looked like mages. Typical cloaks and intellectual looks. They had all appeared middle aged, except for one who looked like a young girl. She was the reason he had taken notice of them. Why?

She looks like someone fun to tease and play around with…

With a bit of an inner grin, he imagined random things he could do. Of course, he only imagined. Not worth the trouble to go out of his way to do anything. Turning a corner, he heard a set of footsteps next to him.

“As expected, you left the moment you saw the crowd. Come, I’ll show you somewhere more comfortable to eat.” (Max)

“Duly appreciated. Let’s also look for some change of clothes. Something simple but tidy looking.” (Hiro)

“Then, let’s make a detour. I can show you around the castle town another day when we have more time. Any luck with dimension magic?” (Max)

“A little. Another couple days at most, I suspect. I’d have something ready straight away if I wasn’t trying to customize it so much. Heat retention, frozen time, infinite storage, mental connection to the space and its contents and so on. How about you? Any luck understanding light and illusion magic?” (Hiro)

“Getting there. It’s such a fascinating thing; light that can bend and hide things, as well as create something that isn’t there. Shall we make a bet on who finishes their spell first?” (Max)

“Sounds like a good idea. Then, I bet you a weapon manufacturing method.” (Hiro)

“Hoh? Looks like you’re in need of weapons. Then, I bet you some mithril ingots.” (Max)

“Deal.” (Hiro)

With that small talk which contained dangerous and unbelievable contents, the two of them made their way towards the castle gates, leaving the castle grounds and heading into the town. As expected, the youth ended up standing out quite a lot. Well, there was always that trick he could do resembling a certain phantom thief, where he’d immediately change his appearance, throwing off pursuit since they would be looking for something that stands out.

But he didn’t want to reveal himself yet. Maybe once he had research illusion magic a bit more, he could work on making mana clones. Or maybe even something with substance… something real. He had enough basic medical knowledge for his mana and subconscious to fill in the blanks. A doppelganger level of magic…

No matter. That can wait for the future. M*rdr*d was higher profile than him, anyway. No point imitating another overpowered person. As they arrived at a store, Max led the way as they spent a short while picking out something tidy and simple. After ordering a custom made black tunic and white pants, as well as a leather jerkin and some boots, he settled for a grey cloak to cover his unusual attire, making sure it was one that reached his shins at the very least.

He would have gone for a nice black one, but his white shoes stood out too much that way. As for his hair… well, he had a trick for that. After all, if you learn that you can create magic purely with imagination and understanding, why wouldn’t you spend every waking moment and time alone experimenting on them?

As they walked towards the next destination, a place to eat chosen by Max, hiro kept his hood up as he focused magic to his hair. By imagining his stripped hair color having its pigments blotted black, his hair changed to a radiant black for the meantime. It was only an illusion at the moment, so it would go back to half blonde when he cancels it back at the castle.

Arriving at a tavern-looking place, Max translates the sign, knowing that writing isn’t translated by the amulet.

“The Drinking Bear.” (Max)

“Named after the owner?” (Hiro)

“How did you know?” (Max)

“Lucky guess.” (Hiro)

Tropes… Tropes everywhere… With that thought, Hiro followed Max inside. As they went towards a table near one of the more quiet corners, the youth observed the people around them. Rough looking men with tough faces were enjoying meals and drinking even though it was the middle of the day. But at the same time, they didn’t give off an oppressive aura compared to what he felt from people in the castle, especially the mages.

Just as they were about to take their seat, a large woman that could be adequately called a bear - with muscles, not fat - approached with wide arms and a large grin.

“You’re still alive, you old fart!” (???)

“Heh, so even a bear calls The Great Magus as an old fart, keheheh.” (Hiro)

With a snicker and grin, Hiro watched the bear hug the old man who looked like a child in comparison. Not minding the youth’s sarcastic remark, already used to Hiro’s sense of humor, Max returned the hug before separating, talking to the two of them.

“It’s been a long time, Syldis. Hiro, allow me to introduce an old friend of mine from the Northern Kingdom, ex-adventurer and owner of this establishment.” (Max)

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“You will never find better cuisine in all of Allard!” (Syldis)

“Pleasure to meet you, Syldis. I’m Hiro. Used to be a Bard, until some stroke of misfortune.” (Hiro)

Now that he wasn’t around any aristocracy, Hiro loosened up a bit more, his tone becoming audibly more carefree compared to his humble attitude in the castle. Removing his hood, he left the cloak draped around him for the meantime to cover up his clothing.

“Well you’re definitely not Max’s son. All that knowledge, and yet I bet the old coot has never bedded a woman in his life! Hahahah!” (Syldis)

“Who knows. He’ll probably rant to you about his success with women in his younger days, Hahahaaah~.” (Hiro)

“Really, you two have only just met, and you’re on the same boat… Anyways, Syldis. Hiro here is a friend of mine. Look after him when I’m not around, will you?” (Max)

“Of course, of course. Anything for my old friend. Have a seat, I’ll bring you the finest meal and booze I got!” (Syldis)

As she went off to what Hiro guessed was the kitchen, the duo took a seat at their table.

“Quite the boisterous woman, isn’t she?” (Hiro)

“You meet for one minute, and you hit it off like old friends, taking jabs at me. Well, I can understand how, knowing your personality so far.” (Max)

“So, there must have been a reason you brought me here, no?” (Hiro)

“As expected, you knew. In a few days, I’ll be heading North. I have business to take care of there, as well as finding out about what has happened to you, if possible. I’d bring you along, but I have a feeling that you would prefer to do your own thing.” (Max)

“Yep. I also wanna prepare some things for future travels. Though I’ll probably have to earn some money first for that.” (Hiro)

“I’ll leave some with Syldis, enough to live off for a short while. Just don’t go robbing people blindly, please.” (Max)

“Nah, I’m not that petty. I’ll figure something out. Probably some convenient plot device will happen.” (Hiro)

“You use some odd terms every now and then…” (Max)

“Ignore it.” (Hiro)

“Here ya go, boys! Eat up!” (Syldis)

““Thanks for the meal.”” (Hiro/Max)

After finishing their meal, the two of them sipped their tankards of ale while discussing the topic of magic. All the different theories they had, spell ideas, what things would be forbidden and what things would be useful for more than just combat. As things calmed down, Syldis also sat with them, and they talked stories from their separate experiences.

“By the way, Syldis. Don’t underestimate Hiro. He can look after himself for the most part. But since he comes from nothing, and has nothing, I ask that you look after him when he’s troubled.” (Max)

“Oh~ he must be quite the lad for you to say so, old friend. That’s fine with me. Lad, you said you were a Bard. Care to sing a song?” (Syldis)

“Hmm~ I suppose so? Can’t guarantee you’ll understand it much.” (Hiro)

With a large gulp of his drink, Hiro was still quite sober, but decided to loosen up a bit anyway. Sitting on his chair, he leaned back while lightly tapping his tankard on the table to the rhythm in his head. Before long, he had started singing a rowdy but fun song, suitable for the mood that the tavern was in.

As he got into it, he stood up, tankard in hand, and pranced around as some of the other patrons clapped along. Improvising here and there, he had his fun, going for another two songs before finish his drink. With everyone in a cheerful mood, and the Bard having sat down again, some others started a song, obviously drunk from their slurred words, but people joined in anyway and had their fun.

“Not bad, lad! But now you’ve got them worked up. Gonna be a busy night now! Hahahah!” (Syldis)

“You’re welcome, Miss Bear.” (Hiro)

With a grin, Hiro replied as he and Max said their farewells, heading back to the castle. Neither of them were drunk, but they had stayed a bit too long, and it was nearly time to get ready for the evening feast. After using a cleaning spell to clean the stench of alcohol from their breaths, the two separated to their rooms.

Back in the guest room, Hiro found what looked to be a Noble’s attire, or at least something similar, laying on the bed. Figuring it was for tonight’s feast, he took off his cloak, folding his current commoner’s clothing into it, and also putting his own world’s clothing into a folded pile in the corner of the room, concealing it with magic. With his hair back to normal, he tidied himself up in the noble’s attire.

“Right… Let’s get this over with, shall we?” (Hiro)

With his long sleeved shirt on, he headed towards the mess hall, or banquet hall. Same thing in his mind. When he got there, it seemed people were taking their seats, with the important people on the table with the King. Out of place, Hiro sighed before finding a seat at the end of the table and sticking to himself.

Sitting down in silence, he began to observe people of importance in the room. Front and center table was the King, Queen, Prince and Princess. Short and sweet. To the King’s left, were five Knights, including Bhalrom. So these must be the five Knight Captains for each Army. Each had a different color cape.

Seeing Bhalrom sitting closest to the King, the seating must be in order of Army number. Purple first, green second, yellow third, blue fourth, and red fifth. On the King’s right were cloaked figures, most likely mages. Their colors were in the same order, with an extra purple and green due to having 7 Court Mages compared to the 5 Knight Captains.

Seeing a smaller build among the middle-aged group of mages, he realized the second purple coat was that petit looking mage girl. Oh, how he’d love to be a bit sadistic toward that naive looking girl. Woops, wrong thoughts, wrong thoughts. I’m not in an adult anime or manga… Well, not that I couldn’t turn this into one… heh... But that would definitely cause too much future problems.

Thinking those random thoughts to pass the time, he looked around the room more and landed eyes on a man who was rolled up in bandages here and there. His position was slightly close to the King, so he maybe had some importance to tonight’s meal? Was he the unfortunate one to challenge the previous trope?

With idle thoughts like this, he turned his eyes to the conversation of the people around him, ignoring the gaze that was directed at him from the Princess Eileen. No doubt wondering who he was, why he was there, what his relationship was with Max, and so on.

The tables were laid out in a sort of U shape, staying short on the center tables so that it was mostly used only by the Royal Family. At this moment, Max walked into the room. As he went to sit near Hiro, the King spoke up, his voice reaching everyone in the room.

“My friend, come sit up here. I can’t let a respected Magus sit at the edges.” (King Elrik)

With a smile, Max bowed slightly before taking an empty seat near the King. Hiro snickered inside, knowing that the Magus was just as enthusiastic about this thing as he was. If a commoner rejected an invitation to the feast though, it would have been much more troublesome.

At least to him, there wasn’t enough cons to showing up, since supposedly nothing would happen. But we all know how that shit goes… Whatever can go wrong, WILL go wrong... Sighing mentally, the hall quietened down as things seemed to be proceeding.

As the meals were served, Hiro at silently while hearing nobles sucking up to the knight’s in order to get benefits and whatever else. Taking a glance around, he felt an intense gaze on him, as if sizing him up. Without focusing his eyesight on anywhere in particular and using his peripheral vision, it seemed the one looking at him was the yellow knight.

While the green knight looked inadequate and the red knight seemed to lack support, blue seemed upright and a stickler for rules, and purple Bhalrom was doing his best to eat in peace, only the yellow knight maintained a steady gauge on him.

He’s up to something… Now, am I a liability, or a hindrance? (Hiro)