"Boy! Fetch me another drink!" bellowed the inebriated man, his words slurring together.

"I'll attend to you shortly, sir" replied the waiter, maintaining his composure.

"Hey, I've been waiting ages for my food!" grumbled another customer impatiently.

"it won't be much longer." assured the waiter.

"Ethan, over here! Deliver the order to table number three," called out his mother.

"On it!" replied Ethan.

Six years had passed since Ethan's reincarnation into this new existence. Over the years, he had acquired a proficient understanding of the local language and was able to properly communicate at the tender age of six. His family operated a modest inn, offering weary travelers rest for the night and a satisfying meal to satiate their hunger. Given his age and ability to assist, Ethan took it upon himself to contribute by serving customers as a waiter of sorts in order to assist his parents.

Ethan's mother was in charge of the kitchen, handling the customers dishes to satisfy their hungry belies. His dad, on the other hand, held down the fort at the reception desk, juggling room bookings and tackling all the other nitty-gritty tasks that come with running an inn.

The Inn was usually a tranquil place, but every now and then, a swarm of travelers would flock in, seeking rest after their long journeys. They often arrived in groups, knowing there's strength in numbers against the bandits and monsters that lurked along the way. Today was one of those exception; it was a bustling late afternoon, and the Inn's cozy spaces were filling up rapidly with weary travelers searching for a spot to lay their heads for the night. The once-quiet atmosphere now buzzed with chatter and laughter, creating an energetic ambiance.

The influx of guests was so overwhelming that Ethan's family had no choice but to extend their hospitality beyond the interior of the Inn. Tables and chairs were arranged outside, creating a makeshift dining area to accommodate the growing numbers of arrivals as their Inn was just but of humble size. Laughter and the clinking of cutlery now spilled into the open air as travelers relished their meals under the open space.

"Hm?" Ethan's attention was momentarily diverted from his duties as he delivered an order outdoors. He glanced upward, observing the shifting shapes and colors of the sky.

"Seems like it's going to rain soon," he murmured to himself, noticing the darkening clouds. "This one is going to last the night."

As predicted, a few hours later at the brink of midnight started a down poor of rain. At this hour, most of the customers had left to their rooms to sleep and the outdoor materials where brough back inside.

"Ethan, go lock the door were about to end the day here."

"Okay, dad."

*Creek*

"Huh?"

As the day was winding down and the Inn was ready to call it a night, out of nowhere, a bunch of three soaked individuals barged in. They were completely drenched from the pouring rain, looking like they just swam through a river. Their attire caught everyone's attention—a striking display of long, flowing robes crafted from what appeared to be exquisite, vibrant fabrics. These robes were cinched at the waist with wide belts, giving their outfits a touch of formal flair.

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It was clear that these individuals were no ordinary visitors; they exuded an air of dignity and wisdom. The way they carried themselves, along with their choice of clothing, suggested they were scholars of high standing, their garb serving as a reflection of their intellectual pursuits and esteemed position in society.

"We apologize for the unannounced entrance. Hopefully, you folks are still open for business." one of the drenched scholars spoke up, offering an apologetic smile.

Ethan had been taught by his father not to allow anyone inside the Inn during closing hours. Thus, he began to inform the unexpected guests that they were closed.

"Sorry, but we just closed. You'll have to find another place to—" Ethan started saying, but before he could finish his sentence, his father swiftly intervened, placing a hand on Ethan's shoulder and gently pushing him behind him.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Of course, we're still open for business!" his father exclaimed with a warm smile. "You gentlemen have arrived just in the nick of time before we closed our doors. Please, come on in and make yourselves at home."

As Ethan observed his father's unexpectedly kind and welcoming demeanor towards the newcomers, a flicker of curiosity ignited within him. It was a rare sight to witness his father extend such hospitality to individuals outside their immediate family circle. This prompted him to wonder, "Who are they that dad would show such kindness?"

"Thank you kindly, sir," expressed the same man who had spoken earlier on behalf of the group. "By any chance, could we also place an order for some dishes? We haven't had a chance to eat all day, and my companions and I would be immensely grateful to have our hungry bellies satisfied."

Ethan's father, maintaining his hospitality, "Absolutely! Please, take a seat, and we'll bring you a menu right away."

"Ethan, go ahead and bring them the menu," his father instructed.

"Y-Yes," Ethan responded and swiftly carried the menus over to the table where the scholars were seated.

"Here you go, sir," Ethan said, extending the menus with a polite expression.

"Thank you, young man," the scholar replied graciously, accepting the menus.

"Please take your time to browse through our menu. I'll be back to take your order when you're ready. Just give me a nod or gesture when you're ready to order," Ethan explained.

"Will do, thank you," the scholar responded appreciatively.

With a respectful nod, Ethan retreated from the table, maintaining a close but unobtrusive distance to allow the scholars the space and privacy to discuss their choices. He listened attentively, discreetly, curious to catch any snippets of their conversation that might shed light on their purpose and the nature of their visit.

"Ha~, couldn't the rain have held off just a bit longer?" one of the scholars sighed in exasperation. "Because of this sudden downpour, we had no choice but to leave our belongings in the cart. The wheels got stuck in the muddy terrain. Will be late at this rate."

"We should count our blessings for finding this available lodging," another scholar chimed in, trying to maintain a positive outlook. "At least we have a place to rest for the night. We'll retrieve our belongings in the morning when the rain subsides. With the current weather and conditions, the chances of others stumbling upon them are relatively low."

"Well, it seems we don't have much of a choice." the third scholar added with a resigned tone.

Ethan listened intently, empathizing with their predicament. He couldn't help but interject in their conversation to rectify a statement one of the men had made.

"The rain," Ethan piped up, catching their attention. "Huh? What is it, young man? We haven't called for your service yet," one of the scholars responded curiously.

"The rain," Ethan repeated, eager to provide them with accurate information. "I'm afraid it won't be stopping so soon. It's expected to continue until mid-afternoon. So you might have to adjust your plans accordingly."

The scholars exchanged intrigued glances, their curiosity piqued by Ethan's confident assertion. One of them leaned forward, wearing a curious expression.

"Oho~, and why would you think this way?" the scholar inquired, a hint of intrigue in his voice. "What makes you so sure about it?"

Ethan, wanting to explain his thoughts that would fit a 6-year-old and said confidently, "I've been watching the sky all day today. I saw how the clouds looked and felt how the wind was blowing, and it made me think that the rain will keep going until later in the afternoon."

"How the clouds looked? What do you mean?"

"Yeah, if you really, really look at the clouds, you'll see a big, tall cloud that goes up super high. It looks like a tower! This special cloud happened because the wind kept blowing upwards really fast. And you know what happens when that big, tall cloud shows up? A few hours later, it starts to rain! Sometimes, there are even loud sounds like thunder! It's really special because it's the only kind of cloud that can make a big storm like this! And it usually stays for a while." Ethan explained with enthusiasm.

Ethan's explanation left the scholars momentarily surprised, their eyebrows raised in curiosity. However, their scholarly knowledge and experience quickly kicked in, leading them to dismiss Ethan's words as mere baseless thoughts from a 6-year-old.

One of the scholars chuckled and replied, "Oh, young man, that's quite an imaginative explanation!"

Another scholar joined in, stifling a laugh, "Yes, indeed! It's sweet of you to come up with such imaginative idea. There are many factors that influence the weather, It's not as simple as looking at clouds or feeling the wind. Hahaha!"

Ethan's face flushed with embarrassment. He had thought he was sharing something meaningful based on his observations and past life experience, but now he felt foolish for speaking at individuals that did not have the same advanced knowledge he had learned on earth. He tried to provide them while a simplified explanation of a cumulonimbus cloud.

A cumulonimbus cloud is a special type of cloud that often brings thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. It is a tall and massive cloud that can extend high into the sky, resembling a large tower or an anvil shape. These clouds are formed through the rapid upward movement of warm, moist air. As the warm air rises, it cools and condenses, forming water droplets and ice crystals within the cloud.

The scholars exchanged glances, realizing the impact of their words on Ethan. They reconsidered their response and softened their expressions.

"We apologize, young man. It's wonderful that you are curious about the weather and willing to share your ideas. Keep observing and learning, young one."

"Whatever! Believe me or not, you've been warned!" Ethan huffed, feeling hurt by the scholars' dismissive response. He stormed off to his room, determined to distance himself from their mockery.

"Ah! Wait... our orders..." one of the scholars called out, realizing Ethan had forgotten to take their food order.

Meanwhile, the scholar who had refrained from mocking Ethan watched him retreat with a curious expression. Instead of joining in with the others, he remained silent, his eyes filled with intrigue.

"Until late afternoon, hmmm..." the scholar murmured to himself, contemplating Ethan's words. "Let's see how things turn out tomorrow."

Intrigued by the young boy's confidence, the scholar couldn't help but wonder if there might be some truth in Ethan's observations.