The four of them finally managed to find a relatively quiet stall. The location was a bit remote, but it looked very clean. Two plainly dressed young won welcod them with smiles, giving off a very natural impression.
"This is the spot!" Kaelin said to the two young won. "Bring us one of each of your signature dishes. Here, this is for you!" As she spoke, she tossed a 10-Silver Coin, which landed perfectly in one of the girls’ palms. The girl gave Kaelin and the others a sweet smile and said, "It will be just a mont!"
Sitting in the airy rattan chairs, the cool sea breeze felt wonderful. Luo Tian suggested, "How about we get so drinks?"
Kaelin hesitated. "Is that really a good idea?"
Luo Tian grinned. "We’re out on a training exercise, which basically makes us Adventurers. And how can you have an adventure without so booze? Besides, we’re all adults now. What’s a little drink to be afraid of?"
In the Lanyue Empire, boys have their coming-of-age ceremony at fifteen and girls at sixteen, at which point they are considered adults.
Kaelin glanced at Ling Xiao and Yisha. ’Those two are clearly not adults yet,’ she thought. But she would never say sothing to spoil the mood. In fact, she was also eager to try it. Having finally escaped the watchful eyes of her parents and teachers, it would feel like a complete waste not to do sothing a little rebellious.
So, she called over the innocent-looking waitress and ordered four glasses of fruit wine. This wine was sweet and had a low alcohol content, but since it was still called wine, it was of course fernted. It was quite popular with young people.
Luo Tian suddenly lowered his voice and said to Ling Xiao, "Bro, do you get the feeling that sothing’s a little weird about this training exercise?"
Ling Xiao’s heart skipped a beat, but he replied nonchalantly, "Weird? Doesn’t the academy hold training exercises like this every year?"
Luo Tian smiled. "They have them every year, sure. But it’s always been a specific assignnt for either the advanced or beginner classes. The teams and training locations are usually divided up based on strength. An exercise like this one, where anyone can sign up regardless of their power level? It’s completely unprecedented!"
Kaelin, listening from the side, pursed her lips and said disdainfully, "Oh, co on, Luo Tian. You’re such a conspiracy theorist. What motive could the academy possibly have? If you ask , this is probably just an innovative new approach. If we always stay at the academy, we’re like... like bonsai trees in a pot, unable to withstand any real storms!"
Ling Xiao glanced at Kaelin, surprised that such a cheerful girl could offer that kind of insight. Judging by her deanor, she didn’t seem like the child of a great noble house. She was cheerful, free-spirited, passionate, and generous, with a personality that could infectiously spread to others. At the sa ti, she didn’t seem to co from a commoner family either. It would be difficult for a poor family to raise a child like her.
Yisha seed to agree with Kaelin. "I also think we should have more training exercises like this," she said softly. "It’s the only way to truly grow stronger!"
Luo Tian grinned. Just then, their food and drinks arrived, consisting mostly of seafood. While you could get seafood in the Imperial Capital, the flavor was nowhere near as authentic as it was here. Complented by so local side dishes, the group ate with gusto, exclaiming how incredible it all was.
Even Ling Xiao, who was never particularly demanding about food, had several extra bites. At first, Yisha managed to eat with demure composure, but after seeing Kaelin digging in without a care and Luo Tian loudly cheering with his cup, she gradually let her guard down.
’Besides, no one who knows will see in a place like this,’ she thought. ’Why be so uptight?’
Just then, a few n dressed like Adventurers walked in from outside. Their eyes lit up the mont they saw Yisha and Kaelin. But then they noticed their clothing, and the Adventurers exchanged a look. They had heard that a large number of young students had arrived in Caron Town today, supposedly from the Imperial Academy in the Imperial Capital. Over ninety-five percent of the students there were either rich or from noble families! A random one of them could have a background that would scare a man to death.
So, despite coveting the beauty of Yisha and Kaelin, the Adventurers didn’t make any rash moves. They simply sat down and loudly called for a waitress.
The innocent-looking young woman walked over to the Adventurers, greeted them politely, and handed them a nu. Having worked here all year, she had seen her fair share of Adventurers. They ca in all types. Many were crude and vulgar, frequently making lewd remarks to tease the waitresses. It was a common occurrence, and the girls had gotten used to it. Generally, those Adventurers would just run their mouths and rarely got physical.
After all, the Caron Town Defense Army was no re decoration. The Standard Heavy Crossbows they were equipped with could strike fear into the heart of even a Mad Sword Master.
Luo Tian’s face was flushed. For all his big talk, this was actually his first ti drinking. The fruit wine might be weak, but drink enough of it and it would still go to your head. He turned to Ling Xiao and said, "Look at those Adventurers. They keep glancing over here. It’s so annoying!"
Kaelin said, "Then let’s just go. I’m full anyway. It’s best to avoid trouble while we’re out."
Yisha nodded in agreent. Getting into trouble out here would be unpleasant, and they would get chewed out by their teachers for it.
Just as they were about to leave, they suddenly heard the innocent-looking young waitress let out a sharp cry. She stumbled back several steps, knocking over a rattan chair. Her face was bright red with sha and fury as she glared at one of the Adventurers, who was grinning sleazily. One of her small hands was held awkwardly behind her back, rubbing her rear.
Although they hadn’t seen the Adventurer take advantage of the young waitress, they didn’t need to guess. One look at the girl’s tearful expression was enough to know how despicable his actions had been.
Kaelin’s eyebrows shot up, and she was about to speak, but Luo Tian suddenly reached out and pressed her hand down. "Don’t make a sound," he whispered. "That group is after us!"
Kaelin and Yisha were both stunned. Kaelin said, "Luo Tian, not this again..."
At that mont, Ling Xiao said calmly, "He’s telling the truth. Those n really are targeting us. Let’s wait and see what they do."
"..." Kaelin’s chest heaved. With a huff, she shoved her plate forward, making it CLINK sharply against the table. Then she threw herself back into the rattan chair to sulk.
Both Luo Tian and Ling Xiao had just noticed the Adventurers repeatedly glancing in their direction, communicating sothing with their eyes. The harassnt of the young waitress happened imdiately after.
That was why both Ling Xiao and Luo Tian believed the group was likely targeting them. They probably saw the four students as "fat sheep" and were looking to extort so money.
Sure enough, the n lost all interest in the waitress. Instead, they turned to glare at the students’ table. One of them shouted, "Damn it, you little wench, what are you looking at! You got a problem with ? Hahaha, your ass isn’t much to look at, but you’ve got a pretty face. How about you co over and have a drink with your daddy?"
Luo Tian stared at the n, his eyes ice-cold. Sitting beside him, Ling Xiao suddenly felt a powerful aura radiating from Luo Tian. It wasn’t the aura of a Martial Artist; it was more like the natural air of authority that cos from long holding a position of power. Ling Xiao was taken aback. ’Just who is this Luo Tian?’
Luo Tian said coldly, "You’re courting death."
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