After returning to town, I was immediately dragged to a tavern built of wood. The slightly antiquated look of the building and the faint scent of delicious food melded together to create a wonderful atmosphere.
I can’t wait to see what kind of food they serve...
Yeah, it was no time for frivolous thoughts like that. I mean, I was broke. I had considered sitting this one out since I didn’t have any money, but Yui had offered to pay for my meal and forcibly dragged me here anyway. Not to mention, I couldn’t turn them down once I heard this was going to serve as our strategy meeting for our next quest too.
I sighed. I guess I really didn’t have any choice. I’d just have to pay them back once I had the cash.
The tavern had both bar seats and tables separated by partitions. I followed Yui and the others inside and sat at one of the tables. Then Yui ordered some food and drinks, and it was only just a few minutes until they were placed in front of me.
When our order arrived, Yui took her beer mug into her right hand and extended it forward. “All righty! In celebration of Lloyd joining our party... Cheers!”
“Ch-Cheers!”
Yui chugged her beer in one gulp before letting out a satisfied sigh. “This place’s beer is great! Hey, waiter! Bring me another!” she said, holding up her empty mug and ordering seconds.
I, on the other hand, just stared at my beer.
“Are you not good with liquor, Lloyd?” asked Daggers, realizing I’d yet to drink any.
“Yeah... I suppose you could say that.”
Even I knew I was being vague with my answer. But I had some trauma when it came to liquor, so I made it a habit to stay away. Whenever I saw booze, all I could think about was Master Merlin’s drunk, beet red face.
“If you can’t handle liquor, there’s no need to force yourself. See? I can’t handle it either, so I’m drinking juice instead.” Silica was holding a cup full of juice in her right hand.
“You’re not good with booze either, Silica?”
“I’m not. I can’t handle beer or hard liquor. Oh! Should I order you what I’m having, Lloyd?”
“No... I’m fine. I just have a bit of trauma when it comes to booze. It’s not like I can’t drink at all.”
“I see... Well, remember there’s no need to force yourself, okay?”
Despite those words, I knew I was in no position to be picky, given that they were paying for my meal. It’s not that I disliked the taste of beer or was a lightweight; I just had to think about something else to avoid imagining Master Merlin.
I took a few deep breaths before taking my mug into my hands. Then, I downed the whole glass and let out a sigh.
“A-Are you okay?”
“I’m...fine.”
“Yeah? That’s good, but...let’s get you some juice next.”
“Good idea...”
There wasn’t any point in forcing myself to drink. Not to mention, when I had checked the menu earlier, I saw that juice was cheaper than liquor anyway. I picked up the menu and scanned it over. “Yeah. In that case, I’ll have some orange juice next...”
“Hey, Lloyd! What’s this trauma about? Tell me! Please?” asked Yui, her face red and seeming awfully curious. She had already drunk quite a bit of beer. She looked intoxicated, but she seemed to still be perfectly aware.
“Hey, Yui. It’s best not to ask about those sorts of things,” Silica admonished.
“Huh? Who cares! Why can’t I ask?”
“Ugh! You smell like booze. You’ve drank too much, Yui...” chided Daggers, seeming slightly annoyed that Yui was so thoroughly drunk already. He must have been trying to be considerate of me...probably. Nobody wanted to remember their trauma, not even me. But once that question had been asked, I couldn’t help but remember it even if I didn’t want to.
Two years ago, Master Merlin had gathered a few of her friends and held a party. As I had just turned fifteen, I was old enough to drink, and Master Merlin had forced me to. Until I puked. Actually, she forced me to keep drinking even after I puked.
Master Merlin got drunk fast, but she was a heavy drinker regardless. And when she was drunk, she was really hard to handle. That’s why I would use concealment magic to hide whenever she drank. But during that party, she really wanted me to drink with her. If Master Merlin was trying her best, there was no way my concealment magic could work against her. In the end, she found me, and she forced liquor down my throat until morning.
Just remembering it sent a shiver down my spine. Yeah, there was no doubt about it. “That...was hell.” Those words naturally escaped my lips, heralding in a chilly silence.
“Oh, that’s right! You had a master, right, Lloyd? I’d love to know what they were like...”
“Lloyd’s master, huh? I’m curious too.”
They were obviously trying to change the subject—to save the awkward atmosphere.
“Um... Were they a white mage too?” asked Silica.
“No, she wasn’t. If anything, she was an offensive mage class.”
“Huh? Yet you’re still so skilled with support magic?!”
“Yeah. She’s much more amazing than I am.”
“Huh... I’d love to learn from h—”
“You better not...” As soon as I realized what Silica was trying to say, I reflexively interrupted her. I was also a magic class, so I really understood Silica’s desire to study magic. But learning from Master Merlin was the one thing you needed to avoid at all costs...
“Huh? Why?”
“Because. There are plenty of mages greater than her on this continent. Finding a different teacher is bound to be the better option.”
“Is that really true...?”
“It is. That—studying under my master, I mean—is something to avoid at all costs.”
“U-Understood.” Having been overpowered by my insistence, Silica capitulated. I was relieved to have prevented someone else from becoming one of Master Merlin’s victims. Thank goodness a new casualty wouldn’t suffer under her hands.
Afterward, we had a lively discussion about all sorts of things. We each gave brief introductions, and they all explained their roles within the party. Before I noticed, two hours had passed since we entered the tavern.
“Wow! It’s already so late! We’ve gotta hold our strategy meeting! Um, but I’m not too good with strategy, so take it away, Daggers!”
Daggers sighed. “You’ve really got to get yourself together. You’re technically our leader, after all. But whatever. I’m sure an explanation from Yui wouldn’t have made much sense anyways.”
“Hey! You’re so mean! Are you even listening to me?!” Yui beat Daggers’s shoulder over and over, but he ignored her and took out a piece of paper from his bag.