Crowded yet clean streets . Luxurious Mansions . Noble clothes . Expensive prices and rare equipments . The Noble City had every neccesity ever needed to mankind . Zam was already running from one store to another . I followed alongside him .
' Brian , how does this ribbon look ? '
' I don't know . Buy it if you like it .'
' You talk as if you're the one who's gonna pay ' he laughed .
' Should I ? ' I tilted my head .
' Nah , bro . You take care of your own budget .' He said as he patted my shoulder .
I could hear the growl in Zam's stomach . I was hungry as well . The sun had risen . Four hours of traveling .
We went inside a restaurant . It might have been the cheapest restaurant in all of the Noble City . Still if this restaurant were to be built in Commoner City it would be a sumptuous one .
The atmosphere was filled with alcohol even in this early morning . Disgusting .
We sat down . The owner came and greeted us .
' So , what do you want to eat , young men ?'
' The cheapest dish here '
' Well , so vegetable stew and bread . '
We nodded and he walked towards the counter . It was rather silent for some minute until Zam broke it .
' Hmm..Its rather crazy how vegetable stew is considered the cheapest food even in the cheapest restaurant of the Noble City .'
' Yeah . Its true . Vegetable stew is one of the rather expensive dishes in the Commoner City .'
' Yeah true ' He added with a smile .
It may seem surprising that the son of a scholar is eating cheap food . But it was like this always , he was never given any money to spend on luxuries such as foods and stuff. He had to earn his own keep for all that .
The owner placed the dishes in his hand neatly on the table .
I digged in . I was hungry indeed . It tasted different .
Delicious than most dishes i have ever had in life .
But , something felt off . It didn't fill my stomach like how the cheapest dishes in Commoner City did .
If this dishes could satisfy my tongue then to satisfy my stomach I guess I need those cheap dishes .
The owner and Zam were giggling about something . The owner guy was gone again and Zam glanzed at me with his annoying grin . I just knew trouble was coming .
I could sense the smell of beer . Well cheap one indeed . Damn shit . I hate this !
I glared at Zam . That idiot just simply smiled back at me . Well...its not like I can leave and waste this food . Food is to be ate .
' What ? You happy now ? '
' Very much , brother .'
' Good to know ? '
' You're funny , pal you should become a comedian '.
' Well ' I remarked as I took a piece of bread and dipped it in with the stew and continued
' I would indeed prefer someone like you who has a poker face as my audience '.
' I will surely be there .' He commented as he drank the whole glass of beer in one go .
' And what ? I will be looking forward to seeing you there ? '
' Brian..' He mumbled and then looked straight at me ' You do realize that we are going to ' Travelina Imperial Academy ' . Don't you ? '.
' Of course . We are gonna be at TIA .'
' And you know what will happen if you answered the questions of the professors with another question like you do with me and my pa . Don't you ? '.
' I do know .' I looked him in the eye this time.
' And I do answer questions with an answer that is if the question is worthy enough to be answered .'
' Okay , Mr.Philosopher .'
' HAHAHAHA ' it was the owner as he laughed . I had completely forgotten this old man's existence . This happens when I'm with Zam .
' You young ones are not from here , right ? .'
He continued on with his questions .
' Yeah . we are from Commoner City .' I answered this time not with a question but with an answer .
' Oh ! You guys must be here for the Entrance Examination ! Well , a lot of young ones wish to be one . May you all pass .'
' Yeah ' I nodded .
' Thank you .' Zam added .
I stood up . ' We gotta go .'
' Oh yeah . Stay safe .'
' I will ' I looked towards Zam and I added
' No. We will .'
' How much does the food cost ? .' I acquired as I took my money pouch .
' 350 Travis .'
Expensive indeed . I wonder how much the cheapest dish in a luxurious restaurant cost. We split the bill and left .
That was rather peaceful ? I thought a fight would break out the moment I entered this City . Fights...some terrible memories flashed through my head . I never liked fights but I had to do it and I'm doing it and will be doing it in the future too I guess . Ahh! I guess I'm guessing too much for a guy who is just 21 ? I haven't even been to that much sufferings . But I have brought a lot of sufferings to others .
' Brian , so now what ?'. Zam acquired .
' We absolutely gotta find the Exam site .'
' And you know where it is ? . He questioned while pointing his finger at me .
' No , I don't . Finding the site of the exam is the first round of the exam . We will have to start by interacting with others , we surely has to relay on rumors and gossips .'
He chuckled . ' I never thought I would hear you say something like " relay on gossips "
and " interact with people " .'
I glared at that jerk . ' Well , thats one of the ways . And if other participants were to find about us , then there will be a fight .'
Yes . thats it Human beings usually try to destroy potential enemies .
' Its not like u can't win a fight . You are Brian Alhemaht , Son of Mathias Alhemaht ! .'
' You kinda make it sound like I'm the son of some reknowned figure like your father .'
' Maybe your father is some secret noble or something . This typa stuff happens in the life of guys with your personality .'
' What do you mean by my personality ?.'
' Oh dear brother ! Thats not something for me to answer . The person who will answer that for you must be someone else .'
I nodded . I didnt understand . I don't have time for someone else . Not that anyone is gonna come near other than this idiot . I looked over at him . He was tying his hair with the ribbon he bought this morning . He seemed happy . Is he really happy though ? I hope that his happiness may stay until and after his lifetime in this cursed world .
A cursed world indeed .
[ Travis is the money used in this world . TIA is the appreciation for Travelina Imperial Academy . ]