When Robin walked into the tavern in his new clothes, Old Hoy's jaw dropped in shock. He stood there, stunned for a long while, before finally approaching and circling around Robin.
"Hey, Su, did you blow all your savings on this get - up? You look a whole lot better. Before, you were practically a beggar. Still dreaming of becoming a mage?"
Everyone in the tavern was well - aware of Su's aspiration to become a mage. They all mocked him for overreaching and having unrealistic dreams, like a commoner with his eyes set on the noble's table, nothing but a daydreamer.
Robin chuckled. "Mage dream? No, no, no, old Hoy. I will become a mage, but not right now."
Old Hoy curled his lip and dismissed Robin's words as jest. "Since there aren't many guests at the moment, head to the kitchen for breakfast. And remember to bring up a barrel of wine from the cellar on your way back."
"Sure thing." Robin's stomach had been growling with hunger since last night, and Hoy's words were music to his ears.
The tavern's chef was none other than Anna, Old Hoy's daughter. A middle - aged woman with a kind heart, she was a bit on the plump side, yet her face still retained some of the youthful softness.
Anna's past had been filled with misfortune. In fact, their family's story was rather tragic. Besides Anna, Old Hoy had originally had two sons.
But both sons had lost their lives in battles against the orcs in the Thunder Mountains, leaving no descendants. Anna's husband had also perished in the orc war, leaving behind only a son.
This son, who carried the hope of the Hoy family's continuation, had succumbed to pneumonia brought on by a cold at the tender age of seven. The loss of this hope had nearly shattered Anna's family.
Thankfully, Old Hoy had persevered and used the pension from the city lord to open this tavern, though he now looked much older, and the weight of fate had bowed his once - straight spine.
One of the reasons Su had been able to work as a helper in the tavern so easily was that he shared many similarities with Anna's late infant son.
Firstly, they were around the same age, both had black eyes and sleek black hair. The moment Anna had laid eyes on Su for the first time, her heart had melted, and tears welled up in her eyes. Old Hoy, who understood his daughter's feelings well, had nodded in agreement without hesitation.
Of course, Su had been unaware of these reasons before, and Robin had deduced them from the memories.
In truth, Anna had always treated Su with great kindness, a maternal tenderness.
Just like now, as she busied herself in the kitchen and saw Robin enter in his new clothes, she immediately nodded and complimented, "Child, you should dress warmly like this in winter, or you'll catch a cold."
In the past, Anna had tried to make clothes and shoes for Su, but unfortunately, the young man's stubborn pride had blinded him to her kindness, and he'd rejected her offerings.
So young and already so stubborn, Robin thought to himself. If he'd accepted the clothes earlier, there'd be twenty silver coins in his pocket instead of just five.
Breakfast was simple, a hefty piece of rye bread, worth one copper coin. But it had a thick layer of butter spread on it, a little extra from Anna.
The nutrition wasn't bad. Robin grabbed the black bread and began wolfing it down. He was ravenous. Anna continued working nearby, casting the occasional glance at Robin, a gentle smile on her face. Her expression and gaze were those of a mother looking at her son.
The tavern usually did good business. By the time Robin was huffing and puffing as he carried a barrel of beer from the cellar beneath the kitchen to the counter, over a dozen guests had already arrived. Apart from a burly man sitting in the corner, the rest were local regulars, mostly drunkards.
When these men saw Robin, they greeted him cheerfully.
"Hey, kid, you look full of beans today. Didn't even break a sweat carrying that barrel of beer. And those new clothes, did you empty your wife's purse? Haha." The speaker was Maglai, a mercenary based in Wildfire City. He'd led a hard - scrabble life, was bold - natured, and had a penchant for violence.
Indeed, although Su had always been physically active, he had strength but poor endurance. Even a little strenuous work would leave him gasping for breath. This was a sign of a weak physical foundation and limited potential.
Now, Robin was well - versed in various techniques of applying force, knowing how to do things in the most efficient and energy - conserving way. Thus, even though he'd only been in control of this body for less than twelve hours, subtle but positive changes were already taking place.
Robin grinned at the mercenary's teasing. He opened the barrel, filled a cup with beer, and called out, "Mr. Maglai, a cup of beer?"
Maglai lounged comfortably in his chair. "Of course. It's a habit. The beer Old Hoy brews is unforgettable once you've had a taste."
Unexpectedly, no sooner had he spoken than the big man sitting quietly in the corner slammed the table and bellowed, "What lousy beer! I think horse urine tastes better. I don't want this swill. Give me my money back!"
After shouting, he pointed at the beer on the table, which was only about a third gone.
This was a direct insult to Maglai. The hot - tempered mercenary shot up from his seat and hurled a chair at the big man without a word.
This guy really did have a violent streak. No talking, no reasoning, just straight to fighting.
The chair whistled through the air, looking menacing, but it didn't cause any real damage. The big man caught it easily in his hand.
"Boss, I saved a chair in your tavern. Consider that payment for the beer just now!" the big man shouted at tavern - owner Hoy.
"Save your mother's chair! I'll pay for it! You broke - ass drunk with no money to pay for your drinks!" Maglai had already charged over, his fist flying towards the big man.
If he didn't teach this disrespectful guy a lesson, he wouldn't be "Wild Wolf" Maglai!
The big man wasn't the least bit flustered. He opened his large hand and clamped down on the incoming fist like a vice. With his other hand, he counterattacked with a ruthless hook punch, connecting with Maglai's cheek.
With that one punch, Maglai crumpled to the ground, his eyes rolling back, his head spinning. He was completely disoriented. The whole incident was swift, starting and ending abruptly, leaving everyone in the tavern gasping in shock.
Maglai was the toughest one in the place, and if he couldn't withstand the big man's punch, the others didn't stand a chance. They'd initially been ready to band together against the outsider, but now they quickly went back to their food, pretending they'd seen nothing.
"Boss, can that chair count as my beer money?" the big man asked again after knocking down the mercenary.
Old Hoy opened his mouth, about to agree. It was just a glass of beer and two loaves of bread. Although beer was a bit pricey at thirty copper coins a glass, it wasn't a huge loss.
Business was about maintaining harmony to make money, and the other guy was so strong that any conflict could lead to more damage to his property.
"No!" Robin had never seen such a rude person. This guy had started the whole thing and was ready to use force. Given his personality, he couldn't stand for it, so he immediately refused.
As soon as the word left his mouth, Robin saw the blame in Hoy's eyes and the surprised looks from the other drinkers. He suddenly realized that things were different now. What a stupid move to draw attention to himself!
"Oh, little fella, you're saying 'no'?" the big man said, looking at the tavern waiter with great interest.
The big man towered nearly two meters tall when he stood up, as brawny as a bear. Robin, on the other hand, was only sixteen years old, just over 1.7 meters tall, and quite thin. The contrast was like a small deer defying a brown bear!
"Oh, little fella, you're saying 'no'?" the big man repeated.
"No," Robin said. But the words were out, and it would be too embarrassing to back down now. Robin eyed the man's muscular physique and swallowed hard, unsure if he could take him down without getting hurt.
If he still had his previous body's strength, he wouldn't fear a hundred men like this. But now, it was like a skilled cook without ingredients... But for the sake of pride, he was going to fight!
Robin furrowed his brow, said nothing, and strode towards the burly man, simultaneously adjusting his stance, hoping to unleash the most powerful and concentrated force.
The little deer charged fearlessly at the brown bear.
The 'brown bear' flexed his fists, ready to strike a powerful blow that would keep the little guy bedridden for months.
Just as everyone in the tavern was left dumbfounded by Robin's strange bravado, Robin had already picked up speed and was almost upon the strong man.
A grim smile spread across the big man's face as he opened his large hands, intending to grab the little guy's head. In his mind, he'd lift the boy up and then deliver a powerful punch to his chest, ending this amusing game.
"Enough!" Old Hoy suddenly roared, his voice like a thunderclap. The unexpected blast of sound made everyone's ears ring. The strong man, directly in the line of fire, froze in his tracks, stunned.
Then, a wooden wine glass flew through the air and hit him square in the face. The dull thud made everyone wince, imagining the pain the big man must be feeling.
The big man let out a groan and stumbled back a few steps. Blood trickled down his face, and his nose looked almost broken.
"Get out of my tavern. Don't make me lose my temper again." Old Hoy remained seated behind the wine cabinet. Although he looked more aged than usual, his previous thunderous outburst had set a menacing tone. Even though his voice was now softer, it was still intimidating.
The brawny man looked at Old Hoy with a hint of fear, snorted in annoyance, and then turned his gaze to Robin, his eyes filled with venom, as if to say, "Boy, you're in for it!"
Robin was unfazed, ignoring the man's glare. All he could think about was Old Hoy's inhuman roar.
The strong man saw that his threat was being ignored, his face grew even darker, and he was about to lash out again. But Old Hoy snorted coldly, instantly quelling his malicious thoughts, and he left the tavern reluctantly.