It was finally the weekend and after another tiresome day of filling in answers that I already knew and training myself to the limits I decided that I would have that break. I had been gathering information from other citizens about the best places to go for food and a certain bar had come up multiple times. While not a restaurant it was said to have a relaxed vibe with few customers. Not a bad thing at all since I liked to be solitary. Apparently the meat was the best but the food was overall good too and the selection of drinks was vast for a small place.
Tracing the streets and alleyways I found an inconspicuous building with a wooden door. Knocking on it with a certain pattern the door opened and a man emerged. He seemed to be security of some kind and I could feel him wash his mana over me.
2 silver entrance fee.
Gladly paying the bouncer another head popped out of the doorway. A waitress with long golden hair and pink tips greeted me with a semi-formal bow.
"Greetings sir welcome to our establishment, would the good sir like a table for one?"
"Yes please." Passing a silver coin to her she graciously accepted before leading me to a table in the corner. It had 2 cushioned seats with a small bay window. A candle was in the centre and along with it was silverware and ceramic decorated plates. It looked fancy but not overbearing. It may have been a better place for a date than a meal alone but it didn't really put me off.
The room was somewhat empty but other diners were chatting here and there however I couldn't hear their voices. When I turned to the waitress leading me she told me it was a sound barrier artifact that every table had. Useful if you don't want others to hear your conversations and it keeps the place serene.
A menu was provided to me as I looked through the varieties of foods. Exotic dishes that I have never heard of before littered the menu but I noticed something familiar. A steak drizzled in sauce with something similar to chips and a salad.
Calling for a waiter I ordered my meal with a fairly expensive wine on the side. It didn't take long to arrive and I was met by an exotic aroma as the unknown spices mingled with the natural scent of the meat. Thanking the waiter I took a slice of the steak and put it in my mouth. The flavour danced on my tongue like nothing I had tasted before. I was happy that my taste buds hadn't developed to only like blood as this steak was delicious.
Taking in the crunchy lettuce leaves along with some of the steak sauce was beautiful. Taking a sip of the wine, a bitter but smooth taste filled my mouth that cleansed my taste buds. The meal was divine there was definitely a reason it was the most recommended place out of all the choices I had.
I savoured the meal taking small bites of each part until it was gone leaving me stuck in place until late into the night after I had finished the small dessert that I had ordered. Standing up I gave the staff a large tip on top of the price for the meal. It would probably be one of the best things I tasted (except for the dragon blood). Leaving the bar I decided to have a look around for a nice spot with a view to end the night. while there were no hills there were a lot of high buildings and a view from them would be best.
I looked around many of the buildings until I set my sights on something similar to a cathedral. I guess even a city built by an academy would have places of worship within its walls. Was there multiple religions or one that was widespread, I wasn't sure to be honest.
Unfortunately while I was exploring I heard a sound oh so familiar to me, Conflict. The sounds of the battle weren't near but I could hear it clear as day since I honed my senses for that type of sound for the movements behind the scraping metal. Gutteral growls of pain were being emitted too so this battle was lethal and not just a fist fight
Moving closer I tried my best to blend in with the natural shadows and behind objects. I could easily make my presence known but I wanted to know who the people fighting were. In a dimly lit alleyway there was a group of people dressed in black clothes, they looked like ninjas but their gear looked like leather and their swords seemed normal and almost mundane. Their weapons were probably throwaways that could be dumped or melted. One was a sword wielder a dagger user a bow user and someone with a quarterstaff made of dark metal.
Then we come to the victim, A girl in shaggy rags that were used as clothes, Some slight wounds marked her face and body, her hair was wild and caked in bits of mud and other things that I couldn't recognise, it was a stark contrast compared to what it should be. I couldn't believe the difference between now and when I had last seen her, The demi human girl with pink hair that was said to be cursed in class.
In a way she was holding her own but when I looked around her I didn't see a weapon of any kind. Did she put it away or lose it? She got in a stance that was more beast-like as she let out a low growl showing her canines.
"Princess your 'father' wants you back at the residence. You failed to reach the S class like you promised and so you need to be punished."
"You know he interfered with my results, I came first place in the combat test and my written test was 10th. He stopped me from gaining entrance to S class. " Her voice was dripping with malice after hearing the men say father. Looks like she has issues with family
"Shut up you bitch! You dare slander his majesty with your excuses. If we could we would have excited you by now!"
"But you can't I'm needed to create relations with another kingdom, Using me as a pawn to be married off its disgusting."
You May need your purity to be married off but we sure can beat the shit out of you before we drag you to his Highness.
A family bout- Check
Shadow guards that treat her like shit- Check
Forced marriage and abuse by everyone she knows - Check
It seems like the cursed princess is a lot more than just cursed.
"I- I just wanted to go out for once like the others do. Everything looks so nice and the people are really kind. "
"And you knew that you're not allowed out of your residence after classes in the academy."
Nodding at each other they began to encircle her. She slashed with her hands and to my surprise her nails elongated however they looked weathered and chipped. I had no clue on their durability but it certainly wouldn't be much.
A serious battle had begun.