Tatsuki approached the bar with calm determination. Slowly, he opened the gate and there, in the far-left corner, he spotted a familiar face, Rin Elowen Brigsnil. Rin sat surrounded by his loyal followers, engrossed in his self-made game, through which he often duped others.
Tatsuki's thoughts raced back to a past life, where Rin had been the main cause of his downfall. Rin not only tricked him into becoming a slave but also, after months of relentless labor, had revealed Tatsuki's secret of immortality to the elders of his clan. Those elders, eager to seize power, promptly reported Tatsuki to the CW, strengthening their hold on several towns. It was time for Tatsuki to exact his revenge.
His father had taught him well, advising, "When facing the power of a lion, use the cunning of a fox." While Tatsuki didn't quite understand the meaning, he felt it was apt for his situation.
Tatsuki approached the young scion of the Brigsnil clan with a greeting, "Greetings, Master Rin."
Rin Elowen Brigsnil responded with pride, "Oh, you know my name."
Tatsuki replied, "Surely, Master Rin, who doesn't know this genius of the Brigsnil clan?"
Rin Elowen, with arrogance, said, "Haha, true. So, what business do you have with me, peasant? You don't look like a merchant, and I'm not interested in buying. If you came here to win me over, flattery alone won't suffice."
Tatsuki replied, "No, Master Rin, I'm not a merchant. I simply heard you were here, and I thought I should meet this genius, hoping some of your wisdom might rub off on me."
Rin Elowen suspected Tatsuki's intentions, "You sure can talk, peasant, but your words are hard to buy. Let me guess, you're here to challenge me at my own game, aren't you?"
Tatsuki deflected, "I wouldn't dare challenge a true genius like you, Master Rin Elowen. I doubt I'd last a single round."
Rin Elowen smirked, "Haha, you flatter me, peasant. I like you. Come, sit with me, and I'll play with you."
As Tatsuki contemplated his next move, he decided to add an unexpected twist. "I'm afraid that's not possible, Master Rin. You see, I only have a taste for the opposite gender."
Tatsuki bowed his head, concealing a smile. The entire bar erupted in laughter, while Rin Elowen's face reddened with rage. He slammed his hand onto the table, silencing the room.
Rin Elowen said, "It seems you have a big mouth as well, peasant. You dare speak to me like this, the genius of the Brigsnil clan."
Tatsuki humbly apologized, "I apologize, Master Rin Elowen. It seems I've offended you in some way."
Rin Elowen arrogantly responded, "Yes, you have, and now you'll suffer the consequences."
Rin Elowen's chief servant intervened, whispering in his ear. Rin Elowen gave a sinister smile and addressed Tatsuki, "You're beneath me, killing you would only sully my clan's name. I'll show you mercy. Walk away, leaving all your money behind, and we can forget this ever happened."
Tatsuki thought, "Going after my resources to make me suffer, huh? Only children do that. But I shouldn't expect anything else from scum like you."
Tatsuki replied, "Master Rin, I fear this peasant has nothing to offer, except his freedom. I possess no other riches."
Rin Elowen was taken aback, "You mean you don't even have a single gold coin?" He stood up and glared at Tatsuki with disdain.
Tatsuki feigned shock, "Master, for us peasants, seeing a gold coin once in a lifetime is nothing short of a dream. Obtaining it is far beyond our reach."
Rin Elowen responded arrogantly, "You peasants truly are the epitome of poverty. Tell me, how do you plan to compensate me for your insolent behavior?"
Tatsuki clenched his fist and realized he was losing his cool. "I'm starting to lose my composure. I better wrap this up quickly."
Tatsuki proposed, "Master Rin Elowen, why don't we settle this with a bet? If I win, you grant me my freedom, but if I lose, you can have my freedom."
Rin Elowen considered, "Hmm, and what good is a worthless peasant as a slave?"
Tatsuki replied, "Master Rin Elowen might change his opinion once he learns my identity."
Rin Elowen chuckled, "Worthless peasant like you even have an identity? How bizarre."
Tatsuki dropped a bombshell, "I'm Tatsuki, Level-Stone 1st Grade."
Rin Elowen laughed, "You're at the beginning even at this age, just as worthless as a peasant should be."
Tatsuki continued, "I'm a Type-Defective."
Rin Elowen immediately agreed to the bet, saying, "Let's begin, then."
The bar fell into shocked silence, and the nobles and Rin Elowen's minions were taken aback.
As the entire bar was immersed in shocked silence, every individual turned their gaze towards Rin Elowen. In unison, they muttered in disbelief, "Aam? Huh?"
One of Rin Elowen's minions dared to question, "But, Master, why waste time on such trash?"
In a fit of anger, Rin Elowen Brigsnil slapped his insolent minion and retorted, "You're just a lowly servant. How dare you question me?"
The chief servant of Rin New Brigsnil intervened to smooth things over, "Forgive him, Master. I'll make sure he receives the proper discipline when we return to the mansion. You need not concern yourself with him. However, Master, your sudden change of disposition intrigues me. Would you kindly enlighten us as to why this peasant has made a genius like yourself so eager to gain hold of him?"
Rin Elowen, with an air of superiority, began to explain his motives, "You fools don't understand, do you? Very well, allow me to elucidate. You see, there are two types of people who wield magic. First, there are the magic mages who specialize in casting spells but are typically weak in physical aspects. Then, there are the brute mages who focus on combat spells but cannot cast any magic spells. Now, can any of you predict the outcome if individuals from both types were to have a child? What kind of mage do you think that child would become?"
The entire bar descended into profound silence, the patrons and nobles alike deeply intrigued and bewildered by Rin Elowen's revelation.