Luke headed to the Bard's Tavern to get his class; what do you expect from the Bards? A majestic Tower or a dojo to teach music? It is already more than enough to own a Tavern, considering how much they may earn while going around and performing music, while royal musicians are treated differently because they are supplied with accommodation and a salary from the Royal Family. Bards are generally a support-type Class with healing powers equivalent to the Holy magic of Priests of Light. However, Bards cannot repair any bodily parts severed during the combat, nor can they revive the dead.
The sole reason people include Bards in their adventure parties is due to their Crowd Control Skills (CC). While the Priest of Dark can weaken and attack the enemy, Bards may disrupt the foes by forcing monsters to berserk, removing a single monster from a group, and so on. However, even at that point, very few players chose to become bards due to the negative reviews left by beta testers who were called for an interview on a well-known news channel to promote the game and give new players information before the official release. The reviews said, 'It was a hard class to grind for solo players, the good CC skills are hard to acquire early game because of their rarity' and assumptions for late game were like this it is better to nurture a Priest for the late game than the Bard because both the priest of light and dark are better support than Bard'.
Luke soon arrived at the Tavern, which was close to the Adventurer's Guild. Outside the Tavern was a circular platform that the Bards frequently utilized for storytelling and musical performances.
When Luke entered, he was surprised to see the inside of the Tavern because he had never visited Bard's Tavern in his former life, wondering, "Why would a Mage waste their time on Bards when it is better to grind?". Even though he learned most of their abilities from watching other players play the Class. The Bard's Tavern appeared to be a den of gamblers rather than a location to earn a Class. While standing at the gate, Luke wonders, "Did I come to the right place? I mean, they can gamble, but what's with this strong smell of ale all over the place?"
(A/N: Ale = A type of alcoholic drink)
While Luke was debating whether to question these drunkards or go and ask the neighboring folks for the correct location, a guy walked up behind him and asked, "What is a Young Lad like you doing in a place like this?"
Luke turned around and inquired, "Is 'THIS' the place to become a Bard?"
The guy responded, "Yep sure is, but why does such a young man like you want to become a Bard don't you lads want to become something cooler like a Mage or Swordsman"
The talk between Luke and the man drew the attention of several others behind him, who were having a good time in the 'Way of the Drunkards.'
Luke heard many whispers behind him
"Oi! Oi! Are we popular these days even though he is the first one to arrive among the people who came to the capital like herds of sheep and goats, maybe many people will come to us after him".
"NAH! Maybe he is just a lazy bastard like us Hahahahah "
Luke wanted to shout at them saying "Aren't you kind of mocking your Class" but talking with drunkards is similar to putting your face in shit.
Ignoring the drunkards, he replied to the man" NAH! I'm going to become a Bard, and stop calling me Lad I have a name that is 'Luke'".
The guy sighed and replied, "Sure your life your decision, lad go the counter over there and ask the bartender, he will provide you with what you need".
Luke thanked the man and proceeded to the bartender, who had the manner and physical appearance of a butler of a noble house if he wasn't working there.
The bartender, who had overheard Luke and the man's chat, asked Luke, "So, kid, what are you great at singing, storytelling, or some other kind of musical talent?"
Luke, believing this was a test to get into the Class, said, "I don't sing, and I've never tried storytelling, but I am very confident in my Music Playing skills."
Instead of the bartender's response, he heard a mocking cry coming from behind him, "Ha! How arrogant a Bard who can't sing or tell stories and can just play music; after all, playing music is something we're all good at, so does that make us equal in league with royal musicians?"
When Luke answered the bartender's question, he was only expressing the truth; after all, he can sing with his tone-deaf voice, but people hearing him sing would start throwing shit at the name Bard, and he did not go around traveling and reciting tales to people in modern times. His remark of his musical abilities was not one of pride, but of unwavering faith in his abilities, which were backed up by his prodigious talent.
Luke generally disregarded what the speaker said, but when he heard 'arrogant,' he had just one thought: "Free Skill Book Acquired."
Luke turned around and, rubbing his hands as if he were a shady merchant dealing with his customer, falsely praised the guy "O 'Great' Bard, since I mentioned my mere skills in front of 'Great' you, why don't we make a bet between us that 'Great' you will play a song you are most confident in and after that, with the same instrument that you played, I will play the same song only after hearing it once."
The entire area suddenly went silent, and everyone's initial impression was "there were too many 'Greats," but they quickly began yelling.
"Go! Armen, show this kid who are we" Yup the name of the man whom Luke challenged was Armen.
"How can a kid beat Armen when he has experience for more than 5 years, and the kid is still wet behind the ears"
"Hahaha! Start putting bets; I'm betting on the youngster because I think he'll show us something new."
Armen was now in a position where he had no choice but to accept the bet. Even though he would have accepted if no one was there, music is something all Bards take pride in, just as a Swordsman takes pride in his swordsmanship and an Archer in his archery.
Armen inquired of Luke. "What will be the rewards for the bet?"
Luke's response was "If you win, I will perform errands for you for an entire week but IF I win you have to give me one of your skills in your arsenal"
Armen responded, "Accepted," with a confident tone in his voice.