Eager to enjoy some magical breakfast, Lennox's eyes immediately fell on a sleek magical fridge that stood against the far wall, glowing faintly with an icy blue light. It was a new addition, one of the many mystical features that had appeared after the tavern's upgrade.
Lennox felt a flicker of hope as he approached it. Surely, a magical fridge would be stocked with everything he needed to whip up a hearty breakfast.
"Let's see what you've got," he muttered, gripping the handle and pulling the door open with a soft hiss.
The light from inside bathed his face, but what greeted him wasn't the assortment of ingredients he'd imagined. Instead, the shelves were completely empty, save for a neatly packed tray of ice cubes in the freezer compartment.
Lennox blinked in disbelief, crouching slightly to peer deeper into the fridge as if something might be hiding in the corners.
"You've got to be kidding me," he groaned, slamming the door shut with a little more force than necessary.
Frustration bubbled up, and he immediately called out to the system telepathically. "Hey, System, care to explain why the newly added magical fridge is empty?"
The system's voice responded calmly, its tone as blunt as ever. "The Mystic Tavern provisions are exclusively for paying patrons. This includes magical drinks, spiritual wines, and enchanted snacks. As Tavern Master, you are responsible for your personal meals and daily necessities."
Lennox stared blankly at the fridge for a moment, then let out a long sigh. "So, you're telling me that I can summon Emberbrew Ale by the barrel for customers, but I can't get a single egg or loaf of bread for myself?"
"A respectable Tavern Master should take the initiative to manage their own affairs," the system replied, its tone almost smug.
Lennox groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Even mystical systems have their limits," he muttered under his breath.
Behind him, a faint creak drew his attention. Garrick stood silently at the kitchen's entrance, his stoic expression betraying no emotion as he observed Lennox's grumbling. His massive frame seemed almost out of place in the cozy kitchen, but his presence was oddly reassuring.
Turning to face him fully, Lennox let out an exasperated chuckle. "Looks like I'm going to need some help. Garrick, do you mind heading out and buying some ingredients for breakfast? I'd go myself, but…" He trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck as if the memory still stung. "Let's just say I'm not exactly looking forward to bumping into more troublemakers—like those thugs who cornered me yesterday. I'd rather not test my luck again, you know?"
Garrick tilted his head slightly, his sharp gaze assessing Lennox before nodding. "What do you need?"
"Just the basics," Lennox replied, listing off items like eggs, bread, and some vegetables.
The warrior listened silently before adding, "Why not buy enough for the week? Spices, sugar, honey—essentials."
Lennox blinked, momentarily taken aback. "That's… a good idea. Thanks, Garrick."
Without another word, Lennox moved to the bar counter. Opening the cash cabinet, he noted the system's efficiency—its 75% cut from the previous night's earnings had already been deducted. Out of the 19 gold and 50 silver he had earned, only 4 gold and 90 silver remained. Adding his previous balance and tips, Lennox had a total of 9 gold coins.
"Not exactly swimming in riches," he muttered, pulling out 3 gold coins and handing them to Garrick. "This should cover it. Get whatever you think we'll need."
Garrick nodded, his professionalism evident. Without asking further questions, he pocketed the coins and headed upstairs. Moments later, he returned, fully equipped in his obsidian-like armor and carrying his massive greatsword. The sight was as intimidating as ever.
"I'm off," he said simply, unlocking the tavern door and stepping out into the bustling streets of Greywater.
Lennox watched him go, the door swinging shut behind him. "Man of few words," he muttered, shaking his head as the quiet of the tavern enveloped his entire being, amplifying the growing hunger clawing at his stomach.
He then continued standing behind the bar, staring aimlessly at the gleaming wooden shelves before eventually glancing toward the staircase. Maybe heading back upstairs to do some reading would distract him. But the already growing pangs of hunger were relentless, making it impossible to think straight, let alone focus on a book.
His gaze drifted back to the shelves lined with magical drinks. Bottles of varying shapes and sizes gleamed softly in the morning light, their contents shimmering faintly with an otherworldly allure.
It was then that an idea struck him—a bold, somewhat ridiculous thought. Could the Mystic Tavern's drinks, with all their restorative properties, do more than just satisfy patrons? Could they possibly alleviate hunger?
Lennox frowned, recalling the adventurers' raving reviews of the Emberbrew Ale the previous night. They'd spoken of its warmth and energizing qualities. If it could revitalize them after a long day of hunting, perhaps it could work for him too.
As if on cue, the system chimed telepathically in his mind, its calm, logical tone cutting through his thoughts.
"Affirmative. The tavern's magical drinks and spiritual wines can alleviate hunger while providing essential nutrition and mystical benefits."
Lennox perked up, though his relief was short-lived as the system added, "However, the Tavern Master is required to pay for all consumed drinks. The price for each drink will be deducted from your available balance."
Lennox groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Of course," he muttered. "Even the Tavern Master doesn't get freebies around here."
Despite his annoyance, he knew he didn't have much of a choice. Hunger wasn't going to wait, and this seemed like the quickest solution. With a resigned sigh, Lennox stepped toward the shelves and scanned the bottles. His eyes quickly settled on a familiar one—Emberbrew Ale.
The faint crimson liquid glowed softly, like embers of a dying fire, and a rich, spicy aroma wafted through the air as he picked up the bottle. It was the cheapest drink in stock at 50 silver coins, and considering his limited funds, it felt like the safest bet.
Lennox reached for a mug, poured the ale with care, and watched as the liquid swirled before settling. Just as he lifted the mug to his lips, the system's chime echoed again.
"Notice: 50 silver coins have been deducted from your balance."
"Figures," Lennox grumbled, before taking a tentative sip.
The first sensation was the texture—smooth and velvety, sliding over his tongue like liquid silk. Then came the spice, sharp yet perfectly balanced, leaving a faint tingle that danced across his palate. As he swallowed, a deep warmth spread through his chest, easing the tension in his muscles and radiating out to his fingertips.
Lennox blinked, momentarily stunned. The hunger that had gnawed at him minutes earlier seemed to have vanished entirely, replaced by a satisfying fullness. He set the mug down, exhaling slowly as the warmth settled into his limbs.
But it wasn't just hunger the drink had alleviated.
Lennox felt something more—a faint surge of strength coursing through his body, as though his muscles were subtly being revitalized. His senses felt somehow sharper, his body more attuned to its surroundings. He flexed his fingers and rolled his shoulders, marveling at the newfound energy pulsing within him.
Unable to resist, Lennox took another sip, savoring the drink's rich, spicy flavor as the effects deepened. The warmth quickly transformed into a steady current of energy, as though his body was being fine-tuned by the magical properties of the ale. He felt his physique improve ever so slightly, becoming stronger and more resilient.
"This is…" Lennox murmured, shaking his head in awe. "It's almost heavenly."
Almost. Because for all its miraculous effects, though the miserly part of him couldn't help but grumble about the cost. "But it'd be nice if it came at a discount for the Tavern Master," he muttered under his breath.
As he took another sip, a realization dawned on him. If just one mug of Emberbrew Ale could provide such noticeable benefits, what would happen if he made it a habit? Could he grow stronger simply by consuming the Mystic Tavern's magical drinks?
His thoughts were interrupted by the system's familiar chime.
"Affirmative. Consistent consumption of spiritual drinks and magical ales can enhance the Tavern Master's physique and allow for steady progress in the apprentice warrior realm. However…"
The pause made Lennox narrow his eyes. He braced himself for what was coming next.
"Low-rank spiritual drinks alone will not elevate the Tavern Master to the rank of an official chi-awakened warrior. To achieve such significant improvement in strength or progress toward becoming a novice mage, the Tavern Master must upgrade the Mystic Tavern to Level 2."
Lennox groaned, leaning against the counter as the system's reminder of the upgrade requirements resurfaced in his mind: 20,000 gold coins in sales, 1,000 Rank-One magic beast cores, and a single Rank-Two magic beast core. The goals felt as distant as the stars.
Still, the faint but persistent spark of hope, kindled by the rich warmth of Emberbrew Ale, refused to flicker out. If one mug could carry him this far, perhaps small, deliberate steps each day could bridge the seemingly impossible divide, leading him toward his newfound goal of growing stronger and becoming a powerhouse in the new world.
With a contented sigh, he set the empty mug aside. The hunger that had gnawed at him earlier had been replaced with a satisfying fullness, but more than that, a new sense of purpose. He had uncovered a path to strength, one that led toward becoming an apprentice warrior, and with it, a chance to forge a future beyond his wildest expectations.
A smile tugged at his lips as he pushed himself up from the counter, feeling a surge of anticipation. There was no time to waste. Garrick's return might be a ways off, but that only meant there was more time for him to focus on his next step. He had to understand this new world. Aetheris, with all its complexities, mysteries, and dangers, was as unfamiliar as it was vast.
Upstairs, the bookshelves were already calling to him, their promise of knowledge tantalizing. Today, he would immerse himself in those pages, soaking in the secrets of this strange world while laying the foundation for his future.
As for the tavern? Well, for now, it would have to wait.