Chapter 36: I came out wanting a drink (2)

Chapter 36: I came out wanting a drink (2)

TL/Editor: Raei

Schedule: N/A

Illustrations: Posted in discord.

Join the discord! Here

"Why on earth?"

It was hard to understand why the old man was drinking in such a place.

"If you don't answer one more time, this won't end just with words!"

"Come on, give it up nicely while we're asking nicely!"

"Ugh."

But the situation wasn't favorable for calm contemplation.

First, he had to deal with those big guys.

Eugene got up.

"Stop it, that's enough."

"Who the hell are you!"

The attention of the brutes naturally shifted to him.

They looked at Eugene with disbelief and clicked their tongues.

"Even a young kid should know when to stop."

"You've really got the nerve to talk back to us like this."

They stood up and approached him, determined to take care of Eugene first, leaving the old man alone.

People around them couldn't bear it anymore and stood up.

"Isn't this too much!"

"Even if you are gangsters, there has to be a limit to your actions!"

"Leave the kid alone!"

Trembling, they still did not avert their gaze.

He admired the courage shown by these ordinary people.

But the rage of the brutes grew even more.

"Look at these bastards, really!"

Bam!

One of the brutes stomped his foot down, filled with mana.

The force shook the interior of the tavern, causing people to fall over.

"Stop it, all of you!"

"If the guards come because of this, the situation will really get out of control!"

"I don't care, damn it!"

"We'll deal with you guys first!"

The brutes approached those who had fallen.

Eugene, still standing upright, sighed.

"I tell you to stop, and you walk away. What pathetic bastards..."

Even though he spoke loudly enough for them to hear, the brutes, in their excitement, didnt seem to notice and continued walking toward the fallen people.

"They're not even paying attention to me."

I couldn't help but feel a bit offended.

Was my provocation not provocative enough?

Eugene picked up two chopsticks and infused them with his mana.

This wasnt ordinary mana.

It was mana infused with lightning energy, which he had honed through practicing the Lightning Sword Technique.

The chopsticks glowed with a bluish light, trembling as if they would shoot out like arrows the moment he let them go.

"This should be enough."

With the abilities of those brutes, there was a high probability they would dodge the chopsticks if they were only infused with ordinary mana.

That would make them angry and rush toward him, leading to a scuffle...

It would be exhausting.

So, he had to infuse the chopsticks with lightning energy before shooting at them.

The speed and power would be incomparable to ordinary chopsticks.

Eugene aimed the chopsticks at the brutes' necks, gathered his mana at a singular point, and exploded it.

Whoosh!

The two chopsticks, drawing a bluish line in the air, pierced through the necks of the brutes and embedded themselves in the wall.

"Ugh!"

"Kugh!"

The brutes eyes rolled back as they fell to the floor.

Their massive bodies collapsed, causing a loud rumble in the tavern.

"What on earth is this!"

"Are those... chopsticks?"

The trembling people witnessed chopsticks piercing through the wall.

Astonishment painted their faces.

"Who in the world"

Their gaze shifted to the direction from which the chopsticks had come.

Eugene was standing there...

"Just some insignificant guys... Ugh."

He staggered back to his seat, seemingly hit by a delayed drunkenness, and plopped down.

"I need a drink."

He grabbed a bottle and started to drink, only to immediately grimace.

"Ugh! My drink's gone cold dealing with these thugs!"

"We'll provide this bottle on the house, sir!"

Recognizing Eugene's strength, a server quickly rushed over.

The other customers looked at Eugene with dazed eyes.

'He looks so young...'

'How did he manage to deal with those thugs using just chopsticks?'

They couldn't understand due to Eugene's youthful appearance.

'Were those thugs just weak?'

He was slightly drunk, so his brain was not functioning as quickly as usual.

He answered dismissively and continued to eat his spicy steamed buns.

"I dont need any repayment."

It was an attitude that could be perceived as insincere.

Russell was momentarily taken aback but soon guessed what Eugene might be thinking and regained his composure.

He must see me as an old man with nothing to offer.

So he must be treating me coldly because he thinks he cannot receive anything from me.

"You need not be like that. I am a person who can afford to repay others."

"I know. I knew who you were when I helped."

"Right, I knew you thought that. So, let's hear it, what is it that you want... What did you say?"

Russell asked, looking baffled.

"I knew who I was when you helped?"

The level of the mage who cast the spell on his face should not have been decipherable by such a young prodigy.

One would have to be a high-level mage at least...

"What do you mean you knew who I was?"

Eugene stopped eating and looked at Russell, then said in a low voice.

"Youre the Prime Minister."

!

Russells face was filled with astonishment.

"How in the world did you"

...Well, it's just something you can see if you look.

"That's absurd..."

Russell looked at Eugene, flabbergasted.

How could such a young man decipher the magic of a high-ranking royal mage and recognize him?

If he were to become a mage, becoming a great archmage would be the basic expectation, and he could aim even higher.

And thats not all.

Look at him; hes not fazed at all, even in the presence of the Prime Minister.

His heart must be as solid as a rock.

'He's a once-in-a-lifetime prodigy, even in terms of mental strength.'

He was overflowing with qualities that could make him a great figure.

Even the Emperor in his youth would seem ordinary compared to this young man.

If possible, he wanted to take him as a disciple and nurture him.

Although he couldnt become the Emperor since he wasn't of royal blood, he seemed likely to become a greater figure than himself, the Prime Minister.

If that happened, his power and authority could rival that of the Emperor.

Although, for the peace of the empire, I must prevent such an occurrence...

Regardless, there was no doubt that Eugenes talent was extraordinary.

'Talent, mental strength, ambition, purity... everything is perfect.'

Especially his purity.

It was indescribably high.

Even knowing what a prime minister does, he said that no repayment was necessary.

'At the very least, I must know his name.'

Russell could no longer back down.

He couldn't repay him, and creating a connection wasn't easy either.

But at the very least, he needed to remember this man's name, in case he needed help.

It would be a terrible loss if such a talented individual disappeared from the world.

Russell cautiously opened his mouth.

...I understand that you dont need any repayment, but at least tell me your name. I want to lend a hand when if you ever need help someday.

Eugene, who was in the middle of drinking, put down his cup abruptly and answered.

My name is Eugene von Lennon Grace.

Thank you.

I will surely remember it.

Having achieved his goal, Russell stood up.

Wait a moment.

He had been harassed by some ruffians, but he was in a good mood after finding such an outstanding talent.

My head wasnt working well because I was drunk, but Ive thought of something you can give in return.

Russell smiled faintly and took a step, but then he stopped because Eugene had grabbed the hem of his clothes.

Russell turned around to look at Eugene.

You said you thought of something I could give you in return?

Yes.

Cough. Tell me.

If there are any leftover elixirs from the royal family, could you spare one for me?"

Hearing this, Russell was stunned for a moment but then he smiled contentedly.

I guess I have to exclude purity from his virtues.

His heroic qualities hadnt changed, but he was a person who held a moderate amount of personal greed.

Still, Im glad I can repay him.

Russell smiled kindly.

Tell me where you live, and Ill send something suitable over.

Eugene gave Russell the address of his dormitory, and Russell promised to send a servant with the elixir by the next morning.

Then, standing up, Russell looked at Eugene, who had collapsed from drunkenness, and said,

This counts as repayment, but I still want to offer my help.

Hic.

When the time comes that you need my help, think of it as a debt and let me know. I will help as much as I can.

Sure thing. Hic.

Eugene laughed and waved his hand.

He had been drinking non-stop and seemed to be completely drunk.

...Then, lets meet again next time.

Russell forced a smile as he bid farewell and turned around.

---