Chapter 213: Age and Evolution (Han)

[ Universal Chat: Server Sixty Nine ]

Lamia: You see my little green friend, it's normal for your body to go through an evolution—I used to be nothing but an ordinary Lizardfolk until I gained a new form. Look at these magnificent scales of mine!

[ Lamia sent an Image ]

Goblin reacted with a thumbs-up.

Drake sent a 'puking'' emoticon.

Lamia: Anyway... it's essential in building your kingdom to gain individuals that serve as an inspiration, someone who is different in a good way. Powerful? Yes. Awe-inspiring, even moreso. So all of the changes you're experiencing? It's normal.

Goblin: Hob?

Lamia: Exactly, that's the next step huh? Interesting

Wood Elf: I don't mean to pry, but I don't think he understands what evolution means. Not to mention this guy only has a tribe—and in Human territory too. He's encroaching territory!

Dwarf: Why look at that! Somebody who knows and respects territory agreements, isn't that surprising? @High Elf

High Elf: The Wood Elf is in Human lands as well, I don't think he's a good example

Dwarf: Well, stay out of my land!

Witch: Everyone can choose to conquer new lands if they so wish, but forgoing contracts? That is a pity.

Faerie: There's a loophole for sure! Plus you have to make sure that they can protect their own borders that is

High Elf: The lands that the Dwarf and his people are occupying now used to be neutral territory. Land that should have been shared between everyone according to the previous agreement.

Dwarf: Do not speak of war in this chat room

Gnome: Almost everyone knows it though? Besides, you're the one who called them out

Dwarf: Stay in your mound, pipsqueak!

Witch: …I have better things to do than see you folks squabble

High Elf: Before you judge, let us look at the facts. I happen to know that the land is quite rich in natural resources, resources that the Dwarf would like to keep for himself.

Dwarf: Oh? Did you want them? Come and get it! Hah! Have fun trying to fit through my mine shafts!

High Elf: I would have come there if not for your little men attacking me fellow Elves when we even step in the border

Wood Elf: Geez, someone is hot headed rn… hey, @Goblin and @Lamia are gone?

Witch: Perhaps they decided to do it in private messages instead. The people here tend to disturb decent conversation, you all act like you're simply two-hundred years old

Wood Elf: Let's not talk about the age. Besides, I was trying to be more helpful. But by the way I'm visiting Earth soon. Want to meet up @Gnome?

Gnome: Okay? O.o I'll invoke the Rules of the Unexpected Visitor however

Han stared at the screen and fought the urge to slap a hand over his face. The Wood Elf just blabbered his itinerary to everyone… what if the Demon Lord saw that and decided to tag along? He'd be dead meat before he could even know what hit him. The young man scrolled through the chat a couple more times in hopes of seeing the Mermaid say something.

It wasn't exactly stalking—he just wanted to gauge her personality.

The Mermaid had helped during the encounter with the Colossal Wyvern, but he doubted that she'd easily send him pearls because he asked for it. If anything, Han Jing was willing to make a fair trade with her… an interesting trinket in exchange for pearls?

He wished he was richer, and yet the reason for this exchange was because he needed money.

A heavy thwack hit him in the shoulder, Han winced and expected to see Timothy—but it was Donovan. He frowned, "What was that for?"

The Axe Wielder gave him a look, a look that said 'are you serious?' but he grunted, "You're not paying attention to the conversation. Sir Leon just asked you a question."

The man was still a noble-pleaser at times.

But he was right, it was difficult concentrating. He closed the screen and looked at the Noble, "Sorry, I was kind of—"

"Perchance busy with something?" the Noble asked. "My apologies for disturbing you, I was only curious if you had any other games similar to last night? Was it something played in your village?"

"I doubt it," Timothy muttered. "This guy never had much time to play when he was younger, he spent most of his time doing work and helping the adults out."

Sir Leon de Harrington raised a brow, "Oh? That's quite impressive."

"Everybody works though." Donovan grumbled.

Han wanted to strangle the guy—not Donovan, but Timothy. There went his alibi. What was he supposed to say to that? He scratched the back of his head, "Oh you know, you could say I'm a little something of an inventor myself."

"An inventor?"

He shrugged, "A game master?"

"I think I lost you there, Han."

"You're not speaking of the Gambler Class now are you? Did you mix it up?"

He shook his head, "I mean, it's not that too hard to think of a game. Timothy and I are both new here in the Academy, what's the best way we could get to know other people while making them like us?"

"Through a social event, brilliant!"

"Well, maybe someone else invented it already?" Donovan shrugged. Somehow willing to disagree with the Noble just to point that out.

"Yeah I think—"

"It's spinning a bottle, I bet every Drunkard and Pirate already do this." Timothy agreed with a roll of his eyes.

Well, this was something more in Han's favor.

The Axe Wielder rubbed his chin, "They're more likely to bash someone's head with a bottle than that though?"

"Imagine a Drunk man seeing a bottle spin. He'd get giddy and keep doing it again and again. Laugh like an idiot and snort to himself until he passes out."

"...the people you see and the ones I know are a completely different bunch." Donovan responded.

"I work at a tavern in our village. I see different kinds of people."

"Ooh, Grandma Moe's?" Han managed to squeeze in a word at last. Somehow he didn't expect that the two would get along well, Donovan was always… Donovan and the same went for Timothy.

Although he would have never guessed that Timothy worked at Grandma Moe's. Some kind of bartender or busboy?

"Considering that our village is at less than a hundred or even fifty people?" Timothy snickered.

Han rolled his eyes, "My bad, I would have—eh, never mind." If he said something about other people competing among themselves, he'd reveal himself for not knowing it.

And if Han could say a word, most drunk people weren't like either what the two saw. Most were just content to sleep—at least that was how it worked for him.

"I visited a tavern near the sea, lots of pirates get hot-blooded after a couple of mugs. The fights get ugly."

"I guess not everyone drinks merely for social drinking." Sir Leon de Harrington laughed.

A bit awkwardly.

Han blinked. It sounded somewhat elitist though. "Have you never experienced getting hammered when you're at your lowest low?"

"Hammered?" Sir Leon de Harrington scrunched up a nose. His forehead wrinkled as he glanced at him. "I only started social drinking this year actually."

"What? Wouldn't you like eating cheese and drinking wine in fancy glasses?" Han raised a brow.

"I only came of age this year."

Han blinked. "What?"

"I've reached my eighteenth year on the seventh month's twelfth day." A sheepish smile formed on his face. "I always took fencing when I was younger, but it had taken me some time before deciding that I should level up in something else other than my Noble class."

"Huh… wait, how old are you guys?" He glanced at Timothy and Donovan. It never came to his mind at all—but had he been dealing with teens all this time?

"Twenty years old," Donovan scratched the back of his head. "A bit late, but some people come here a bit older than usual so it's nothing. I mean, most come here after earning enough money to stay."

Alright, that was a little closer to his age. He glanced at his Companion. He always thought that they were the same age but...

Timothy frowned, "Don't you know how old I am?"

"Well it's not like I have a notebook with all of your information in it."

He sighed, "I'm nineteen."

Han's eyes bulged for a moment.

"Well, if anyone's asking—I'm twenty-four." A female voice suddenly spoke up from behind them. "Are you guys heading to the dining hall? You're in my way."