The Beginning After The End novel Chapter 283

Chapter 283

Chapter 283: A Mutually Beneficial Partnership

“This is why you need the expensive stuff!” the drunkard emphasized as the glass hit the bar table with a ‘thud’. “Come on, pretty boy. Take a swig!”

I glared at the grizzled old man with caramel liquid dribbling down the sides of his

mouth and into his beard and wondered how I ended up in this situation.

After the drunkard, who’d introduced himself as Alaric, interrupted me in the library and asked what continent I had come from, I’d promptly dragged him outside for some answers.

Alaric had refused to say any more without something in return. Lo and behold, the alcoholic wanted...alcohol.

He’d then led me to his favorite establishment, which was surprisingly upscale for a man who wasn’t even wearing shoes. We had been here ever since, sitting in the dark corner of the bar table away from the other patrons sprinkled throughout the bar.

Letting out a sharp breath, I lifted my own glass and gulped down the rum.

A smooth burn washed over my mouth and throat, followed by a sweet and oaky wave of flavor that lingered on my tongue.

“There, happy?” I challenged as the drunkard waved his hand at the bartender for a refill.

“I’d be happier if you order the entire bottle,” the old man said with a nudge.

“How about this?” I took the refilled glass in front of him and began slowly pouring the rum into the sink on the other side.

“No!” Alaric drawled as he pulled at my arm, which made me spill even more of the rum. “Fine, fine!”

I placed the half-empty shot glass back in front of the man who quickly snatched it away from my reach.

“What kind of sick bastard throws out good rum,” he grumbled.

Cocking a brow seemed to get the message across that I was no longer in the mood to humor him.

“You see...” Alaric whispered mysteriously as he leaned in close. “I have a crest that tells me you’re not from here.”

I stared deadpan at the old man.

He winked. “Just kidding.”

My annoyance turned to anger. I should’ve known that this alcoholic was just messing with me.

I stood up to leave when the drunkard spoke again.

“I don’t need magic to tell me that.” He rolled his eyes dramatically. “Anyone with half a brain would be able to tell if they spent some time watching you.”

“You were watching me?” I asked, sitting back down.

“Only because you stick out like a sore thumb. You carry yourself like a seasoned warrior, but your build and flawless skin suggests that you’re either a noble, caster, student or all three.” Alaric finished off the rum in his glass before continuing, “As if that’s not strange enough, you look and act like a tourist visiting from a faraway outpost.”

He waved his hand up and down as he examined me with a casual gaze. “You’re a walking bundle of inconsistencies. Now if you were in a more military or politically inclined dominion like Vechor or the Central Dominion, I’d put my nonexistent money on you getting cuffed in less than a day.”

I let out a scoff. “So why haven’t I drawn suspicion until now then?”

“Oh you probably have,” he mused. “Suspicion, curiosity, interest, all of the above. It’s just that Etril has always been a hub of diverse travellers that the worse they’d do is wonder and judge silently.”

After surveying the establishment we were in more carefully, I turned back to Alaric.

“Assuming what you said was correct, what is your reason for making yourself known?” I lowered my voice into a more threatening tone. “Haven’t you thought of the possibility that I’d just get rid of you?”

“In this place, where there are witnesses?” he asked, batting his eyes. “Trust me, kid. If I wanted to turn you in, I would’ve done so from a safe distance, but what does that do for me?”

“Excuse me?” I interjected.

“I don’t get anything out of turning you in.” Alaric paused, leaning in closer for dramatic effect. “If I were to, let’s say, help you instead, I’m sure we could come up with some sort of deal.”

I scoffed, shaking my head. “I think you’ve had one too many drinks. Besides, I don’t have much money.”

“Oh I don’t doubt that,” he agreed. “But I can recognize a golden ticket when it’s fluttering in my face.”

By this time, I was growing a bit uncomfortable, afraid that people would overhear. Alaric must’ve noticed because he waved his hand in dismissal. “Relax. I’ve been obstructing the sound around us so no one has heard a thing we’ve said.”

Is that why Alaric had been gesturing for a refill instead of asking for one?

Disappointed in myself for failing to notice and frustrated at how my lack of mana perception was hindering me in cases like this, I let out a sigh. “So you’re saying that even though you think—”

“Know,” he corrected.

“Think, that I’m not from here,” I stressed. “You’d rather try and strike a deal with me rather than turn me in?”

He cast a sleepy eye at me. “Is that so strange?”

“It’s just that the people from this city seem so reverent of the High Sovereign,” I said.

“What does my respect or disrespect of the Vritra have to do with helping out a refugee?” he quipped.

“Fine,” I acquiesced. “Let’s assume that your suspicions are true. What can you provide me and what exactly would you want in return?”

“You’re an ascender, or at least you’re trying to pass yourself off as one, right?” he questioned.

“How did you know?”

“The inn you’re staying at caters mostly towards ascenders visiting since there’s an ascension chamber in this city,” he answered dismissively. “Now. Onto your first line of questions. I’ll help you blend in so you don’t stick out like an armored troll shopping in city square, no questions asked.”

“No questions asked?” I echoed, interested.

“Frankly, I don’t give two shits about who you are,” he answered, swirling the caramel liquid in his glass. “That’s not it though. I’ll also help train you for ascents.”

I stared at the inebriated man, whose entire face was flushed and eyes barely able to focus on one thing for more than a few seconds. “Why?”

“Well, you’re going to need to be a successful ascender in order to make me lots of money, right?” He let out a scoff. “Good alcohol doesn’t come cheap, you know.”

Admittedly, I was intrigued by his offer. The strange gazes I attracted had been growing more frequent over the past few days. And Aramoor City was even considered one of the most diverse cities according to a book I had read.

“So all you want is money?” I confirmed. “How much of it, exactly?”

“Sixty percent of all of your earnings in the Relictombs as well as any form of ancillary promotions or winnings you earn while you’re on the surface as well,” he answered as if he had the figure set before we’d even sat down.

I gaped. “Sixty percent?”

“Hey! I’m uprooting myself from my beloved home and travelling with you while offering my tutelage.”

“You have a home here?” I raised a brow.

Alaric let out a cough. “The city is my home.”

I rolled my eyes. “So no home.”

“Don’t be so whiny, kid. Besides, Stormcove Academy takes around thirty percent of their graduates’ profits they get from selling accolades or other precious material found only in the Relictombs for the first five years after graduating. And that percentage is even higher in Vechor, Sehz-Clar and the Central Dominion,” he divulged before giving me an innocent expression. “But since you’re from Alacrya, you already knew that, right?”

I actually didn’t know. Much like the rest of the information about Alacrya that I did know, it consisted of tidbits I had picked up here and there by eavesdropping on conversation or asking questions like I had in Maerin.

“Forty percent,” I countered after a brief pause.

“Deal,” he replied immediately.

I raised a brow while Alaric quickly grabbed my hand and shook it.

“Stormcove only charges five percent while even the most prestigious ascender academies charge twenty percent,” he said, shooting me a wink.

This bastard...

Regardless of his deceit, it highlighted how much I needed help outside the Relictombs if I didn’t want to draw attention.

“Will you be coming with me on my ascents?” I inquired.

“Are you crazy? Of course not!” Alaric sputtered. “Does this look like a body fit for that godsforsaken place?”

I nodded. It would be easier that way.