[A pool table, a wager and an angry bartender.]

Merin's Inn was an imbuement of effervescent mages, demi-humans, adventurers and knights from all around the kingdom. It was nothing short of a traveller's sanctuary, where the weary could rest their heavy bones and the fervent to trade tales from different lands over glasses of beer.

It was another usual night at the boisterous tavern. Clinks of crystalware and cheers of toasts pervaded the capacious sojourn along with the aroma of wine and rhythmic beats of music from a live band on the stage. It was impossible not to indulge into the contagious festive spirit.

The buoyant ambience was brusquely interrupted by a loud slam.

"BASTARD, I DARE YOU!"

The music screeched to a stop. All conversations ceased, and gazes immediately veered to the source.

A man no older that 30 stood tensed, face flushed and nostrils flaring with ire as he glared down at a smaller figure. His chair had tumbled to the floor a few feet away at his outburst. The man had one hand rested over the hilt of the sword on his hip and was poised to strike. Restless murmurs began to stir among the gathering crowd.

Despite his threat being twice his size, the mage crossed his arms over his head and leaned back nonchalantly, a lazy smirk on his lips. "What's wrong, adventurer?" he sneered. "Are you going to slit my throat like you did to beasts?"

A low growl bubbled at the back of the said man's throat; his grip on the sword tightened.

"Hey, hey! You can't fight here, it against the rules!" a voice laced with concern called out from the crowd. The mage shrugged. "I'm not the one threatening the peace in here. You should tell your friend to back down."

"You insulted my country and my job, you won't be getting away without a scratch," the man seethed. The mage flashed him an innocent smile. "I was only stating the truth. The reason why Tibulan failed to rise in ranks is because they produce adventurers like you who only holds your weapon as your brain- a barbarian."

A vein popped in his forehead. With a savage roar, he unsheathed the weapon and lunged.

It was a burst of chaos. The mage leaped just as the blade swung down, splitting the wooden table into two. With a gleeful cry, he conjured his wand and fired a blast at the adventurer. "Fight me, Tibulan's strongest barbarian!" he laughed, before throwing another spell at the man who had barely recovered from the blast.

A strangled bellow escaped his chapped lips, and he raised his sword-

"That's enough."

The voice that boomed above the mayhem dripped with authority and immediately ceased all ruckus. The crowd parted, and a girl donned in a black vest spotted with a matching tie marched forward. She crossed her arms and glowered at the two. Her stance emanated the aura of superiority.

"Merin's Inn's first rule was the forbidding of violence between customers, yet it seems you two failed to comprehend that simple rule," her voice was dangerously low. "Now, are you going to leave, or do I need to do it myself so your simple minds can save their last braincells to figure out how to go home?"

The adventurer sheathed his sword with a grunt before storming out in a fury. The mage, however, merely chuckled.

"My, someone's being confident," he straightened himself and faced the red-haired girl. "You, a simple bartender, thinking you can command me? Watch where you step, girl."

She narrowed her eyes. "I suggest you watch where you step, you are the outsider."

The mage ran a hand through his hair. "I would be more impressed if you backed down. Look at them," he swept his hand across to gesture at the mingling crowd, who immediately flinched away from his sudden movement. "They can feel my mana, and the reason no one came to stop me was because they know they are weaker than I am. So, my dear human, if you can't sense my mana, it would be wise for you to listen to your customers."

The silence that followed was thick with tension. No one dared to interrupt their stare-down. Finally, the girl sighed and loosened her posture.

"If you're so eager for a challenge, let's play a game," she proposed. The mage lifted an eyebrow. "You want to challenge me?" The bartender nodded towards a large table at one corner of the tavern. "Let's play pool. You lose, you leave. I lose, I do whatever you command."

The upsurge of noises immediately rose all around. The mage burst out laughing. "Excuse me, you want to challenge me to a game where I can easily cheat? That's enough jokes one can take a day," he dramatically wiped a tear from his eye. "Oh god, this is the funniest one yet."

The girl ignored his jibe and began setting up the table. "Good. That must mean you know how to play." She tossed him a cue stick and grabbed her own. Seeing she was actually dead serious, the mage let out a pained sigh. "All right, I shall entertain you, seeing you are so resilient. Before that, let's have a proper introduction."

The triangle rack that held the multicoloured balls in place floated upwards and his cue stick positioned itself. He smiled and crossed his empty hands. "My name is Ezaldor, rank 19 in category A of mages."

A collective gasp of recognition fuelled Ezaldor with hubristic pride. The girl merely rolled up her sleeves and loosened her tie. "Well, good to know you, Ezaldor. My name is Merin, owner of this 150-year-old inn." As she bent and poised her cue stick, she gave him a tight-lipped smile. "Let's see who's funnier at the end of this game."

*Bonus*

Behind the long counter, a man and a lady watched with mirth dancing in their eyes.

"I say it's time we make some extra bucks again," the man grinned and held out a hand. The customers that lingered at the counter slapped the cash into his hand. He counted the amount and pouted. "Come on, man. 30 is too cheap!"

The lady punched him. "Asshole. You obviously know who's going to win." He shrugged, before pocketing the money.

"Let's just say I appreciate Ezaldor's kindness."

♤[11/5/2020]♤